Sheer Idiocy

So, I happened across this video today, in which Fox News pundit Liz Trotta shared her opinion on military women. Go take a look, then come on back. 

I have no interest in sugar-coating this: People like Liz Trotta make me sick to my stomach. This woman is so bent on her own personal agenda (which appears to be an attempt to eradicate feminism of any kind whatsoever), that she's willing to blame women who serve in the military for being raped. 

That's right. If you didn't catch it the first time around, Trotta essentially says that women who put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of the United States (which, as far as I know, includes Ms. Trotta herself), shouldn't be surprised when the men they serve with sexually assault and/or rape them. In fact, she says, its really their own fault, and nobody has any responsibility to try and protect them. 

Ms. Trotta is wrong on every level. First of all, she's blaming victims of sexual assault for what happens to them - which is completely unconscionable no matter what the situation is, or how you try to spin it. I don't care who you are, victims are not responsible for the actions of those who attack them. 

Secondly, Ms. Trotta seems to think that programs that provide "sexual counselors, victim advocates, sexual response coordinators", and the like to women who have been attacked while serving our country are nothing more than a part of the so-called 'feminist agenda' she continually refers to. This opinion is nothing more than hot garbage. Our servicewomen deserve every protection and piece of support we can offer them, just like their male counterparts. 

Speaking of male soldiers, Ms. Trotta's seriously misguided argument also implicitly lowers the standard of behavior for men in the military. She basically absolves them of any responsibility toward their female counterparts, which is a foolish and ignorant perspective. Honor and respect are two of the highest tenets of the American military, and pretending that 1) they can be ignored, and 2) implying by her argument that male service members can and do make a habit of disrespecting the females who serve with them is not only wrong, it is incredibly irresponsible. 

Ms. Trotta, our service women and men deserve better than this. I hope someday you realize this fact, and come to give those who protect and serve us, male or female, the respect that is due to them.