Court rules that KBR employee’s gang rape wasn’t a personal injury ‘arising in the workplace.’
Court rules that KBR employee’s gang rape wasn’t a personal injury ‘arising in the workplace.’
In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones was gang-raped by her co-workers while she was working for Halliburton/KBR in Baghdad. In an apparent attempt to cover up the incident, the company then put her in a shipping container for at least 24 hours without food, water, or a bed, and “warned her that if she left Iraq for medical treatment, she’d be out of a job.” Even more insultingly, the DOJ resisted bringing any criminal charges in the matter. KBR argued that Jones’ employment contract warranted her claims being heard in private arbitration — without jury, judge, public record, or transcript of the proceedings. After 15 months in arbitration, Jones and her lawyers went to court to fight the KBR claims. Yesterday, a court ruled in favor of Jones.” Mother Jones reports:
Jones argued that the alleged gang rape was not related to her employment and thus, wasn’t covered by the arbitration agreement. Finally, two years later, a federal court has sensibly agreed with her. Tuesday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2 to 1 ruling, found her alleged injuries were not, in fact, in any way related to her employment and thus, not covered by the contract.
One of the judges who ruled in her favor, Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale, is a West Point grad, Vietnam vet, and one of the court’s most conservative members, a sign, perhaps, of just how bad the facts are in this case. It’s a big victory, but a bitter one that shows just how insidious mandatory arbitration is. It’s taken Jones three years of litigation just to get to the point where she can finally sue the people who allegedly wronged her. It will be many more years before she has a shot at any real justice.
“We do not hold that, as a matter of law, sexual-assault allegations can never ‘relate to’ someone’s employment,” wrote the court. “For this action, however, Jones’ allegations do not ‘touch matters’ related to her employment, let alone have a ’significant relationship’ to her employment contract.
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Those “arbitration employment contracts” should be illegal to begin with. They’re basically asking you to waive a fundamental right of citizenship as a condition of employment. That sort of thing has become alarmingly widespread in the last ten years.
Hopefully this case will lead to a broader precedent so that employers can no longer make people “sign away” their rights in order to get a job.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:55 amI think it’s telling that the media focuses so much on ACORN (a group that has tenuous ties to the current president) and focused so little on KBR/Halliburton (a group that had excessive ties to the previous administration).
Bunch of wankers, they are.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:56 amThe media and KBR/Halliburton.
However, I assume her lawyer has (and should) argued that the post-rape actions were definitely an act of her employer. And if not, why did KBR initially take it through the arbitration grinder rather than just arguing at that time that it was a personal matter.
Also, considering there is a case before the courts now hinging on whether a corporation is a “person” under law. You can’t have it both ways.
But most of all, this was under the Bush-Cheney no-bid contract, immune from US law, immune from Iraqi law cabal. So unfortunately, I wonder if this can be resolved without appeal to international bodies ? (And if so, could this be the wedge that gets Bush into the Hague??)
September 16th, 2009 at 11:57 amAnd NOW being raped will me considered a ‘pre-existing condition’ for her. Aargh. What a country we live in.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:58 amAnd just who was the dirty right-wing judge who ruled in favor of gang rape and imprisonment in a shipping container?
September 16th, 2009 at 11:59 amThis is nonsense! We should focus on non-stories about ACORN!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:59 amSo the scumbag rapists win with the help of the U.S. Courts.
The courts nullify unfair and illegal contracts and parts of contracts all the time every day. They suddenly can’t find justice if kicked their a$$ to hell.
Phuck that!
This country, thanks to the fascist judges in most of our courts, is going down the phucking drain!!!!!
And my remarks include the phucktards at the SCOTUS too!!!!!!
September 16th, 2009 at 12:02 pmGod. This makes me FURIOUS, as a woman, as an employee and as an American. Shameful.
KBR needs to PAY for this, and they need to pay BIG.
And the g*ddamned farking Repukes will most likely point to this and say, “See?? We need tort reform!!!”
September 16th, 2009 at 12:02 pmrape is just one of the benefits to the pigs… er, contractors the united states taxpayer is fronting.
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/dyncorp-whistleblower-revealed-sex-s
September 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm…KBR…Health insurance companies…Pharma…
One in the same.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:05 pm***
in light of this atrocious and barbaric behavior
it comes as no surprise that dick cheney was the
former head and principle benefactor of halliburton/kbr
while holding public office. the culture of moral turpitude
at halliburton/kbr was formed from the head down.
*
September 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pmMMMMMM common thing here is ???????
KBR/Halliburton and one wonders who backed those company’s
shaking my head>>>> they are pro militarily as long as its the white rich offices we are for them the others well not smart enough to go to collage and well most probably are mmmm of the poorer end.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pmThey ganged raped her, placed her in a container for 24 hours, and then failed to help her. How can human beings be so low and lack so much compassion? I think she was tortured.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pmI hope she gets lots of money, but it will never be able to take away the memories or make her “whole” again. She is a brave young woman!
Why is this an issue?
This woman was GANG RAPED — a criminal act — and she has to fight for two years to get out of private arbitration?
What about criminal prosecution? Apparently KBR has several employees who would gang rape a woman — why would they stop?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:10 pmmj secessionist says:
____________
Your comment doesn’t make any sense… care to elaborate?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pmWhy are our tax dollars still going to the likes of KBR (Halliburton/Cheney) and Blackwater (Xe)?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:16 pm***
#14,
in your world i’m sure it’s a common, everyday
occurrence and not very newsworthy at all.
:|
September 16th, 2009 at 12:16 pmAmerica is listed as Number 27 in the Freedom rating.
We’re number 27. We’re number 27. We’re number 27.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:16 pm“We do not hold that, as a matter of law, sexual-assault allegations can never ‘relate to’ someone’s employment,” wrote the court.
____________
In other words, there are certain circumstances under which getting raped would just be part of the job? I’m not following this legal logic.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pmHopefully, we’ll see some action on all those soldiers electrocuted to death by faulty wiring overseas next… I believe that was KBR too…
September 16th, 2009 at 12:18 pmmj has gang rape fanstasies, but so far has only managed to score some roofies….
class act, mj, but remember – speed kills.
With KBR’s, Blackwaters, and other “friends of george w out there running violent criminal enterprises, it’s a wonder righty panties only bunch when acorn is mentioned.
acorn’s transgressions pale in comparison to the real atrocities committed, with many times more of our tax dollars, by the War Profiteers.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pmAs a second thought – why would KBR not be responsible for an unsafe and oppressive working environment.
I know that isn’t the “big win” but it may open the door ?
Also, as stated before, I know that it was the no-bid contract, immune from Iraqi law, immune from US law, immune from military law KBR.
(I also ask why KBR hasn’t been hit big for their electric showers other than Cheney can point to the electric torture of the Iraqi prisoners and say we did the same to our own).
September 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pmA story about someone’s human rights being violated isn’t NEWS?
For shame, mary jane secessionist.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pmBravo to Jones. I really don’t know if I could have done the same. Three years to wait for any Justice is too long. The sad fact is, ALL who were involved should be tried as the criminals they are. But after all that has been said and done in the Bush Justice Department, this will be the only justice she gets.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pm20. chiroptera toasterhead
working requirement for prostitutes ?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pmBuckie Boy says:
America is listed as Number 27 in the Freedom rating.
We’re number 27. We’re number 27. We’re number 27.
_____________
Well yeah?
The WHO rates us #37 in health care, behind such luminaries as Cyprus, Morocco, and Costa Rica…
Woo Hoo!!!
We’re #37!! We’re #37!!! We’re #37!!!!!
September 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pmSeems like gang rape would create the ultimate hostile work environment.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pmIf it was a requirement for employment, does that mean that KBR / XE is stepping up to be responsible for any and all psychiatric care for her lifetime (related to trauma on the job ?)
September 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm*
is there a FUND set up to help with her legal expenses?
… if not, there SHOULD be.
.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pmWhere the hell was the third judge coming from?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pmDon’t forget… this might end up before the SCOTUS… and that astonishing imbecile Scalia… you know, the one who believes “Jack Bauer saved Los Angeles. … He saved hundreds of thousands of lives,”…
Yes… THAT Judge Scalia.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pmThis story was always on the back burner wasn’t it? The fact that Cheney’s former company is involved in this and many other things despicable is sweeped under the rug, yet again. Electrocutions in the showers killng our servicemen, sub-standard food and water, shoddy work… Christ, I need a drink.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pmThe Republic of Stupidity says
Yes… THAT Judge Scalia.
also john corporated Roberts as well.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pmmj secessionist says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This is news, how?
Translation:
mj secessionist says:
What’s so wrong with sticking her in a box without food and water for 24 hours, threatening to fire her if she split from Iraq for treatment and gang raping her? NOTHING.
You’re sick. Please seek help.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pmchiroptera toasterhead says
September 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
In other words, there are certain circumstances under which getting raped would just be part of the job? I’m not following this legal logic.
_____________________________________________________________
I think what the court means is that rape is a CRIME, and not just a “workplace hazard”. Which means Jones can go for damages through conventional channels, and not be limited to what her employment contract stipulates.
What boggles the mind is that it took a court to make a ruling which should have been obvious to all but the most feeble-minded.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:32 pmThe Republic of Stupidity says:
Hopefully, we’ll see some action on all those soldiers electrocuted to death by faulty wiring overseas next… I believe that was KBR too…
Run ‘em broke. Shut ‘em down for good. Lock up the criminals for life. KBR deserves it.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:36 pmHere’s the actual opinion from the 5th Circuit…
And the judge who cast the dissenting vote was Harold DeMoss, Jr.…
September 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pmThe Republic of Stupidity says:
Here’s the actual opinion from the 5th Circuit…
And the judge who cast the dissenting vote was Harold DeMoss, Jr.…
A Bushian. Who knew??
September 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pmmisscoleopteramolly says:
I think what the court means is that rape is a CRIME, and not just a “workplace hazard”. Which means Jones can go for damages through conventional channels, and not be limited to what her employment contract stipulates.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
___________
Right – in this case. But by saying “we do not hold that, as a matter of law, sexual-assault allegations can never ‘relate to’ someone’s employment,” they seem to leave the door open that in some other case and under different circumstances, rape or sexual assault could be handled as an employment matter.
Unless I’m reading it completely wrong, which is possible.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pmWhy haven’t criminal charges been brought against the attackers?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 pmCorrection at 39. Bushnivick.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 pmIt was Busnivick, Sr who appointed him, correct?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pmHow sad it is that even ONE judge voted to endorse workplace
September 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pmrape.
OT
What happened to the Lamar Alexander thread?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pmThe Republic of Stupidity says:
It was Busnivick, Sr who appointed him, correct?
You are correct.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pmMathazar says:
How sad it is that even ONE judge voted to endorse workplace
rape.
It’s a repiggie judge appointed by Bushnivik 1.0. What do you expect from a repiggie?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pmchiroptera toasterhead says
September 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Right – in this case. But by saying “we do not hold that, as a matter of law, sexual-assault allegations can never ‘relate to’ someone’s employment,” they seem to leave the door open that in some other case and under different circumstances, rape or sexual assault could be handled as an employment matter.
_____________________________________________________________
Sorry — I misunderstood you (trying to read TP while eating lunch). You’re right — making a statement just to keep a door open (which appears to be the motive) DOES beg the question, “when WOULD sexual assault be handled as an ‘employment matter’?”
Perhaps a prostitute working at a legal brothel in Nevada who is the victim of a sexual assault at her workplace? Nope — rape and sexual assault are still crimes in that situation.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pmThe charges levied against KBR should be rape, kidnapping, torture (sticking her in a box w/o food and water and coercion.
Why aren’t those criminals behind bars for life?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:48 pmAnd to add, attempted murder.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:49 pm27.
Our healthcare system may be worse than:
France
Italy
San Marino
Andorra
Malta
Singapore
Spain
Oman
Austria
Japan
Norway
Portugal
Monaco
Greece
Iceland
Luxembourg
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Ireland
Switzerland
Belgium
Colombia
Sweden
Cyprus
Germany
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Israel
Morocco
Canada
Finland
Australia
Chile
Denmark
Dominica
Costa Rica…
But you can thank your lucky stars we don’t live in Paraguay!
September 16th, 2009 at 12:49 pmThe Republic of Stupidity says:
Here’s the actual opinion from the 5th Circuit…
September 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
___________
Thank you!
Looking over that, it seems a large part of the case hinged on the definition of “workplace,” and whether the barracks where Jones was living constituted “part of the workplace” or not. So if the rape had happened in the office instead of the barracks, she might not have a case.
Again, I could be reading it wrong.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:49 pmWe fund institutional rapists but we don’t want to fund ObamaCare. Tough.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
I wonder if Glenn Beck or Fox will carry this story let alone spend half the time it spent the Acorn and phony pimp and hooker story.
This company, Halliburton/KBR will have several years to formulate a plan of defense that most likely may include bankruptcy. As for the co-workers the attacked Ms. Jones, they are probably right now applying for Saudi citizenship.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:51 pmI’m sure you’d feel that same way, had it been your daughter.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pmctcadguy says:
Evil begets evil.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
___________
Right. And all the soldiers injured in Iraq deserved what they got. It’s just karma biting them in the ass. Or removing both their legs and burning them over 80% of their bodies.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pmKBR wanted ‘private arbitration’ because they could stack the arbitration panel and there would not be a public record.
Typical of any corporation–protect the company men and screw the whistleblower(s).
September 16th, 2009 at 1:01 pmctcadguy, you sound like a real old west kind of a guy. Like you would be well rooting in say the 1790’s.
Guess you were born too late. Mankind has evolved without you.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pmEnd Mandatory Arbitration Now!
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=13661
This is one of my pet peeve issues and it’s too bad this poor girl’s plight has to bring it to light.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pmWe sign away our constutional rights everyday. Cell phones, land lines, employment contracts, cable/satellite TV, credit cards, bank accounts, etc ALL have arbitration clauses in the fine print.
Arbitration/mediation courts are private corporate kangaroo courts where the plaitiff loses approximately 90+% of the time.
This disgusting practice takes away the only checks and balances on bad corporate behavior.
Grrrrr!!!
In most job descriptions, after a list of job duties comes the phrase ‘and other duties as assigned’. Therefore, being gang raped by your fellow employees is considered a duty by female employees of Xe. Do you see?? Do you see??
September 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pmctcadguy says:
——————————————————————————–
Can not feel that bad for a Mercenary.
She was paid very well to exploit Iraq.
Then she was exploited.
Karma if you ask me.
Evil begets evil.
Being the parody right-wing housepet no TPer wants to pet, I DON’T consider that parody, I DO find that offensive, and the government has NO responsibility condoning activity they FUND.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:06 pmfletc3her says:
Why haven’t criminal charges been brought against the attackers?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
__________
Good question. Perhaps since the attack happened in Iraq, charges would have to be filed in Iraq. Or under the CPA, which no longer exists.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:16 pmThey were in a war zone; she should have shot these four m-f–kers dead, either during or after the rape. No one would have convicted her. Hell, the way things were then, no one would have even known it happened except her.
Please provide the names and addresses of the rapists. After all they are rapists right? We should know who they are and where they can be found.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:17 pmAnd this happened to an American citizen, who is fortunate enough to have access to US courts to sue a company paid by the US government.
Imagine all the crimes the KBR thugs are getting away with when they prey on Iraqis -who have no legal recourse whatsoever…
September 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pmFor the record, arbitration is generally the more progressive approach and generally favors the employee. In court, the litigant with the most economic resources (the employer) will generally prevail. Arbitration levels the playing field.
For the employer, costs are reduced when employees file frivolous claims (and they do). In turn, this reduces everyone’s liability insurance costs.
This case is an aberration.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pmThey were in a war zone; she should have shot these four m-f–kers dead, either during or after the rape. No one would have convicted her. Hell, the way things were then, no one would have even known it happened except her.
She was drugged during the rape.
Afterwards she expected her employer and her country to step in, protect her and prosecute the perpetrators…
Instead they locked her in a cargo container and told her to keep quiet.
SHE did everything right… the slime who raped her and the slime who covered it up should go to prison for a very, very long time.
We don’t need vigilantes… we need justice.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pmmj secessionist says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This is news, how?
you’re no better than the rape apologists we had on here…
September 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pmctcadguy says:
Can not feel that bad for a Mercenary.
She was paid very well to exploit Iraq.
Then she was exploited.
Karma if you ask me.
Evil begets evil.
Oh yes, blame the victim here…is this your lame attempt to pose as an anti-war progressive to discredit all of us here? The woman was raped. Show some respect.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pmTypically, arbitration clauses require an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Assoc who is acceptable to both sides. Most of these are retired judges. You can guess who makes the most noise ppposing arbitration.
In NYC, our civil legal system would collapse without arbitration. I owned (and sold) a senior level executive search firm. Usually arbitration was included in contracts at the request of the hired executive.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pmThis is an example of the good republican court system. If you go to trial and you have video taped evidence to support your case – a republican judge will just throw it out.
Please – everyone – never vote for a republican for anything, not even dog catcher. This is what happens when they get in a position of power.
I sure feel sorry for Ms. Jones, I hope she gets some justice in the near future.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pmJust when you think you’ve seen it all…then articles like this creep up to the surface.
As previously mentioned, I sure hope there’s Karma for these corporate scum in their “afterlife.”
[shakes head side-to-side and waves middle finger at those corporate a$$holes.]
I know it’s not nice and I was told never to wish ill-will on anyone else (corporate scum) but in this case, perhaps I’ll make an exception.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pmI need to logout….I can feel my blood pressure rising by the moment….not a good thing….
September 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pmRush Limbaugh will tell us he’s a Democratic plant.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:39 pmCheck this out,if you think KBR has ANY ethical compass relating to human beings(Let’s don’t forget the electrifying showerstalls,either):
Suit claims Halliburton, KBR sickened base – Army News, news from …A Georgia man has filed a lawsuit against contractor KBR and its former parent … “The wild dogs could be seen roaming the base with body parts in their …
http://www.armytimes.com/news/…/military_kbr_lawsuit_121508w/ – Cached – Similar
Daily Kos: KBR, Halliburton sued for sickening U.S. troopsDec 4, 2008 … KBR and Halliburton are the targets of a new class-action lawsuit … “The wild dogs could be seen roaming the base with body parts in their …
feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/…/669263 – Cached – Similar
Think Progress » KBR gave troops ice tainted with ‘traces of body …The lawsuit also accuses KBR of shipping ice in mortuary trucks that “still had … “The wild dogs could be seen roaming the base with body parts in their …
thinkprogress.org/2008/12/04/kbr-lawsuit-human-remains/ – Cached – Similar
Suit alleges KBR, Halliburton misconduct at Balad Georgia man …A Georgia man has filed suit against KBR and its former parent company, … medical waste, such as needles, amputated body parts and bloody bandages were …
September 16th, 2009 at 1:40 pmhttp://www.allbusiness.com/legal/legal-services…/11983339-1.html – Cached – Similar
“In September 2007, Public Citizen took advantage of one of the few arbitration disclosure laws in the country to analyze the results of cases administered by the National Arbitration Forum (NAF), the nation’s largest debt collection arbitration firm at the time. The resulting study, “The Arbitration Trap: How Credit Card Companies Ensnare Consumers” found that consumers had lost more than 94 percent of cases handled by NAF arbitrators.”
http://www.fairarbitrationnow.org/uploads/UnfairAndEverywhere.pdf
September 16th, 2009 at 1:43 pmAww how cute – someone’s voting us all down. It must be the pro-rape wing of the conservative movement, at it again…
September 16th, 2009 at 1:45 pmWho the hell is voting things down, rape supporters?
September 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pmWhat was the forseeable likelihood that this gang rape would have taken place under any other circumstances,or by ANY other company, there in Iraq?
Is there NOT a moral hazard clause in the contract between KBR and the government?
September 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pmJudge Harold DeMoss must be here.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:50 pmRich H says:
Who the hell is voting things down, rape supporters?
well we’ve had a few rape apologists here lately…
September 16th, 2009 at 1:50 pmThank you MN AG, Lori Swanson!!! A Hero!
“In July of this year, the Minnesota Attorney General, Lori Swanson, filed a lawsuit against NAF, saying that it was financially tied to its corporate customers and attempted to refer as many cases as possible to arbiters who were known for siding with corporate clients over consumers.
NAF shut down its consumer arbitration division five days after the lawsuit was filed, and the next day, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) suspended its credit collection division based on Swanson’s concerns. Both JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America also dropped their forced arbitration clauses shortly after the lawsuit was filed.”
From:
September 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pmhttp://www.aboutlawsuits.com/consumer-advocates-push-for-forced-arbitration-ban-5920/
@78
Maybe some of the Rendon Group’s former PR trolls?
September 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pmThanks QXXIX,
I signed the petition. Your post @ 96 puts the test to the lie that arbitration equally supports the public vs. corp.
I went to arbitration for a work caused life long disability and the judge thought $10,000. was a fair number.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pmMaybe someone can explain this to me:
“We do not hold that, as a matter of law, sexual-assault allegations can never ‘relate to’ someone’s employment,” wrote the court
Except for prostitution. Can anyone tell me when sexual assault allegations can ever be related to someone’s employment. And for that case, even prostitutes can bring a lawsuit against someone who raped them.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:53 pmt r u t h o u t | US Military Keeping Secrets About Female …Both “suicides” are disputed by the families of the women. …. Two female employees of KBR who were raped while in Iraq have testified before Congress. …
September 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pmhttp://www.truthout.org/…/us-military-keeping-secrets-about-female-soldiers-suicides – Cached – Similar
RedBeans,
Have we heard one positive story about KBR in Iraq? A single one? Not that I can recall. Only a corporatist ahole like Bush would have thought hiring contractors was a better idea than having the military do things they are already trained in.
Then who’s bright idea was it than what the mercenarys did was not held to any law?
Fuc*ing republicans.
September 16th, 2009 at 2:01 pmQXXIX says:
“In September 2007, Public Citizen took advantage of one of the few arbitration disclosure laws in the country to analyze the results of cases administered by the National Arbitration Forum (NAF), the nation’s largest debt collection arbitration firm at the time. The resulting study, “The Arbitration Trap: How Credit Card Companies Ensnare Consumers” found that consumers had lost more than 94 percent of cases handled by NAF arbitrators.”
http://www.fairarbitrationnow.org/uploads/UnfairAndEverywhere.pdf
There’s a reason why employers WANT you to go to arbitration, claiming that it is a fair system that will give you a fair shot in timely fashion…
September 16th, 2009 at 2:01 pmRedBeans says:
I fully support the death penalty for corporations such as KBR that pull this BS…
September 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pmI don’t know if any here have been watching the hearings oin CapitAL Hill about ArmorGroup.
Well, there is reportedly info that the contractors were bringing in underage girls and using them as prostitues. Danger Room did some pieces on this if I’m not mistaken and Scahill over at Rebel Reports is on top of much of the behavior .Spencer Acxkermann over at Washington Independent is tops,too.
Here’s a couple of offerings:
Embassy contractor faces new charges – Jen DiMascio – POLITICO.comSep 10, 2009 … ArmorGroup North America faces new charges that it lied about its capabilities … employees in Kabul and their managers hired prostitutes, …
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27007.html – Cached – Similar
Silobreaker: Prostitution ring shut downSep 3, 2009 … Philippine prostitution cartel smashed in Hong . … Entities: Kabul, Armor Group International Ltd, Prostitution …
September 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pmhttp://www.silobreaker.com/prostitution-ring-shut-down-5_2262573551242444812 – Cached – Similar
Rich H @ 84:
September 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pmI’m so sorry to hear that.
It just makes my blood boil.
Suffering and getting ripped off should not be an accepted way of life in this country.
It would seem to me if one of the goals of Iraq was to win the hearts and minds of the people, the government should have held contractors to HIGHER standards, rather than craft law to give them carte blance legal immunity.
Immunity with impunity…..
September 16th, 2009 at 2:09 pmLL @ 85:
Sexual harassment can and is related to one’s employment.
Why not rape?
A person should not fear being raped/attacked/harassed as a byproduct of employment.
And, prostitutes do get raped everyday. If it was legal this wouldn’t happen.
Another example is wives getting raped by their husbands.
Hard cases to prosecute, but crimes none the less.
September 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm90. RedBeans
No I hadn’t heard about this. However, I believe there is a US law that applies if you travel to another country for illicit sex.
At the same time, KBR was given the no-bid contract and immunity from US and Iraqi laws. So I wonder how much can be done. At best, Ms. Jones is going to have to topple one straw man after another before she gets to justice.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:20 pm>This woman was GANG RAPED -a criminal act
> What about criminal prosecution?
Unfortunately its a criminal act that likely falls
September 16th, 2009 at 3:25 pmoutside the jurisdiction of United States..if you kill a US citizen abroad, or if you are a US citizen who has sex with ANYONE under 18 outside the borders of the united states, the federal government would have jurisdiction to prosecute you under specific federal statutes..but if you “merely” rape but not kill a woman whose over 18 outside the united states, I’m resonably sure you can’t be prosecuted by any state or federal prosector…unless your in the military of course, which these guys arent…
RE: MJ @ 14:
This pig-ignorant statement proves that “Mary Jane” is really a man. Not even the most delf-hating conservative woman would be OK with gang rape.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:28 pmRe: me @ 96:
URRRRRGHHHHH! _SELF_-hating.
The letters are wearing off my keyboard and I type by visual rather than touch.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:29 pmTHe corporate Insurgency is well under way, has been for a century.
Take the time, listen to these broadcasts.
http://www.takeoverworld.info/mp3/Alex_Carey_-Corporations_and_Propaganda_1230alex.mp3
http://www.takeoverworld.info/mp3/Alex_Carey_2_-Corporations_and_Propaganda_1230alex.mp3
It all makes perfect sense.
We need to KILL THE CORPORATIONS.
ALL CORPORATIONS that presently exist only do so as a function of law. The law that created them. We need to change, in fact we need to fundamentally alter the corporation creation laws such that a corporation has more power by being small, and functioning within only one state. As soon as it wishes to branch out and provide services in other states, it must seek an inter-state corporate existance, which dilutes its “personhood” status further, since persons cannot belong to more than one state at any given time, neither should corporations. If they then wish to do business outside of the borders of the country, they then would have to seek an international corporate existance which further water’s down the power of the corporation.
This will help keep corporations small and answerable to local governments.
Multi-national corporations ARE the reason we have KBR. They have been honing their skill set to supercede the active military, and make sure the gun for hire is more powerful so that the corporations can have the mightier power than the people.
Listen to the broadcasts.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:54 pmCan not feel that bad for a Mercenary.
She was paid very well to exploit Iraq.
Then she was exploited.
Karma if you ask me.
Evil begets evil.
Catching hell for this but understand this – if my daughter became a mercenary in Iraq I would not approve.
Same thing with a son.
Would I feel bad that she got raped – yes.
It is one thing to be put in harm’s way defending a country – which is not what we are doing in Iraq-
It is another to make 1000 dollars a day exploiting Iraq natural resources.
Mercenaries in Iraq are doing the devil’s work and yes evil begets evil.
Do I feel sorry for a male Mercenary who get blown-up in this immoral occupation – not so much.
Why should I feel sorry for this female mercenary.
War profiteers are inherently evil folks.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pmUCSBKitty says:
——————————————————————————–
ctcadguy says:
Can not feel that bad for a Mercenary.
She was paid very well to exploit Iraq.
Then she was exploited.
Karma if you ask me.
Evil begets evil.
Oh yes, blame the victim here…is this your lame attempt to pose as an anti-war progressive to discredit all of us here? The woman was raped. Show some respect.
SHE IS A WAR PROFITEERER AND IS EXPLOITING THE IMMORAL IRAQ OCCUPATION IN ORDER TO EARN OUTRAGEOUS SUMS OF MONEY.
SO NO I DO NOT VIEW HER AS A VICTIM BUT AS A SINNER.
SHE AND WE HAVE NO REASON TO BE THERE.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:02 pmVICTIM MY ASS- SHE IS AN EXPLOITER AS ARE ALL MERCENARIES.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:03 pmWAS IT WRONG TO RAPE A SINNER THEN I WOULD SAY YES – BUT WHAT SHE DID IS JUST AS BAD.
SHE IS RAPING IRAQ
September 17th, 2009 at 3:04 pmThank you for your sharing.!
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 amWant to know what is even more maddening about Jamie Lee Jones’ story? estetik cerrahi
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am