I think a woman should get as much money as a man if she does the same job and can do the same tasks. If a fireman needs to lift a hundred pounds over his shoulders, run up 20 flights of stairs and be able to have a certain level of endure, then so should the woman fireman. Lowering the standards for firemen to “Allow” women is unsafe, unfair and lowers the entire level of firemen.

There are things that women can do better than men and the standards for men to get into a “Woman’s” profession shouldn’t be lowered to allow men in either.

I never had a woman police officer as a partner when I was a cop, but there were times I would have welcomed one in a hot domestic feud or even a bar fight.

Male pride, testosterone and a macho image can sometimes rekindle hostility in those types of situations. A woman’s voice can have a soothing effect in a situation like that. I tried to remember what one of my old police instructors said. “When you confront someone, it’s just like looking in a mirror, you frown and bark in a mirror it will do the same thing back at you.”

(Of course, this isn’t always true, but most of the time it is)

There are plenty of women cops who know how to handle themselves, protect the public and back up their fellow officers… there are some who can’t and there’s men cops who can’t either.

If someone is black, white, male, female, Hispanic, Norwegian, Jewish, Irish or Dwarf, nothing should be as important as qualifying for the job. Any job has certain tasks that need to be done on the job, if you can perform them, and you meet the requirements… you should be given a chance, either by testing, apprenticeship, ride along or on the job testing.

You just can say stupid things like, “Women don’t know how to shoot and they don’t know nothing about guns” or “Men don’t know how to sew and can’t be fashion designers.” People who want to learn about something can, and I know for a fact… women who want to learn to shoot are deadly good. They listen, follow instructions and are willing to do what it takes to get proficient at it.

The same for some men…German, Polish, British, short, tall, ugly or left- handed. We are all humans, some people can do things better than others, If the job pays $40 and hour and you can do it… ya get the job. If you can’t do the job, you look for one that you can do.

Employers shouldn’t have to create a nonexistent job or lower the standards or qualifications. Life is that way, some can do it… some can’t.

You can’t win the game if you put someone in who can’t hit the ball.