SAVING ANTIOCH COLLEGE
AS AN ALUMNUS of Antioch College, I feel that Charlotte Allen's article on my alma mater ("Death by Political Correctness," November 12) mingled many elements of truth and sharp appraisal of the personalities and events that led to Antioch's decline with ideological gloating over missteps and irrelevancies of an institution that has become a favored punching bag for conservatives harping on the alleged failures of liberalism.
Alumni of Antioch College have asserted our loyalty and willingness to work and contribute money to the revival of the college. We have raised over $18 million in four and a half months. Distinguished and activist alumni are working together with the faculty and college community to revive a rigorous academic program, renew and expand the cooperative education experience, and forge a campus community culture of mutual respect, civility, diversity, and democratic participatory involvement.
Our passionate consensus is that this country needs Antioch College at its best, now more than ever. Antioch College graduates are leaders in the arts, education, law, politics, social activism, science, medicine, business, and the environment. Antioch alumni will ensure the college survives and prospers so that its heritage can continue for future generations of college students.
JOEL ELLINWOOD
Sacramento, Calif.
DIPLOMATIC COURAGE
THE EDITORIAL "Of Diplomats and Men" (November 12) by William Kristol and Dean Barnett was a depressing read for me, as a retired foreign service officer who survived the attack on our embassy in Kuwait some 24 years ago. My family was twice evacuated from dangerous postings for which we had volunteered. After the bombing in Kuwait in 1983, I asked my wife if she wished to come back to Kuwait, and she said of course we weren't going to let the terrorists win.
I retired from the State Department over ten years ago. Three years ago, I contacted an assistant secretary and asked if she needed old hands like me, I'd be willing to go to Iraq. She declined my request, basically telling me that they needed younger blood, although she didn't quite put it that way. I tell you this so no one could accuse me of asking -others to do what I would be unwilling to do myself.
I can't express how angry and embarrassed I am about foreign service officer John Croddy's opposition to assignment in Iraq because it would be a "potential death sentence." Croddy dishonors our former colleagues who have given their lives defending American diplomatic interests. I can't believe such a person is an American foreign service officer. I can only hope he is shunned for the unbelievable dishonor he has brought on to the career diplomatic corps.
NICHOLAS J. RICCIUTI
North East, Md.
A STUDY OF SLEAZE
MATT LABASH's article on hatchet man Roger Stone ("Roger Stone, Political Animal," November 5) disturbed me greatly.
Labash's story is amusing and well-written, as usual, but also chilling. That Stone oozes on the side of the angels doesn't excuse his conduct. Here's a man who told a lie as a kid, got a buzz from the results, and has achieved great success in politics, mostly working for Republicans. And he's not the only one, or the worst, but merely one of many sleazebags, of all political stripes, who engage in conduct most decent people would find repellent.
But kudos to Matt Labash. Now I understand why I'm always stuck voting for the evil of two lessers.
DAVE SKINNER
Whitefish, Mont.