Note: I try hard to keep politics out of this blog. This one may seems to plunge right into politics, but as it applies to at least the last four presidents, two Democrats and two Republications, it is at any rate not partisan. In his 1810 book , Aphorisms on Man, Manners, Principles and Things* , Joseph Barlett pens the following on friendship between nations. National friendship never existed. Interest is the basis of all their connections. So long as any nation's glory and resources are aided and advanced by another kingdom, so long, and no longer, will they be in amity. This has been a guidepost for understanding other nations interests for centuries. As long as the money is flowing, we are friends. This is not to say "true" friends, but that is well understood. The country giving the aid is often reviled by the recipient at the population level. While the aid giving country is praised an revered at the national and diplomatic
Random thoughts and used ideas