Giving something up to get something else in return is at the core of international relationships. Russia will stop attacking Ukraine with missiles if Ukraine cedes part of its land. Trump will leave Venezuela’s oppressive regime in power in exchange for its oil. As the saying goes,

The trouble with a mystery is that while it piques curiosity, It also invites suspicion. Imagining bad motives on some other person’s part makes compromises difficult and erodes a sense of community. Anyone who’s followed these blogs, even occasionally, has encountered one of my d