Would Bush want his girls on Iraq's front line?

U.S. News- Washington Whispers ^ | 11/24/03 | Paul Bedard

[Pokey78]

It's a question every parent with a daughter in military service, or considering it, has mulled since Pfc. Jessica Lynch, bloodied and possibly raped, was rescued: What the heck were she and other female soldiers doing in the line of fire? The answer is simple, though little publicized: Rules changed in the Clinton years to get women closer to the front. "This is exactly what we warned would happen years ago," says Elaine Donnelly, head of the Center for Military Readiness, a group devoted to limiting female combat exposure. "We need brave women in the military," she says, "but no one's daughter should have to suffer an ordeal" like 19-year-old Lynch's. Even some Pentagon officials agree and would like to see new limits on female combat roles. But it's all up to President Bush, the father of twin 21-year-old daughters, who has yet to weigh in on the issue. Donnelly's attempts at an Oval Office visit have been ignored, so she has started a petition to get Bush to dump the rules. "He needs to give direction," says Donnelly. "We're tugging on his sleeve."

[isom35]

maybe they would be good at carrying alcohol to our troops. they sure are good at drinking it :)

[Polybius]

Would BJ Willie want Chelsea Clinton on the front line?

Of course not.

However, if you ask him about Hillary......

[GreyFriar]

It use to be expected that the sons of the leadership and the rich would be in the military in a time of war. Tiffany and his buddies who joined the Rough Riders. TR's sons fought in WWI, & one died. Teddy junior fought in WWI & WWII and died in the latter. FDR's sons enlisted.

[76834]

I hate to break your balloon but every AMERICAN is on the front line now.
Just took 3000 kia in New York to make some of us realize the facts.
Our heroic warriors in Afghanistan, Iraq ETAL are just keeping it away, at least for now.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

What kind of fool would want ANYONE on any 'front line' anywhere?

I have no idea. It seems a strange sort of question to ask. Sort of like asking if he would want his daughters to be firefighters rushing in to a burning building or cops chasing some felon down a dark ally. Nobody actually wants anybody to have to do these things whether they are related or not.

But sometimes it is necessary. And thankfully there are brave people who volunteer to do them.

[maisyday]

There is no mention here of the women soldiers that have been killed. One of the first to die was in Afghanistan and I believe 3 total there and I'm not sure how many women have died in Iraq but believe it is quite a few. All of the deaths - men & women are tragic but find it odd this article is about this particular incident with no mention of the others. Prayers to all the families

[cubreporter]

It's an all volunteer force. So, it's up to each individual to decide if he/she wants to join. Did RFK or teddeeee ever join? Did clintin ever join?

[Old Sarge]

Isn't this Donnely chick the same one who ran DACOWITS, the "watchdog" group who WANTED women on the line?

[independentmind]

Elaine Donnelly needs to learn the fine art of allowing chivalrous men to make these statements for her. When women say them, it's so self-serving that it's repulsive to watch.

To each his own, ND, but allowing men to make the statements would allow the feminists to make a charge of male chauvinism, so it seems almost a Catch-22.

[caltrop]

I doubt George P. will spend any time in uniform. His father, the current Governor of Florida, didn't spend any time in uniform.

In my view, real government service is spent in the armed forces. Working for the government doesn't compare to being in the armed forces and holding elective office, unless one does so for a dollar a year, is more likely wallowing at the public trough.

[onyx]

What a damn fool, typically democrat, stupid question.

Of course NOT, and personally I don't want any women in the military period.

[caltrop]

Teddy Kennedy did ('51-'53) and I imagine Bobby Kennedy did as well. What's your point, that the Bushs aren't any better than the Kennedys?

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

I got news for ya we will all be on the front line if were forced to pull out of iraq and fall back from this war and there will be no one to blame but the dems and the media ! and a few republican idiots !

[91B]

I think the point is that if you are wounded, maimed, etc. you would hope that there would be a male there to carry you out of danger rather than a (probably much weaker) female.

[91B]

Bruit physical strength matters in combat. If you are under fire from the enemy an average male is physically better capable to be able to carry equipment, material or one of his buddies than is a female. Chances are that you would rather have a big guy as your compatriot in combat than a slight female.

[caltrop]

IMHO, the real problem's that there really aren't all that many positions in the non-technical services (Army & Marines) where women can genuinely add to a unit's efficiency. My guess is there's plenty women can do in the Air Force and in the Navy's home ports.

The big difference between the non-technical and technical services is that, when you get to the basics, an Army or Marine unit needs a piece of ground to live on and one rifle for every man. They don't need any fixed facilities or buildings. The Navy and Air Force are entirely different. The portion of the Navy which fights does so at sea. The Air Force fights in aircraft flying from expensive, fixed facilities. Naval home ports or Air Force airfields - expensive, sophisticated infrastructure - can, from what I can see, accomodate women and benefit from their presence.

[Ann Archy]

NO girls should be on the front lines, and I feel pretty sure that Bush feels the same way.

[robomatik]

May I suggest a good book. "Women in the military: flirting with disaster."

[Toespi]

Excellent point and thanks for the gentle nudge back to reality!

[Ann Archy]

AFAIK, Elaine Donnely has ALWAYS been against women on the front lines...maybe even in the military period.