History: Oscar-Winning Actor Robin Williams Dies at 63 (August 11, 2014)

On August 11, 2014August 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, SuicideLeave a comment

Robin Williams, the prolific Oscar-winning actor and comedian, died by suicide on August 11, 2014. He was 63. Read more from History here.

“From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that helped veterans struggling with hidden wounds of war, he was a loyal and compassionate advocate for all who serve this nation in uniform,” [Chuck] Hagel said in a released statement. “He will be dearly missed by the men and women of DOD, so many of whom were personally touched by his humor and generosity.” -Stars and Stripes

DoD Press Release Robin Williams — Department of Defense Press Release for Robin Williams found here.

Obama White House — Statement by the President on the Passing of Robin Williams found here.

Good Will Hunting:

Will (Matt Damon) wants to know what’s in his file, while Sean (Robin Williams) assures him that the abuse he suffered wasn’t his fault. -Miramax

“The most brilliant mind at America’s top university isn’t a student, he’s the kid who cleans the floors. Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who is failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will’s last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him. Finally forced to deal with his past, Will discovers that the only one holding him back is himself.” –Miramax Official Site

Mira Sorvino presents Robin Williams with the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Good Will Hunting at the 70th Academy Awards. -Oscars

Marine Corps Prosecutor Lt. Col. Thomas Jasper Cleared of Inappropriate Touching by Board of Inquiry at Camp Pendleton (2014)

On April 1, 2014March 4, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USMCLeave a comment

On March 1, 2014, Marine Corps Times published Marine sex-assault prosecutor accused of touching woman inappropriately but the article has since been deleted. History of the accusation against Marine prosecutor Lt. Col. Thomas Jasper was located on the Protect Our Defenders Blog. On April 1, 2014, the Marine Corps Times published Marine Corps prosecutor cleared of inappropriate touching and this too has been deleted. History that Lt. Col. Jasper was cleared of the inappropriate touching charge was found on Topix Camp Pendleton.

The Marine Corps Times shouldn’t be deleting history especially history that includes an individual was cleared of charges and is in fact considered an innocent man. Hastily reporting that an individual has been accused of misconduct has long lasting effects. The accusation will forever stay with Lt. Col. Thomas Jasper hence the reason for this post. Lt. Col. Jasper was cleared of the inappropriate touching charges and the Marine Corps Times didn’t do him any justice when they printed the accusation or deleted the fact that he was cleared of the charges.

CAAFlog “Thinking Slowly About Sexual Assault in the Military”:

k fischer says:

Now, what I want to know is why aren’t the national or military media runing with this story? Why were they quick to villify him and report on a mere allegation as if it were gospel?

It’s because he was the Marine sex assault prosecutor. What better way to advance the narrative that sexual assault in the Military is out of control and an epidemic if the persons who are charged with prosecuting sexual assault are committing sexual assault???

And, if your question was not merely a rhetorical one, then how does it change your views when the issue of (1) accuser privacy in the press vs. the presumed innocent accused’s lack of privacy in the press or (2) using the term “victim” to describe a complaining witness before anyone is ever convicted, hits so close to home? I’m sure this is the way Brandon Wright feels right now, but he’s just an Airman first class, so it’s no big deal, right? The Military has a war to win against it’s number one enemy. Not Al Qaeda or the North Koreans, but the enemy called sexual assault.

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VOR America: Jennifer Norris Discusses Sexual Misconduct in the Military (2014)

On March 18, 2014May 17, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Scandals, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Military Justice Improvement Act Falls Short of Votes & Substance

On March 8, 2014March 4, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, Navy, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

The MJIA fell short of the votes it needed to pass in Congress. But it’s really nothing to get upset about because the bill falls short of substance.

The MJIA had good intentions. It gave the victim a different place to report other then an immediate supervisor or the Commander. It would have allowed victims to report to a military prosecutor instead. The bill also included all violent crimes, ie sexual assault, domestic violence, and murder.

But in reality, how is that going to work? There aren’t enough military prosecutors to report to. There was one, maybe two in the State of Maine JAG office and they were located hours if not days away from some of the places we trained and deployed.

Continue reading “Military Justice Improvement Act Falls Short of Votes & Substance” →

Politico: McCaskill’s ‘lonely’ sex-assault stand (2013)

On November 19, 2013March 4, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, Navy, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Sen. Claire McCaskill is on the verge of a historic victory reforming the Pentagon’s sexual assault policies.

But rather than basking in acclaim during the debate’s climatic week in the Capitol, the Missouri Democrat finds herself paying a political cost for being an outlier within her own caucus. She’s the only one of the Senate’s 16 Democratic women opposing a much more sweeping change that removes the chain of command from prosecuting sexual assault and other major military crimes.

We Bleed Too: Tony Bush, PTSD and the Discharge Status of Vietnam Veterans

On November 5, 2013November 6, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental IllnessLeave a comment

We Bleed Too: Tony Bush, PTSD and the Discharge Status of Vietnam Veterans

The Oglala Lakota of the Pine Ridge Reservation, one of six recognized Lakota reservations, has, as a nation, been one of the more historically powerful avatars of the Native American experience in the United States, both in terms of the long-term struggle for cultural survival, and because of a warrior tradition that remains deeply ingrained in the tribe’s culture.

Despite the U.S. government having traditionally subjugated, marginalized, and even committed genocide against the Lakota, members of the Oglala nation have served in every branch of the service both before and since the Snyder Act (1924) and the Nationality Act of 1940 made Native Americans legal U.S. Citizens.

However, members of the Lakota who have served in the U.S. armed forces have been veterans of not just one kind of conflict, but two.

Military still secretive on sex crimes

On September 25, 2013September 1, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Military Policy, Navy, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

For all the public scrutiny of military sexual assault this year — from hearings to heated Senate debates — congressional efforts are only just beginning to challenge the Pentagon’s overarching strategy on the issue for the past 25 years: secrecy.

From tracking the extent of the problem to showing how cases are resolved, the military has consistently and forcefully resisted fully airing details.

The Washington Times: Top Marine Gen. James Amos Accused of Interfering in Sex Assault, Desecration Cases (July 28, 2013)

On July 28, 2013June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Military Policy, USMCLeave a comment

020916-M-5266H-001 — Gen. James Amos, U.S. Marine Corps

“A military judge did something extraordinary last summer when he ordered the Marine Corps‘ top officer to submit sworn statements in a sexual assault case. The answers from the commandant, Gen. James F. Amos, have some in Marine legal circles wondering whether he told the full truth. Gen. Amos, a Joint Chiefs of Staff member, faces charges from defense attorneys that his words and actions have unleashed a wave of unlawful command influence over jurors who venerate the commandant.” Read more from The Washington Times here.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas Cosponsored the Military Justice Improvement Act; Says Shouldn’t Have to Report Crime to Boss, Wants MJIA in Place If Daughters Join (July 16, 2013)

On July 16, 2013June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (June 4, 2013)

Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (July 16, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (July 16, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (November 6, 2013)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stops by to talk about what she’s doing to protect our soilders from military sexual assault. Find out why she’s getting support from both sides of the aisle and tune in to hear from a survivor. -Katie Couric (November 19, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military (November 20, 2013)

Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz joined the New York Democrat in support of taking the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. -The Washington Examiner (February 18, 2014)

Senator Ted Cruz speaks out in support of a military sexual assault bill that was blocked in the Senate. -CNN (March 6, 2014)

Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference -Senator Ted Cruz (December 2, 2014)

[Full Video] Senator Gillibrand was joined by Senators Grassley, Blumenthal, Cruz and Wyden to discuss next steps in the effort to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act. -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (June 16, 2015)

Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference. -Senator Ted Cruz (June 16, 2015)

Ted Cruz speaks out on sexual assault in the military. -CNN (April 1, 2016)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is reaching across the aisle to prevent military officers from reaching into their subordinates’ pants. #passMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)

Support the Military Justice Improvement Act, and help protect our privates’ privates. #PassMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)

Video Links:
Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military
Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military
Senator Kirsten’s Gillibrand’s Measure to Protect Our Soldiers From Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military
Gillibrand grabs crucial support for military sexual assault bill
Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference
Sen. Cruz: They didn’t sign up to be sexually assaulted
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference (6/16/2015)
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Military Sexual Assault HRG-Cruz: Not Working
#passMJIA | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS
The “Ted Cruz Caress” Challenge | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS

The Baltimore Sun published “Retired APG general: The players change, the ‘GAM’ remains the same” (May 23, 2013)

On May 23, 2013May 4, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Sixteen years ago, Robert Shadley, then a major general in the Army, uncovered disturbing news from an important Army training facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Drill sergeants and other instructors were regularly using their power to get sexual favors from young female trainees, or sometimes even assaulting or raping them.

After spending two years investigating sex assaults at APG, Shadley says not much has changed in the Army a decade and a half later.

“The sexual assaults are not about the sex. It’s all about the abuse of power. You have the propensity of some men, and women, to do that kind of thing, and then you put them in an organization that has a hierarchical structure that talks about the importance of following the chain of command. It’s just like pouring gasoline onto a fire.” -Robert D. Shadley

Read more from The Baltimore Sun here.

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: Military History

History: Oscar-Winning Actor Robin Williams Dies at 63 (August 11, 2014)

Marine Corps Prosecutor Lt. Col. Thomas Jasper Cleared of Inappropriate Touching by Board of Inquiry at Camp Pendleton (2014)

VOR America: Jennifer Norris Discusses Sexual Misconduct in the Military (2014)

Military Justice Improvement Act Falls Short of Votes & Substance

Politico: McCaskill’s ‘lonely’ sex-assault stand (2013)

We Bleed Too: Tony Bush, PTSD and the Discharge Status of Vietnam Veterans

Military still secretive on sex crimes

The Washington Times: Top Marine Gen. James Amos Accused of Interfering in Sex Assault, Desecration Cases (July 28, 2013)

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas Cosponsored the Military Justice Improvement Act; Says Shouldn’t Have to Report Crime to Boss, Wants MJIA in Place If Daughters Join (July 16, 2013)

The Baltimore Sun published “Retired APG general: The players change, the ‘GAM’ remains the same” (May 23, 2013)

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