LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Putin’s nose-thumbing is telling

OPINION:

Had there been any doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin is our hostile rival and enemy, that doubt was dispelled with Russia’s granting of asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden (“Obama to skip meeting with Putin if no change with Snowden: report,” Web, Aug. 4).

Despite initial reports that Mr. Putin was treading carefully in the matter so as not to strain U.S.-Russian relations, Mr. Putin has made the calculation that to thumb his nose at us will have no serious, long-lasting consequences. Sadly, he’s probably right.

I must wonder whether the same disdain and contempt for our nation would have been displayed had President Reagan been in office. I suspect not.

OREN SPIEGLER

Upper Saint Clair, Pa.