Historically, there has never been anything like it. It’s a planetary first. An army whose strength lies not in its pursuit of military superiority but in its dedication to political correctness. Leading this martial revolution are women worriers.

These female fighters are waging a war on four fronts. The Navy has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to adapt ships and submarines for women. The Air Force has women flying fighter jets. The Army has opened 33,000 occupations for women. Now it’s time for the Marine Corps to step into the 21st century and admit women into combat positions.

The Corps recently completed a test program to see if women officers could complete the Infantry Officer Course (IOC). It was expecting 100 applicants but only 29 applied. Of those 29, 25 dropped out after the first day; none were able to complete the course.

A disaster? Yes, but only because the requirements were sex specific. The IOC is designed for men. Women were unfairly penalized for being women. If the IOC were fair, then it should have been sex adjusted. If 90 percent of the male candidates passed—-and they did—-then, 90 percent of the female sex adjusted candidates should also have passed.

Obama plans to have women fully integrated into front-line combat roles, including elite units such as Army Rangers, Navy Seals, and Marine Corps Special Operations.

Brute strength is of little importance in a mechanized fighting unit. If women can compete in NASCAR and INDYCAR races, they can drive tanks and Strykers. And if the most successful sniper in history was a woman who racked up a record 309 kills, then women can also handle an M16 as well as men; so the reasoning goes.

A sex adjusted standard for women taking the IOC and for women in combat capacities is a big step forward, but only a first step. What about an age adjusted standard for enlistees?

The four branches of the military have difference entrance ceilings for age, but the average is 36. Few would argue that a 36-year-old recruit is as physically capable as an 18-year old inductee. But if that 18-year difference is acceptable, then why not an 18-year difference between a 36-year-old recruit and a 54-year-old recruit?

There are 93 million Americans between the ages of 36 to 54. Is it wise to exclude almost a third of the citizenry with skills acquired over a lifetime? An individual who enlisted at age 54 may retire at 74 or he could serve well into his eighties. An older military would be a better military.

Another barrier that should be demolished excludes the physically handicapped. The number of Americans between the ages 18 and 54 with physical limitations, including visual impairment and obesity is approximately 100 million.

Surely the uniformed services, each having tens of thousands of occupational specialties, could fill many of these slots with the physically handicapped. The new army will be an equal opportunity employer.

And let’s not omit the barrier that bars 8 million adult Americans who are mentally deficient. During world war II a majority of the Soviets battling the Germans were illiterate, yet the Soviets prevailed. In Obama’s legions, the cognitively limited will not be eliminated. They, too, may wear a uniform.

Lastly, Obama’s edifice to PC will welcome LGBTs, that is, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders. Tolerance will be the hallmark of the Grande Armee. However, if heterosexuals feel uncomfortable in that company, they need not apply. Be warmed, this most tolerate army will not tolerate intolerance.

The armed forces of the future will have adjusted requirements for sex, age, handicaps, intelligence, and sexual orientation. But will it be an effective fighting force?

To be fair, no. The Navy has been converted to a fleet of love boats. Pregnancy, emotional entanglements, and sickbay calls have measurably reduced its performance. Displacing more able male pilots with females did not make for a better Air Force. As for a co-ed Army and Marine Corps, women cannot approach the physical capabilities of a young male.

But to have a first-rate fighting force is no longer the primary objective in today’s army. What is all important in President Obama’s PC army is equality, fairness, inclusiveness, and tolerance.

Isn’t that what really matters?

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA

“What’s the matter with Starrucca Borough” was in the May 13 issue and it’s time to reveal the true facts.

Our community was an idyllic place until a group of people abused their positions and power as councilmen, FEMA Agent and secretary to serve their own needs. The following article will answer whose bridges, roads, boundaries and litigation costs that were questioned.

Starrucca Borough owns and maintains no bridges, as stated in the 2004 Borough Comprehensive Plan.  Yet, borough taxpayers are paying approximately $9000.00 a year for the repair of a state bridge from a loan that was incurred by the 2006-2009 council.  This bridge (Bucks Bridge) was on the state’s (PA) 12 year state repair plan, passed inspections and benefits 2 former councilmen, not the whole community.

The 2006-2009 council paid $2,900.00 to have 5 roads surveyed.  Three of the five roads did not come out to their liking so they only accepted two roads.  The Kellogg Road survey proved Darl Haynes’ residence was in Scott Township.  In order to achieve the result they needed for the Kellogg Road, council chose to enter into an agreement with Scott Township to change the northern boundary of Starrucca Borough, which changed the length of Kellogg Road by over half a mile.  This agreement was done behind closed doors, without a public hearing.  Both Starrucca Borough and Scott Township shared the same secretary.

In my opinion, they needed Darl Haynes to reside in the borough, as he was appointed the FEMA agent, auditor, and depositions committeeman for the borough.  Kirk Rhone and Darl Haynes pulled the GP-11 permit for the Shadigee Creek wall project without a vote from council.  This action triggered FEMA to tell the borough they now had to do a new design at the cost of the borough which they did not have the money for.  At this time council chose to spend $16,500.00 on a design for Bucks Bridge instead.  Darl Haynes, FEMA agent, and the borough secretary contacted FEMA/PEMA stating the borough would not be affecting repairs to the wall.  The borough had $121,000.00 in the FEMA account they now had to send back, which in turn caused a house to be destroyed. More of this topic in a separate article.

The letter from Darwin and Darl Haynes on the improvements they want done on the Kellogg Road and their statement that council should use money for road maintenance and not attorney’s fees is unbelievable.  Darl Haynes was the FEMA agent from 2006-2009.  There were tens of thousands of dollars from the FEMA road flood repair that he and council chose not to use on the roads.  Why wasn’t this money used to construct the portion of the Kellogg Road they claim is a Borough road because of the new northern boundary change?  As FEMA agent,  Darl allowed the council to transfer FEMA money from the FEMA account to the general account.  Out of this money, tens of thousands were used to pay the borough Solicitor and on an investigation needed for a cover-up of their own actions.

The vendetta tactic isn’t anything more than a diversion so people won’t focus on their past, self-serving actions.

Starrucca Borough could become a nice place again, if the deceptions would stop.

Sincerely,

Kathy Downton

Starrucca, PA