Posted on 05/05/2009 2:35:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway
After more than five centuries protecting popes, the Swiss Guard may consider opening the ranks of the world's smallest army to women, its commander said Tuesday.
"I can imagine them for one role or another. Certainly we can think about this," Daniel Anrig, who took over the post late last year, told Italian television program "Studio Aperto."
Anrig's remarks could represent a major change in position regarding the future of the elite corps composed entirely of 19- to 30-year-old Catholic men hailing from the Swiss Army.
Anrig's predecessor argued that mixing the sexes could be more trouble than it was worth and cited cramped Vatican barracks as another reason for excluding women. Asked about difficulties like cramped quarters, Anrig responded: "Any problems can be resolved." The Swiss Guard was founded on January 22, 1506, when 150 Swiss mercenaries marched to Rome to serve under Pope Julius II, known as "the warrior Pope."
Today, the guard numbers around 110 men. Clad in flamboyant striped uniforms, the guard's role is largely ceremonial and many of its members still carry around a medieval weapon -- the halberd, which is a combination of spear and battle axe.
Wednesday, the Vatican will hold an annual ceremony commemorating the 140 guards killed in the May 6, 1527 sacking of Rome. The surviving members saved the life of Pope Clement VII.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Because most religions are also real big on the man as bread winner. And, too, they provide a blueprint for clearly defined roles in regards to family, etc.
These are traditions from which the women benefit more than the men.
Do what I do, when big bad men try to make me like that, I beat them up, it has always worked for me, I guess if I couldn't defend myself I would get into the habit of submission or at least avoiding rough places where the police couldn't protect me but so far my method has worked successfully, you should try it, it even works in biker bars.
“As a bonus, chicks will certainly look better in those outfits.”
You know, I’m not so sure, although vertical stripes are certainly better than horizontal. I can hear the dulcet tones now, “Do these pantaloons make me look fat?”
I have a CWP and carry a Beretta Tomcat in .32 with Glazer Safties ... I don’t worry much when I go out .... maybe you should try something like that ...
Not hardly - what they do to “win the bread” on a daily basis is a lot less than a full day for what women (married with kids) have to go through ...
You wrote:
“No. All religions disparage women.”
The Catholic Church doesn’t.
“We’re second class citizens when it comes to them. We have to be submissive and do what we’re told.”
Told by whom? Don’t all believers in a religion have to listen to those in authority in that religion?
“We have no real voice ...”
How much voice do laypeople (male or female) get in religions usually?
“have the babies, make dinner, clean up and shut up ... and be available whenever the men want us ... 24/7 .....”
You don’t belong here. You are clearly to angry, bitter, insecure, and feminist to be a conservative woman. Conservative women are proud of how God made them, not ashamed of babies or having them, cook but also get their husbands to cook by marrying a conservative and not a wuss, and are available to their husbands when they can be because they love them.
Aren’t you late for the 1970s bra burning or something? Gee, I sure hope you don’t slip on that kitchen floor in your bare feet.
You’re right ... after the wedding, kids, etc it becomes more of a chore than anything else ...
“The colours which make the uniform so attractive are the traditional Medici blue, red and yellow, set off nicely by the white of the collar and gloves. The blue and yellow bands give a sense of lightness as they move over the red doublet and breeches. The Guard’s every-day uniform is completely blue. With the passing centuries there have been a few minor changes, but on the whole the original dress has been maintained. It is commonly thought that the uniform was designed by Michelangelo, but it would seem rather that he had nothing to do with it. However, Raffaello certainly did influence its development, as he indeed influenced fashion in general in Italy in the Renaissance, through his painting.”
I’d just like to add (in support of secret service types) that when I need a mental image for the term “bad-ass” I think of Tim McCarthy getting between John Hinkley and President Reagan with his hands at his sides and taking one in the guts.
But she wasn’t talking about being attacked by strangers, she was talking about religion.
Because they need the spiritual help they don’t get at home ... too many of my girlfriends complain that their husbands say they have their “outside job” so you have your “inside job” ... something I don’t need. Every time I think I need/want to get married I visit one of them and my mind is quickly changed ...
Altogether different skill sets and settings.
For instance, a guy out in the world works within a very simple framework: win or lose. The more he wins, the more “stuff” he gets — the better looking the wife, the bigger house, the cooler car, etc. etc.
The women work within a more or less closed system in which the goal isn’t particularly win or lose problem solving skill sets.
Yeah, those guys are heroes when they are called upon or the situation presents itself.
It is commonly thought that the uniform was designed by Michelangelo, but it would seem rather that he had nothing to do with it.
He designed the building they're standing in front of, as well as the most famous sculpture inside. I'd say that's enough.
It means loving someone even when they go light years out of their way to be hurtful and spiteful.
It means honoring them, even when they prove to be Gomer daughter of Diblai. (That’s in the book of Hosea folks.)
And protecting them even when they go light years out of the way to put themselves in danger.
That isn’t easy.
It’s love, honor and cherish, not protect. You are to love your wife as Christ loved the Church — even unto death and every woman I’ve encountered in the last 60 years of life would do the same for the man she loved. He may not be perfect, neither am I, but if you hurt him, you’ve got me to contend with. I only wish men could feel the same.
Marriage is the most representative of God’s relationship to man — He loves the good, the bad, the ugly of us and His sole obligation is to get us to Heaven — that’s the duty of each partner in a marriage as well (and I’m not talking about sending either party on ahead sooner, either).
OK - I’m a corporate pilot ... I fly jets. What different skill sets do I have that a “husband” doesn’t? My framework is not simple, it’s very complicated. If I loose I loose my life along with my passengers. I have to win every time.
You’re saying that the more stuff he gets the better looking the wife? Good grief! Win or loose the woman has to make the home, take care of the kids (guys yell when they get a splinter, try going through the pain associated with childbirth one time). Skill sets???!!!!
... and yes, those Halberds would give someone a fearsome choppin'. You get poleaxed a good one, and that's it brother. Emergency room staff wouldn't even know where to start if you somehow survived.
You wrote:
“Because they need the spiritual help they don’t get at home ...”
And what are they doing about it?
“...too many of my girlfriends complain that their husbands say they have their “outside job” so you have your “inside job” ...”
And - again - what do they do about it?
“...something I don’t need. Every time I think I need/want to get married I visit one of them and my mind is quickly changed ...”
Just remember, when you’re on your deathbed - and that will come sooner than you think - you’re not going to say, “Gee, I wish I had spent more time at the office/job.” You’ll say, “I wish I spent more time with my family” - except you won’t have one.
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