[M. Espinola]

Mayor Koch was the closest in likability to Mayor Fiorello Laguardia. When he as Mayor of the Big Apple he walked around the lower East Side like a regular schmoe, he ate in the same old place, talked citizens like he was their uncle.

Normally Mayor Koch is right on when it comes to Islamic terrorism issues, the state Israel, supporting the President, blasting fellow Dems for being soft, and his general overviews on the Mideast. I have always liked him, although there were differences on some social issues. As far as what the Mayor stated about Premiere Putin he must have had some bad pastrami.

[familyop]

I agree from what little I've read over the years. There have been one or two other soft-headed columns lately. We all get older. And one can't help but sympathize with people here who have relatives in Russia during bad times. He probably feels that for some people he knows.