Rape Victim Confronts Vitter Over His Vote Against Franken’s Amendment Holding Contractors Accountable
Rape Victim Confronts Vitter Over His Vote Against Franken’s Amendment Holding Contractors Accountable
In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones’ Halliburton/KBR co-workers gang-raped her while she was working in Baghdad. The company then detained 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.” (Jones was not an isolated case.) Jones was prevented from bringing charges in court against KBR because her employment contract stipulated that sexual assault allegations would be heard in private arbitration only.
Last month, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) proposed an amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that would withhold defense contracts if companies “restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court.” Although the amendment passed, 30 Republican senators voted against it.
One of the Republicans singled out for especially harsh criticism following the vote was Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who has a track record of siding against women’s rights. The Huffington Post’s Sam Stein reports that at a town hall meeting this past weekend, a constituent confronted Vitter about his vote. The woman, a rape victim, demanded that he explain why he opposed Franken’s amendment. Vitter refused to give her a straight answer:
WOMAN: It meant everything to me that I was able to put the person who attacked me [behind bars]. And what allowed me to do that was our judicial process. I showed up in court every day to make sure that happen
VITTER: And I’m absolutely supportive of any case like that being prosecuted criminally to the full extent of the law. [...]
WOMAN: But how can you support [a law] that tells a rape victim that she does not have the right to defend herself?
VITTER: Ma’am The language in question did not say that in any way shape or form.
WOMAN: But it is unconstitutional to have a law that says a woman does not have a right to defend herself.
Vitter then tried to deflect blame to the Obama administration, saying that it was also against the amendment. When the woman replied, “But I’m not asking Obama. I’m asking you,” Vitter retorted, “Do you think he’s in favor in rape?” Watch it:
Vitter’s criticism of the Obama administration isn’t quite correct. “While the Obama Defense Department raised concerns about the reach of the Franken amendment,” notes Stein, “the White House itself said it supported ‘the intent’ and was working to make sure it was ‘enforceable.’”
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They may be “for” rape, but there’s no doubt that the GOP is for torture. What’s the difference really?
Equally disgusting is the fact that the current administration wont prosecute torture criminals. I guess it’s just too politically scary for people to enforce laws that force us to be humane to one another.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 pmAfter the confrontation, Vitter was so scared he had to change diapers.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 pmVitter belongs in prison. I’m vehemently against the current prostitution laws…and vehemently in favour of punishing the hell out of politicians who break laws that would land a commoner with 1/10 the net worth in prison.
Vitter will never realize how he effectively supported rape and why this might be a problem. He is a disgraceful, hypocritic religious zealot and should be sacked.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pmI was just reading this on the HuffPost. If the Dems were smart, they would put ads in every Repugs re-election bids to show women just how much the Gop has contempt for them. Voting against this Bill was immoral. Let the women voters decide.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:28 pm1. Mr. Bungle,
It’s a political impossibility in the current climate to begin prosecuting Bush, Cheney, and others. Too much else to do: healthcare, financial regulation, climate change, unemployment.
An easier solution would be to ratify the Treaty of Rome and ship their asses off to the ICC.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 pmWhat happened to Ms. Jones was awful. Those responsible should be held responsible. Franken is right. Vitter, not so much.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pmSo it looks like if you’re a citizen with a tough question…the coward run’s away. If you’re a prostitute david vitter runs toward you with cash in hand.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pmYEAH, WALK OUT PUNK . .
Isn’t this the ‘diaper’ guy?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pmHow to defend the indefensible?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pmBlame Obama
(rapidly replacing the Blame Clinton defense)
Disgraceful!
YOU can GO HERE to ask him the same question:
Email Page:
http://vitter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
Write, CALL, CALL, CALL or fax him at these offices:
Washington, D.C.
516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4623
Fax: (202) 228-5061
Acadiana
800 Lafayette St.
Suite 1200
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: 337-262-6898
Fax: 337-262-6373
Baton Rouge
858 Convention St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-383-0331
Fax: 225-383-0952
Central Louisiana
2230 S. MacArthur Dr., Suite 4
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 448-0169
Fax: (318) 448-0189
Northeast Louisiana
1217 N. 19th St.
Monroe, LA 71201
Phone: (318) 325-8120
Fax: (318) 325-9165
Northwest Louisiana
920 Pierremont Road, Suite 113
Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone: (318) 861-0437
Fax: (318) 861-4865
Southeast Louisiana
2800 Veterans Blvd., Suite 201
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 589-2753
Fax: (504) 589-2607
Southwest Louisiana
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm3221 Ryan St., Suite E
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 436-0453
Fax: (337) 436-3163
Let me sum up so I understand, she was raped, locked away, and told she couldn’t press charges because she’d lose her job? And this is Halliburton/KBR that said this? Fine, the government as is doesn’t have the stones to get Bush and Co. behind bars, can’t we at least nail the scum who did this to her? Is it really so hard to enforce justice?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 pmI love how Vitter tried to spin this. Telling the woman that Obama was against it. Talking her question and spinning it into a case against the Pres. And she did not bite. Good for her.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pmI love how Vitter tried to blast past this woman, and then proceeded to talk over everything she said — not listening to her at all — and then shakes his head in contempt and walks away.
Unbelievable.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pmPerhaps I’m a little naive, but wouldn’t whistleblower legal protections also protect her? Or are governmental contractors immune? While it wouldn’t be as severe a punishment, they should get substantial fines for preventing her from blowing the whistle on this.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pmZooey@13, Nothing these Repugs do suprises me anymore. Vitter was a coward. Remember how Joe Wilson yelled ‘You Lie’ and he practically ran out? The ‘Town Halls’ where Repugs were given questions to ask BEFORE the meeting started? WTF?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pmLizCoro says:
Isn’t this the ‘diaper’ guy?
__________
Yes… “Diaper’ Dave Vitter…
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pmSometimes I wonder if we don’t have enough Senators in government that could listen to the problems of the public.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pmEnnuiDivine,
I have to respectfully disagree. There should be no political calculus involved. It’s the job of the DOJ to enforce the laws without prejudice. Taking into account the political climate is inherently unethical behavior on the part of Holder’s department.
Further, there is no political downside to prosecuting. If it’s one thing Americans usually agree on across party lines is the idea that if you break the law, you have to pay the price. If their is evidence of crimes committed, then the DOJ must investigate. Then if their is evidence for an indictment, then hand it down.
We can walk and chew gum at the same time.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pmThis is just incredible. Vitter’s only defense for his vote consisted of two points — 1) the “language” of the amendment doesn’t say what you think it says — a lie; and 2) “Obama is against it, too!” — another lie.
What a coward. If you’re an elected senator or representative, you represent the people who elected you. And when you vote for or against a bill or an amendment, you should be able to defend your vote. Which means that if you think it’s more important that we have the freedom to give huge no-bid contracts to firms who contribute greatly to GOP campaign coffers despite how they operate their business or treat their employees, than it is to guarantee an employee who is the victim of a violent crime on the job her right to take the matter to court, you should have the guts to proudly say so, and why.
After all, if what you did is the morally right thing to do, you should have no trouble convincing your constituents of that.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pmGuys like Vitter usually surround themselves with sycophants. To actually hang out with the common folks is rare and far between. Getting questioned by this woman not only flustered Vitter, it also got him angry and defensive. Some leader.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:49 pmSurprised Vitter didn’t explain to the lady that he would have been more sympathetic had she been a prostitute who specializes in child-like behavior fantasies ………
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 pmVitter then tried to deflect blame to the Obama administration, saying that it was also against the amendment.
Hey Pampers Boy
Who in the Obama administration is allowed to vote in the Senate besides Vice President Biden , and he to solely break a tie ?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pmWatching these guys tap dance around the facts is like watching the cast of Riverdance perform on a stage covered in oil with all of their shoelaces untied.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pmVitter ought to just have open office hours, four or five hours a day, every day, and let people come by and scream at him. He’s on a short enough leash now that he isn’t doing anything else and who knows, maybe he’ll learn something by having to listen to other people.
I know that’s too much to hope for, but at least it might have a cathartic effect for the people who get to pound on him.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 pmWas he wearing his favorite Diapers?
Did he ask her to nurse him while he soiled himself?
Did he then offer her money for said services?
Inquiring minds want to know.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 pmMr. Bungle,
Trying to get these people to actually appear for questioning appears beyond the reach of our Justice department. There would be no way to quietly round up the deciders and put them on trial; it would be an all-enveloping media circus that would completely derail the political process (i.e., Clinton impeachment). Even though those who would face trial are no longer in government, the sheer attention dragged down would be uncanny.
Unless a quickie trial happens in between the 111th and 112th Congress.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 pmA creasote soaked telephone pole shoved up his butt slowly would be a good start for these clowns.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pmI don’t think that the the D.C. Madam committed suicide and I think that Senator Vitter was somehow involved in her murder.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pmI would be much more appropriate and helpful if Sen. Vittles put a diaper on his stupid phucking head.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pmdel@28, MSM very rarely mentioned her, and she died under mysterious circumstances. They found her body in a shed I believe, then MSM just dropped it. It raises suspicions.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Ya know, it’s a sad commentary on our society when a politician can’t show any sympathy for a rape victim.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 pmI’m sorry, but the pathetic response of “blame PRESIDENT Obama” is unacceptable.
And Vitter wets his wittle diaper when confronted!
WTF?
I thought politicians represented the people.
I have nothing but contempt for this piece of human filth disguised as a United States Senator. He couldn’t answer the question, so he just walks away and ignores her?
Scumbag.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:09 pmP.D. says, “They found her body in a shed I believe, then MSM just dropped it. It raises suspicions.”
What ever happened to that long list of clients and phone records that the D.C. Madam kept? She gave it to her attorney. Where is that list now? I think her attorney sold her out. There were a lot of nervous, powerful politicians waiting for the ax to fall.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pmTown hall meetings not getting so much air time now that incidents like this are happening. Funny isn’t it?
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 pmHey Zooey, Santo’s stalking you again!
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 pmVitter looked he was in a hurry to get a fresh diaper.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pmTalking about rape, Sweden will make it illegal to LOOK at child pornography.
http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/1552-looking-at-child-porn-soon-illegal-in-sweden
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 pmDiaper Dave is a loathesome hypocrite.
And yes, I know. I’m stating the obvious.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pmVitter hightailed it out of there having to hear the woman’s words, “What if it was your daughter who got raped, would you feel like that?”
She gave him something to think about.
He may have dodged answering her questions, but she made it personal by repeatedly asking him that question.
May he have many sleepless nights pondering the answer to it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pmmajii, I’m not sure he and his ilk would respond to that question, because they subscribe to the just world theory which unfortunately is coursing through our culture. Just look at the comments about the Richmond gang-rape victim, saying how she deserved it. These people believe that their families will NEVER be raped, because they are good people and obviously not “s1uts” who “ask for rape” or “put themselves in a bad situation.”
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pmIt never ceases to amaze me the shear strength of those who have been truly traumatized by rape, disease and injustice have in the face of abject cowards like Vitter and his ilk.
Vitter’s pathetic behavior is proof positive that these Christian GOP Thugs have absolutely no shame. None.
You wait. Fox, Rush, Beck and the like will weep and wail crying poor poor Vitter!
Vitter: Depraved Christian – Diaper Wearing Pervert – GOP Senator.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm“the White House itself said it supported ‘the intent’ and was working to make sure it was ‘enforceable.’”
I think they are for Whirled Peas too. It’s always a cop out to “support the intent!”
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 pmEnd Mandatory Arbitration Now!
http://www.fairarbitrationnow.org/
It’s a disgrace. We sign these agreements every day…employment contracts, bank agreements, credit cards, cable/satellite TV, cell phones, utilities, you name it, there’s an arbitration clause in it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pmfor once I agree with you…the White House should come out strongly in favor of this amendment…instead of putting in weasel words…of course I question your support of the amendment in lieu of your willingness to use it as a political stick…
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:19 pmBeefeater says:
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November 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Yeah ……..Much better to show some “action” ; like say the murder and subsequent defense funding of an abortion doctor’s murderer , right skid mark ?
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pmFred says:
Town hall meetings not getting so much air time now that incidents like this are happening. Funny isn’t it?
Unfortunately, there are not enough of these confrontations with the Republicans. If there were more of these incidents, there would be more publicity. But most of the Republicans avoid open town hall meetings. If the people cannot confront their representative in the town hall, then they need to get out with protests outside these town halls. That will get press, particularly the local media.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:22 pmIt would be nice if people brought diapers to all of Vitter’s public appearances.
Don’t let him forget that WE KNOW he is a grown man with a fetish for wearing diapers.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 pmbarfly says:
Hey Zooey, Santo’s stalking you again!
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
**snore**
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 pmVitter’s criticism of the Obama administration isn’t quite correct. “While the Obama Defense Department raised concerns about the reach of the Franken amendment,” notes Stein, “the White House itself said it supported ‘the intent’ and was working to make sure it was ‘enforceable.’”
This must mean Diaper Dave will support the final wording of the bill if Obama does.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 amBeefswallower
I think you are an ignorant punkass troll and a stupid pile of dogshit who ought to STFU and let the adults talk. You are so stupid and pathetic its just sad
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 amAll I have to say is what does his wife think about this? Is she on board with this?
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 amSaintoAnita says:
——————————————————————————–
MOrnin ZOeey
HaPpy 50th birTHay IN a FeW DAYs—-Yur geTTIN OLd Lady–
U STill a STudent—hahaHaha
I’m in my 50’s and I still go to school. There’s always something new to learn and keep my mind active.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:20 amBy the way, how did that home schooling work out for you?