Kadafi, Hussein and political expediency

Re “How Kadafi Went From Foe to Ally,” Sept. 4

Once again, our government has climbed into bed with a ruthless dictator on the grounds that the enemy of our enemy is our friend -- which is second cousin to “the end justifies the means.” The Times performed a great service by pointing out that the reason we are now allying with Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi is that, as a secular nationalist, he is an enemy of the religious fundamentalism represented by Al Qaeda. Saddam Hussein fits the very same description. Both men had an interest in the defeat of Al Qaeda, yet our government befriended one while initiating an unprovoked war against the other, a war costing tens of billions of dollars, not to mention thousands of innocent lives. Why the discrepancy?

If the only principles governing our policies are the expediency of the moment and personal/political agendas, what is it exactly that’s supposed to make our buttons burst with patriotic pride?

BRIAN MULHOLLAND

Norwalk