Letters: Gay and at the Games

Re “Putin tells gays to leave children alone,” Jan. 18

Russian President Vladimir Putin pokes the eye of every Western leader who has spoken out about the persecution of gays in Russia. It’s tit-for-tat as only a true autocrat can play it.

The U.S. announces it will send a delegation to the Sochi Olympics with famous gay athletes to make a point about Russia’s barbaric treatment of gays. Putin responds by implying that gays are child molesters. And then he cackles that some U.S. states have anti-gay laws also.

Putin should know that the few remaining laws he refers to have been struck down as inconsistent with basic American precepts of justice.

So now it’s time for Westerners to respond, tit-for-tat. NBC won’t want to anger Russian officials, and the U.S. isn’t boycotting, so it’s not likely much more will be said by our government.

My suggestion: The first American medal winner holds a small rainbow flag while accepting the award. That should send the autocrat into apoplexy.

Thomas Bailey

Long Beach

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