One of the most repulsive things written since the war began is this column by Wes Pruden. Ostensibly demonstrating concern for United States Army Specialist Shoshana Johnson, who has been taken prisoner by Iraq solider, Pruden deliberately insults Johnson and uses her circumstances to push his own agenda.

Pruden says that "female casualties [in Iraq] will be mostly poor whites and ghetto blacks, anyway." What?! Why does Pruden refer to whites as "poor" and blacks as "ghetto?" Is he suggesting that African-Americans from rural areas and other socioeconomic groups aren't serving in the military? That "ghetto blacks" are incompetent soldiers? That African-Americans in the "ghetto" aren't poor?

In fact, Specialist Johnson is not from the "ghetto." She is from El Paso, Texas. She is the daughter of a retired military veteran of the first Gulf War and her sister is a Captain in the army.

But the real mark of Pruden's contempt is his refusal to refer to Specialist Johnson by her military rank. Instead, Pruden refers to her as "Miss." (Pruden also refuses to refer to Private Jessica Lynch, who was killed in Iraq, by her rank.)

Don't be fooled by Pruden's claim of concern. The man refuses to show Ms. Johnson (and, by extension, all female soldiers) the respect she deserves.

May Specialist Johnson soon be reunited with her daughter, and her family.