tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post114864973100171463..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: Keep the women in the kitchen (& kitty pix)Sandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148877069576814012006-05-29T00:31:00.000-04:002006-05-29T00:31:00.000-04:00Personally - and I know this is gonna raise a LOT ...Personally - and I know this is gonna raise a LOT of hackles - I have to chime in with my deeply-held conviction that women should not be allowed to father children. It's just not right. So there!For The Treeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843514742081569820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148709610780488172006-05-27T02:00:00.000-04:002006-05-27T02:00:00.000-04:00I agree about women in combat. they chould be allo...I agree about women in combat. they chould be allowed to do what they are capable of doing!<BR/><BR/>The kittens are adorable. The one in the first picture looks like it will be the biggest. Those paws look large!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148682743849739692006-05-26T18:32:00.000-04:002006-05-26T18:32:00.000-04:00Here's the link to the story I mentioned in Glamou...Here's the link to the story I mentioned in Glamour about the women who were hit in Iraq. Did I mention GI Jane iis one of my favorites?<BR/><BR/>http://www.glamour.com/magazine/issue/articles/060501warwomenJT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148681179871870262006-05-26T18:06:00.000-04:002006-05-26T18:06:00.000-04:00It could be interesting to see Bill. And I might ...It could be interesting to see Bill. And I might have to turn to you for research!<BR/><BR/>And Brett, thanks for proving how easy it is to make some men happy!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148677320756044152006-05-26T17:02:00.000-04:002006-05-26T17:02:00.000-04:00The points made about men's reactions to women aro...The points made about men's reactions to women around them in combat are an interesting point, but those attitudes will never change if women aren't given the chance.<BR/><BR/>Sandra, I do think it would be interesting to see how a group of women act differently in a military-style setting. I have a rough idea, because I work in an environment that is mostly made up of women. The dynamic is <B>most definitely</B> different.Bill, the Wildcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16137557955170758994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148675806372708962006-05-26T16:36:00.000-04:002006-05-26T16:36:00.000-04:00Sweet!Sweet!Brett Battleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03786471378650235415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148675229613561432006-05-26T16:27:00.000-04:002006-05-26T16:27:00.000-04:00There's nothing pleasant in thinking about a socie...There's nothing pleasant in thinking about a society that comes to accept women casualties, or male casualties for that matter, with indifference. <BR/><BR/>Andrea, I'll dream with you. And they sure are getting big!<BR/><BR/>Bitchchicks<BR/>dedicated to Brett Battles<BR/><BR/>I'm on it.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148671809464200882006-05-26T15:30:00.000-04:002006-05-26T15:30:00.000-04:00Should women be able to do anything they want to. ...Should women be able to do anything they want to. Sure thing. Just wish we didn't even have to think about woman going to war...peace is so much better. As the saying goes can't we all just get along. :) I know...I'm dreaming. <BR/><BR/>Cute kitties...they are getting so big.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592231080156766441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148669453952154112006-05-26T14:50:00.000-04:002006-05-26T14:50:00.000-04:00Yes, Sandra, that's exactly what I'm saying--but o...Yes, Sandra, that's exactly what I'm saying--but only as far as harm's way is concerned. I live in California. Both of our Senators are women, and I have voted for both of them and will again. My sisters and mother were all professionals. I have no problem with women in the military--that's how I met my wife. I don't have a problem with a female Commander-in-Chief at all. It's women in combat I abhor.<BR/><BR/>Combat service is fundamentally different from the civil services, even those that feature great danger. Firefighters do not fight fires accepting the assumption that a fixed percentage of them must die before the mission is accomplished. Police officers' jobs are to diffuse violence, not to initiate or escalate it in the name of an objective. The only military forces with a like purpose are the occupation forces following an invasion.<BR/><BR/>It's utter nonsense to object to women in combat on the grounds that women are inferior in any way. Maybe it is a sign of cultural prejudice that I feel the way I do, and that in the future, in a more ethically advanced society, people will merrily accept women casualties with the same indifference they do for boys. But I sure hope not.James Lincoln Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09666160495434980653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148668069783659482006-05-26T14:27:00.000-04:002006-05-26T14:27:00.000-04:00Bitchiness and catfights? I can't wait!! Write it ...Bitchiness and catfights? I can't wait!! Write it now.Brett Battleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03786471378650235415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148667518449889702006-05-26T14:18:00.000-04:002006-05-26T14:18:00.000-04:00So James, what you're saying is, you men are utter...So James, what you're saying is, you men are utterly incapable of functioning with a woman around and therefore shouldn't be allowed in politics or to drive a vehicle or go into any situation where a woman might be in peril?<BR/><BR/>(I'm ducking and running.)<BR/><BR/>Brett, JT has great jokes doesn't she?!<BR/><BR/>Trace, yeah, they're soooo cute.<BR/><BR/>And Bill, you've given me an idea about an all-female mercinary squad. Oooohhh that could be fun.<BR/><BR/>Or filled with bitchiness and catfights.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148667150158856382006-05-26T14:12:00.000-04:002006-05-26T14:12:00.000-04:00I agree with James LW about this - violence means ...I agree with James LW about this - violence means that you've already lost the argument and war is the biggest failure of all. That's not to belittle our soldiers, male or female, in any way; I just wish that we lived in a world where their skills weren't necessary. <BR/><BR/>As to letting women fight on the front line, the point is well made that it is a matter of combat efficiency rather than sexism that prevents it most of the time. I see no reason why a woman should not be as good as a man in any given role, but the vast majority of combat soldiers are men, and men are more easily distracted by the sight of a woman in distress than by a man. This is a cultural construct - there are plenty of armies around the world and through history that have included, or been made entirely of, women. And as a cultural construct, it could be overcome, given enough time. But in that time, should we decide to change our cultural attitudes towards fighting women, many people will die unnecessarily.<BR/><BR/>So in the end, we're not saying that women shouldn't fight in the front line because they're not as good at it as men, so much as they shouldn't be able to do it because us men are unable to stop ourselves being distracted.JamesOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09332376784689207703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148664931749323302006-05-26T13:35:00.000-04:002006-05-26T13:35:00.000-04:00Women are the stronger sex. Enough said.Well, and ...Women are the stronger sex. Enough said.<BR/><BR/>Well, and that joke was hilarious!Brett Battleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03786471378650235415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148663791030958452006-05-26T13:16:00.000-04:002006-05-26T13:16:00.000-04:00I love watching the kitties grow up!I love watching the kitties grow up!Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Serieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12239533451929739327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148662064658992092006-05-26T12:47:00.000-04:002006-05-26T12:47:00.000-04:00I'm actually quite passionate about the idea of wo...I'm actually quite passionate about the idea of women in combat. I grew up with a tomboy for a sister, one who could have kicked my butt throughout much of our childhood. Women die from war all the time... even without being soldiers. Why would someone deny them the right to defend themselves or others? Still, I don't think standards should be lowered to meet some quota. That's a slap in the face to women, as if to say they can't make it on their own.<BR/><BR/>I agree that to single out this woman's death is an insult, not just to the others who die but to her, as well. Does her death only have value and significance because she was a woman? Obviously, that's ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>Women have fought in armies even in ancient times and even as recently as WWII. The Russians employed a squadron of female pilots called the "night witches." Interestingly enough, the entire squadron was made up of women, from the pilots to the mechanics... so there was no conflict of men interacting with women.<BR/><BR/>To change the topic, Sandra thanks for plugging the Lair. And yes... writing with my wife has had its more... perilous moments! hahaBill, the Wildcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16137557955170758994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148660777473772252006-05-26T12:26:00.000-04:002006-05-26T12:26:00.000-04:00Well James, I'm not particularly happy about the i...Well James, I'm not particularly happy about the idea of anyone dying.<BR/><BR/>But I'm not sure if it's any different for soldiers than it is for firefighters or police officers, fundamentally. I'll ask Kevin his opinion on that, having been in the military, now being a firefighter.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd rather not see anyone go to war. It's amazing to me that Costa Rica not only survives but thrives in what has been a troubled region, without an army.<BR/><BR/>SW, it's fun when the kitties get mobile, isn't it?! Ours are getting so active!<BR/><BR/>And curious! And now they climb all over me!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148660340375199692006-05-26T12:19:00.000-04:002006-05-26T12:19:00.000-04:00I'm old school on this one. I do not believe that...I'm old school on this one. I do not believe that sacrificing your life is an honor. Show me a posthumous medal and I'll show you a circumstance where things got so out of control that only a human sacrifice could salvage it. The pain of Nichola's family, as with any dead soldier's family, would not exist if Nichola were alive.<BR/><BR/>It is ridiculous to say that anybody should be able to do anything they want if they are capable of it. Morality is not defined by ability. It's bad enough to send off boys to their deaths. Men are fungible. Not so women, not if you want civilization to endure.<BR/><BR/>But the biggest problem with women in combat isn't women, it's men. Soldiers have strong bonds of comradeship, but they understand that they may be called upon to sacrifice each other for the greater good. For any man of conscience, this is almost impossible to do with a woman. Having a woman in combat, IMHO, severely degrades a combat unit's ability to perform, no matter what her personal capabilities may be.<BR/><BR/>The best thing, of course, would be for us to do away with armies and navies altogether. But until that happens, I have to say that it tears me apart to see women in combat roles.<BR/><BR/>Good thing, I guess, that I'm no longer on active duty, because my opinion on this matter is obviously not in concert with that of the U.S. DoD.<BR/><BR/>Why would anybody want to go to war? A military man's job is protect our loved ones. He does so out of a sense of duty, not sangfroid. Not so easy when the loved ones are on the front lines.James Lincoln Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09666160495434980653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148660280061672382006-05-26T12:18:00.000-04:002006-05-26T12:18:00.000-04:00Kitties! *melt-squish* Mine ran the Indy 500 up an...Kitties! *melt-squish* Mine ran the Indy 500 up and down our bed aaaall niiiight last night. All six of them.<BR/><BR/>I won't touch the other issue. That's a huge hot button and I want to leave some room on your bandwidth for other comments...<BR/><BR/>BTW, any sadists reading Sandra's blog: I only take lumps for my writing. So don't ask. :-)s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148657224445537932006-05-26T11:27:00.000-04:002006-05-26T11:27:00.000-04:00I agree I don't want this to become a heated debat...I agree I don't want this to become a heated debate. This is one of those times I wish columnists would actually have a heart and stop for a second to think how her family and husband of just four years must feel right now.<BR/><BR/>God bless them all.<BR/><BR/>And as for the kittens, well, I think we're going to keep one. Kevin's mom recently lost a cat, so we think she might take one or two of them. Of course, kevin has moments he says we should keep them all...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148656732658803802006-05-26T11:18:00.001-04:002006-05-26T11:18:00.001-04:00And the kitties are getting so damn big! Are they ...And the kitties are getting so damn big! Are they staying with you?JT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1148656711107394732006-05-26T11:18:00.000-04:002006-05-26T11:18:00.000-04:00You've really done a nice job with this blog today...You've really done a nice job with this blog today. I don't want the comments to turn into an idealogigical flame war about the war. That said, God Bless Nichola, and all our girls and boys who are sacrificing their time and lives so we can blog, and write, and generally live the good life.<BR/>Glamour Magazine has an amazing story this month about the female batallion who were hit with an IED, lost several soldiers and had many women injured. I read their story with pride, knowing they showed the same courage as the men.JT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.com