Sunday, December 10, 2017

Why G.I. Joe Should Include G.I. Jane

I was reading a column that was focused on why everyone should be grateful for our troops and their service. As a former sailor in our U.S. Navy, I have a bit of difficulty understanding why anyone would not be grateful.

The column focused on the fact that we in the United States have an all-volunteer military. It’s been many a year since we’ve had a draft, and because of the volunteers, we have a strong defense.

I linked to the article at the beginning of this post, and you will notice that the site is of a decidedly libertarian nature. One aspect of libertarianism is a non-interventionist stance when it comes to how we use our military to function in the world. In other words, no nation building. You know, no going into a foreign country to liberate them and then “take up residence”. After all, we are not supposed to follow in the footsteps of our former mother-country.

The article points out the argument that if we had fewer individuals volunteer, we would have a smaller military, and therefore less incentive for such interventionist undertakings. They show the folly of the argument by pointing out that, even though we no longer have a draft, we do have a Selective Service.

What’s the Selective Service? According to the Selective Service System website:

“Virtually all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing in the United States, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.”

Did you notice what was decidedly missing from the above? I’ll give you a hint: Who does NOT have to register?

Get it now?

We hear a lot about equality and anti-discrimination. And I’m all for it. In My Humble But Accurate Opinion, the more equality and anti-discrimination, the less hate and racism we’d have.

There has been a lot of debates over whether or not women should serve in combat roles.

I think that not only should women be able to serve in combat, but they should be required to sign up for the Selective Service as well.

C’mon! Is equality just lip service? Is it only of value when it serves our narrative? I’m waiting for the million-women march over changing the Selective Service System to force women to sign up as well.

I’m rather fond of the (I-know-it’s-terrible-but-what-the-hell) movie “Starship Troopers”. One thing you noticed: BOTH men and women were in the service. As the movie made it clear: “The only good bug, is a dead bug,” and both men and women wanted to do their part. Why shouldn’t that be any different now?

So, in the spirit of equality, let’s change the Selective Service System to make both men AND women have to sign up.

After all, we currently don’t have a draft . . .

© Emittravel 2017

Sunday, December 3, 2017

My Least-Favorite Things

Remember when Sean Penn
Gave Madonna some bruises
And there’s John Travolta
Who liked men on ship cruises
Roman Polanski who raped
And left country on wings
These are a few of the creepier things

There is Bill Cosby
Who raped 13 women
Oliver Stone preferred
A perverted audition
Britney Spears flashed her guard
And showed him her blings
These are a few of the creepier things

Then Harvey Weinstein
Liked fertilizing flowers
Bill Clinton was accused
Of raping Jennifer . . . Flowers
Kevin Spacey said that
Pedophilia’s his thing
These are a few of the creepier things

When each new claim
Hits the media
And I start feeling blue
I just look at Twitter and then understand
All the cries of hashtag, “Me too!”

Okay, that was a very rough parody of Julie Andrew's “My Favorite Things”, but I think you get the picture.

It seems like more and more we hear of people behaving badly towards others. Usually when you have a “themed” media onslaught, I wonder what is the real, more terrible story being ignored. You know, what is this a distraction for? Sort of like, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,” or more appropriately, “Pay no attention to the bill being passed by Congress.”

Then I wonder what if this IS the real, more terrible story.

And I want to cry.

“Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.”

Sigh . . .

© Emittravel 2017