TOUGH FOR TOUGH?

LESSON FROM "DOTARD MEETS LITTLE ROCKET MAN"

While we slept last night, the 'dotard' and Little Rocket Man" sat at table behind closed doors in faraway Singapore to decide - in a sense - the fate of the planet. Interestingly, we woke up to find them emerging from the negotiation table, boisterously walking side-by-side down the hallway, smiling at each other, shaking hands, taking pictures, and speaking kindly of each other - Trump graciously described Kim Jong-un as both talented and with great love for his people. While I eagerly await the release of the contents of the joint statement signed by the rascally duo, I must express my admiration for their signatures - the type anyone with the power to authorize nuclear strikes should have; that of Kim is badass!

That's that for that. But my interest this morning is to call your attention to what brought them thus far. Recall that on September 19, 2017, and speaking before the comity of nations, Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea - where he dubbed Kim Jong-un "Little Rocket Man." Recall also that 3 days later, 22nd, Kim replied Trump, describing Trump as "mentally deranged U.S. dotard," and promised to "surely and definitely" tame him - with results beyond his expectation. Guess what? Nothing happened. Even the weeks leading to this summit was quite interesting: March 8 they agree to meet; May 15 NK threatens to cancel meeting; May 24 Trump cancels meeting - and later reverses the cancellation on receiving NK's reply; June 12 they meet. For the record, what happened last night hasn't happened in 75 years - the reason why it's historic. And we're all a part of it - in some way.

What do we learn?

I first read Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher in 2008.
One of the lines requests that his son be taught to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people. I quite didn't take that part seriously at the time, being a ridiculously quiet boy and wanting to please God in every way.

But then...

Over these past few years in the street, I've come to the conclusion that the only language most tough people understand is toughness, and the only good you can do for gentle people is dish them a treat of gentleness. For instance, we can relate with the fact only those who dig it out with bus conductors get respected. Yes, I understand that part where a gentle touch can melt a frozen heart or bend a stubborn will, but that is clearly rarely the case. My submission is usually that we need wisdom to know the difference.

I insist that we all need a measure of toughness in a lap. Trust me, you'll find it useful on that day when your village people send the replica of Trump or Kim Jong-un your way.

What do you think?