Russia and the U.S.

Following World War I Germans felt totally humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles. The result was the rise of Third Reich under Hitler, holocaust, and destruction of nations.

In the 1980s, President Reagan never missed an opportunity to insult Soviet Russia in the harshest words possible. Americans celebrated the fall of Soviet Union following Reagan's "Tear down this wall" Berlin speech in 1987. To add insult to injury, a haughty Hillary Clinton never missed an opportunity to condemn Putin.

However, Russians were not laughing. They are proud of their vast country, rich culture and long history. They nursed their wounds quietly and swore vengeance. Now it is Putin's turn to bring down America. By flattery and subtle blackmail, he installed his own Gorbachev and pro-Russia coterie in the White House. Putin's ambassador handled the transition smoothly and masterfully.

Today Americans are almost as divided as they were during the Civil War; there is utter chaos in the White House; the country is bursting with xenophobia, anti-Semitism and racism; the Rule of Law is in retreat, and 'American exceptionalism' is in decline. Putin's victory is complete.

I have been in this great country for 47 years, and now I can hardly recognize it. Greatly aggrieved, I have only this to say to my fellow Americans: So long as we are a nation without unity; people without patriotism; society without justice; community without pride; culture without harmony; religion without tolerance, and power without restraint, there is no salvation for us.

K.P.S. KAMATH, Cape Girardeau