More to the point, pulling American support out of Ukraine would have a devastating effect on NATO, which was created to prevent the very Russian expansionism we are now witnessing, and in the process sink America’s standing in the world. It’s been clear that Putin’s goal has been the dismantling of NATO and that he believes his support of Trump has been a major tool in that process. Even the Senate Intelligence Committee recognized Russian disinformation campaigns during 2016, aimed at supporting Trump and spreading dissent within America. Election interference was literally bragged about by Putin’s guy, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was in charge of this campaign. Perhaps the most embarrassing presidential moment I’ve witnessed was during a news conference with Putin and Trump in which Trump was asked about Putin’s interference in the election, and Trump replied, “[Putin] just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.” As Putin sat there with a smirk on his face. (Opinion editor’s note: Trump said the next day in a news conference he meant to say he didn’t see any reason why it “wouldn’t” be Russia.)
In short, if you want to sink NATO and Ukraine, lessen the trust and standing of America in the world and increase the power of Putin and Russia, vote Trump in November.
Jeff Dufresne, Minneapolis
GOV. TIM WALZ
Are you kidding me? “False GOP narrative on dog photo aims to paint Walz as liar” in the Aug. 29 edition of the Star Tribune appears to be another desperate attempt to deflect attention away from the flawed Republican tandem running for the White House in November.
The criticisms: Gov. Tim Walz was posting a picture of him petting a different dog while his dog, Scout, played in a dog park. Scandalous! And Walz was not a coach for the high school football team, he was a “defensive coordinator.” Tell any defensive coordinator from Pop Warner to the pros whether they are not a coach and see what sort of response you get.
