Letter to the editor: Trump reaches new low with Putin

There he stood on the red-carpeted tarmac of the U.S. military installation Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, dressed in his red tie, white shirt and blue suit uniform, awaiting his invited guest. Would an honor guard and flyover add to the pomp?

President Donald Trump applauded the approach of his invitee before offering his hand with an official welcome. For a second I pictured a resurrected Jeffrey Epstein to appear … or perhaps Stormy Daniels. A more public show of affection for his idol would have to await a more private time together. Bowing down? Ring kissing?

And then he appeared, the Russian thug Vladimir Putin, a Cheshire cat smile on his face, knowing he had already won the summit moment by receiving the invitation and now this warm welcome.

Here he was, a war criminal, leader of a country which had violated international law by invading another, pariah among world leaders, a murderer of political enemies, being hosted by the so-called leader of the free world. He was being given the respect he craved from the U.S. president who seems to idolize dictators above all others.

The scene was sickening to this observer. Disgusting, shameful, embarrassing … choose your adjective. A ruthless former KGB officer being treated like royalty.

It seems like every time I accept that Donald Trump has reached a new low as measured by the scale of human decency, he shocks me by finding yet a greater depth.

Glenn R. Plummer

Unity