[Namron] OT: Pending Draft Legislation Targeted for Spring 2005

[Matthias the Brewer]

I was in the Marine Corps for 8 years.

I was in a war (Saudia Arabia and Kuwait, 1990-1991)

I don't like the idea of ANYONE in combat.  But I'm too much of a realist to
think that will ever happen.

I don't like the idea of women in combat.  Mainly based upon my experiences.
I did not encounter a single woman in a combat zone whom I respected as a
Warrior.  Several I respected as a leader, or as a person.  But never as a
Warrior.

I know of a case where a Captain (yes, the fine honorable officer corps) who
was arrested with over $20,000 cash on her person in Saudi Arabia before the
land war started.  The worlds oldest trade.  She was shipped out and kicked
out.  Justly.

In a rear area (Al-Jabal, on the coast of Saudi Arabia), EVERY woman Marine
(officially referred to as a WM, more popularly referred to as many other
things) lived in a special area.  Surrounded with armed guards.  Every time
one of them went ANYWHERE, they had an armed guard with them.  The head.
The chow hall.  To the Batallion COC.  Why?  Because there were concerns of
rape and safety (from both civilian and military).  Females do not belong in
a combat zone.  Women have special requirements and health issues that are
awkward (at the very least) in a combat zone.  Did I mention that while
everyone in country had at least one weapon, only E-6 and above had
ammunition?  This implies to me that women need special protection?  In a
war zone?  Give me a break.  Everyone in a combat zone should be able to
protect themselves.  This wasn't even near the border.  In was in a REAR
area.  For all their mouthings, those in charge also felt that woman do not
belong in combat areas.  Else why would they need the guards?

I realize some of you will disagree with me.  Good!!!  That is one of the
rights I was willing to die for (ok, but I wasn't very enthusiastic about
the dying part) to protect!!  Want to discuss it?  I'd love it.  I'll
respect everyone's right to have an opinion.  And I'd love to debate it with
you!!  I have LOTS of opinions, and I'd be happy to debate almost all of
them.


Women's Liberation?  Equal Rights?  It'll never happen.  It can't happen.
Biological reasons.  The rules of Man allow for these concepts.  And in a
perfect world, we'd follow the rules of Man.  But Darwin follows the rules
of Nature.  And in a combat zone, Darwin IS God.


Oh, and about the draft?  It's good for you.  Builds character.  Starship
Troopers was about a society who learned what freedome was.  By fighting for
it, and by dying for it.  Only after that, could you become a citizen.
Heinlen felt that citizenship was a privilage to be earned.  Not awarded for
surviving puberty.  I wish it were closer to reality.

I hope I made someone at least question their beliefs, and think a little
bit.

And as Steven Tyler said, "Life's a journey, not a destination."

OK, I'm off my soapbox.

For now.