Adm. Kelso and Tailhook Scandal

In response to “Vexed by Tailhook Issue, Kelso to Quit Navy Early,” Feb. 16:

Based upon the President Clinton’s senior staff’s handling of Chief of Naval Operations Frank B. Kelso II and the Tailhook scandal, the taxpayers should brace themselves for a new round of $600 and $1,200 coffeepots. To allow Kelso and the rest to skate is a disgrace!

JIM LYNCH

Encinitas

* Bad news/good news: It’s deplorable that at least 90 women were indecently assaulted at the Tailhook convention in 1991; but thank God a thorough investigation has shown that there weren’t any assailants.

MARY A. ROUSE

Los Angeles

* In spite of Pentagon investigators concluding that at least 90 women were assaulted or molested at the 1991 Tailhook convention, not one person has been court-martialed. As far as heterosexual conduct is concerned, it appears that the “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue” policy works fine.

If two gay sailors acknowledge having consensual sex in the privacy of their own apartment, however, they are to be immediately discharged.

JAMES ZIEGLER

San Diego

* The 1980 EEOC guidelines clearly state that “an employer is liable for the acts of its employees regardless of whether the employer knew of the occurrence of sexual harassment.”

All educational institutions, private employers and governmental organizations have sexual harassment policies. The fact that Lt. Paula Coughlin resigned 2 1/2 years after the Tailhook convention because of continuing sexual harassment says something about the despicable behavior of the top Navy officers.

I would imagine that the sexual harassment policy for the U.S. Navy is fairly short and reads something like “boys will be boys.”

JUNE DUNBAR, Commissioner

Los Angeles County Commission

for Women

* Regarding your Tailhook editorial and accompanying photograph (Feb. 12):

Surely The Times’ editors know how many words a picture is worth. By selecting to run a photograph of Lt. Paula Coughlin with her eyes downcast and hand over her mouth, The Times subverts its own description of Coughlin as a woman of courage.

This depiction of brave whistle-blower as victim is part of the continuing outrage of Tailhook.

JAMIE O’HALLORAN

Sunland