Little Donnie came home in a huff and went to his room to sulk. When his mother asked him why he was so upset, he said because Johnny is playing with Steven and Joey.
His mother asked why he did not go play with them? Donnie said, “Because I am mad at Johnny and told him he is not my friend anymore. I told Steven and Joey they could not play with Johnny either if they wanted to be my friend.”
Seeing where this was going, his mother said, “Well you can sit here alone, you can go play with other friends or you can go make amends with your friends. But, if you choose one of the first two approaches, you may just get mad at them, too. So, why don’t you go make peace with Johnny?’
“Mother, I cannot do that as I will look like a weakling. It is important that they know I am tough. Plus, he made up stuff about me. I cannot believe Steven and Joey fell for his fake story about me. And, Uncle Roy told me never to apologize about anything.”
His mother sighed and said, “Well, it is up to you. Uncle Roy is smart, but he does not have many friends. So, take his advice with a grain of salt. If I were you, I might want to go see Johnny and become his friend again. Friends are like gold. Treasure them.”
“Mother, that is not true. Friends are people you use to do favors for you. If they don’t, then they are not your friends. Believe me. That is what Uncle Roy and Father said.
“Oh, boy,” said his mother to no one in particular.
*******************************************************
Fast forward to 2018. Turkey, France, Germany and Russia meet to discuss ending fighting in Syria. China and India are continuing to trade with Iran for oil, as the world’s supply cannot support their needs outside of Iran. And, the first anniversary of an Asia-Pacific trade agreement is approaching which includes all TPP partners, but one notable exception.
musingsofanoldfart 
Great ‘Li’l Donnie’ story, Keith! And so apropos. They say that even in elementary school he was a bully and tolerated no opinions that didn’t agree with his own. Then in high school, he attended a military academy and during a fight tried to shove another student out of a 2nd-story window. He has never played any nicer than he does now, but sadly now, the stakes are much, much higher.
Jill, many thanks. To be honest nothing surprises me about the US President. He has been getting his way most of his life. That has to have repercussions and symptoms. Keith
Very clever & wry Keith….shades of James Thurber.
Roger, many thanks. That must be a subdued shade. Take care, Keith
Inspired me to purchase a collection of Thurber’s works Keith.
Best wishes
Roger
Roger, please enjoy. Thanks again for the kind words. Keith
Note to Readers: For those who have not made the connection, Uncle Roy is referring to Roy Cohn, an attorney who advised Senator Joe McCarthy of the communist witchhunt fame. As an older man, he was a mentor to a rising real estate developer named Donald Trump. His two pieces of advice to the younger man were never apologize or admit you were wrong and sue everyone. The younger man lives those mantras to this day.
Dear Keith,
President Trump has never read the book, “How to Win and Influence Friends.” There is that book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
He admires folks that I wouldn’t go near with a 10 foot pole. His world is one of limitations. He will not handle the democrats being the majority party in the US House of Representatives.
His house of cards are about to fall. He can’t will his problems away.
Hugs, Gronda
Gronda, Trump will blame everyone for any negative news. The building stories around Trump and other Republicans acquiescing (and more) to anti-semitism and racist white supremacist groups is troubling for all of us.
He handled the bombing story awfully and is trying to hide from his hate speech. Keith
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Thanks Erika.