While much of the left sings the praises of "diversity" and the like, institutions like the military have discovered that true diversity comes not from promoting excellence, in being as color-blind as possible. Our military is as close to a pure meritocracy as I know of, where folks are judged strictly on the basis of ability and performance and all other considerations take a back seat -- if they're not stuffed in the trunk or left at the curb.
That's where this week's Milblog comes in.
Suzanne Fornier of Alexandria, Ohio has had a busy life. For example, she's a mother and grandmother -- in fact, she has seven children and 15 grandchildren. One has the image of a quaint little old lady puttering around her house, knitting and baking cookies for that horde of grandchildren.
Instead, she's serving with the US Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq. Her main duties are visiting Iraqi schools in preparation for her buddies coming along and helping to fix them up. She's also using herself as an example to the students, in particular the girls, to show just what other options are open to them.
And she posts the most beautiful pictures of smiling Iraqi schoolchildren.
Now, kind words from strangers won't exactly substitute for seeing her own children and granchildren and the rest of her family, but it certainly won't hurt. Head on over and check out her blog, leave some good wishes.
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Comments (6)
"Our military is as close t... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Spoons | February 23, 2006 8:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Our military is as close to a pure meritocracy as I know of, where folks are judged strictly on the basis of ability and performance and all other considerations take a back seat -- if they're not stuffed in the trunk or left at the curb."
Uhhh... wow.
Jay, I'd love to know what you're basing that on. Second only to academia, the military may be the single-most diversity-twisted institution in our society. Diversity preferences are a huge issue in our military, and have been for decades. Witness the extreme easing of physical strength requirements done for the sake of admitting more women. Heck, our military even abandoned the best damn handgun round ever made in favor of one that would be easier for smaller-stature female soldiers to shoot (even as it dramatically decreased the ability to actually stop enemies).
None of this, of course, takes anything away from Ms. Fornier, but I think the idea that the military is a "pure meritocracy" is too ludicrous to go unanswered.
1. Posted by Spoons | February 23, 2006 8:38 AM |
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Posted on February 23, 2006 08:38
2. Posted by Paul | February 23, 2006 9:44 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
>Instead, she's serving with the US Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq.
Thank God Iraq is a desert!
2. Posted by Paul | February 23, 2006 9:44 AM |
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Posted on February 23, 2006 09:44
3. Posted by ed | February 23, 2006 9:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmmm.
Incorrect. The US military went to the 9mm to be more compatible with other NATO countries. At the time America was the only NATO country that used the .45.
And yes, it was a definite mistake. But anybody who thinks a woman can't shoot a .45 M1911A1 is fooling himself.
3. Posted by ed | February 23, 2006 9:48 AM |
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Posted on February 23, 2006 09:48
4. Posted by Cobb | February 23, 2006 12:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Colorblindness is not what the military or American culture is all about. It is indeed the intelligent handling of ethnic and religious diversity that everybody ought to be proud of. The problem with the Left is not that they acknowledge diversity, but that they do it for the wrong reasons. The problem with the Right is that they reject diversity thoughtlessly when in fact capitalism thrives through it.
The whole point is not making a point of differences, but handling them intelligently - something the US has been uniquely (and sometimes stumblingly) capable of. France btw is not too far behind. It is the fundamental premise of liberal democracy.
4. Posted by Cobb | February 23, 2006 12:32 PM |
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Posted on February 23, 2006 12:32
5. Posted by Spoons | February 25, 2006 5:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"But anybody who thinks a woman can't shoot a .45 M1911A1 is fooling himself."
Don't get me wrong, I know that's true, for the most part. In fact my very NOT physically strong wife shoots my 1911 better than her .380 PPK/S. But women soldiers were definitely a major factor in switching to the 9. Even if you don't accept that, the fact that physical requirements were dramatically lessened is pretty much unassailable.
As for Cobb, while I disagree with your premise that colorblindness is not American, it's not necessary to resolve that debate. My sole point is to take issue with Jay's claim that the U.S. military is pretty much a pure meritocracy. It's actually one of the less purely meritocratic aspects of our culture.
5. Posted by Spoons | February 25, 2006 5:42 PM |
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Posted on February 25, 2006 17:42
6. Posted by mark | February 25, 2006 8:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"And yes, it was a definite mistake. But anybody who thinks a woman can't shoot a .45 M1911A1 is fooling himself."
and now the military has found the 9mm inadequate and is going back to the .45
http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/2006251215.asp
6. Posted by mark | February 25, 2006 8:21 PM |
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Posted on February 25, 2006 20:21