The Opposition is no place for women

The Opposition’s spokesman for defence personnel made me laugh so hard I almost forgot I want to punch him:

THE Federal Opposition has declared the frontline of war is no place for women but insists it supports gender equality in the Australian Defence Force… Bob Baldwin said psychological aspects of battle made the frontline unsuitable for women.

“The Coalition believes in the equality of opportunity for women in the defence force,” he said.

“The Coalition, however, doesn’t agree with the placement of women into forces such as the SAS, clearance divers, commandos or frontline combat engineers.”

Ha ha ha, fuck off. You can’t believe in equality only in certain positions.

I’m not interested in joining the army – when my little brother was talking about it during the Howard years I felt sick, but that was more to do with my disgust with the Government than being opposed to the army itself. I realise we need one even if I don’t agree with what they’re sent to do. Oh, and I know a guy in the army and he’s a wanker. But I’ll argue for my right to join. It’s not like they let any old fat male slob into the SAS, so if someone’s up to the job, regardless of what’s in their pants, then what’s the problem?

Them’s fightin’ women

I’ve been listening to the debate today on women serving in all roles of the armed forces. The main arguments against it are that Australians don’t want to see their wives/daughters/sisters die in combat, (but presumably we’re ok with husbands/sons/brothers being killed); and that male soldiers may try to protect female soldiers in battle. Um, wasn’t SAS soldier Mark Donaldson awarded the Victoria Cross earlier this year for protecting his mates while under fire?

And the argument that women should be banned from doing something because of how their male colleagues may react has no place in 2009. Actually, make that should have no place.