Virginia Democratic senatorial candidate (and fellow USNA graduate) James Webb is going to have some ’splaining to do:
Five female graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy are accusing Virginia’s Democratic Senate candidate Jim Webb of creating a pervasive air of sexual discrimination at Annapolis in the early 1980s after he wrote a column titled “Women Can’t Fight.”
The women gathered Wednesday at a news conference in Richmond organized by Webb’s Republican opponent, Senator George Allen.
Webb’s a highly decorated Marine, a former Secretary of the Navy and a published author. I’ll admit that in the fiery vigor of my youth at Sparta-on-the-Severn, much of what he wrote in those days made a lot of sense to your humble scribe, and to most of the rest of his tribe as well.
But that was a long time ago, and the world has moved on since then. We’ve all learned a great deal more about each other, and what we can do as a team.
Well, most of us have anyway.
If it was up to me, I’d ask my classmates to give the man a pass on what he said almost thirty years ago – there’s been a lot of water in the wake since then.
After all – there’s plenty of other things to oppose him for.
Ya just gotta watch those ole PC police. Then, now, tomorrow doesn’t matter. What was said and how it OFFENDED is what matters.
Don’t guess wrong on what offends me today!
One of the reason I started my own Blog. To rant and vent.
Tks Lex, your Blog will do for today’s rant.
It was a great article then……and now. I still have a copy of it along with Tom Downing’s “Just Say No” proceedings Article from the eary 90’s.
He’s publically distanced himself from the article at least 3 times that I know of. Guess the feminists could not take note of that……..
Thanks for giving me another reason to send the man a campaign contribution. Sadly, all I can do is send in my absentee ballot to send Rick Santorum packing…….but I can at least help Webb’s campaign. I’m off to the post office to put the check in the mail………..
In a weird coincidence, a few months ago, just before he started his Senate campaign, I’d picked up his novel ‘A sense of honor’ at a local foreign used books store.
I hadn’t previously known who James Webb is, and bought the book on two reasons: first, it was published by the Naval Institute, which promised content quality, or, at least, the minimal level of bovine excrement. Second, the novel was set at USNA’68, which is definitely quite an interesting setting.
It turned to be more than I’d expected. It’s quite a powerful novel. Certainly he has his way with words.
When I found that he runs for Senate as an anti-war pro-military Democrat, a kind of better Murtha, I was surprised not to be surprised at his current political stance. But somehow, it fits. Somehow it makes sense that he and his classmate and boxing rival Oliver North are on the opposite sides now.
Some of his points makes sense: when he argues that there are too many boots on the ground, it isn’t just cut-and-run rhethorics, he basically advocates the Iraqization of the conflict.
It is a decent stance per se, however, he ought to be aware that many other critics advocate just the opposite, bemoaning the inadequately low level of the American troops in Iraq. And that the administration considers both stances valid and lets the commanding officers on the ground decide which number is the best compromise.
In the end, what he proposes is just another micromanagement from the legislative branch of power, not a sound way to fight any war. Had he advocated his views in apolitical, purely professional mode, he would have been more persuasive.
Why didn’t this come out when he was Secretary of the Navy (sorry, not up on the timeframe here)? Not a big enough target for them?
I’ve been a victim of the very worst kind of sexual harrassment & discrimination, and I did something about it WHEN IT HAPPENED (1995). How can these women justify themselves over 20 years after the fact? Lex is right, times were different then – it doesn’t make it right but it completely dilutes their complaint. I know how painful it is to step up and talk about it, but waiting over 20 years…very specious indeed.
As a dino me-self I have deep seated views on this subject but I pragmatically accepted it then- as orders and now, as just another change..
Them fighter chicks look pretty tough!
However, my pragmatic side would exploit this to defeat him..big time. The senate doesn’t need anymore loose cannons.
Plus, I could care less where he went to school. Sorry.
B2
He’s no more of a losse cannon than Bill Frist or any of the other lackeys. Bottom line is James Webb is the kind of Democrat the party needs……..a lot more than Pelosi or Boxer or Hillary………..
Too bad the President vetoed the stem cell bill with his one and only veto. The Dems could clone James Webb and run the clones in other states…………Sadly that’s the only way they will retake the Senate.
Sorry Skippy. I ain’t a lackey for anyone and I judge a mans (or womans) character by their affiliations.
B2
I live in Virginia. I’m not voting for Jim Webb. He ain’t bad as Democrats go…but I’m pretty much a one-issue voter these days, and my issue is “Victory: Yes or No?” Webb’s position comes down to gracefully accepting defeat, or maybe “ex-Cabinet member syndrome” – “if they’d just do it MY way everything would be wonderful.”
Allen’s position is pretty simple: Win. And that’s why I’m voting for him.?ɬ
I live in Virginia. I’m not voting for Jim Webb. He ain’t bad as Democrats go…but I’m pretty much a one-issue voter these days, and my issue is “Victory: Yes or No?” Webb’s position comes down to gracefully accepting defeat, or maybe “ex-Cabinet member syndrome” – “if they’d just do it MY way everything would be wonderful.”
Allen’s position is pretty simple: Win. And that’s why I’m voting for him.ÿ
That’s just what campaigns do. Mix their stance on issues with doing what’s necessary to “define” the opposition using, in this case, dragging out something Mr. Webb said many years ago in a different world. Keeps the opponent on the defensive so they can’t get their own message across to voters. Simple enough.
What are they polling at? Any recent gains or losses in percentage points for either?
BTW, read “Fields of Fire” in high school and loved it.
B2,
Could you amplify about James Webb’s affliations? Granted you may not agree with his position on the war, but he’s never demonstrated once that he is not a man of integrity. And his position is consistent, he was opposed to the war in 2002.
My apologies if you thought I was calling you a lackey. The word was aimed atFrist, and Rick Santorum who I will be voting against this year, for his dismal record as PA Senator.
You know EXACTLY which affiliation I am speaking of Skippy.
Personally, I am a fan of all his books and I am very appreciative, and in awe of, his military service.
Character and perispacity (is that the right word?)are not one and the same. Character, in my view, is a collage of things. Who one affiliates with politically, speaks volumes.
At least to me. At least since 9-11. As long as the Global War on Islamofacism rages. Therefore, I DO NOT support his candidacy. Does that answer your question?
No offense on the lackey thing. I know you weren’t calling me a lackey, per se, but if the politicians I generally support are “lackeys” than couldn’t I be considered a lackey too? By association I mean….get it?
B2
You know EXACTLY which affiliation I am speaking of Skippy.
Personally, I am a fan of all his books and I am very appreciative, and in awe of, his military service.
Character and perispacity (is that the right word?)are not one and the same. Character, in my view, is a collage of things. Who one affiliates with politically, speaks volumes.
At least to me. At least since 9-11. As long as the Global War on Islamofacism rages. Therefore, I DO NOT support his candidacy. Does that answer your question?
No offense on the lackey thing. I know you weren’t calling me a lackey, per se, but if the politicians I generally support are “lackeys” than couldn’t I be considered a lackey too? By association I mean….get it?
B2