The Laughing Wolf

Yet Another Great Role Model

One of the best things to come out of the Global War on Terror are role models, particularly female role models. Role models are needed by one and all, for they show that mere mortals can do so much more than they think; they inspire us; and, most of all, they challenge us to be more than we are. In the words of the song, they wake us up inside and make us be more than nothing.

The gender shouldn’t matter, but it does in no small measure because of years of cultural conditioning. Make that generations, as much of what we take as the status of females really is the product of philosophers such as Rousseau and Locke (more on them later) who helped pave the way for the Victorian era corruption which held that women were fragile flowers who held not normal thoughts and could not stand the rigors of life, carnal thoughts or actions but must endure sex, and much more; and, as such were to be sheltered and protected against all things. Yeah, right.

While I strive to be a gentleman, and think manners and such important, I have held few illusions about the capabilities of women/fair-flowers-of-maidenhood. In fact, I well know that they are often the stronger and definitely the more vicious of the species. My adopted sister is the poster child for the latter element. My mother was the first woman on Mercer University’s rifle team and a passing fair shot. The woman I am proud to call my step mother was one of the early aviatrix. I know many other women who have faced tough battles and never flinched, and have won many of those battles and fights.

That is why it is so good to see conventional wisdom stood on its head, both here and abroad. This story is a good one for that, and the reaction of the general is so typical that it defies simple cultural or geographical limitations. Even better, the reaction of the newest role model, Specialist Heather Baldus, and I suggest all males everywhere take heed.

One of the truest tests of a good role model (living, that is) is that they don’t think they are worthy of such. There appears to be a bit of that here, and it is clearly the case with Jessica Lynch. That reluctance is a good sign, and I expect to see it in many more cases in the days ahead.

I also hope that the commendation requests have already been put in for this soldier. Despite hostile fire, despite head starts, and despite all, she ran down her target, tackled him, and brought him in. That deserves something good.

I am not sure who should get the hat tip on this one, as it is on several sites and I failed to write down the first one I encountered. So, I will cite MommaBear and Ith on this, knowing that I have also probably left out one or two people.

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