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Jim Webb declines to be recognized as a distinguished Naval Academy graduate
[WAPO] Former senator Jim Webb declined Tuesday to accept an award as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, citing pressure from a "small but vociferous group" of female alumni who are angry about past statements he made that women aren’t suited for combat and shouldn’t attend the academy.Webb (D-Va.) was expected to receive a Distinguished Graduate Award along with four other alumni Friday in a ceremony in Annapolis, Md. The recognition is the most prestigious awarded by the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, and it goes to living alumni whose character, service and stature "draw wholesome comparison to the qualities that the U.S. Naval Academy strives for in keeping with its ideals of duty, honor, loyalty and integrity," according to criteria published by the association. But critics said the selection of Webb -- a highly decorated Marine veteran, 1968 academy graduate and recent presidential candidate -- was unacceptable because of his history of disrespecting women. They pointed primarily to an article published in Washingtonian magazine in 1979 in which he criticized women attending the academy and said that a dormitory there was a "horny woman’s dream." The article, headlined "Women Can’t Fight," was written by Webb after he left the military and while he was a popular academy professor. Webb released a statement through the alumni association Monday night that said he was sorry for any trouble he caused. But on Tuesday evening he changed course, saying on his website that he expected more protests and does not want to be a distraction at the awards ceremony. He was nominated by classmates who graduated with him in 1968, he said. "From conversations with the Alumni Association, including information passed down from top Navy leadership in the Pentagon, it is clear that those protesting my receipt of this award now threaten to disrupt the ceremonies surrounding its issuance," Webb said. "I am being told that my presence at the ceremony would likely mar the otherwise celebratory nature of that special day, and as a consequence I find it necessary to decline to accept the award." So distinguished Naval Academy graduates will now be selected by a "small but vociferous group of female alumni." Posted by: Besoeker 2017-03-29 |
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