Exhelodriver – yes, I think I would dispute that *if* your “averages” knew that in order to do their job they are required to build up their strength in certain areas. To be a firefighter men AND women are required to carry a certain amount of weight up a certain amount of stairs in a certain amount of time. They are expected to train until they can do that, and if they can not do it, they are invited to take their aspirations elsewhere.

I used to work in a fire department, and the interesting thing I observed is that the men and women could work together, could accomplish what needed to be done in rescuing people and putting out fires — surely that is almost the equal in stress as getting shot at. However, the people at that point who were the most vocally against this integration were the wives of the male firefighters. You know, those silly little blondes who didn’t have any upper body strength but had enormous yaps with lots and lots of whine built in.

I just can’t believe you guys are saying that if women CAN build up their strength and CAN do the same physical things as men can, and if they volunteer and actively want to play those games, they should be kept from it. Who are you listening to any way? Your own little timid blondes at home who don’t want you working too closely with competent females? (Female astronauts in diapers always excepted, of course.)