Pentagon Spending and Closing Bases

In response to “Hit List of Bases Sparks Fear, Outrage,” Part A, Jan. 27:

It is most unfortunate that the powers-that-be failed to see the handwriting on the wall and begin the long process of helping military bases and munitions producers to prepare for peacetime. Since all are interrelated, it is understandable that the Pentagon wanted to protect its wartime image, but just a little thinking would make it obvious that all kinds of retooling efforts should be in the works.

Your article mentions the unemployment to come “with dim prospects for new jobs” as the defense budget shrinks. It does not mention that many new peacetime jobs could come out of those very facilities. Let’s face it, we are a crisis-oriented society: if we weren’t, we’d have started cleaning up the environment and limiting population growth 20 years ago.

ELAINE STANSFIELD

Los Angeles