Reader questions Trump’s meeting with Putin

Mary Lou Pazour suggests that President Donald Trump's dealings with Vladimir Putin simply are an example of the well-known strategy to 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer” ('Reader offers thoughts on Helsinki meeting,” Aug. 8).

I missed the part about keeping your enemies so close that you meet with them in empty chambers so no one else can know what you've actually said to them. I missed the part about being so close to your enemies that they can and will help you win elections. I didn't know that being close to your enemies meant you also should condemn and penalize your actual allies, like Canada and the European Union, that consistently have stood by us. I missed the part about calling loyal, hardworking citizens, like the press, enemies of the people while you praise and placate a despot like Putin. If Putin is the enemy who Trump is keeping closer, who exactly are the friends he's keeping close to begin with?

I guess I just don't understand global politics.

Glenn Freeman

Mount Vernon