Monday, March 31, 2008

I can't believe that Ruth Marcus fell for the "reasonable accommodation" ruse ["Hijabs at a Harvard Gym," op-ed, March 26].

The game of accommodation-leads-to-restriction-leads-to-prohibition is dangerously addictive and can lead to destructive, unintended consequences. First it's only one gym, then a swimming pool. Next might be the demand that women at Harvard wear a little more clothing -- you know, just a reasonable amount more.

Finally these Muslim women, denied the opportunity to pursue higher education in Muslim-dominated societies, will demand the separation of men from women in classes.

Perhaps Harvard will accommodate them -- reasonably, of course -- by establishing a women's college to insulate these acutely sensitive women from the pernicious influence of men.

They could call it Radcliffe College.

KEN GOLDSTEIN

Washington