George Will on Jesse Jackson

I almost choked on my morning coffee when I read the piece by George Will attacking Jesse Jackson for his supposed “foolishness” and “falsehoods” in estimating the percentage of our taxes that goes to the military buildup and the number of jobs that have decreased since 1973 (Op-Ed Page, Jan. 29).

It is anybody’s guess how much we are paying for the military, depending on your definition of “military,” and we all know that the so-called “increase in jobs” under President Reagan means an increase in service and part-time jobs that will not pay enough to keep a single individual off the street. It is the real jobs that will support a family that have decreased, as Jackson pointed out.

So Will, that staunch supporter of Ronald Reagan, believes there is a double standard in this country whereby only blacks are allowed to be “foolish” or make misstatements. Come on, Will. Jackson doesn’t have you to coach him before his television appearances, supplying him with the answers before you ask him the questions.

CAROL TROUPE

Los Angeles