This is a real story. I have to preface it by saying that because it is so remarkable and unbelievable. ABC News is reporting that a 22 year old American woman was gang-raped in Iraq by employees of KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary at the time.
What makes it even worse is that the US government has done nothing about it for two long years. She has a Republican Congressman from Texas fighting for her and she still can't get the Justice Department to press charges or even comment on the case. This is maddening.
The terrible details of the case are explained in the video below.
Girl Gets Gang-Raped: Cover-Up by U.S., Halliburton/KBR
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The rape kit was mysteriously turned over to KBR security personnel, the same company whose employees were accused of the rape. Unsurprisingly, the rape kit is now "missing." A lot of that going around lately. And KBR claims she must go into arbitration instead of a US courtroom because ... that's what's in her contract!
Are they kidding? Is this some sick joke? I think you might have been in slight violation of that contract when you allowed her to be raped and covered up the crime. Now, they have the audacity to cite her contract.
My God, look at what they're doing to American citizens and getting away with. When is all this going to be enough for you? If Iranians had done this to a 20 year old American girl, we would have invaded that country by now. But as long as it's the Vice President's company, it's all okay? Do people have no conscience? What if it was your daughter? We can't let them get away with this.
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American Woman Gang Raped by Halliburton Workers
Posted Dec 11th 2007 11:52AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Iraq, Young Turks, Dick Cheney, Video
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Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 7)
61. OKANE, tries to exuse his behavior with...
"Yes Gwen I believe woman get raped and also believe many woman are raped and are afraid to come forward and report the rape. "
Golly, OKANE, do you suppose the attitude you and your fellow travelers have expressed is one of the reasons women are afraid to report rapes?
Captain Negative at 5:24PM on Dec 12th 2007
62. I think what Okane, other conservatives, and myself are trying to say is that there should always be a large dose of skepticism when liberals are trying to connect the dots between criminal activity and the Bush administration. Jeff Hoard and a bunch of libbies got burned on this, and are now chewing on a huge slice of 'crow pie.'--- July '07 Hoard showcased a video of a clown named Rory Mayberry, who's real occupation is still a mystery, but was a fired employee of Halliburton food services, turned whistleblower. After telling his story to Congress of Halliburton allegedly charging for meals that it didn't deliver, his story couldn't be corroborated and he didn't collect whistleblowing reward money. Fast forward several months, and now he shows up reincarnated in Iraq, this time as an "Emergency Medical Technician." Promptly fired by First Kuwaiti after five days on the job, because he couldn't provide credentials. Again, turns whistleblower claiming that he saw 51 Filipino workers who were being duped into being sent to Iraq to work on the embassy, when they thought they were going to Dubai.
He said this could happen because "none of the workers understood English." You may recall this nut-job wearing a stars-and-stripes necktie, testifying before the Committee for Oversight and Government Reform, spearheaded by Henry Waxman. My wife (Filipina) and I had a good laugh on that since the Philippines is the most English literate country in the world for a country that doesn't have English as the primary language. The Philippine gov't investigates Mayberry's claim and finds only 11 Filipino workers on Mayberry's flight, all English speaking and had signed contracts to go to Iraq. Again, no whistleblower reward money for the lib Mayberry.
Wall Street Journal investigates Mayberry, and finds a plethera of past criminal charges against him, including burglary, forgery, welfare fraud, occupational fraud, including running a mortuary without training or licensure. Apparently, First Kuwaiti and the Wall Street Journal are better at background checks than Congress or Waxman's freak show. I'll remain skeptical until convictions are handed down, because we all know how much libs like their 'story-time.'
lizard at 7:10PM on Dec 12th 2007
63. The end is near when the Proud and Mighty White Race won't defend its own women.
Tom at 7:41PM on Dec 12th 2007
64. Captain Bullshit gee with all your investigative experience you would think you have the answer to your question to me, and you know all the reasons some woman do not report rapes.
But of course some woman do lie, and if you take the time and able to read a story just posted by AOL, it is short and easy for you to understand, that a man was just freed from jail after serving 27 years for rape. The DNA test showed he did not rape the woman. wow and in the Jones/Hailburton possible rape, they have the test kit and DNA evidence that Cenk reported KBR took and got rid of, something that never happened. The young jerks only reason for posting the rape story and rushing to a judgement of guilty, even possilbly telling a lie, was because Hailburtons name was involved. Otherwise, Cenk could give a shit less if the woman was raped or not.
ROBERT OKANE at 7:58PM on Dec 12th 2007
65. Well it's now being reported on the rape victim's website, that the rape kit has been recovered, but that some Dr.'s notes and pictures are missing. This is her website where you have to pay "starting at $40.00" and up, to become a member, or you can simply "commission" her (Jaime) to do some art work, or just make a donation. Hmmm, Me smells something fishy going on...
lizard at 8:49PM on Dec 12th 2007
66. Okane, I'm really suprised at the lenghts you will go to cover you criminal coddling ways. I guess you're used to it though... I mean what with all the red-publicans who have been exposed during the Bush Junta. The list of criminals you are coddling is way too long, but right up at the top of the list are Big Dick Cheney and George Dumbya Bush.
Practice makes perfect, right, OKANE?
Captain Negative at 9:32PM on Dec 12th 2007
67. Some of us don't have the time or inclination to write whole books here, but in response to a prior post: religion can be a significant cause of violations of girls' and women's human rights when the supposed teachings of said religion condone such acts (and rape definitely is a violation ofhuman rights) AND especially when the political process is inextricably linked to religiosity.
The reason politics in America matter is because theoretically there's separation of church and state and theoretically we care foremost about human rights in international relations. Therefore for example, we may want to make constitutionally protected human rights a prerequisite for support in war, trade agreements, etc.
As for other causes of inhumanity, they are just as extant. Communist regimes, usually atheist, are still repressing and torturing political prisoners, women, the poor, etc. Including our great "free' trade partner, China.
There are also sociological forces that teach and condone inhumanity, especially misogyny. The same "trickle down laissez-faire" BS economicsthat enable war profiteering of Halliburton justify non-bilateral trade with China and "insourcing" of non-living wage labor.
Some things really are connected. When human rights don't come first in policy-setting, it doesn't matter who sets the policy--right, left, or indifferent, humans suffer and so does our country's integrity.
The "idea" of free trade may seem good, but if it's not based in constitutionally protected human rights it's NOT good. Same for "democratization" of theocracies.May be a contradiction in terms.
The grandest scam of 20th and 21st century American capitalism is the selling off of human and legal rights in the name of free trade. Every time a court allows one of these arbitration agreements to be made, or allows a gag order to be mandatory, it is chipping away at true democracy and true free trade.
sue at 11:00PM on Dec 12th 2007
68. Yeah, I know. I wrote a book...
sue at 11:02PM on Dec 12th 2007
69. Bushy-boy & his cronies ie : Haliburton & Cheney should be tried for all of the crimes as well as the lies that have taken place all through this administration. Anyone with any sense of good...or even common sense can see that things in this country are not right. Haliburton & KBR have raped more than this unfortunate young lady. They have raped the American people as well. Put forth whatever argument you like...the truth is there for us all to see. I just hope they get what's been coming to them...and I hope it hurts.
Randy Stuart at 2:20AM on Dec 13th 2007
70. Robert -
Yes I do believe that some women "call" rape and if this is proven the woman should do the time the accused was to serve if convicted. However I do not believe we should let the women who “call” rape discredit all women who have been raped, and create so much skepticism that women are afraid to come forward in fear of being blamed or no one believing them. Under the conditions of war, the mental stress, and every day violence it is not so hard to believe that rape may occur.
Furthermore I respect that you believe these men should be brought to "justice" if a case is proved against them; however this post is about why they will never be brought to justice because they have immunity. There will be no trial for them even if they are proven guilty. I also think the point of this blog is that Americans should consider the potential outcome of having employees of our government that are accountable to no laws or courts. That is unacceptable.
Gwen at 8:49AM on Dec 13th 2007
71. Amen Sue.
Robert - Be careful not to discredit this woman before all of us know the facts (including you) in an attempt to defencd Haliburton.
Gwen at 8:57AM on Dec 13th 2007
72. 47. suhuso
Please do not base your opinions of Americans on the content of an AOL blog. There are plenty of us who live here that are absolutely sick to death of the extremes polarization we live in. Of vast stupidity of individuals who are zealots and extremes is agreed on by many here. Do not loose hope in America . . . I haven't
Gwen at 10:04AM on Dec 12th 2007
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AMEN TO THAT!! You tell them Gwen!!
Lilly at 12:48PM on Dec 13th 2007
73. 54. 52. "On average, 3 women a day are gang-raped by members of the Latino gang MS13.
Funny how guys like this try to cover that up, by never reporting it."
Dan at 10:33AM on Dec 12th 2007
---------------------------
WAIT. Now we're "covering up" rapes by MS 13 ??????
This story is posted because the alleged perps are contracted by the US government dept. of defense.
What the f*ck does MS 13 have to do with that?
Side note: we have MS 13 in the DC area, if women are reporting rapes, it's not making the papers.
Linda at 10:38AM on Dec 12th 2007
**********************
Oh please Linda, when did facts and truth matter to our fellow compatriots to the right?
Regardless of the subject, they will either bring up Clinton, or attack democrats! Never mind that in this case the girl is an American, the accused are also Americans.
Remember when Foley was busted for his little indiscretions?? Fox News reported the story with Foley's name and a "D" next to it. They did this several times and never apoligized for the obvious mistake (Mistake..??? Hmmmm) or made corrections!
Repeat a lie long enough until the sheep come home and it becomes the truth!!
Lilly at 12:49PM on Dec 13th 2007
74. 63. The end is near when the Proud and Mighty White Race won't defend its own women.
Tom at 7:41PM on Dec 12th 2007
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Right! But they will defend DICK and his little boy george! They have to now, if they don't stay the course the farce we've lived for the last 6/7 years will come to light.
Then what would happen to the Grand Old Parasite??
True we don't know all the facts yet. The question is why not??
These people are so DISGUSTING!
Lilly at 12:49PM on Dec 13th 2007
75. Furthermore I respect that you believe these men should be brought to "justice" if a case is proved against them; however this post is about why they will never be brought to justice because they have immunity. There will be no trial for them even if they are proven guilty. I also think the point of this blog is that Americans should consider the potential outcome of having employees of our government that are accountable to no laws or courts. That is unacceptable.
Gwen at 8:49AM on Dec 13th 2007
71. Amen Sue.
Robert - Be careful not to discredit this woman before all of us know the facts (including you) in an attempt to defencd Haliburton.
Gwen at 8:57AM on Dec 13th 2007
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ONCE AGAIN, AMEN TO THAT GWEN!!
So many here are so ready to belive the Halliburton Story before accepting what this woman is saying!
I ask this question, as a woman. What woman in her right mind, would put herself through this if it weren't true?
Just a little something to think about.
Lilly at 12:50PM on Dec 13th 2007