Comments on: Sexual Assault Permeates U.S. Armed Forces

CBS Evening News: Shocking Report On Frequent Attacks, Low Rate Of Investigation, Prosecution

[erasmus111]

Well, if your read my post I guess you didn't comprehend......since you attacked out of context. Rapists are the predators. Jerks are the ones who make comments that can be taken as "sexual harrassment" and not appreciated by someone.

Posted by Michelle0809 at 9:33 AM : Mar 18, 2009

I understood you perfectly. And it wasn't out of context at all.

You said that the jerks who are sexually harrassing women, don't realize what they are doing. That they don't mean to do it. I disagree. I think they know exactly what they are doing. I also think that when you say that, it's giving them an excuse to continue.

[Michelle0809]

ERASMUS111 said So...what? Now you are making excuses for them? They know they are being a jerk, they just like to play "stupid". And I don't think the word "jerk" quite covers it.

Well, if your read my post I guess you didn't comprehend......since you attacked out of context. Rapists are the predators. Jerks are the ones who make comments that can be taken as "sexual harrassment" and not appreciated by someone. I make no excuses for either behavior, but some "jerks" can actually be taught to think before opening their mouths and offending. Now some actually get offended over every little innuendo or comment and there isn't much you can do for them, except make no comments at all. Some Jerks really don't mean to offend and some do. The ones who don't mean to offend can learn by the offendee standing up and saying, "knock the crap off" and they will actually stop. Lesson learned. Some just need a baseball bat upside the head. So, I hope you now understand, I didn't say make excuses for any one, I'm saying in plain english - NOT EVERYONE IS A PREDATOR/RAPIST, some just don't have any manners and need to learn some and in fact can, do and will, if it is brought to their attention. Not every woman who say's they were raped, were in fact raped. I find it sad and pathetic that people lie about it, but that is just the way it is and causes alot of harm to those who are actually raped and then have to wade thru the system to get justice.

[erasmus111]

Most really don't realize they are being a jerk.

Posted by Michelle0809 at 8:51 AM : Mar 18, 2009

So...what? Now you are making excuses for them?

They know they are being a jerk, they just like to play "stupid".

And I don't think the word "jerk" quite covers it.

[mecanik-2009]

Think of the context in which these soldiers may have to perform there duties together. They are possibly asked to carve the heart out of an ememy with a bayonet one minute or toss an explosive grenade into a building that occupied by enemy soldiers and see human bodies mangled by something they were ordered to do. Anyone who has seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan" can picture what war is really like. Then we think about the comradery required to undertake that mission and its clear we're not ready to do that. If all a male soldier see's in the female soldier next to him is the possiblility of having sex with her, we have a problem with comradery and mission goals education. That's a problem directed at the leadership of the military to fix. They have let the military get to the point its some sort of country club for citizens looking for a 20 year retirement. Thats not why we spent our tax dollars to create a fighting machine to defend our freedom. War is hell and if we're not ready to tackle the mission we will end up losing. And losing is not an option in a war.

[scydka]

Rapists are the second lowest creatures on earth, next to child molesters.

Why, I ask, should they be treated with the humanity they refuse to show in their actions?

I'm sure if you were raped you'd understand what it's like to be viciously violated, maybe have a different opinion.

[scydka]

I apologise, when I said "this/that man" I forgot I was on this article. I'm bouncing back and forth between this and the Austrian incest article.

[scydka]

Hower4:

Haven't you gone to sing Kumbaya yet and talk and talk and talk with your Islamisty friends?

Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time.?
Patton (1970) ? General George Patton (George C. Scott)


I feel sorry for any government that treats a man like this with "humanity".
...besides, this Hower guy is obviously okay being a part of a "loser" country that regressed from an Empire to a slum, why? Because they took away the weapons, became America's b*tch, let in millions of immigrants, and are chronically afraid of conflict.
This is assuming he's in the UK or a commonwealth... which I know he must be.
Expecting us to follow in their footsteps and become a weak, unarmed, cowardly country. We see how well it worked for you, while you just sit there and let your country be raped by terrorists (who, by the way, EXIST, in case the suicide bombers blowing themselves up in YOUR country isn't proof enough).

[hawbob]

All soldiers male or female should take an oath like the boyscouts and
promise not to commit any crime while in the service especially rape. All
punishment for rape should equal in intensity as the civilian sector.

Every soldier should be issued a certificate that if claiming to be
raped by any serving U.S. serviceperson, that she/he is free to go directly to
the U.S. President and no one else, to state her accusations. Knowledge
of this certificate possession should be known to all.

[Solarrays247]

Posted by hower4

Not everyone can be as superior as you think you are.
Posted by leeanna59 at 8:48 AM : Mar 18, 2009

It definitely sounds like there is something about "rape and justice" discussed in the same topic that has hit a very sore spot with hower4, doesn't it?

Things that make ya go hmmmm-mmm! Hmmm?

By the way, I would think it should be mandatory for any woman serving in the military to learn some form of martial art. She can then conduct her own justice in self-defense! ;)

[Michelle0809]

I served 14 years active duty in the United States Army Military Police Corp. At the time the MP's were predominantly male, and many units I served with I was the only female. I am well aware of the challenges the "lone" female faces. As an MP I am also well aware of the women who were raped and many who said they were raped. While many women have truely been abused and raped, there are also many cases where they weren't also. I've seen cases where superiors flat out said "put out or else", and I've seen cases where the female went to a platoon party got drunk, started making out with one guy and then in their stupor made out with several others and then said rape. I have also seen many cases where the female had sex with her superior and then he wouldn't promote her, give her special favors, leave his wife, be with her publicly, etc,.. and she then claimed rape.
In no way shape or form do I condone rape or abuse, but at the same time I have to say that not all that claim rape were in fact raped.
I have encountered superiors who were jerks, scum and dirty old freaks. I have been propositioned, sexually harrassed and never did I holler rape or even have to report them. I flat out told them that I didn't appreciate the "comment" and to keep it to themselves. One I had, had enough and dumped my soda on him, then the mop bucket and left the station. I told my LT when asked why I did such a thing, and that was the end of it. 99% of the time if you stand up and say I don't like that, they will stop. Most really don't realize they are being a jerk. The few that are predators, will continue until charges are brought. Ladies if you don't have enough gumption to stop them in their tracks before they escalate and if necessary report them to their superiors then you don't have enough backbone to serve in the military in the first place.
Does someone have the right to rape you? NO, but you also have an obligation to yourself to be smart. Don't get drunk in the guy's barracks with a bunch of other drunk idiots and put yourself in the situation in the first place. If their behavior creeps you out, tell them to stop. If you don't get any results with the superiors, go to the IG. You will get it investigated. Fairly!
The Military is a community and just like any community there are good ones, bad ones, stupid ones, smart ones and the in-between. Military training say's you follow orders - so long as - they are lawful orders. If your superior say's put out, that is not a lawful order and YOU have the responsibility to find the guts to say no and report him/her! If you are in fact raped, then YOU need to find the guts to file charges and follow thru.