Re: "The Calm Before the Stormy"

3.21.18

To the editor

Frank Bruni (The calm before the Stormy, 3.21.18) problematically argues that President Trump's reluctance to attack Stormy Daniels is an extraordinary, if not unique, aberration for a man who so readily denigrates, bullies, insults and threatens others. Rather, as Frank Bruni observes, he is the 'tempered pacifist' perhaps fearful of what will be publicly revealed.

More blatant and infinitely more consequential is his treatment of President Vladimir Putin.  As reported in your lead story (President's call to Putin dodges talk of foul play), President Trump made a congratulatory call to Putin for his lopsided and undemocratic victory while withholding any criticism of Russia for its interference in our political process, its cyberattacks, or the poisoning of a spy living in England.

We have a right, a responsibility, to question President Trump's motivation.  A reasonably informed citizen should be skeptical of President Trump's treatment of Putin as it serves no clear political purpose and, in fact, runs counter to all the advice he has been given by his advisors.  As a citizen who is also a psychoanalyst, I question President Trump's motivation.  A logical speculation, and one can only speculate, is that just as he may be fearful of what Stormy Daniels may reveal, he fears the same with President Putin.  Based on the available evidence, this is a plausible hypothesis.  For this reason, Congress should take a clear and proactive step to ensure that the Mueller investigation is not undermined.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry S. Sandberg