Victim: Gang-Rape Cover-Up by U.S., Halliburton/KBR

ABC ^ | Dec. 10, 2007 | BRIAN ROSS, MADDY SAUER & JUSTIN ROOD

[ovrtaxt]

A Houston, Texas woman says she was gang-raped by Halliburton/KBR coworkers in Baghdad, and the company and the U.S. government are covering up the incident.

[khnyny]

I read the account and it looks pretty damning and it is a republican congressman who is calling for action here.

Exactly. A Republican Congressman would not get involved in a case like this unless it had some merit. Period. Just because this incident is connected to an Iraq contractor doesn't mean it's part of the "vast left-wing conspiracy".

There are disgusting scumbags in every walk of life. Heck, one even became POTUS - Bill Clinton.

[ExSoldier]

Freeper Solid Wood said the story was "BS."
Freeper AU72 asked if "Blackwater held her down."
Freeper Perdogg said "Cheney and Rove filmed it."
Freeper Keith said "the film would be done by Michael Moore."
Freeper Bryan24 (to whom I first responded) Raised essentially the same question I did and reached a similar conclusion by inference. I was a little bit more specific.
Freeper subterfuge questioned the rape at post 27 and at post #32 (right before mine) said what I said in essence when he observed an attractive 20 year old woman should NOT be in Baghdad.

Are all these folks "dirtbags," too? I suspect the line I had about "getting too many tips and thus objecting to a small tip" is what touched nerves. I'm a writer and I thought it was a "cute turn of the phrase." Obviously not, given the responses. In retrospect it was probably a bit much and I'm sure that her parents would be aghast as would I were it my daughter being discussed.

I'd have to say that on reflection I shot from the lip and indeed should wait for more details to be revealed on the case. Therefore I stand corrected.

However I continue to question the wisdom of an attractive young woman being allowed to place herself in that most dangerous corner of the world. Again, I have to wonder what skills (real professional skills) a 20 year old has to offer and what experience she brings to the table that would lead a corporation to believe she wouldn't be anything more than a lawsuit in waiting for her innate ability to remain safe under such circumstances? Unless the company can verify and document a whole range of classes taught by experts (Blackwater comes to mind) on how to avoid being victimized in a combat zone, I'd say that KBR should face some legal consequences.

[La Enchiladita]

They have already stated on Jamie’s website that a screenplay is in the works.

I’ll add another observation. She was sent to Iraq to work, and the first and only activities she notes are that she “socialized.” She was very quick to get into the mix and “meet people.” For most on a new job, the focus is on the job itself.

[La Enchiladita]

I am a lady, and I have NEVER wanted to visit ANYWHERE in the Middle East except for Israel.

[La Enchiladita]

Rep. Ted Poe is the congressman for the Texas district where Jamie’s family lives. He was responding to their request for assistance, which congressmen normally do. He is simply doing his job. As far as I can see from the material presented here, he has not concluded that she was raped. He’s a judge after all, and the “evidence” is missing.

[Freeport]

If this turns out to be true, and I was her father, I’d go find an A-10 pilot in need of some practice....

[Allegra]

What was a 20 year-old woman doing working IN IRAQ as a contractor?

Why shouldn't she have?

[Allegra]

Ha, ha. Funny. But come on ladyjane. It just isn't smart. Life is precious. It's no different than deciding to become a high-wire trapiez artist and work without a net---it just isn't shmart.

Do tell.

[linn37]

I think shes telling the truth. A young attractive woman with no real protection from her employer or otherwise was more then likely attacked. It happens. I want to know if at least the one she can identify is still working or was he fired?

[Allegra]

Being a woman working as a contractor in Iraq.

The short version: This story could be true. I worked for KBR in my early days here. I left for a variety of reasons and one of them was the overwhelming "good ol' boy network" influence.

I am working for a much more professional company now, but with KBR, I didn't feel that I would get a fair shake if something had happened to me. I knew some dark secrets when I was there that disgusted me to no end.

That's not to say that all of KBR is bad. But they could do a heck of a lot better job in the leadership department.

If this story is true, I sincerely hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice. I have contacted a couple of friends who worked for KBR at Camp Hope at the time of this incident. If I get any good information that I can post, I'll do so.

[wideawake]

Thanks for your feedback. Another question: I understand at one point that shipping containers were commonly used as makeshift housing - kind of like a FEMA trailer. True?

[wideawake]

Jersey Highlander's "information" is cut-and-pasted from the website of a Soros front group.

Consider the source.

[DvdMom]

agree

[DvdMom]

I Agree With You 100 % :)

[wideawake]

These mercenaries

I didn't know that Markos Moulitsas Zuniga had an FR screenname.

[Allegra]

Another question: I understand at one point that shipping containers were commonly used as makeshift housing - kind of like a FEMA trailer. True?

Yes. In earlier days, shipping containers were fixed up to be used as living quarters or offices. A/C was installed.

It was not unusual at all.

You don't see that as much these days, but I imagine at some of the more remote camps, there might still be some of those.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Thanks for the feedback, having you over there sure cuts through alot of the “crud”.

[Allegra]

These mercenaries...

Excuse me?

[Allegra]

Thanks for the feedback, having you over there sure cuts through alot of the “crud”.

There sure is a lot of "crud" all over this thread. Some of these posters belong on DU as far as I'm concerned.

[Wolfie]

No, if the doctor’s back her up, the tune will change to “she must have been asking for it”.