The Foreigner in Formosa

Variations On A SlutWalk In D-Minor

I don't even know what that means.

But it was so loopy, it had to be a post title...

 

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Postscript: Ten years ago, I'd have dealt with the Temple University ROTC cadet hazing episode in a 6 screen essay. But the serious points I tried to make over the last week are:

1. It's bad for military leaders to deliberately humiliate their subordinates.
2. Those that do humiliate their subordinates expose them to public ridicule.
3. Humiliation of subordinates results in a smaller pool of willing recruits.
4. Superiors who become aware of hazing are responsible for setting things right, or they will be seen as tolerating the practice. (I'm looking at you, President Obama...)
5. Humiliation of subordinates is provocative in that it causes America's enemies to lose respect for the U.S. military.

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The Art Of Deterrence

Required Supplies For First Semester Temple University ROTC Students

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UPDATE: Hmm. More men in U.S. military experienced "unwanted sexual contact" than women.

Does that mean Brigadier-General Peggy Combs and Major Michelle Bravo will be requiring cadets to attend mandatory "Walk a mile in HIS shoes" marches?

Nah. Doesn't fit with Teh Narrative™

We Had To Destroy Consent In Order To Save It

Everything not forbidden is compulsory. An anonymous cadet at Temple University's ROTC program speaks:

“Attendance is mandatory and if we miss it we get a negative counseling and a ‘does not support the battalion sharp/EO [Sexual Harassment / Assault Response and Prevention / Equal-Opportunity] mission’ on our CDT OER [Cadet Officer Evaluation Report] for getting the branch we want. So I just spent $16 on a pair of high heels that I have to spray paint red later on only to throw them in the trash after about 300 of us embarrass the U.S. Army tomorrow.”

This Isn't What We Signed Up For...

Brochure For Temple University's ROTC Program

We want you, we want you, we want you as a new recruit:

An enticing offer. Plenty of parents will be absolutely thrilled to send their sons to such a wholesome educational environment.

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Postscript: I've been a staunch opponent of hazing since at least the age of twelve, and what's most pernicious about the Temple ROTC hazing case is that it was conducted in the service of an ostensibly good cause. Those who expressed doubts in participating in their own ritual self-abasement were informed by their superior officers that they were bad people whose careers would be ruined for their disobedience.

As for the "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" campaign, the first I ever heard of it was last year, and I confess to having snickered a little at the sight of the male participants. But here's the thing: I would never make fun of men who VOLUNTARILY took part, because I recognize that they're doing no harm and their intentions are basically good (notwithstanding my personal reservations about the optics and effectiveness of their efforts).

However, when such a campaign becomes involuntary - a handy excuse for toxic leaders to humiliate their subordinates - well, that's when its time to draw the satirical knives.

Ever A Man Of His Word

Brigadier General Peggy Combs And Major Michelle Bravo Defend Forced Transvestism Policy

And, in completely unrelated news: Army Morale Low Despite $287 Million “Optimism” Program

Gee, I WONDER how THAT could've happened...

Barack Hussein Obama Fundamentally Transforms Armed Forces Into International Laughingstock

Hostile work environment, much?

In response to this latest development, I asked renowned military affairs specialist Dr. Kermit T. Frog about the president's change in the army's dress-code policy, and its likely effect on serviceman morale:

Hat tip: Ace of Spades HQ