RT @mpoppel: BREAKING NEWS -- AP: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat, opening thousands of front line positions.
—
Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) January 23, 2013The Associated Press is reporting that outgoing Defense Secretary Leon “Panther” Panetta has ended the ban on women in combat.
This is big news. It certainly took many Twitterers by surprise:
Really? RT @AP: BREAKING: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat, opening thousands of front line positions.—
Jessica Seale (@JessaNaomi) January 23, 2013
Are you effing kidding me?? @AP: BREAKING: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat, opening thousands of front line positions.—
Amanda Earley (@Amanda_Marie904) January 23, 2013
And Congress says what? RT @AP: BREAKING: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat, opening thousands of front line positions.—
James Joyner (@drjjoyner) January 23, 2013
What could go wrong? RT @AP BREAKING: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat, opening thousands of front line positions.—
Neal D. (@Neal_Dewing) January 23, 2013
Others are concerned about the ramifications for women in the military:
Women advancing… into gunfire MT @mpoppel: BREAKING NEWS — AP: Panetta removes military ban on women in combat—
Michael B Dougherty (@michaelbd) January 23, 2013
Aside from the fact that most women in the military aren't actually INTERESTED in frontline combat, great job Panetta. Let's test this out.—
Neal D. (@Neal_Dewing) January 23, 2013
Yay women's rights! “@thinkprogress: BREAKING: Panetta lifts ban on women in combat thkpr.gs/XApD65”—
Christa Eyssen (@ChristaRuby) January 23, 2013
Panetta lifts ban on women fighting in combat. Does that mean at 18 my daughter must sign up for the draft?—
Michelle (@michnic70) January 23, 2013
Now that women can die on the front lines of the next illegal war, perhaps we'll think twice before going? thkpr.gs/XApD65—
Aramis (@aramis2377) January 23, 2013
Women can now fight in the US Military. Are we supposed to be happy about that or not? sfgate.com/news/article/P…—
Jesse Hattabaugh (@arkanciscan) January 23, 2013
Women in combat. Stupid idea. The first woman killed in combat, the vagina defenders will have a field day. Thanks, Panetta.—
Julie Betts Piskula (@JulieLvsPACKERS) January 23, 2013
Welcome and die like everybody else RT: @BreakingNews: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta removes military ban on women in combat @AP—
Chris Leo Ngaruthi (@Ngaruthi) January 23, 2013
We’ve got to hand it to Panetta — the man knows how to make an exit.
And with that, he's outta here. MT @breakingnews: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta removes military ban on women in combat—
TheaterPublicPolicy (@T2_P2) January 23, 2013
***
Update: As usual, there are mixed messages coming out of the reports on the announcement.
Officials: Panetta opens combat roles to women usat.ly/WMt4aL—
USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 23, 2013
Breaking: Pentagon is removing the military ban on women serving in combat, opening thousands of front-line jobs. on.wsj.com/149KMtw—
Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 23, 2013
Breaking: More: Defense officials don't expect the change to allow women to serve as infantry troops. on.wsj.com/149KMtw—
Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 23, 2013
