>  when any person signs on that dotted line, their
> body becomes the property of the US military branch in which they have
> enlisted, and their rights are no more.

>How about the rights of the infant???????<

My understanding is that the USA is one of the two countries in the world
which has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  (I am not
smug -- the UK, my adopted country, is under censure from UNICEF for
violating the provisions of the CRC with repsect to the age of recruitment
to the military.)  Also, there is an argument about whether babies have a
human right to breastfeeding.   This has happened with less prominence than
some of us would have liked, for a variety of reasons.  It was one of the
subjects of debate at both WABA global forums.

I have to say one of my responses to this debate on women in the military is
to invite all my fellow americans to dedicate some time and energy to
changing the policies of our country which end up requiring so many
americans to be in the military in the first place.   (I know this a bit
provocative for someone who has chosen to leave the country and ally herself
with what Arundhati Roy calls the slave nations.)

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK




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