His manner bore a sense of grievance ennobled not by any claims to a superior insight, or superior instinct for politics, or an evolved, more comprehensive view or spirit, but rather grievance dignified by the mere habitual posture of having nursed the grievance for so long. Thus our president was doomed to be fundamentally disliked, worldwide, for the splendor of his hurt. The snubbings to which he was subjected took the form of chronic and elaborately petty refusals to agree to most of the conditions attached to less ambitious international accords initiated by the executive branch. These accords were mostly the work of small but assiduous subcommittees dedicated to the particular task.

Candace Nimms
06 01 17