House panel vote supports contempt vote for AG Holder. Fox: 'Holder has not yet been formally held in contempt of Congress. The full House would still need to approve the resolution in order for that to happen --Rep. Issa, R-Calif., suggested the vote can be avoided if the attorney general turns over more emails and memos about the botched anti-gunrunning operation Fast and Furious. Sources say other House Republican officials are also willing end to a potential constitutional confrontation if the documents are released. But the 23-17 party-line vote on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee marked a significant turn in lawmakers' 16-month investigation into operation Fast and Furious. ...'
Why military rapists get away with it. Rep. Jackie Speier at CNN:
Service members who report being sexually assaulted by a commanding officer or military colleague do so at their own peril. They face ridicule, demotion, investigation that includes a review of their sexual history and even involuntary discharge.
In 2006, when Marine Lt. Elle Helmer reported to her commander that a superior officer assaulted and raped her the night before, her colonel discouraged her from obtaining a rape kit. In spite of his objections, she sought a thorough medical investigation.
Helmer appealed to her rapist's supervisor, who still refused to press charges or significantly punish the assailant. He said, "You're from Colorado -- you're tough. You need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. ... I can't babysit you all of the time." ...
