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Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
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Ladies And Gentlemen, Senator Al Franken

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Ginmar Rienne
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
What gets me is what's so apparent to me from the story: they were going to kill her. Dump the container off in the desert, or use it for target practice, or just 'lose' it in the 130 temps----that's all it would have taken. And they've probably done it before, too. #frankenamendment
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Shelwood promoted this comment Ginmar Rienne was starred Ginmar Rienne was unstarred

l'américaine française
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
"a political amendment [...] representing a sort of political attack directed at Halliburton." Sessions is a scary, scary person.

I happen to be liberal and support the work that ACORN does, but if I found out that they had similarly horrific arbitration clauses in employee contracts (assuming/imagining that this is even possible with this type of organization), and a republican came up with legislation against ACORN based on this fact, I would fully support it!!

... because I'm not some black-hearted, soulless, political monster.
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Maritsa promoted this comment Edited by l'américaine française at 10/15/09 5:41 PM

thespaceygirl
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
When an employee rapes another, the employer should not be blamed. The real fault lies with the individual rapist. The company shouldn't be sued unless they hired a convicted rapist. #frankenamendment
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Jenloveshercurves promoted this comment thespaceygirl was starred thespaceygirl was unstarred

Jenloveshercurves
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: Or if they created an atmosphere where rape was hidden/supported or defacto became a party to the rape by, oh I don't know, taking a rape victim, holding her against her will in a storage crate, denying her medical attention, destroying evidence and refusing to tell her who her attackers were so she can prosecute them. Then they should be sued. #frankenamendment
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girlleastlikelyto
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: You're looking at this extremely simplistically (and it seems like without knowledge of the particulars of the case that spurred the legislation). Part of the problem lies in the working environment that the company allows to exist or even fosters. And in the case of KBR, they interpreted their contract as covering rape as a work-related injury that required arbitration. They threatened that she would be fired if she left Iraq to get necessary medical treatment. A company like Halliburton, which is a defense contractor, should have procedures and policies in place to protect its employees -- not to lock up women raped on the job and to destroy evidence. #frankenamendment
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Maritsa promoted this comment girlleastlikelyto was starred

l'américaine française
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: i get it, and I fully cosign with what @Jenloveshercurves has already articulated above... but, also, it is very important that adjustments be made to this logic when Americans are working overseas. Americans can't ask that a US Court convict a rapist when the crime took place overseas. So, the least one should be able to do is sue the company that furnished the setting for a crime. #frankenamendment
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Maritsa promoted this comment

pssshwhatever
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: If you take a look at the specific cases that this is in reaction to, the workplaces clearly fostered an environment where sexual assault and rape were considered reasonable behavior and then often took steps to cover it up once it had been committed. I think one of the victims was fired for even reporting it. So, yes, sue the SHIT out of those employers. They're accessories to the crime.

And it's every American's right to sue if they feel that their employer contributed to a crime that was committed against them in the workplace. The idea that the government shouldn't give contracts to employers that seek to take that protection away from their workers is not particularly offensive. Unless you would rather lavish millions of dollars on people that seek to normalize rape; then I guess you would have to run for office and change it yourself. #frankenamendment
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Ginmar Rienne
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: You've got to be kidding me.

There was an extremely nasty attitude from the KBR guys at every post I was at. They treated women like prey, and they controlled resources. (Some of the soldiers had the same attitude, unfortunately.) This was not a case of an individual rapist or two. At some camps, the KBR guys openly talked about 'getting' women. #frankenamendment
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Shelwood promoted this comment Ginmar Rienne was starred Ginmar Rienne was unstarred

shoroko
10/15/09

@thespaceygirl: That's not how civil litigation works. Just because a company isn't criminally culpable, or didn't outright hire a convicted rapist, doesn't mean they were not negligent in their hiring practices, their actions following the attack, and other issues. Employers are often liable under civil statutes and common law for the actions of their employees. If Halliburton's actions truly were free of any sort of negligence or other tortious action, that can be sorted out in court, not a heavily slanted arbitration hearing.

Not to mention the pretty simple fact that in cases like this, the victim is much more likely to actually recover damages from the company rather than the employees. #frankenamendment
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Jenloveshercurves promoted this comment shoroko was starred shoroko was unstarred

That_little_attention_whore
10/15/09

@girlleastlikelyto: can I just repeat the phrase "rape as a work-related injury?" I wonder what sort of brilliant legal mind came up with the idea of arguing that getting raped as a risk inherent in taking that job?

Facepalms all around. #frankenamendment
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willwriteforfood
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
Anyone who needs proof that the GOP doesn't give a rat's ass about violence against women, women's issues or anything to do with women (except when they're hoping to exploit conservative women to prove that they, you know, not at all hostile to women), needs to be referred to this incident.

I might email this to Kathleen Parker to tell her THIS is why the GOP is tanking among women, not because they just haven't found enough women like Meghan McCain. #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
so the daily show is just now finding out about this? is that only because the media focused on al franken's support ? it's not like the kbr case hasn't been reported on before. #frankenamendment
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msmoneypenny
10/15/09

@rednrowdy: Yes, and she testified before Congress previously. You'd think they'd pick it up before now. Honestly I was frantically checking the senate clerk's website the day it passed only to see my dumbass senators voted against it, wondering how long it would take the media to actually report on it. #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy promoted this comment msmoneypenny was starred msmoneypenny was unstarred

bluebears
10/15/09

@rednrowdy: i know right? #frankenamendment
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shoroko
10/15/09

@rednrowdy: ... really? They're not a news source. I'd be annoyed at a newspaper or news channel over a "delay" - not some show on Comedy Central. #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy promoted this comment shoroko was starred shoroko was unstarred

clevernamehere
10/15/09

@rednrowdy: Maybe they've covered it before, maybe they hadn't. It doesn't change how awesome the clip is. #frankenamendment
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loginname
10/15/09

@rednrowdy: yes, because getting angry about it is always the right solution?

I mean, the whole thing makes my sick to my stomach, but finding a reason to be angry at the daily show for not being as perfect as we want them to be is not going to help anything. World is not ideal.
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rednrowdy promoted this comment Edited by rednrowdy at 10/15/09 11:24 PM loginname was starred loginname was unstarred

jaydock
10/16/09

@clevernamehere: Agreed. The Daily Show isn't a legitimate news source - they're usually behind on stories and sometimes alter things a bit for humor.

My question is why haven't I heard about this anywhere else - like, an ACTUAL news source? #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy promoted this comment jaydock was starred jaydock was unstarred

rednrowdy
10/16/09

@loginname: i'm not angry! i was just wondering how it took them so long to report it. it's been in the media for a while. #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy
10/16/09

@shoroko: again, i'm not annoyed. the story's been out for almost a year. that's all. #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy
10/16/09

@jaydock: it's been in the new york times and on television before. the story is at most a year old? maybe more? #frankenamendment
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rednrowdy
10/16/09

@clevernamehere: agreed. #frankenamendment
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bluebears
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
I had to stop watching it. Sessions comments were so enraging I couldn't even stay for the laughs. #frankenamendment
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willwriteforfood
10/15/09

@bluebears: He's my senator. As is Shelby. Weep for me. #frankenamendment
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violettefay
10/15/09

@willwriteforfood: I'm so sorry. My Senator (Gregg) voted against this, but I can at least hold a candle of hope in my heart because he's not running for re-election next time. #frankenamendment
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willwriteforfood
10/15/09

@violettefay: I can only wish that one of them gets run over by a bus, because that may be the only way they'd be unseated. Shelby is very good at bringing home pork so he'll never be voted out. Sessions isn't as skillful but given that this is Alabama, anyone running against him could only win by picking out a position even more to the right than he, and I don't think that's possible without falling off the edge of the earth. #frankenamendment
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bluebears
10/15/09

@willwriteforfood: get some grass roots action going! #frankenamendment
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katie.scarlett.o'hara
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
"[T]hese kind of disputes."

This is not a simple DISPUTE, dipshit. This is a violent, criminal act. #frankenamendment
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PaintedTrollop
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
I wrote an editorial about this last week for my local newspaper. To my surprise (and joy) three out of the first four people who sent me emails about it were men - men who were horrified by the story.
[susanthebruce.blogspot.com] #frankenamendment
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whynotshesaid
10/15/09

@PaintedTrollop: OMG your op-ed is FANTASTIC. #frankenamendment
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PaintedTrollop
10/16/09

@whynotshesaid: Thank you. #frankenamendment
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lizdexia
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
"Instead of eliminating arbitration, we should probably be looking for ways to utilize mediation and arbitration more in these kind of disputes."

Right, right, as we all know, it's the evil trial lawyers who make it so hard for honest companies like Halliburton/KBR to make a buck and deal with their employees. If employees could sue their employers for gross negligence and actively covering up a fucking crime, they might actually be held accountable for the practice. Which is unAmerican. or some such silly shit. #frankenamendment
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WaltzingMatilda promoted this comment lizdexia was starred lizdexia was unstarred

WaltzingMatilda
10/15/09

@lizdexia: Yeah, that comment made me lose my mindshit. #frankenamendment
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frankie22
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
Ugh. A few people in the next cubicle were discussing what happened to Jamie Lynn Jones, and one guy was like, "Well, I don't know. Why would a woman who works for Halliburton need breast implants?" as if having implants justifies gang rape. This whole thing makes me shake with rage. #frankenamendment
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Kivrin promoted this comment Edited by frankie22 at 10/15/09 4:46 PM frankie22 was starred frankie22 was unstarred

Kivrin
10/15/09

@frankie22: Dude. I'm truly sorry that you have to work with such an utter douchebag. Did you say anything to him/them? #frankenamendment
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frankie22
10/15/09

@Kivrin: No but I threw my Mcdonalds wrappers in his trashcan and it stunk out his cubicle. #frankenamendment
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GreenEyedMedusa
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
Where can we get that list of Senators who said Nay? I'd like to call each and everyone of those assholes. #frankenamendment
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tallgirl-in-heels
10/15/09

@GreenEyedMedusa: Courtesy of SarahMC on an earlier post:

Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS) #frankenamendment
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girl.of.your.dreams promoted this comment tallgirl-in-heels was starred

girl.of.your.dreams
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: Thanks for re-posting this. Jezzies in these states - please contact your Senators and voice your disgust. #frankenamendment
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LucilleMcGillicuddy
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: ♥ for you for posting. #frankenamendment
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Jack_Burton
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: But I'm sure all these fine, upstanding people draw the line at murder, right?

/sarc #frankenamendment
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ImperfectLit.Woman
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: Thank you for posting. I'm not surprised McConnel voted against this. Asshat.I'm going to write him now but I doubt he cares though. #frankenamendment
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tallgirl-in-heels
10/15/09

@Jack_Burton: They draw the line at funding ACORN, apparently! #frankenamendment
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JinxyMcDeath
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: None of these are women. Try not to be surprised. #frankenamendment
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That_little_attention_whore
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: holy crap! Both of my state's arch-conservative senators supported this!

For a second, I wanted to shoot off an email to Senator Hatch thanking him for his support, but my the voice of Chris Rock immediately came into my head: "You're SUPPOSED to be against rape, you low-expectation having motherfucker!"

But apparently, there are at least 30 men out there who do not even reach that level. Pathetic. #frankenamendment
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tallgirl-in-heels
10/15/09

@That_little_attention_whore: On the one hand, I agree that we shouldn't have to give a cookie to someone for doing what they should be doing in the first place. On the other hand, in this situation, I'd also be tempted to give the arch-conservatives who voted for this a pat on the back because sometimes positive reinforcement actually helps, especially in matters where the given senator is not normally very supportive. The more we voice support for those who voted "yay," the louder the message to those who voted "nay" that their behavior is intolerable. I think that some of these guys just don't get it, and we need to make clear that they'd better start getting it or their own political asses will be on the line. And surely a senator cares for nothing more than his own ass. #frankenamendment
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LaComtesse
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
Come on, guys: Acorn benefits many, many poor people whereas Haliburton benefits very few rich people. With that in mind, don’t you see why it’s important for us to stand up for Haliburton? If we keep babying rape victims like this, they’re going to start thinking it’s not their fault and then what would happen to the poor oppressed rich men of this country? #frankenamendment
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LucilleMcGillicuddy
10/15/09

@LaComtesse: A ♥ for you. #frankenamendment
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erinna
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
"Sessions also calls Franken's bill "a political amendment [...] representing a sort of political attack directed at Halliburton."

Are these people so far freaking removed from humanity that they can only think in terms of politics and the horror of this poor woman's experience is not even a fleeting thought through their apparently tiny little brains? I can't even formulate a logical argument against this reasoning because its so screwed up. #frankenamendment
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sybann
10/15/09

@erinna: To your first query, yes, yes they are completely removed and clueless - which is why they must be removed from office. #frankenamendment
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cait98
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
Does anyone know the answer to this... like, I get why a company might have ADR for things like, on the job injuries, but CRIMES committed on the job? Can they even do that?

Is it that the rapist(s) would still be prosecuted criminally, like normal, and the ADR thing only applies to civil liability of the company? Still...

I just don't really get this. #frankenamendment
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tallgirl-in-heels
10/15/09

@cait98: I believe that the contract provisions at issue apply to civil litigation by the victims against the company. Nothing in the employment contract between Halliburton and the employee-victim could preclude criminal prosecution, but I have heard some suggest that there is some sort of criminal immunity built into the contract between Halliburton and the U.S. Not sure personally about the latter, so maybe someone more informed can elucidate? #frankenamendment
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CremeBruDont
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: It's that the U.S. government doesn't have jurisdiction for crimes committed abroad as a general rule. #frankenamendment
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yvanehtnioj promoted this comment CremeBruDont was starred CremeBruDont was unstarred

yvanehtnioj
10/15/09

@CremeBruDont: Yes, this is why. Most people's contracts have ADR provisions, but if you work in the US you can't sign away your right to justice fully. They were getting away with this because the victims were overseas when the crimes happened. #frankenamendment
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That_little_attention_whore
10/15/09

@yvanehtnioj: I can understand how this would impact a civil case, like Jones is making now, but what about criminal cases? I mean, a crime - multiple crimes were committed. Apparently not all the evidence has been destroyed - could she bring criminal charges against them in an Iraqi court? #frankenamendment
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yvanehtnioj
10/15/09

@That_little_attention_whore: What I know about the Iraqi judiciary could be calligraphied on the head of a pin. Off the top of my head, though, I'm guessing that: she's no longer working in Iraq, she didn't have access to an Iraqi lawyer while she was, the system is impoverished and overburdened just dealing with Iraqis' legal issues, and the perpetrators could very easily leave the country rather than face justice if she filed there. #frankenamendment
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EdenMoore
10/15/09

@That_little_attention_whore:

I believe there's something in the contracts these companies have with the U.S. government that grants them immunity from prosecution by Iraqi courts. #frankenamendment
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Hiroine Protagonist promoted this comment EdenMoore was starred EdenMoore was unstarred

Hiroine Protagonist
10/15/09

@EdenMoore: I think it's more like they're poised between two jurisdictions. Which is why using MERCENARIES to do your dirt work is a shitty idea. #frankenamendment
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Hiroine Protagonist
10/15/09

@EdenMoore: I think it's more like they're poised between two jurisdictions. Which is why using MERCENARIES to do your dirty work is a shitty idea. #frankenamendment
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Hiroine Protagonist
10/15/09

@Hiroine Protagonist: Frick, no edit function? #frankenamendment
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katie.scarlett.o'hara
10/15/09

In reply to Republicans: Defending Rape Victims Is A "Political" Move
SERIOUSLY, GUYS? LIKE, SERIOUSLY? ;apisjfapowe I don't even have words...just WTF is wrong with people? #frankenamendment
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