The right response to 'idiotic' suggestions'.

Our lordships and milords keep quoting western democracies, at the drop of a hat. They should take heed that military is about winning wars, not providing equal opportunity or breaking the purported glass ceiling.

Trey Gowdy, South Carolina Congressman, recently responded to a reporter about the military in response to a question from a CNN reporter about the DoD ban of transgenders from joining the US armed forces. As Trey typically does so very well, he nailed it rather succinctly.

Q. How can President Trump claim to represent all US citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, when he banned transgenders from joining the military? Isn't that discrimination?

Trey Gowdy's response.

"Nobody has a right to serve in the Military. Nobody! What makes you people think the Military is an equal opportunity employer? It is very far from it - and for good reasons - let me cite a few".

"The Military uses prejudice regularly and consistently from joining for being too old or too young, too fat or skinny, too tall or too short. Citizens are denied having for having flat feet, or for missing or additional fingers". He went on to explain, "By the way, poor eyesight will disqualify you, as well as bad teeth. Malnourished? Drug addiction? Bad back? Criminal history? Low IQ? Anxiety? Phobias? Hearing damage? Six arms? Hear voices in your head? Self-identification as a Unicorn? Need a special access ramp for your wheelchair?"

"Can't run the required course in the required time? Can't do the required number of push-ups? Not really a morning person? And refuse to get out of bed before noon? All can be legitimate reasons for denial!"

"The Military has one job : Winning War.. Anything else is a distraction and a liability. Did someone just scream? That isn't fair? War is very unfair, there are no exceptions made for being special or challenged or socially wonderful".

"You must change yourself to meet Military standards and not the other way around".

"I say again : You don't change the Military - you must change yourself. The military is not about being fair, it is about taking advantage of others and about winning.

The Military doesn't need to accommodate anyone with special issues. The Military needs to Win Wars and keep our country safe - PERIOD!"

"If any of your personal issues are a liability that detract from readiness or lethality... Thank you for applying and good luck in future endeavours".

"......any other questions?"

My take

What clear perceptions! Wish we, too, displayed such clear thinking!

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores. Recited my prayers and exercised.

A quiet Sunday.

Set off around a half past 4 in the evening to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathy kshetram, Padinjaattinkara Siva kshetram, pulled out money from the ATM, went to the Anchu Murthy kshetram and Chandra maman's house.

A lovely dinner and a comparatively early evening.