THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 1, 1996 TAG: 9512290025
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
I have read several letters regarding the early retirement of Adm. Richard Macke (most recently ``Let admirals pursue careers,'' Dec. 6). I must comment.
Admiral Macke said that the three service personnel being tried for kidnapping and raping a 12-year old Japanese girl could have hired a prostitute for the same price as renting the car they committed the crime in. He showed an intense lack of judgment.
For the admiral to compare the premeditated act of three adult men renting a vehicle with the abduction of a schoolgirl clad in school uniform and then raping her to the act of paying a woman (or man) to perform consensual sexual pleasure was outrageous.
The violent crime committed against this young girl was one born on a sadistic need to violate a person and a sociopathic disrespect for females, not from some burning desire that could only be satisfied by paying for sex.
Admiral Macke and those who consider his remarks ``true'' show a complete lack of understanding of a perpetrator's goal in committing a violent crime against any woman or man and the ongoing repercussions for victims of barbaric behavior.
Admiral Macke's statement indicates a serious leadership flaw that does not serve in eliminating violent crime and undermines authority and leadership.
His retirement was a day late.
R. M. COUGHLIN
Virginia Beach, Dec. 12, 1995 by CNB