European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 14letters to the editor sunday december 20,1992 thes european edition col. Gene e. Townsend Usan  Bernard a. Zovistoski editor news and editorial bit i Walker european editor Deborah Abs tier news editor Bob Wicker sports editor Paul Cozby acting City editor George Menee special sections editor to write us unit 29480 Apoate 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37 6100 Darm Slade 11, Germany news Tel fax 06155-601416 to Call us dial 06155-601 plus Extension or Dan 348-8 plus Extension As follows news ext. 237, 255, 282, 226, 326. Sports ext. 225. 269, 263, 332, 321, 221. Features ext. 230, 245, 341. Letters to editor ext. 208. Education Jimi Jones ext. 226, business news ext. 326. News bureaus Kaiserslautern Germany Kevin Dougherty John Bohmer Steve scholar. Building 2899, Pulaski Barracks Apo a 09227-3717 Telephone t in 4b9-65b5 or civilian 0631-52104 Tel fax 0631-50696. 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Mantel Stales physical Handicap political affiliation or any other non Fri jul actor of the purchaser user or  so busters for the second time this year a disgruntled band of belgian Farmers has proven to be the military match of nato forces. In a referring to the protest action promulgated at shape in Casteau Belgium on nov. 23, where a ragtag band of unhappy  so busters once again vented their political frustrations for several hours at the Gates of the Sac eur a fortress. The scene was positively medieval the difference being that tractors have replaced draft horses and burning tires Are a substitute for torched Hay Wains. Its a pitiful and humiliating sight to see hundreds of fighting men and women from 16 nations being held under unarmed siege along with their supportive understanding families and civilian co workers. The passive no response of the local authorities in face of this unwarranted disruption is appalling and inexcusable. Adding to the insult an shape hastily produced and aired a Clumsy duplicitous news segment which i take it was meant to portray beleaguered Grade school students As possessing a wholesome attitude toward their farcical detention. The Only thing missing from the news segment was a belgian Farmer patting the head of the detained schoolchildren while asking through an interpreter if the child was enjoying his stay As a a a guest of the belgian Farmers. A Jeffrey s. Joppie shape Belgium a Dennany not the world Germany Germany Germany. Done to misunderstand in a not complaining about your reporting priorities i was really thrilled with the front Page spread on the individual who finally resolved his Pov difficulties but has anyone a up there considered the fact that the Mediterranean Region Isnit just a pretty face Italy Spain Sicily Sardinia Crete a take your Choice. Things important things Are happening a Down Here a and we be got lots of army Navy air Force marines and coast guard folks military and civilian who Are working hard to make them happen. Its time for you to put those steins away get off your duffs and expand your horizons. We re Here we re growing and we re proud of it. A James a Downing Naples Italy by Strain he Media this is in response to the recent Media coverage in be seen on the military operations in Somalia. I was appalled at the reception the seals Beach masters and Marine Landing forces have run into while trying to conduct their Mission. Livery step of the Way our forces arc being swamped with reporters. During most of the military operations of the past you heard the Media criticizing the military for restraining their actions and the press coverage of the Mission taking place. The situation in Somalia is a perfect example of what happens when the press is allowed to run rampant. I saw the seals hit the Beach in Mogadishu where they were outnumbered two to one. The reporters hovered Over the seals shoving their microphones and cameras into their faces. I commend the seals for keeping the Mission tactical despite the situation they were in. I then saw the Marine Landing Craft have to slow Down and change course to avoid the swarm of reporters waiting for them on the Chach. I like to hear the news and see the footage of any current military operation As much As any other person. But the footage of the Media getting in the Way and jeopardizing the Mission of our troops in Somalia is ridiculous. In the future when we hear the Media a cries complaining of the restrictions the military places on the press we can look Back on the actions in Somalia and understand Why the military imposes those restrictions. A spec. Christopher t. Owen Vai Hingen German editor s note letters from readers expressing their viewpoints Are published daily in this space. All letters must be signed. We Reserve the right to edit letters for clarity length and taste preference is Given to Shorter letters so that More can be published in a timely manner. Letters should be signed and include address and Telephone number. Address letters to letters to the editor the stars and stripes unit 29480, Apo a 09211. A a a letters requesting information or assistance Are answered in a feature called readers action line which normally appears every Day except thursday and sunday. Letters should be signed and include address and Telephone number. Address such letters to readers action line the stars and stripes unit 29480, Apo a 09211.be Nice o British it in a confused. According to your recent article soldiers and family members in Giessen arc complaining about British soldiers and their families buying out the pm americans have done this to different countries for years. Now that the tables arc turned there is a Call of  come on people lets share. They have Access anyway so Why not be Nice about it on the other hand the manager states that because of the increase of patrons he can now order More merchandise. I ask Why can the order More merchandise for the regular population a Karen Ballard Darmstadt Germany a one Way discrimination in be always supported equal rights and still doubt was recently shocked at a ruling by the Dodds athletic committee. For some time now we be seen women allowed to participate in menus sports such As football and even wrestling because no like sport was available to them during that particular season. Id never Given it much thought but always assumed the reverse would True if a Man wanted to play on a women steam if a like sport was not offered. But was i wrong. My son loves volleyball and has competed on All male teams in the past. He was disappointed when we moved to Berlin and found out Berlin High school did not offer a male volleyball program. In order to stay close to the sport he volunteered to help manage and coach the girls team. Eventually he was persuaded to play m a game with full support staff and students to Challenge the system. Berlin won the game and As expected the other teams coach protested the game. That a when the Dodds athletic committee was forced to review their position on male participation in female sports and vice versa. Their ruling can Only be looked at As discriminatory they ruled that females May play on male teams but males May not play on female teams. Maybe my approach is too simplistic1 but it just makes sense that if a female player can participate on a male team then a male player should be Able to participate on a female team better yet who even refer to teams As male or female when a like sport is not offered for both nones pc  be and Bud amp it o Dodds schools it makes sense to have competitive coed teams when dollars and or student population wont support specific sex Only teams for both. P Wake up Dodds. Its the 20th Cen Tury and discriminatory practices like this should not be tolerate cd what a Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander and vice versa. It. Col. John d. Ottino Berl Nobey . Laws in a confused and very disappointed. In the article a saudi based servicewomen get ban on Public driving  4it was stated that a . Servicewomen could not operate a vehicle anywhere off base. Have we forgotten Why we Are in saudi As . Citizens we Are not Quot part of the islamic society nor Are we bound by their customs. We Are bound to military and civilian Law and therefore should obey the customs and Laws we live by. If these so called Anonymous sources wish to keep us women from living the lives that we were intended to live then i suggest the . Commanders Send women Back to the land of Equality the Good old . Of a., where a woman can drive a vehicle anywhere her male counterpart drives. Servicewomen took the same oath As our male counterparts. Why wont our government stand up for our rights a senior airman Nikki Gervers Wiesbaden Germany belittling reference in a writing this letter in reference to a stomach for combat nov. 24in which a former master sergeant questioned whether Active duty women could answer a a yes to a series of War related questions. I take exception to the statement that a the lady soldiers in the second world War did a Fine Job behind the lines in  my aunt was an army lieutenant nurse killed in the line of duty at Anzio beachhead. The master sergeants Quot behind the lines statement belittles All of the women who have Given and those who Are willing to give their lives in service to the United states. Its a mistaken individual who believes that All women Are confined behind the lines Back at Headquarters. Lack of recognition does not equal Lack of service. A Jennie Baxley Raf Edzell Scotland a nazi lunch9 at school a quiet lunch policy has been implemented at the Mannheim Germany elementary school. It pains me to realize that the children Are forced to eat in silence As nazi Type guards ensure this policy is strictly followed. When Are our children supposed to socialize How Are they to improve their social skills our Community is a Rich resource of Many cultures Many diverse backgrounds and Many experiences Worth sharing. I oppose this degrading treatment of our children and request implementing a a quiet voice or a a whisper lunch policy in its place. A Theresa Snyder Mannheim Germany pen pals j i m 22 years old and would like pen pals in the military Christina Drew 2 Helmsley drive Wilton Lane Guisborough Cleveland ts14-6ta England i m 20 years old and would like pen pals world wide. I speak English and like Reading and listening to music. A Prescila Reguera 55 . Florentine St. Mesa Heights 1114 Quezon City Philippines i m 10 years old and would like pen pals. Shaney Hodgson 41 Romilly drive Carpender s pm Watford wd1 sen England. In a 30 years old and would like to have pen pals from an around the world. Ann Marie Gray Don co mrs. While 24 tru Locc court Trulock Road Northumberland Park London England wd1 sen