Smiling Faces Part 1

Smiling faces sometimes

Pretend to be your friend

Smiling faces show no traces

Of the evil that lurks within

Smiling faces, smiling faces

Tell lies and I got proof

As I listened to this old 1970's R&B song, it has more meaning than one might think. Behavior within our culture that elevates to sexual assault many times happens when a smiling face, pretending to be a friend, lures a victim into a situation where he or she feels trapped or powerless. We've learned that many victims of sexual assault knew their rapist prior to the incident. One of the most clever tools a perp uses is to make them feel they have his confidence. Some rapists will cultivate a friendship for quite awhile before he attacks. It makes it seem as though maybe he got his signals crossed. After all the two have spent a lot of time together. "I thought she wanted it," is usually their defense.

Of The Evil That Lurks Within

A Happy Exonerated Joshua Tate
last of the Naval Academy 3

And speaking of smiling faces take a look at this one: Midshipman 2nd Class Joshua Tate. He was acquitted of the sexual assault charges against a female Midshipman. Agatha Christie comes to mind and this high profile sexual assault case watched first Traves Bush, of Johnston, S.C., who had been charged with aggravated sexual assault, had the charges against him dropped back in October of last year; followed by Eric Graham, several days ago; and now Joshua Tate has been acquitted of sexual assault. And his accuser is considered to be a pariah on campus. She sat through long hours of being grilled by the defense, asked stupid questions like "were you even wearing underwear that night and even called a "Ho" by one of the defense attorneys. She watched all 3 men, one by one go free until then there were none.

"WASHINGTON — A military judge on Thursday found a former United States Naval Academy football player, Joshua Tate, not guilty of sexually assaulting a fellow midshipman when she was too drunk to consent, bringing partial resolution to a highly publicized case that has lasted for nearly two years.Col. Daniel Daugherty, the judge presiding over the trial, sent a lesser charge of making false statements back to the school to decide. On Thursday evening, a Naval Academy spokesman, Cmdr. John Schofield, said the school had agreed to accept Mr. Tate’s resignation in exchange for withdrawing the lying charge. “By resigning, Midshipman Tate has agreed to accept the most serious form of punishment a midshipman can receive through the conduct system — a dismissal from the Naval Academy,” he said."

Sinclair & Tate: Twin acquittals
of Military Justice

But this is a new year. The NDAA was just signed, including provisions to fight sexual assault. The Military pledged (wait for it) Zero Tolerance of this type of behavior. While Congress and the Pentagon brushes aside any real reforms for change to introduce the McCasill bill.  It seems now with the real threat to the chain of command out of the way (The Military Justice Improvement Act), it's back to the Status Quo. Such as in the case of Brig. General, Jeffery Sinclair, where he agreed to plead to lesser military charges, there is no time served for either men. So far this year, two high profile cases, both ending in acquittals.

Do I have to tell you whether the men and women in the ranks will feel more confident in reporting these crimes to their chain of command? The old system seems to be still in place with something of a new paint job. No doubt those who stopped the bill that would have removed the chain of command as the decision makers in sexual assault cases are giving themselves high-fives, and pats on the back. If anyone is going to take on the system, they will have to have sheer will and determination.

The Handshake That Hides the Snake

Caution: this story could contain trigger words for PTSD and MST Survivors!

Bobbie Moulder is a civilian and ex-wife of a US Marine, SSGT Richard Moulder. She has been a victim of sexual assault since the young age of four.  Later she was sexually assaulted at 14 by a 19 year old boy of an affluent family.  Bobbie met Richard Moulder in high school in 2005. They would not become a couple until later in 2006 when Richard was on leave. No doubt, what Bobbie didn't know about her handsome Marine was he was a highly charged sex addict with a need to feed his addiction with internet porn; this elevated to his desire to experiment with partner swapping with other Marines. This of course was not consensual on Bobbie's part. The bride of the sex-crazed Marine thought this was an innocent get together with friends. Since she had never drank before, the alcohol hit her pretty hard. She woke up with man on top of her, while the man's wife was kissing her face. Bobbie said she sobbed through the whole ordeal while crying out for the man to stop. Moulder proudly posted pics of this sick ordeal on the web.
 From Dec. 1, 2007 to April 10, 2011 Bobbie was the victim of multiple incidents of sexual assault (marital rape, group rape and sodomy) as well as physical assault. Her attacker was her (then) husband, Richard Moulder. Bobbie said:

"I was silenced from reporting my attacks until I was remarried because I was dependent

on his child support. I was reminded that my children would do without if my attacker was in jail. My attacker and his fellow Marines got me drunk and raped me. My attacker threatened me and sodomized me multiple times. My attacker masturbated in front of our daughter. My attacker forced me by fear to stay in a household where he beat me if I refused to have sex with him, where he had multiple affairs giving me multiple STD’s, and took pleasure in forcing me to commit sexual acts that I was uncomfortable with. He raped me to the point of causing me to bleed internally, and to the point of tearing and bleeding in external orifices"

A domestically abused and
sexually assaulted Bobbie Moulder

On March 9th, 2010 her husband gave her a black eye and deviated septum, then the next day, she reported it to his command and a military protective order was issued. May 13th, 2010, Richard attacked Bobbie again choking her. She locked herself in the bathroom and took pictures of her wounds but was still too afraid to report the attack. She waited about a month until things had calmed down and reported when she felt her husband would be least suspicious. On June 20th, Richard Moulder was arrested by San Bernardino County Sheriff deputies and Military Police from 29 Palms Marine Air Ground Training Center, and then released the same day to his command. They confined him to a bachelor's barracks room so she could have time to “collect her things" and leave town. Like many people suffering from PTSD, there is the guilt that comes when a marriage doesn't work out. Perhaps, she thought, "Maybe I can make this work after all." So in March of 2011 after trying to save her marriage and believing that her husband had undergone enough counseling to change his behavior, they attended a couples counseling session where he agreed to attend SARP. But then the old ways began to creep back.

"April 10th, 2011 my husband beat me again. He took my phone from me and hung up as

I was gasping for breath to the dispatchers. He hung up on call back from the Military Police and was arrested by the Camp Pendleton Military Police.  I was told by an officer on scene that CPS would be in contact since we had a history of abuse in the home. But if I wasn't in town they couldn't take the children. I packed up and moved from Oceanside,CA to Indiana in 42 hours."

The Pat on The Back

March 6th, 2013, Bobbie gave her full statement, which was taken down by Agent McCartney of NCIS. She seemed somewhat relieved because NCIS wasn't connected to the Military Chain of Command. Later this same agent warned her to prepare to be portrayed as a vengeful ex-wife, but also reassured her not to worry; NCIS would support her through the trial phase, with the least amount of upset and shame as possible. This agent later gave her his card to follow up if she needed him.

Bobbie's case was passed around
The NCIS 

Now here is where the wheels begin to fall off. Bobbie called twice after her meeting with the agent only to have her  calls sent to voice mail, and were never returned. She received a phone call some months later from agent Lise Nielsen with NCIS at Camp Pendleton and was told that she was in charge of the case, and was collecting evidence and would be in touch. She had to continually email her once a month or so to get an update in the case. Then the Dance of the Lemons continued as Bobbie was passed off to another agent; Elizabeth Heisey for a few months and from there she was passed onto agent Danielle Holladay. Every time one of the agents had been removed from her case and it was passed onto another new agent; this young sexual assault victim was not made aware until she contacted the desk phone number given to her by the supervisor.  Each time they returned her calls they would introduce themselves to her. This is akin to the welfare system set up in this country. You're assigned a case worker. But you've got better odds of hitting the Lottery than ever seeing that case worker again.

Also while Bobbie was struggling to end this nightmare, her husband was promoted while under criminal investigation by NCIS from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant of Marines on Sept 1st, 2013.

By November 2013, Bobbie Moulder was informed that her now ex-

Dance of the Lemons 

husband would be facing an article 32 hearing, but by the 1st week of March 2014, Bobbie's patience was wearing thin. Now after more months of smiling faces, Bobbie had a new Lemon dance partner: Captain Ben Bish. The Captain made a recommendation to his superior and would not tell her what his recommendation was.  This month Bobbie called Captain Bish yet again after not hearing from him on his commands decision, she was placed on speaker phone with Bish's superior, a NCIS Major.

" I was then told by the Major that he had recommended to his superior that my case not go to article 32 hearing. He said there was insufficient evidence. I argued that there was and felt very helpless. I promised him that I would not be silenced and I would be reaching out to Washington for help, since he offered none. I also made them both aware that I had NEVER been provided a victim advocate/attorney as NDAA requires, and that I planned on telling everyone I could what a horrible job they had done with my case thus far. "

 Sadly this is the same military that promised us reform in it's policies. Can't you hear it in your sleep?  "Good order and discipline and Zero Tolerance" Blues! After all the promises, rhetoric, meetings, case studies, and media attention, where is the change?

The military gets to keep its direct decision making intact and here is what happens to people like Bobbie Moulder.  Even when a person has concrete photos and documents showing the assaults took place, it is still the good-old-boy's club of Zero Accountability. Bobbie has shared a lot with me in hopes that many in the media and other sources will pick up her story and let others know that this is what happens when we leave the decisions in the hands of the "Chain of Command Gang!"

After all the hell this young woman had to endure, it's a wonder that she is still alive to tell anyone about it. Now she fights to get justice from her ex-husband and assailant. This is a man who gave her HPV (Human Papillomavirus)  which caused her cervical and gynecological cancer.

"I've had a radical hysterectomy and 2 pacemakers placed in my lower back to control my bladder and bowels. He ruined my body forever ."

Although she has remarried, she and her present husband can never have children. At this point she still sits and waits for a final decision on her case, while a Major in the chain is going to recommend that the article 32 hearing be dropped because of lack of evidence. A person's future can be decided just like that on the whim of a officer in charge. How is this justice?
My suspicions are that with time, and shuffling a case back and forth, the military avoids many prosecutions. It's called Trickle-down Justice, and apparently it's still alive and well in the military system.

SARP Rape whistles
given out to kids as toys?

Also to show you how in touch the Military Rape Prevention Program is: Bobbie and her children attended a Military family function just recently, where these SARP rape whistles were handed out to children as toys!  To quote Congressman Claire McCaskill: "Are you frickin kidding me?"



Next time the telling of two brave Vets who continue to find the system for veterans is not everything it should be. Plus when is a patch not a patch? Be here when Kate Weber will share some amazing things of how the Invisible War continues.

Victoria Sanders                       Kate Weber

Special Thanks to Bobbie Mulder for sharing her story of bravery and encouragement.  Bobbie could use our encouragement and support. Any ideas or resources, please let me know and I will pass them along. Bobbie, we're pulling for you. Hugs and love, Sis!

Thanks also to Rosie Palfy and to Vera Santa Clara for twitter updates on Military Sexual Assault issues. My two best friends who share from their hearts. Thanks ladies.

This week Begins Domestic Violence Awareness Week. Find a way to spread to others that there is no excuse for this abuse!

With Great Power Part 2

Time is truly wastin’,
there’s no guarantee,
Smile is in the makin’,
We got to fight the powers that be,
I don’t understand it,
People wanna say,
Those that got the answers,
Red tape in the way.

Richie Cunningham stands between
his sister Joanie and the powers that be.

Sadly, there is too much red tape in our military and political justice system these days. It used to be as simple as see something and saying, "That's wrong! You can't do that."  We used to be willing to step in and stand our ground against crime and perpetrators, like a big brother protecting a family member. I remember having a seat during a live shooting of Happy Days the 1950's parody. The scene was a dark gym and a bunch of hoods were going to have their own private "party" with Joanie. The lights of the gym flip on and it's Richie telling the gang to back off. As much as Fonzie was the one everyone applauded for, the audience cheered for Richie because he stepped in and yelled "get away from my sister!" As much as he was in over his head against a bunch of toughs, he wasn't going to back away. Of course, with audience laughter, and the Fonz on hand to help dispatch the thugs, it all turned out okay.

The Powers That Be

But as I look at our society and even our government today, when we have an issue of sexual assault in the military happening, there is not much bravado happening these days. Only a very few react, such as Kirsten Glibrand (D-NY) and remark "This breaks my heart. I want to do something about it."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

"I think what changed for me personally was when I actually heard stories from victims directly ---and  those stories so went to the core of my soul in terms of injustice--- the outrage in me just continued to grow with every victim's story about how she was brutalized, he was brutalized and raped, but then had to endure the second failure within the military to not even listen to their stories to--- to say it's your fault or you know you were the one drinking or I'm going to prosecute you. To say 'I'm not gonna do anything---' Those stories make me still angry because again these men and women are best and brightest; they deserve military justice system where the up their sacrifices and we don't have that today."

Senator Gillibrand has been accused of trying to wage an impossible war against the military; trying to make a name for herself on this issue. Many of us who have watched her come before the cameras have heard her express the feelings of survivors who have shared their stories of sexual abuse and betrayal at the hands of the their commands; only to be ejected from the ranks, and discarded back into civilian life. Some are survivors, while others could not overcome their circumstances, and chose to end their lives. Many have said "If my case didn't get stuck in the chain of command, but was judged by a separate judicial system, this might have been different for me."

Faces Full Of Pain

Armando says that he was a young man originally from the Philippines. He came to the US when he was 20 years old with a dream of serving as a US Marine. One night he was sexually assaulted by six Marines from his own platoon who sodomized him with a broom handle, until he was unconscious. He did not report the assault because he was proud to serve as a Marine.

"What happened to me was very sad and horrible. And I know there's still a lot of people out there that has experienced what I have gone through and are scared to come forward--- and doing the behalf with those people.--- If the military have reporting system that is safe for military service members-- its going benefit them because not only it's going to prevent rape from happening it will also increase then that chance of people who's gonna seek help right away--- but the time and ask for help is a full-blown PTSD---I've been suicidal many times, so it's very important that you know a person who get raped receive help right away."

Armando came to America, as a proud young man who wanted to served our country. And after being brutally attacked by members of his own platoon he had little or nothing left except a nightmare and a life struggling with PTSD. Stories like these have continued for decades. Men who were targets perhaps because they were not alpha-crazed males or someone's idea of what a bad-ass soldier should be, and women just in general because there is some sort of feminist conspiracy to dumb down the system. The men who did that to Armando, did it out of racist hate, and attempting strip him of his dignity, while the Military and Congress does very little to nothing to resolve this issue.

Got So Many Voices

So now it's basically thumbs up on the McCaskill Bill and thumbs down on the Gillibrand MJIA bill. (No doubt many were poised to vote this way form the start.) Basically this new law keeps some of the Congressmen including Ms. McCaskill in their comfort zones, by not doing the unthinkable, of removing the decision of conviction for rape and other high crimes from commanders.

"On a vote of 97-0, the Senate rallied behind a bipartisan plan crafted by three female senators - Democrat Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Republicans Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Deb Fischer of Nebraska - that would impose a half-dozen changes to combat the pervasive problem of rape and sexual offenses that Pentagon leaders have likened to a cancer within the ranks. Unanimous agreement in the U.S. Senate is pretty rare - but rarer still is the kind of sweeping, historic change we've achieved over the past year in the military justice system," McCaskill said after the vote." -DONNA CASSATA Published: Mar 10, 2014 Associated Press

While I'm all for partisan unity, it can't be done for less than effective measures. This bill has great intentions like many other paved roads to disaster, but still leaves some people of questionable character in charge of a overseeing a process that some of them have abused. As Senator Gillibrand has stated over and over again, we need a system that gives us qualified professionals who are unbiased in dealing with sexual assault and rape cases. The problem with commanders convening over such cases is their inherent biased over the accused or even the system.

 "Not all commanders are objective-- not every single commander necessarily wants women in the force not every single commander believes what is sexual assault is-- Not every single commander can distinguish between a slap on the ass and a rape--- because they've merged all these crimes together. So my point to you is this has been done before by our allies too great effect and in fact in Israel in the last five years because they prosecute high-level cases-- Do you know this increased by eighty percent? Reporting-" 

I'll give Senator McCaskill points for attacking some of the problems within her bill that would keep accusers from using the "good-guy" defense as leverage in his or her defense. Which means:
"please look at my sterling record of military service." But the new McCaskill bill comes up short because the convicted can still use the "good guy defense" in his sentencing phase. Such as in the case of  Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, who was on trial on sexual assault charges. In his court-martial, which began last week, the 51-year-old former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division was accused of twice forcing a female Captain to perform oral sex in Afghanistan in 2011 during a three-year extramarital affair. He has admitted to the affair but denied assaulting the woman.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair

The General painted his relationship with his subordinate as a plot right out of "Fatal Attraction" where she continually was throwing herself at him, while always seeming to play the gentleman. The female Captain paints a different picture of a man who forced her into an affair and would not take no for an answer, including using his powers of command to redline her orders, causing the female Captain to remain under his command. Sinclair faced 8 charges including sexual assault, sodomy, lewd behavior. All but 3 of the charges were dismissed in a plea deal with Sinclair pleading guilty to only the lesser military infractions. Now in truth, if Sinclair was guilty of the most heinous charges, the present convening Judge, Col. James C. Pohl, has offered up a sentence that amounts to no more than a mosquito bite: $20,000 fine and no jail time. While Jackie Speier (D-CA) called the sentence laughable and a mockery of justice. Don't tell me the good soldier defense doesn't work along with a "Get out of jail free card."


The most troublesome part of allowing an old system to stay in place with a few tweaks, is that we still get a trickle down justice system, that erodes a victim's chance for justice and vindication. My guess is that there is a class system going on here. Most lower ranking service persons would be looking at some type of hard time. But stone-walling the process, allowing some of the old process in with the new, is about as effect as trying to make water using Hydrogen, Oxygen plus dirt. You will always get mud. Congress refuses to come up with the right formula to deal with this issue. It's sad because my gut tells me that there is political division even on non-partisan committees.

Kirsten Gillibrand held a Q&A session with reporters about the failed vote. The most reassuring thing is the MJIA is not going away, and neither will it be modified for an easier vote.
Hopefully, if things don't get better, the Senator says, there are those who will be with us next time.

Bobbie  Moulder fights for justice: Next issue

I had the privilege of having an exclusive interview with a young civilian woman who was a victim of sexual assault and domestic battery for about 5 years. She is still fighting the powers that be. Her case is still waiting to go to a military trial. It's been a situation of hurry up and wait. Bobbie Moulder needs to share with everyone, how slow the wheels of military justice are turning; and perhaps they're coming to a grinding halt. Some of you have been there. You will have ask yourself if the new reforms in place are going to help? or are they as effective as a car with 3 wheels.




And so the fight continues against those who have the power and no responsibility!
Thanks  to Twitter friends: Vera Santa Clara, Rosie Palfry, and others 4 keeping me in the loop.

News and Information sources:
Associated Press
 LA Times 

With Great Power... Part 1

Time is truly wastin’,

 There’s no guarantee,

Smile is in the makin’, 

We got to fight the powers that be

Got so many voices, 

Saying all the same,

Killing up all around me, 

Faces full of pain.

This Isley Brother's 70's dance tune reminds me of the immovable power that men have over others. They control and destroy lives of those in their way. Our military used to be considered the greatest force for good in this world. And now after hearing story upon story of those who have power but misuse it to for their own lustful ends, it's apparent that "power no longer keeps in step with virtue and honor."

Got So Many Voices, Saying All The Same

Even if you're not an avid comic book enthusiast, no doubt you followed the masses to the theaters to

"With Great Powers comes great responsibility" 2014 Marvel Comics

see the "Spiderman" movies. Aside from all of the plot twists, villainous doings, and girl trouble Peter Parker has, his heroic side is forged through a missed opportunity when he let a bad guy go Scott-free during a robbery. Later the same robber kills his Uncle in a cowardly act. After bringing his uncle's killer to justice, Parker is haunted by the irony that his uncle might still be alive if he had intervened earlier. "I know now that with these great powers, comes great responsibility." This mantra, as corny as it may seem, still rings true in our un-comic-type lives. We don't wear masks or capes, but at some level, we have been given things to shape lives, even if its just the lives of our children and loved ones.

DOD Secretary Chuck Hagel. "I want to give commanders more
responsibility, not less..."

Two weeks ago Chuck Hagel was quoted as saying he wanted to give commanders more responsibility in sexual assault cases, not less. My reaction was; how much more responsibility to they need? They've had the power to see that justice was done in all of these cases of sexual assault and rape, and their response was to ignore the victims, or call them sluts, whores, block cases from coming to trial, over turn verdicts, or be participants themselves in these heinous crimes. My question is: why haven't these commanders used their great powers of command and authority in helping victims, and catching perpetrators, and dispensing justice? The worst part of this issue is, the commanders and the Pentagon viewing themselves as being victims of having their responsibility stripped from them, while nothing could be further from the truth. Advocates and survivors are simply saying "we want a justice system that is fair and people with a background in the judicial process.

I Tried Talking About It, I Got The Big Runaround

The Pentagon and Congress continue to salad toss the rhetoric of saying that to remove the commander's authority in this one area, will remove good order and discipline. How can you remove something that most commanders don't already have? Taking the decision to allow sexual assault cases to go forward is not the lynch pin to a commander's ability to command his troops. Good

Does Lady of Justice Peek?

order and discipline must work for every man and woman in the system and not just for those who have a stellar record, or against those who appear to be trouble makers. Is the "Truth and justice for all" mantra, just for the powerful and privileged, while losers and the weak just have to deal with it? Perhaps Lady Justice has been playing Peek-a-boo behind her blindfold? Especially if you were a fly on the proverbial wall, watching an Article 32 hearing of the Naval Rape case, where 3 football players had been accused of sexually assaulting a female midshipman.

Female Midshipman Being grilled for 30 hours about sexual habits 

WASHINGTON — For roughly 30 hours over several days, defense lawyers for three former United States Naval Academy football players grilled a female midshipman about her sexual habits. In a public hearing, they asked the woman, who has accused the three athletes of raping her, whether she wore a bra, how wide she opened her mouth during oral sex and whether she had apologized to another midshipman with whom she had intercourse “for being a ho." 

Many military legal experts were appalled by what they heard. “What this case shows is that we think the military justice system can somehow solve the sexual assault problem, but it can’t,” said Diane H. Mazur, an emeritus law professor at the University of Florida. Several military justice experts said Article 32 proceedings should be eliminated. Navy Hearing in Rape Case Raises Alarm By JENNIFER STEINHAUER NY Times Sept. 20, 2013 

This is not good public relations if you are serious about having victims come forward. Most victims will tell you that the only thing worse than the assault is enduring ridicule at the hands of of their commander and the justice system.
At any level of the chain of command good order and discipline should work. But it stops when those with that power, use and abuse it for their own purposes, and then choose to cover over the crime with rank, privilege, and power.

I Got Knocked On The Ground

Things such as this saddens me down to the core, when I learn that not only a military leader has

Lt. Col. Joseph "Jay" Morse

betrayed us, but someone who is suppose to be a strong advocate against sexual assault has been overcome by the very cause that he should be fighting against. Apparently a top sexual assault prosecutor in the Army has been accused of assaulting a female army officer at a conference.

Lt. Col. Joseph "Jay" Morse, who is now under investigation, was in charge of supervising the Army's special victims prosecutors. These prosecutors are in charge of cases involving sexual assault, domestic abuse, and crimes against children.
Chris Carroll and John Vandiver, reporting for Stars and Stripes, write:
... The female Army lawyer alleged that Morse attempted to kiss and grope her against her will. The alleged assault reportedly took place in a hotel room at a 2011 sexual assault legal conference attended by special victims prosecutors in Alexandria, Va., before he was appointed as chief of the Trial Counsel Assistance Program.- 
Jeremy Bender March 6, 2014 Business Insider

The stories continue to shock and confound me as a Veteran and an advocate. These men of power have been preying upon subordinates and victimizing men and women for years now. And still very little has changed. When you hear about stories of Supermen such as Brig.Gen.Jeffrey Sinclair, who apparently has been misusing his authority to sexually abuse other women to the point of threats and intimidation, then it is small wonder why the reform that Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for is so needed today.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair is set to enter the plea Thursday morning before opening statements are scheduled for his court martial at Fort Bragg. The primary accuser in the case is a female captain who claims Sinclair twice ended arguments about their relationship by unzipping his pants and forcing her head into his lap. The woman says her commander threatened to kill her family if she told anyone about their three-year affair, which continued after the alleged assaults. -Michael Biesecker March 6 2014 Associated Press 

  

I will address this issue later in another blog dealing with the topic of Command Rape in the Military. It's as devious as anything.

With Great Power comes no accountability

Sad to say though, our society and more importantly our military, has become one that believes that "with great power comes anything you want." There is never a price to pay and no one to question you on your word. There is a Latin term: Noblesse Oblige meaning, "nobility obliges". It basically means, you were called to live a life of honor and respect; never abusing your power, and never betraying your name or privileged position. The deepest betrayal comes from those who are superiors, bosses or even commanders who assault us, while parading around with a false sense of superiority. It is obvious that there a very few who have power in the military and choose to be the leaders they were meant to be.

All This Bullshit Going Down

By now most of you know, last Thursday afternoon the Military Justice Improvement Act failed to clear the Senate floor for a vote. The Wonder Woman of this bill, Kirsten Gillibrand, made a valiant effort to attack the forces that would allow such heinous behavior to prevail in our military system. This common sense law would have made Truth, Justice, and the American Way accessible to men and women of sexual assault. With a majority of the Senate behind this bill, it fail to get the approval from Congress. Senator Gillibrand  held a press conference that evening speaking on behalf of the survivors of sexual assault.

 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand speaks to reporters on the failure of Congress to

help sexual assault victims in the Military.

"Tragically today the Senate failed them. Despite earning a majority  of the Senate we fell 5 votes short of overcoming a 60 vote filibuster threshold. But none of us will walk away. We will not stop our efforts. We will continue to work harder than ever in the coming year to strengthen our Military. Without a doubt the National Defense Act bill that we passed, Senator McCaskill's Victim Protection Act are all good steps forward to help our victims and hold offenders accountable. But these steps we have taken have not gone far enough."

Later Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) would go on to comment that: "this was victory for the Status-Quo": those who would look at this issue and not be affected by troops under a system that needed badly to reform. The power of a broken military has been enabled by an ineffective Congress, which continues to be untouched by this crime in the 21st Century. We will fight on!


Special thanks to all my Twitter sources: Rosie Palfry LaSanya Rucker, VivaLisiano,                       
                                                          Kris_SacreBleu, And Verasantaclara

Media Sources   New York Times- Navy Hearing in Rape Case Raises Alarm 
Associated Press- GENERAL TO ADMIT GUILT ON 3 COUNTS; DENIES ASSAULT
Business Insider Army’s Top Sex Assault Prosecutor Accused Of Groping Woman At Sex Assault Conference