7/12/00 3:05 p.m.
You Go, Girl
General Claudia Kennedy may be thinking book deal…

By NR Staff

en. Larry Smith has asked for early retirement, after the Army reprimanded him for holding and kissing fellow general Claudia Kennedy against her will in 1996. Kennedy said she resurrected the incident last year — that is, three years after it supposedly occurred — because she couldn't bear the thought of Smith becoming deputy inspector general of the Army, with responsibility (among other things) for investigating sexual harassment.

The Army's report on the matter noted Kennedy's "lack of motive to lie."

Here's a motive: Kennedy, who has been riding women's issues throughout her career (she begins speeches to West Point cadets and other audiences by saying, "This is not your father's army anymore") is due to retire herself next month. What better way to go out. Get a fat book contract, or who knows, maybe even a little political buzz. Better than hanging a male brass hat on your rec-room wall.

You go, girl. Let's hope your mother's army is as tough on Serbs.