News from The Associated Press

MILITARY SERVICE DRAFT FOR WOMEN: Part of a much larger discussion

This Senate action is a short term victory for social conservatives and at best delays a meaningful larger discussion. In many ways "having or not having young women register for the draft" can be described as a surrogate issue and it masks/hides/confuses a much larger issue we as a society should be having, which is " What are the roles that men and women play or should play in our society and country as a whole."

This is an issue that will not go away starting with the "bra burners" in the 1960's to the recent admissions & graduation of two women from Ranger School. And yes, as the Virginia Slims tag line said, "You Have Come A Long Way Baby." But what have we lost along the way? In our rush for a loosely defined "gender equality" have lost sight of what it means to be a man or a woman? Have we forgotten the strengths and weaknesses of ether gender and how in many ways they complement and bring out the best of each other? Dear reader, this issue and others make me worry about where we are heading as a society and a country.

For better or worse it is an issue that cuts across all lines and defies "pigeon holing" to any particular group or political ideology. Not all Conservatives are against the draft for women and would love to use the issue as a way to gain political points. While many progressive liberals are all in for drafting women, there are some who want military service for women be a matter of choice. They will push for women to be allowed in all military occupations regardless of the consequences to military readiness but only as a matter of choice. Meanwhile, by their rules, are to be denied their choice.

Anyone who knows me, know that I am all for the empowerment of both genders, and all races, ethnic backgrounds and creeds. If an individual is capable, works hard and willing to put forth an effort to improve themselves, they will find no bigger supporter than me. I am all about giving everyone equal opportunity, but will be the first to say "life is not fair" and sometimes you have to fail to succeed. So long as you are willing to fight back from your mistakes and failures, you are still a success in my book. Heaven knows, I have had to pick myself up many times from my mistakes and failures. I push on because for me it is about building character, maintaining integrity, and being willing to serve.

I really do not have an answer to this issue about drafting women or the much larger one of the evolving roles of the genders. I just think it is a discussion we need to have.