Uncle Sam Wants You, Young Lady
January 28, 2013
Vostra Guida
In one of his last acts as Defense Secretary for the Obama Administration, Leon Panetta formally lifted the ban on women serving in combat positions. Does that mean that our daughters must register for the draft when they turn 18 years old just like our sons must do? In other words, does this mean that women will be subject to the draft? It seems like the law will now have to change so as to require our daughters to register for the draft.
In a 1981 case called Rostker v. Goldberg, 453 U.S. 57 (1981), the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the argument that the draft is unconstitutional because only men are required by law to register. In so holding, the Court ruled that the Selective Service process is designed to enable the federal government to assemble “combat-ready” people. Because women were excluded from combat in 1981, there was no basis for requiring them to participate in the draft. As a result, the law was permissible as written.
With the recent lifting of the ban on women in combat, the Supreme Court’s rationale in Rostker v. Goldberg may no longer hold up. As a result, the law may have to be changed to require women to register for the draft in order for the law to pass constitutional muster.
So what does the Ridgewood community think? Do you support the move as a pro-equality, positive for women, or do you believe that the consequence of requiring women to register for possible involuntary combat roles is a mistake?
Talk about a war on women! No wait, that can’t be … a Republican didn’t do it.
If they wish to be treated as equals and serve in the military then why not.
Look at Isreal
I don’t want my son or daughter to go to war. “pro-equality” is good for men and women.
Look at female firefighters and cops… held to a lower standard.
minorities as well.
All in the name of social equality.
The women who can do the job – great;
the ones who can’t should not be allowed.
Problem is there ARE some women who are capable of doing the job, but unfortunately the PERCENTAGE of women who can meet the standard are lower then the percentage of men who can meet the standard. Factor in that the total VOLUME of women interested in the military is significantly less than the number of men interested and expect there to be a multi-tier standard for women and a weakening of the military.
…Let’s not forget that the USA is not Israel.
jjj, not all women “wish” to serve in the military, so starting your comment with that premise is misleading.
The U.S. government has likely (and stealthily) taken away the protection that women had of not being forced into military service (conscription) should the draft be reinstituted. The only discussion (when the decision was imminent) was about how women who want to be in combat should be allowed to. There was no discussion about the consequnece of lifting the ban for women who do not have an interest in combat. Yes, I know there are many men who don’t have an interest in combat, but that is not the point. The point is that some women gained a “right” possibly at the expense of the protection previously afforded to all women.
Certainly will be easier for the “anti-war no matter what” crowd to gain public support when there are more women returning home in body bags or that are captured and abused by the enemy.
Comment #4, Nobody wants their son or daughter to go to war. But someone’s son or daughter has to go. I never liked the idea of my son possibly having to go if called … now I get to worry that my daughter may have to go too. Yahoo for equality.
Female officers have been clamoring to command combat troops. Female enlisted personnel, on the other hand, have had no corresponding enthusiasm for combat roles. Guess who has more pull with the Pentagon civilian and military leadership?
This is just another example of elites taking what they want and leaving a trail of ruin for the rest of us.
The repeal of Don’t ask Don’t tell means that men no longer want to join the military. The introduction of women into combat billets means that women will not want to join the military. Who — at this point — is left to join the military voluntarily? Hello draft….
Keep in mind, this does not mean that women who want to be in combat roles can choose to be in those roles while women who don’t want combat roles can choose to be exempt. Women will not have a choice as to combat or non-combat roles. As a result, we might see a lot of women, who enjoy their non-combat roles and are very good at what they do, decide that it is time to leave the military.
Moral of this story is that we as Americans enjoy freedoms that women in other countries do not. The only reason everyone is worried about women in combat is what the men in those other countries will do them if captured. I’m sure the future statistic for rape of a male soldier would pale in comparison to the rape of female soldiers. God Bless America!