The piece by Fred Hiatt, “The gymnast and the czar,” (BDN April 30), spices the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin to dismantle Democratic tendencies in Russia with the apparent romantic attraction of Putin to a gorgeous young woman and vice versa. The relevance of Putin’s politics and romantic urges escapes me.

There is nothing new about a powerful male’s interest in young women. After all, Herod’s interest in Salome’s charms has been there for all to contemplate since the start of the modern era. It cost poor John his head. I’m sure Putin’s interest in Alina Kabaeva has little to do with autocracy returning to Russia by contrast.

John Lyman

Orono