WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins spoke on the Senate floor today in strong support of legislation coming before the Senate that would address the crisis of sexual assault in the military.
“Since 2004, I have been sounding the alarm over the military’s ineffective response to the growing crisis of sexual assault in the military, including the need to ensure appropriate punishment for the perpetrators, to provide adequate care for the survivors of such reprehensible crimes, and to change the culture across the military so that sexual assault is unthinkable,” said Senator Collins, who first raised this issue during an Armed Services Committee hearing ten years ago.
In her remarks on the Senate floor, she singled out for praise the courage of two Mainers who have come forward to tell their stories.
“I also want to acknowledge the courage and conviction of Jennifer Norris and Ruth Moore – two Mainers who were sexually assaulted while serving and have made it their mission to change the broken system that does not put victims first. Through their advocacy, they have helped to shine a light on this crisis and deserve our gratitude.”
When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.
PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.
PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
FMI from the National Institute of Mental Health, please click here.
AI Image of an evil woman lying in a court of law…
Colleen Bushnell, a self proclaimed “MST advocate” working with Protect Our Defenders (PoD), didn’t just perjure herself in a court of law but she lied in two different states about her sons being sexually molested by the ex-husband and his family (who now have custody).
She accused them ALL of sex crimes in a court of law with no evidence where ANYONE accused of crimes against children are demonized in the public sphere. Much like my husband’s abusive ex-wife, she weaponized the court system to regain control of the situation after losing physical custody. Obviously, she had no history of “reports of abuse” to use as evidence. She is the abuser.
Law enforcement conducted an extensive investigation in two separate states only to find out that she simply made it up in an effort to get her children back under false pretenses. Colleen Bushnell has a history of falsely accusing people when she is the actual problem.
For about fifteen years, she’s been pushing herself out there as a “military sexual trauma advocate” despite treating veterans like shit. She has zero credibility with Congress, the Air Force, or in any court of law, therefore a significant risk to any client’s case or a movement. I met Colleen, the “advocate,” via Protect Our Defenders in 2012 and she started abusing me because I was chosen to testify for the House Armed Services Committee hearings in 2013 during the Lackland Air Force Base basic training sex scandal.
She was jealous because she wasn’t chosen to speak in front of Congress (probably because they vetted her) and she made my life a living hell from the time she found out until I testified. She spent weeks coming at me about how all my thoughts on any matters were wrong… and that she was the authority on the subject. You don’t speak for me or tell me that I don’t have freedom of speech after serving in silence for 17 years until my medical retirement was official. She had the nerve to fake console* me afterwards to get attention in the media and then began the gang bullying campaign against me on-line when she posted a fake “cease and desist.”
(The only thing I ever said about Colleen is that I didn’t want to work with her. I have every right to pick and choose who I will and will not work with. She is not a team player, she was abusing me, and she proved who she really is when she found out I didn’t want to work with her… she ruined me with lies and defamation on social media, the exact same thing she accused me of. Thanks for the hate Jeannie.)
*I was crying because of the abuse Colleen Bushnell put me through prior to the difficult task of testifying to congress about something so personal… and the fact that Air Force generals, most members of the HASC, and the audience who supported them walked out before hearing the testimony of two Air Force leaders. It was overwhelming to be treated so poorly before the testimony, during the testimony, and after the testimony after a lifetime of abuse and dehumanization. Colleen is connected to Nancy Parrish and is still a shill for Protect Our Defenders to this day. Both of them have a history of shutting down veterans to maintain control of the narrative.
This photo opp is so fake. Both of these women tried to control the narrative the entire time and beat me down because I didn’t see things their way. I wasn’t interested in demonizing the entire military, making this a woman only issue when the majority of victims in the military are male, and felt it was important that we include all crime, not just one. What do these people not get about sexual assault victims being trapped in unsafe situations and in harm’s way. There’s a reason suicide, homicide, and missing cases are a thing and of course these clowns won’t even address it. Nancy Parrish and Colleen Bushnell had a personal agenda to pass a sexual assault only law in Jackie Speier’s name. And they snuffed out anyone who got in their way. They also stole a survivor’s bill for all military crime and perverted it back into a sexual assault only bill. Notice the SA Express-News made the photo about Nancy and Colleen.
Colleen is a proven liar and still pushes the ineffective policies of military leaders for Protect Our Defenders to this day just like she did for the Air Force as a public affairs specialist. She is a master manipulator. Protect Our Defenders and the shitty people they choose to represent the masses is why this “movement” is failing. We get accused of falsely accusing people of sex crimes and PoD promotes folks who in fact do have a history of false accusations and ruin our credibility. We’re done watching this trainwreck.
You don’t have to convince me she’s a false accuser, she falsely accused me too. She’s a bully and when she’s confronted destroys your character to silence you and creates a collective disbelief or condemnation of the victim. Then she makes herself out to be the victim, just like the military did. Colleen Bushnell and Protect Our Defenders don’t stand for the reality of the circumstances service members are forced to deal with on their own while being abused. They are engaging in the same kind of behavior and their lack of knowledge of the issues and short sighted efforts are putting us in harm’s way.
Editor’s Note:
It’s not okay for me to be an alleged domestic violence victim who got charged with a crime for the alleged abuser’s alcohol instead of helped. But it is okay for Colleen Bushnell to falsely accuse her ex-husband and his family, get busted for it, and advocate on behalf of ALL military sexual assault victims with an organization run by civilians and military officers who are fucking us.
Cynthia Feathers, Saratoga Springs, for appellant.
Mitch S. Kessler, Cohoes, attorney for the children.
Rose, J. Appeal from an order of the Family Court of Montgomery County (Cortese, J.), entered August 31, 2010, which, among other things, granted petitioner’s application, in a proceeding pursuant to Domestic Relations Law article 5-A, to enforce a prior order of custody and visitation entered in Texas.
Respondent, the mother of two sons (born in 1999 and 2002), refused to release the children to the paternal grandparents for visitation and instead brought them to New York from Texas. A Texas court thereafter issued a temporary order granting custody to the father and petitioner, the paternal grandmother. Petitioner then commenced this proceeding seeking registration and enforcement of the Texas order (see Domestic Relations Law §§ 77-d, 77-g). Respondent did not contest registration of the Texas order, but requested that Family Court exercise temporary emergency jurisdiction based on her allegations that the paternal grandparents had sexually abused the children (see Domestic Relations Law § 76-c). Family Court placed the children in the temporary custody of the Montgomery County Department of Social Services and ordered an investigation into respondent’s allegations. Upon conclusion of the investigation, Family Court found the allegations to be unfounded and granted enforcement of the Texas order.
On her appeal, respondent contends that Family Court did not conduct an adequate investigation into her allegations prior to its determination. This claim, however, is not [*2]supported by the record. Family Court heard, without objection, testimony that the children met with a local sexual abuse validator who determined that there was no sexual abuse, and it reviewed an investigative report prepared by authorities in Texas after respondent made the same allegations there. The Texas authorities conducted an exhaustive review and found no evidence to substantiate the allegations of sexual abuse. In light of the information rebutting respondent’s claims, we agree with Family Court that her unsubstantiated allegations were insufficient to warrant the invocation of temporary emergency jurisdiction (see Matter of Hearne v Hearne, 61 AD3d 758, 759 [2009]; Matter of Randall v Randall, 305 AD2d 512, 513 [2003]).
Mercure, J.P., Lahtinen, Kavanagh and McCarthy, JJ., concur. Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs.
Air National Guard Master Sgt. David Poirier, 52, died from a non-combat related incident on February 28, 2014. There was no location noted in the DoD press release but MSgt. Poirier was assigned to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar at the time of his passing. According to Sea Coast Online, MSgt. Poirier was deployed to Southwest Asia when his death occurred but the Air National Guard was not able to release the country due to host nation sensitivities. MSgt. Poirier was a post master from North Smithfield, Rhode Island. MSgt. Poirier was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 157th Operations Support Squadron at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire. On March 5, 2014, news reports indicated that MSgt. Poirier died of a heart attack while serving overseas.
Air Force SSgt. Samuel Davis, 33, died at his off base home in Alaska on February 23, 2014. According to his family, he died from complications after a back surgery. SSgt. Davis was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in 2011 where he worked as an aerospace maintenance craftsman with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Media reports indicate that SSgt. Davis was the fourth serviceman from JBER found dead this month: Army Sgt. Okan Cetinbag, February 11; SrA Katrina Jackson on February 15; and SSgt. Darian Miller on February 18.
SSgt. Darian Miller, US Air Force (2008 USAF photo by Kemberly Groue)
SSgt. Darian Miller, 38, of Marion, South Carolina was pronounced dead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska on February 18, 2014. SSgt. Miller joined the Air Force in 1994 and was assigned to JBER in 2011 where he worked in operations management for the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) was assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The final determination of cause of death was not indicated in media reports. SSgt. Miller was one of four servicemen from JBER found dead this month: Army Sgt. Okan Cetinbag on February 11; SrA Katrina Jackson on February 15; and SSgt. Samuel Davis on February 23.
Air Force SrA Katrina Jackson, 22, of Universal City, Texas died from injuries sustained from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Alaska on February 15, 2014. SrA Jackson joined the Air Force in 2010 and was stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in 2011 where she was assigned as a patrolman with the 673rd Security Forces Squadron. Media reports indicate that the circumstances surrounding her death were investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). SrA Jackson was one of four servicemen from JBER found dead this month: Army Sgt. Okan Cetinbag on February 11; and SSgt. Darian Miller on February 18; and SSgt. Samuel Davis on February 23.
Navy Commander Alphonso Doss was found dead in his Astoria Hotel room in Orange Park, Florida on February 12, 2014. Both the local civilian authorities and Naval Criminal Investigation Services (NCIS) investigated the circumstances surrounding the homicide. Authorities learned that Alphonso’s estranged wife Yolinda was the mastermind behind the plot to murder her husband. The motive was the one million dollar life insurance policy. Yolinda was having an affair with Anthony Washington, 29, and she manipulate him by using domestic abuse claims as a way to motivate Washington to kill the man who was ‘harming’ her. Washington assaulted, strangled, and stole from Commander Doss claiming he didn’t like the way he treated Yolinda. Washington tried to claim self defense at trial but the jury found him guilty of first degree murder, burglary, and assault. In November 2016, Washington was sentenced to life in prison. Yolinda Doss, 44, and Ronnie Wilson II, 33, do not have trial dates set.
Sgt. Okan Cetinbag, 24, of Morton Grove, Illinois died on February 11, 2014 from gunshot injuries sustained on February 7th at his home on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. Sgt. Cetinbag was an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment. He joined the Army in January 2013, attended basic and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia and arrived in Alaska in June 2013. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2010, before joining the Army. The Army reported they were investigating the case but did not appear to be cooperating with the mother of Sgt. Cetinbag who has been questioning what happened to her son. Media reports indicate that Sgt. Cetinbag was one of four servicemen from JBER found dead this month: SrA Katrina Jackson on February 15; and SSgt. Darian Miller on February 18; and SSgt. Samuel Davis on February 23.
Sgt. Okan Cetinbag was shot in the face at his home on an Alaska Army base. There were six colleagues in the house that day, plus Okan’s wife and young daughter. His mother believes they know what happened and are not telling authorities. -WGN News
Disabled Army veteran Richard Englander, 79, was attacked in his home by his live-in caregiver in Albany, New York on February 6, 2014. Englander served as a 1st Lieutenant with the 3rd Gun Battalion, 84th Artillery, US Army Europe and received many awards for outstanding service. As a result of his service during the war, Richard was exposed to plutonium in Germany and it left him disabled with Multiple Sclerosis. He was 100% dependent and in need of a live in caregiver. Richard placed an ad in the paper. And Sara Moore saw this job helping an elderly infirm as an opportunity because she needed a place to live. Sara Moore had never been a caregiver and Richard’s daughter was concerned and voiced those concerns but Richard decided to give her a chance.
Sara Moore moved in on February 1, 2014. It immediately became apparent to Richard that Sara was more interested in his finances then she was his welfare. Sara asked Richard if she could borrow some money on the second day of employment. Englander didn’t have any cash in the house so he gave her his credit card and she disappeared. On the third day of employment she left him alone for hours. And on the fourth day, she slept all day. As Richard was laying helpless in his bed, he realized she has got to go. On the fifth day of employment, Sara Moore stole one of Richard Englander’s checks and left the house to cash the check she wrote to herself. Sara had a secret that she didn’t share with her employer; she was addicted to crack cocaine.
Richard realized that Sara stole a check so he called the bank to initiate a stop payment and then called the police. Police report that Richard was coherent and cognizant at the time of the report. After Sara realized that the bank would not authorize her to cash Richard’s check, she became angry and went back to Englander’s home. Richard confronted Sara about the check. Sara went into Richard’s garage, grabbed a tire iron, and began viciously bashing Richard about the head while he was on the phone with the bank. The bank heard the beginning of Richard’s murder. Richard lost consciousness after the second blow. Sara hit Richard so many times that the medical examiner couldn’t determine how many times. After she got done hitting him with the tire iron, Sara used a knife and cut his esophagus.
Sara Moore then took another check and his credit cards and went back to the bank. The bank would not cash the check for Sara and called the police. First responders found Richard near death and he was transported to the hospital where he later died of the injuries. Meanwhile, Sara is using Richard’s credit cards which were on a watch list. As a result, police were able to track Sara down and arrest her. Sara was charged with second degree murder. She eventually plead guilty and was sentenced to twenty five years to life in prison. Richard was known for helping people and honorably serving his country. Sara was so desperate to get money that she preyed on a completely defenseless disabled elderly veteran.
(Deadly Women on Investigation Discovery states that 79-year-old Richard Englander served in the Army during World War II which effectively ended in 1945. According to reports, Englander died in 2014 at the age of 79. If the age is correct, he would have been 10 years old in 1945 (2014-79) when the war ended.)
A secret addiction drives a young woman to sacrifice her wheelchair bound employer; a scheming caregiver betrays the man who trusts her; and a single mother’s desire for a better life leads to a brutal dismemberment. -The Vulnerable, Deadly Women (S9, E13)
Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 