U.S. Troops in Somalia

You are perhaps a little too generous in your praise of President Bush for his move to send troops to Somalia (editorial, Dec. 4). I don’t think his motivation is just to save the poor from starving. His whole career shows he is more interested in demonstrating his, and America’s, power than in saving the downtrodden.

Perhaps he wanted one last glorious demonstration of his power after the bitter defeat at the polls. Perhaps it is more subtle than that. Perhaps there are hidden thoughts floating around in the back of his mind. Perhaps he is hoping that the operation will get bogged down and thus provide Bill Clinton with his first opportunity to fail in the international arena.

RICHARD FOY

Redondo Beach