Okay, as a woman who as a child wanted to be a part of the special forces and a part of me still does, but as I became older I figured out some limitation that need to be addressed in the 'argument'. It's quiet simple and will make some uncomfortable. Women can't be placed in many combat roles due to the fact that we require showering much more frequently or some nasty infections set in. Beyond this, we are talking about war here. And if you want to talk about idiocy... Playing with equal rights, gender equality is not the intelligent tactic to win. I'm sorry, place the average sized male across from the average sized female any day of the week and initiate combat...what's the outcome 9 times out of 10, if not more? Yes, I know that modern combat is not just about strength and power, but it is about being prepared for whatever happens. If it came down to close quarter combat, the man fighting with the man is going to be the one more likely to walk away from the skirmish than then woman in the same situation. It's not about seeing a woman who is willing to go to combat come home in a body bag. It is about sending the best person to do the damn job. I'm sorry, but this is an area that woman are not equal. If you want to go to combat, you have a better chance of getting your way by getting the entire world to start sending only woman into combat than trying to change the ideas of those in charge and the way the majority thinks. That idea may not always come from the right place, but when you put it to thought...well, it's the one I bank on.
Also, this statement is *beep* It is BS, pure BS in fact. Women for centuries have fought in wars. Fact of life. It's just this crap that men are thinking that we'll step on their toes, their domain. "oh my god, women that want to learn to fight...jesus....it's the end of the world!!!!"
I may not be in the military, but I do beat people up for a living inside a cage. I do MMA, and I have never seen guys more accepting towards women in combat (albeit my life isn't exactly on the line) than the guys I train with every damn day. Those people support me, help me, and are standing right outside to watch me get bloodied up and beaten if it comes down to it. I'm not going to lie and say that what I said above is the only reason why women haven't been allowed in combat (though I do wish they'd change that silly things about women not being allowed to fly Longbows, haha). It's true, to some people it is about the fact that that person has tits. I just view it as the more intelligent game plan. If the facts were different, I'd be all for women in combat; but the facts are the facts. I don't have woman to spar with in the gym, so I am well aware that when it comes to combat I am at a disadvantage...it doesn't mean I'm not capable or that I'm not as good or better. I'm just at a disadvantage! And when you go to war you don't say, "Well, there is a way to put the odds in our favor, but meh? Who cares! At least we have gender equality!". Go to war that way and you won't have it for long ladies.
Thank-you and goodnight!
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guer0071
14 years ago
Sydney, um, we're going for idealism and altruism in this thread...not realism...come on, girl power right?
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Skarrllett
14 years ago
[quote Sydney007 on Sun Oct 25 2009 20:06:49]: Women can't be placed in many combat roles due to the fact that we require showering much more frequently or some nasty infections set in. [/quote]
I can't believe you actually mean that. As a woman, I would think you'd know your own body better than that. To quote you again, this statement is BS, pure BS in fact.
Talk about idiocy...
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14 years ago
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AureliusBady
14 years ago
Hey dude, what about hand-eye coordination, stamina, lifting heavy weights, hand to hand combat? Or you think you're gonna telepathically pilot Mechs? There is literally nothing you can do in the armed forces just by pushing a button-penis or no penis.
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14 years ago
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dgmacdou
14 years ago
"Shes not the problem, we are"
- Master Chief John James Urgayle
its easy for a woman to say that gender doent matter and she deserves to fight just like any man, but as the Master Chief put it, its men that are the problem. Not all, but some men would indeed act differently fighting along side women. How do you change that? I haven't a clue, but it is a fact.
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14 years ago
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dgmacdou
14 years ago
again, it is not the womens' fault, its the men. If womens presence nagatively affects the mans abiality to fight then it IS a problem. Its not right, but its true. it would be different if the US was one of the few countries in the world where women werent allowed to fight in these positions, but really.....name 1 country that does. This isn't a sexist issue. Dont make it out to be one.
"It just so happens he is only MOSTLY dead" - Miracle Max
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14 years ago
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dgmacdou
14 years ago
thats your opinion and i can respect it. But why bring up NASA? What does spending time alone with women have to do with a man feeling differetly towards a woman being blown in 8 pieces than he would seeing a man in the same way?
As to why a man feels differently towards woman being killed in front of them? I dont have an answer. perhaps its the same reason people will cry at a news story detailing a dog being abused, but dont shed any tears at a news story about a store clerk being beaten by a burglar.
I cant answer it.
Also, is it sexist that a man doesnt want women to be killed in combat? Or is it the opposite of sexist?
Theres no right answer to this, but i think there are wrong ones. My opinion (opinion) is that it is not sexist, yours is that it is. I dont think we'll resolve the issue :-)
"It just so happens he is only MOSTLY dead" - Miracle Max
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14 years ago
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dgmacdou
14 years ago
ok i am not from usa, so you'll have to forgive me......how many women have died in combat in iraq? afganistan? i havent heard of any which leads me to belive 1 of 2 things 1. women arent fighting in these 'grunt' roles or 2. they are dying and bush/obama (more likely bush) is not allowing the news to get out.
"It just so happens he is only MOSTLY dead" - Miracle Max
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14 years ago
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Jimwhitley6
14 years ago
Women are not allowed in combat arms units - infantry, armored, etc. Your assertion that women fight and die alongside men is exaggerated at best. And no - you do not have the same rights in the military as you have in civilian life. You effectively sign away many of your rights on joining. If the military deems it necessary, you can be discriminated against. They're in the business of winning wars (or at least they used to be) not of doing neat social experiments.
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