The most decorated Marine in U.S. History, Smedley Butler, declared that War is a racket, and went on to say politicians should be paid the same pay as the lowest paid soldier, during wartime. He also said only those who would go to combat, should be the ones to decide if the country goes to war.
There are issues with Women-- they want them to pass equal physical requirements as male soldiers must pass. There are probably issues w menses (lucrative contracts w tampon and sanitary napkin manufacturers!) & having separate latrine, dressing, sleeping quarters & shower areas. The military already has huge issues w female military members being sexually abused, & discriminated against. One female soldier dubbed it "the Brass ceiling", certain higher ranks which women have never been allowed or admitted.
I don't view this so much as equal opportunity, but more like equal exploitation. I'll just say it-- I'm not looking forward to our Sisters in the military coming home in flag draped coffins. By the way, no one has ever answered Cindy Sheehan's question: What IS the noble cause?
Because officials always use that line (this deceased soldier) "Died for a noble cause".
What are we still doing in Afghanistan? Warring since 2001.. honestly if the US superpower can't win the war in 10 years, an additional 3 or more years is really not going to yield anything different.
Why do the slow wind down?
They got bin Laden-- call it a victory & get the hell out-- now & stop playing 911 to the world.
Military spending is the biggest expense in the budget. You don't hear the GOP demanding we cut back on that spending-- it's not even mentioned, or it's justified heavily. It IS the elephant in the room of budget issues. Let's go to the chart:
So there you have it. I heard someone say you generally have to do time in the "theater of war" to move up the ranks in the military. Yes it is a career track, but I am turned off by a career track that involves blood on your hands (I'm not talking about medics & such, I am talking about the dirty work of being in the military. Last year more US soldiers died committing suicide, than were killed in the Afghanistan war. I don't need to elaborate on that-- it speaks volumes, that soldiers would rather die than have to do multiple tours in endless wars, that they are not even sure why they are still fighting, more than a decade later. The problem with the "surge" strategy is you can't sustain it. Once troop draw downs happen the problems resume, and or the trouble makers simply set up shop elsewhere.
The war profiteers are already working on new products.... body armor that is designed to fit the ladies, and other misc stuff. I suppose the fashion industry will have a surge of it's own, with camo bras, unders & accessories. Gross.
So many women have lost their lives already.
152 in the line of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan alone.
About 1 in 3 female soldiers (30%)
are raped by male soldiers.
Actual numbers are higher, as many do not report sexual assault, for fear of threatened retaliation.
I'll wrap this up w one hellova oxymoronic statement:
Rep Loretta Sanchez D-Calif said"We're saying if they can be effective & they can be a good soldier or a good Marine in that particular operation, then give them a shot."
Problem is that "shot" can land you in a flag draped casket.
