Post: #1

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-14/au...pe/5523942

Quote:
Army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison labels gender inequality in militaries a 'global disgrace'
By Europe correspondent Mary Gearin, wires
Updated Sat 14 Jun 2014, 3:37pm AEST

Army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison addresses the media
PHOTO: In his speech Lt Gen Morrison called on women to serve in all roles in armed forces across the world. (file photo) (AAP: Lukas Coch)
MAP: United Kingdom
Australia's Army chief has used a speech in London to argue that militaries that exclude women "do nothing to distinguish the soldier from the brute".

The four-day Global Summit To End Sexual Violence has ended with 155 countries signed up to a declaration to end impunity for rape in war.

Lieutenant General David Morrison is already well known for a video address to his forces during a sexual abuse scandal last year, where he told sexist members of the armed forces to "get out".

Sharing the stage with the UNHCR's special envoy Angelina Jolie and British foreign secretary William Hague, Lt Gen Morrison called on women to serve in all roles in armed forces across the world.

"I'm no sociologist, I have no anthropological training but I'm certain of this ... we live in a world where the squandering of women's talent, the traducing of their potential, is a global disgrace," he said in the speech.

He said some militaries were changing their culture in order to become more capable and that was cause for hope.

Armies that revel in their separateness from civil society, that value the male over the female, ... who celebrate the violence that is integral to my profession rather than seek ways to contain it ... they do nothing to distinguish the soldier from the brute.
Lieutenant General David Morrison
"Armies that revel in their separateness from civil society, that value the male over the female, that use their imposed values to exclude those that don't fit the particular traits of the dominant group, who celebrate the violence that is integral to my profession rather than seek ways to contain it ... they do nothing to distinguish the soldier from the brute," he said.

Lt Gen Morrison encouraged militaries around the world to open up all areas of service to women as a way of changing their culture and helping end sexual violence.

"It wipes away the barriers to achieving potential and sends a clarion call to all who serve that talent will prevail, not gender," he said.

Army will take action on rape claims if necessary: Morrison

The speech comes just days after a Four Corners investigation into sexual abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) uncovered cases of rape and sexual assault from the 1990s where the alleged perpetrators are either serving ADF officers, or are still working for Defence.

At the summit, Lt Gen Morrison said he had not seen the Four Corners program and so was unable to comment on it.

"But I would go to the very strong message that the Chief of the Defence Force, David Hurley, has made both before and after the screening of the program on Four Corners last week, and that is that we take these matters as seriously as is absolutely possible," he said.

"When we have established a case to answer, we will take action should we be able to do so.

"No one is going to be able to conduct what is alleged in some cases to have been done with impunity. That's just not going to happen."

'Powerful message' from Morrison, says Scott Despoja

Australian delegation head Natasha Stott Despoja said Lt Gen Morrison was a "bigger star" at the conference than Jolie.

"He had a powerful message," Ms Stott Despoja told reporters.

"He reminded people, both in the symbolism of him standing up there in his uniform but also with his words, that the military have a key role to play in ending this awful, abhorrent, sexual violence in conflict."

Lt Gen Morrison acknowledged he had received some "notoriety" for making a stand against sexist behaviour in the military but insisted he was not the star of the London summit.

"The star of the show were men and women of all ages and of all levels of seniority - some in government, some just with NGOs or with youth groups - who have travelled the world over to come and make a statement about ending sexual violence in conflict," he said.

"It was just a privilege to be a part of it."

Ms Stott Despoja said the role of victims and survivors was "fundamental" in helping governments prevent future violence.

"We need to remove the stigma and the shame associated with what they've been through and move it onto the perpetrators," she said.

She was quizzed about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, some of whom may have suffered sexual violence in warzones.

"I'm always concerned about anyone who has experienced violence, and in particular sexual violence - whether that's a man, a woman, a boy or a girl - ending in another institution be that a detention centre or elsewhere," she said.

The summit also endorsed a new protocol relating to the investigation and documentation of sexual violence in conflict areas.

Australia is soon to launch its second national action plan to ensure roles for women in peacekeeping.

Australia has lifted the restriction on women serving in combat roles with internal transfers opening in January 2013.

Women recruits will be able to apply direct for combat units from 2016.

Well, it looks like feminism has overcome the last bastion of masculine professions. This is the COA of one of the professional small armies in the world.

Post: #2

This white knight is disgraceful even by today's standards. That histrionic video is a disgusting performance.

Aussies better get their act together or some early setbacks for them too when the Chinese war gets going...

Post: #3

Betcha he's shoring up female support for when he runs for Labour PM in a few years.

Post: #4

Fraternal bonding no longer matters. With his views, most of Australia's fallen and revered heroes throughout history would have been kicked out.

If things get serious and real stoicness is required, you can be sure this noise will fade away. Such indulgences only occur in times of extended peace.

Post: #5

I think he's forgotten why we have armies in the first place - to fight wars. Anyone who's hung out with any female, even a completely butch lesbian, will know that women get more stressed out and panic more than almost all men. That alone should disqualify them from joining.

Instead, we have a fear of being seen as politically incorrect that compels "leaders" (more like elected/ non-elected bureaucrats) to make practically incorrect statements which translate to impractical policies and general injustice. For Australia's sake, I hope this bastard retires soon and doesn't become a politician.

Post: #6

(06-14-2014 09:51 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  This white knight is disgraceful even by today's standards. That histrionic video is a disgusting performance.

Aussies better get their act together or some early setbacks for them too when the Chinese war gets going...

I don't see this as Progressivism, but Recruitment Propaganda:

"We need women to join the military, because the working class guys who made up the bulk of recruits are all heading out west to work for big $$$ in the mines."

Post: #7

^^ agreed

I don't see this as white knighting or anything. I see it as more of "women need to do national service as well, because men can't/don't want do it alone, especially when people keep complaining about a lack of equality."

Post: #8

I read the first few paragraphs then realize Australia didn't have an army anymore

Post: #9

My country in the shitter. God help us.

Post: #10

Have you seen the size of our females lately?

They stop bullets better than you and me, for sure.

I welcome this move by the army chief.

Post: #11

The army chief just wants a fair fight - until everyone has a sexually egalitarian army, chief over here will be at a huge disadvantage - and that's not faaaaaair. So everyone else has to mix women in real soon now!

Post: #12

Quote:Sharing the stage with the UNHCR's special envoy Angelina Jolie and British foreign secretary William Hague

One of these people is not like the other...

The cult of celebrity has resulted in people like Angelina Jolie being treated as authorities on state and military policy.

Quote:"I'm no sociologist, I have no anthropological training but I'm certain of this ... we live in a world where the squandering of women's talent, the traducing of their potential, is a global disgrace,"

"I don't know what I'm talking about, but I know that something bad is going on."

Quote:"He reminded people, both in the symbolism of him standing up there in his uniform but also with his words, that the military have a key role to play in ending this awful, abhorrent, sexual violence in conflict."

Great example of how women use sexual assault and rape as an excuse for why they "don't do the things they want."

So, the reason they don't go into war-torn towns and risk being shot, being dismembered or killed is because that they might also risk being ogled, felt-up or raped. Gotcha. I would be raped than killed, but apparently that's just me.

Quote:The summit also endorsed a new protocol relating to the investigation and documentation of sexual violence in conflict areas.

How the fuck can you do this?

"Excuse, Mr. Terrorist, can I ask about your habits on rape?"

"Everybody stop shooting at each other! We need to convene our daily rape summit so we can send the rapists back their home base. We can't risk all this female talent deserting the front lines because some dude grabbed her boobs!"

"Everybody, please place these signs saying 'Real Men Don't Rape Female Soldiers. Real Men Kill Female Soldiers.'"

That'll solve it all. Problem solved.

Post: #13

(06-15-2014 01:25 AM)StrikeBack Wrote:  Have you seen the size of our females lately?

They stop bullets better than you and me, for sure.

I welcome this move by the army chief.

"Sir, the enemy have taken Ayer's Rock!"

"That's not Ayer's Rock, Corporal. Private Shazza drank all the Passion Pop and blacked out."

Post: #14

Hmm, now what we have here is a perfect example of weakness in peacetime to be our strength.

So you're telling me this;




Is more intimidating than these?








Why ofc! These standards are unacceptable! We need the same quota of dead women to dead men. End this horrible sexual slant and join today ladies!

Post: #15

Next step in recruitment: Reissue these uniforms

Post: #16

Stopped reading after the bit that implied soldiers should be distinct from brutes.

What kind of bullshit is this?

The purpose of military training is to dehumanise and create 'a brute'.

Don't hate on me if you're military, but lets be honest, it isn't a pretty job.