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Women soldiers being raped more than killed by enemy fire »
Posted by: Aidenag 1 year, 8 months agoIn today 's LA Times, Rep. Jane Harman sheds light on the staggering number of sexual assaults within the military, stating, "Women serving in the U.S. military are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq."
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Aidenag
Photographer by day, news junkie by night. My main areas of interest are politics and the environment.
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Comments: 344
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DoseASpinoza
March 31, 2008, 8:52 p.m.And let's not forget that in not prosecuting these offenders, the military is making an active choice to cut sex offenders loose on our home society.
But it's nothing new: my uncle is a pedophile and after committing an offense in Japan in the 60s, he was given a sexual misconduct discharge from the Navy and nobody was warned that he was out assaulting children. I have no idea how many he assaulted since then. All I could do is warn authorities where he lives now to watch out for him.
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texangelwings
March 31, 2008, 10:09 p.m.Where is the military prosecutors obligation to prosecute or turn the prosecution over to a civilian prosecutor? This is so wrong!
Thanks Mark!
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HannibalBarca
March 31, 2008, 10:21 p.m.As crude as this sounds it is bound to happen when women are introduced into what was a male orientated area.
Does anyone remember 10-15 years ago when women rights allowed women reporters to enter into a male locker room after a hard fought struggle by the male team? Total crap is what happened.
Am I a chauvinist when I believe there are places women should not be, no, just common sense can see what I see.
I work on the oil rigs and until 5 years ago, women were not there, now they are starting to get into the work force and good for them, but at the same time they are bringing in a factor that was never there before, sexuality, and some males can't handle it, some females flaunt it and what you have is a cluster f*&k till it gets sorted, if ever.
Women have every right a man has, but regardless of sex, there are places where they should not be together.
Imagine a man wanting to interview the winning womans volleyball team in their locker room,,,,yeah right
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tehranchik
April 1, 2008, 12:16 a.m.Guys----rape is about power. Women are around every corner. Why is this happening this often in the military? Is it a group mentality? Is it a way to mark territory?
Hannibal said something very interesting "there are places women should not be". I can agree if he means the men's locker room. I also agree that men shouldn't be allowed in the women's locker rooms. BUT---do you realize how close this, learned attitude of women shouldn't be there, is to men in other cultures believing women should be covered from head to toe?
Women are raped just because they are there???
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nikkibabe
April 1, 2008, 8:17 a.m.For a sex addicted nation with legalized porno industry, distribution of condoms in college campuses which promotes sex among students, it is no wonder the sex starved maniacs snap.
If they are in the military, it is just coincidence.
It is the culture and not a problem.
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Poulenc
April 1, 2008, 9:45 a.m.Nikke, the sex drive is fundamental and transcends immediate culture.
The need for sex is undoubtedly increased by a situation that often (although not always) results in enforced celibacy; by the tensions of training and/or the danger of battle, etc.
HOWEVER, rape is immoral and those guilty of it should be expelled from the service and/or otherwise punished.
Would it not make sense to provide access to sexual relief to soldiers wishing it in some formal/controlled fashion?
Horrors, say the puritanical! But, why not?
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smartsweetheart
April 1, 2008, 10:15 a.m.That´s exactly the reason why I am sceptical concerning female soldiers. For these women, being in close physical neighbourhood to men who were forced to be sexually abstinent for a long time, creates a dangerous constellation. Recrutes should learn more about the psychological and biological facts to be prepared in critical situations. To be raped is surely one of the most disgusting experiences a woman can make in her lifetime. So, if she wants to take this risk besides the "normal" risk to be killed during a fight, call it courage, call it acting hazardous!
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HMMaceComment has been removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
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nikkibabe
April 1, 2008, 10:32 a.m.If this is not a sex addicted nation, how would someone explain the # of middle and high school "white" female teachers seducing and raping their students?
The upbringing starts right at school level where these "raped" maniacs return the favor later!
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Global_WarmerComment has been removed: Abusive
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Poulenc
April 1, 2008, 11:44 a.m.Nikke, there's no such thing as "a sex addicted nation." I mean, theoretically, there COULD be, but you're drawing a false connection between the prevalence of sexual "cues" in a culture and the dangerous--which is to say, criminal--acting out of sexual impulse.
What there IS is a rabid media culture that digs out "news" items that in former times wouldn't have seen the lighter light of day.
That we live in a less puritanical culture than we did previously is so and, in my opinion, a good thing.
One must not, however, throw the baby out with the bath water by insisting that we retreat to a time of greater sexual repression. Which can't happen anyway.
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Poulenc
April 1, 2008, 11:51 a.m.Women NEVER ask to be raped. Never.
The idea that in some cases men "can't help themselves" due to female (or even male) provocation is spurious.
When necessary, women in the military should know how to protect themselves from unwanted sexual attention, as women must outside of the service.
And the necessary apparatus should be in place to protect all people in service from exploitation or abuse by other service members.
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SpareChange
April 1, 2008, 11:56 a.m.This is just another reason to bring our troups home.
The military and their families are the only ones carrying the burdon.
We need to get them out of that insanity and TAKE CARE OF THEM when they get home - none of this republican cutting the VA nonsense.
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sumptuousdigs
April 1, 2008, 12:11 p.m.tkyrchncs ... that's the best post I've read on the topic.
How is it that we can explain away, or place blame on the victims, parents, teachers, lack of self control(bullshirt!), or just pine for the good old days?
Lawlessness, studied ignorance, shirking of duty, and shifting the blame, will ensure that the good old days will always be with us. Sure there are a lot of reasons for bad behavior, got a few of my own. Yet in the adult world, I couldn't help myself, or the devil made me do it, ain't gonna cut it.
Resistance to change is the greatest military tradition. Yet, change you must...or leave your stars on the table.
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caljr
April 1, 2008, 12:24 p.m.There can be no excuse for the conduct or for inaction on the part of the military. Soldiers, male and female, must be treated -- and treat one another -- with respect. One caution. The article suggests a critical issue that needs immediate, official action, but it cannot be used as a brush with which to paint a negative image of all soldiers. In any population there are those who will victimize others. Contrary to what this article suggests, I believe the proportion of predators in the armed services is probably lower than in the general population. The vast majority of soldiers are honorable people who understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. This is a problem of leadership failing to hold the bad apples accountable and sending a clear message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated.
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sumptuousdigs
April 1, 2008, 12:48 p.m.Jaydee40 ...Explain how your analogy works in your statement. What person are you referring to?
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sumptuousdigs
April 1, 2008, 12:55 p.m....and this: "...shows of her panties all day at work then when some guy grabs her ass she screams..." Well, the eyes can be allowed to be the "whorz of all the senses", but the hands must never be the thugs!
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sumptuousdigs
April 1, 2008, 12:56 p.m....and this: "...shows of(sic) her panties all day at work then when some guy grabs her ass she screams..." Well, the eyes can be allowed to be the "whorz of all the senses", but the hands must never be the thugs!
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Ajierene
April 1, 2008, 1:23 p.m.There are a few issues that are not being addressed. The Army raping women, not the military. Meaning when my units and other units I have talked to were deployed, the vast majority of Air Force women who were rapes were raped by members of the Army. The Navy and Marines have very strict rules of conduct due to life on a boat or submarine.
BDU's do not a women look any more womanly than a man. They are bulky and leave a lot of room- which both makes them very comfortable and hides the figures of both men and women.
There are as many women, both inside and outside of the military that 'flaunt' or 'tease' as there are men.
It never ceases to amaze me that men are all upset about having to 'change how they talk' but are the first to get upset when women want to discuss menstruation, menopause, sex, men and other things infront of men. Men talking about ejaculation, masturbation, dates and sex infront of women should be ok, though....
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Mdiar
April 1, 2008, 1:38 p.m.Disgusting. I believe, though am not certain, that large portions of the army now come from gangs. Is it any surprise when we lower our standard?
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joeblowe
April 1, 2008, 1:40 p.m."Hay! them thar womens WANTED to be put in the fighting areas with all those horny young mens. What did they THINK was going to happen? Remember, they VOLUNTEERED for that duty." - expected response from Army HQ.
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Ajierene
April 1, 2008, 1:41 p.m.The facts also need to be considered - where are the numbers?
Are they talking about women compared to men in the same jobs in the military or overall? There are far fewer women in combat roles than men. Women are still not allowed to be pararescue, SEALS, or other 'front line' type jobs. This changes the views - are we talking in a month, 2 women are killed and 4 are raped? Out of thousands of women in the military and over there, these numbers are small.
Something else to consider is something my brother talked about - when he was leading troops in Iraq, the men were the problem, ignorant men with outdated thoughts - mostly from those scoring lower on the ASVAB. Rape would not be tolerated at all in my brother's unit-how much higher ranking personnel tolerate this or ignore it will determine how much it happens.
Sex is 'allowed' while in Iraq - kind of a 'don't fornicate, here's condom' thing.
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