Dear Editor:
In his letter to the editor (January 10), Zenon Zawada proclaims that there is an “ideological battle to annihilate traditional Western and Christian values” being waged in the U.S. According to him, the “defenders of Western, Christian values are on the losing end so far, unless we fight back.” Mr. Zawada claims that the “Left,” among other deplorable undertakings, is “ostracizing” traditionalists as “homophobes and transphobes.”
When I read the letter, the content and tone reminded me of someone issuing similar pronouncements and to some readers the surprise may be that it is Vladimir Putin. In a similar vein, Mr. Putin said: ”Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values. Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.” Fellow “warrior” on the side of the “traditionalists” Pat Buchanan made it clear: “Putin is saying the new ideological struggle is between a debauched West led by the United States and a traditionalist world Russia would be proud to lead. In the new war of beliefs, Putin is saying, it is Russia that is on God’s side. The West is Gomorrah.”
The similarity between Mr. Zawada’s and Mr. Putin’s declarations is not only about a war between secularism (cultural Marxism for Mr. Zawada) and Christianity (for both) but extends to their appraisals of the past with Mr. Zawada referring to the “glorious” history of the U.S. and Mr. Putin of Russia. So that, for instance, slavery for the former and serfdom for the latter do not sully an idealized version of their respective nation’s history. Also, both allege that there are “victims” to protect. Mr. Putin justifies aggression with assertions that he is simply defending Russians and Russian speakers and rectifying historical injustices. Meanwhile Mr. Zawada sees “white Christian males” as the “marked enemy.” One could go on, but the point has been made in their own words.
Perhaps Weekly readers can themselves ascertain whether Messrs. Zawada and Putin are “strange bedfellows” or kindred spirits. However, it is noteworthy to have read a letter to the editor in The Weekly that reminds one of Mr. Putin’s world outlook (weltanschauung).
Santa Monica, Calif.