Heated arguments for and against women in combat debate

soundoff (3 Responses)

1. Jack Ostrander
   

   As a Vietnam veteran, I am completely against women in forward combat areas for the following reasons: #1 Despite what the feminists say, women do not , as a rule(there are always exceptions), do not have the body mass necessary to carry all that hardware a soldier carries. #2 Despite what some may say, the sexual tension that can develope between men and women(there have been reports of rapes occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan) and between men over women due to jealosy is bound to happen. How many have been killed because they didn't make that split second decision in a combat situation because of a momentary thought or distraction about the opposite sex. #3 Women don't think like men! Again, in that moment when it is kill or be killed, will a woman respond immediately or hesitate for just that moment because women are more of the nurturing type and more likely to hesitate before taking a life than a man would. That may not only cause her life but the lives of others around her(again, there are always exceptions). #4 Do women have the emotional toughness to experience seeing death and physical mutilation(from IED's,for instance) on a daily basis.? Heck, there are so many men who are coming home with PTSD from having to do multiple tours overseas! What a price for political correctness!! JO

   January 26, 2013 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse | Reply
2. Debra Armstrong-Wright
   

   I listed to this discussion on satellite radio this morning and heard a woman say, twice in fact, "This isn't about feminism. It's about equality for women." What IS feminism about if not about equality for women? That is ALL it is about.
   I so wanted Soledad or someone to (very nicely) correct this misconception. Why do so many young men and women think feminism is negative? Women like Soledad...women with a voice and an audience...need to speak up!

   January 25, 2013 at 8:13 pm | Report abuse | Reply
3. Brandi
   

   A Twitter post from Tucker Carlson was shared on the show this morning: "Feminism's latest victory: the right to get your limbs blown off in war. Congratulations." Responding to this, one of the comentators said "This isn't about feminism. It's about equality."

   What do people think feminism is, if not a fight for equality for all sexes/genders?? That is EXACTLY what feminism is. The concept of 'feminism' has such a negative connotation in the US- one it has done nothing to deserve. People shy away from any association with that term unless they are seeking to denigrate it. Until people can embrace that term for what it is and be proud of it's meaning, the fighting for equality will continue to be a difficult one. Feminism is a good thing. It is an ethical concept all intelligent, rational, enlightened individuals should embrace.

   I was disappointed with that comment.

   January 25, 2013 at 11:04 am | Report abuse | Reply