According to the Associated Press, language added to a defense bill Wednesday, sponsored by Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's military personnel subcommittee, would prohibit women from serving in combat support and combat service support units.
Opponents contend "that if McHugh's amendment became law, it would over time remove women from all but a few select functions like piloting helicopters and medical work," while McHugh insists that "very few women would be affected by the change."
They haven't voted on this amendment yet. And I know so little about the way the armed forces work. I'd really appreciate y'all writing in and letting me know how you feel or what you know. To me, on the face of things, this seems like an unbelievably sexist and terrible policy. Especially considering that the Armed Services chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., was quoted as saying, "The American people have never wanted to have women in combat and this reaffirms that policy."
Huh?????
Let us know what you think.
And for more in depth info, check these:
House Armed Services Committee: http://www.house.gov/hasc/
Defense Department: http://www.defense.gov
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After reading the discussion hosted at Feministing and these two articles (1, 2), my Social Science students (all seniors) and I had a discussion about the role of women in the military, and it was really suprising to me. Even my conservative-to-the-... Read More
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I'm glad the American people have never wanted to have women in combat. If only they'd remembered to apply this policy to men, too, even more lives would have been saved.
There's plenty more ways to serve your country than by fighting wars.
I don't believe that it's a sex issue. It's an economic one. The attrition rate among women in a lot of programs (Navy Nuclear Power for one) is extremely high. If you spend 2 million dollars training a person you expect a more reasonable percentage of them to complete their obligated service.
"If you spend 2 million dollars training a person you expect a more reasonable percentage of them to complete their obligated service."
They always complete their entire obligated service. That's because obligations do not extend beyond death.
That's really interesting since the Army and Marines can't seem to make their recruiting goals.
Dear Hannah,
My name is W.L. Swarts and I am running against John McHugh for the House of Representatives for New York's 23rd Congressional District in 2006. My campaign has already begun in fact and you can learn more about it by checking out my website at www.wlswarts.com
Despite what the other commentors might say, I do believe it IS a gender issue here. John McHugh has an appalling voting record when it comes to civil rights and women's rights (especially abortion) issues. NARAL rated him a 0% indicating an anti-choice candidate.
I am offering the North Country of New York a distinct difference (I am proud to be a progressive who supports women's rights on all fronts) and I would love for you to learn more about my ambitious campaign and help get involved with it!
Yours,
W.L. Swarts
Great reading, keep up the great posts.
Peace, JiggaDigga