Combat for the capable

This is in response to the letter written yesterday by a narrow-minded marine. Here is a wake-up call. We live in 1999, when people stop making stupid generalizations about what people are and are not capable of based on their gender. No, combat is not the things Mr. Mohler described, and standards for infantry training should not be lowered so women can "get through." Mr. Mohler's naive assumption is that these standards need to be lowered for women, something which has never been proven and never will be.

Mr. Mohler also made many other stupid assumptions and implications. Why are so many men so eager to send themselves into something they know nothing about? How do men who have never been in combat know any more about combat than their women counterparts? They don't. Lapse in logic No. 1.

Many women want to fight for the same reason the self-proclaimed stupid John Mohler does: To protect and serve their country. In addition, some women are even capable - yes, there are stupid and intelligent women who are mentally capable of dealing with death and killing and yes, there are even women out there who are physically capable of the trials of war.

It was very brave of Mr. Mohler to demonstrate his ancient views to the world. But in the future, he shouldn't extrapolate his 1950s views of women onto women who live in 1999. Not all women care about (or even watch) "Oprah Winfrey", not all women should be staying home to raise a "respectable" family.

You're correct, stupid men such as Mr. Mohler, are good at fighting. It is probably what they are best at, maybe that is why they cling to it so, trying to prevent anyone else from doing it. Because it's the only thing they're good at. But, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, women and - oh my God - even homosexuals, can wage war effectively too.

Mr. Mohler, get a grip, get a brain. Wars are not fought purely on the battlefield anymore, our warriors need more than brute strength and enough stupidity to make them courageous. They need foresight, logical thinking skills (which Mr. Mohler lacks) and quickness of mind. Isn't it typical of the archaic man to presume they know what everyone else wants, and tell them what they are and are not capable of? I am delighted that Mr. Mohler has told me what I am capable of and what I should do with my life. I wasn't quite sure.

Tamara Rogers
Physics and astronomy senior
United States Air Force