Halve Defense Spending to Fund More Colleges

Re “Affirmative Action for Bluebloods,” by Norah Vincent, Commentary, Jan. 30: In the discussion about affirmative action, no one asks why any qualified student should be denied entry to our colleges and universities. It seems clear that there are simply too few facilities available to provide higher education for our young people. No competent student should have to compete for a seat in a college classroom.

Perhaps we could halve our military budget. Think what $150-billion-plus per year could do for our educational system. An added benefit may be a reduction in our propensity for armed response to every conflict on the planet and a State Department that relies on diplomacy rather than contributing to the clamor for war.

Len Thornback

Ventura

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I have benefited from affirmative action. I am an African American male who graduated from UCLA. I have a career as a human resource professional for Los Angeles County, making a very good salary, and own a home. My wife is also African American and is also a college graduate, working for Charles Drew University School of Medicine and Science.

Recently, my only child received her first notice of acceptance to college, and we are expecting additional acceptance notices. She received no waivers for application fees; we provided private tutors in addition to SAT preparatory classes. Affirmative action made it possible for my wife and me to get into the door. It did not ensure our success; we did that by working hard and studying hard. Now, our child does not need affirmative action, but other children do. Affirmative action only levels the field for access, and I thank the people of all colors for allowing me to get into the door.

Gregory Miller

Inglewood