Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women, on female draft - "We don’t think women should be exempt from the draft any more than they should be exempt from combat roles"

Tedesche · 2016-01-30T17:19:35+00:00

Good for him. A quick google search shows that many women's organizations and committees come out against conscription, both in the US and elsewhere, but NOW has had on their books opposition to any single sex draft since 1980.

Now, if we can only get NOW on board for stuff that's day to day, rather than somewhat theoretical like a draft, stuff like lifetime alimony and shared parenting, we might get somewhere.

Spoonwood · 2016-01-30T17:35:27+00:00

So why hasn't N. O. W. joined the National Coalition for Men in their lawsuit?

DaneWhitman · 2016-01-30T17:34:21+00:00

Verna Jones, executive director of the American Legion, said the Legion’s official position is that women should be treated the same as men.

Jones said the American Legion is actively working to change issues it believes in for the military and veterans, including registering women with the SSS. With 2.2 million Legion members, she said, anything is possible.

This is even more surprising. The American Legion used to be damn near reactionary (on a whole lot of issues). Whenever this issue would come up in the 70s/80s, during debates about the ERA or when registration was reinstated in 1980, they would be on the other side. Times really are changing.

Also, good for NOW.

ThePigmanAgain · 2016-01-31T00:19:50+00:00

Claptrap from a woman way too old to be drafted. It's probably just meant to make NOW look like it thinks men and women should be treated the same way.

"O’Neill said women have been in harm’s way in combat for years, but they were not considered to be in combat roles because it would require an increase in pay."

Now, that's the O'Neill we have all come to know and loathe.

ee4m · 2016-01-30T18:18:34+00:00

The states is going to be moving to a system like israel IMO, NOW and Rahm Emanuel have both announced it.

montereybay · 2016-01-30T18:49:26+00:00

BTW, while women are now allowed for combat roles, I'm fairly certain they aren't required to do combat roles like men are. They can opt out, choose less hazardous roles. This makes the quote kind of non-responsive.

TheDude41 · 2016-01-30T23:32:53+00:00

I'm pretty sure women are exempt from being placed in combat roles once they join the military, unless they elect to take on a combat role.

2016-01-31T01:38:26+00:00

The closer and quicker we get to females being 50% of military debilitation, injury, and death the better.

This is equality.

fullhalf · 2016-01-30T23:03:43+00:00

hes just calling the army's bluff. they know women wont be in combat roles because they'll just be canon fodder. they're much more useful in support roles. putting women into combat roles is like strapping a plow to a blood hound.

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