Hi All,
    First I want to thank those who e-mailed me with information and
questions and comments on the gas chamber. I need to follow up this
morning to find out how things went. The issue of women in the military
is a real fine line one for me. I have been an Army wife for 22 year and
watched the changes. On the one hand, many of the problems come from a
male dominated hierarchy, the young/new male recruits are 'told' that
the young/new female soldiers are 'getting over' or doing less than they
are. In some situations this is true, in others it is not. Many males
continue to hold these beliefs and hold hostilities as they advance to
ranks of supervision and control. In addition to this many women hold
the impression that they must do twice as much and be twice as good to
be accepted (my daughter holds this belief) in the military. These women
are less likely to complain, ask for anything, make 'waves' or do
anything to bring attention to themselves.
    The reality of the situation is that many things can and are
regularly worked around, avoided, 'checked off' without doing, etc. The
one issue is knowing how to get it done, the second is that many males
won't do it for a female for fear of an accussation of 'favoritism' and
many women fear to ask for it for the same reason.
    The other reality is that in a war, any war - back to the beginning
- women have been involved in direct combat situations many times (many
time inadvertently) but more recently in history, intentionally. We need
to accept that while it may not be acceptable to ourselves personally
nor would we want to do it, there are some women who do want to do it,
and we need to allow them that freedom - just as I want women to accept
my decision to stay home and raise my children. If it is an informed and
well thought out decision, I will support it (unless it is illegal
and/or immoral).
    On the 'middle America exposure' the only problems I have is that
showing a breast pump is that manufactured by a formula company is
almost a guarantee of  breastfeeding problems or failure. Also to state
that a breast pump is the mother's best friend - to quote many on this
list AARRGGHH! Once again I state I breastfed 4 children without a ton
of gadgets, gizmos and 'stuff.' Consumerism is going to be the death of
America.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY
"See the boy with his sister and you can know how the man will be with
your daughter." Plains Sioux proverb