News – Government contractors with workers in war zones may have to provide better treatment to employees who allege rape or sexual assault, thanks to a new Senate measure. Dawn Leamon tells what happened after reporting she was drugged and gang-raped.
"The safety and security of all employees remains KBR's top priority," the company said. "Any allegation of sexual harassment or assault is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly."
Damn...these people must use Bush's public relations firm whose motto is, Veritus Escapeus or "Truth, we Don't Need no Steenking Truth".
This is despicable. I'd like to know how the people committing these crimes are able to escape prison? Apparently our government - and the "new" government in Iraq are impotent. My strong advice - DO NOT WORK FOR THESE PEOPLE. If no one is willing to risk their own safety because of these incidents (which certainly seems reasonable in the case of females) pretty soon they will have a VERY difficult time filling those jobs. At ANY salary. THIS could well be their punishment: no more hefty government contracts because no one will work for them.
They're able to escape prison because the contracts for the private companies in Iraq include a provision that the companies can't be sued or prosecuted for their actions or the actions of their employees. It's outrageous, and though the Iraqi government (for instance) wants Blackwater out and contracts changed, our government won't let them. (More proof that we're not really interested in setting up a sovereign government in Iraq, just a branch office of the U.S. government.)
And unfortunately, KBR, Blackwater, Halliburton and the like won't have any problem filling jobs there--most people don't pay attention to the news or to these stories.
Let's hope Congress gets its act together and pressures Bush and Cheney to change the terms of the contracts--it REALLY looks bad for the White House to condone gang rapes and disallow prosecution, and I can't imagine any way to spin it so it looks better. Maybe McCain will weigh in--anyone know how he voted on the bill?
sole source contracts with little or no review to buddies...tend to abuse the workers for same... such is life in a corrupt Repug world! Congress won't be able to correct this until after Dumya is gone and then we won't have to worry about a minority of Senate Repugs backing his vetos!
McCain would be just more of Dumya...look how the congressional repugs have stood by their failed leader for over 6 years with senate repugs are going for 8 years!
This is despicable. I'd like to know how the people committing these crimes are able to escape prison?
~~~~~~~~~
An even BIGGER question would be...why were these contracts renewed?
Blackwater's contract was recently renewed, even though they are currently being 'investigated' for the murder of Iraqi civilians AND the Iraqi Government doesn't want them in them in their country.
KBR's contract was recently renewed even though these accusation surfaced AND they are being investigated for failure to provide water and food (just to name two) at a standard that is required BY THE MILITARY, for combat area services.
So WHY WAS THEIR CONTRACTS RENEWED?
This is a fine example of the difference between Repugs and anyone else... to repugs this is just more money for KBR (then under Halliburton) investors... while to two dozen raped young Amnerican females its ruined or near ruined lives! What the heck, 10 million poor kids in America were refused healthcare coverage too by the Repugs! There is a terrorist party in America!
This is sad. It seems that US companies in Iraq operate like they do in America. How many women who file rape/assault/sexual harassment charges against their employers do not face a uphill climb? Most lose their jobs.
How do we handle this though? How can we make US citizens in foreign countries obey US laws? If Iraqi laws were enforced, the women who were raped would be jailed.
It's a tough situation all around and I don't think its because of "repug" interest. It still happens in the US, seemingly always has.
Part of me is outraged by this and part of me is amazed that any young woman would go to Iraq alone amongst predominately men where there are no laws in place to deter men from engaging in rape. It like HELLO! For the most part that's all men especially at that age are thinking about and then you toss a young woman into that mess. Come on!!! Quit pretending to be in lala land.
The wages are good.
The first $85 thousand of earnings are tax free.
Might be enough incentive to take a chance.
What are we coming to, when a law like this has to be written?
Unfortunately, we are part of the animal kingdom known as Homo Sapiens, and when given the opportunity, apparently, most Homo Sapiens would resort to animalistic behaviors. Look, I have a daughter, and regardless of her age, I would never allow my daughter to venture into a lion's den.
I have daughter as well. This evening she is returning from a semester in Italy, and traveling thru Europe. I will breathe a great sigh of relief when I give her a welcome home hug. It won't be long before she will be old enough to drink. I could not deny her this adventure. If she is anything like I was she probably did some "bad" stuff and took some chances.
saneman; I don't think most men would resort to animalistic behaviors in Iraq. That is selling a. the majority of servicemen short (if they know about their superiors or fellow soldiers raping fellow soldiers and don't do anything about it they're just as guilty.) b. the majority of US men short as well. Most men do not act like this.
I do not care what a woman wears, don't care if it's a bar, don't care if she's been drinking or using drugs, don't care if she's in Iraq (hello! FIRST 85G's are TAX FREE!?!? Don't care who you are you'd strongly consider it.), don't care if it's a combat zone, don't care if it's school, church, parking lot late at night or broad daylight, rape is rape. They need to punished.
BTW I also feel this applies to men and our sons as well.
Why do these women go to Iraq? Maybe it is stupidity, or maybe some other reasons we do not know. But the fact still remains that crime against stupid people should not go unpunished.
Well, its only a crime when a law is broken. Had the rape occurred in the U.S., then yes, a law was broken, and since Iraqi laws don't apply, then there is no crime. As a result, yes it was extremely stupid to venture into a territory where one is free game.
the woman pictured, if I remember awoke with one of the guys who attacked her.. lying naked in bed with her.. and his gun was leaning against the wall.. at the very least she should have used his weapon and blown is nuts off..
I have been curious for quite some time about why no reports of civilian deaths in Iraq. A lady friend of mine went to Kuwait about 3 years ago, I have not heard from her since. I can assume only the worst has happened, rape would be preferable to death, however she was prepared emotionally for both...
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Two things that I think would help would be-
#1 - Not allow arbitration agreements to be effective in sexual assault claims because as it stands now most of the large contractors force employees as a condition of employment to agree to arbitrate claims. Let's let employees who claim they were sexually assaulted sue the companies for big bucks. Money is the only thing the companies care about anyways.
#2 - Set up some system to allow American courts and law enforcement to oversee the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault overseas.
Not altogether bad ideas walden..
I see some issues with #2
sexual assault and crimes of a like nature are generaly considered crimes against the state. I would think there would have to be some sort of federal juristicion formed to handle the cases.
As part of the federal contract you just get the contractors to waive any objection to jurisdiction and to submit to US government investigatory and prosecution even if the event occurs overseas.
Your idea would probably work in ANY other Administration. This Administration not only would NEVER put that in the contract ("these kind of regulation would only hamper our ability to the job that's required") but if they 'inherited' a contractor that DID agree to it, they would NEVER prosecute. History has shown that to be fact.
Thats right under this administration all cases of rape have been halted in their tracks.
Think about the hate you spew.
endo,
How hateful is that comment? Is it because you don't believe it's true, or is it because you believe that whatever this administration has done or is responsible for, is of such a high purpose that condoning rape, a crime anywhere, is just another part of collateral damage?
You know Endoscopy I gave you a positive because I agreed with your first comment.
As to the rest of the comment I whole heartedly disagree with you.
...I understand that the Bush DOJ refused to even investigate the Jones case... like all the stonewalling of reported contractor fraud and abuse out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Contempt of Congress charges not pursued either... but great torture memos to get around the law from the Bush DOJ! And, great firings of prosecutors who applied the law equally (in spite of Gonzo saying they were released for cause)!
LOL
Clinton did the same things but only Bush can't do those things. Get a life. Live in reality.
endo,
Like Antonin Scalia quipped about the Florida elections, "Get over it!"