1115.org

(1)
ABC News has a depressing update on the Halliburton/KBR rape management saga:

The Defense Department’s top watchdog has declined to investigate allegations that an American woman working under an Army contract in Iraq was raped by her co-workers.

The case of former Halliburton/KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones gained national attention last month. An ABC News investigation revealed how an earlier investigation into Jones’ alleged gang-rape in 2005 had not resulted in any prosecution, and that neither Jones nor Democratic and Republican lawmakers have been able to get answers from the Bush administration on the state of her case.

In letters to lawmakers, DoD Inspector General Claude Kicklighter said that because the Justice Department still considers the investigation into Jones’ case open, there is no need for him to look into the matter.

So that’s all it takes to preempt an Inspector General investigation in the time of Bush? Announce an investigation, put it to sleep, but declare it to still be open?

In that case, clearly we only get the Inspector General investigations the administration is willing to let us have. It’s like a Roman emperor at the circus, tossing a little crumb of spectacle to the crowd from time to time, by sacrificing a soldier to the gladiators.

Of course, other Inspectors General may not be quite so keen to get Bush’s brown stuff all over their nose.

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In case anyone missed the original story when it broke, after Jamie Leigh Jones was raped, Halliburton/KBR held her in a trailer against her will at gunpoint for 24 hours. The State Department had to send their cavalry to rescue her. No action has ever been taken by anyone against anybody. Not the rapist, not Halliburton/KBR.

Then there’s the equally outrageous case of Tracy Barker. A Halliburton/KBR employee, she was allegedly raped by State Dept. employee Ali Mokhtare, who is still employed by the State Dept. Mokhtare was not prosecuted, despite a recommendation from the State Dept. that he be charged.

Given how hard it is for Condi’s State Dept. to do the right thing, it’s a crying shame that nothing comes of it even when they do.

I wonder if Halliburton/KBR has a secret company slogan? Something along the lines of “Rape is inevitable. Grin and bear it, or resign.” Or maybe it’s: “First they rape you. Then we make it worse.”

Yes, you’ve certainly come a long way, baby! Now you can get f**ked by your government not just at home, but also while serving in foreign countries under harsh conditions. Right after someone else does it to you, also against your will.