Huffington on David Hackworth

In her critical review of David Hackworth’s treatment of Adm. Jeremy Michael Boorda, Arianna Huffington raises two significant questions: “Who is Hackworth?” and “Who has time to investigate the investigators and their motives?” (Commentary, May 31).

Huffington portrays Col. Hackworth as a disillusioned, arrogant, self-righteous Army retiree who has turned to journalism as his way of venting his spleen. Huffington points out that Hackworth lied, had documents forged and cheated on his wife. What she does not point out is that he lied in order to join the Army when he was 15 and that during his Army career he earned more than 100 military awards, 78 of which were related to combat. These include two Distinguished Service Crosses, 10 Silver Stars, seven Bronze Stars, three Legion of Merit medals and eight Purple Hearts.

Everyone agrees that Adm. Boorda’s suicide was a tragedy; however, that tragedy cannot be undone with an ad hominem attack on the Army’s most decorated living soldier. Or did Huffington not have the time to fully investigate Col. Hackworth’s background?

DAN CALDWELL

Professor of Political Science

Pepperdine University

* Wow. I am as far to the left as Huffington is to the right. But she really hit the nail on the head with her article about Hackworth.

She gave the perfect explanation for his going after Boorda. Sour grapes--very sour grapes indeed.

CHARLETTE FORD

Santa Monica