You know, I was thinking about Monstrous Regiment as I always do, and I just say, damn, Terry Pratchett sure as shit did the "Female attack drone operator killing children" joke ages before we even got there culturally.
Like, OK, during the climax of the book we find out that half of the Military high command are also women right? Disguised as men and wanting to keep their secret hidden as they live as men yes, but still women.
That's not, unlike Jackrum's ending, to be read as a trans allegory.
These are women, who joined the military, a sexist and awful military force who would have killed them had it found out for both being women and for crossdressing, got in a position of power by following the rules and not rocking the Boat (unlike Polly and her squad, who were offered the perfect way out yet still decided to come out as women), and then once they become the high command of the military they do NOTHING.
They do not change those same structures who oppressed them, because now they are in power so who care if other women get hurt.
And they do not stop the war, continuing it instead.
"Women can do the same things man can" is one of the Book's arc words, and it does sound like a pretty neat message, until Terry points out how this very same message can be used to sponsor horrible actions too and passing them for progress.
Women can be war criminals just like man can.
Much like back in the days, cigarette companies sold women cancer on a stick presenting it as freedom and liberation for their gender.
Much like The pilot of the drone that's going to burn your house to the ground has a pride flag pin on their lapel.
You are not immune to fucking military propaganda.
2087
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