Gorbachev in Houston
Regarding “Gorbachev mourned as rare world leader but some still bitter,” (Aug. 30): In November 2012, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev spoke to a Houston audience at the Wortham Theater, and I attended. For me, the most memorable moment was his answer to a question asking about reactions in his inner circle to his bold gesture of not intervening in the Soviet bloc countries declaring independence and leaving the USSR. Gorbachev said: “How could I let them go, you say? Well, they weren’t ours to begin with!” That response spoke to his acceptance of truth and the courage to speak to it. I am privileged to have seen and heard this man who made such a difference in our world.
Jack Drake, Houston