Editorial
Good decision, bad timing on black berets

"A beard does not a philosopher make," some ancient, a philosopher no doubt, once said.

So it is with black berets. The fact is indisputable: Most of the soldiers in the Army don't become elite Army Rangers. Putting berets on top of them can in no way replace the rugged regimen and training required to become a Ranger.

We're proud that Hawai'i native Gen. Eric Shinseki has reached the highest pinnacle of Army service, chief of staff. But we'd bet that most everyone in the Army is relieved that his order to put berets on all soldiers has been reversed.

All that said, it's unfortunate that China got involved in this issue. Because Shinseki couldn't get enough berets made fast enough in the United States to cap the entire Army, he went to someone who could do the job — China.

It has become open season on China lately, with the downing of a Navy EP-3 on Hainan island and numerous human rights abuses. But the reversal of the beret order should stand on its own merits, not quasi-ethnic feelings.

If everyone in the Army can finish Ranger school, then they should all have black berets. It doesn't matter where they're made.