CSMonitor opinion piece plugs for women serving aboard submarines

There are no remaining legal barriers to women serving on Naval submarines, and this CSMonitor article defends plans for the reversal of Navy policy on the issue, despite some public hysteria regarding women and military service.

Historically, attempts to exclude citizens based on gender or race have been ultimately unsuccessful. But the issue here is more than just a demand for gender equality. Navy recruitment is cyclical. Prohibiting women from serving aboard submarines not only limits their Navy career potential, it also limits the Navy, which has a limited talent pool of nuclear-trained service personnel.

Women make up 15 percent of the Navy. And there is a need for more nuclear-trained recruits who can serve on subs. “We know there are capable young women in the Navy and women who are interested in the Navy who have the talent and desire to succeed in the submarine force,” said Lt. Justin Cole, a Navy spokesman. “Enabling them to serve there is best for the submarine force and our Navy.”

Countries that allow women to serve as submariners include Australia, Canada, Norway, and Sweden. Sounds like a non-issue to me.

Has airport security gone too far? And is it making us safer?

Gawker today reported that a TSA agent forced a disabled boy to remove his leg braces and walk through the metal detector without them, on his way to Disney Land for his fourth birthday.  The TSA has since apologized, saying the agents behavior was against protocol, and the boy should have been given special screening.  But this just makes me ask, is airport security really making us any safer?  Or just more angry?  I want effective airport security measures, and lots of them.  But I just wonder if these are the right ones, especially since they're becoming increasingly burdensome on travellers.  I hate having to pack all my cosmetics in a little plastic bag, hate having to think about what gifts I can accept or bring while visiting someplace (my Grandpa once bought me a bottle of vodka that ended up costing me $25 to check), hate having to strip down to go through the metal detector.

The restrictions on carry-on items are especially burdensome now that most airlines are charging for any checked bags, thus forcing customers to choose between their shampoo and their wallet.  I don't have any leg braces that set off metal detectors, but I have had the humiliating experience of TSA agents asking me to take off a sweatshirt or sweater that, while it may have a zipper or buttons on it, is in fact an integral part of my clothing.