A Feminist Milestone?

[Ursa Major]

Did anybody else look closely at the photo on the front page of today's New York Times? The caption reads:

"American Marines rested at a makeshift patrol base in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday."

Nowhere in the caption, headline or story is any mention made of the gender of the marines in the picture. Maybe it's just me, but that non-comment strikes me as something of a leap in gender equality.

[Dick Macy]

Are you saying that at some undetermined time in the past -- perhaps recent past -- the article or the photo caption would likely have made mention of the fact that there were basically two types of Marines in the picture?

If so, then yes, I suppose it is a bit of a leap. Damned shame, though. I've never thought that men were as good as women, so I kinda hate to see them brought up to that level.

[akennett]

Yeah, but did you see the one had her boots off and was doing her nails...typical women...

[Ursa Major]

Originally Posted by Dick Macy

Are you saying that at some undetermined time in the past -- perhaps recent past -- the article or the photo caption would likely have made mention of the fact that there were basically two types of Marines in the picture?

Actually, they are all women.

Until fairly recently, I do believe that such a photo would have either been used to highlight a story on the role of women in the military or would not be used at all because it might distract from the gist of a more general discussion of the war.

[RebelK]

I think it's a win when nobody mentions gender. Period.

[RebelK]

Anytime they don't mention gender...period....I think it's a win.

[Suerreal]

That is noteworthy, Ursa. Thanks for noticing!

- Sue

[Matt Holck]

so the marines still practice separation of the sexes?

[RichPella]

When I was in the Navy, I knew some Marines and worked with them on occasion. It was very common to hear the term "Women Marines," or "WM" for short. I even heard WMs refer to themselves that way. I've now been out of the Navy for more time than I was in, so it's very possible that this practice has ended. I would call that a good thing.

[Ursa Major]

sigh...

Two steps forward, one step back. Almost every headline about Fort Hood Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley references her gender. It's as if FOX News thinks it's more astounding for a woman to be a hero than a man.

[AuraSeer]

The headlines I saw on CNN.com didn't mention that. I didn't realize said sergeant was female until I read this thread.

[Ursa Major]

Here you go:

"'Tough woman' cop hailed Fort Hood hero" - CNN

[Surgoshan]

Originally Posted by Ursa Major

It's as if FOX News thinks it's more astounding for a woman to be a hero than a man.

Well, duh. Women are weak and stupid and should be home cooking dinner for when their owne... husbands get home. Obviously, this woman needs to be tested to see if she's really a woman.

[AuraSeer]

The New York Times headline says: "Highly Trained Sergeant Brought Down Gunman."

Even better is the link to that article from Fark, where I originally saw it: "Cop who took down Ft. Hood shooter ran INTO the line of fire, huge brass balls clanking the whole way"

[bbs2k]

Isn't it sort of silly how the when the actual milestone of sexual equivilance comes it will be because no one is talking about it.

Although that's probably just an impractical politically correct hardwiring fantasy.

[AuraSeer]

Reports now indicate it's inconclusive whether Sgt. Munley or her partner, Sgt. Mark Todd, fired the decisive shots.

Munley fired at least a few shots at Hasan but was herself fired upon and wounded. At close to the same time, her partner Sgt. Mark Todd arrived from another direction and also fired at Hasan. There seem to be conflicting witness statements (or at least the various news sites are reporting different quotes) about the order of events. I suppose a definitive answer will have to wait until ballstics testing is performed, if the bullets from Hasan's body can even be adequately tested.

[Osmooms]

Originally Posted by RebelK

Anytime they don't mention gender...period....I think it's a win.

I think it's kinda unnecessary as only one gender has them!!

And yeah, I have to agree with bbs2k, but that'll mean the universal acceptance will come when noone notices that it HAS arrived.
The hard core feminists will have nothing to write about.........

Cheers
Osmooms