ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990                   TAG: 9005210206
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VMI FLAP: BASIC ISSUE IS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

AS THE DEBATE goes on about the all-male policy at Virginia Military Institute, the one fundamental issue is being avoided: the right to equal opportunity.

No matter how you look at it, you cannot avoid the fact that equal opportunity is being denied in a state-funded institution. Therefore, it cannot honestly be claimed that equal opportunity exists in Virginia.

The purpose of the armed forces is to ensure these ideals of equal opportunity and freedom of choice. If we cannot live by these ideals, then I question our country's right to have the armed forces.

The issue is deeper than just another battle between the sexes. It is a test of our fundamental beliefs as Americans.

Who cares about a 150-year-old tradition of an all-male policy? What about a 200-year-old tradition of equal opportunity and freedom of choice? MARGARET BOURDEAUX ROANOKE 


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