THE SEXIST DRAFT (Part 1)*...
Donald J. Asbridge, Ed.S., LEP
Bakersfield, California
 

PRELUDE

As professional educators, we must ask the question, "what is good for students?"  This paper asks, "is the sexist draft good for our students?  Is it mentally healthy?  Does it set the stage for learning?  Equality?  Set forth high expectations?"  No on all accounts.

Does it contribute to and promote an ongoing hostile, repressive, and sexist environment, not only in schools but permeating throughout every aspect of our culture?  Yes.

Unfortunately, these questions have been asked many times and the answer has always been the same.  But our president has chided (attacked) education for "not stepping up to the plate."  So I'll step up to the plate, George.  I'll ask the question... now it's your turn to bat.  Are you going to continue to actively harm our [my] students health and welfare?  Are you going to continue to actively discriminate against them?  And then wonder why they don't perform on your tests?

As a school psychologist I get to deal with the adverse effects of a repressive and discriminatory governmental regime on a daily basis with students -- that's my job.  I ask you to immediately pass a law (that's your job) that outlaws discrimination based on gender.  Hmmm,... funny, I thought that law was already on the books.

I could write a few thousand pages, but I think I'll just make a couple simple and basic points here.  I shouldn't have to write a book.  Everyone knows what's right here.  I heard a brief blurb a week or two ago that some high school males have sued the government because the draft is sexist... I haven't heard any follow-up, though.  Why?  I would think a moral and ethical government would step right up and immediately take action to do what's right.  At least that's what you keep saying you're doing.

It's quite possible many [more] lawsuits could arise here.  In fact I urge all males to file a class action suit against the sexist draft.  George, this is people working within the system for change.  I hope you'll listen.  Human nature would indicate a massive violent uprising in the streets might be the next step if the government will not do it's job.

I also urge all females to file a class action suit against the sexist draft.  You are being treated differently than males based solely on gender.  You are being excluded.  That is against the law and seemingly against everything women have fought for over the past forty years.  It is also a violation of your civil rights.  You know what's right.  My daughters agree with this point.  Most women with whom I've discussed this point agree, but don't want to go into the military.  I understand.  I don't know of any male who wants to go to the military either.

CALL TO ACTION:**
So if George can get mad, I can get mad too and I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more.  You should be mad as hell too.  I hope to see thousands of lawsuits within the next few weeks filed by both males and females.  This (the draft) is the obvious place to start...

Either:
1) There should be no draft at all (this is the obvious first choice);  or
2) If there has to be a draft, it should draft fairly and in a nondiscriminatory way, violating nobody's civil rights.

Either the genders are equal or they're not.  If they are, then dramatic changes need to occur.  If they aren't, then dramatic changes need to occur.  NOW!  Society is about ready to explode.  I know one thing;  males are very angry and it seems to me they have a right to be angry.

I'm not going to get into all the discussions we've heard before.  For example, men don't want women in the military because they're not as strong... or they don't feel comfortable next to a woman in a foxhole.  Well, women are allowed into West Point (and women fought for that right).  If they're allowed into West Point, then they should be allowed into the draft.  And I don't know if anyone has ever been "comfortable" in a foxhole ever for any reason.

Just in case you think I'm trying to fool you, I am providing a copy of HR 3598 IH in it's entirety in Part 2 (link follows).  I have added some comments and questions because I can't help myself -- I did show as much self-restraint as possible, though.  You may agree or disagree with my comments, but you still know what's right.  I ask you to read the bill, consider it, and do what's right for your students, children, families, society, and world.  Before you contact your elected official and/or file your lawsuit, go ahead and forward your vote on the form provided back on the February Online Gazette and add any comments for all to view in the guestbook provided.
 

*The sexist draft is just one small aspect of the overall sexist society in which we find ourselves.  In many ways females are repressed and in many ways males are repressed.  Maslow's theory would suggest it will be difficult for students to diligently work toward improving their grades if even their most basic civil rights are being repressed on a consistent basis.

**Note:  this is merely a call for [legal] action.  This is not a call to arms [yet].

You may also want to check out:
Students United for a Responsible Global Environment -
www.unc.edu/surge

You may also want to check out:
Boy With A Gun -
www.technopsych.com/boywithgun.htm
 
 

HR 3598 IH
Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001

HR 3598 IH (aka "The Draft") was introduced to the House by two Republicans on December 20th, 2001 (Merry Christmas!).  It will no doubt be made into law as soon as George runs out of soldiers as a result of his war against Iraq and the rest of the world.  You need to know about this plan to reinsitute the draft... it will affect you when you lose your son, brother, nephew, cousin, etc. (or your own life if you're male).  You won't lose you daughter, sister, or neice, because females again aren't being drafted.  This is another blatant case of sexism, repression, and discrimination towards males (and females, because discrimination is always a two-way street).  If the genders are equal, then let's let the girls go fight too (maybe W's daughters?).  If the draft is reinstated, who will be the first male to stand up and sue the government for discriminatory practices based solely on gender?  This is an ongoing and violent violation of a male's civil rights.

Now, don't get me wrong... I have two daughters... I don't want them to go off and fight -- possibly sacrifice their lives -- in W's holy war;  I don't want anybody to go fight in W's war.  I just think that either the genders are equal -- or they're not.  If they're not, then get the women out of the work force and give me back my old high paying job -- if they are, then lets give them the opportunity to protect their country too, to be great and heroic patriots.  What female will be the first to stand up and sue the government for discriminatory practices based solely on gender?  This is an ongoing and violent violation of a female's civil rights.

And what U. S. citizen will not stand up and sue the government for extreme violations related to the separation of church and state?  I don't know why any non-Christian would be required to fight in W's holy war (i.e., the Christians vs. the Muslems).  But maybe this point is off the topic of sexism... or maybe not -- things get pretty complex in a hurry... maybe that's why the government won't act... won't stand up and do what's right?  There's always a reason!

I encourage you to read HR 3598 IH in it's entirety.  It's not that long and anyone who graduated from a non-Texas school should have the skills to read it.  As an American citizen with free will and guaranteed freedom of speech, I've felt free to add my own comments in red and emphasize sexist areas in white.  There are a million things wrong with this Act -- I just can't remain quiet any longer and I hope you won't remain quiet either.

Here are some links of possible interest...
The Draft... a sexist policy
Black Men vs. White Women
The Mens' Center
What's happening in Europe?