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This story can only mean one thing!!
Women in the military would be barred from serving in direct ground combat roles, under a House bill that sets Defense Department policy and spending plans for the upcoming budget year. The House Armed Services Committee approved the overall measure early Thursday on a 61-1 vote. The same committee in the Senate passed a different version last week. The House and Senate are to vote on their respective bills next week.

Once this legislation is in place, it opens the door for the draft. Without such language the draft could be challenged under the 14th Amendment as denying equal protection to half the population. Taking women out of combat selectively defines the need for troops for combat, and allows the acquisition and recruitment of a male only reserve--i/e the draft. If people miss this important distinction, they are not prepared. There was a rider last week attached to the Iraq appropriations bill that expanded the age of reservists and those that could be called up. This would apply as well to the draft. What we will see in the coming months are plans to launch a new conscription that will include men between the ages of 18 and 42. The details of the deferments will be the cause celebre, as to whom within the rank and class of the society will receive the get out of the draft free status. Aren't we a great nation, eh??