"Any claim that women are equal to men in combat settings is utterly irrational."

WND ^

[narses]

...

Riggs said one woman who spoke at yesterday's press conference, Charmaine Yoest, a national advisory board member with the Independent Women's Forum, relayed a recent example involving DACOWITS that illustrated the need for less military feminization.

"On Sept. 10 – the day before those awful terrorist attacks – DACOWITS was discussing lactation and the need for breast-feeding policies within the Army," Riggs said. "This, the day before so many people died" in New York City and at the Pentagon.

"This is no longer a power game where ambitious women can try to advance their careers," Rios said during her speech, "this is a matter of life and death. Any claim that women are equal to men in combat settings is utterly irrational."

Rios cited a recent Royal British Army study that found stark differences between men and women under combat conditions. In one phase of the study, men failed 20 percent of the time to carry 90 pounds of artillery shells over certain distances, she said, adding that women failed "90 percent of the time."

"In a mission simulating wartime conditions, male and female soldiers were asked to carry 60 pounds of equipment while marching 12.5 miles, completing the exercise with target practice. Seventeen percent of the men failed, [as did] 48 percent of the women," she said.

...

[Happygal]

If the military doesn't use the best people where they need them, the military loses.

Certainly women have a place in the military...but NOT on the front lines.

I think women make better Nursing staff in hospitals than men. AND, actually, I believe women make better teachers in primary (grade?) school with smaller kiddies.

Everyone has their role.

And at the end of the day..who actually WANTS to be at the front line of combat?

[farmfriend]

I'm eager to know how Old Testament theology and 21st century feminism can be unified?

I do not try to combine theology and feminism. As I said before, I am a masculinist, an advocate of men's rights. As to calling me brother, I am neither black nor male.

The handle farmfriend and the verses in my tag line are the result of my lobbying for the Grange. My youth group when I was in high school was Isaiah 55. We stood on 55:11. It has always been one of my favorites. I started using verse 10 when I started lobbying for farmers.

[Lorianne]

With all due respect, you have no idea about how the 18-21 year old male mind works .... just about ALL of them can be played by a woman.

Well, if what you say is true, let's place them under the command of women in the military. What a motivator!

[LisaAnne]

I certainly wouldn't want to be on the front lines, but I don't pretend to speak for all women. I suppose there are a few women, as have been descibed by other posters, that can do a darn good job in combat. I think we should have one standard, affimative action be damned, if you meet the standard you get the job. Whether it's combat or any other job in the service.

[DBtoo]

I agree. I am a woman and would make a terrible soldier. We are not cut out for that; that was not God's purpose for us.

[nopardons]

Women, as CANNON FODDER is patently ridiculous ! Besides which, wars aren't fought that way anymore.

You disagree with me, because YOU aren't logical, don't understand war, the military,and have been brainwashed. You ignore ramifications of women in the military, haven't stated anything factula; just emotional codswallop.

In war, men get killed. In war, so do women, now. One man is capable of impregnating many women. One woman is capable of having a few children. In order to repopulate a nation, afterwards, you need far more women, than you do men. In this sense, men really ARE expendable. That's just for starters. : -)

You claim that we would be stupid to turn away anyone who wants to serve ? I guess that that means that you want openly homosexuals to serve, as well as the obese, the anorexic, the blind, halt, lame, whatever; just as long as they are " willing ". RIGHT ? How about children ? The Hitler Youth and Saddam's Lion Cubs do pretty well in combat. Why not OUR children ? Makes sense to you ? I bet it does. LOL

[Centurion2000]

Well, if what you say is true, let's place them under the command of women in the military. What a motivator!

Why ... so every 28 days they can be screamed at by a woman with a machine gun ??

[Happygal]

No and I'm having that post pulled per my request. It was meant for freepmail not the open forum. I don't mind others having a different opinion. I know my views are not the norm for this forum. I like to debate them. That is not what nopardons does. She twists what is said and makes it something it is not. Then she calls names that are unworthy of this forum or a lady. She now seems to seek out my posts and tries to bait me. I refuse to play her game

Oh boy! You just brought bitching to another level. You DON'T enter into 'games', but freepmail people to twist perspective outside of an open forum.

Farmfriend, I used really like you. My opinion has completely changed.

[nopardons]

Sure you did. LOL

I didn't call YOU names, yet YOU can't control your emotions well enough, on a stupid forum, to keep from calling me a B ... itch. I wouldn't trust you to clean pots, in the military, dear. :-)

[Happygal]

I'm a woman, and I'd choose two blokes every time too. If I'm in hospital though, I'd rather have women looking after me..they make better nurses.

[nopardons]

Way to go ! :-)

[Terridan]

Finally!!! A well written article, telling the truth about women in the military! Thanks for the post, and to Poised Woman, LOL! So true, yet soooooo unreported.
I have had the pleasure of watching one of these "Dykes" who thought "it" could easily overtake a small, undercover officer of the male persuasion... (male was 5'6, 165lbs.)
"It" was 5'10 and about 180-200lbs., muscle builder. "It" looked like a war horse or something, very scary. "It" threw a couple punches that I thought would kill, but, they were easily deflected and shaken off, after which ONE swift punch, thats all, just one well placed punch, put an end to the "it". Down "it" went. ;)
Stay well and God bless.

[Lorianne]

I agree! 99% of women probably wouldn't be qualified to be in 99% of combat positions. But that doesn't mean some few women aren't qualified for some tasks. Women reportedly have some aptitudes that could be useful in some situations. For exammple, some women are excellent sniper-type markswomen. They may be of use in guerrilla type urban warfare situations.

In addition, women were instrumental in intelligence operations in WWI and WWII. Not exactly combat, but certainly very dangerous "front lines" (or actually behind enemy lines) type work.

The most effective military always knows how to use their resources to their best advantage. Excluding half the population out of hand from the military is tactically stupid. The military even utilizes the talents of some men in wheelchairs! Obviously not on the front lines, maybe not even enlisted, but they utilize the talents of many people not combat capable nonetheless.

[Happygal]

Sweetheart...you asked HOW MANY WOMEN THREW A GRENADE INTO A TENT?

Well, none. But it was an ISOLATED circumstance. Now if you asked me the chances of a MUSLIM WOMAN in the US military doing the same thing? I'd say NONE, because Muslim women can't do jack shit, because they aren't allowed. In this instance is was a BLACK MUSLIM MALE...YOU picked the right WRONG analogy to make your point and YOU know it!

[nopardons]

No, dear, my reading comprehension is actually far better than average ; the same can not be said of YOU !

If you are a female, claim that females should be in the military, without specifically exempting yoursef, then, you are imperically including yourself. Learn some logic !

[Terridan]

You know what? I have noticed a great thing happening here and across the nation. People are speaking up, and being reported... Its beautiful and about damned time!!! ;)
This is a great post! Best wishes, and God bless.

[farmfriend]

You DON'T enter into 'games'

That is not what I said. Don't twist my words. I said I won't play her game. The freepmail is a friendly warning to a select few about a select few. Sorry I have gone down in your estimation. Perhaps I can redeem my self.

[Lorianne]

You claim that we would be stupid to turn away anyone who wants to serve ? No I did not say that. Please learn to read. Thank you.

[WorkingClassFilth]

So far, all I detect from your 'insightfull' analysis is that we ought to strive for some perfect group of active military. This, of course, will require tons of psychological testing and ongoing screening to make sure that all of the grunts are of the highest caliber.

Now, when it comes to action and the killing of these perfect troops due to enemy fire, what happens to the quality of the military as the ratio of imperfect to perfect begins to narrow? Can you hold the line with high standards in the remaining troops? Or will standards for all begin to regain import?

I'm a curious guy. Give me a little pleasure by outlining your grand plan for insuring high quality recruits and replenishing them with intelligent, principle people when casualties are incurred.

[nopardons]

Ah, but some Pali females, now are proud terrorist bombers. I guess that being a Muslim, is the ONLY requirement to commit suicide/murder. Oh, but THAT doesn't make them " soldiers ". :-)

Straw men arguments and name calling...that's been the ONLY stab at " debate " from this one and her " pal ". LOL