Rick Santorum, Republican presidential candidate, voiced his concerns about the Pentagon’s decision to make more military roles available to women, including positions on the front line.
Maybe he was still reeling from his recent tri-state primary victory, or maybe he just didn’t think any feminists were paying attention to this particular press conference. But when asked by John King of CNN, if, as president, he would support “perhaps opening the door to a broader role for women in combat,” Santorum responded:
“I want to create every opportunity for women to be able to serve this country, and they do so in an amazing and wonderful way and they’re a great addition — and they have been for a long time — to the armed services of our country.”
If only he had stopped there.
“But I do have concerns about women in front-line combat, I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission, because of other types of emotions that are involved. It already happens, of course, with the camaraderie of men in combat, but I think it would be even more unique if women were in combat, and I think that’s probably not in the best interest of men, women or the mission.”
Santorum has been clear about his traditional military dreams since the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” last year. He believes that openly gay soldiers would wreak havoc on their straight comrades in such “close quarters.” Plus, straight boys wouldn’t volunteer to serve anymore if the chance of meeting a homosexual was involved.
The presence of gay soldiers could have an “adverse effect on retention and recruitment.”
Personally, I believe in civil rights. Treating everyone equally. I think it is absolutely ridiculous to limit women’s military roles because of the assumption that chivalry is programmed into male DNA. If someone, anyone, wants to fight for their country, he or she should be able to. I know I sure as hell don’t want to, so more power to ’em.
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