Posted on 06/17/2015 9:28:30 AM PDT by SoConPubbie
For Texas Republican Ted Cruz, it got personal Tuesday when he joined a bipartisan group of senators trying to reform the way the military prosecutes sexual assault within its ranks.
"I have two little girls who are seven and four," Cruz said during a Capitol Hill press conference Tuesday. "As I've approached this issue, I've thought about when my daughters come of age, if they choose to step up and serve the country, what rules should be in place to protect my daughters from sexual assault?"
Cruz supported an amendment that would establish military prosecutors to investigate allegations of assault, taking the cases out of the ordinary military chain of command. The Pentagon has opposed the measure sponsored New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. It failed to gain the 60 votes it needed to pass, but backers vowed to press on.
"This is a common sense reform that makes the prosecuting decisions be made by a professional military prosecutor," Cruz said. "Leaves it in the military, but simply leaves it with a prosecutor rather than the immediate commanding officer who many times may face a conflict of interest."
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Here’s my concern, wastedyears:
After meeting with donors, he’s running so fast for the middle you can see donor footprints walking up his spine.
How do you explain the old Ted Cruz voting for Iran to get nukes, Obama to ink secret trade deals, soldiers to be persecuted by lawyers outside their command?
I think the bodysnatchers took him.
Guess we’re going to disagree on this one, Gamey. I think even the initial investigators are better if they have knowledge of the unit and its people.
Look, lets not give suggestions.
You just joined 45 or so days ago. So tell us all about your service to include command time?
Again you are dead on.
What was your service and could you provide what rank you were on your first article 32?
Army. Major.
He needs to quit grand standing. Cruz is for a little of everything.
Army Major and what branch?
-— Seems like the immediate commanding officer has an interest in making sure his command goes smoothly even if it means ignoring things that should be reported -—
Yup.
I’m not sure what difference it makes.
Running an Article 32 is the equivalent of conducting grand jury of one. It was me presiding over the session with the defense attorney, the prosecuting attorney and all of the witnesses, and yet I was expected to make a recommendation based on the rule of law. I had to make decisions on objections, motions etc all without a true understanding of proper courtroom procedure. Unless you are a JAG Officer you cannot do this properly. (You may know all of this, but most won’t.)
You really believe that? Who did you indict? What was the charge or charges? Are you sure you did not send the interviews, not charge or charges you conducted to a field grade, who was a rank or two above O-4?
Yes, I am new here, but far from new to life, and sadly I was C permed due to history of cataract.
I never said I had any “command time”. That’s your ass-umptiom.
I know if I have legal needs I go to a lawyer or the sheriff, whoever fits the situation.
I don’t go to a lawyer if someone robs me, I go to the sheriff.
The military, according to my Brigadier General cousin, has lawyers and investigators falling out the ying yang.
He also says it’s best for a commanding officer to refer ALL but the simplest run of the mill infractions to the proper military legal authority.
I think I’ll take the word of a 30 year career officer who got high marks on his reports.
I thought, this being the USA and FR, thoughts and opinions are allowed.
I must have missed the section that stated only military personnel may comment on military affairs.
Go play “mines bigger than yours” with the mirror.
Life’s too short.
Son, this military according to anyone except for your actual service is HEARSAY.
I must be old as dirt now. Is C Permed- same same as 4-F? So are you saying-”I never served, but; my cousin was a BG?” Therefore, I am qualified to know what is best for the military.
Yes. A PV2. Rape.
And I did send my findings/recommendations to a COL for final disposition. That is how it works. Like I said, it is the military equivalent to a civilian Grand Jury.
Have you ever participated in one?
Nah. Don’t answer that, I am finished here. Have a nice day.
I personally believe it is a very fair system as the article 32 officer is not from the same BN, has no axe to grind, and; he is not worried about any press/news/TV/ local election like a DA may be. It is very beneficial to the one being investigated as he can have legal help from the get go. He can challenge everything up front. I like it.
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