Several thoughts:
1) Yes I have made several broad comments that are negative about the president-elect that are not directly related to USNA. I have done this for two reasons. First, because I am horrified at the outcome of this election. This emotional motivation does not themselves justify the posts on this particular forum. For that, I apologize.
2) The broad observations ARE, however, appropriate for this forum for a different reason - there are repeated posters attacking my concerns by attacking me personally, rather than addressing the substance of the assertion that this election IS different. That is the reason I have posted the comment like the broad-based observation above. Too many die-hard republicans voted for Clinton for ANYBODY to believe that this election is little different than all that have preceded it. Many, many thoughtful conservatives who don't like Clinton and hate her policies voted for her because they recognized that this election was about more than just republicans versus democrats. One of you said that those who voted for Trump were somehow able to hear his "true" message while the rest of us were, somehow confused, partially by the media. If you are visibly disabled, you got his message clearly when he mocked the reporter. If you are a woman, you got the message clearly how he feels about women. If you are an immigrant, you know how he feels - remember, Mexico is not sending their best, they are sending criminals and rapists. We ALL got the repeated message about a free and open media - it has no role in Trump's America. Honestly, I keep coming back to the thought: What would Jesus do? Or even, what would Ronald Reagan say?!!!
This country is at a dangerous juncture. One need only look to the tweet that the president-elect put out on Wednesday evening, asserting that the protesters are unfair but they are professionals, paid for by the media. This is not a "throw-away" tweet. It is a MEGA red flag, for those of you who did not see the red flags that preceded it. It is EXACTLY the response that we in this country have seen and judged harshly when it has occurred throughout history in other countries. Accusations by fascists and demagogues, like Putin, that paint any dissent is illegitimate. Much like Putin, Trump will attempt to suppress any and all dissent by denigrating the dissenters and defaming the media. ALWAYS the media. If he controls the message, we are all in trouble.
3) For those who have asserted without cause that my poor, sensitive daughter might be better suited to an ultra liberal university where nobody will ever question her views because she MUST be in need of safe spaces all the time: That's known as a baseless, personal attack. My daughter can hold her own and is tough as nails. There is a difference between what she is ABLE to do versus what she is WILLING to do and even what she feels strongly that she SHOULD do. I don't particularly care that you chose to denigrate my daughter, even without any reality to justify it. After all, the bulk of this election cycle was reality-challenged as well as attack-minded.
4) To the poster who asked why it would matter if women's roles in the military become more restricted again; the specific comment was: "Are you arguing that restricting women from joining combat arms makes it more challenging for them to be in the military?" The response to this comment relates directly to the other poster's comments who stated that my opinion does not count because I have not served in the military. If I lack credibility on this online forum because I have not served, how can you think that women could advance to top military leadership positions if they are blocked from combat roles? Those who lead must be able to relate in a personal way to those they are expected to lead. It has always been a concern for women that advancement is limited when their roles are restricted. Women have always struggled for respect in the military; it's been an easier road for some than others. The path is far more difficult when it is more narrow.
5) When we elect a commander in chief who openly denigrates the disabled, women, minorities, it encourages a culture of such behavior. We are already seeing, across the country, an increase in brazen attacks by some who are encouraged by Trump's words. This has a direct implication for women in the military - there are still many in the military who oppose women's presence amongst them. This faction is now emboldened. If women's roles are more restricted, this faction is further emboldened.
6) News flash: the US military is facing a growing labor shortage, particularly in its higher ranks (i.e., the leadership positions typically held by service academy graduates). Push away the women, this shortage becomes more dire.
7) With total republican control of the presidency and our Congress, we can expect swift movement on issues critical for women who plan professional careers. Whether you are pro-choice or anti-choice; and whether you support women's access to reproductive rights in general or oppose it - the empirical evidence is QUITE clear on this issue. When women can control their own bodies, they can invest in their professional futures. Stacking the Supreme Court with anti-choice, anti-reproductive rights men will erode women's labor force progress that we have experienced over the past 50 years. I DO understand that many would applaud this - this very well may be what some of you think of when you think about "make America great again." Maybe that is equivalent to "put women back in the home again." Either way, women are justifiably concerned that their progress over the past 50 years is again threatened by men who don't respect them as equals.
8) For my brave, strong, confident daughter - she will find a way to serve. She just may not be willing to serve in the US military for the reasons I've stated previously but also, for another reason. Although she is perfectly capable of living amongst those who disagree with her politics (duh, she's got lots of friends who are republicans) and she certainly can keep her opinions to herself when appropriate, she may not be willing to be silenced at this critical point in our nation. For those of us who feel that our very democracy is at stake (and there are millions of us out here), she may feel that she can contribute best to our country by USING her voice, not silencing it.
9) Despite all the above - my family will always respect our military and be grateful for those who are willing to serve. Thus, I have to be glad that there are many who disagree with me on the merit of my concerns, and I am glad that even some who agree will still be willing to serve. Our nation deserves the best and the brightest, even if it turns out to NOT be the path that my daughter follows. One poster made this same point earlier in this thread and I agree with it.
