martian2angel

The recent attraction of national politics has fueled an old argument on local fronts between genders and races over who holds supremacy over the other. I felt this battle first-hand last night when a friend of mine (who shall remain unnamed) began having questions on whether or not to join the military. Most people wouldn’t find this too shocking, however, this friend is not the stereotypical military leaf. I stressed to her that with the amount of compassion she carries for life, she might not be ready for everything the “defenders of liberty” bring to the table. For the sake of this story, I shall call her Janice. Please remember that Janice became a ‘semi-vegetarian’ because of the way animals are treated, yet holds on to an undeniable craving for meat.
Janice is a close friend, and more often than not, has expressed similar views to my own about military actions by our government in foreign lands. This weekend, I began watching a program about an aircraft carrier. I have a particular interest in these programs due to my prior service in the U.S. Navy. Our unique discussion began after she made mention to the hairstyles of the sailors on board. Janice assumed the women were required to shave their heads in the fashion as the men, which was obviously not true. As the show progressed, her interest followed in perfect harmony. Another friend of ours, I’ll call him Jack for now, arrived sometime during the program. Jack has been in the U.S. Army and served in Iraq.
While the show came to a end, the discussion about the role of women in the military did not follow suit. Jack would soon tell Janice that women were not permitted to serve in combat situations, a piece of information she was obviously unaware had been made into law. Learning this sent her into a rage unlike anything I have seen in her before. I went to NPR’s website and played an interview that discussed how women are in the thick of battle, but it did little to calm the storm. So now a question has to be presented, and I am not afraid to face the criticism because no one else seems to have enough respectful demeanor or courage to bring it up. When does equality become enough to satisfy a public that has no idea what it wants or needs?
I fully support women in the military. The role that each and every soldier and sailor plays is crucial to the success of the mission being performed—even if the mission happens to be maintain the base. Throughout history, men of all races have been charged with the protection of their families. Let me type that again…men of ALL RACES have been charged with the protection of their families. It has been scientifically proven through the benefit of medical technology that men are physically stronger than women on a statistical basis. Yes, there are several cases where women have surpassed their male counterparts, and many cases where the men being studied should never have been considered for the test, but that should not be cause for a complete change of military strategy. The basic idea of the military is to protect the nation and its people, not to play a game of war in the back yard with your brother’s friends.
I say that for the purpose of saying this—women are prevented from being deliberately sent into combat situations for their own protection. If this is a point of disgruntlement for you, then perhaps the military is not the right decision to make. The people who came to that decision did not do so because they were trying to hold women down, or keep them in kitchen…that is the most absurd thought process I can imagine. In the game of chess, only a fool sends the queen out first—her place is to protect the home while the pawns take down the aggressors.
I understand the loss of Senator Clinton’s position in the presidential race has sent many women spiraling down the toilet, not knowing what to do, thinking, “maybe I’ll vote for that gun-toting chick,” but please be patient. Remember that small-town politicians have to be capable of swooning a crowd during a speech, especially when the people are so cut-off from the national arena. I’m sure that Governor Palin’s intentions are genuine—as far as getting elected is concerned—I know that every talking point she has expressed is well-written by the president’s “finest” speech-writers. Is the idea of a good speech enough to give power to someone? It was hardly enough for Mrs. Clinton, so why in God’s name should it be enough for Mrs. Palin?

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