‘Soldier of Misfortune’

You sniff that “Soldier of Fortune . . . is not usually part of our reading” (“Soldier of Misfortune,” editorial, March 9). Perhaps it should be so that your leftist and pacifist editorial writers might learn something about the real world.

I have been a reader of Soldier of Fortune since I picked up its initial issue in Pueblo, Colo., a dozen or so years ago. After I retired from active military duty and more or less settled down here in San Diego, I became a subscriber. It has been with great pleasure that I have watched Soldier of Fortune grow in both quality and importance. I’ve had the privilege of making the acquaintance of publisher and editor Bob Brown, a man I respect. One reason for my respect is that Brown will admit when he is wrong and has been “had.”

As Brown’s magazine grew into not only national but international importance, he has made enemies, chiefly among the far leftists. I do not believe that I am paranoid in thinking that maybe some far leftists had something to do with the suit brought in Texas against Soldier of Fortune, the Omega Group, and Brown. This, I would think, would create some suspicion in an appellate court’s mind.

I am neither a “would-be mercenary” nor a “Walter Mitty type.” I am too old to be the former and have had my share of real adventures. Hell, just living downtown in America’s seventh largest city is an adventure. I read Soldier of Fortune for the same reason that I read the Los Angeles Times and that is because I think the field reporters of both publications do an excellent job. Now if the editorialists of The Times would emulate that of Soldier of Fortune--well I can always hope.

EDWIN O. LEARNARD

San Diego