The ERA just won't die.

The ERA, or Equal Rights Amendment. It was passed through Congress in 1972, and was part of both political parties platform in 1976. Yes, even those Republicans were fully in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Then came a woman called Phyllis Schlafly came along, and pointed out the truth. That women stood to lose far more than they gained. For example, and it's important to remember that this was all going on while Viet-Nam, and the draft, were still every day news stories.

The truth was that women would have to register, and be selected for the draft, along with men. That meant 18 year old girls, could, and would be drafted into the Army. That meant that 18 year old girls would have to go to war, in the infantry, and fight, be injured, or killed along with the young men. Remember that at this time, the nation was sick of it's young men going off and being wounded, maimed, or killed in the war. The idea that the nations daughters, sisters, and young women would be subjected to this was inconceivable.

Because despite the title, it wouldn't be equal treatment for the women. If they were captured in a war, especially by an enemy like the North Viet-namese, or any of the other bad people we've fought since, you could expect that the women would endure what men would not. Gang rapes would be the rule, rather than the exception. While we may consider the women equal, our enemies would certainly not treat them equally.

Additionally, if you were a housewife, and spent your entire life assisting your Husband, while he worked, and you stayed at home. You would lose his social security benefits if he pre-deceased you. In other words, if Grandpa died, Grandma would be out on the street with nothing. Hardly an equal treatment right?

So why are people still trying to get this amendment passed? Because they focus on the surface, instead of the depth. The image rather than the substance. Ratify ERA Florida is still working to push for passage of an amendment that has long since expired. The entire process would have to start again.

Now, where do I stand personally? I don't care. I don't care if you're male, female, gay, straight, white, black, brown, or bright blue. I don't care what religion you are. I don't care what music you listen to. The only thing I care about is this. If you're an American, then you're entitled to all the rights that any citizen is.

Now, there is a qualification. I really don't want to see women subjected to combat. Does that mean I think they should be banned? No. I think the choice should be left to them. I think they should be sat down, and explained in very gruesome detail the negatives that could happen. Perhaps they should talk to Lara Logan. She was rescued by other women, but only just barely. It is not unheard of for other women to be raped to death by such crowds of young hotheaded men.

So ladies, if you think you're willing to risk that, and you think that is a small price to pay, and you're willing to be the equal of any man on the line, then welcome to combat. Yet I would suggest that you should perhaps consider another line of work. And yes, that is the same advice I give you young men who are considering the military.

I would be in favor of giving women the choice. I would NOT be in favor of requiring the sacrifice of them. Given the truth that sometimes, a national draft is needed. When we are discussing life and death of our nation. Given that the draft will take unwilling recruits into the military, where they may be captured, maimed, tortured, or killed. Should we up the ante on our young ladies and potentially subject them to the most heinous act imaginable? That is why I am not in favor of the ERA, is because it removes choice from our girls.