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Right-wing provocateur Ben Shapiro was mocked profusely after he claimed the United States military has abandoned "traditional masculinity" and declared wars are best fought by “typically very patriotic, very male people.”
Shapiro has never served in the military.
But he definitely has strong opinions about what should and should not be allowed, arguing the military has abandoned "traditional" masculine roles he believes are essential to its functions.
You can hear what Shapiro said in the video below.
\u201cBen Shapiro says the US military is being ruined because it is abandoning masculinity: \u201cPeople who tend to fight wars are very patriotic, very male people. Traditional masculinity has been core to that idea. But we\u2019re a society that doesn\u2019t believe in traditional masculinity.\u201d\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1664133681
Shapiro said:
“People who tend to fight wars are very patriotic, very male people."
"Traditional masculinity has been core to that idea. But we’re a society that doesn’t believe in traditional masculinity.”
"Traditional masculinity is an opponent because traditional masculinity requires roles."
"It says that men are supposed to protect, they are supposed to defend. Men are supposed to be strong. Men are supposed to be fathers and husbands."
"These are apparently very bad things now. You're not supposed to say these things."
It was pretty clear Shapiro had no idea what he was talking about, as evidenced by the following tweet from Illinois Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger. Kinzinger attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and Wisconsin Air National Guard and flew missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom before embarking on a political career.
Kinzinger asked Shapiro probably the most important question:
"What branch were you?"
\u201cGood point Ben. What branch were you?\u201d— Adam Kinzinger\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u270c\ufe0f (@Adam Kinzinger\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u270c\ufe0f) 1664144573
Shapiro's comments prompted many to wonder the same given his very strong and vocal opinions on how the military should and should not conduct itself.
\u201c38 years old and never served but wants to give opinions on who does and doesn\u2019t enlist.\n\n38. Which means after 9/11 he was prime age to enlist but shrugged and said not my problem.\n\nYou missed the whole GWOT @benshapiro , take several seats on this one.\u201d— Simple_Redleg (@Simple_Redleg) 1664245873
\u201cThe common denominator here is that all of these morons touting "masculinity" and "patriotism" have never served their country in any way. They whine, cry, and complain. I certainly don't need a eunuch telling me about masculinity.\u201d— RETIRED MASTER CHIEF\u2693\ufe0f (@RETIRED MASTER CHIEF\u2693\ufe0f) 1664194085
\u201cRemember what I said earlier this week? People that NEVER served talking about the service like they know everything\u201d— Bryce (@Bryce) 1664201456
\u201cHe never served a day in his life..He doesn't know what masculinity is and anyone listening to this garbage, are lost\u201d— Sailor Michael\u2693\u2708 (@Sailor Michael\u2693\u2708) 1664228113
\u201cI forget, which branch did he serve in? ... Oh, right.\u201d— Person of Interest (@Person of Interest) 1664234737
\u201cBen Shapiro who has served a grand total of 0 days in the military thinks the military isn't masculine enough.\n\nBen Shapiro isn\u2019t even masculine enough to make his own wife wet, so not sure he should be commenting on masculinity in the military.\u201d— The Jewish Ginger Resister (@The Jewish Ginger Resister) 1664160000
\u201cHmm\u2026 Ben, why haven\u2019t you served?\u201d— Hannah (she/her) (@Hannah (she/her)) 1664295946
\u201cBen Shapiro confirms this theory by never having enlisted\u201d— The Cyber (@The Cyber) 1664149102
Shapiro has previously made headlines for similar remarks.
Earlier this month, he garnered criticism after he claimed Democratic President Joe Biden has an "equity agenda" and wants to put LGBTQ+ astronauts on the moon, describing the possibility as something that "sounds like a bad pornography."
Shapiro's comments came after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced it would reschedule the launch of its next-generation megarocket Artemis 1 due to inclement weather as well as the discovery by NASA engineers of a temperature problem with one of the booster's core-stage engines.
He went on to mock Vice President Kamala Harris who had earlier remarked the "key to space exploration" is to send a diverse group of people. Shapiro said Harris was implying "the most qualified people" would not be sent on the Artemis 1 mission.