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September 21, 2007

If mothers ruled the world

Dr. Helen has an interesting post up today at Pajamas Media titled "If Moms Ran the World" in response to Sally Field's rant at the Emmy Awards earlier this week. Here's a snippet:

Sally Field and her ilk don't really mean they want just any mom or woman to run the world, what she really meant when she talked about moms taking over is that leftist women should run the world. Notice that the women who are always talking about how great and different things would be if women were in charge never mention real women leaders like Condi Rice or Margaret Thatcher because they are conservatives. Unlike some leftist women who think that their sex puts them beyond the human traits of aggressiveness and violence, Rice and Thatcher understand that the realities of national security mean that negotiation and "making nice" with the schoolyard bully does not always work.

I left a preliminary comment, but am expanding it here. I am a real Marine Mom, unlike Fields who plays a military mom on TV, and my son did three tours in Iraq. After dealing with war protestors back home, many of whom took it upon themselves to "educate" me on why war was always wrong and why my son joined only because he had no other options (so wrong), I can tell you that it is a very good thing that the mothers of our troops (and not the ones that play them on TV) do not get to pick and choose who their sons protect and defend.

If this country were invaded by a foreign power, those who carry peace signs and sing 60's protest songs would be the first ones squawking for protection from the military they had spent their lives denigrating. At a recent rally where the pro-troops signs were on the north side of the street, facing the anti war signs, I was talking with a reporter when a small group saw the microphone and started screaming anti-war slogans. I smiled and let them finish and the reporter asked if it bothered me. I told her that one of things my son was fighting to protect and defend was their right to stand on a public street and make asshats of themselves. It gave me an opportunity to provide a nice little sound bite to the reporter, pointing out that their right to dissent was a freedom bought and paid for with the blood, sweat, and lives of brave men and women over the past 230 years who looked at this country and decided that there were certain things worth fighting for. The reporter turned the microphone off and the dissenters didn't get a chance to rebut. Too bad. I usually don't get that polemic but hey. They interrupted.

Recently, I attended an event in order to promote troop support activities. I had to park several blocks away and had my chair, table, display board, bag with flyers and information, etc - no problem - once you've been a single mom, you've learned to balance any load. A guy walked up and asked if my opinion on the war and I said I was pro-troops. He sneered and said that he would have helped me carry my stuff if I'd been smarter. I told him that the troops, including my son, had been supporting his freedom to dissent and I didn't expect to be treated any better from him than he treated the troops. A couple of people waiting to cross the street laughed at him and helped me carry my stuff. He wasn't amused.

I've also been recruited by Code Pinksters. That group has really taken the fun out of wearing shades of rose. It's a funny thing about these folks who say they support the troops but not their mission. I've personally invited them to prove it by helping with our troop support projects. I've never seen one show up yet. But there are always lots of moms and dads who love and support their sons and daughters who wear the uniforms of this country's armed forces. Military parents who planned for college, not boot camp. But when their child made the decision to protect and serve, they proudly - and loudly - applauded the extraordinary courage that it takes to serve this country during a time of war.

Would there be wars if mothers ruled the world? Of course - not everything can be solved over milk and cookies. I was vehemently anti-spanking, but when my toddler ran out in the street, I got his attention with a swift swat. He never did that again. Try that on a global scale with someone like Saddam and you realize that sometimes, the most efficient way to make things better is to go in and clean house. How many lives have been saved because of strong men like my son, and Connie's son, and Mary Helen's son, and Kendra's son, and Molly's daughter, and Linda's son, and on and on and on - these Marines and soldiers and sailors who put their own self-interests on hold to serve. These young men and women are the real heroes of this country . . . . and their deeds aren't scripted but authentic. And I don't think that Hollywood will ever understand that.

Posted by Deb at September 21, 2007 11:28 AM

Comments

You are absolutely RIGHT ON!

Posted by: Elaine at September 24, 2007 07:40 PM

Absolutely, you said exactly what I've been thinking (and much better than I could)! As one Marine Mom to another...thanks for saying it.

Posted by: lela at September 27, 2007 05:21 AM