Posted on 09/05/2003 3:53:47 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife
A federal court in Massachusetts has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to make women eligible for a possible future military draft.
According to a conservative group that monitors such issues, the judge upheld the right of Congress to exempt women from Selective Service registration.
In his 8-page opinion, U.S. Senior District Judge Edward Harrington invoked the concept of deference to the military.
"If a deeply-rooted military tradition of male-only draft registration is to be ended, it should be accomplished by that branch of government which has the constitutional power to do so and which best represents the 'consent of the governed' - the Congress of the United States, the elected representatives of the people," Harrington wrote.
The Center for Military Readiness hailed the ruling, agreeing that the courts don't have the power or the competence to "undertake the awesome responsibility to make policy in this area."
The plaintiffs in the case were five students - four men and one woman - who challenged the male-only draft on "equal protection" grounds, the Center for Military Readiness said.
CMR, which monitors military personnel issues, praised the court for adhering to "the law, precedent, and sound values."
If other courts do likewise, CMR said, homosexual activists may not succeed in their ongoing effort to overturn the military's ban on openly homosexual servicemembers. (Under President Clinton, the military adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding homosexuality.)
On its website the CMR says, "The armed forces should not be used for political purposes or social experiments that needlessly elevate risks, detract from readiness, or degrade American cultural values."
Only 18-year-old boys are legally required to register for future wars. Both sexes have the option of joining the armed sevices in peacetime, but only men in the services are required to be available for combat in wartime. Should a major war break out, it is only our sons who will be notified within forty-eight hours to report to boot camp. Before men can vote, they have the obligation to protect that right; women receive the right to vote without the obligation to protect that right.
The Myth of Male Power, Warren Farrell, Ph.D.
I am on the selective service board for my town, and I just finished my annual training.
First of all, all males "18 to 26" are required to register, every time they move.
If one fails to register by age 26, congratulations - you are an instant felon.
Morover, after one turns 26, one cannot register, own a gun, vote, apply for student aide, etc.
Tough.
As for the don't ask, don't tell bit - we, as your local draft board, don't really care about your personal preferences. Shut up and get on the bus.
I predict that women will increasingly be allowed to volunteer for any combat situation. But, by giving women more options in combat while still requiring only men to go to combat should a war erupt, we will be increasingly reinforcing the era of the Pro-Choice Woman and the No-Choice Man.
The Myth of Male Power, Warren Farrell, Ph.D.
I am on the selective service board for my town, and I just finished my annual training.
First of all, all males "18 to 26" are required to register, every time they move.
If one fails to register by age 26, congratulations - you are an instant felon.
Morover, after one turns 26, one cannot register, own a gun, vote, apply for student aide, etc.
Tough.
As for the don't ask, don't tell bit - we, as your local draft board, don't really care about your personal preferences. Shut up and get on the bus.
So what did I get wrong? My quote or the idea that boys are required to register. Nothing you posted changes what I said.
18-26
Should a major war break out, it is only our sons who will be notified within forty-eight hours to report to boot camp.
Each inductee has a right-of-appeal, with ten days to file.
Before men can vote, they have the obligation to protect that right;
You may vote up to age 26 without registering, subject to arrest after age 18. Odd, but true.
women receive the right to vote without the obligation to protect that right.
Yep. Thank god I won't have to draft my daughter.
As long as it is done in a subserviant manner!
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