The beast across border

Re: Canadians need to stop treating Trump like a beast, Jan. 7 In the main, one can’t disagree much with Conrad Black’s assessment of Donald Trump’s domestic policies, but he fails to discuss his foreign policy, which is hugely dangerous to the U. S., to this country and to the NATO alliance (which he says he will not support).

Trump is woefully ignorant of Russia’s past and its relationship with the west, and seems totally oblivious to Vladimir Putin’s history.

Every Russian l eader since 1918 has been a ruthless, autocratic, undemocratic tyrant who has murdered domestic adversaries and engaged in bombastic military adventures against the west.

Stalin made a non- aggression pact with Hitler; Khrushchev tried installing missiles in Cuba.

The current dictator, Putin, has murdered journalists, political opponents and dissidents, including sending thugs to London to put polonium in a defector’s tea.

More dangerously, he has invaded sovereign neighbours, shot down civilian aircraft, and engaged in threatening military manoeuvres threatening the Baltic states and U. S. military equipment.

It ’s obvious he wants Trump to remove punishment ( sanctions) for his past criminal behaviour and desires an entente permitting annexation of neighbours he covets.

History has shown that cosying up to murderous tyrants inevitably leads to war. Trump is a very, very dangerous man.

Alan Mew, Baie d’Urfé, Que.

I normally agree with Conrad Black, but he seems to be in some kind of denial regarding Donald Trump’s character. Trump may turn out to be a good president. I hope so, but how one could call him a gentleman and not usually coarse after watching his deportment during the past year is beyond belief.

Jack Law, Ottawa