Shame on you New York Times!
 
I have a degree in journalism. I understand timeliness and the need to print Putin’s letter before you got “scooped.” But the choice of graphic to put with it lacked discernment. On the day of remembrance of the greatest terrorist attack on American soil, you chose to join in on the propaganda of fear.
 
Where’s your patriotism?
 
To my fellow Americans, I know you’re worried. I know you don’t want a war. None of us want to see the loss of innocent life. But this letter isn’t about whether we want war or not, this letter is about finding discernment in what you hear and read.
 
I first saw Putin’s letter in the NYT when a friend posted on Facebook saying he never thought he’d so strongly agree with Putin. At first read, if you haven’t followed international news and aren’t well-versed in what goes on behind the scenes, Putin’s letter seems valid. If you’ll bear with me, I’ll break it down and tell you why it is not and why I believe it is a move in a fear campaign from a man who knows American’s aren’t getting what they need from their own leadership. Putin is using this situation to advance himself and his agenda. But I know that American’s are smart enough not to let Putin play us for dummies!
 
On Sept. 11, Putin wants to place fear in America about terrorism. He wants to break down our resolve and pit us against each other. Don’t let him do it.
 
Putin begins his letter telling us that he finds it important to speak to the American people at a time of insufficient communication. He knows we have free media, and is taking advantage of it at an opportune time! I will revisit this at the end of my explanation.
 
He goes on to passive-aggressively tell us that we could be the reason the United Nations collapses. He explains that America consented to the veto by Security Council permanent members. What he doesn’t tell you is that he is taking, and has taken, full advantage of that position.
 
After the council fell short of reaching an agreement on a British-proposed resolution (yes, British, not American), State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters “...what we’ve seen, not just today, not just last week, but over the course of many months, is the Russians at every move doing things to fail to hold the Syrian regime accountable.”
 
It is Russia which is repeatedly taking advantage of its permanent membership in the UN that could cause it to crumble.
 
Putin goes on: "A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem ..."
 
What you need to know about this is that on Friday, Putin will offer to supply Iran with five S-300 air defense missile systems as well as build a second reactor at the Bushehr nuclear plant.
 
So, tell me, who is it that is undermining the efforts to resolve the nuclear problem?
 
He continues: "It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance."
 
More hypocrisy! According to an article written by the New York Times in April 2013, "The goal (of the UN Arms Treaty) is to curb the sale of weapons that kill tens of thousands of people every year — by, for example, making it harder for Russia to argue that its arms deals with Syria are legal under international law."
 
You must know that Russia has made over $4 billion on weapons sales to Syria.
 
Putin says: "Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy ..."
 
No. No, it isn’t. It’s the Russian people who are battling for democracy. However, when Putin returned to the presidency a year ago, he very aggressively stamped out the protest movement and has worked incessantly to silence his opposition. There are falsifications in every vote by the people and in the Duma. Anyone who poses a serious threat to his regime is mysteriously killed or thrown in prison by a corrupt system on bogus charges. Democracy in America means freedom of speech and of the press. Putin has taken advantage of our democracy to try and wrap us up in his propaganda. What Russia has is not a democracy.
 
Putin closes with what really makes my blood boil most. It should yours too. He says: “We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.”
 
I’m sorry, but when orphans, especially disabled ones, are treated the way they are in the country he governs, he doesn’t get to speak to equality. When homosexuality is outlawed and crimes against a people are ignored and their homes searched just for suspicion, he doesn’t get to speak to equality. When immigrant workers are placed in city camps, he doesn’t get to talk about equality of God’s creation.
 
The letter does make some good points. Coming from David Cameron, Francois Hollande or even Xi Jinping it would be deserving of credit. From Putin, it is not. It is hypocrisy and propaganda. He doesn't get to say God created us all equal when orphans, disabled and homosexual people in his country are treated the way they are.
 
Let me close with this. Putin can not be taken seriously or trusted when his primary concern is his existential fear that if Al-Assad loses to his opposition, it means Putin and his repressive system will also, one day sooner than later, lose to his. Putin’s allies are Syria and Iran. That should speak enough for itself.
 
Vladimir Putin is not a statesman as he would like us to believe. He is a modern-day czar.  Don’t let him pull the wool over your eyes.
 
 
(You can read Putin's letter at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?_r=0 )