Buckley on Women Soldiers

I am not in the habit of agreeing with anything William F. Buckley says, as a rule, but have to agree to his assessment that women have no business in the military (Column Right, Sept. 14). Polls revealed that “unwanted sexual attention,” as well as “sexual coercion” and even “sexual assault,” were the norm in the military. And why should it not be the norm? It probably is in all other groups of the citizenry. We have to face up to the inevitability of “raging hormones” becoming the norm when the two sexes are in close proximity.

And coincidentally, the poll reveals that male soldiers also reveal that they too have been subjected to “unwanted sexual attention and coercion.” How’s that?

One aspect never is mentioned--the query as to why any female would want to join the armed services.

JACK H. CHESNER

North Hollywood

Although I read Buckley’s column twice, I still failed to grasp his point. If he feels that women are not physically fit to serve in the military, there may be some basis for his argument. However, what in heaven’s name has that to do with respect? Surely he is not suggesting that if women dare to enter a “man’s” world they are fair game.

I simply cannot believe that a man of Buckley’s staunch uprightness and eminent respectability could be guilty of such mean-spirited chauvinism.

LORA SIGLER

San Pedro