What we can deduce from Putin’s prisoner swap
Dartmouth, Mass.: The multiple prisoner exchange that took place last week involving Russia and several NATO allies indicates two very significant facts. First, this was yet another demonstration of the unity of the United States’ NATO allies. Second, Vladimir Putin’s willingness to participate in this exchange so close to the American presidential election is an implicit acknowledgment that Donald Trump may not be reelected.
Putin is a keen observer of American politics, and he is obviously aware of the enormous surge of energy for the Democrats when President Biden bowed out of the race and simultaneously threw his support behind Kamala Harris. This was a significant coup for Biden and his administration, thus adding to the newly energized Democratic Party and candidates at all levels of government. Realizing that a Harris administration, newly installed, would have less incentive to broker a prisoner exchange, Putin grabbed this opportunity to free several Russians of value to him and demonstrated some goodwill in the hostile atmosphere caused by his war on Ukraine.
In a sense, Putin had much to gain by this exchange even if Trump were reelected and it caused tension or a break in their relationship. Trump is vindictive and revels in excoriating his opponents and anyone perceived to be disloyal to him. But his attachment to Putin has been consistent and would probably withstand this temporary show of goodwill towards Biden and his Western allies.
Trump’s claims that there would never have been an attack on Ukraine had he been reelected in 2020, owing to his close relationship with Putin, seems a hollow boast, like so many others. Betty Ussach
Interesting timing
Massapequa Park, L.I.: It’s great that the unjustly detained prisoners were finally released from a Russian jail, however, why was it done three months before the election? Thomas Facchiano
Lacking the chops
Brooklyn: Re ” ‘She cannot go wrong’ on veep” (Aug. 4): I disagree that the vice presidential choices for partnership with Harris are good ones for one reason: No one has any real foreign policy experience. Harris seems insecure and confused about world issues. She is certainly ignorant about what the horrors of war are like on both sides of any conflict. She applies a far-left, kneejerk view to foreign matters and seems rash beyond that. The world is in chaos, and we will not be appropriately protected as a nation without a strong ticket and administration. We can’t pick this one based on popularity, race, religion or sexual preference. We need wisdom guiding us. Dianne Stillman
Achievements, please
Park Ridge, N.J.: When Biden took office, the first job he delegated to Kamala Harris was to go to the southern border and fix the immigration problem. Nothing was done. Recently, Biden said we have to finish building the wall because that’s what the funds were allocated for. How’s that going? Everyone complained about Trump interfering with the agreement reached in Congress to alleviate the immigration problem. But Biden issued an executive order to limit the number of immigrants, each day, five and a half months before the election. Why wasn’t this done when Harris was first sent to the border? She has a record of doing nothing, yet she walks around like she’s the second coming. You don’t like Donald Trump? Fine. But if you don’t want him to be president again, don’t just look to beat him. Put up a candidate who will do something when he or she is elected. Steve Ostlund
Bended truth
Staten Island: Once again, Trump doesn’t tell the whole truth. This time it’s about Kamala Harris’s heritage. Yes, she is of Black and Indian heritage, although you only hear that she is a Black woman who went to a Black college. Shame on her, but then again, she is using her Black heritage to her advantage. Trump is his own worst enemy. If he wants to beat Harris, he better get his act together. Thomas Bell
Wishy-washy woman
Hicksville, L.I.: To Voicer Mike Gorman: Here are some better slogans for the chameleon lady: “I flip-flop more than a fish on dry land” and “I might have the personality of a tree stump like Hillary, but at least I am Black, or Indian, or half-Black, half-white and half-Indian, or cackle, cackle, cackle, or whatever.” John Gelormino
No ‘s’
Brooklyn: To Voicer Doug Slotolowicz: “My paternal side is Polish, my maternal side is Irish. I love having a Guinness with my pierogis.” Before you criticize someone for not understanding cultural backgrounds, let me correct you on our shared one: I love having a Guinness with my pierogi. Same word, singular and plural. Dziękuję. Kris Tapper
Right-wing ridiculousness
Rockaway Park: To Voicer John De Angelo: I disagree with your assessment that the world is laughing at us because the leadership on both sides of the political spectrum are acting like 5-year-olds. Biden and Harris, whether you agree with them or not, have served our country over the past three years with distinction and character. I am tired of hearing that both sides of the political spectrum do it. That is not true. The mud-slinging and character assassinations started after Trump decided to enter the political arena. None of the past presidents engaged in the despicable tactics used by Trump and his MAGA cult. That is what the world is laughing at. Convince people to distrust the election process without any factual proof. That is what the world is laughing at. Anthony Johnson
Switching lanes
Freeport, L.I.: A reminder to Voicer Rocco J. Lacertosa: Whether you’re burning rotten dinosaur guts (diesel oil) or fermented cornstalks (bio-fuel), you’re still filling the air with asthma-provoking, globe-warming carbon dioxide. As CEO of the New York State Energy Coalition, you are well aware that the United States, a world-leading petroleum producer, has no shortage of diesel fuel. Using combustibles is the burning issue. Bob Sterner
Great guy
Yonkers: I just read Antwan Staley’s article about Morgan Moses of the Jets (“Jets OT Moses takes part in team drills, feels like a kid again,” Aug. 3). I just want to mention and thank Moses for rescuing a friend of mine who was drowning, pulling him out of the surf in Fort Lauderdale last month. Hope you have a great season! Let’s go Jets! John Hodio
Can’t last
Brooklyn: In the aftermath of Israel’s targeting of Hamas’ leadership, smug Zionists everywhere are reveling in a massive sense of entitlement. For them, Palestinians amount to chicken liver. In response, I have to borrow the words of two great philosophers. First, Soren Kierkegaard, who opined that it is important not to overthink. Hence, in pursuing the best explanation to a problem, “It (the problem) is solved by walking.” This implies the idea of common sense, something Zionists lack. But not to worry — someday, they will acquire it. Therefore, I fully expect, as soon as the IDF’s Iron Dome fails, Zionists will be walking bigtime. Secondly, when that happens, I will have to quote Nancy Sinatra, who famously said, “Are you ready, boots? Start walkin’.” It will happen sooner or later. As an impetus to end this 76-year-old sick farce, I wish for sooner. Nick Smith
Misidentified with malice
Manhattan: In regards to Voicer Joe Fioramonti’s braindead question regarding an event that has only happened in the mind of right-wing transphobes: It didn’t get printed because it didn’t happen. Olympic Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is a woman with a chromosomal issue, not a man. Can your brain cram that in with all the nonsensical, untrue tidbits of info you’ve collected like a magpie? So, a woman who was born a woman is now to be determined by the morons of our country? Why are the dumbest people so concerned with the genitalia of other people? Do you not realize this is the Olympics? No, you don’t. It’s all just a blur of who to hate today, isn’t it? Well, find something else to complain about, weirdo, because the Daily News is not here to print blatant lies to suit your narrative, and it’s just plain weird, dude. T.S. Fallani