One of the most powerful scenes in movies is the kiss Michael Corleone gives his brother Fredo in Havana on New Year’s Eve after realizing that it was the latter who betrayed him and almost gets him and his family killed.  My law school classmate and I would often discuss the heartbreak, disappointment, and anger within that scene.  

This one is about dealing with the Fredos in our lives – the ones who aren’t good to keep around for one reason or the other.

Long story short, Michael orders the death of his brother.  This decision isn’t easy because Fredo is good to Michael.  If you recall, he’s the only one who consoles Michael after the rest of the family disapproves of his decision to join the Marines against his father’s wishes.  But Fredo is insecure and jealous, and gives access to the Family’s enemies to  infiltrate the business.  It wasn’t malicious, more reckless and stupid than anything.

Michael regrets killing his brother and rightfully so.  Don’t kill anyone for any reason (with maybe one or two exceptions).  But I’ve also thought about whether that hit was truly inappropriate or ineffective.

The problem with Fredo is that he’s easily manipulated.  He is a walking liability.  His stupidity almost leads to destruction of the Family.  Keeping him alive would have just kept the door open for future avenues of danger.  I think Michael killed him out of vengeance but the practicality of the decision is more defensible.

Several close friends and I have discussed the Fredos in our lives.  Some are even actual brothers or relatives.  And we all agree, they must be taken care of.  John Boyd – a strategist I respected and whose work I often used said – if you ask for my loyalty, I’ll give you honesty.  If you ask for my honesty, I’ll give you loyalty.  I can generally forgive quite a bit but betrayal is not on the list.  I haven’t spoken to some former friends in decades because of this.  Loyalty is paramount for friendships and relationships.  State of love and trust and all that follows.

I understand everyone has a price but some people I know are just way too easy.  As I’ve said before, if you’re going to sell someone or yourself out, have some self-respect and at least do it for a decent price.  Cheap lovers make expensive wives.

A little known fact.  When David is on his deathbed, he counsels his heir Solomon to kill two individuals – his lead general and another prominent person who disrespects and disobeys in the past.  This is not only smart but warranted.  The general would have posed a military threat to the kingdom and the other a political one.  David – a man after God’s own heart and wise as a serpent.

It is difficult to find a loyal friend.  They are gold.  The others are to be held loosely.

Or taken fishing.