Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) said he was struggling with conflicting sentiments. “One is I believe in the equality of women and I want to communicate that men and women are equal,” Mr. Romney said. “At the same time, I don’t want to put women in harm’s way in a way which would impair their safety. So these conflicting sentiments have kept me from reaching a final decision.”

This is from Lindsay Wise and Nancy A. Youssef, “Congress Debates Requiring Women to Register for Military Draft,” Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2021. (Print edition is November 19, 2021)

This is an issue on which I agree with Senator Romney. Both sentiments–I would call them values–are important.

Is there a way for them not to conflict?

Yes, and the solution is presented later in the news story. Wise and Youssef write:

Some Democrats and Republicans have managed to find common ground on legislation that would eliminate the Selective Service entirely, ending registration for both men and women.

That would do it. Men and women would be treated equally and neither would be put in harm’s way against his or her will.

By the way, I’m so old that I remember when no one had to register for conscription. President Ford ended it on April 1, 1975 in what is probably the most beneficial April Fool’s action in history. President Carter renewed it in July 1980.

Note: Former USMC Major Chad W. Seagren and I wrote on this for Hoover 5 years ago.

The picture at the top is of Elvis Presley’s draft card.