GOP Senator threatens to block women from serving in combat

[DonViejo]

Jim Inhofe says he would introduce legislation to "stop any changes we believe to be detrimental" to the military

BY JILLIAN RAYFIELD

Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that it will lift the military ban on women serving in combat. This did not go over well among conservatives. But now one Republican senator is taking it to the next level, threatening to block the move with legislation. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said Thursday in a statement:

“But I want everyone to know that the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which I am the Ranking Member, will have a period to provide oversight and review. During that time, if necessary, we will be able to introduce legislation to stop any changes we believe to be detrimental to our fighting forces and their capabilities. I suspect there will be cases where legislation becomes necessary.”

He also said: “Because that policy has worked so well for so long, I am concerned about the potential impacts of completely ending this policy.”

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who stepped down as the Ranking Republican on the committee after the last session of Congress, welcomed the move: “I respect and support Secretary Leon Panetta’s decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat,” he wrote on Wednesday. “As this new rule is implemented, it is critical that we maintain the same high standards that have made the American military the most feared and admired fighting force in the world — particularly the rigorous physical standards for our elite special forces units.”

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http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/gop_senator_threatens_to_block_women_from_serving_in_combat/

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. When he Inhofe stepping down to lead Heritage?

I thought that he was already gone?

[Angry Dragon]

2. that is DeMint

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. Oh you're right

I don't know why I get them both mixed up with each other. Probably them both being so insane...........

[Drale]

3. My only question about women serving in combat is

that the terrorists (all right wing Conservative nut jobs BTW) hate women and what terrible things, beyond anything done to any male, would they do to her if she was captured? They kill people for trying to teach girls how to read or they torture and murder girls who speak their minds. These people are the equal if not worst than Hitler and I don't want to see anyone women or man treated like that. I guess the permanent solution to my fear is to end the current wars and not get any more wars unless genocide is going on.

P.S. I'm not trying to be sexist, its a genuine concern. We all know right wingers hate women with a passion and would do anything to stop them from even being human, and that these religious nut job terrorists have taken that to an entirely different level.

[LiberalFighter]

10. There is a lot more torture that can be done to men then to women physically.

And there is no front line in these type of wars like in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam.

These women volunteer to serve in combat. First they volunteer to serve in the military and they are given opportunities serve in combat if they wish. They know and accept the risks.

[PoliticAverse]

4. "we will be able to introduce legislation" - which won't pass and won't stop women

from serving in combat.

[Filibuster Harry]

6. What is wrong with women serving if they want to serve?? I wish the complainers would either

shut the hell up or go serve in their place instead. Any takers?? Of course not.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Last I heard this was a volunteer military.

They aren't drafted to serve. And even when they serve in the military they don't go into combat unless they request it. They must be upset that some women might be better then them.

[Sunlei]

7. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla fool, we already have 1,000 RECENT injured and dead military woman.

[TwilightGardener]

8. I don't know how much authority Congress has on this matter.

Obama wanted to lift DADT, but went through Congress rather than just issuing an order through Gates. I imagine that since the ban on women in combat was from a 1994 DoD directive, then it's up to the DoD to lift the ban--not Congress. So the only ones that seem to have the final authority here are President Obama and the Secretary of Defense.

[Still Sensible]

9. Frankly what Inhofe said is merely pandering

to his zealot base. He essentially said that his committee will "provide oversight and review..." which is exactly what they are supposed to do according to Panetta's announcement. The "...we will be able to introduce legislation to stop any changes we believe to be detrimental to our fighting forces" part of his quote is nothing more than a statement to his RW folks to imply that he will lead some charge to overturn this--although the quote really doesn't say that.

Typical Inhofe.

[LiberalFighter]

12. He thinks he is special

It seems there is a conflict in Inhofe's bio. He either served from 1955 to 1956 or from 1957 to 1958. Not much time. And how does someone in the Army get pilot training from the Navy as shown in the excerpt from Wiki?

Sourcewatch provides that he never rose above the rank of private and never left American soil.

Misconduct while piloting an aircraft in 2010

Trained by the US Navy, Inhofe is one of the few members of Congress who is licensed as a commercial pilot. In 1994, when he first ran for the U.S. Senate, he used his plane as a daily campaign vehicle to crisscross Oklahoma and visit almost every town in the state. He has been influential in Senate and Congressional debates involving aircraft regulation.

On October 21, 2010, at the age of 75, Inhofe landed his Cessna on a closed runway at a south Texas airport, scattering construction workers who ran for their lives. In a recorded telephone call, the men's supervisor told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that Inhofe "scared the crap out of" workers, adding that the Cessna "damn near hit" a truck. And the airport manager, also speaking to the FAA in a recorded telephone call, opined, “I’ve got over 50 years flying, three tours of Vietnam, and I can assure you I have never seen such a reckless disregard for human life in my life. Something needs to be done. This guy is famous for these violations.”

In response to the incident, Inhofe stated that he "did nothing wrong", and accused the FAA of "agency overreach" and causing a "feeling of desperation" in him. He agreed to take a remedial training program, and the FAA agreed not to pursue legal action against him if he took the program. In July 2011, Inhofe introduced a bill to create a "Pilot's Bill of Rights" which he said would increase fairness in FAA enforcement actions.

[Paladin]

13. You And What Army, Inhofe?

Knuckle-drag yourself into the 20th century, moron. You can work on the 21st century, after that.....

[sadbear]

14. Seeing the carnage of war is fine. Even being on the front line is fine, too.

But a woman in combat might see a penis, and that just can't happen.

[GoCubsGo]

15. Good luck with that, asshole.

Your bullshit legislation will never see the light of day. Stop wasting the country's time with your fucking sexist garbage.

[yellowcanine]

16. This is when I miss Molly Ivins

She would have had a pithy comment on this which would have captured the irony in one sentence.