Irreconcilable differences

To the editor:

Letter writer Michael Gorman (The Chief, Feb. 24) doesn't believe the U.S. has been steadfast in its resolve to support Ukraine against Russia. Actually, the U.S. started this by supporting the Feb. 22, 2014, coup that removed Democratically-elected Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych (Yes, it was a coup. The vote by the country’s Parliament came afterwards). 

When people in the Donbas who had voted for and still supported Yanukovych rebelled and tried to secede, the U.S. supported Ukraine's years-long battle to stop them. This was still going on when Russia invaded.

Yanukovych angered the U.S. when he agreed to a deal with Russia for a $15 billion loan and discounted gas prices. As usual when the U.S. interferes in foreign countries, democracy was not  the issue. The U.S. has a long history of helping to replace democracies with dictators when it benefits the interests of its corporations. Iran and Guatemala in the '50s and Chile in 1973 are just a few examples.

Yes, Putin is a war criminal for targeting civilians and infrastructure. Just as numerous American presidents are war criminals for doing the same in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Yemen, Serbia, etc.

With Jimmy Carter's failing health in the news, we are reminded of two good things about him. After leaving the White House, he did much good humanitarian work. Also, one of the few good things about his presidency was that he was a rare American commander-in-chief who was not guilty of war crimes.

Finally, another difference between "Strangelove" Gorman and myself is that I will not learn to "Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."

Richard Warren