THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 36 lines
I am really getting annoyed with some of the VMI alums who can't accommodate themselves to the idea of change. Their arguments are so specious, they border on silliness. They also sound remarkably like the arguments we heard during Massive Resistance.
First, if the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis can accept women, what special heritage or mission can VMI possibly claim that is different from those two institutions?
Answer: none.
Second, the Supreme Court has consistently found that the Constitution provides for equal protection before the law and that protection applies to women. In this instance, the court rules that VMI and their alumni must admit women. People who swear an oath to the Constitution should understand that a ruling by the Supreme Court on a matter under its jurisdiction is the law of the land. Governor Allen or Attorney General Gilmore should inform VMI and its alumni that they do not have the option to study or consider or contemplate. They must simply comply.
Third, who said VMI was for sale? Last I heard it was owned by the taxpayers of Virginia, not the alumni nor the board of visitors nor the superintendent. As far as I'm concerned, it ain't for sale: not for $400 million, not for $400 billion. Neither is William and Mary, or MCV or U.Va. Forget the fund-raising guys. The legislature that approves the sale of VMI will quickly come to understand the meaning of ``term limits.''
In the end, VMI is not significantly different from other military academies. It is not for sale, and the Supreme Court has ruled. It's time for the die-hard alums to take off their plumed hats and join the 20th century.
JOHN IRWIN
Virginia Beach, July 24, 1996 by CNB