Apart from the insane clown posse in the Christian right, the issue of women in combat is no big deal. Even Fox News, a reliable mouthpiece for Christian crazies, doesn't seem to have a problem with it. In a discussion with Fox's resident right wing, Iraq war supporting vet, Pete Hegseth, Megyn Kelly appeared to support the new policy. But in the time span of one week, Ms. Kelly has done a neck wrenching about-face with her almost hysterical commentary about the possibility that OMG, "girls," might be drafted because of the lifting of the ban on women in combat. Check out Kelly's latest hissy fit; but be warned that your monitor might start steaming because she was on fire. But one questions if this is genuine or if Kelly is just pimping the propaganda of hate group president Tony Perkins who claims that the presence of women in combat will cause an exodus of macho men and that will lead to the reinstatement of the draft. Hmmm.
From the beginning of the piece, Kelly was locked and loaded. After showing video of Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel speaking in favor of women in combat, Kelly commented that "the Pentagon's new move could open the door to women now being eligible for the draft, something you didn't year a lot about last week meaning your daughter, niece, sister might soon be required to register with the government at age 18 and may one day be called, against her will, to serve this country in a war." (As opposed to young men who are called, "against their will?")
Kelly, in scolding former USAF pilot and combat vet Martha McSally, painted a picture of girls being viciously yanked from the Barbie's. Kelly proclaimed that while many civilian women want military women to have equal rights, what could happen is that "all the little girls sitting at home with their moms, are going to be potentially eligible for a draft, if we have to institute one, because of you." She continued to hector: "You wanted to be in the military, you wanted certain roles but maybe our daughters don't want to and we don't want you opening that door for them."
When McSally said that it's congress' role to reinstate the draft, Kelly interjected "it's now possible." McSally said that there's no reason why women should be exempt from registering and noted that there are many non-combat military positions. Kelly responded that "we've done that from the beginning of time and we haven't included girls in the mandatory registration process..." In cuing up Pete Hegseth, she hysterically blithered about congress' role in creating a draft. She said "you tell me are mothers and fathers sitting home with their little girls, do they need to be preparing themselves to have their soon to be 18 year olds registering for a draft."
Hegseth agreed that it would make "people's hair stand up" if they thought their "little girls" would be drafted and that the number of patriotic guys and women who would volunteer in a time of national crises would eliminate the need for drafting women. Kelly, in quick and clipped tones, asserted that we got rid of the draft but "that doesn't mean that it's not going to come back...and one doesn't know what our enemies have planned for us in the future..." When Kelly asked Kelly if "God forbid we have a draft," Hegseth said he didn't think it would happen.
Kelly said that she could understand why the "brave" and "fit" McSally would go into the military; but, "God forbid we have a draft," she couldn't picture "girls" who aren't "socialized" to be "intermixing with boys and men in this fashion...it's like I just can't picture this happening in a successful non-stressful way." McSally noted that lots of men aren't qualified for service and interrupted by Kelly who (twice) wanted her to "speak to my point." Kelly shouted "how does it work?" She asked if the military would be just fine" if women were drafted. McSally again said that the current military principal, of having folks "where they best fit" would obtain. Kelly closed with a curt "we'll have to agree to disagree."
Whew, Kelly should stay away from caffeinated beverages before her show. But she shouldn't worry about her daughter. If she has the same kind of connections that lots of rich, well connected chicken hawk Republicans did back in the 60's, she'll get an exemption. But be scared, "girls," Uncle Sam might want you because Megyn Kelly and the Christian right say so. As I noted in an earlier post, just because you can't see the propaganda, doesn't mean it's not there on "fair & balanced" Fox News!