Are Feminist Protesters Correct on the Cassandra Hernandez Rape Case?
August 15th, 2007 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families
Feminist bloggers have been vociferously protesting the case of Cassandra Hernandez (pictured). This is how the case is described in Air Force Charges Victim in Her Own Rape from the blog Feministing.com:
"Hernandez was at a party, where she was drinking. She says that three male airman raped her. She went to the hospital and filed a report accusing her attackers. Due to stress and harsh interrogation tactics by the Air Force, she eventually refused to testify against the airmen.
"The Air Force then charged her with underage drinking...and, along with her three attackers, 'indecent acts'...So. The woman was raped. By three men. She reported her rape. She was harassed by her superiors, to the point where she became too afraid to testify. The Air Force took this as meaning that the sex was therefore consensual (which isn't what it means at all), and charged her in the case of her own rape...The three alleged attackers were offered sexual assault immunity to testify against Hernandez on the indecent acts charge...Hernandez is writing to her [legislators] and her Governor...in a desperate plea to end this madness. Once you finish throwing up, crying, breaking things, etc., I strongly suggest that you write, too."
I was surprised and disturbed by the case. I've done much work on the problem of false rape accusations, and I wondered whether the feminist portrayal of the case is accurate. I asked one of my most intelligent and astute readers, Stan Eads, to review the information in the case. I did not ask him to find reasons why the feminists are wrong--I told him, "what you find is what you find."
Stanton researched the issue and has come to the conclusion that the feminists have a legitimate cause for protest here. Based on his research, I think the facts surrounding the alleged rape are murky, and that the feminists may well be correct. Printed below is Stan's description of the case, and below that the Associated Press story on it. A more detailed story can also be found here.
from Stan Eads:
In the Cassandra Hernandez case, a female airman at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina claims to have been raped by three cadets after drinking at a party on or near the base. The charges were taken seriously enough that one of the three alleged rapists was initially charged with the crime. The woman later declined to testify against the cadets, however, resulting in the charges being dropped. It's at this point that things get a bit strange. The four airmen, including the original accuser, were all charged with committing indecent acts, according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and she with an additional count of underage drinking. Claiming that the sex was consensual, the three men pleaded guilty and were given minor penalties, but the woman admitted only to underage drinking, and thus faces a court-martial on the indecent acts charge. And the cadets whom she accused were granted immunity from the sexual assault charge in exchange for testimony against the woman.
The feminist blogs, of course, are righteously presenting this as a case of patriarchy doing its standard thing against women. Cara, at feministing.com, for example, describes the entire thing as "stomach turning" and urges readers to write to their congressmen to protest (http://feministing.com/archives/007517.html).
This is indeed an unusual case, in that charges have been brought against the original accuser. It has been said many times by Glenn and many other advocates of equality under the law that false charges, when provably malicious, should result in the same penalty for the false accuser as that which the charges would have brought upon the victim, if upheld. Some may consider this to be a step in the right direction. I do not, for a number of reasons.
First of all, it is not at all clear that this woman is lying about the rape. She did not, after all, recant the charges - she simply refused to testify. I admit to finding this suspicious. All parties involved had been drinking heavily, and the exact sequence and details of events may not be clear to any of the participants. The accuser may have enough conscience to realize that she was about to condemn three men to a life of hell based on fuzzy recollections, while still believing a rape to have occurred. She claims that over-aggressive and accusatory questioning by Air Force officials led her to refuse to pursue the case further. So neither I nor any of the observers who are watching this sad drama unfold know what happened that night.
So what is up with the charges filed against her? The Air Force decided that at the very least, there were violations of the Uniform Code, and that charges should be filed. These charges, according to the letter of the law, would apply to all four participants, if there was in fact no rape, all acts being consensual. Thus, she is not being charged with making a false accusation of a serious crime. She is being charged with participating in lewd behavior with three other airmen. From the perspective of the Air Force investigators, the three cadets were either guilty of rape, or of lewd conduct. If the former, then the accuser faces no charges, although the ordeal of the trial is real enough. If they are guilty only of lewd conduct, however, then the accuser is also guilty of participating. And I can even understand granting the cadets immunity from the sexual assault charges, even if I don't agree with it. This removes any motivation the accuser might have to go back on her decision not to testify against them, in order to spare herself the minor charge. Applying the law evenly, this is the logically correct action.
There is more involved here than a simple decision to apply the law, however. In this case, the accuser decided not to pursue the case against the cadets, for her own reasons. Had she known that this decision would result in her own court martial, perhaps she would have followed her original course to the bitter end. Others in her position may take an unfortunate lesson from this. Some leeway for discretion is needed when deciding what charges to bring, and it is my belief that no good purpose is served by charging this woman.
Airman Who Alleged Rape Faces Court-Martial: She Ties Her Prosecution to Refusal to Testify Against Airmen She Says Attacked Her
Associated Press, 8/8/07
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C., Aug. 7 -- A female airman says she faces a court-martial next month because she refused to testify against three male airmen she accused of rape.
The woman is charged with one count of committing indecent acts and one count of consuming alcohol as a minor. The defense says the charges involve the same men she accused of raping her.
The military will not confirm whether the men were charged, because the case is pending, base spokesman Ed Drohan said Tuesday.
"The whole thing is a system failure," said Capt. Christopher A. Eason, one of the woman's defense attorneys. "This is unprecedented."
In letters, dated June 7, to the congressional delegations and governors of North Carolina and her native Texas, the woman said she decided not to testify against the men because she was "under enormous stress."
The Associated Press generally does not identify possible victims of sexual assault.
She says she was attacked in another airman's barracks room on the night of May 12-13, 2006. The charges against her allege that she performed an indecent act on one of the men she accused while the other two watched, the defense says.
In her letter, the woman said she reported the attack and was given a medical examination. The three men were charged with rape, but the charges were dropped after she refused to testify, she said.
"The pressure of the judicial process was too much for me, and I felt like no one was looking out for my interests," the woman wrote.
The men received nonjudicial punishments and have been granted immunity for their testimony in the woman's trial, according to documents the defense provided.
"This is the wrong message to send to women in the military," said Capt. Omar S. Ashmawy, one of her defense attorneys.
Said Drohan: "The Air Force is not attempting to cover up any wrongdoing."
A court-martial has been scheduled for Sept. 24 at the air base, adjacent to Fort Bragg, Drohan said.
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August 15th, 2007 at 1:09 am
Sorry for just posting links, but I am a bit pressed for sleep at the moment.
The "healthyskeptic" posts at Salon's Broadsheet has some interesting takes on this case:
http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/08/09/rape_herself/permalink/fbfebf027f48541f96d69557d5c727c7.html
http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/08/09/rape_herself/permalink/717112be3ba3e135aff6297b8eddc878.html
http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/08/09/rape_herself/permalink/5fe53633a49f019f44588a6cf09a681d.html
And Lestat1's take is good too:
http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/08/09/rape_herself/permalink/f04c18359e5fcf4ed7b30929d48f0f56.html
August 15th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Obviously the goal is equity for all but as a veteran let me say that I really do not give a damn about what she has endured. The moment that the congress, the populace, the president et all cares about the men who serve and die for mere platitudes, then I will begin to care about this AIRMAN. Women do not belong in the service, they do not pull their load. The soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines constantly have to deal with a double standard to accommodate them. We all suffer and the suffering is particular to our individual humanity and gender. The female is not more noble than the male and to be born is to suffer and to die. Women, grow up and if you want to be truly equal then you will have to pay the price, if you cannot, then do not pretend to be 'equal' because you are not. I speak thus because I am a veteran and I have seen their conduct and their standard of 'discipline.' They weaken everything they become involved in. Finally, if a woman reading this would have the temerity to assert that I am a misogynist, I would ask you that when foreign boots hit the ground, who do you want defending you, a G.I Jane or a G.I Joe? This woman should never have joined or been allowed to join and therein lies the solution to the debacle.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I think this is a hard care to judge. We do not know if she was raped. There is probably a 50/50 chance she is telling the truth. I am leaning towards this being a false allegation however.
The problem is that all her behavior is suspicious. She was in male barracks drinking-that does not look good, and yes, I do believe that you have to look at intent and circumstances. If she is intelligent at all she would see what the risks were and that she was breaking several rules just being there (underage and being in male barracks.) She was also drinking, which she should know is going to change the way everyone behaves-she will get less resistant and they will become less hesitant. This does NOT mean she deserved to be raped or was raped-it does mean she made some choices which showed she was not afraid of these men or the path she was walking (possibility of having consentual relations.)
IMO, if a woman is truly being raped, she should be fighting tooth and nail unless there was a gun to her head (which was not mentioned in any articles). Why did the man not have marks on him? No scratches, no bite marks? Why didn't anyone else hear her screaming? We should have learned by now that proof is necessary in a rape case, and signs of fighting are proof, and that also it is her responsibility as the woman to make sure if she does not want to be having sex she is clear as day about it. Screaming "NO" "get off me" rape!" would be clear indicators that she is not willing, and they should be loud enough to be heard. None of this occured, as these barracks are not built to be sound proof and if she was loud likely someone would have heard her.
Finally, the dropping the charges out of stress. I am sorry, but isn't she in the military? Shouldn't all military personel be able to withstand torture and extreme stress as normal posibilities in war time? Are you telling me she was so traumatized by non-violent questioning that she buckled, when she knew she was right? I have a hard time buying it. She, as a member of the armed forces, should be able to handle that, or she was in the wrong job. You think if her plane goes down the enemy isn't going to use rape as a tactic to get information out of her? They use rape on the male POWs, which is much more traumatizing than vaginal rape.
(soap box moment)
IMO, if you feel strongly enough to press charges and start the process of ruining a man's reputation (whether rightly or not) then you better be willing to see it through. These men are assumed guilty as soon as that accusation is made, and it is criminal slander to call him a rapist in public then not give him due process. And if you truly were raped, you have a responsibility to yourself and other women to see it through and put the man in jail so he cannot rape any more, and so women's accusations are taken seriously. I think if more women took rape seriously as a crime which can be avoided in most cases, can be proven if signs were left, and needs to be followed through in law,(rather than just feeling victimized) then we would have a lot of changes in the frequency and conviction rates. Higher conviction rate but less rapes committed. Seems like a win win to me. Shaming all men is like leaving your car unlocked and admonishing would-be criminals that it is wrong to steal: well, most people don't steal, and the ones that do are not going to care what you think about it.
(Off soap box)
Lastly, as Glenn said, they are not charging her with false allegations, they are charging her mainly for acts she willingly committed (going to male barracks, drinking underage, and pre-sexual acts.) The fact is even if she was raped she is still guilty of the first two, and being raped does not change that fact. I think the military is right to charge her with those first two. If she had not broken these rules, we would not be having these conversations, whether these men were rapists or not. I certainly can see questioning the lewd acts charge, but if she does not get charged with those neither can the men. I would be comfortable with that.
Glenn, I do admire greatly your ability to see both sides, and to take the road you feel to be the right one, even if it agrees with what your enemies say. This is the sign of a true leader and an intelligent thinker. While I happen to disagree with you on this one, I certainly applaude your fairness.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:50 am
"Once you finish throwing up, crying, breaking things, etc., I strongly suggest that you write, too."
They'd make themselves look better if they'd stop having these hysterical, hyper-emotional reactions.
August 15th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Its been a few years, but I spent about 16 years as an officer in the military, active and reserve. I make no claim as to have read the related articles.
Not only did I preside over Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) proceedings as the President of a three person 'board' where military attorneys presented their cases, but I technically 'ran' the proceedings themselves. By the very nature that the prosecution represents the command element of not only the unit but implicitly the highest authority on the base involved, a real and most vigorous defense is best obtained at another base at the least and even through civilian counsel.
Based on my experience, this airman who happened to be female was largely if not mostly prosecuted because she did not completely and vigorously follow through with her allegations, which not only 'attacked' her accusers, but also the command authorities involved. When she refused to pursue the case further, just as with a military person whom had made an allegation of cocaine use, theft, or whatever else, she became the target of prosecution for making false accusations of criminal acts. Unlike the civilian world, the military tends to follow through with vigorous prosecution whenever a case tends to formally come about. I had one colleaque in my reserve unit who presided over about 43 proceedings in six months in which ALL of the judged reserve members of the USMC received at a mimimum discharged with less than honorable discharges. At the time it was considered a matter of overdue 'housekeeping', and don't know of any one of these marines to have been female.
To put bluntly, if you make a serious allegation against other servicemembers in the military, be prepared to be there through the end of the fight. Not following through on serious charges in the military environment tends to be treated far more aggressively as a wrong to be prosecuted and punished, since 'honor, integrity, and character' (or at a minimum its pretenses) tend to be much more staunchly protected in that culture. The involved cadets are apparently viewed as 'the falsely accused' due to the female airman's unwillingness to follow through on her accusations after potentially destroying the potential careers of the other parties involved.
August 15th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Just an observation:
How many beers did this situation take? This girl is not easy on the eyes at all.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Thomas: So, what you're saying is that women who join the military deserve whatever happens to them because they make things slightly more difficult for the men? You're saying that this young woman deserved to be gang-raped and then court-martialed because she decided to serve her country?
Marauder: I've noticed this, too. "Crime with a woman involved! Get the torches!"
Mike: Thanks for putting this into a military perspective. Now we see that this isn't some outrageous case of the patriarchy hounding a woman for daring to speak for herself. Rather, it's standard procedure, regardless of the crime involved or the gender of the parties involved.
Ken: Real mature, man.
August 15th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
“Stanton researched the issue and has come to the conclusion that the feminists have a legitimate cause for protest here.”
I’m not seeing that. I do not see where anything contradicts what the guys have been saying, including the results of the rape kit. The news articles don’t have anything more from the young men then what is in the legal documents.
Taken exactly as reported, after pulling train, she felt unfulfilled, remorseful, ashamed of what she did, and thought about word getting out that’s how she likes to party. That she attracted only the “marginal” participants isn’t news either.
DanH
August 15th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
There could be various reasons why she refused to testify. One might be that concluded that she was at risk of either a perjury charge or a filing-false-criminal-accusations charge. This would be the case if her accusation was a false one. Otherwise, why not testify when asked to do so?
August 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I can understand Thomas' point of view, believe it or not. I've never been in the military myself, but I was married to a soldier for 15 years and have spent more than 20 in a military town working with soldiers every day in my job.
There is a double standard for females in the military. Their PT (physical training) standards are lower and they are not expected to be able to do as much as their male counterparts. Many jobs in the military are also 'closed' to females simply because they are not expected to be able to perform that job. This is not fair to the men, in my opinion. Anyone, male or female, who signs that dotted line had better be prepared to do everything that their job entails, and when you join the military that job can be anything. But that is not reality.
As for this story itself, I need to do more reading before I can form a whole opinion about it. I'm not sure what to think other than if that really is what happened (the rape) then she should have stuck to her guns no matter what. The truth is the truth, never back down from it.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Matt,
I say it took at least 15 beers! But for you it may have been stone cold sober....
August 15th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Let me clarify something while I'm at it.
I seriously doubt she was raped as the circumstances don't really support that and I suspect the chain of command knew it with knowledge of information they couldn't list in a report so they flushed her out another way. They wanted to demonstrate a woman cannot claim FALSE RAPE and then back off for convenience as a tool to prevent future disciplinary actions etc. Many women file a half claim in obviously false circumstances to insulate themselves for performance issues and a host of other minor problems. If the Air Force really thought she'd been raped they would've thrown the book at the accused Nifong style.
So, the guys who slept with her (with her willing participation) had to be really drunk as she is about a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. And look how much stress it got 'em. Classic case of ugliest girl going stag to the prom waiting for anyone to ask her to dance just so she can say "HELL NO" and brag to her friends that she rejected somebody. Doubtful this girl could find a decent fellow if he weren't sauced up and mixing it up with several makes rape all the less likely given the nature of today's politically correct military and her asthetic realities.
August 15th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Thomas: In general, I disagree. Now I'm not in the military, but I don't see why a man should be considered more or less noble (or more or less expendable) then a woman. And in my experience, not all women are sniveling weaklings...many are strong, noble individuals quite capable of strong character and strong bodies and minds.. Conversely, in my experience, not all men a strong, noble individuals with strong character and strong bodies and minds.
On the other hand, you stated that part of the problem is that there are two standards: one for men and one for women. On this we do agree..this is wrong. I believe whole heatedly that women in the military should be held to exactly the same standard as men in the military. The "filter" used to determine whether a person goes forward in the service (or what job he or she can take) should be 100% gender neutral. Both men and women should be treated 100% equally, and should be held to exactly the same standards...if a woman can't cut it on this equal footing, then they can do what men do when they can't cope: leave or change job.
If male chivalry can't deal with women being put in harms way, then it is the men who are weak...not the women.
In terms of this particular case, who knows. Though I am loath to agree with the femisphere, something smells fishy and my first instinct in this case is to believe that she is getting screwed.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Study the photograph carefully, where it was staged, how she is positioned, and the positioning of her head, turned to the side with the eyes upcast, positioning of the hands and legs, the clothing freshly laundered and ironed.
This photograph of her is incredably dishonest. A professional photographer put in a whale of a lot of time to put lipstick on a pig. Nice job at trying to hide the women she really is.
DanH
August 16th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I agree with Dan.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Lance,
Let me just say that this case is very familiar. I have been on deployment (NAVY) and pulled into a liberty port where the 'girls' went ashore for liberty, got smashed, came back drunk---not fit for duty---went to captain's mast and broke down saying that they were raped or coerced etc. Then, a whole procedural process begins that can take weeks if not months. Meanwhile, no judgment is made against this female. However, no such latitude was extended to the males who were drunk or went a little too far. No, they all went to Captain's mast, lost rank, lost money, confined to the ship even when in port. It never happens to the female. They always have an out, an excuse. Hell, even after work-ups for the deployment where the entire crew refines itself and readies the ship after one and two months, a few weeks before the deployment, all-of-a-sudden they become pregnant by boyfriends or just any man. Then, due to the nature of the ship, with radar, weapons etc., they cannot deploy. Thus, the ship takes a loss---there is no body to fill that spot. The shipmates in their department then have to do extra work, extra watches, get less sleep etc.,----and who are these shipmates? Men. Hell, maybe after the ship leaves port as she is waving goodbye to the ship, because she is still attached to the ship, maybe she will abort the baby---but don't say anything, that would be sexist and insensitive. Just let her go and keep collecting those paychecks, free health-care, BAH et al.
After my diatribe I will now say that with women in the military, the military is hollow. If you doubt it, why don't you (plural) check out the real story behind jessica lynch. She did not do what we were told she did. There are video clips available on the internet of her screaming, crying, shaking in her hospital bed while bombs are going off on the outskirts of the city---and she is safely ensconced in a military hospital. She repudiated the 'official' story that was used to dupe the American people before congress. She is just one woman. It is the weakness of a nation to send it's daughters to war. However, it is also weakness not to treat women as harshly as the men if they fill these roles. But are we not used to inequality on this site? The one good thing is that it will not last and I think it might be over with sooner rather than later.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I had not thought of that angle, the pic. I disliked when people start insulting her appearance because the arguements made here have more than enough validity to stand alone without having to make personal attacks about her. If anything these personal attacks on her appearance detract from the well reasoned logic.
However, I do agree that the photographer tried to hide the woman's appearance-her facial features look to me like they would look 'shifty' or 'piggy' in any other pose (small eyes in a large face-unfortunate for her.) The careful pose is to try to make her look thinner than she is, because society has both more sympathy for thinner women and we believe thinner women are more likely to be raped. I say this says more about us as a society than it does about this woman in particular.
Fact is any woman can be a false accuser or a rape victim regardless of their appearance. I also think the picture the newspaper chose speaks volumes on their angle.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Thomas: all good points...but is it the fact that women are in the military that is at fault, or the fact that the military (ie: the mostly men in high places) allow this crap to go on? Chivalry should be dead...and it is time for the military (and society in general) to man-up and accept it. If a woman comes in crying etc, bust her balls a bit...that will be the last time you see her. And if/when she files a grievance, have a mountain of evidence for each and every other pair (male and female) you busted in the past.
Management is management. I manage people all the time and I care nothing for one's gender. Obviously you can say that the management I do does not mean life and death, but that would be a cop out argument as it changes the subject. In my case, if she turns on the water works, if anything, I am more apt to drop kick her ass out the door. The reason why women get away with the things you underscore is not because they are women..it is because they are human. Humans in general will push the envelope to get away with anything/everything they can. If they see that turning on the waterworks, crying foul, etc works...then of course they are going to do it (I'm sure many men would too if they thought they could). The key is to lay into them hard, have evidence, and don't give them an inch. First order of management when discipline is a problem: look first within. Chances are very good that if you are having discipline problems, it is not the fault of the subordinates - it is the fault of the superior.
Men need to learn to say no to women...they need to learn to bust balls regardless of where the balls reside (inside or outside).
So in your time at sea, are you telling me that you have never met a competent, female sailor?
August 16th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Lance,
I honestly have to say that no, I did not meet one competent female sailor. They always fell back upon the males in their department for the difficult issues. If the males in the departments could not answer the questions, then contractors were brought aboard to repair the equipment. These contractors were always men. This issue has been brought up several times on this site---the point being, it would seem that only men are willing to work this type of job (contractors) where they will be out at sea for weeks, living difficult days away from the family; that is if they are allowed to have a family. One thing is for sure, you will always hear gossip aboard the ship, centered upon and emanating from the females. Let us not forget the 'underway lovers' or 'underway marriages' when the ugliest woman turns into a goddess and desperate and horny men will do anything to bed them down. Yet another reason why women should not be in the military---they ruin morale, make the workplace combative and destroy the integrity of the ship or unit. So no, Lance, I have not seen a competent female sailor. As a matter of course, let me just say, not specifically to you but I will say that I do not care whether I am considered a mysogynist. The time has passed for that. I could really give a damn about the zeitgeist and the pc atmosphere. People, specifically men, need to speak their mind. Their mind should be well informed but this incessant kowtowing to this zeitgeist, to this weltanschauung----if any man continues to do this, I think they are weak as well as fools.
August 16th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Worry not, I don't think you are being mysogynist at all. If anything you are underscoring a major issue in gender relations: that men and women need to get with the program. Women need to stop seeking equality on the one hand, while seeking constant "I'm just a girl" aide/special-treatment/etc on the other (when it suites them) and men need to stop reinforcing this behavior by stepping up to aide women or treat them as breakable.
You also underscore an important aspect that drives me nuts: people take the path of least resistance. I can remember in grad school when I would literally work from home for days just so I would not be around to fix everyone else's problems. I was always "that guy" that everyone went to to address a problem or need. If my coworkers had a problem, and I wasn't around because I was working at home that day, they would not have anyone to ask, and they would have to figure it out on their own. My coworkers were almost all male...so this trait is not just a problem with women - it is human nature.. In the case of women in the military, if women feel that they can get away with it, of course they are going to ask for help at every turn so that nice, big, strong generally over-chivalrous men can come to their aide. Doesn't surprise me in the least. Again, men need to man-up.
To see how this can work in action, my wife's lab is mostly women with a few men...Women and men work together as equals when women begin to realize that they can figure it out for themselves, and when men stop treating women as breakable. The same thing will happen in society as a whole, but it will take time....and it will only happen when both genders are treated equally in the courts, in the workplace, and even in the military. Until this happens, be prepared to be pissed all the time (I know I am). Every time the feminists "win a victory" for special treatment for women they undermine their cause because they reinforce the so-called "patriarchy" they wish to abolish.
August 16th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Lance said,
"Every time the feminists "win a victory" for special treatment for women they undermine their cause because they reinforce the so-called "patriarchy" they wish to abolish."
I couldn't agree with you more.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Thomas is speaking words of wisdom here and if our military and politically correct leaders would wake up they'd see this stuff happens all the time. I have no doubt in my mind this girl made up a story to cover her own ass and then tried to back out once it started to fall apart. She failed to realize that by accusing male members it forces investigations. She failed to cooperate because she knew they could destroy her story and she probably doesn't want innocent people to go to jail etc. For those reasons and due to the FACT most commanders have heard it all before they are not treating her with kids gloves. There's no way they believe she was raped or they would not pursue this COA given the culture of the military.
I can't think of a single discipline of a woman in my entire military deployed history when she was involved in a relationship. I can think of countless cases where men were disciplined though.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:49 am
I'm very proud to celebrate my 12 year anniversary of military service tomorrow and I'm not surprised that there are still men like Thomas who believe women don't posses the intelligence or physical stamina to make a postive contribution to the Armed Forces. I will put humility aside in this case and state that in my 12 years of service I've never received anything but positive evaluations and nothing less than an excellent score on physical standard tests. Granted, the standards are different for men and women but I average about 50 pushups and 100 situps within two minutes for each category. I'm a Staff Sergeant (E6) and enjoy the satisfaction of doing my job to the best of my ability, and mentoring other soldiers (male or female) to do the same. All of this while raising two beautiful girls with my husband who also served for 7 years. It's a matter of WORK ETHIC not GENDER!!! Other than that, I refuse to acknowledge Thomas's viewpoint any further.
Now to the real issue at hand...
1-I'm guessing Cassandra was not an experienced drinker and somewhat naive about putting herself in a bad situation, assuming that she could trust people that are sworn to protect each other by way of the ethics code each branch of service is expected to follow...she had to be encouraged to socialize with fellow airmen and did what a lot of young single service members do, and that's to "hang out" in the barracks together for lack of money and a vehicle. Yes, underage drinking happens not unlike in a college atmosphere...not legal but it happens and she was willing to accept the consequences for her actions in that respect.
2-I don't care what the girl supposedly did up until the point where she was allegedly raped, (it's entirely possible that she was in a black out state unaware of her behavior) when it came down to the act of intercourse she remembers saying NO and STOP and they were telling her to be quiet. There were no bodily injuries to any of the parties involved because they were all intoxicated, disabling her ability to fight, therefore giving them no reason to apply physical force and thusly leaving no physical evidence of a struggle!!
3-She was interrogated for two days without her Sexual Assault Victim Advocate which completely violated her rights, and due to the stress of the situation in which she was experiencing constant anxiety attacks, she wanted the whole situation to be over and to get back a shred of her normal life before the incident occurred. If anyone had decided to share pertinent information that she could be charged if she didn't follow through with her testimony, I'm sure she would've mustered the bravery to see the case through to the bitter end.
4-We are all briefed (male and female) extensively on the procedure to follow if you're sexually assaulted, and she did everything she was supposed to do. I don't believe she had any motivation to make false accusations and if she was guilty of such why would she pursue this all the way to a Special Court Martial and risk time in the brig and a soiled miltary career?? Why not take the easy out that all four were offered before the media became involved and the case became public. Have you watched her video footage?? Her calm tone and matter of fact descriptions of what happened that night are very compelling. I've seen nothing from the alleged rapists, if they are innocent why aren't they speaking out on their own behalf? If anyone knows of an article or video footage from the accused, I'd be more than happy to hear their side firsthand and not their lawyers...
My bottome line is the system is failing her and this case will discourage other PEOPLE (once again not being gender specific, men are victims of rape too!) from reporting such incidents, which unfortunately happens A LOT when you mix young, inexperienced people away from home for the first time that shouldn't be consuming alcohol. I applaud her bravery for reporting the incident and trying to rectify the fact that she did not initially have the emotional strength to pursue the case to the bitter end. She is now standing up for her rights and the rights of other people that this could and will happen to in the future.
It's easy to judge and criticize if you've never experienced what this girl has gone through. We are in the military and expected to be able to withstand severe emotional and physical stress, but we're not robots people!! This kind of strength is something acquired through experiences and I'm sure this Airman will come out of this with a bit more strength and insight to deal with the inevitable kinks life throws at her in the future. I will personally vow to do what I can to bring attention to this case and keep Airmen 1st Class Cassandra Hernandez from losing this sad, sad case. If anyone feels the same way, write the Rep of her home state of Texas and North Carolina where she is stationed to express your disdain for how this is being handled!!
I close by saying God Bless my fellow service members fighting overseas, away from their loved ones...my prayers are with these true heroes everyday!!
August 21st, 2007 at 12:30 am
Every woman must learn from this case. Take responsibility for your actions. Set your personal barriers before walking into a volatile situation. Alcohol, underage military men and young women are a situation destined for disaster. The Air Force has been known for letting men off the hook for rape and turning the tables making the women the problem. In truth, men can't handle their weakness in this type of situation, and often gang up and encourage each other to take advantage of a drunk woman. These men were probably so ugly, they had no chance in developing honest relationships with young women that would lead to intimacy. Sex is sex, they will take it anyway they can get it. SO WOMEN, PAY ATTENTION. If you don't want to end up losing everything, then don't put yourself in the situation. I taught all of my female sailors to always pay attention to your surroundings, things change quickly. When you see people dissappearing and you are alone, it is time for you to leave. Drink water with your alcohol and keep your wits about you. Rape cannot happen to a constantly moving target, so keep moving, and leave when the environment becomes unsafe. AND MOST IMPORTANT, never go into a room alone with one or more men and expect it to have a good outcome. You will lose, that is a fact, the system is made to support men, it is their military, and they stick together. Please respect yourself, don't be a dumpster for the deposit of male sperm that you have no intentions of breeding with.
Cassandra, as for being accused of committing indecent acts, I encourage you to really think hard about what happened, I am sure it was difficult for you to locate small body parts while intoxicated, it might just be a bragging story to make it seem like they got more than what actually happened. It could also be that they were playing out fantasies with eachother too, and just used you as an excuse to be around other males exposing themselvess at the same time and getting away with it while living out their own fantasies. I always thought it was not natural for grown men to be in the same room with other nake men in a sexual state of arousal, they were watching eachother more than watching you.
A1C Hernandez, be strong, release your fears, stop being a victim, claim victory that you had the courage to expose these spineless men. Take control of your life. Is this the environment you really want to spend 20 years in? Attract only the outcome that you desire. Like in the movie GI Jane, women are not the problem, men are, they can't handle the sweet smell of a woman and what it does to their alternate brain.
August 25th, 2007 at 12:51 am
I am a a disabled former army captain, and I have been increasinglly disgusted with the military's PC "Women GOOD! Men BAD!" mentality over the years. If this airman filed a false report, then she should face penalties and stop making excuses for her! I find it so strange that in PC circles "A WOMAN is EQUAL (actually implied superior) to a man!" UNLESS, she is accused of a wrongdoing and then the male-hating feminists begin to make excuses for her behavior. RIP HER STRIPES OFF HER SLEEVES AND THROW HER IN THE STOCKADE TO BREAK ROCKS! THEN we'll see how superior to a MAN she is!
bulletbill57
August 25th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Great advice Navy Master Chief!! I think there are a lot of absolutely despicable men that will take advantage of a woman who has left herself vulnerable. I've also had really great male friends who made sure nothing happened to me when I indulged a bit to much so I don't agree that only men are the problem.
Bill....check your facts before you comment, she hasn't been charged with making a false report! What do you really know about this case? Just seems like a woman hating rant to me....
August 25th, 2007 at 2:45 am
How cowardly, hypocritical and unsporting it is to put lowly Airman Hernandez on trial while letting MAJOR JILL METZGER (liar, adulteress, baby killer, saboteur of international relations) go scott free.
So when are the hypocritical military leaders going to tell us the truth about Metzger? When are they going to court marital Navy Captain Lisa Nowak? ANSWER = NEVER.
It's far easier to pick on an enlisted troop.
Hint = google "Jill Metzger" or go to MilitaryCorruption.Com
August 25th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Ah, April,
If she accused these airmen and the powers that be say that there is no evidence of rape, THAT is a false report! And a false report in the military is deriliction of duty! Just like the stripper that teamed up with former prosecuter Nifong to trash the lives of three former Duke Lacrosse players and their coach. She got away with it though. Hopefully this excuse for an airman won't. As for a woman-hating rant, there is FAR more male-hating garbage out there and most men are too wimpy and beaten down by political correctness to shoot back-I'M NOT. I've seen the gates of feminist-divorce hell cracked open and though I bear the many scars from it, I didn't blink! April, YOU sound like a man-hater to ME!
bulletbill57
August 27th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
The arguments against women in the military (and now gay people in the military) are frighteningly similar to the arguments made 60 years ago against racial integration in the military. No thanks - bigotry is bigotry, however you try to dress it up.
As for Cassandra Hernandez, this is a classic he-said/she-said situation. The physical evidence is inconclusive, except to confirm that she was intoxicated. (Is there any physical evidence about whether the men were intoxicated?)
Based on the record available here, I have no idea if Hernandez was raped or not.
If she was in fact raped, then a miscarriage of justice has occurred here.
If she was not raped, then the current charges against her should be pursued. If she is found guilty, and were I adjudicating the case, I would not punish her any more harshly than the men involved in the case.
At a personal and human level, I hope Hernandez is getting the counseling and support she obviously needs. My sympathy and best wishes to her.
August 30th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Bill-
Hmm, you don't know how to read do you? I'm thinking you must be illiterate, or stupid or something since you clearly missed so many very IMPORTANT points in the story. Even after AprilB pointed that out you couldn't seem to make yourself go back and read it again to see what you missed could you? Instead you just start making false accusations of your own to try to distract. Well, dear I know it's not a Dr. Suess book but really find someone to go through the articles and read them to you before you start talking a bunch of bullshit you know nothing about.
I'm just curious here but if anyone of you guy's mother, sister, friend, wife, female cousin, aunt, grandmother, or girlfriend came to you and told you this story would you go off lamenting about how they were lying and it was bull? And WTF did this whole women don't belong in the military debate come from. What a bunch of crap that is. For years unfortunatley the military has done plenty to make sure that they take care of bigots. Probably why not a darn one of you that claim to be military has the balls to tell us your real name huh? If you really feel that way then you need to do it openly instead of hiding. You hide your bigotry because you know you're wrong and you know you'd get into trouble.
Now lastly until you have gone through being raped (I HAVE) and know what it's like. Until you know how it feels to have to relive your assault again and again through interrogations by police and attorneys that defend your rapists. Until you have your every single move questioned down to what type of panties you wear and in what ways you "brought it on yourself" not a damned one of you has any room to talk. I'll tell you why all of you jackasses on here are so against women in the military and saying women are asking for it because they are drunk- because at one time or another you have taken advantage of a woman when you knew you shouldn't have. If you can't get pussy from a sober woman- you're pathetic. I see it everyday and as was said above by another female military member we are briefed that giving a woman alcohol with the intention of loosening her inhibitions is wrong and if you screw a woman who is legally drunk and therefore not able to give consent you are committing a rape. Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that all of you men that are so quick to whine about women in the military and how she was the guilty one not the men have been guilty of the above offense and are really upset because if screwing a drunk incapacitated woman is rape you are a rapist? The only statement I saw in any article that actually told anything about the assailants part of this was in the Air Force times and it said that the three male airman all told different stories with one of them admitting to the fact that they had been discussing between themselves earlier in the evening about how drunk they would have to get her before they'd have a chance with her, one or all of them- Her statements on the other hand were always consistent- so please tell me who's trying to lie and cover up here?! They've had more than enough publicity to be able to say "We didn't do it" but they've never said a word. Funny how that is.
If you haven't been raped then you have no idea what it's really like to be a victim. Most rapes are not reported- why because of attitudes like the ones above that seek to make the woman a villian in spite of numerous reports that say she was a victim. Because of attitudes that imply that she deserved it because she drank with men around (Tell me if a man rapes another man when the rapee is incapacitated and passed out drunk with a blood alcohol level nearly 3 times the legal limit is it rape? It must not be according to the logic of some of you that guy had it coming. What's good for the goose is good for the gander). It's no wonder the military can't take some positive steps forward.
As for you blithering idiots that want to go on and on about women in the military, STFU nobody gives a flying monkey crap what you think, really. I'm a woman in the miltary and do everything that my counterparts do. Just because you had a bad experience with a few females doesn't give you any right to make bigoted stupid statements about where we women "belong". When I want your opinion I'll give it to you (that is after all the only want that I'll get an intelligent statement anyway).
I hope that every one of you guys who is automatically trying to punish and make this girl into the villian has to deal with rape in some capacity (albeit a child, family member, yourself- according to rape statistics you probably will deal with sexual assault or rape and someone you love anyway) so that you get to see the true affects of it in person.
August 30th, 2007 at 5:37 am
I forgot to add:
Bill-
Give me a freakin break. I'd love to hear your x-wife's side of the story. Hmmm, why am I guessing that the other side of things would tell such a different story? Wanting equality and decent treatment because of my gender is feminist hell, eh? Well God forbid that since I have ovaries I ask to be treated well, I certainly don't deserve to since I couldn't possibly contribute the way men do. What a bunch of bullshit. I'm just curious but out of the men here that are all doing their rant about women and how they don't belong here or there, blah blah blah- how many of you are currently married? Divorced? Single playing D&D in your mom's basement and ain't had pussy since pussy had you? How many of you that do live with a S/O who works full time pull equal weight in the house with household chores? I doubt very many of you.
And Bill, as for what happened with your divorce- Get the fuck over it and quit whining no one cares. "Oh my wife left me and made me cry so now I have to fight back by lashing out like a child every time a woman says anything fairly intelligent. I'll show them!". Would you like me to call the wahbulance? Wuss.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:21 am
My goodness girl, get it all out honey!! You said a lot of what I've wanted to say, I've been trying to be diplomatic but some people just don't get it!! (BILL) I wasn't even going to waste my time with him!!
I too have gone through (date) rape and couldn't even admit to myself for years that that's what happened because I was extremely drunk at the time. Young and inexperienced with alcohol, I was naive to the fact that my date kept the drinks coming!! Each one goes down a little easier and you don't realize you're vulnerable. At some point I passed out only to wake up with the guy on top of me....GOOD TIMES!! I was having my monthly visit and had to dig my feminine product out later!! Disgusting details, but maybe somebody has to read this to get an f-ing clue!!
The truth is men are not at great risk of getting raped (unless serving time) and they'll never know how it feels. I know there are women who make false claims and manipulate the system, I don't think Cassandra should have to pay for that!!
While I don't condone everything you said, you speak a lot of truth so THANKS!!
August 30th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
My, my, my,
Treefrog, April, ad nauseam. So MANY feminesbianazis here. And I'M sick of always hearing "Women ALWAYS GOOD-men ALWAYS BAD!" If a woman kills her husband or kids, she either walks or gets a lot lesser sentence than a man would if roles were reversed because all she has to whine is those three little words "I was abused.". If a man is unfaithful, he loses everything in a divorce because HE deserves it. If a woman is unfaithful, HE STILL loses everything because she is "liberated, validating herself, blah-blah-blah....". Why are there no battered men's shelters? Ever hear of a man getting alimony? Why is it that the government will enforce child support to women with Gestapo-like brutality, yet men who are denied visitation by their ex wifes get brushed aside. How many man actually get custody of their children, even if their ex has a bad record (drugs, bad boyfriends, etc.)? I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but women are JUST as capable of being wrong and commiting evil as men-more so I say! Have you ever seen two women in a fight? It's a no-holds-barred-rip-their-eyes-and-hair-out bloodbath without any regard to chivalry or Robert's Rules Of Order-the female really IS the deadlier of the species!
August 30th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Bill-
Women have the rights they have today because our mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers fought for them. Maybe your efforts would be better spent pursuing positive change for the issues that are close to your heart instead of hurling insults and making extremely broad generalizations. I'm pretty sure I've made several references to the GREAT men I have in my life, if not let me say so now...I'm surrounded by men who are trustworthy, loyal and supportive. One is my husband, some are my friends and some are coworkers. "Feminesbianazi"?? That's a good one!! Last time I checked I was the heterosexual wife of one of the best men on Earth and mother of two beautiful daughters.
I'm sorry for your bad experiences with wicked women, I never said they weren't out there. I'm really trying to keep my commentary to you polite and diplomatic, after this I'm done. I refuse to waste any more time acknowledging a person who appears to be extremely bitter, cynical, jaded, rude, uninformed and frankly cannot be reasoned with.
Find some way to make positive changes in your life and the lives of the men you are speaking of, I wish you the best....really!
August 31st, 2007 at 8:56 am
My whole point is that, as there are those that play the "Race Card" when they are caught doing somethine wrong, there are too many females that play the "Sex Card" too. Case in point, a stripper trashed 3 Duke lacrosse players and their coach with the help of a politically-correct/opportune prosecuter. When the truth came to light, the prosecuter (white-male) was punished for his misdeeds as he should have been. However, the stripper (black-female) was not because "She's been through enough already.", so she actually was a "two-fer"-race and sex card both. SHE'S been through enough? What about the three players that were trashed and their coach that was canned?
No one seems to care what they were put through.
September 1st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Bill why don't you read the article and then proceed to shut the fuck up because you are trying to blame the problems of your previous marriage on shit it doesn't pertain to.
The girl didn't get caught and try to play the rape card. SHE CHOSE FROM THE BEGINNING TO REPORT AS A RAPE. It wasn't a matter of "Oh I'm gonna be in trouble, well I'll just say it's rape". The stripper that accused the men at Duke has absolutley nothing to do with this story so why don't you stick with the case in point instead of being a retard and feeling the need to point out cases with extremely different circumstances to validate yourself.
Give it up the stupid ass lacrosse thing has nothing to do with this. If you can't seem to stick with this story then go find somewhere else to run your mouth with tainted trashed "OPRESS WOMEN" crap. Oh and by the way I'm most certainly not a lesbian. I'm a married mother of one, I love my husband he's one of the most wonderful men I've ever met. He does housework and works full time as do I. We are equals and he treats me as such because although there are things that I don't do well, there are things he doesn't do well either and we know that being together we balance each other.
And before you go into more mouthing off about your ex wife and your previous marriage and how mistreated you were maybe you should try to look at yourself and see what YOU did wrong that made your marriage end. Take responsibility for yourself!!! Quit trying to put it all on your ex wife and get some counseling from your rambling it's pretty clear that you need it.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Treefrog, don't waste your time or anger. This guy is all over the place... he needs a mental evaluation...pronto!!
September 1st, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Jeez,
YOU ladies are the ones hurling insults, not I. Have I told you STFU or said you are crazy? No, but you hurl insults at ME. You haven't bothered to hear one thing I've said, just start hurling insults, which is typical of the closed-minded liberal feminist-supremacist. If you are hetero, you obviously are the domineering type and carry your significant other's testicles in your purse. This airman violated Air Force Regs and state law as an underage drinker, and tried to squirm out of it by whining rape. Any woman can claim rape now-on her wedding night, after having her and her husband's child, or saying "I love/want you!" to a guy with the P.C. laws as they stand now. Too many laws are in favor of chromosome pattern XX and there are those that use the system (Those evil females you refuse to acknowledge the existance of) to get the goodies while avoiding the responsibilities, which is typical fo feminism. I've been in therapy for my trauma of my ex. Oh, by the way, I'm a GS11 disabled vet working at a government arsenal, I have a B.A. degree in music and I speak 3 languages other than English. Go ahead, hurl some more insults! I have thick skin. Like I said, I have experience in dealing with evil females. ;)
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:33 pm
chirp chirp.....
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Once again Bill you dont' know your facts so STFU. The airman didn't try to squirm out of anything about underage drinking, she fully admits that she broke the rules and from the beginning has said she will take full responsibility for that part of it. The only part she is refusing to take blame for is the rape, she has always admitted to underage drinking. Once again you need to learn how to read. And WTF is GS11? I must have missed that rank in basic, isn't that a fucking civilian??? You may be a retired government employee but you are NOT a vet unless you have been active or reserve service. I don't consider my commander's secretary a vet and she's a GS 3 I don't think I'd consider you one either you nut job. And by the way I AM ADAF- and I AM A VETERAN as is my husband so I find it insulting that you would think that just because you are a retired CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR you have the right to claim veteran status.
I don't know what kind of drugs they're giving you pretend disabled war veterans these days- CRACK?! You need help, lots and lots of help. And April's right I'm not going to bother with you anymore because every time you post you just prove to anyone reading that you are one crazy ass bigoted whack job and you just make us "feminist lesbian nazi's" as you term those of us women who speak up for ourselves (god forbid) look so much better.
Really dude, it's time to give it up and check in to the looney bin where you belong. Really there's got to be a state mental hospital close, find it and check yourself in.
September 2nd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
treefrog,
Perhaps it is YOU that need to look in the mirror. Again, you hurl insults and swear words. I'm not retired, not a contractor, and disabled vets get something called veteran's preference when applying for federal jobs, as do veterans in general. My DD214 came in handy for that. As for STFU, why don't you put bridle on that foul,evil mouth of YOURS? Quit making excuses for someone just because they happen to be female and stop cursing and hurling insults just because someone disagrees with you, and STOP HATING MEN!
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
*YAWN*
Has anyone ever told you that you are really boring and stupid? Guess not enough *Sees something shiney and wanders off*....
September 7th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
"...you are really boring and stupid?" Your insults and foul prose continue. A link for you. The ugly truth about you. Look in the mirror-YOU reflect every code listed.
http://www.dumpyourwifenow.com/2007/03/01/the-anti-male-shaming-tactics-catalog/
By the way, I am old school. I have always opened doors for ladies, lit their cigarette, paid for dinner and treated any lady I have been with with the deepest respect, because I am a GENTLEMAN-born in Europe, raised in the Southern USA. Perhaps that is my problem and the reason I have been crapped on by women all my life. Having spent much time out in the cold looking in during my youth, I spent many hours listening to girls as their "Father-confessor" complain about how badly their boyfriends had treated them-both emotionally and sometimes physically- even though I never stood a chance with these women, because the "Bad-boys" were so much more attractive,I still did what I thought was the right thing to do, as I still do today, and try to instill that in myson I finally got custody of from a drug-addicted, promiscous ex-wife after a long expensive court battle that may still bankrupt me! You, however, with your insults and foul mouth are definitely NO lady! *Bows respecfully in the Old-European style to you*
Hochactungsvoll,
Bill Trusty (Wilhelm von den Pfalz)
September 7th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
You can say whatever you want- I am happily married to a very nice man. The fact is that your continued put downs of women and automatic responses that decide that a woman is guilty if she says she was raped prove that you are indeed not a nice guy at all but instead one of those that goes around saying what a nice guy you are when in reality you are a prick.
As for me not being a lady- maybe not to you but I know when I need to behave like a lady and when I don't and in this situaiton with you and your "I'm so great, all women are shit" mentality I see no need to behave like a lady or stroke your ego. You didn't make one VALID point, NOT ONE. You just tried to distract by continuously raging on about how we are feminists and we hate men. It's ridiculous, but when you get called on it instead of using some type of logic that makes sense to anyone except a crazy person you pull out your own version of bs and just start making stuff up and throwing stuff in to a story that didn't happen. You want to make VALID arguements on this case fine, it's called fact check- you want to argue something have the decency to not be an idiot and actually do some freaking research you nutjob instead of just deciding that you know what really happened and it's gotta be some big ole conspiracy because your ex wife screwed you over.
I don't care that you've continuously been screwed over by women, I don't know you but from your posts I've met a million men like you. Your claims that you are a such a "gentlemen" and a "nice guy" are laughable, childish and stupid. Who boosts themselves up like that? All the nice guys I've ever met don't go around telling people what nice guys they are, they're JUST nice guys, they don't expect a pat on the head for it or for women to bow down to them. They are what they are and it's fine with them not to try to "brag" about it. So you being a nice guy IMO is probably as good a chance as a fish and a bird finding love together. At any rate I really don't give a whole holy crap whether you are or you aren't. I DON'T CARE.
Here's what I have to say, you want to decide the girl is lying- fine that's your perogative there nut job. If you really think for one second I get worked up or care about your opinion of me then you're more freaking crazy then I originally thought. You need to get a life. It's the internet asshole. You're wrong, I KNOW you are and I don't care that you think you're right. You want to know why? Because I'm happy, I have a good life with a wonderful husband, a soon to be degree in teaching, a beautiful son and a good life. You on the other hand just sound bitter and discontent and out to take it out on any female you come in contact with that doesn't bow down to your "superiority". WTHE get over it. Get some counseling- seriously no joke, you sound like you need it. You sound like you have some serious issues and until you fix them you're never going to be happy because they'll just continue to crop up.
I'm done with you and this arguement, I AM BORED with you, you're boring. REALLY boring. Have fun argueing with yourself there crazy.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Well,now that you are done hurling insults, which is typical of someone who is the one-opinion-allowed BITCH you are, I can only hope that the "air-person" (MUST be PC!), who has done WRONG (Even though she denies it and only the MEN were bad), gets busted to E-1 (although it looks like she was anyway) and spends some time at Leavenworth because she deserves it! As for you, who are nothing more then a foul-mouthed bitch who carries your husband(?)'s testicles in your purse, (I bet he has to beg you to buy a hammer to hang a picture on the wall YOU bought!), I've tried to be polite, civil and even PC, miss code red,white,green,blue, ad nauseam
http://www.dumpyourwifenow.com/2007/03/01/the-anti-male-shaming-tactics-catalog/. However, YOU just won't let it go! Keep your feeling of superiority about men, you feminist-supremicist, politically correct male-cleansing hater of all things male (Have you castrated your male children, if you have any yet?). Trust me one day, the PC pendulum against men will swing the other way and the Male-Hating/Domineering Feminists NUREMBERG is coming! It's too late for me, I've been thrown in the PC feminist's crematory. My only hope is that my boys will be the "hangpersons"
at the feminist's Nuremberg!
September 7th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
ROFLMAO your paranoia is funny. You are such a dumbass, and you just keep proving it again and again, it's so sad. You know you can't talk sense to crazy people, I think I'll just stand back and laugh at you.
By the way my husband says that you're just jealous because he's getting some and you're not and not that it's any of your business but my son isn't even circumcised so much for your theory. Maybe you should try to be gay, that'll probably work for you :) LOL
September 9th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I can't believe I'm still reading this CRAP! You two both need to take your selfish pettiness elsewhere, does anyone remember the name CASSANDRA HERNANDEZ???
Don't bother responding, I'm out.....
September 16th, 2007 at 6:09 am
I've read some hostile comment, so I thought that I would post my own, so here it goes. By the way they are not hostile.
I have been following this story now for over a month and I want to first say, those that think she is lying maybe have engaged in this kind of act, of having sex with a semi conscious or un-couscious lady. If you remember your Military Training, that is Sexual Assault and if you are an American, you know that is Rape. This is not an issue about women in the military, women have always been in our military, I think we need to put that old horse to pasture. If you are not able to let go of that issue then you surly lack confidence around women and/or you must even doubt your own ability to maintain the Military standards of Discipline, Honor, and Duty.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Airman Cassandra Hernandez has been exonerated, cleared, found not guilty of indecent acts. Her lawyers and expert witnesses were able to present the evidence which proved her innocence and confirmed her claim.
This truly must have been a trying time for such a young woman, but the truth did set her free.
Now let me share some information with those that have not been following this story, but just want to comment based on past personal encounters that has influenced you to be intolerant and mean.
Many of you have not followed this case, watching or reading one report does not make an expert, and I am only more informed because this breaking news came out at the end of July. This Airman’s Lawyers are seasoned prosecutors, in the Military but not from Pope Air Force Base, I believe they are coming out of DC. This is their specialty and they are Military Men. The reason they took on this case is because the original prosecutors did not follow legal procedures that all bases follow, it seems they had no experience in this type of case. She has correct representation now and the Air Force is providing it. Pope is going to close very soon and there is much turnover, people are being deployed constantly. Her father a Navy Veteran said her original commander, and the victim support group put together at the time of the incident changed several times, the only constant was her victim’s advocate who was not allowed to be with her during any interrogations, she requested his attendance, and he asked to attend, but was denied. Come on, I think there is more to this case then what we know. No one should be victimized because of a poor decision to drink.
On an interview with her parents, information was given that when she first got to Pope she weighed 120lbs, she is 5 foot at most, the mother said her shoe size is 5, they described her as always being petite, a girl who wore size 1 when she went into basic training. I believe 3 men could hold her down.
By the way, keep this in mind, it has been established by the hospital and experts that her blood alcohol level and urine alcohol level at the time of the assault was between 0.21 and 0.28. So are some of you saying that I can teach my sons that it is acceptable to have S@x with a semi-concious, un-councious body. Where were you raised, in the Congo? (sorry for that comment) Anyway 0.07 and below are in the legal range.
In a statement by one of the accused rapists he said at the party to his 2 friends the other accused rapists that he was going to get some and they all agreed that they would all see if they could get some too, I believe he called it guys talk, that sounds like premeditated s@xual assault, and I’ve seen men encourage ladies to drink it up.
Are we to accept that when men get so intoxicated that this kind of thinking or mentality is acceptable, many have said women deserve what ever happens to them because they are drunk, so it was her fault, I do not agree with that. There are unscrupulous types that like to feed drinks to women. From the statement above it sound like this was their MO.
Some have mentioned that she lied and that is evident in her decision not to testify, understand this does not mean she dropped the charges, she said she could not, due to psychological issues, her mother said she tried to get her to commit herself, so that she could get the care she needed.
All I have to say about that is, show me a man who gets gang raped and has the strength to report the Crime and go through 3 separate trials, Opened to the public 3 separate times, and each trial covered by the media.
Somemore info into what happened at the time from what I have gathered, reading interviews and reports.
She left the party mad after the Airman who gave the party grabbed her butt. She had the morals and values to curse him up and down, that was not her way, that was an indecent act by that airman. Does that sound like she would have consensual S*X? That illustrated that she did not want that type of attention. So she left the party, the person that invited her did not even give her a ride back to her barracks. She was so upset that she continued to curse outside, and yes, she was intoxicated. There was not a fellow airman to offer her help to get home safely. I would have thought at least the person that invited her to the party in the first place should have seen her safely back to her barracks, but he didn’t, instead him and his buddies are accused rapists that have been granted immunity.
Anyone that thinks she deserved to be violated because she drank even though under aged, is weak and has no strength of character, period. We all have made mistakes and if your my age you were legal to drink at 18 years of age, so are you going to cast the first stone?
Another point about this case is the 3 men accused are good friends that have known one another for quite some time this is in their statement. The men were held for a short while then were released back to work as usually. They were allowed to be in contact with one another during this investigation. WHAT?
Finally, I can understand her confidence in thinking that she would always be safe with her fellow Airmen, she had already experienced years of AFJROTC, she understood what to expect when deployed, she is a trained marksmen, trained for combat, to fight, she is one of the first groups in the Air Force put through special traing to support the Army. She understood and was trained in the probability of rape and torcher by the Enemy, yet I do not think she excepted to be assaulted and raped by another fellow airmen or servicemen.
She is a credit to her country and now she is a credit to assault victims, be it men or women. Rape and Assault should never be accepted no matter if the victim is naive, makes a mistake in judgement or any other occurence period.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:58 am
To all servicemen and women especially the suposed vet who has a bad attitude, this is just a reminder of your extensive training, and to remind you that you are being paid by our tax dollars to protect and uphold the law of our nation.
Especially to the few unscrupulous persons that engage in these monsterous acts, you need to be deployed to the front lines, while your victims take aim and put you out of your miserable life. Then maybe you will remember the training and the oath you gave to our country at the time you passed basic training.
The Department of Defence
DoD definition for s@xual assault and other s@x-related offenses as required by Section 577(3)
S@xual assault is a crime. S@xual assault is defined as intentional s@xual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat of force or abuse of authority or when the VICTIM does not or CANNOT CONSENT. S@xual assault includes rape, nonconsensual s@domy (@ral or @nal s@x), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate s@xual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these acts. S@xual assault can occur without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of victim.
“Consent” shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.
By taking advantage of a victim who is incapacitated or otherwise incapable of giving consent. Incapacitation may include mental or cognitive disability, self-induced or forced intoxication,or any other condition defined by law that voids an individual''s ability to give consent.
"All Military Services will use the above definitions"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You are a rapist if you have engaged in this type of act, So Says the Military!!
September 16th, 2007 at 9:09 am
WOW THE COMMENTS from (some of) the men starting at page 1 are so incredibly enraging. That men (and women) actually propogate and believe these utter and complete lies about rape. So naive.
Popular myths about rape include that women are liars. The fact is Only a small percentage of rape reports are false and it is the same percentage that applies to other crimes.
"Men just want to have sex and women should know that" frame of mind is particularly disturbing. Sex is consensual. Rape is not sex ever.
On the other hand there are some very true and insightful posts here especially those that highlight the fact that prostitutes can be raped, and often are raped, as well as easy women and "****s".
The "There are so many Sl*ts in the military" posts are disturbing, naive, and totally uncalled for, especially when people are talking about their experience or the experience of someone they know being raped. That "women use rape to their advantage" sentiment is equally sickening.
And so I have included a comprehensive list I found. Even though the rapes being discussed here are of a specific sort I want the men especially to realize that RAPE is any type of unwanted forced assault resembling the act of sex:
1. You are a rapist if you get a girl drunk and have sex with her.
2. You are a rapist if you find a drunk girl and have sex with her.
3. You are a rapist if you get yourself drunk and have sex with her. Your drunkeness is no excuse.
4. If you are BOTH drunk you may still be a rapist.
5. If she’s alternating between puking her guts out and passing out in the bed then you’re a rapist.
6. If she’s sleeping and you have sex with her you’re a rapist.
7. If she’s unconscious and you have sex with her then you’re a rapist.
8. If she’s taking sleeping pills and doesn’t wake up when you have sex with her then you’re a rapist.
9. If she is incapacitated in any way and unable to say ‘Yes’ then you’re a rapist.
10. If you drug her then you’re a rapist.
11. If you find a drugged girl and have sex with her then you’re a rapist.
12. If you don’t bother to ask her permission and she says neither ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ then you could be a rapist.
13. You are a rapist if you ‘nag’ her for sex. Because you manage to ply an eventual ‘yes’ from a weary victim doesn’t mean it’s not rape. You are a rapist.
14. You are a rapist if you try to circumvent her “No” by talking her into it. She’s not playing hard to get, and, even if she IS it’s not YOUR responsibility to ‘get’ her. You’re still a rapist.
15. You are a rapist if you manipulate her into sex when she doesn’t otherwise want it. If you say, “If you loved me you’d do X” then you’re a rapist. If you say, “All the other kids are doing it!” then you’re a rapist.
16. If you threaten her, or act in a way that SHE thinks you’re threatening her then you’re a rapist. If you puff up and get loud and frustrated while trying to ‘talk’ her into sex then you’re a rapist.
17. You are a rapist if you don’t immediately get your hands off of her when she says ‘no’. You are a rapist if you take your hands off of her and then put them back ON her after 10 minutes and she eventually ‘gives in’ to this tactic.
18. You are a rapist if you won’t let her sleep peacefully without waking her every 15 minutes asking her for sex. Sleep depravation is a form of torture and YOU are a rapist.
19. If you’re necking with her and you’re naked and you’ve already gone down on her and she says ‘No’ to sex with you and you have sex with her anyway then you’re a rapist.
20. If you’re engaged in intercourse and she says ‘No’ at ANY point and you don’t immediately stop then you’re a rapist.
21. If she said “Yes” to sex with a condom and that condom breaks and you proceed anyway then you’re a rapist.
22. If she picked you up at a bar looking for sex and then decides that she doesn’t WANT sex and you continue then you’re a rapist.
23. If she changes her mind at ANY point for ANY reason and you don’t immediately back off or you try to talk her into it and get sex anyway then you’re a rapist.
24. If you don’t hit her and she says ‘No’ you’re still a rapist.
25. If you don’t have a knife or a gun or a garrote and she says ‘No’ then you’re still a rapist.
26. If you’re a friend of hers you can still be a rapist.
27. If you had sex with her the night before but she doesn’t want morning sex and you pressure her for it anyway then you’re a rapist.
28. If you’re her husband you can still be a rapist.
29. If it’s your wedding night and she doesn’t WANT to have sex with you and you force or coerce her anyway then you’re a rapist.
30. If she’s had sex with you hundreds of times before but doesn’t want to on the 101st time then you’re a rapist.
31. If you penetrate her anally, orally or digitally against her will then YOU my friend, are ALSO a rapist.
32. Women do not owe you sex.
33. Buying her dinner does not entitle you to sex.
34. Paying her mortgage does not entitle you to sex.
35. Buying her clothing does not entitle you to sex.
36. Buying her lingerie does not entitle you to sex. It also doesn’t mean that she has any obligation to wear that lingerie around you.
37. Spending any amount of money on her does not, ever, entitle you to sex.
38. Seeing her legs or cleavage does not entitle you to sex.
39. If she ‘turns you on’ you’re not entitled to sex.
40. If she has ****ed every man in a 10 square mile radius and she doesn’t want to **** you and you have sex with her anyway, then you’re a rapist.
41. Her clothing is not a reason for you to rape her. Her LACK of clothing is no reason to rape her. If she’s wearing a thong and pasties you STILL have no right to rape her.
42. If she’s a prostitute and she says “No” then you’re a rapist.
43. If she’s a stripper and she says “No” then you’re a rapist. Likewise, if she’s a stripper and she’s been rubbing against your dick all night long and you follow her to her car and have sex with her against her will then you are ALSO a rapist.
44. If you watch a woman being raped without calling the authorities then you’re as bad as a rapist and you may also be a rapist yourself.
45. If you don’t fight rape then you accept rape.
46. If you don’t believe a woman when she says she was raped then you’re encouraging rape.
47. If you choose to remain friends with a man who raped a woman you are encouraging rape.
48. If you confess to the authorities that you raped a woman it does not exonerate you. You are not suddenly a model of good behavior.
49. If you ‘only’ raped one woman, you’re STILL a rapist.
50. You cannot tell who is a rapist by the way they look. Rapists are your friends, your brothers, your fathers and you won’t know it.
51. Do not get frustrated with a woman if she doesn’t trust you. SHE already knows that rapists don’t wear signs on their foreheads. Something you think is innocuous SHE may find terrifying."
September 16th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
[...] what Stan found, as well as the feminist view of the case and other information, see my blog post Are Feminist Protesters Correct on the Cassandra Hernandez Rape Case? Perhaps in response to feminist pressure, the Air Force has decided that Cassandra Hernandez will [...]
September 16th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
According to Politically-Correct-persons-of-gender:
1. If you have a Y chromosome, you're a rapist.
2. If you have testicles, you're a rapist.
3. If you have a penis, you're a rapist.
4. If you're male and have vitals signs (pulse and respiration), you're a rapist.
5. If you're not a gay guy, you're a rapist.
6. I'f you've celebrated your 25th wedding anniversary, have adult children and she now decides it, you're a rapist.
7. If you don't want sex with her, you're a rapist
8. If you think you DO want sex with her, you're a rapist.
9. If you don't touch her, you're a rapist.
10 If you think she is attractive, you're a rapist. BUT...
If SHE is unfaithful to you and leaves you for a drug-using-abusive-ex-convict boyfriend that hurts her and your children, she gets custody of the kids, the courts award her the house, the car, and everything you own and 90% of your paycheck and you don't get to see your children, SHE is NOT a rapist!
Let's forget P.C. and He VS She and do the math here people!
September 16th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Mind boggling calculation.
September 16th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Have comment to Bill Trusty:
????According to Politically-Correct-persons-of-gender
It sounds like you care for your family and the women you feel wronged you.
My brother who is 40 and prob a youngster to you, fought and has custody of his boys, they are teens, and what their biological mother decided to do with her life does not interfer with my brothers compassion he has because of the way the women decided to live. He did spend lots of money and provides real well for his boys, he said he would do it again and show no anger toward the women, to his boys or even us his family and friends. He said they will make their own mind up when they understand the situation if and when that time comes. They are healthy and very well adjusted.
Anyway, I think its soooooooo Great they found Airmen Cassandra Hernandez not guilty and droped that charge of indecency. The truth will set you free, God Bless,
(Bill) Bless you for the turbulent times you have gone through, just like this young lady, you have gone through pain.
Again to restate I think its soooooooo Great they found Airmen Cassandra Hernandez not guilty and droped that charge of indecency. The truth will set you free, God Bless,
September 17th, 2007 at 12:04 am
I was just wondering why we can't have any responsibility for your own actions? Are women so helpless that they can't trust themselves to go out and drink at a party and not get raped? Do we need to set up some kind of monitoring system for all women so we can tell them when its time to go home because they are getting too drunk?
"The drinks keep coming" Say NO for christ sake! Don't drink. Drink water. You women sound like little 10-year-old children...you can't take care of yourselves obviously. DON"T GO TO A PARTY IF THERE IS DRINKING AND MEN INVOLVED! If you are scared of being raped just don't go! How hard is that? I don't go to redneck honky-tonks or bars on the "wrong" side of town because I am smart enough to know that there might be trouble!!! When are you going to learn and take responsibility for your actions? It is so much easier to blame and play the poor helpless innocent victim isn't it???
Speaking of innocent...I can say with authority that many women in the air force are a bunch of alcoholic skanks with huge chips on their soldiers. It even carries over to civilian life, where they are little ball-busters who drink like fish and swear like sailors and fuck anything that moves. No honor and no morals. Never date a woman from the air force. I don't know about all of the other services, and i was in the Army and never saw anything like that. When i was in the army at ft. lewis everyone knew the place to go to get laid was the bars where the AF gals partied. I recently broke up with an AF gal and here is a sample of her little AF friends: friend one was married to an AF guy, and she was constantly cheating on him--"going out with the girls" was her little guise...she actually had a baby when she got knocked up from boyfriend and never told her husband it was not his. Friend 2 almost got kicked out of the AF TWICE for having affairs with married AF personnel and did not get kicked out. Friend 3 had a "tech school" romance with a captain, moved in with him in a month after they met in his big house, then waited for him to be on TDY before having her TWO boyfriends over for a little party---guy one came home early from his trip--kicked the skank out.
Moral of the story: think about morals, or lack thereof, before you ask yourself if this AF gal was actually raped, or did she just feel bad about having a good time and putting on a little show with three guys...
Wow! Renieq, you are a wacko! Get some help sweetheart.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:00 am
razor's quote is crap, I say if you are in any military service you should be able to trust your fellow comerades, weather you are drunk, out of your mind or asleep and passed out. This is not a blame game, or women vs men, it's common decency. It's the OATH that was taken at the time you enlisted, it's the freedom we have as Americans. We can't allow anyone to think that because of a misjudgement or because someone is naive that they deserve to be assaulted, that is why we have laws. She was invited to a party, there were other women there, she was among fellow airmen who are trained to look out for one another. I don't think in her wildest dreams that she thought she was unsafe and would be assaulted. She was not with the enemy so why should this ever happen to the men or women of our Military? We have ZERO tolerance in the school districts we need ZERO tolerance in the Military.
Wow! Razor, men and women need to drink water if they cannot conduct themselfs honorably and I think that putting blame and name calling makes you subject to being narrow-minded. I've read renieq's list and you better believe I will go over this with my teen aged sons. I will make sure they understand the beast that can drive people to do disgraceful acts then justify themselves by thinking the other persons morals are to blame therefore they had every right? Get some help sweetheart and don't become a parent!
September 17th, 2007 at 2:18 am
By the way, I'll state again
In a statement by one of the accused rapists he said at the party to his 2 friends the other accused rapists that he was going to get some that night and they all agreed that they would all see if they could get some too, I believe he called it guys talk, that sounds like premeditated s@xual assault, and I’ve seen men encourage ladies to drink it up.
Are we to accept that when men get so intoxicated that this kind of thinking or mentality is acceptable, many have said women deserve what ever happens to them because they are drunk, so it was her fault, I do not agree with that, there are unscrupulous types that like to feed drinks to women.
Second
She left the party mad after the Airman who gave the party grabbed her butt. She had the morals and values to curse him up and down, that was not her way, that was an indecent act by that airman. Does that sound like she would have consensual S@x? That illustrated that she did not want that type of attention. So she left the party, the person that invited her did not even give her a ride back to her barracks. She was so upset that she continued to curse outside, and yes, she was intoxicated. There was not a fellow airman to offer her help to get her home safely. I would have thought at least the person that invited her to the party in the first place should have seen her safely back to her barracks, but he didn’t, instead him and his buddies are accused rapists that have been granted immunity.
Some have mentioned that she lied and that is evident in her decision not to testify, understand this does not mean she dropped the charges, she never claimed to drop the charges and her lawyers have stated she did not drop charges, she said she could not go through with the trials, due to psychological issues, her mother said she tried to get her to commit herself, so that she could get the care she needed.
All I have to say about that is show me a man who gets gang raped and has the strength to report the Crime and go through 3 separate trials, Opened to the public 3 separate times, and each trial covered by the media.
I really think this won't be the last time we hear about Airman RUSSELL BASILE, Airman 1st Class JERREL APACHE and Married Airman ROTEZ BUTLER the Adulterer. There actions and statements show they should not be in the Military or represent our servicemen and country. It takes one or in this case a few bad apples to spoil the whole barrell. I hope these men will be charged with other crimes, they can't be charged with rape now because the paper work has been done, but I would not be suprised if we hear more on them having s@x with semi-unconsous and un-consious bodys. It sounds like this is there MO.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:47 am
In February, Lt. Col. David Knight, the commander of Hernandez's unit, the 43rd Operations Support Squadron, signed papers charging Hernandez with committing an indecent act,
Well people, he was new to Pope Air Force base and did not know Airmen Cassandra Hernandez case and all that had transpired. Later it is recorded he gave her a commendation for her bravery and work. He could not resend his paperwork, which was filed due to the accused defence attorneys recomendation.
So we are now in September and Pope Air Force Base has a new wing commander that arrived in July, wow turnover is crap, no wonder she felt that she did not have any support. Her case was just paper shuffling around from desk to desk, OH yea the Judge avocate at the time CBS Early Show did the report, just arrived 2 weeks earlier. She did not know the case, she was following orders to keep it quite.
I agree with her experienced Military lawyers, who said "The system let down Airmen Cassandra Hernandez"
I am happy she was given justice when her side was able to present there case, they cleared her of the charge of indecency. The truth set her free! And maybe these facts are mind opening too.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Thank God this is over for Cassandra, I can't imagine how miserable this has been. I pray she finds closure and peace to move on.
I hope sites like this were helpful in applying pressure to the Air Force to drop charges.
When trying a case, you have to put generalizations about each sex to the side and judge things on a case to case basis. It doesn't matter that somebody did this and somebody did that, and this group of people are skanks (NICE!) Look at the evidence of each particular case and make your call. The ridiculous name calling serves no purpose but to make those who leave such comments look extremely ignorant. Can you make your points without name calling....try it once you might learn something...
Razor...feeling a little self righteous are we?? Have you ever done anything really stupid that you regretted after the fact and proceeded to chastised yourself for the rest of your life?? I'm glad you have so much insight and street smarts to protect yourself from a bad situation. Everyone comes from different experiences and some of us haven't been so lucky, but good for you. Glad you've never had to live with the absolute disgust, shame, humiliation, guilt (even though you're not to blame) and the feeling of having your body completely violated because you let your guard down.
You really just don't get it...women should be able to freely socialize, relax and enjoy an alcoholic beverage without the fear of BEING RAPED!! If some men have to wait in the wings, watching for someone to prey upon for sex, that's pretty pathetic don't you think?? If there were gentlemen out there (I know such men) that were morally and ethically sound these things wouldn't happen soooooo often!! Grab a cab for a lady and send her on her way. If you're that interested in sex, call her the next day. What kind of turn on is it to have sex with someone whose basically unconscious?? It's not a turn on, it's about POWER and MANIPULATION and it's disgusting!! Your comments make it seem OK and it's NOT!! Just as women need to take responsibility for their safety and well being, men need to take responsibility for taming the wild beast in their heads and pants!! Hate to go there, but it's a necessary evil.....
Bottom line...Cassandra is INNOCENT of indecent acts and this is OVER!!!
September 18th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Feminists want equality. Right. Can anyone tell me why a woman who drinks with a man and has sex with him is not also a rapist? Isn't he impaired and unable to say "yes" to her seduction? Women and their double standards disgust me. I suppose we should just accept that women are all delicate little flowers who have to be coddled and shielded from any and all personal responsibility while they are handed "equality" in response to their shrill, incessant demands.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
To Jay,
Amen brother! "Equality" is a feminist word for "Female Supremacy". They want all of the benefits and goodies, yet none of the responsibilities if they are caught "...with their hand in the cookie jar..." ( i.e. doing something wrong), so to speak.
Susan Smith didn't drown her children according to feminists, her husband DAVID did, because he was a BAD MAN!
April 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
[...] Are Feminist Protesters Correct on the Cassandra Hernandez Rape Case? [...]
July 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I was a child in grade school while my father was stationed at Shaw AFB as the NCOL Commandant. Both my sister and I were sexually molested, yet the USAF did not have any type of recourse for this in the early '70s.
Later, I followed my father's footsteps into the USAF. While stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB, two (2) men attempted to abduct me - they were drunk and called me horrible names. They were active duty and I have no idea who they were, I was afraid and thought no one would believe me - afterall after having been molested as a child as a military dependent. I did report the incident and my supervisor told me I should have kept my mouth shut. That I was from the south and was being racist. Later, to drown my sorrows I drank too much and my supervisor took advantage of me. I kept my mouth shut.
By that time my supervisor had two (2) DUIs at his present rank of SSgt (E-5). With those DUIs he later retired as a SMSgt (E-8).
I married a few years later to another USAF member. He had divorced because his ex-wife had an affair and became pregant. He discovered the affair when our commander told him that his wife was having an abortion at Weisbadden.
He became violent when he'd drink. He had affairs and would take money from my purse. He had an affair with his ex-wife (paramour) and bought her an engagement ring while on 30-days leave while we were stationed at Platsburgh AFB. He told me he was TDY and I believed him b/c we were assigned to two different units; thus, I had no access to his paperwork. Later I was given a special duty assignment to USSPACECOM/J36; however, my husband would be reassigned elsewhere. I wrote my Senator Strom Thurmond and asked that my husband be given an assignment near mine. He was assigned to Cheyenne Mountain Security Police. It was at this assignment that I discovered his affair with paramour (his ex-wife), the TDY lie, engagement ring, etc.
By that time I had received and attended counseling at two domestic violence shelters in Plattsburgh, NY and Colorado Springs, CO. I did not trust the military. When the abuse escalated, I filed charges and for divorce (for the 2nd time, I also filed in NY, yet we reunited b/c he said he'd never hurt me again and if I left him, he'd find me).
Then, instead of investigating him, the USAF OSI began an investigation of me. OSI agents took my personal mail without a Subpoena from my mailbox at my residence located off-base. OSI agents followed me to my divorce attorney's office off base. An OSI agent went to my bank (on Peterson AFB) and demanded to know how much money I had in savings (I was also under review for my TS SCI clearance and had indicated on my paperwork my financial info).
I was ordered by OSI to take a handwriting analysis. The OSI agent did not like the way I was writing, so he yelled at me and took my hand and forced me to write in a certain manner. It was later determined by the USAF that I had forged the paramour's handwriting. Had my hand not been held and forced to write in a certain manner I've always wondered what the outcome would have been.
I was appointed a military lawyer who relayed that there were tape recordings of me threatening the paramour. However, they were never able to prove that I called her. Which I did not. I was not allowed to listen to these tape recordings. However, my supervisor and another superior were. My supervisor was SMSgt Jarry, who at the time was divorcing his wife and did not want to pay her 1/2 of his military retirement. The other was CMSgt Willie German, who as also in the process of divorcing his wife. Together, they confirmed that it was my voice on tapes that I was never allowed to listen to.
Now I admit I'm no angel. Yet, while the above was taking place, the abuse and stalking did not stop. I moved about 5X to hide from my husband. He'd drive by my house, my vehicle was damaged several times, stolen license plates, broken windows, slashed tires, stolen mail, etc. I witnessed some of these incidents and reported to police, yet he'd have an 'alibi' each time.
It was years later that I discovered his best friend, CMSgt Raimondi, was instigating the OSI investigation and alibi's.
I cannot say how scared I was when after another move he discovered where I lived. I had learned to park my car and walk to the grocer a few blocks away. He must have been following me and I would take 1 of 3 routes to the new residence and park b/c I did not want to be seen on streets he may travel. So I would walk to the grocer and he was driving around the parking lot yelling my name. He was stalking me and the OSI was investigating me. I was so scared and could not (and still don't) understand why the institution I had been a member of (that being the USAF) was treating me so horribly. That which I had believed in, did not believe in me.
My squadron commander (Capt. Coyne, who is factually gay) informed me that I'd be court martialed b/c this would be my 2nd Article 15. I had recieved on as an Airman stationed at Metro Tango, USAF, while stationed in Germany. I said I was no angel, but I would not lie.
My husband said I was the abuser and I was ordered into anger management at the Famility Advocacy Center at Peterson AFB. I was physically bruised, healing from cuts after having been pushed down the stairs, and other physicaly injuries and emotional pain, and ordered into anger management! Mr. Walter Scott said it was because my husband cried and I did not. I now have some of the emails between Mr. Scott and my husband, indicating favoritism.
I was given an Article 15, reduced from E-5 to E-4, and given an general discharge under honorable conditions. The OSI notified the Colorado Springs DA, who then dropped charges against my husband, of whom I divorced.
My husband's paramour had stoken my identity and used my credit card in South Dakota, where she now lives with her 5th husband. I contacted that credit card company and was informed that OSI had contacted them (without my permission!).
I moved back to SC and lived with my mother after my discharge in 1997. My ex-husband was promoted to E-8 and put in for PCS orders to the base nearest me, Shaw AFB along with all bases within a few hours of my residence. He hired a Private Investigator to find me, too. The PI came to my work place -- I was so scared. During his TDY to NCO Leadership School in Alabama, he drove to SC and followed me to work. He begged me to remarry him, that he'd never hurt me again and would find me whereever I went.
I remarried him in 1998, he was reassigned to Shaw AFB, promoted to CMSgt (E-9) and then we moved to San Antonio in 2002. The abuse escalated after that promotion and PCS. The affairs, he'd surf the internet "trowling" for dates at his TDY locations. I reported same to the USAF and the IG and Familty Advocacy said there was no abuse. Two more domestic violence shelters and he divorced me in 2003.
He remarried a women he had met on the internet about a year later, that marriage only lasted for a year. He then began stalking me again from afar.
I hope it ends some day. To this day my grandfather (retired Col), my father (retired CMSgt) and myself will never understand why no one would help me and why false evidence was introduced that I was not allowed to have access. I have no confidence in the military nor DOD.
The system let me down and fully supported the good old boy system.