Understanding the Soviet Union

The opinion expressed by Norman Davies in his article (Opinion, Nov. 24), “Understanding Russia, Our Perilous Ignorance,” was most interesting and informative. The article, as it related to the Soviet Union, had the stamp of authenticity and authority.

Why did Prof. Davies have to cast so much doubt on his objectivity by his ill-mannered and snide remarks about President Reagan? His comment that the President is feebly educated and poorly advised was totally uncalled for, patronizing and quite unnecessary in an otherwise intelligent essay. What was gained by such condescension from a pedant?

If the President is so feebly educated, then he surely has not been poorly advised. Firstly, he managed to get elected twice by overwhelming margins, inflation is dramatically down, millions of new jobs have been created, the stock market has soared, the Russians have been brought to the bargaining table, the country feels more secure, and the President’s popularity remains at an all-time high.

If the President is a dimwit, someone in the Administration is doing something right! Alternatively, the President is brighter than many people, including a great many in academia, think. Davies does not give any credit, to whomever it is due, for the positive things that have taken place during Reagan’s tenure.

PAUL S. McCAIG

Dana Point