Spot on Ann. The problem here is the term “combat”. Being in danger, being shot at, being blown up, being in a combat zone or in a combat theater is not combat. 80% of DoD billets can be filled by males or females. Those billets involve carrying out tasks for the institution to function. Combat is about killing enemies, often up close and personal. It is primordial savagery where strength and aggression reach levels like no other human endeavor. Keeping women out of that cauldron of death dealing means keeping them out of the Infantry, Artillery, Armor and Combat Engineers. It is not about “ career and promotional opportunity.” It is not about opportunity. It is about winning.
Excellent comment- one thing to add, and I think this is big for Hegseth, is that the presence of women in the midst of what you describe hurts the combat effectiveness of the men and the unit and endangers all of their lives. To oversimplify, instead of killing the enemy, the men focus on protecting the women and it endangers them all.
Unit synergy is tested in the best of times but is severely tested during sustained combat. Any relationship other than camaraderie undermines morale, creates favoritism or the perception of favoritism. A unit can fracture once motives start to be questioned. Some believe that human nature along these lines can be overcome by discipline. History proves otherwise.
That makes sense. I have never served but have studied military history extensively, and other things like tactics, and handled the academy nomination process for a Member of Congress. Something I heard in the hearing, someone mentioned Hegseth would "discriminate against moms" or something. If I were a platoon leader, would I put the mom on point or have her take the lead in charging into a dangerous building? Would any man in the unit allow me? How could I live with myself if my order got someone's mom killed? And to your point, would it be fair to the men in the unit if I never sent the mom or women first even if they never said a thing about it?
Watching political hearings with the "Drama Club" asking questions, for just the show of it, makes me wonder how these people actually get elected. Ronald Reagan was a mediocre actor but in politics he was brilliant because what he was selling to the public he truly believed in. The best sales people are the ones that believe in their products and people are not buying anything from the Democratic Party right now from Cali to DC. Go Pete !!
The actions of these Senators are sadly comical. These nitwits ( the girl senators) come unglued complete with facial contortions and the screaming me-me-s. Gee, can’t imagine why more women are not in high stress combat positions.
The source of the quote that Ann is looking for is, I believe, the foreword to Theodore Dalrymple’s book, The Wilder Shores of Marx: “Apart from the massacres, deaths and famines for which communism was responsible, the worst thing about the system was the official lying: that is to say the lying in which everyone was forced to take part, by repetition, assent or failure to contradict. I came to the conclusion that the purpose of propaganda in communist countries was not to persuade, much less to inform, but to humiliate and emasculate. In this sense, the less true it was, the less it corresponded in any way to reality, the better; the more it contradicted the experience of the persons to whom it was directed, the more docile, self-despising for their failure to protest, and impotent they became.”
You also know that 95% of his female detractors would slide out of their chairs if he flashed them a little grin, a wink, and a “let’s get together later for a drink” look! Nothing enrages women more than a guy they think is attractive having zero interest in them. Being good looking is NOT a universal plus! It’s said that radio is for people too ugly for television, and politics is for people too ugly for Hollywood…. Hegseth’s very existence offends them!
When unarmed constituents arrived in the halls of Congress on 1/6/21 to petition their elected representatives with grievances, which House members or senators went out to speak with them — and which ones hid under their desks and/or ran away like scared rabbits?
Poor Pete having to pay lip service to the "women in combat" shibboleth; he should refuse to be the nominee on principle!
The moribund US is not a serious country; ideally all of the utterly ridiculous woke cultists should be fired and barred from all government and most private sector employment; only a second American revolution has any hope of achieving such a goal!
Women should not be allowed to be in the armed forces or in the police or to be firefighters; feminism must be obliterated!
Thank you for the link to the park ranger video. I had never noticed that two of the protesters had supposedly glued or chained themselves together through a tube, and as soon as the truck hit the barrier one protester took her hand out of the tube immediately.
Thank you Ann for addressing The"Girl Power" Mantra! Oh please spare me the sob stories and drama of the plight of women. I was in an mostly women profession/nursing. I enjoyed the medical aspect of it but the worst part was working with the women! My favorite job was working in the OR. I had my own room and worked mostly with male doctors.
Men tend to support other men in their professions while women eat their own. If you are somewhat attractive and thin you are blood in the water! I had this argument with some older golfing gals about how women should be able to do anything. I retorted Ok if you are in a burning building do you want a man to carry you out or a women? They quickly said a man that ended the debate. I will take a little sexual harassment(new flash its a compliment) then the back stabbing of women any day!
Couldn’t have said it better. All this pro-feminist magical thinking has pushed me to the point of actually wishing for women having voting rights revoked. I’m an Iowan, and a few weeks ago I wrote Miss Jonie a salty email about her shenanigans to obstruct Pete H. Part of her response was basically:
“Please know I will continue to consider your views as the Senate considers these nominations. Feel free to contact my office with additional information or questions; I always enjoy hearing from Iowans.”
Anyway, I’m glad she came to her senses and decided to “support” his confirmation.
Spot on Ann. The problem here is the term “combat”. Being in danger, being shot at, being blown up, being in a combat zone or in a combat theater is not combat. 80% of DoD billets can be filled by males or females. Those billets involve carrying out tasks for the institution to function. Combat is about killing enemies, often up close and personal. It is primordial savagery where strength and aggression reach levels like no other human endeavor. Keeping women out of that cauldron of death dealing means keeping them out of the Infantry, Artillery, Armor and Combat Engineers. It is not about “ career and promotional opportunity.” It is not about opportunity. It is about winning.
Excellent comment- one thing to add, and I think this is big for Hegseth, is that the presence of women in the midst of what you describe hurts the combat effectiveness of the men and the unit and endangers all of their lives. To oversimplify, instead of killing the enemy, the men focus on protecting the women and it endangers them all.
Unit synergy is tested in the best of times but is severely tested during sustained combat. Any relationship other than camaraderie undermines morale, creates favoritism or the perception of favoritism. A unit can fracture once motives start to be questioned. Some believe that human nature along these lines can be overcome by discipline. History proves otherwise.
That makes sense. I have never served but have studied military history extensively, and other things like tactics, and handled the academy nomination process for a Member of Congress. Something I heard in the hearing, someone mentioned Hegseth would "discriminate against moms" or something. If I were a platoon leader, would I put the mom on point or have her take the lead in charging into a dangerous building? Would any man in the unit allow me? How could I live with myself if my order got someone's mom killed? And to your point, would it be fair to the men in the unit if I never sent the mom or women first even if they never said a thing about it?
Watching political hearings with the "Drama Club" asking questions, for just the show of it, makes me wonder how these people actually get elected. Ronald Reagan was a mediocre actor but in politics he was brilliant because what he was selling to the public he truly believed in. The best sales people are the ones that believe in their products and people are not buying anything from the Democratic Party right now from Cali to DC. Go Pete !!
Women should not be allowed to be senators or representatives; they should not have the right to vote!
Yep.
The actions of these Senators are sadly comical. These nitwits ( the girl senators) come unglued complete with facial contortions and the screaming me-me-s. Gee, can’t imagine why more women are not in high stress combat positions.
The source of the quote that Ann is looking for is, I believe, the foreword to Theodore Dalrymple’s book, The Wilder Shores of Marx: “Apart from the massacres, deaths and famines for which communism was responsible, the worst thing about the system was the official lying: that is to say the lying in which everyone was forced to take part, by repetition, assent or failure to contradict. I came to the conclusion that the purpose of propaganda in communist countries was not to persuade, much less to inform, but to humiliate and emasculate. In this sense, the less true it was, the less it corresponded in any way to reality, the better; the more it contradicted the experience of the persons to whom it was directed, the more docile, self-despising for their failure to protest, and impotent they became.”
When women, fair and soft of face,
Demand to join the bloody race,
And arm themselves with pomp and pride,
Let reason’s voice be cast aside!
For what’s the cause of this desire?
To battle 'neath the sword's fierce fire?
Shall she, who faints at sight of blood,
Now face the enemy in mud?
Oh, truly, what a wondrous sight—
A lady armed, her heart alight!
With dainty hands that can't endure
The weight of battle’s cruel allure.
She'll march to war with painted cheeks,
And for her courage, loudly speaks.
But when the cannons’ thunder calls,
She'll flee to safety, through the walls.
Let men, with strength and sinew stout,
Defend the land, or die throughout.
While women stay with softer arts,
And let the world not break their hearts.
For what is valor, if not born
Of toil and pain, of ragged scorn?
The battlefield is not the place
For tender souls to show their grace.
"without ever having to parallel park " Anne you are a riot.
She is absolutely adorable!
You also know that 95% of his female detractors would slide out of their chairs if he flashed them a little grin, a wink, and a “let’s get together later for a drink” look! Nothing enrages women more than a guy they think is attractive having zero interest in them. Being good looking is NOT a universal plus! It’s said that radio is for people too ugly for television, and politics is for people too ugly for Hollywood…. Hegseth’s very existence offends them!
When unarmed constituents arrived in the halls of Congress on 1/6/21 to petition their elected representatives with grievances, which House members or senators went out to speak with them — and which ones hid under their desks and/or ran away like scared rabbits?
Ann,you are always so spot on and your SARCASM !!!Off -the -charts funny!!(and oh so true)
This may be the best and funniest thing you’ve ever written. Laugh out loud at times even. Sadly all of this is true. Oh the times we live in !!
Hilarious! Thank you, Ann! You’re amazing :) 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Poor Pete having to pay lip service to the "women in combat" shibboleth; he should refuse to be the nominee on principle!
The moribund US is not a serious country; ideally all of the utterly ridiculous woke cultists should be fired and barred from all government and most private sector employment; only a second American revolution has any hope of achieving such a goal!
Women should not be allowed to be in the armed forces or in the police or to be firefighters; feminism must be obliterated!
I do miss MSM's slavish coverage of Megan Rapinoe mouthng off like a tough guy, though; don't you?
Thank you for the link to the park ranger video. I had never noticed that two of the protesters had supposedly glued or chained themselves together through a tube, and as soon as the truck hit the barrier one protester took her hand out of the tube immediately.
Thank you Ann for addressing The"Girl Power" Mantra! Oh please spare me the sob stories and drama of the plight of women. I was in an mostly women profession/nursing. I enjoyed the medical aspect of it but the worst part was working with the women! My favorite job was working in the OR. I had my own room and worked mostly with male doctors.
Men tend to support other men in their professions while women eat their own. If you are somewhat attractive and thin you are blood in the water! I had this argument with some older golfing gals about how women should be able to do anything. I retorted Ok if you are in a burning building do you want a man to carry you out or a women? They quickly said a man that ended the debate. I will take a little sexual harassment(new flash its a compliment) then the back stabbing of women any day!
Couldn’t have said it better. All this pro-feminist magical thinking has pushed me to the point of actually wishing for women having voting rights revoked. I’m an Iowan, and a few weeks ago I wrote Miss Jonie a salty email about her shenanigans to obstruct Pete H. Part of her response was basically:
“Please know I will continue to consider your views as the Senate considers these nominations. Feel free to contact my office with additional information or questions; I always enjoy hearing from Iowans.”
Anyway, I’m glad she came to her senses and decided to “support” his confirmation.