Churchill, like Navalny, a model of toughness
Flowers and candles are laid around a photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a rally to commemorate him, at Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio city council square. Credit: AP/Andrew Medichini
Like Navalny, he’s a model of toughness
Kudos to columnist Michael Dobie for expanding the definition of authentic toughness, usually limited to physical stamina and prowess as in sports: “Toughness is providing for others when the deck seems stacked against you . . . holding onto your beliefs amid a torrent of criticism” [“Navalny offers a lesson in toughness,” Opinion, Feb. 18].
Winston Churchill, Britain’s prime minister during World War II, easily comes to mind as the supreme model during our era. As Adolf Hitler’s forces overwhelmed and controlled most of Europe, including France, England stood alone as Churchill’s war cabinet advocated negotiation.
As we’ve often heard, Churchill vehemently objected and rallied the English with “We shall fight on the beaches . . . the landing grounds . . . the fields and in the streets . . . we shall never surrender,” leading to the ultimate Allied victory, even surviving the deadly Blitz, which claimed about 40,000 civilian lives.
Churchill easily exceeds all of Dobie’s criteria as one of the greatest leaders throughout history.
— Fred Barnett, Lake Grove
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returned to Russia to fight for democracy knowing full well it would result in his imprisonment and almost certain death [“Widow: Navalny fight goes on,” World, Feb. 20].
Yet we have politicians in Congress who cowardly kowtow to former President Donald Trump for fear of being primaried. Shame on them.
— Robert Tolle, Cedarhurst
Donald Trump’s latest manipulation of the truth concerning his many criminal indictments is appalling. He wants us to believe his treatment by the U.S. judicial system is comparable to that suffered by Alexei Navalny [“Trump is not like Navalny,” Editorial, Feb. 21].
How disgusting is that claim, comparing our country’s governing system to that of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dictatorship. In a way, it doesn’t surprise me. In the past, Trump has insulted so many people, even our military. But he has no trouble praising Putin. What’s next?
— Robert Ambrose, Medford
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