Schieffer: Hey, guys, the ladies are beating you

(CBS News) So the military has decided to let women who qualify join combat units and everyone is talking about what a good thing that is for women.

I have a slightly different take. I think it is a good thing for the military.

I'm sorry guys, but we're not doing all that well these days. Maybe you haven't noticed, but for years now, women have been outperforming men at every level from elementary school to graduate school. There are still more men running companies, but there are more and more women moving into top jobs every day, and how could it be otherwise?

Women are now the majority on college campuses, more of them graduate, and more of them earn masters degrees. Last year hedge funds run by women did better than those managed by men.

If current trends hold, by mid-century the majority of doctors in this country will be women.

There are still more guys than women hanging out in sports bars. And at the risk of interrupting their game, it might be a good idea to check out what these ladies are up to.

If for no other reason, they're probably going to be your boss. It won't hurt to figure out what impresses them.

[RE_Mant]

Good, let them fight their own wars for a change.

[ahodge01]

Mr. Schieffer ought to be ashamed of himself. I believe that women should serve in combat too, but not at the expense of putting down an entire group of people. It was nonsense to valid his position this way. In the past, men have lead in many of the same categories that he said females lead in now. However, it would have been just as wrong if someone had said, "men are beating women in this area or that area". The same principle applies - arrogance serves no good purpose (even if the stats are accurate). Women and men lead each other in different areas, but it is inappropriate for either to put down the other. Statements like these are inappropriate and "the host of a national TV show" should have known better. Below are other complaints that I have:

1. Destruction instead of Construction:

Mr. Schieffer could have just stated the good qualities that women have to serve in combat, without putting down men. He had no right to make a sweeping generalization that bashes all men, in an attempt to promote women to combat. His charge was an insult to the brave military men who have fought and died for this country. It also implied that our current military men are somewhat stupid and need the assistance of better people. There should be an outcry to CBS, and he should give "Our Heroes" an immediate apology.

2.Cowardice:
Mr. Schieffer chose to discredit a group of people (men) that lack strong advocacy groups and therefore don't defend themselves very well. He would not have done this to women or my race (African-American). If he had boasted that whites were superior to blacks in any area (and had stats to support it) there still would have been a public outcry, and he would have been fired immediately. He chose to pick on a light defender, something that a coward would do.

3. Not Addressing the Issue:- Mr. Schieffer never really gave specific reasons why a woman should be in combat. He could have mentioned specifics like: there are no real frontlines anymore; women are already in combat zones; women already have similar positions (police officers); or equal rights means equal responsibilities. No, instead he simply attacked men without addressing the real issues.

4. The Final Put-Down:

This man insinuated that men were not wise because they won't stop watching a football game to think about social issues. Well Mr. Schieffer, there is a time for entertainment and there is a time to address social issues. Would you go to a "World Series game" and talk to the fans about the war in Afghanistan? By the way, many women are passionate about football, too, including the very intelligent, Condoleezza Rice.

After I heard Mr. Schieffer's comments, it was a woman (my wife) who denounced his bashing of men and suggested that I write. She knew that his commentary did nothing to build up the human spirit, and thus, was detrimental to both men and women.

Finally, I'm calling on CBS to require this gentleman to give an on-the-air apology (especially to our servicemen). I'm sure he has already cost the network some of its viewing audience.

[dj4240]

The over the top liberal Bob Schieffer should retire, His mindless comments about the NRA is proof that his mind is wandering. And the unnecessary pandering to women was sickening.

[AngelinaSlone]

Bob Shieffer is a Nazi Liberal.

[Gold-Wings]

Managers are "encouraged" to recruit and promote preferentially.
If 2 or more candidates are being considered, women or minorities will be chosen, per corporate annual/quarterly plans/goals. This includes promoting even when the other candidates have either better work performance or stronger resumes. If the manager submits a selection "out of pattern, then the Director or VP will make the "decision." AND the manager will have it noted in their review, AND their annual incentive will be reduced.
Doubts? (1) ask to see a manager's plan/goals; (2) ask to see the corporate plan; (3) observe the corporate goals, and review the template approved for goals, which has 75% of the expected manager's goals for HR.
Also ask HR to allow you to see the do graphics and ethnicity statistics. HR is required to maintain them.

[AngelinaSlone]

Bob Shieffer is a Nazi Liberal.

[COVeteran]

Dear Bob Schieffer, I listened with absolute dismay today at your commentary about women in combat, entitled "Hey guys, the ladies are beating you". By noting that women are beating their male counterparts in education and in the business world, are you somehow implying that women will also prove superior to men in mortal combat? Your inference was not just ignorant; it was deeply insulting to every male Veteran and currently serving military member who has risked his life in combat. The fact that your short military service was spent as an information officer in the Air Force suggests that you know nothing about the sheer terror of mortal combat or the soul-wounding burden of taking another person's life in the name of duty. If this is true, then your comments are not only ignorant and insulting, they are repugnant. Is it any wonder that East Coast media pundits such as youslef are held is such low regard by most people in this country, and particularly by those how have risked more in life than simply stubbing a toe as they exit an elevator? I suggest you reconsider your pompous position and seriously consider an on-screen apology to all Veterans and service members, male and female, for your insensitive comments. And please be careful as you exit the elevator on your way to work.

[Solarrays247]

I'm amazed at how immature you guys are behaving when you are no longer guaranteed special privileges by the good ol' boys club simply because you were born with a p*n*s.

By the way, most women have never had to take advantage of any special programs or government grants, nor any special privileges because of our gender. It's called being focused and working hard the good old American way. Try it sometime. Oh...and grow up!

[Gold-Wings]

I have been a manager and executive for over 20 years. Corporations require all levels who may do recruiting to include in their annual and quarterly plans the hiring of women and promotion of women over "other interviewees and employees". That is privileged promotion of "EOE."

[hokie123]

I've taught Algebra for 20+ years. Most of my best students have been female, contrary to popular belief. They are more motivated when they are encouraged to do well. That being said, over the past 30+ years grants and scholarships have been easier for females to get since colleges were required to even the playing field. In addition, with the big push for diversification white males have been denied opportunities just because they are whiite males. If two people are equally qualified for a position who do you think will get the job?

[Gold-Wings]

See my comment above at 2:47 am Eastern time.

[duzmafuzt]

Yes the modern matriarchal society marches on. The good ol boys almost lost WW1, 2, and have lost all modern wars since then. It is time to change our laws, and create a retribution counsel to pay all those oppressed females compensation for Combat discrimination. Now, hopefully, we can go from the evil attitude, "I'd much rather have a female in my fox hole, than a man" to "Wow my daughter was one of the first to serve in the all females only in combat, females only Army of the USA" mentality of the super modern military!
We must start with only females being given appointments to West Point. Yes We Can!! LOL You can be assured. No male soldier is going to fight to keep women out of the foxhole, aka combat. Welcome aboard, welcome to the front line, welcome to hell, ladies.

[cptdeuce]

I do wonder when discussions will begin to have women register with the Selective Service at the age of 18?

[lighthouserob]

Well, Bob, as long as men keep getting reminded about how inferior they are to women, what do you expect? There's no incentive for men to even try these days, because every time we turn around someone is telling us about how much better the women are at everything. Women are always uplifted in the media and entertainment, while guys are made to look like big oafs who don't know anything and can't do anything right. In society, women are favored more by social programs and the legal system than men are. Women want to make all the decisions in a relationship and in the family and home, while men are put down. In short, before I get too long-winded on this subject, there is no reason for men to bother trying, because they just get put down no matter what they do. As for YOU, Mr. Schieffer, I've just decided to never watch CBS news again.

[Solarrays247]

Instead of complaining and whining like a little spoiled boy on the playground, why don't you concentrate on learning how to pull up your "big boy" pants, jump in the game, and learn what it feels like to be a fully grown adult?

Forty years ago, I didn't go around whining and complaining, I rolled up my sleeves, worked damn hard, and became the first female mortgage loan officer in a mortgage company, followed by becoming the first female stock broker in a branch office affiliated with one of the big four on Wall Street, and finished out my career with being only the second woman hired in the history of a sporting good company as a regional sales manager.

Now, apologize to Bob Schieffer, 'cause whining and complaining just won't cut it, Son.

[HM8432]

Spot on, lighthouse. All one has to do is watch commercials and tv shows, or sit in a college classroom to see how the boys and men of our nation are being marginalized so women can 'catch-up' to them (although they've always been equals in intellect). If I were a woman in today's society, I'd be insulted that we would even have to be given special treatment at all, because that implies that maybe somehow women are inferior, and their ego's need to be given a 'boost' in order for them to truly succeed in society. Equality is a two-way street, and must be treated as such.

[oldjones]

You bet... If there were no grants or government programs; many women would never get their foot in the door..

[Solarrays247]

I'm amazed at how immature you guys are behaving when you are no longer guaranteed special privileges by the good ol' boys club just because you were born with a p*n*s.

By the way, most women have never had to take advantage of any special programs or government grants, nor any special privileges because of our gender. It's called being focused and working hard the good old American way. Try it sometime.

[1notrub11]

Instead of acting like a "divider", I wonder why Bob didn't just simply celebrate the accomplishments of women, instead of making it out to be a contest?