Letter to Sunday Times: on Friendship

With regard to the email that has disturbed Madam Lee (Sunday June 3, 2012), the portions quoted in today's column might be received by an impartial reader as simple, fundamental insights, not especially cynical or sarcastic. Confucius in his Analects says a number of things about friendship germaine on this topic. The Frenchman Montaigne likewise, who grieves over the indispensable friend in his life taken from him.
That those in positions of authority and power face particular obstacles one would have thought generally recognised and understood.
With respect, an Australian visitor and admirer of this country and its people.

Lee Wei Ling is the daughter of the long-serving PM here, Lee Kwan Yew; the brother and son respectively the current PM. Chief family of the city state.
The lady, director of the National Neuroscience Institute, writes an occasional column in the Sunday Times. A few months ago she wrote about her rewarding friendships across the classes. In today's column of pique at a respondent's uncharitable response she writes of friendship even extending to her father's Security detail. Protesting a bit much, one might think, and rightly pulled up by the respondent.
Perhaps the tone here sufficient to pass the editorial desk. Regular readers will be duly informed. Mailed a couple of minutes ago.