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As a graduate "ring knocker" of the class of 1959, U.S. Naval Academy, I must say that I agree with Mr. Boroff in his criticism of the methods and curriculum at the Naval Academy [Feb. 8]. After almost four years with the Pacific Fleet, I have become acquainted with many officers of civilian-college backgrounds. In this time, it has become evident that the course of instruction at the Naval Academy is lacking in the breadth of its horizon and the depth of its technical preparation.
The immense technological explosion of recent years has had a tremendous impact on the military, both in hardware and thinking. An even greater strain has been imposed on those responsible for providing the fleet with officers equipped to handle all of the ramifications of the space age. The Naval Academy is desperately seeking to alter its teaching methods and curriculum to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, it has not been able to bring itself to break completely with the traditions of the past, when all it had to do was produce a semiliterate officer well versed in gunnery, seamanship, steam propulsion, and the social refinements of an officer's life.
Amidst the howls of those officers (and I am one of these) who insist that an Annapolis man come to the fleet well indoctrinated in the aspects of his job as a seagoing fighting man, let me point out that for years the Marine Corps has been producing professionally sound and inspired young officers—in just six months of intensive training. I see no reason that the academy cannot do the same with a six-month, postgraduate, professional cram course.
J. E. NASH
Lieutenant (j.g.), U.S.N.
F.P.O., San Francisco
Catholic Outspokenness
Sir:
With reference to Catholic University's banning Fathers Diekmann, Küng, Murray and Weigel [Feb. 22]: it's the same old, old, wearisome story, the clerical club replaces thought.
(REV.) CLARENCE W. STANGOHR
St. Patrick's Church
Clinton, Iowa
Sir:
I would like to congratulate TIME on its exposition of censorship at Catholic University.
Our university is one of the outstanding schools in the country—we even possess a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa—and such a policy is a direct threat to freedom in education and is innately repulsive to us all.
PHILIP J. FARRINGTON ('64)
Catholic University
Washington, D.C.
Glutinous or Not
Sir:
The article on Taiho and sumo wrestling [Feb. 8] was very well done and most interesting. However, I suspect that the author has never actually sampled that fine fare and builder of men called chanko. To my knowledge, it is not beaten into a glutinous mass. If it were, it might be more palatable.
I always found it rather distressing to see the entrails of the chicken floating around in the stew in such an obviously recognizable state, and to be offered the unlaid eggs as the greatest delicacy of the pot.
Your readers might be interested in the sumo wrestlers' recipe for gaining weight. After eating a huge meal of chanko, the wrestlers go to bed immediately and sleep for twelve hours. It is the sleep on a very full stomach that builds their admirable bellies.
Thank you for an article that has made me very homesick for Tokyo and that wonderful sport of champions.
(MRS.) HEARTIE ANNE LOOK