House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday responded to
Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that we're all equal.
Putin wrote an op-ed published in The
New York Times warning against a U.S. strike on Syria. In
his closing paragraph, he criticized President Barack Obama for
making the case for American exceptionalism.
“It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves
as exceptional, whatever the motivation,” Putin wrote. “There
are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long
democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy.
Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask
for the Lord's blessings, we must not forget that God created us
equal.”
Putin has in recent months signed two laws that restrict the
rights of gay men and lesbians in Russia. The laws prohibit gay
couples from adopting Russian-born children and the public promotion
of gay rights where minors might be present, effectively banning Gay
Pride marches and similar demonstrations. The laws have provoked
calls to boycott the Winter Olympics scheduled to take place next
year in Sochi.
“What I found interesting was the closing,” Pelosi told
reporters on Thursday. “He says when we pray to God he judges us
all as – I don't know exactly what his words are – but he says
that we are all God's children. I think that's great. I hope it
applies to gays and lesbians in Russia as well.”