Regan Remarks About Women

In your editorial (Nov. 21), “Blueberries and Razzberries,” you take a swipe at White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan for having the “pretty-woman syndrome.” If I may draw your attention to Page 1 for the same day, you gave reaction to his remarks as a news item on the bottom right of the page. But your summit pictures, in a more prominent (top) page position, and your captions tell us more what you really think.

The top pictures, the dominant picture, shows the men before the “start of last formal session. “ Beneath them, in an appropriately subordinate position, are the wives “as they met for tea.” Weighty indeed, herbal no doubt.

See also the headline on Page 5, “No Style Wars, Nancy Reagan Says.” You have brought attention to what the women wear, and whether, God and Paris forbid, they be seen twice in public wearing the same article of clothing. Is their dress so important?

You discussed Regan’s remark that “most women . . . would rather read the human interest stuff . . .” as if it were wrong. You act, through picture placement and article choices, as if he is right. When Regan said most women will probably not understand “throw weights or what is happening in Afghanistan” he probably said the truth. All that was needed was to add men probably don’t understand those issues either.

If you really think Regan is wrong, prove it, as he suggests, with a poll, but don’t say he’s wrong and act like he’s right.

FRANZ K. BROWN

Northridge