-- Wally Jackson, Long Beach, Calif.

Thank you so much for stating what I've long thought about the importance of studying military history. As a committed liberal and feminist in her 20s who just also happens to be a Department of Defense scientist, Naval War College student and occasional military book reviewer, I often feel like I get it from both ends.

It's an unfortunate fact that conservatives and Republicans dominate the defense industry. This allows them to shape policy at nearly every level. Having frequently been the only female or Democrat in a room has made me acutely aware of the ideological leanings of our military and defense departments.

However, instead of educating themselves about the military and becoming active participants in its operation, my liberal feminist peers would rather whine and sneer. Sorry, but the type of anti-male, anti-military rhetoric coming from the left only highlights their ignorance and destroys their credibility.

I can only hope that a few women take your advice.

-- Michelle Celich

Normally, I disagree with you. Violently. In a sort of shaking-my-head chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all sort of way. However, I completely wholeheartedly agree with your comments about "The Vagina Monologues."

I saw Eve Ensler do this show in San Francisco several months ago, and I'm looking around me, hearing all these well-dressed women whooping it up. Like an entire 51 percent of the population suddenly, after all these repressed years, has been given permission to say the word "vagina" out loud. And the whole time I'm thinking, "This has got to be one of the most hackneyed things I've ever witnessed." It was like watching some "Friends" version of feminism. I thought Rachel was going to run onstage any second and start saying the C-word over and over in a little singsong voice and then give her thoughts on the latest Banana Republic offerings for spring.

"The Vagina Monologues" sounded really old school, like 1960s old-school feminism. Not even. It's happy, sweet, soft, easy-to-digest, mass-marketed feminism. Also it bothers me that "The Vagina Monologues" has become a corporation unto itself. It seems somehow wrong that this should become a large money-making venture.

-- Kathy Mancall

I am the daughter of an Italian mother and was raised in South Philadelphia. Your comments about Antoinette Cannuli hit home. She could be my mother, my aunts or my grandmother. These women represented to me true feminism. They kicked ass! And so do you!

I remember my mother being confused by all the fuss about "women's lib." Her response was, "What's the big deal? We've always been in charge." The women in my family have always felt empowered and would have no sympathy for the "victim" mentality of modern feminism. You are absolutely correct when you suggest women spend time with someone like Antoinette instead of seeing "The Vagina Monologues."

-- Anna Vaughan

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