I wrote letters to both Texas senators, the first time I've ever done that. Kay Bailey Hutchinson voted for it, so I thanked her for supporting it. John Cornyn voted against it and I asked him to reconsider his vote if it comes up again because I'll remember and reconsider my vote (not that I ever voted for him) next election. #jamieleejones
@SaraTheBrown: Good for you for writing those letters. Someone (I believe it was Chris Matthews) recently made the point that writing letters is the most effective way to get through to many congresspeople, as they are accustomed to responding to old-fashioned correspondence from their constituents. #jamieleejones
Question (that may make me look like an idiot): I know this amendment is so she can sue KBR, but has there already been a criminal trial against the individuals who raped her? Or is that not allowed under the "arbitration" clause as well? #jamieleejones
@CherriSpryte: it's difficult to make a criminal charge against the contractors unless it was done by a local authority in iraq, the country where this took place. #jamieleejones
I was so impressed with both of them. I don't know what I expected. But I imagine that if I were her, even four years later, I wouldn't be able to be that level headed and concise talking about what happened and what's still going on. They made so many points that needed to be made. I wish more people would see this.
I don't know how rape became something people can so easily dismiss. The Republicans who voted against the bill I can almost understand, I don't expect much better of them. But that people, actual average people who have no reason to defend Halliburton, don't care... that gets me. A lot. Ugh. #jamieleejones
How gross is it that the only the reason people would not rape someone is that they might have to go before a jury? Who are these lame fucking excuses for human beings? And a company that not only exuses, but basically permits, these people to run free should be dismantled. And it should never, never happen again. #jamieleejones
I think (as usual) Jon Stewart said it best when he said, if you see an anti-rape bill is a "political" attack on your party, maybe you should re-consider your party. #jamieleejones
Franken should have taken a cue from the book banner's playbook and read the graphic account of what happened to her and the injuries she sustained. #jamieleejones
@punkrockgirl: obviously. look at the federal sentencing guidelines for rapists and drug dealers. Guess who on average spends more time in prison? This is all part of our rape culture. #jamieleejones
@punkrockgirl: Defund an otherwise benevolent organization like ACORN that tries to provide housing for underprivelleged organization over crimes that didn't happen. The difference? White rich men and poor people. Fuck the world. #jamieleejones
@punkrockgirl: Your point is doubly confirmed by the fact that Blackwater (Xe) lost many of its' contracts when it became known that they were involved in high-casualty encounters with civilians, breaking Iraqi law and US military policies. #jamieleejones
As boobookitteh pointed out below, the Amendment is in danger of being removed or watered down from the final bill. The Senator in charge of the bill is Sen. Inouye and he is apparently caving to pressure from defense companies to remove the amendment from the bill. You can call his office at (202) 224-3934 or 224-6747 - I just did.
@Kristinkles Ingabogovinanana: Real question: If lobbyists for defense companies are banging down Inouye's door, what lobbyists are there for women to bang down his door as well? NOW? Any others? Do we know that they are or aren't lobbying Inouye? #jamieleejones
@desertbloom79: The article didn't mention but that's a very good point. Hopefully those lobbies aren't too busy celebrating the "win" to realize that the amendment is in grave danger. Any one have ideas of lobbies (other than NOW, which will be getting a call from me as well) to contact? #jamieleejones
@Little Green Frog (Wise Latina): Oh, of course, of course. But lobbyists exist for a reason and they tend to have a stronger voice than the average single voter (as disheartening as that is). I mean there must be some groups, besides NOW, out there whose job is to make a lot of noise in DC on behalf of women. Maybe they work quietly. One of the largest, most powerful lobby groups in the US is a non-profit: AARP. UNIFEM and Equality Now are two that spring to mind, but they mostly focus on international causes, not American ones. I'm mostly just wondering what other groups are lobbying on this, other than the very powerful defense lobbies, as opposed to suggesting they (whoever they are) should be doing more. #jamieleejones
The goon squad roster of pro-rapists was scrolled, and we see of course the ancient relic Magoo there, and I wonder if his loving daughter, the self-avowed enlightened Repugnant, ratifies that position as well. Somebody with a stronger stomach might seek a peek of Meghan's ramblings to see if there are comments on this subject. #jamieleejones
@Woesong: Oh thats a good point. I wonder if she'll say anything. Not that she's obligated to say anything but still, interesting question. #jamieleejones
@bluebears: I'm still waiting for her to say anything on any topic which does not relate to her own personal ID. She's a Repugnant, only she's for choice and not racist - so what else is left in that gawdforsaken party? #jamieleejones
I was talking to one of my guy friends on the phone (Im away at school) and we started talking about this case and he asked me about it, cause Im his go to person for politics I guess, and he was dumbfounded this situation hasnt been receiving more media attention. He's been following it since it came out and he just couldn't understand that people would not support this amendment or that they wouldn't know about the rape. Shockingly the conversation this came out of was how people, especially those our age, suck. Yes my guy friends are awesome, but how is there even debate on this issue?!?!?!?
Edit: I'm not actually wondering, it's just the answer I come up with kind of makes me hate humanity
@Saltine: Yes, yes, yes, but what does your friend think about BALLOON BOY!? Are those parents ruining their kids or WHAT!?
Also, I tried talking to an acquaintance about this case about a year ago, and he couldn't get beyond, "was she really raped? or was she lying?" I pretty much exploded, and I don't talk to him anymore. #jamieleejones
@GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11): From now on, all Democratic bills and amendments shall be placed in a balloon to ensure the nation and media gets behind them in a heartbeat.
@GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11): Sadly I know many people who respond like that when they hear about rape, but with this case even most of those guys think it's bullshit
@so_bored: Well yes, of course, I think many more bills would be passed if we treated the populace like they have goldfish like attention spans.
New health plan: put the public option on shiny paper with smiley faces. Then people will love it. #jamieleejones
I'm glad these disgusting men (I'm referring to our elected representatives) are being held to account for their appalling votes back home. #jamieleejones
@bluebears: This is one of the reasons why we need more women in Congress. To run in for office, period. Ladies, if you, your friends, daughters have an aptitude for it, go to [www.runningstartonline.org], a fabulous, bi-partisan non-profit that helps women gain the skills and confidence you need to become a candidate. (No I don't work for them) #jamieleejones
How are Franken and Michele Bachmann from the same state? I'm glad he got this things passed. I'm disgusted it needed to happen. I'm shocked there would even be opposition to something like this. #jamieleejones
@linnyt is a walking cliché: As MN born and bred, on behalf of the state: I really don't get it. Really. She is nutso. We are as confused as the rest of the country. #jamieleejones
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Thanks. #jamieleejones
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I don't know how rape became something people can so easily dismiss. The Republicans who voted against the bill I can almost understand, I don't expect much better of them. But that people, actual average people who have no reason to defend Halliburton, don't care... that gets me. A lot. Ugh. #jamieleejones
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People have been easily dismissing rape for millenia now. it is, sadly, not a new phenomena. #jamieleejones
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I guess I thought there must have been a moment, sometime, when we realized rape was not ok. Of course not. #jamieleejones
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And I'm a die hard Democrat, but I'll give credit to Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and his staff for stepping in to help her.
This whole story is crazy. #jamieleejones
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I know that there are policies in place that prevent government agencies from doing business with companies that don't follow certain guidelines
I work for a state government. We have a policy that states we cannot do business with a company that doesn't follow an anti-drug workplace policy.
So, rape is okay but drugs are bad? #jamieleejones
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Read more at: [www.huffingtonpost.com] #jamieleejones
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Edit: I'm not actually wondering, it's just the answer I come up with kind of makes me hate humanity
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Also, I tried talking to an acquaintance about this case about a year ago, and he couldn't get beyond, "was she really raped? or was she lying?" I pretty much exploded, and I don't talk to him anymore. #jamieleejones
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@so_bored: Well yes, of course, I think many more bills would be passed if we treated the populace like they have goldfish like attention spans.
New health plan: put the public option on shiny paper with smiley faces. Then people will love it. #jamieleejones
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