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Executive Times |
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2007 Book Reviews |
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The
Senator and the Priest by Andrew M. Greeley |
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Rating: |
*** |
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(Recommended) |
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Click on
title or picture to buy from amazon.com |
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Siblings All of Andy
Greeley’s novels explore the dynamics of families, and in The
Senator and the Priest, “General Rolfson,” I said to the commandant of the Air Force, “we
have at least one thing in common. We both have three daughters of roughly
the same age, do we not?” The youthful looking
four-star general with closely cropped hair and darting, angry, eyes regarded
me with undisguised suspicion and distrust, an enemy agent who had violated
the security of the command compound. The chairman of the
subcommittee—Senator Samuel Houston Crawford of Texas—had sung his praise
about the reforms at the Academy in “If you say so, sir,” he
replied. “Would you recommend that any of them
should seek an appointment to the Air Force Academy?” “No, sir, I would not.” He had told the truth which in the
present context for him was a mistake. “May I ask why not?” The junior officer next to
him whispered in this ear. “I must distinguish in
my response to your question, Senator, between my feelings as an officer in
the United States Air Force and my feelings as a father. As an officer I
accept the policy of the government on sexual integration in the military. As
a father, I have personal reservations about what would be proper for my own
children.” “I see. You mean
gender integration, don’t you?” He blushed and said in
a tight voice, “Yes, of course, Senator. Thank you for the correction.” “I would share those
reservations, General. I would not like to see any of my daughters at the
controls of a jet fighter, as you were and as well as my distinguished friend
from “I still fly jets,
Senator.” “For which I admire
you greatly, General, though I will be excused, I trust, from imitating you. . . But
could not young women serve well in, let us say, the
logistical and supply components of the Air Force?” I dared not look to
see if the Senator from “Perhaps, I did not
make myself clear, Senator. I support the policy of the American government
but I personally do not believe that women belong in the military even when
they are not in harm’s way.” He was dead now, poor
man. Whatever hope he had of being chairman of the joint chiefs had slipped
away. Still he could retire on the salary of a four-star officer and work for
some “Might I ask why,
General?” “I personally believe
that the kind of men we need in the military are
aggressive, dominant men, the only kind that can really fight wars. Women
make it more difficult to sustain such an attitude.” “The Air Force wants
warriors you mean?” You never served in
the military, did you Senator?” I did not, General.
But I remind you that the American tradition is that the military is under
civilian control.” I understand that, of
course, Senator. The military needs fighting men, I’m sure you agree with
that.” “Warriors?” “If you wish to call them
that.” “And in a warrior culture,
women are more likely to be in danger of assault?” “We will do everything we
can to prevent that, sir. But it will almost certainly happen.” This exchange would make
national television tonight. I felt sorry for the general, but more sorry for the victims of the culture of rape at the
Academy. “Warriors are more likely
to rape women if they are available victims and warrior officers are more
likely to wink at such attacks?” “I didn’t say that, sir. I
said we would do everything we can to prevent such attacks. But women in the
service should understand the dangers and not act provocatively.” “Women in a warrior culture
sometimes seduce rapists?” “You’re putting those words
in my mouth, Senator.” “Let us think a moment,
General, about a company like, let us say Microsoft. Why are they not
troubled by the emergence of a rape culture?” “Because they hire
different kind of men, Senator.” “Not the kind of men you
need to fight a war? A little less savage perhaps?” “The senator’s time has
expired,” said Sam Houston, whose adulteries were notorious in the Senate. “I thank the senator. I
also thank General Rolfson for his candor. American
parents will understand better the risks of a daughter enrolling at any
service academy.” I sank back in my plush
chair, sick to my stomach. I had destroyed a man’s career and his reputation
and warned people that the military culture as it currently existed tolerated
a “boys will be boys” attitude about rape. That culture could change
eventually, but not in the present culture of the United States Senate. Robbie who was sitting
behind me leaned over and whispered, “Will you talk to the media afterwards?” Her perfume was enticing. “I don’t have much choice
do I?” “Are you proud of what you
did to General Rofison, Senator?’ the first
question from the media. “It is the duty of the
committee to oversee the armed services. I ask questions with that duty in
view.” “You seemed to suggest that
rape is encouraged in the current culture of the military?” “Suggest? I said it
outright.” “You think this cannot be
changed?” “The difference between
General Rolfson and me is not over whether we want
our daughters at the Air Force Academy. Neither of us do and for the same
reasons. The difference is whether we believe that some warriors are
necessarily rapists. However strong the sexual urges of young males might be,
I believe that a society has the duty to impose sanctions that prevent them
from attacking women.” I returned to my office
deeply discouraged. Our pension bill would languish in the house. Rape would
continue to be commonplace in the military. I was wasting my time. Our
struggle to defend private property from Wal-Mart big boxes had a chance,
but why did it all have to be so difficult? Some of my colleagues were
drifting back into the office building after their return from their
constituencies and families. I envied them. I didn’t belong here. Maybe my
brother was right. No, certainly he was right. The headline in the Examiner the next day said it all. TOMMY ATTACKS WAR HERO There’s ample
laughter on the pages of The
Senator and the Priest, and the novel will be perfect for the beach or
for an airplane flight. Steve Hopkins,
May 25, 2007 |
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The recommendation rating for
this book appeared in the June 2007
issue of Executive Times URL for this review: http://www.hopkinsandcompany.com/Books/The
Senator and the Priest.htm For Reprint Permission,
Contact: Hopkins & Company, LLC • E-mail: books@hopkinsandcompany.com |
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