A Father Changes His View of Military

Re “Father’s Mind-Set Is Liberated,” April 14: It’s heartening to read how novelist Frank Schaeffer found “his ‘elitist bubble’ was forever punctured when he sent his son off to boot camp at Parris Island.” It would be good for our society if more of us burst our own bubbles of ignorance and prejudice by a concerted effort to understand the experiences and feelings of others.

As a start, those of us who oppose the war on Iraq should follow Schaeffer’s example of respect for his son’s and other soldiers’ desire to serve their country. Just as important, all Americans -- civilian and soldier alike -- should understand that most Iraqis, including those forced to take up arms in Saddam Hussein’s army, deserve an equal measure of respect for their lives and their loyalties to family, faith and country.

Paul Conte

Eugene, Ore.

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Schaeffer obviously suffers from a rueful self-analysis and resultant residual guilt based on perceived privilege of class and race. (He is white, of course.) His experience occurs across class lines and his torment regarding his son’s imperiled future now is congruent with those others with whom he has a sudden relationship. However, I must take exception to his statement that he lived inside an “elitist bubble” and belongs to “the knowledge class.” He is a member of the educated class that so many of the underprivileged racial minorities and the impoverished attempt to enter by joining the military.

His self-characterization as an “elitist fascist snob” is another instance of self-pity. His awareness and repugnance of the utter waste of humanity and its resources rightly underlie his rejection of militarism. It is the use of young people like his son for imperialist projects in the invasion of Iraq that is the shame here, not a rejection of military service in defense of our nation from external dangers.

Stuart M. Chandler

Culver City

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A big plaudit for your article regarding attitudes toward the military. And thank you again, dedicated members of the armed forces, for a job well done.

Ken Gates

Ventura