I believe Colonel Spletstoser.
She has absolutely nothing to gain by reporting this and everything to lose.
She will be vilified and called a liar.
The Trump administration has the worst imaginable track record when it comes to the sexual assault of women.
I hope General Hyten will withdraw from consideration. He's unfit.
I'm just sorry Colonel Spletstoser can't be the next Vice Chair of the JCS. She certainly has the courage required to have that job.
19
Only one question. Did she save her yoga pants? If she did, she has a prosecutable case. If not, she has no case.
19
Where are the yoga pants? Surely her credibility would have been enhanced had she kept them unwashed.
5
We have a dear friend who’s daughter is an Air Force fighter pilot . In some regards she has worked twice as hard as her male counterparts. She has risen to the top tier of her male peers and yet she lives in the shadow of awareness of a culture of bad male behavior in the military. This is a reality for females in all sectors of the military and it is something that her family worries about. No member of the military should be expected to risk life and limb for a nation that allow such behavior , especially at the very highest level. This particular case, regardless of the outcome, will do more damage to the victim than the perpetrator. Outrageous!
598
Perhaps neither women nor men should work for an organization like the military. Military recruiters must be allowed in all USA public schools and must be givens students private contact info, or the school can lose federal money. Counter military recruiters go to schools to tell students the realities of the military, such as the high rate of sexual assault, so they can at least have the data they need to consider joining the military.
16
@Mark Smith. Sadly, I’m guessing that the “highest level” is where you will find plenty of this outrageous behavior. It’s the power that convinces these animals that they can get away with anything. Just look at the current commander in chief.
24
@Kathy Barker
In my school district in (way) upstate NY, the new school year bus schedules, applications for reduced price lunch meals and supply lists, are accompanied by a form which allows a parent to opt out of their child receiving military recruitment materials.
8
My late stepsister, a Marine, was raped by her commanding officer in the early 70s. She felt she could not tell anyone and certainly could not get any justice and it quite literally ruined her life. When will we thank female veterans for their service by listening to them?
1226
@RN
Well said.
20
@RN. This is precisely what Senator Gillibrand found and what she was unable to take out of the chain of command with respect to judgment.
38
General Hyten has failed the appearance of impropriety test. In that light, he is an unfit candidate. His nomination should be rejected. Before this came out, it might have even made him a national security risk. Now that the very brave Col. Spltstoser has spoken out, the likelihood is too high that he is unfit.
129
Sadly, there are women everywhere who have served or who are currently serving in the military shaking their heads in exasperation, reading yet another story of sexual assault being minimized and or disbelieved. While I was a midshipman at the Naval Academy in the 90s, a ROTC cadet and I reported our lieutenant, who touched us inappropriately and said things of a sexual nature frequently during summer training cruise. We were told that this wasn't the first they'd heard about him and that they were sorry for his unbefitting behavior...but he had a wife and two kids and was due to retire in a year. As 19-year old trainees, we walked away disgusted and crestfallen- it shattered the ideals we had believed about our military. Worse yet, that was just the beginning of what turned out to be systemic issues associated with sexual assault and misconduct, the vilification of female victims, and the outrageous defense of the men who came away not only unscathed from the accusations, but benefited as heroes of exoneration by their peers and often superiors. Normally, I would not bring up gender as a factor, but, sadly, it seems an undeniable imbalance in the military. I had multiple friends who were raped or assaulted, having to live alongside the perpetrators, constantly maligned for speaking up. In too many cases, the victim usually left the military, ravaged physically and mentally by the injustice of the system. Oh the stories I could tell. Beyond fiction. Enough is enough.
395
@KC:
i can't even remotely imagine how painful
it must be to be ignored in such a situation and to be
even advised to hush up and hide what happened,
not for your own sake but for that of the perpetra[i]tor.
now that someone else came forward
you relive this uncomfortable part of your past.
but maybe you find a tiny bit of consolation as
what you knew all along is being confirmed:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
yes, there is double meaning in this,
sad but also encouraging.
and i hope the latter has carried you forward.
15
You said beyond fiction. Not really. Most American institutions are an illusion. America has a lot of growing up to do, if ever.
6
"Colonel Spletstoser has a reputation for being hard-hitting and assertive, charges to which she freely admits ... statements from her colleagues at Strategic Command (say) that she was “toxic” in her dealings with both subordinates and superiors."
Don't we want our military to be "hard-hitting and assertive"? I wonder if Colonel Spletstoser was called "toxic" because she is a woman.
Also, if General Hyten is so far up the Air Force hierarchy that it would be difficult to find an appropriate investigator, why not bring in investigators from the Navy or Coast Guard (not the Army, seeing as Spletstoser is an Army officer)?
798
@obafgkm Navy and Marines are no better at investigating sexual misconduct without prejudice towards the victim. Seal Team just got pulled out of Iraq on a rape charge they all pled the fifth over. Until sexual misconduct in the military is handled by civilian courts, it will continue undaunted. Military men protect their own.
48
@obafgkm: yes. And the implication is that if it happened she somehow deserved it or was asking it. Sickening.
47
They all know each other.... they all attend most of the same functions together too. This is why the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) needs to pass. An impartial third party needs to be the ones investigating. DOD has consistently shown it cannot police it’s own. Google “Military Sexual Trauma”.... you’ll be astounded when you find things like DOJ victimblaming survivors because “rape is incident to service”- in other words I & all my fellow sisters should have expected to get raped because “it’s an occupational hazard” (Coica V Rumsfeld) & (Klay V Panetta) Then I HIGHLY suggest watching my documentary “The Invisible War” it should be on Netflix. Then you’ll understand how MST works & why it must go to an impartial 3rd party outside of DOD.
37
Probably just a simple case of . . . "You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a general, they let you do it. You can do anything."
47
Isn't there still time for both parties to take a lie detector test? How can we believe anyone who refuses?
But then a rapist, Kavanaugh, was allowed to ascend to the Supreme Court, so maybe it's just the new prerequisite.
6
Why bring up the reports of her “toxicity”? What relevance do they have to the matter at hand?
5
I believe you Col. Spletstoser. Oh, how I wish you preserved the evidence.
6
Being a woman in the military is a lot like being a woman in the republican party. You get no respect and no one listens to you.
7
I guess it all depends on what kind of woman you are if you believe her. If it was I, you would have heard about it in Dec. 2, 2017.I would have had a rape kit before the night was over. No woman should put up with such an invasion & I would not. That is why I am skeptical of her claim, now.
IMO, this action without evidence sends a wrong message. I want my granddaughters to know that they don't ever have to put up with unwanted advances. No job is worth it.
Why now? It sounds as if she has a grudge against the man.
2
The General is gonna fit right in.
6
The nominee for the JCS position recently withdrew due to allegations.
1
Where is a blue dress when we really need one!
2
One of them is lying and there is really no way to figgure out which one. I am impresse by Col. Spletstoserd because this really just happened and by bringing it up she has runined her military career. That said since this is the military where honor and truth is saposed to matter lots and the truth is probley someware in the middle of a very long story they should both be sent off for a break. If you think its not fare will the military is not the place to look for fareness!
1
I believe her, but I think the whole thing is juvenile and unworthy of a court case or a hearing or an article in the New York Times. Can everyone just grow up?
1
and because she was under the assumption
that the general was going to retire she did
not keep her yoga pants to serve as EXHIBIT A?
[i can hardly believe that i am writing this question.
is it even remotely my business to voice that thought,
no matter how much "The Times needs [my] voice"?]
General Hyten continued:
she's not my type....
3
He said? She said?
The job of the military is to exert deadly violence. The more the better you are doing your job. Body counts are kept - and promotions dished out accordingly
The job is inherently violent. The more testosterone the better the military works,
"Testosterone and Aggressive Behavior in Man"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693622/
As a woman , be aware of what you enter.
Trump himself has 22 female accusers who have described in detail his sexual misconduct. Gen. Hyten is the type of man Trump appreciates. Men that just grab and get away with it.
4
I believe her.
3
Simi Valley, huh.
Try him there and he'll get acquitted.
Trump, the Pentagon and the GOP defending another sexual predator over the victim, just another day in this Whitey House.
2
SIGH. Once again illustrates that many men are just horny little piggies. I believe the woman.
1
Echoes of an administration's staff, cabinet picks, military appointments during his initial campaign speech after riding down the escalator: no irony here.
“…They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with (sic) us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
General Hyten is perfect for this corrupt administration.
On the other hand, Col. Spletstoser is falling on her sword for the biggest nothing. Her accusation will go nowhere. The military has long supported sexual assault of women. It helps keep the troops' morale up.
3
I taught in a university for many years. One day a very bright student told me why she'd left the army. She was raped by a military superior. Nothing happened to the rapist.
2
Powerful men who sexually assault and abuse women are protected both institutionally and personally. This is likely true here, it is true of both Supreme Court Justices Kavanaugh & Justice Thomas and re-accused sexual predator Jeffery Epstein. Like the Trumpster these men are often protected by the very systems in place to investigate and hold them accountable. They’re protected by friends, family and institutions for a variety of reasons including self interest, shame and deniability. It’s the boys will be boys (well into adulthood) rationalization. The one that Kavanaugh’s friends & family have used to excuse a lifetime of alcohol related bad behavior. Women who speak out and those who support them will be threatened, vilified and trolled by those who deny or feel threatened by the truth. It happens every time, this won’t be any different. Look to see Trump say what a “swell” guy he is, just like me smirked the abuser in chief.
6
What is happening in America between ladies and gentlemen? This is not the America as I remembered.
1
Colonel Spletstoser's assertion of rape is obviously true as she had everything to lose by it and only upholding her integrity and concern for other assault victims to win. That the US military command is so corrupt and incapable of recognizing and punishing criminal behavior among its own should concern the entire country as to its fitness to lead. Trump no doubt revels in nominating a fellow mysoginist though his handlers may worry about the impact with 2020 elections coming up.
When Trump is deposed, Colonel Spletstoser should be nationally recognized as a military hero.
2
Kavanaugh is on theSupreme Court. I wonder what Republican Senators are going to heap shame on themselves next.
1
There are plenty of men in the military who have not been accused of sexual assault. Whatever the situation with respect to this Army Colonel and General Hyten, it was not following the rules of military conduct.
Finding out that General Hyten abused women will probably cause President Trump to double down on wanting to appoint him. Trump admires men who a "keep women in their place."
2
General Hyten seems to be the perfect appointment by the President. After all, Trump has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by no less than 15 women, some asserting rape. And what has happened to the President, even after he was found to having paid off two of these women with payouts over $100K. What repercussions have there been to the President? Absolutely none.
No wonder nothing has happened so far to General Hyten. This is when the Administration just looks the other way.
Should we get ready for another Kavanaugh fight? Why do people ignore women when they say they've been raped? Is it because men are in control and they still see women as something to be "tamed". Or is it because they know they've been able to get away with it since the year before dirt? What have women done to warrant this kind of behavior? Why can a Colonel be the best there is one day and unbelievable the next? The reason I believe is "because they can". We at some point need to make sure they "can't". A very sorry state of affairs.
32
Our 2 tiered justice system will ensure that nothing happens to the general. How can you not believe the Colonel? Her career is now over.
2
Two observations:
[1] It’s amazing how allegations against powerful people surface only after they reach prominence. A friend told me of a Lt. General, head of an Air Force Command, who terrified people with threats and abuse. On one occasion (he said) the General ordered a participant at a meeting to stand on the conference table until the meeting ended. The reign of terror ended only when the General was rotated to a Pentagon assignment. We heard that, shortly thereafter, he was accused of impropriety, and went into retirement. Why didn’t this manifest lack of fitness surface until he rose to a Pentagon assignment?
[2] The article reports a charge that Col. Spletsoser “... says things in meetings that could be perceived as disrespectful to [more] senior officers and civilians.” This betrays an almost medieval, feudal approach to rank, not the approach one should expect from true leaders. Unfortunately, it appears to be too common in the American military.
A General I knew told of a meeting in which he, then a Colonel, was the lowest-ranking participant. Everyone was seated in descending order of rank, four-stars at the head of the table. A General disparaged the organization he’d come from and admired. He reflexively spoke up; the entire meeting stared at him, and he had a what-have-I-done? moment. Fortunately, his defense won over the meeting; he rose to get two stars. But he also recalled that being a Brigadier General was like being a 2nd lieutenant all over again.
2
The US military needs to stop getting blank checks from the lower and middle class every year.
The $4000.00 hammer sales need to stop.
We have enough bombs to destroy the planet a thousand times over.
Lets put the money towards healthcare for all except the top 2%.
4
This guy obviously shares Trump's disrespect-for-women and "you can do whatever you want" philosophy and practice. Of course Trump will appoint him to a position of leadership.
1
Brave of her to come forward. He is unfit and his nomination should not go forward.
1
It is appropriate to hold the military to account, but it is also important to remember that the military takes these matters very seriously. Let's not presume that the investigation was tainted. These are very difficult cases to prove, and it is not appropriate to live in a world where a mere allegation, no matter how unsubstantiated, can ruin a person's career. That would be a serious injustice.
1
This accusation will just assure Trump that he made the right choice. McConnell will see to it that the Senate confirms him with a voice vote and a chorus of "For he's a jolly good fellow."
1
When he was nominated to the second highest military job in the country, she said, “I realized I have a moral responsibility to come forward. I could not live with myself if this happens to someone else and I didn’t do anything to stop it.”
Little did she know that General Hyten's application for the position included a qualifying exam which Trump uses as a measure of whether the candidate who is to work for him is man enough for the job. General Hyten apparently passed Trump's qualifying exam with flying colors, in that, besides attempting to assault his subordinate, he of course lied about it.
Thus ladies and gentlemen, the President offers the American people, “with more than 38 years of service to our nation, Gen. Hyten has proven himself to be a principled and dedicated patriot.” So much for principled. But I sincerely doubt any of the other potential male candidates in that outfit would be much different from the esteemed General Hyten.
5
Why would any woman in her right mind want to go into the United States military?
11
Because we want to serve, just as men do.
We shouldn't have to stop serving because of the way [some] men behave.
It's up to MEN to control themselves. Not women.
15
@Doremus Jessup because the military provides career opportunities, travel, medical and dental benefits, a defined pension plan (which is a rare benefit these days), and a host of other opportunities and benefits such as equal pay for equal work.
If you do well in the military you can retire very early in life with a solid pension. For those so inclined, the military can be a great career.
12
This incident reminds me of the reports of rape and sexual abuse by former Tacoma chief of police, David Brame. He would rape his victims and then apologized to them and prayed for forgiveness.
Under the current administration an accusation of sexual assault and rape, are seen as qualifying attributes for male candidates, the senate will confirm him.
11
Col. S. has the edge in appeal because she is the victim and she has damaged her own career. But legally, this is the nightmare case: neither party has any supporting evidence other than their own word, so it is 50:50. There is no “preponderance of the evidence,“ the lowest legal standard that will win a civil case. This often seems to be the case with crimes of such a private nature.
My sympathies are with the #MeToo movement, but the victim should do something - anything - to document he problem contemporaneously. In this regard, Monica Lewinsky did the smart thing.
This is not support Trump, who, rather than surrounding himself with “the best people,” is surrounding himself with people like him.
5
@Donalan. Still, it’s VERY telling that his lie detector test did “not go well”. And naturally, she wasn’t even asked. How about a jury of her PEERS? Career military women!
1
Men in positions of authority and power often become role models and subjects of adoration to their inner circle of subordinates. Temptations abound that must be resisted but sadly many succumb and the results are all too often broken lives and ruined careers.
2
One of the comments that is a NYTimes pick states ( not inappropriately ) that a mere accusation isn't sufficient to destroy someone's life. I completely agree.
However, let's not disregard the reality that crimes of sexual assault are intentionally perpetrated in circumstances where there is a likelihood of lack other evidence.
In order to resolve this "accusation without proof," issue, I agree with one of the other commenters: a line of discreet, wearable recording devices worn by anyone who is concerned about being assaulted (or falsely accused of anything).
If that's really what it takes to stop the ridiculous narrative that a powerful man's word has so much more value, I'm personally willing to wear one.
4
While what he "allegedly" did is despicable, I would have kept those pants his DNA was on. The fact that he was supposedly guarded at all times, either those guards were not at their posts or they are "under orders" to look the other way.
As a veteran as well as being the lone woman in a crew of all men, all knew me well enough, superior officers as well as peers, that I would not be harassed.
I believe many males expect the females they harass, assault, were brought up to be "nice, sweet, polite" the usual expectations girls are taught. Not this one. My daughter knows it too. Oh and to those males that cannot take strong, in your face females, buckle up, there are more like me that will take you down.
5
It’s great that you’re strong and assertive and have raised your daughter that way but your comment has a “blame the victim” edge to it, as you insinuate that she would not have been attacked if she had been willing to “take him down.” While that myth may make you feel safe - you haven’t been attacked due to the force of your personality (as opposed to sheer luck), you are fooling yourself. And another thing; it’s easy to make assessments in the cold light of day. I’ve never been attacked, thankfully, but I know that the terror of being in that situation floods the body with stress hormones, so my rational mind has no idea how I would react.
2
She can't be the only one. There's never only one. Look for others to come forward.
4
@notrace If she is the only one, that speaks volumes as well.
1
"The official said it would be difficult, though not impossible, for the general to have entered Colonel Spletstoser’s room without his security guards noticing. None of the guards, the official said, reported anything amiss."
The general is exonerated of abusing his subordinate because his subordinates did not collaborate her story. Why would they put their career on the line when it is so clear the military will punish, not reward them for telling the truth. They were duty bound to follow his orders if he told them to remain silent.
This is why investigations into sexual assaults in the military must be removed from the Defense Department.
8
Unfortunately this accusation of sexual assault may make this current President even more eager to nominate Hyten to the position. I detest the fact that I have reached this level of cynicism regarding the current President.
3
I’m really sick of reading about the number of women in our military who have been harassed, or raped by their superiors. The majority, I understand do not even come forward because it will kill their career. The other day in yet another article a commenter said they didn’t believe that woman’s story because the woman was a trained soldier and surely could have fought off her attacker. It’s disheartening to see these types of reactions, along with the politician who said it’s only rape if the woman’s attacked by two men and they have a gun. Give me a break.
6
Based on this article she would have had physical evidence of his DNA on her yoga pants. It would be sensible to have kept this evidence. That would make the situation very clearcut. Also, she would have evidence on any towel used.
Interesting that Hyten would give her such accolades and detail that "her ethics are above reproach" just weeks prior to this assault situation. Based on his own appraisal combined with not passing the lie detector test are two indicators that him assaulting her sounds totally plausible. This woman clearly was noted to be morally impeccable by him. Not mentioned in this article, and essential to this case is: Did she keep the evidence of the assault either on her yoga pants or the towel said to be used? If that was used as evidence why has he not been convicted of a crime and dishonorably discharged? If she did not keep this evidence then she should also be given a lie detector test and if she passes clearly after he didn't...this would provide evidence in this situation. Also, did she write anything down at the time to note details of what took place or speak to anyone? She may not have wanted to tell anyone and could have been concerned about retaliation or losing her job.towards a conviction. There are trained interrogators who could interrogate both of them and look for non-verbal body signals indicating when someone is lying. These people should be also employed to verify this assault. May the truth come out and justice be served.
3
Too bad that this accusation will do nothing. Trump assaults women all the time, he's cheated on all three wives, he's on tape bragging about sexually assaulting women. With Trump in charge, no sexual assaults will ever prevent someone from being appointed to Supreme Court Justice or any other position. Sorry to all women, with Trump at the helm you can expect to be assaulted sexually and there will be no consequences for the assaulters, like the current SCOTUS justice Kavanaugh, and dozens of other appointees.
7
I can not believe that the military found it acceptable to have a lower-ranking officer to Hyten conduct the investigation. I am very familiar with, for example, how universities conduct investigations into assault and harassment due to my job. The main rule is that the investigator must be impartial. A subordinate to the alleged perpetrator can never be impartial. The investigation should have been removed from any chain of command to ensure impartial investigator(s). Often, universities have 2 investigators outside of any relevant hierarchy working together to ensure accountability.
After so many sexual assaults in the military have been investigated within the chain of command and resulted in praise for the perpetrators, I as a US citizen have lost my faith in the military’s ability to ensure justice for those who have experienced sexual assault. United States taxpayers should reject this system and demand justice for military service members who experience sexual assault. Otherwise, American taxpayer dollars are effectively supporting a military culture of a total lack of accountability for those service members who commit the crime of sexual assault. If we do not react, we as a country are saying that it’s ok for the military to allow assaults to happen and have no consequences. Is that what you want your hard-earned tax payments to support? The military answers to we the people via our elected officials.
7
Does/Can anyone associated with Trump walk a straight line?
What is happening in our Republic when it appears that Mitch McConnell h has more power than Trump.
3
The General should resign immediately.
Knowing the GOP, they will try anything to discredit this brave woman.
SHAME ON THEM ALL!
7
Air Force apparently has an overlap with Tailhook. After the initial Tailhook scandal I was in Las Vegas for a tech convention while that group was in the same hotel. We had to have hotel staff accompany us as female guests to our rooms. Yup, my tax dollars pay for that military. Women are not safe in their own country around our military. Or apparently Trump appointees.
7
Where there is smoke, there is fire -- another nominee in the Trump mold. Colonel Spletstoser has no reason to make a false statement about General Hyten. I trust her.
6
Our culture has a serious problem which is exhibited in this type of behavior. Wherever men are in power some will feel entitled to assault woman. It is a very sad state of affairs. We need to totally revamp societal norms from birth. In the meantime we must fight for justice for every victim and support them without reservation.
3
Why was she not offered a lie detector test when the general was by the military (and declined to take it)?
8
The truth is that none of us know the truth. There’s a time gap of a couple of years. There are no eyewitnesses, videos or text messages. Nor is there any physical evidence like what Monica had. So check your ‘me too’ prejudices at the door because if you were in a court of law you’d never convict this man of anything. People are complicated. Motives, intentions, perceptions and memories change like the wind. Why this is all coming out now, we’ll never know. So think before you speak. And think before you believe and judge. These are very serious allegations, with nothing to back them up, other than the accuser saying “ I’m brave and moral.” Or, a liar with another agenda of which we don’t have a clue.
6
We’re not talking about a criminal trial. We’re talking about a job interview.
1
It is more than amazing that so many of Mr. Trump’s associates, nominees, candidates for office, and friends have accusations, legal charges or convictions for sex crimes. Pedophiles, rapists, child traffickers, assaulters, domestic violence perpetrators, and hush money felons fill the ranks of Mr. Trump’s cadre. Apparently in Mr. Trump’s terms, these are “the best people.”
As an American woman and patriot, I am ashamed for my country and weep at the brutal and disgusting treatment of women and children by a man who is not worthy to reside in the People’s White House.
8
No woman is safe with Trump in the White House. Trump will destroy the poor woman like he destroys everything. No woman can win with the President, Justice Department and US Senate against them. The odds are impossible. Unless we get a new president in 2020. No woman is safe with Trump in the White House.
3
Colonel Spletstoser is courageous to blow the whistle on this, and I praise her for her bravery and patriotism.
I praise Trump for nothing, but I do wonder how he keeps coming up such pathetic candidates for high government office. I guess when you do all your vetting in your gut, the result is what comes out your tail.
5
Nominated by Trump?
This is like, so unfair, but, ah, well...
Guilty, guilty, guilty.
2
I’m literally nauseous.
I believe her and I wish her justice.
3
The article clearly states that the General asked the Colonel not to report him. She said she was just trying to survive without her life being ruined and that the General was going to retire. However, when she heard he was nominated for the second highest military position in the country, she felt duty bound to report it. It is a matter of honor and duty.
5
My daughter is in law school and she is a proud member of the military. She is working as a JAG intern this summer.
It looks like she will have a big job to do if she decides to make a career as a JAG attorney.
1
Are you kidding? He was nominated to this incredibly important post and what you did was an extreme form of patriotism.
1
Why do these sex scandal cases always show up at the most critical moment? It makes a person wonder?
8
What does it make you wonder about exactly? Perhaps, you should wonder about wondering.
5
@Max
Since you clearly didn’t read the entire article, I’ve included the paragraph that answers your question...
<<>>
1
Wonder about what? That earlier efforts went silent? That assault by men in positions of power should never be condoned, much less rewarded? That something is deeply wrong in societies where power endlessly trumps morality, decency, integrity, ethical behavior, and the law? I wonder, too. And I weep.
4
It’s more than tiresome to hear people talk about someones past accomplishments as though performing well in your field means you are beyond reproach.
Michael Jackson made some great music...
26
Wouldn't a female officer be considered insubordinate if she refused to meet with her boss in a hotel room or any room with the door closed? It would seem so. The military rank system, like so many privilege systems, basically makes it a happy hunting ground for sexual abusers.
19
Let's see if I have this right. IN April 2019 she reports something that allegedly happened in December 2017. Where was her moral obligation then. If this actually occurred, was she not concerned at that time that another woman might be violated? She was a very intelligent and accomplished person, surely she realized that a delayed allegation would be worthless and unprovable. And more to the point, what id she do with her sweat pants and the towel????? Did she not learn anything from Monica Lewinsky. So, did this really happen. He's said, she said.
7
@DocG
Read the article again!!
She did report it!!
They opened a special investigation!!
What is it with people that leap to judgment without reading a ten minute article??
1
Colonel Spletstoser will reap no reward for stating what has happened to her in her line of work. She is brave in coming forward. I hope she will receive justice in our military system, but I have grave doubts she will receive justice. Our system of bloviatated male honor is pitiful. Men in the military are taught to disregard honor at every turn. Unless, of course it is in the service of military men.
23
@CC NH -----"Men in the military are taught to disregard honor at every turn."
Actually, they aren't taught that, but some do engage in dishonorable behavior.
If the General lied about it, shouldn't he be impeached?
No, wait, we only do that to Democratic presidents when the Congress is Republican.
12
I served as an Air Force Officer in the early 1970s, when women were relegated to only administrative roles. I can understand this incident happening. I believe Col. Spletstoser because, according to this article, she did not save her semen-stained yoga pants and indeed helped the General clean up. That suggests she did just want to let the General retire.
I shall write to the President and members of Congress urging the immediate retirement of General Hyten.
13
Sad that these assaults have become routine in these United States.
4
Have always been routine. Nothing new.
3
Why is everyone assuming she's telling the truth? You don't know the facts. What if this were your son, husband, brother, or dad? Wouldn't he deserve some sort of consideration based on a lifetime of otherwise lawful conduct? Or would you automatically side with the complainant like you're doing here? This is outrageous. He deserves a chance.
7
May it is common sense!
2
Hillary Clinton did just that (stood by her husband) and people excoriated her for it.
Women- we just can’t win.
1
What’s reported here suggests an incomplete investigation that, in the national interest, must be reopened.
This is not like Kavanaugh where the allegations are ancient and there is no physical evidence.
Twenty years ago, I remember a stained blue dress becoming an object of worldwide fascination. It was soiled in the same way and nearly brought down a president.
Was there a DNA test of their clothing? And why not a lie detector test on both?
The country cannot afford the risk of an abject liar, if not worse, so close to the nuclear codes.
5
How can Col. Spletstoser’s accusation not be true? What other traits would bring Gen. Hyten to Trump’s attention and instill such trust in Trump that he’d nominate Hyten for a position for which he has proved himself utterly unfit?
On innumerable occasions Trump has demonstrated that he is drawn to men with similar, if not identical, proclivities to his own, whether they be ethical and legal lapses in business, or sexual predations.
It just may be that Col. Spletstoser’s own complaint filed with the Pentagon was, ironically, exactly the formal “recommendation” he wanted and needed to nominate Gen. Hyten to be the top uniformed military man in the Armed Forces. Soldiers with clean noses need not apply.
7
We were stationed at a Base in the UK when a male ER doc was clearly negligent. Med personnel could barely rouse him from the back lounge room when a 14 year old girl, brought in by her enlisted mom, presented with a high fever and breathing difficulties. He had his lazy look over and sent her back to Base Housing with a scrip or two. She died 4 hours later. USAF Commanders were successful in pinning this mishap on a nurse who was working that night. The Doc separated out, honorably, and took a job in suburban St Paul, MN. Trust me, my husband was a doc at this Base, and we knew loud and clear that the military takes care of its own, particularly at the officer level no matter what has occurred.
25
You don't do official business in a subordinate's hotel room. If the investigation established that he really was alone with her in her hotel room, then that's enough to run him out of government.
9
Trump should just come out and admit that sexual assault is a requirement for all his top nominees. It would be easier than uncovering such behaviour nominee by nominee and pretending it will be disqualifying.
And Trump should also just come out and admit the truth behind the stories of the 20+ women who claim that he assaulted him—it would be easier than continually trying to pretend that all these women are lying.
What we have is a government of, by, and for sexual offenders, whose sense of power and entitlement was cultivated through non-consensual dominance and abuse of others (most often women). It's not horribly different from seeing the whole society built on entertainers and businessmen and sports stars—we have held up those who seem powerful, and their power stance comes i part from the sexual violence they pursue(d). Being honest about their behaviour will help us be honest about our willingness to be drawn towards, tolerate, and even celebrate those who act this way. Maybe there's a way we could learn to orient towards a less dominant and violent form of leadership, and in part I think this will only come about as we learn to acknowledge who we really are.
9
Sexual assault is one of the most serious kinds of violence one person can perpetrate against another. When something like this happens, you call the police.....period. The two individuals were not on a military installation, meaning local law enforcement would have jurisdiction, most likely.
Time and again these incidents come to light long after the assault, months/years/decades. In the near absence of physical evidence, the current attitude is to believe the accuser and disbelieve the accused. Is that how any criminal justice system is supposed to work?
And there's an obvious, glaring hole in the article which I'm sure was left there intentionally given the general tone of it's support for the accuser. Where's the stained clothing?
2
What does “has proven himself to be a principled and dedicated patriot” have to do with alleged violating, sexual, Predatory behavior in a n”macho” hierarchical system, in which personal accountability for harmful words and deeds is not an inherent norm, value and ethic?
What are “ We the people...” to understand about the investigation and its outcome, to date, given the sexual predatory and personal unaccountable behaviors of its Commander in Chief?
Lastly, given the ongoing talk about policymakers being vulnerable to blackmail due to selected, targeted, behaviors, is this “nuclear” General at risk/ vulnerable?
What will it take to relate to the complexities of this narrative and not to “simplify” IT into
she accused
he denied
case closed; and
The band played ON? And On! And ON!
WHO is sufficiently principled and adequately patriotic to make a difference that will make a needed sustainable difference amidst toxic complacency as well as complicity?
5
Having daughters and sisters in my family, I could never understand why, in he said/she said situations, people want to believe the man. If, instead, we choose to believe the woman, unless there is “proof”to the contrary, we might be able to teach our sons that it is unwise and very risky to have sex with people they don’t really know.
5
Four truths:
1. Power corrupts, generally.
2. The U.S. military, in general, is immensely powerful.
3. Men, generally, out-power women.
4. There is no evidence suggesting that very powerful U.S. military officers are morally superior to the rest of mankind.
12
Women must learn to follow Lewinsky's rule: dont wash away the evidence. I dont mean to be flip, but she had struggled with him before, and for some reason just continued to let him get away with it. As so many victims do. She did not want to see herself as a victim. She should have saved the yoga pants, even if she never thought she would file a complaint. The fact that she didn't is the best argument that her story is true and she was not vindictive. Paradoxical, but probably true.
5
I'm no in any way blaming the victim here, but it occurs to me that when he knocked on her hotel room door, she could have suggested meeting in the lobby if he wanted to talk to her. She was under no obligation to let him into her room (at least I hope not). I say this because he previously acted inappropriately. Why would she let him in her hotel room under those circumstances? And yes, it would be a wonderful world if men acted appropriately at all times even when in a hotel room with a subordinate, but we unfortunately don't live in that world.
10
It’s the military. He outranked her.
3
Yes - you are in every way blaming the victim.
1
This woman has courage. Win, lose or draw in her application for redress, she stepped up and reported the incident. Self respect is the bottom line. She has it.
11
Let’s examine the evidence available -
- no physical evidence;
- witnesses report the encounter would have been very difficult to occur;
- witnesses report the alleged victim to be highly emotional and confrontational in interpersonal relationships;
- alleged perpetrator served the country honorably for over 38 years;
- alleged victim could have produced irrefutable evidence of her story was true - but failed to do so;
- alleged victim made allegations after having been determined to create hostile work environment.
Unless you are extraordinarily biased and prejudiced against men - there is absolutely no reason not to apologize to the general for these unproven, highly improbable allegations.
5
Highly improbable knowing how military court protects their own, the prevalence of abuse due to this fact, and that this man has abused his power before? Get out of here with this faulty logic
6
You lean on the alleged perpetrator’s service record to boost his credibility and say nothing of the accuser’s equally impressive service record? That says it all.
1
Some would say the colonel has a moral responsibility to her institution to not cast shade on it. Institutions need to project an image in order to operate, and whistleblowers harm that image. Part of our image is that we like and admire whistleblowers, but the reality is shown by what usually happens to them (unless they become celebrities). People become celebrities by doing something unusual, be it good or bad. Whistleblowers who do not manage to cash in on their deeds by becoming celebrities find their lives damaged or ruined; this is the reality that our image of ourselves hides.
1
Sen. McSally is on the Armed Services committee isn't she? Considering her personal history with sexual assault in the military and the fact that the committee's R/D ratio is 14 to 13, it's not implausible that she could stop the nomination in committee if she feels so inclined.
Here's to hoping she does the right thing.
6
Men have gotten away with this behavior so long, that it will take more high-profile take-downs to get the point across. So be it. Freedom and justice for all.
10
First my bet is that there was an assault but the victim of this assault then went on to use it as a source of power and licence in her career. Now she is taking a moral position and demanding his head. Using her assault as leverage and being successful also showed that this man was prepared to mitigate his authority to placate her. Neither can look in the mirror for reflected moral integrity.
3
By the time a man reaches the rank of general he really gets to thinking he rates all kinds of perks and can get away with what lower ranks can not because he will have entourage of Yes men and lackeys to shield him.
This general probably got stars in his eyes.
25
Col. Kathryn A. Spletstoser,
If you have the personality, perhaps politics is in your future.
9
Sexual assault is a plus on the resume in this administration.
52
We know why so many victims don't come forward immediately, but she had a semen sample on her clothing--I wish that she had preserved the evidence. Hadn't she heard of Monica Lewinsky's blue dress?
10
Gives a new mean to Air Force blues, don’t it?
Clearly what the military has a problem with is naming and punishing the perpetrators of sexual assaults. If he has been accused of theft, or a financial crime, a person with a lower rank would certainly not have been assigned to investigate.
When a woman dates that an assault happens, but offers to not embarrass the perpetrator by naming him, the military is all apologies.
Clearly while the military might regret the abuse of its female officers, It doesn’t regret it enough to do anything to punish it, or prevent it.
17
@Covert
It ain’t just the military that has a problem. It’s a global pandemic.
5
I just want to say I 100% believe Colonel Spletstoser.
42
A few things that don't make sense, so far.
There's no suggestion she had motivation to make it all up. He had just written her a very good review, and nothing's reported about other issues between them, so why would she concoct a story?
If he had touched and tried to kiss her on several recent occasions, why would she let him into her room, let alone sit down next to him on the bed when he asked? No chairs?
'It would be difficult for his security detail to not notice him going to her room.' Did these guys all fall asleep at just the right time? Did the General tell them to give him some privacy?
He ejaculated from a grab, a hug and a kiss? Even for much younger guys, it generally doesn't happen that fast.
How is it that this Colonel with 4 combat tours couldn't fend him off?
Semen... on her yoga pants? Was he exposed (she didn't say so), or did it somehow shoot through his sweat pants (seems impossible )?
She told him to clean up. Was she so concerned that someone in the hall might see it? Wouldn't she just tell him to get out?
The polygraph test "did not go well", then later he says he meant it was inconclusive. A lie detector test which is inconclusive would have been very good for him. And he refuses to take another. (Has he been asked to relase the results of the first one?)
There's too much that doesn't make sense. Probably a lot more to the story; I'm looking forward to followup reporting as further investigation (hopefully) occurs.
19
Why does it seem that men never, ever believe women? Her account is perfectly plausible to me, a fellow woman. What would it take for me to believe women who report that they were sexually assaulted?
2
The Trump administration's vetting team is A.W.O.L.
11
On the contrary, I bet they looked at him and decided he was their kind of man.
2
@treabeton . He has a vetting team??????
1
While being a foolish sexually immature pathetic guy may not mean one is an incompetent military commander with the nuclear code & responsibility forma million soldiers- it does raise worries.
Can a man who is so screwed up and inappropriate also have good judgment & self- control?
How much does old boy vulgarity reveal character if they claim 'everyone did it!'- ?
Truth be told, many men didn't do that sort of gross behavior- mauling unwilling women with the delusional fantasy that you are actually welcome, despite her protests.
Is this a good measure of impaired judgment in other domains ?
Probably.
11
So a 58 year old man squirted in his pants from a kiss? And she had evidence and got rid of it and said nothing for 2 years? And the investigation failed due to a lack of evidence she says she destroyed?
I wasn’t there so I can’t say one way or another but it looks like a crock to me. And I adamantly believe that when women make accusations like this that are later proven to be false, they should do the same amount of prison time the accused would have done if found guilty. Not one day less.
16
Most women endure unwanted sexual advances & ‘sexual assaults’ (short of violent rape) without criminalizing them. Most see men as dogs and are glad to escape the worst. Only recently have women made a bigger deal of this behavior. It is totally credible that this woman colonel, dedicated to service& surviving wartime combat, would let the General off the hook, even try to ‘protect him’ from humiliation as he neared retirement. There is a condition with aging called ‘frontal release’ that involves loss of frontal cortex inhibition on sexual impulses. Older men suffer from this. It raises questions about broader cognitive impairment.
5
Throw women in jail for *the same amount of prison time* as a rapist?
And nine people liked that comment. Wow. Gotta love how making a false accusation is *just as bad* as committing an assault on someone else's body. Gilead here we come.
Report a rape and the police don't take it seriously, think it's an exaggeration, or think it's a lie. Don't report a rape and no one will believe you when you say it actually happened. This is why women don't report. And, yeah, I'm one of them.
4
Oh Lordy, I hope she kept the yoga pants.
12
A much less credible account railroaded Al Franken out of the senate. This is the "grab them by the pussy" Presidency, where time is not up. When will anyone in the GOP ever believe a woman? The day will never come. Or, she wanted it to happen.
People believed Rob Porter hit Hope Hicks because she was attractive. Is this woman attractive enough to be believed? Or is she only a "4" and thus not rape worthy. This is the way the GOP thinks.
12
No texts it emails from the perpetrator mentioning that he ejaculated on a woman’s yoga pants? Must not of happened. I am being sarcastic. Men know it will be he said/she said and will always say it was consensual or didn’t happen. I thank her for coming forward.
7
If he ejaculated on her yoga pants, she should have bagged them as evidence.
3
She knew she had no way to report the incident. Can't report = no sense in keeping evidence, which could easily be twisted to reflect a "consensual" encounter that was anything but.
1
Seems Washington these days is full of rapists, child molesters, and gropers. The swamp thickens.
18
@Tim . The head swamp director is The Donald.
Of course. To work with a despicable sleazeball criminal it helps to be just like him.
If there's a silver lining to this abominable administration, it's that we all now know how deep and wide the Republican cesspool is.
5
“According to her account, General Hyten reached for her hand. She became alarmed, and stood back up. He stood up too, she said, and pulled her to him and kissed her on the lips while pressing himself against her, then ejaculated, getting semen on his sweatpants and on her yoga pants.”
A clause is missing from this sentence, between “her,” and “then”.
2
"...getting semen on his sweatpants and on her yoga pants."
Obviously too late now but she should have kept the unwashed yoga pants as evidence...kind of like the blue dress of yore.
1
The fact that Colonel Spletstoser has come forward in the current environment, in which she has no expectation that even the Commander in Chief of the United States Military will treat her with anything approaching respect, shows how truly brave she is. I for one would like to nominate her for the job of Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She obviously has more integrity, honor and force of will than the President's nominee. Speaking truth to power; the very definition of integrity.
1033
@d. roseman
I second that motion.
39
The Republicans confirmed a Supreme Court Justice under very similar circumstances. I don't see why this would come out any differently.
1102
@Leo I would love to be able to disagree, but McConnell's Senate has a high tolerance for criminal behavior. Assaulting a woman (and fellow officer) would not be a blip on their radar.
385
@Leo
Jeez, their last nomination for President has been accused of much worse, and that didn't seem to bother them.
288
@Leo Except that a Supreme Court nominee is a MUCH bigger fish than the vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
96
When a General is involved the Generals immediately start circling the wagons to protect their own . Congress needs to understand that is why the Generals insist sexual assault remain under the responsibility of the Commander (command structure) because the legal system could ignore the circling of the wagons.
In the military, reporting a rape can ruin your career. Most Americans assume that our service members, if raped, have access to a fair system of justice. But in the military, the rapist’s commander, not a legally trained prosecutor, has the power to decide if a case will go to trial or what the charges will be. The commander also picks the jury. We cannot keep putting our military service members in a position where commanders, who are not legally trained, hold the keys to justice. The boss of your rapist should not decide whether to investigate and prosecute your rape, and should not have the power to select the jury. It’s un-American. All the legislation and additional positions (victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators) have been in general a waste of time because all of them are way junior in grade (enlisted and civilians) to the commanders who simply tell them to shut up and color if they disagree with the chain of command. Congress must understand that the chain of command will simply make these people lives so terrible that they will quit or the commanders will ruin their careers if they attempt to counter man their decisions or authority .
7
The complimentary things that General Hyten said in Colonel Spletstoser’s performance reviews are SO consistent with a campaign of harassment by a perpetrator who is pretending to himself that it’s not happening. For a moving lesson in how a man can become self-aware about doing this to a woman, listen to the This American Life podcast (May 10, 2019) about Dan Harmon’s apology to Megan Ganz.
9
Just because a woman makes an allegation doesn't mean it's true. Without supporting witnesses or evidence it's a he said-she said. What reason is there for her to lie? Who knows? And it's irrelevant anyway. But since it's immoral to destroy someone's life and career based on an allegation the scissors must be set aside. The answer might be to sexually segregate the military.
10
The “answer” is to not rape or otherwise sexually assault another person.
22
@Summer Smith
You are assuming what should be and remains to be proven or disproven.
Think back to the Election.
Trump and Hillary were being questioned by members of the military.
A middle-aged man stood up and addressed Trump.
He pointed out the military rapes and stated that he has a daughter that wished to join the military. What was Trump going to do to stop the rapes?
To which Trump replied..... that that's what happened when men and women got together.
Given the history of this man, Trump, it turns out that he meant not only the military, but also civilian life, also.
"Rape is just what happens when men and women get together."
We are such a banana republic.
No wonder Epstein was his good buddy.
23
230/1000 sexual assault victims report the crime. Victims are traumatized and ashamed. Of course they are not collecting dna and preserving evidence. They want to make like it never happened. Many take endless showers to try to cleanse themselves of the memory and feelings.
Monica Lewinsky engaged in a consensual relationship. She saved her dress. Sexual assault victims will not do that.
Everyone please stop pretending that “preserving evidence” is somehow a responsibility of a crime victim.
19
@Jean AND, only a tiny percentage of the actual rapists are convicted when she actually Does Report. The system is so broken when it comes to sexual assault.
1
“'The severity of the allegations and the sensitivity and seniority of General Hyten’s billet demand that a senior officeholder — not a peer, and certainly not a peer who is junior in grade to General Hyten — should be the convening authority,' Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Ms. Duckworth wrote in a June 25 letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper."
What is being said here, in brief, is that, in the military, the most senior generals have attained near-presidential immunity, second only (if that) to Trump himself. Once you reach the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or Vice-Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of staff, there no longer exists enough "peers" for you to receive a "fair" trial.
The Times will not print my response to that. It disturbs me deeply that this statement comes from two women I hold in high esteem.
2
He’ll be confirmed because it will be her word against his and the Republicans will cry “there is a presumption of innocence...” So women of the US if you know the man he will get away with it with the magical phrase: it was consensual.
3
Is there now a presumption of guilt?
3
@Al
There is a presumption of innocence. So my point is if you know a woman you can get away with it as long as you say it was consensual.
When your Commander in Chief is a draft dodging coward, you can't expect anything less from the United States military members.
This country is in such dire straits. The only way is up.
Sorry to say it, but we've made heroes out of people that don't deserve the title. You earn the title. Just because you're in the military, doesn't make you a hero. You earn the title.
Our military needs a major house cleaning, and soon, from the top down.
8
First, clearly she is not his type.
Second, one hopes the general in charge of our nuclear arsenal is not prone to premature launch.
Third, shocking that in 2018 she was cited for attitude issues with superiors and subordinates, a year after she was sexually assaulted multiple times by her superior officer.
Come on lady, this here's the army. Toughen up. Your commanding officer is trying to be all he can be. It seems like that is quite a lot. And anyway, if you don't get the result you want (or your wife wants?) after a lie detector test, what use is a lie detector test anyway? Too much testing in our society. Pass.
5
Eventually our contemptible Congress will accept that women in these situations have no reason to lie and every reason to keep quiet.
4
Citizens should take a hard look at our military academies. West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy and Coast Guard Academy.
Why are cadets assaulting fellow cadets, including rape, year after year. Look at the published statistics.
Are they really our best and brightest and of high moral character? I personally know a young woman who was raped at the Coast Guard Academy.
Sickening.
5
a few comments
1) touch of the Brett Kavanaugh syndrome about this issue
2) 37 years serving in the armed forces does not make this man a national hero or patriot ..I would call him a career officer .
3) as long as the defence forces can control and conduct their own trials and hearings ,then the question of true impartial justice will always remain questionable
4) the conclusion of the inquiry conducted said there was insufficient evidence necessary to go forward ..
there appears to be alot of these gray zone conclusions from inquiries .. Think of the Mueller report
5) There was a time that when a candidate was considered for high office that if there was any dodgy stuff in his background .that he would withdraw from consideration ..but now its Good Old Boys rules .. so we can forget that notion
6) finally , if a senior official , whether military or civilian comes into your room sexually assaults you and then ejaculates ..Ladies (or Men ) do not get rid of the evidence ..
you are looking at proverbial career gold dust ..
7) finally . this Alabama boy must have more dirt elsewhere .. Lets go find it ..
3
I’m sure this behavior is a feature not a bug in this administration. The barbarians aren’t at the gate, they very clearly are the gate ...
6
This is a terrible abuse of power. And I hope for her to have some peace. But I often wonder why these women who have been groped by these men continue to meet with them. If someone ever groped me, I wouldn't go near them again with a ten foot pole. This has always puzzled me.
4
Women rarely want to put themselves in danger and now Colonel Kathryn A. Spletstoser has done just that.
Now she is in danger from her own team who many feel a sense of loyalty to General Hyten and feel the need to 'teach her a lesson.'
The bottom line: women are physically less strong than men and as a result, less able to successfully fight against men. The safest option is to yield if that's how to remain alive.
For that reason, it is understandable why she let him in and difficult to believe that Colonel Spletstoser is lying because she has so much to lose.
11
I reading the comments here, in a NYT column, is any indication... no wonder women don't come forward.
No wonder.
16
Let’s await for the outcome of the DNA test.
I would order up an additional round of lie detector tests for the two of them and throw one in for President Trump just for the heck of it.
6
Why do so many men, in response to this article, ask
"Did she keep the sweat pants?"or "Did she preserve the evidence?"
As if.
I'd guess a normal first response after a sexual assault would be to shower and then burn the clothes.
But maybe that's just a girl thing.
16
@Watchdog2
"As if" evidence were needed. Accusation is made, case closed except for condign punishment.
1
Hopefully she saved the yoga pants (unwashed of course) and we have the new version of the Monica Lewinski blue cocktail dress.
1
I strongly suspect that General Hyten will be retiring VERY, VERY SOON.
There are capable generals and admirals who can perform the second highest military job in the country without this cloud hanging over them.
We must expect that our military leaders are that -- leaders. Because they demand enormous sacrifices from the troops they lead, they must set an example of honor and integrity -- that includes being an "officer and a gentleman" at all times.
13
I will address the obvious elephant in the room here as the sexual assault issue has been more than ably addressed on this discussion board. Older men can suffer from pre-senile dementia and loss of impulse control. I have see this very painfully firsthand in my own family. Any sign of this condition should be an immediate disqualification for his nomination regardless of his past service record. This General is supposed to be in charge of nukes and is now nominated to be the Vice Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff just footsteps away from the nuclear codes and "the football". While this isn't an exact analogy, please take a look at the story of the fatal B-52 crash at Fairchild AFB back in 1994 and the "good ole boy" network protecting a "good officer and pilot" until his retirement despite all the warning signs about his competence. This should serve as a sobering lesson and I am honestly shocked if the Air Force command itself isn't discussing this at this very moment.
8
He is 60. That is not an “older man.”
2
Colonel, I am so sorry that this happened to you. I truly wish you the best in your endeavors. Thank you for your service.
7
The DOD should conduct rigorous lie detector tests on both individuals. Apparently, the accused is not disposed to facing the polygraph again, which is interesting in itself.
6
Why not torture? Just as reliable as polygraphs.
1
All these after the fact allegations are wrong. Either report it when it happens and file a police report or your not helping anyone but yourself. Don't try and destroy someone's career after the fact when there's no evidence except your word against theirs.
4
@Robo .."an Air Force official charged with investigating her complaint declined in June to refer General Hyten to a court-martial."...It would seem that she did previously report it.
6
@Robo
A question we should be asking, “Why do so many women in the military hesitate to report sexual assaults?” Maybe the answer is the reporting process itself as well as the high risk for retaliation?
6
@Robo
Most sane people would rather get on with their lives rather than put themselves under the microscope for months on end. They brush it off, painful but less painful than the grilling they endure from people like you.
When they see the perpetrators get nominated to the highest offices in the land that calculation sometimes changes.
5
"Only the Best People"
Until the Trump Administration, I had no idea there were this many "Best People" available to run our government.
9
You know she not the only victim. But since there is no upside for a woman coming forward, it remains to be seen if others will come forward. We shall see.
8
Clearly, General Hyten can simply come in for his hearing, throw a infantile temper tantrum to express his outrage, which can be augmented by a similar display by Lindsey Graham, and then walk out as the next Vice ChairMAN.
Sexual assault is practically a requirement to be appointed by the Republican Senate.
16
What's up? I just finished reading Jane Mayer's Al Franken apologia and I thought this sort of behavior was OK again.
(asking for a friend)
The story reports that General Hyten is heavily guarded. However, he could easily order the guards to take a hike before he knocked on the Colonel's door.
The man is a four star general, however if multiple complaints for sexual harassment come to light, he'll be forced to resign. This has been the fate of other high ranking officers but unfortunately the word of one highly distinguished colonel just won't be enough.
Her courage will have consequences as courage often does. At the very least she is stuck at her current rank. The military establishment will find other ways of humiliating her as well. And the one of the most important military officers in the world will be an adulterer and a sexual predator.
Has anyone thought how susceptible to blackmail his character flaws make him?
15
No evidence supporting her claim beyond her testimony. Suddenly an O-6's word trumps and O-10's simply because she is a woman? What if a man accuses a woman of the same kind of assault? Not saying he didn't do it, but looking for confirmation beyond he said she said.
3
“If this were Staff Sgt. Hyten, he’d be getting charged. The only reason he wasn’t charged is because he’s General Hyten.”
a too familiar refrain.
10
Well, the general seems to be well-qualified for an appointment by Trump. After all, he's draining the swamp.
5
This is a long-standing problem in the military, the ultimate boys' club. I do not see that the Colonel has anything to gain by lying here; the General has everything to gain. Let's have an independent contractor administer polygraphs to both, and see if that clarifies anything. I'm thinking there's good reason the General's "didn't go well," and the Colonel wasn't asked.
10
Yet another purported case of sex abuse by a member of the Military upper echelon. No wonder it has become relatively commonplace for a great multitude of females in the military to be treated like sex objects. We have this overdone tendency to praise and bow in admiration to the service of our military men and women. This type of fawning is unhealthy and perhaps leads to some oversexed males to abuse their place in society. I for one do not agree with this type of exaggerated adulation. The Military Industrial complex already eats up too much of our budget and needs a good fiscal housekeeping. In addition, there needs to be an independent body overseeing these cases of abuse.
7
I absolutely believe her, the man is obviously like Clinton and Trump and the lot, all bravura, so disciplined and then alone in a room with a women he becomes weak willed and slovenly and grossly destructive and then wants to deny or blame the woman. All Mommas boys and I do blame their mothers for sparing the rod, as the phrase goes, if they had been hard on them and made them do what was expected and strive for personal integrity they would not have this tragic history and that goes for their fathers as well.
2
@Patrick
Do we forget JFK, Judith Exner and many others?
1
Just because Hyten is considered to be a patriotic American does not rule out the fact that he is a sexual predator as well. One does not cancel out the other, and as far as I am concerned Col. Spletstoser is a remarkable courageous woman who should be commended for speaking truth to power in a male dominated culture where women must work twice as hard as their male counterparts to be promoted.
Thank you Col. Spletstoser for coming forward to tell the awful truth about yet another sexual predator! You have my admiration and support.
12
This is a common complaint about Trump nominees. Rape in all its various manifestations is denied, minimized, contradicted, and ignored, and whenever the opportunity arises, the accuser is denigrated, insulted, accused of lying, and if possible, ruined (fortunately, most of these women have had the endurance and courage to survive).
It's hard to believe that the only competent person to fill administrative office is someone who has a history of sexual battery of one sort or another.
10
Whichever way this one goes, it's predictable that Trump will preemptively side with the general as a matter of reptilian reflex; it's not certain we will discover which one is untruthful, though the colonel has more to lose by reporting than the general had to lose by navigating the risk of gratifying his own inner reptile.
5
The truth is that sexual assault is much pervasive than people would admit. In schools, churches, hospitals, women especially are assaulted in various ways. Even in marriage. Marital rape is even common than many people would admit. As a divorce attorney, I have negotiated these deals countless times. This is 2019. We have to respect women and treat them as human beings deserving of dignity. We need programs and resources to teach boys and young men coming up about consent. Respect and honor boundaries.
13
Ladies keep the evidence and file a police report immediately.
Tell a friend, take notes, report the incident.
The patriarchy is not going to give up power until we take it from them.
13
We are edging into very dangerous ground, if the generals tend to behave like Trump. When the Civil War comes, our civilized allies will come in on the side of decent Americans, while Putin's Russia, Headlopper's Saudi Arabia and Erdogan's Turkey will come in on the side of the Neo-Republicans. If nothing else, it will solve the terrestrial ecosystem's overpopulation problem for a century or more.
2
It is her word against his. No corroborating evidence or compelling pattern of behavior on record to suggest who is lying. Maybe she's telling the truth, but I am not certainly not sure beyond a reasonable doubt.
5
Of course you’re not, Mark.
13
To punish somebody there must be evidence. Without evidence it is one person's word against the other. I have equal sympathy for both parties because I don't know which one is lying. One of them is honorable and courageous. The other one is behaving terribly. But without evidence I cannot say who is who.
2
If true she has my sympathy. Men are men and in an environment like the military they like to flex their bravado. Having said that, I think I've come to the end of my indulgence. Unless it is egregious and until Trump is called on the carpet and prosecuted for similar acts I don't want to hear anymore about it. When Trump is tossed out on his ear for the same behavior then I will agree to hold others to the same standard.
2
Men are men? Until Trump is prosecuted you don’t want to hear anymore about it? That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.
I can’t imagine that the general’s security detail, who are picked by the general, would look the other way to please their boss and keep their cushy assignment.
There is a culture of privilege and a mindset of being above the law with these creeps.
What the general needs is a good beat down.
8
Wait.. here we go again. Because a woman is making the accusation it must be true. Right?
I’m so tired of this. I’m a registered Democrat but I’m definitely voting Trump in 2020.
6
No, where did you get that idea? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion is each accusation needs to be considered for its own merit. Do people make stuff up to gain notoriety...sure. Do I think there are a lot of men out there who think they are entitled to prey on women...sure.
Is this the only issue that is driving you to the other party...just curious.
This is yet another example that:
- Men see Women as less than equal
- Men may abuse any sort of advantage they have over women for sexual pleasure if they can
- such carnal behaviour is deep rooted and can happen in any setting, a household or military and all in between
- even the mightiest of them need the comfort of a female and there is something patently evolutionary that drives men to such behaviour
- men treating women as equal is a learned behaviour and the degree of learning varies in men
- same story 100 years ago
- same story in 100 years from now
Some things never change!
So, Women, beware, expect this and strive to protect self and others!
A combat veteran who now is a therapist for veterans told me that unlike men in the service, women are in danger in both sides of the line. Yet another reason to stop glamorizing the military uncritically. Young people: find more noble ways to serve your country. There are many!
15
This is both every odd, and very weird. Too much missing from this story to make any reasonable judgement about either of the participants.
4
This is probably is NOT going to be a popular statement, but until this world becomes safe from these types of aggressive, powerful men who apparently do not have to answer to anyone, I would suggest women make other career choices.
4
@Lois Lettini the military would not be able to meet their quotas if women did not join. There are not enough qualified males between the age of 18-24 to fill the ranks.
1
Remind me again why we think of the military as heroes. Including women.
3
In this type of case, I believe a sad but necessary tool to bring along to any further interactions with a predator would be a hidden videocamera/audio recorder and/or demand that a guard/witness be present.
43
@Del
I believe I understand your sad, sardonic irony.
2
@JPD
Obviously it is impractical if not imossible for a camera to be trained on all interactions between military personnel, all the time!
They do drills, have meetings, discuss strategy and other matters in person.
Even having a recording would not suffice since there are many places where recordings would be inappropriate for other reasons - e.g. bathrooms, security meetings, meetings regarding personnel, etc.
1
It was back in 2017 when the headlines grabbed past sexual misdeeds of famous people. Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Al Franken were among the luminaries who fell.
A mere accusation without proof, corroboration or validation would be enough for ending a career especially if the accused is a Trump nominee.
In the case of Gen. John E. Hyten, the accuser claims to have unwelcome sexual contact way after these headlines and the new standard of guilty until proven innocent kicked in to the American psyche.
In the current situation, however, there is a difference. An impartial ruling by Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations found no evidence to corroborate the accuser’s story. That should be an end to the seemingly endless investigations. The accused was not charged and that is good enough.
“Move on” must be the slogan in this ‘me too’ sham.
38
@Appu Nair
Listing Franken, along with Weinstein and Cosby is part of the problem.
66
@Appu Nair
Woah. That's a lot of supposition and trust in a process that has been questioned and condemned many times over. Just because a junior officer found "no corroboration" doesn't mean much--look at Trump and "no collusion, no obstruction."
78
@Appu Nair
What would this woman have to gain in lying? Just because there was no one there to see what she describes, doesn't mean it didn't happen. A tree falling in the woods still makes a sound even if there is no one there to see it. Its not a sham. Sexual assault and misconduct happens. Our society needs to say "its not OK for men to act on their urges whenever they happen to feel one". Our daughters deserve to live in a better world than the one we currently live in.
105
General Hyten will fit in very nicely with Trump and his view of women. Can any woman having a sense of moral responsibilty and standing up for herself and other women in the Trumpian universe avoid crucifiction?
25
Considering the history of this administration's top leader is it any surprise he would be drawn to men who act like he does. Would it be any surprise that he likes men as inhumane and cruel as he?
21
Come on now, this is a Republican nominee. Ya know, boys will be boys, just locker room stuff, etc. Nothing unusual here, they all do it, or did it, totally acceptable. In fact, its a qualification for being a manly conservative.
35
You forgot “She probably led him on/asked for it/was just trying to set him up.”
11
So his security guards said they saw nothing amiss. Such loyal ignorant bliss has gone on over the many decades with powerful men.
34
@Jeffslaw
Decades yes but really centuries.
One more reason to week for the United States today. We are lost in a sea of corruption, misogyny and racism.
14
Why bother? She’s going to be vilified as per usual. What does she expect to happen? How silly.
He’ll be confirmed in 3,2,1...
7
... and the witch-hunt against the man begins.
1
Well at least we’re moving on. . . . Last week it was America’s fraught coexistence of the races, this week it’s now the sexes. Nothing seems to get along here anymore. Let’s all go back home.
2
Where are the Yoga pants? I don't believe her..
2
There were investigations and the charges against the General were found to be unsubstantiated. So do we keep retrying the case until something gives?
#MeToo has gotten to the point that a man is guilty until he is proven innocent, to the point that averring that a female accuser of a male might be wrong is deemed sexist and to the point nowadays that men are terrified of one-on-one situations with a woman (maybe Pence has a point after all).
This indeed is toxic.
2
This rapist will fit right in with the rest of the regime. Republicans, get in line to clap him on his back! “Well done , sir!” Republican values: sex, power and money- all attained criminally.
6
Unfortunately, this will now become a campaign point for Trump, who relates very well to every sexual predator he meets. He will now fire up his slander machine to support Hyten until the guy gets confirmed by the despicable Senate majority. And probably this woman's career will be destroyed because of it.
13
Of course Trump will support the rapist. In Trump's mind, there is no such thing as rape. Just "difficult women."
10
Trump
Kavinaugh
Acosta
Hyten
Too many others to list them all. Assaulting women is clearly a prerequisite for a job in this administration.
9
Fits right in with the grand molester's crowd.
BTW; When will Kavanaugh be investigated ?
This accused attempted rapist is now on our Supreme court, along with the "accessory after the fact", Gorsuch, who accepted the stolen supreme court seat from the thief McConnell.
What has become of the America I once knew? It is as if a foreign enemy was occupying the oval office..
11
First of all, I'm shocked that (DoD) submitted his name to the WH for nomination in the first place. Yes, the case was dropped. He may even be 100% innocent. But his "handlers" must have known this would come up. Whomever suggested Gen Hyten to the WH is an idiot who clearly had no idea the embarrassment and shame it would bring to the military.
The military justice system actually provides stronger defense for the accused than the civilian one. Ironically, to Sen Warren it's a problem, despite the fact this is the direction she wants for civilian justice, in the name of "reform."
I support that actually; I'm proud UCMJ system is ahead, generally. When I was in the service, a JAG friend told me she'd rather go before the UCMJ system any day over civilian courts.
However, I'll grant that the military's system for reporting sexual assault is fundamentally flawed. Why? Because it is only in the last 30+ years that we've seen large numbers of women in the forces, let alone in combat units. Generals and admirals have "convening authority" to oversee courts-martials because good order and discipline is their #1 concern, historically. The captain of a ship is God because he has to be.
But so many jobs are so civilian-like, with so many females. Yet the importance of chain-of-command persists, so any investigation/prosecution of sex crimes is basically like if a woman worked for GM and, a superior raped her, GM would handle the investigation, prosecution, judgeship, and jury.
1
Is this what happens after locker room talk?
2
“Toxic in dealing with subordinates and superiors”. “ Says things that could be perceived as disrespectful to senior officers and civilians.”
Wow! Sounds a lot like good old General Patton !
4
Once again....."only the finest people....."
Someone once said "We're going to need a bigger boat." ("Jaws")
Updating that; "We're going to need a bigger swamp."
("Trump Administration")
4
Why do these women continue to lie just to see their lives destroyed.
It makes no sense.
1
Exactly how do you know she is lying? We have her word against his. Have you seen evidence that the rest of us aren’t privy to? What really makes no sense is the way that the military refuses to deal with these kinds of incidents.
9
I was being sarcastic. Of course she is not lying.
So, the Colonel gives a legit, clear cut account of very inappropriate behaviour, even the conversation afterwards has a credibility to it which would be hard to deny.
And next thing you know, her own performance report is being brought forth, Pentagon praises the alleged sexual assaulter and no one says a word about the Colonel's work... but they don't fail to point out some harsh remarks in her report.
Now, what part of this story is a surprise?
How many times we have read a similar cache of accounts not only in NYT, but in WP, WSJ, Politico, etc.
Folks, the lady could have been a real nasty person and still her report of assault is a charge. It is almost aking to saying,
yeah, she had issues, so what if she got assaulted... wasn't she asking for it!
I've heard a similar statement offhandedly from so many of my own male-military personnel patients (JBML and Fort Leonard Wood) ... when you call upon them to pay attention to what they just said, do you know what the answer is, doc, do you want me to tell you the truth of whats being said on the base or some Hail-Mary mumbo jumbo?
These reports are stifling.
I've seen many documentaries on it that every time I see or hear such charges or accusations, I get a sick feeling in my gut. Because I know, that majority are the truth, because to come forth like this against your superior, is NOT easy at all for women or men in the military. It is against the codes army, marines, AF and Navy live by.
10
We need to really start looking at how the Joint Chiefs of Staff are selected. A bad set can create false flags like Operation Northwoods, an attempt to create domestic terror and blame it on others, which Kennedy stopped in 1962. A year later, he was killed.
2
“I’m sure there were some very fine people on both sides of this sexual assault.....”
13
I gather that unlike Monica Lewinsky, she did not keep her yoga pants as evidence. I find that strange.
Similarly, her rationaliztion of coming forward only because he was nominated to be vice chairman of the JCS is odd. As commander of SAC he could do as much damage to the military because in that post he has direct authority over many tens of thousands.
Is there more to this episode? I wonder. Nonetheless, his alledged conduct, if true, should lead to his dismissal.
1
@disillusioned1
Yeah, women pretty much line up to make false accusations in these circumstances. All the death threats, loss of privacy, scrutiny of their personal lives, name calling, accusations of lying and nefarious plots — what’s not to love?
As for the yoga pants all the men here seem to be obsessing about; what difference would that make?
Hyten will just claim it was a consensual act, throw a Brett Kavanaugh hissy fit, and be confirmed anyway.
6
@disillussioned1 Monica Lewinski was a willing participant with a "keepsake". The assault victim will shower, burn the clothes and try to wash away all traces of the horrid memories. She acted like a victim, not a jilted lover.
He's in sweatpants and she's in yoga pants?
She sat down on the bed next to a man with a history of making unwanted advances toward her?
In the past he was strongly supportive of her in performance reviews where others had criticized her?
A narrative as credible as either of their is that they had been carrying on an affair and it had ended badly. She correctly judged his behavior warranted not a promotion but his dismissal from the Air Force. But regulations meant an admission of a concensual affair would have ended her career as well as his. So instead we get this.
Regardless of what happened, it is disappointing the a general and a colonel are as feckless as these two are presented.
1
If she kept the yoga pants, this is not a "he said she said" situation.
But I'm sure that General Hyten's behaviour - if proven - endears him to your supreme leader.
1
@mariamsaunders
It appears she did not save the pants. Surely she'd present probative evidence IF she had it.
Trump knows only the best people. Is anyone else seeing a single thread here?
No texts or emails!!!???
That’s what they considered?
Are you kidding me!
It’s takes strength and courage to come forward when these personal violations occur in the military. I’m sure it happens much more than we know.
It’s still an old boy’s network.
Col. Kathryn A. Spletstoser, thank you for your service to our country!
9
I believe her.
6
The general should fit right in with Trump.
2
I know nothing of this Colonel or General Hyten. I do know our President and the political party who supports him in the Senate. For that reason, I know that her charges will guarantee General Hyten's confirmation. Donald Trump loves a good fight, especially against a less powerful woman. Just look at the hay he has made against the four junior Democratic representatives! This is perfect for him. Another picked on, white male. A controversy made to order!
4
I totally believe her.
Having the yoga pants, unwashed, would be good right about now.
If Monica taught us anything, it was that!
3
Surely she doesn't expect mere rape allegations to disqualify a guy from Trump World?
8
The people in the current administration coming up with these nominees are either incredibly stupid or just downright evil. I don't know which, but my opinion is tending toward the latter.
5
You mean a colonel can’t defend herself?
Did she preserve the yoga pants and towel?
So women who are assaulted are expected to preserve the evidence? Most shower repeatedly to try to make the event go away. They do not keep memorabilia
7
Why didn't she keep the DNA evidence? After the Bill Clinton debacle you'd think she would have known this was her only defense against this guy.....
1
Even after Bill Clinton victims do not keep evidence. Most want to erase all signs. Most do not report it. Many shower repeatedly to get the stain off. Don’t pretend that you have any idea what a victim should do. They are traumatized
6
Cue the usual partisan onslaught of career assassination for Col Spletstoser. How many times can we watch this happen? Just nauseating.
3
The armed farces trumped again!!
2
Even if this general is not confirmed, what to do about the commander in chief?
3
Of course trump would have no problem nominating a lying sexual assaulter. And the GOP would have no problem approving one either.
6
Why does the Trump Administration nominate such a large proportion of sexual predators and harassers? We'll soon reach a point where merely being nominated by these guys will become a mark against you, whether you're a harasser or not.
3
Trump stood up there during the debate with Hillary, balling his fists, screaming and going red in the face, looking for all the world like a domestic abuser on the verge of beating up his wife. I think he was playing up to the misogynists in his base by doing that. He's always been playing up to them. This is no different.
The one thing that is different is that we're letting each other in on our pain now. Like in Big Little Lies, the secrets of the abusers are coming out. We'll see what that means in 2020.
2
What has a person's patriotism got to do with his sexual activity? Are we saying that if a person has unquestionable patriotic activities then it we have to trust him in every walk of life? Does that absolve him from being a bully, a narcissist, a sexual predator? This reminds me of a recent case where a minor teenager raped a girl, recorded it, urinated on her and posted the video and was not charged because he came from a good family. An egregious crime is committed, so is the great family accepting culpability for it? When is this hypocrisy going to stop?
3
Committing sexual assault seems to be a qualification to serve in the Trump Administration.
5
Being a sexual predictor is a requirement to be associated with Trump.
5
I suppose the Trump administration’s job application has a checkbox that says “Have you sexually assaulted someone?”. If yes, move to the top candidate.
4
This is easy to sort out. Trump should just ask General Hyten if he sexually assaulted Colonel Spletstoser.
If he denies it, we know she is lying, and he should get the job of over seeing every women in our military.
This is the way it works now that America has been Made Great Again.
3
I guess that settles it, then. Being accused of sexual assault seems to be a prerequisite for a position in the dump administration, and Hyten fits right in. Welcome to the rapist's club, General.
3
Only white males who have committed sexual assault need apply. This is the seal of approval by Republican standards. He's a shoo-in to get the thumbs up from the Republicans.
5
I’m waiting to hear “she’s not my type.”
6
I can’t wait to hear the Colonel invoke the Trump Defense: “Look at her, she’s not my type.” I guess “Just Locker Room Talk” won’t work here.
1
Just a reminder that the Commander In Chief of the US military has also been accused of inappropriate touching as well as rape.
4
Men have feelings too.
Dear Col. Spletstoser:
We have your back.
Love,
The American women.
3
Like Republican response will be to consider banning women from the military
1
All the President's men....get away with it. When T & the Republicans do a "Kavanaugh"again - remember this in 2020. Vote against every one of them.
2
When he was nominated to the second highest military job in the country, she said, 'I realized I have a moral responsibility to come forward.
Seems like the the moral responsibility was there when he was in a lesser but still important role.
5
All those millions of women who voted a self confessed sexual predator into the presidency, must be reassured knowing their votes really are making a difference.
6
I believe Col. Kathryn A. Spletstoser. The US military’s culture of silence regarding and complicity in sexual violence against women service members is as old as our flag. It is IMPERATIVE that these sexual predators, the Commander in Chief included, be held accountable for the crimes they have committed.
7
@ Pike in Brooklyn
I think President Joseph Biden should nominate Colonel Kathryn A. Spletstoser to Chairman of the Joint Cheifs of Staff after the 2020 election and fire Gen Hyten immediately giving him a dishonorable discharge.
5
Executive time?
Pretty much, yeah.
2
So many sexual predators hiding behind the uniform at every level in the military. You can bet this guy did this before he assaulted the Colonel.
Military still has not dealt with the problem. We do not need him in our government. We need him locked up so women are safe.
5
In Trump world, the allegation means Hyten now has the perfect credentials for a senior post.
7
This is just about what I expect from an administration whose so-called president is a self-proclaimed sexual predator, whose self-described actions meet the definition of first-degree sexual assault in some jurisdictions.
4
Why is this a mystery?
She says the guy had made a series of inappropriate overtures. That culminates with him coming to her room and depositing semen on her yoga pants.
Game over. and since he was her superior, she won't even have to prove the event was non-consensual. Surely after all his previous acts she was not so surprised to have him misbehave again that she was too distracted to save the evidence.
So why isn't that mentioned in this piece? And why is the Air Force maintaining there is no evidence if she has semen-stained yoga pants?
Because if she doesn't have that evidence after all that she says preceded that act, it makes you wonder why not. Even Monica was savvy enough to figure that out.
Maybe it is a mystery after all, and one deeper than this New York Times piece suggests.
3
The military and committee response is pathetic. Not unexpected.
2
he'll fit right into this administration, the most corrupt and immoral in American history.
5
This has gone too far. People who wait until they can satisfy some politically motivated urge by suddenly remembering things that happened long ago, should be ignored. There have been innumerable times for her to remember this. It is just as likely that he passed her over for promotion, or refused to give her a commendation or recommendation, and she’s getting payback.
I see the New Yorker is attempting the reabilitacija of Al Franken. If Al Franken can be rehabilitated, then we should just stop doing stupid stuff in the first place. Acting on this woman’s accusation is stupid. She should be ignored.
2
Nothing but the best people.Sick of winning yet?Covfefe
5
I hope that the Spletstoser had the good sense to preserve her semen stained jogging outfit. But it already appears that she didn’t. She filed a complaint against the general. If she had given the air force investigators dna evidence of Hyten’s ejaculation on her, then her claim would have been airtight and he would now be peeling potatoes in jail. So many women victims do not take the proper steps to document their charges with evidence, but in Spletstoser’s case such a failure would be incomprehensible. I think the public will demand to hear her explanation.
And leave us not forget that JFK's staff delivered women to him who according to bios "did stuff" - as FBook says "it's complicated". But Trump is of a different species - or is he? Fury of women may become unleashed like those Italian women who dis-membered Il Duce when he was hung upside down in a public square may have their revenge. (Global legend? must Google)
I am reading this and thinking “oh boy! Imagine an episode of the Americans where the Russians have this info on him!” And then you start to wonder who else might they have such info on! And then you also start to wonder, what info might they have on Trump! He likes women from the eastern bloke, has engaged with porn stars and others whose stories have been “killed.” There is every chance, I would say a very good chance, the Russians have info on Trump! In fact, that dossier, or something related may be closer to the truth!
1
"Col. DeDe Halfhill, a Defense Department spokeswoman, said that “with more than 38 years of service to our nation, Gen. Hyten has proven himself to be a principled and dedicated patriot.”"
He added: Except for that one time he sexually assaulted the Colonel.
1
What is with these guys? Even keeping it in their pants they can’t stop themselves from being gross — including the top dog.
1
Ugh. It never ends with this admin.
2
It is so painfully clear that she is truthful and he is lying, of course with institutional support -- it is such a classic case of male military hierarchy circling the wagons. I hope Senator Gillibrand gets behind this one and pushes this man to a dishonorable discharge. Absolutely disgusting.
3
Sounds like another Christine Ford. Sudden onset of “moral duty.” Good reason to be skeptical of her story.
15
@Lester B And what exactly do you think she has to gain by coming forward?
79
@Lester B Let's see. Christine Ford came forward and then had to go into hiding because of death threats from "upstanding" trump supporters. Kavanaugh, on the other hand, who admitted to drinking way to much in college and having had blackouts, was confirmed. And how does that encourage women to come forward? And why should we be skeptical of their stories?
63
@Lester B
No, not at all. She described the attack to several of her friends at the time it occurred. Do you really believe she planned to come forward decades later to tarnish Kavanaugh's reputation by reporting his behavior?
Maybe she looked in her crystal ball and saw his 2018 nomination to the Supreme Court?
30
Perfectly qualified to be "vice chair."
7
@Howard With all his years of service he feels he deserves what ever he wants. Of course he fits right in with the Trump Troop. Maybe they can all wear special uniforms and medals proclaiming their all encompassing rights. And the new rights given loud and clear by the republicans. The right of men to all power over women. This country keeps getting better?great? Moral, ethical? No none of the above.
As a retired Air Force colonel, father of a daughter who is a retired Air Force colonel, I have no problem believing Col. Spletstoser. I have encountered murderers who graduated from the Air Force Academy.
70
Did she save her yoga shorts without washing them afterwards?
The answer to this obvious question is a key factor since this piece of evidence will either squash her claims if the yoga shorts no longer exist or the evidence would be on the spot if DNA matches the General’s.
3
@MDCooks8
People only hold onto evidence if they plan to use it as such. She said she had not planned to say anything and likely hoped to forget all about it. (I mean, how many items of intimate fluid-soiled clothing have you saved? Lewinksky is the exception, not the rule.)
They will quash her claims because she's a woman, and confirm him because he's a big shot who may be able to provide favors later.
Jeez, does Trump hire anyone who's not sexually abusive?
1
No one lies publicly about this kind of offense.
18
@EM Christine BF did, as well as the other crazies who chimed in later to claim that Brett Kavanaugh was a serial rapist and part of a sex ring. Apparently, people lie for political as well as personal reasons, all the time.
1
Well, another highly qualified nominee of this administration. Only qualification appears to be sexual assault. He's sure to pass muster.
22
She will lose everything, just like the military women in the story Rolling Stone did about rape and sexual
assault in the military.
I believe her. He will prevail.
32
@MAW
Doesn't Rolling Stone specialize in fabricated Leftist fantasy stories than are later debunked?
1
“We’re taking this step by step and being as thorough as we can on both sides of the aisle.” - Tammy Duckworth
Oh Really Tammy? Just like you did with Al Franken I suppose..
7
President Trump nominated General Hyten to be the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff... now the general is accused of sexual assault. I am also concerned to know if he like Flynn is somehow involved with the Russians.
Narcissists, they run in packs.
Remember who Trump really is... not the person(?) he's selling.
The 23 women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct [businessinsider]
https://www.businessinsider.com/women-accused-trump-sexual-misconduct-list-2017-12
Donald Trump's unsettling record of comments about his daughter Ivanka [independent] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/donald-trump-ivanka-trump-creepiest-most-unsettling-comments-a-roundup-a7353876.html
Transcript: Donald Trump’s Taped Comments About Women [NYTimes] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/donald-trump-tape-transcript.html
Donald Trump boasted about meeting semi-naked teenagers in beauty pageants Mr Trump said on Howard Stern’s radio show in 2005 that he could ‘get away’ with walking into the dressing room to ‘inspect’ beautiful women[independent] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-former-miss-arizona-tasha-dixon-naked-undressed-backstage-howard-stern-a7357866.html
Donald Trump used to “stroll right in” to the dressing room of beauty pageants while the contestants - some of whom were teenagers - were naked or half-dressed, a former model has claimed.
12
I hope that a highly educated woman who had experienced numerous indications of potential or actual assault had the foresight to save yoga pants.
With them, it is a slam dunk. Without them it is a mess.
2
There is a lot you don't understand about trauma.
3
Sexual assault in many forms against women is rampant. Our male leadership is not up to the job of cleaning up their act. Not happening. We need to train girls to handle themselves like The Americans Russian spy, Elizabeth Jennings. Since our chief commander favors Russia, he should be ok with it. Be good to see these masters of the universe have to explain a back eye and broken knee cap to their wives and daughters.
8
@kat perkins I would have thought a colonel was trained.
The overall leadership of today's military is a joke.
Get along to go along is the way to get ahead.
No honor, no integrity and no initiative.
We are the laughing stock of the world.
Apparently, all those that died for this country in the past, died for nothing.
11
Is it possible for Trump to nominate anyone who won't make money off his/her new position; isn't committed to destroying the agency he/she is about to lead; or hasn't committed a sexual assault. This stench of this administration is beyond belief.
14
If past is prologue, the GOP will fight like a rabid dog to smear the woman, then declare the man is the real victim.
21
Every single day, we citizens get to swim in the sewer. When all the garbage, sexual, corrupt, and etc.'s ad infinitum began to surface, I clung to the belief that things rise to the surface to be corrected. That faint hope barely flickers these days. What appears to be true now is that wrong doers get away with everything but murder. Demoralizing does not even begin to describe my emotions about this time in our nation's history. How much further can we sink? That qualifies as a very dumb question. We will keep sinking until we rise up and proclaim, "Enough already."
8
Totally credible. Totally believable.
Today's military isn't what it used to be.
Corruption, theft, cheating and morally corrupt.
The Commander in Chief says it's all right. He's corrupt, a thief and oh so morally corrupt.
The "heroes" the vaunted military amongst us, need to be checked, and soon. Drugs, killing prisoners and human trafficking.
The counties in serious trouble, and it's getting worse.
5
The Long Blue Line. She's buckin' stars. And she'll never get one now.
Look on the bright side: It's a good thing to bump him up to Vice Chair JCS - it will get him farther away from the button.
In contrast to this woman, the military (which just reversed a rape conviction of a cadet at West Point) and has buried countless rapes, these people (the top in the military and top Republicans) have no moral compass. They are completely amoral, at least when it comes to women.
10
@BMD Were Al Franken and Harvey Weinstein Republicans? Wasn't Weinstein a great friend of the Clintons and all the actresses who later mobbed up to denounce him (once their careers were built of course, and they no longer needed his quid pro quos to get ahead)?
1
Wait for it. . . how long before another woman comes forward?
11
It is too bad she didn’t remember Monica Lewinsky and save the sweat pants. It would be nice to have incontrovertible DNA evidence.
5
The military is unsuited to properly investigate sexual assault allegations in general, but when senior officers are involved it's almost a sure case of "different spanks for different ranks."
Also, this case involves senior officers, one from the Air Force another from the Army. Is is any surprise that the Air Force would "clear" a four-star Air Force general.
Mark Esper, the new Secretary of Defense, to help ensure a credible investigation, should appoint a crack team of investigations from EACH service to to investigate this case and deliver an impartial report.
This is a golden opportunity for Esper to set a new tone in the military regarding sexual assaults.
6
@Trajan Let's face it: unless she kept her allegedly soiled clothes and they actually reveal traces of his semen, this will never be more than a he said - she said story, and there's nothing a "crack team of investigations" will be able to determine with any reasonable certainty, other than an opinion.
1
The allegation if proven is a misdemeanor (New York). Treat it as a first DUI, or a bad bar fight and make an unemotional call.
We should support a very low standard of proof in these appointment cases, though -- as should have been applied in Kavanaugh -- for the simple practical reason that there are several very qualified candidates in the wings! There is nothing sacred about the nomination. Hynet has provided superior leadership and career service, but likely made a catastrophic mistake. Send him into an honorable retirement, and bring forward the next highly qualified general or admiral for the appointment. Frankly, we owe fairness to the next candidate -- virtually equally qualified, who maintained discipline where Hynet could not.
As for Colonel Spletstoser, she has been so courageous to raise this matter, the Senate process will address it, and her source of relief remains the civil courts.
Let's recognize human fragility, and apply fairness all around.
5
@James
Your solution (very low standard of proof) is hardly "applying fairness all around". It is a call to reward by default any liar and manipulator who decides to come forth to exact revenge for a perceived offense, to go through with a blackmail scheme, or to block from appointment people who happen to be the focus of the plaintiff's political derangement syndrome (Blasey Ford as exhibit A).
Sending the accused into an honorable retirement on the premise of a likely false accusation is in no case fair, as it once again presumes that the accuser is by default right.
1
This gives new meaning to "Executive Time." We thought it was deplorable enough that our president uses it to to tweet, talk to Hannity, and watch Fox News. Apparently there are worse versions of this euphemism.
10
In the trump administration this makes him more qualified, not less qualified , regardless of innocence or guilt. The accusation alone means its more trolling of the people trump wants to put on tilt. If it upsets those the deplorables hate, then its a good move, thats the simple litmus test. Nothing else really matters.
3
When I read these articles, I think how many excellent women are not joining the military. Why would they want to be put into a situation when they can be sexually assaulted and know they have no recourse for the crime? And that it may happen repeatedly.
9
Except it’s not just the military.
The story reports that she has not been asked to take a polygraph test.
It does not report what she would answer, if asked.
That's not a reflection on her, but on the reporter.
2
Rather than going crazy, once again, about what Trump and the people he 'admires' are accused of doing (or actually have been shown to have done) -- all low-life, like him, or they aspire to such depths--- how about we focus on winning the Senate away from the Republicans? Aren't there about 80% of those seats up for election in 2020? I cannot imagine Trump losing the election. Why? He's got the Russians already helping him; he's been playing in the gerrymandering field, he's packing the courts, etc. So PLEASE can we focus on winning in the Senate?
5
I am curious. It seems most of those who are defending the General as "innocent until proven guilty" are of the "Lock her up!" set and they see no contradiction.
9
I hope women understand what is at stake when inappropriate sexual behavior is not reported immediately. While it is completely understandable that the trauma of the behavior leans very heavily on non-disclosure, it becomes extremely problematic when coming forward later whether it is one year or 30 years later. The reporting and filing of written documentation has to be done immediately. And if that means having support - such as a therapist with you when you file with women police officers or detectives or women rape counselors at the police precinct or hospital - it will save a lot of potential backlash later and false accusations of -he did - she did - which goes nowhere.
5
What would help a lot is to have people see this as a male problem, and have men step up to:
Assume women are telling the truth
Educate other men about behavior
Call out bad behavior as it is happening
Report overheard or overseen sexual assaults
Not hire or promote people who treat women badly
Not accept as a leader or friend somehow who belittles women
Protest, fight, stand up for women
Not join teams, frats, or organizations that exclude or harass women
Etc
2
When a General is involved the Generals immediately start circling the wagons to protect their own . Congress needs to understand that is why the Generals insist sexual assault remain under the responsibility of the Commander (command structure) because the legal system could ignore the circling of the wagons.
In the military, reporting a rape can ruin your career. Most Americans assume that our service members, if raped, have access to a fair system of justice. But in the military, the rapist’s commander, not a legally trained prosecutor, has the power to decide if a case will go to trial or what the charges will be. The commander also picks the jury. We cannot keep putting our military service members in a position where commanders, who are not legally trained, hold the keys to justice. The boss of your rapist should not decide whether to investigate and prosecute your rape, and should not have the power to select the jury. It’s un-American. All the legislation and additional positions (victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators) have been in general a waste of time because all of them are way junior in grade (enlisted and civilians) to the commanders who simply tell them to shut up and color if they disagree with the chain of command. Congress must understand that the chain of command will simply make these people lives so terrible that they will quit or the commanders will ruin their careers if they attempt to counter man their decisions or authority
3
What about people who have a moral responsibility to question and examine such damaging accusations?
Nah. We already know the verdict.
3
Whatever the truth of this particular case, when will we as a society accept that in all fields of life, one of the motivations for men to seek exceptional power is that it gives them access to sex and/or sexual abuse? It is true in academic, in business, in sport and in the military.
3
Is it me or does Trump have an uncanny ability of picking an extraordinary high % of abhorrent humans beings to positions of authority in his administration?
4
Being a military "brat", I heard of ranking officers taking advantage of young enlisted women in the military many times.
I also know that nowadays, being Christian is essential to getting rank.
9
Please define “Christian”. Having been stationed in the segregated south, there nothing “Christian” about evangelicals.
“If this were Staff Sgt. Hyten, he’d be getting charged. The only reason he wasn’t charged is because he’s General Hyten.”
Bingo! And, surprise surprise, an Air Force 4-star cleared a fellow 4-star. The good 'ol boys club is alive and well at the highest ranks.
3
A person who's "hard-hitting and assertive" isn't necessarily toxic.
And an "exceptionally competent and committed leader with the highest level of character,” whose "ethics are above reproach” can be toxic.
Neither one has to do with whether Colonel Spletstoser was assaulted.
It's hard to imagine why she would make up something like this. And I can well understand how she might choose to say nothing, thinking he would soon retire. Especially if she is still in the service.
But it's also hard to image someone under heavy armed guards doing something not just once, but apparently on multiple occasions.
I really want
1
Remember who Trump really is... not the person(?) he's selling.
I only hire the best people.
The Turnover at the Top of the Trump Administration-https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/03/16/us/politics/all-the-major-firings-and-resignations-in-trump-administration.html
--Mr. Trump “has the record for White House staff turnover, for cabinet turnover and now for the highest turnover within a single department,” said Ms. Tenpas, who wrote a presidential staff turnover study. Several of Mr. Trump’s cabinet agencies are now led by “acting” secretaries rather than by people who were confirmed by the Senate.
--“The disruption is highly consequential,” Max Stier, the president and chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit organization that specializes in federal government management issues. “When you lose a leader, it has a cascade effect throughout the organization.” A New York Times analysis of 21 top White House and cabinet positions back to President Bill Clinton’s first term shows how unusual the Trump administration’s upheaval was through the first 14 months of a presidency. Nine of these positions had turned over at least once during the Trump administration, compared with three at the same point of the Clinton administration, two under President Barack Obama and one under President George W. Bush.
Unfortunately she did not have the foresight to save the clothes she was wearing. Now it is her word (no known reason to lie) against the general's (all sorts of reasons to lie, only one reason to tell the truth).
1
Another woman already being shredded in the court of public misogyny. I think she is very brave.
8
women if you find yourself at a work conference, never open the door to your hotel room, to a man even if you know him, alcohol or no alcohol involved. Tell them, I will meet you in the lobby in 30 minutes.
This administration has given men in power impetus to go back to their old ways and not have an ounce of accountability for their actions.
5
"That review, in which General Hyten was listed as the senior rater, described Colonel Spletstoser as an “exceptionally competent and committed leader with the highest level of character,” and adding that “her ethics are above reproach.”"
Hyten's above assessment of Spletstoser should be all the proof that Congress needs to believe her story and declare him ethically unfit for a higher office, and not be allowed to continue to prey on women under his command. He should be promptly drummed him out of the military with a dishonorable discharge.
2
I have recently read 2 memoirs by women who suffered sexual assault in US militaries and always the brass ignored and denied what the women said/experienced. One title is Unbecoming. These situations are one more reason why there is so much wrong with US military. Believe this Colonel not the General.
5
When a General is involved the Generals immediately start circling the wagons to protect their own . Congress needs to understand that is why the Generals insist sexual assault remain under the responsibility of the Commander (command structure) because the legal system could ignore the circling of the wagons.
In the military, reporting a rape can ruin your career. Most Americans assume that our service members, if raped, have access to a fair system of justice. But in the military, the rapist’s commander, not a legally trained prosecutor, has the power to decide if a case will go to trial or what the charges will be. The commander also picks the jury. We cannot keep putting our military service members in a position where commanders, who are not legally trained, hold the keys to justice. The boss of your rapist should not decide whether to investigate and prosecute your rape, and should not have the power to select the jury. It’s un-American. All the legislation and additional positions (victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators) have been in general a waste of time because all of them are way junior in grade (enlisted and civilians) to the commanders who simply tell them to shut up and color if they disagree with the chain of command. Congress must understand that the chain of command will simply make these people lives so terrible that they will quit or the commanders will ruin their careers if they attempt to counter man their decisions or authority
1
He said, she said? Hardly. Colonel Spletstoser has no rational reason to level such an accusation if it were not true. This is a lose-lose situation for her. The General needs to resign. God help the Republican Party if they confirm him. There appears to be no level of depravity that they are unwilling to countenance for political purposes. Sixty million people looked straight at a self-confessed serial sexual abuser and alleged rapist and voted for him anyway.
6
Does Trump actually look for these people?
4
Not remarkable that the General may make a pass at the other Officer, but the remainder of the story is simply out of line for someone in that position. There should be a hotel video of the entrance and exit. Further, let's see if the Col. sent any corroborating texts, etc from that night. And as disgusting as it may be, did she save any DNA evidence. Let us all not be so quick to dismiss this complaint.
Hyten appears to have all the key qualifications one would expect of a Trump nominee to a high office.
3
I agree with innocent before being proved guilty. I agree it is a she said/he said, but what bothers me the most: a woman of her caliber would never risk all - her career, scorn, etc., unless it was true. It simply would not make sense. She has everything to lose otherwise. Unfortunately, the cowards who make up the GOP will confirm/confirm, and she will be forgotten — another casualty of the spineless GOP ... every single one. If you are in the Republican Party or vote republican, that means you support the Trump administration. The real conservatives are gone. Only the cowards are left. The cowards that turn blind eyes to things like this and will go down in history as the party that destroyed American democracy. Yes, that means you Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnel. You allowed this to happen. Shame on you all.
7
I happened to know a retired US marine who was assigned as one of the bodyguards of an admiral. According to him this admiral liked to live well; when he stayed at a hotel his bodyguards had a room near his, and he would often have liquor, and sometimes women, sent to their room. I'm sure they would not have "noticed" if he had visited the room of one of his subordinates.
6
People don’t seem to understand that trump, being an abuser himself, is naturally attracted to hiring like-minded people. We’ve seen this over and over again.
5
At a minimum, Hyten should have his rank and pension significantly reduced and he should be fired, not allowed to resign, from the Air Force.
2
We need to seriously look at how the Joint Chiefs of Staff operate. In 1962, they proposed Operation Northwoods, a plan to create domestic terrorism and blame it on Cuba to start a war. Luckily, Kennedy stopped it. However, he was killed the next year.
3
If there were a thousand good men and one cad in a room, Trump would find the cad and offer him a cabinet position in five minutes flat.
9
Apparently, this Administration still doesn't know how to vet a nominee. No surprise there.
4
Nothing but the "Best People".
6
This will solidify Trump’s support for Hyten. To Trump, being accused of sexual assault is a qualification, not a disqualifier.
4
I know nothing of any of this apart from what is in this article. But I have to wonder whether a man who spoke in meetings the ways the colonel is being criticized for would have received the same criticism as she has. Men who are "hard-hitting and assertive" are often praised. Women who exhibit the same qualities, not so much. This is not the central focus of the story, of course, but worth noting nonetheless.
678
Thanks @Jack - it is worth noting that 'hard-hitting and assertive' are POSITIVE male traits and NEGATIVE female traits.
A female tech professional for 32 years - I've heard those same exact words used against me.
88
@Jack
Why would a "hard hitting and assertive" person--of either gender---wait two year or so to report?? Not that I disbelieve her, but its like a robbery or attempted stabbing victim who would wait 2 or more years.
WHY??
@Jack I was thinking the exact same thing and ditto.
3
Col. Splestoser is very brave for coming forward with this. I want to thank her for her courage and for her service to this country.
1255
You’re absolutely on mark. Nothing will happen. Why? The power and political balance is weighted heavily on the male side, and changing this balance is considered (by traditional, the male in power) wrong and unworthy. Forget the grave injustice Hyten might have done. We (tradition dictates) are supposed to blame the accuser, a woman, even, well, “some of the little facts might be true.” It took a lot of guts for Col Spletstoser to come forward and make the claims she did. Wow. What a remarkable individual she is!
21
@Blackmamba:
i agree.
@bookpuppy praised the colonel's courage.
but thanking her for her service sounds a bit
like passive "thoughts and prayers".
[appropriate] ACTION is what's needed now!
yet, all too often, humans have proved to be
outrageously lethargic :-(
8
@Bookpuppy
For generations no member of the Trump family has ever been bravely honorable and patriotic to wear the military uniform of any American armed force.
Any one who wears that uniform who dishonors it deserves to be punished to the maximum extent possible by civilian leadership authority. But when the President of the United States is a lying moral degenerate serial adulterer, sexual assaulter and harasser there is no credible way for that to happen.
The America people need to do much more than thank this brave honorable woman for her service. It is time for the American people to come down hard on their elected and selected hired help.
26
We need to have a week or a month each year where anyone who wants to level such charges comes forward to level them whether or not the person on whom they are leveled has been named or is about to be named to some significant post. The alternative is to have people -- justified or not -- come out of the woodwork and make it look as if the motive is plausibly political rather than based on a desire for justice.
3
I'm surprised at how many of these comments side adamantly with the accused, and how many others give him a large benefit of doubt. Is that because of the current American adoration of the military, that 2% of the population the rest of us see only as heroes or victims to thank or feel sorry for -- and then ignore? I don't know any more than anyone else here what happened, but a central issue is that the investigation remained within the chain of command, where justice is hard to come by. The proposed Military Improvement Justice Act/MIJA, which was introduced into and supported by a significant portion of the Senate a couple of times, addressed this problem intelligently and fairly. It deserves another look and full support.
22
it is not about large or small benefit of the doubt, it is about due process. Though i agree with the avoidence of justice point you made
2
If she had gone to the door and opened it and asked him to leave, he would not have been able to reached for her hand. A woman always has to err on the said of caution, when a strangers in the room. “It’s been a long day dear, I think it’s time for you to leave.” I’m sure he would have understood. We all have our moments of enchantment.
9
@Vin
I think you may have misunderstood how the chain of command works. He was a high ranking officer and her direct superior. Even, if he had asked her to jump on one foot and whistle Dixie, she would have had extremely limited options to deny his request. Regardless of his level of "enchantment", the onus to behave professionally resides with those who have power over their subordinates.
89
Vic, so many things are wrong with that. First of all, he was not a stranger, he was her boss. Second of all, it's very understandable that she might not want to tell the person who decides whether or not she gets promotions or raises to leave. Third of all, this was not her fault. She could have been in lingerie or buck naked; if he did something without asking, or refused to stop when she told him to, it is sexual assault. He is a criminal and she is a victim. Period.
8
@Vin Wow! Victim-blaming at its finest. You really don't get the situation. This is not some stranger in her hotel room -- this is a superior officer who has asked to speak to her. Someone who writes performance reviews for her.
"I'm sure he would have understood"?? If that was the case, he never would have come to her hotel room after the previous incidents where she rebuffed his (totally inappropriate given their professional situation) earlier sexual advances.
7
The world is watching America bumble one abuse of power after the next. The military needs to be a safe and professional outfit where women can excel as well as men without being harassed. And it would be that if the punishment were swift and extreme when these things happen. That he's now lying speaks to his character. His career needs to be ruined. NOT hers.
38
@RCJCHC In lots of sexual encounters the man is not thinking with his brain and his perceptions are repeatedly unreliable. And even if he apologizes, he may not know that he was criminally abusive. Calling a denial a lie assumes he knows what may be pretty foggy in his mind.
When the issue is confirmation for high office, there is no need to prove an allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. You want to be fair to the nominee, but there are always others waiting in the wings. So I would assume the allegations are true for the purpose of confirmation ignoring what might happen in a criminal court.
The principal incident is a criminal forcible touching--touching of intimate parts. Other incidences where there was forcible kissing are not criminal absent intimate-part touching. So, for purposes of confirmation, I assume that the general committed one criminal offense.
Under the law, at least in New York, forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor. The penalty ranges from probation to one year in prison. And a first offense does not warrant being listed on the sexual offender list.
Again looking to New York law, the seriousness of the offense is comparable to an extreme DUI. And the comparison is apt because, in both cases, the biggest issue is whether we are dealing with a serial offender or an isolated incident. Isolated incidents are far less of a concern than a pattern of conduct.
Returning to the question of confirmation, and balancing the general's rights against safety concerns for others, I would focus on the repeat offender issue. If other women come forward, case closed. But an isolated misdemeanor does not prove a dangerous pattern. Instead, confirmation and enrollment in a sexual offender class is appropriate.
8
@michjas. He repeatedly tried to inappropriately touch her. It wasn’t just one time.
It's come down women have tp physically fight off their attackers and do some damage to them in order to have a better case against them. Women are not believed if there is no physical proof and even with that, their cases are difficult to prove. Her word against mine is a losing proposition.
14
@Mike Indeed. All you have to do is look at the number of “rape kits” (bad name, how about DNA evidence?) that have never been triaged. Even when there is physical evidence, or the possibility thereof, it’s ignored or lost or grandfathered when it comes to sexual misconduct of men on women.
@Mike that is not the answer. Victims should not put themselves in danger in order to be believed. The culture needs to change in order to detach ourselves from the skepticism against victims.
2
@Mike She could have kept the yoga pants as evidence. She said he ejaculated and his semen got on his sweatpants and her yoga pants. Bill Clinton's lies were exposed due to the semen stains on Monica Lewinsky's blue dress.
How would this play out if the person making the same allegations were a man?
10
@Creighton Goldsmith. Do you mean by that that the General had allegedly done the same thing to a man? Are you implying, as I hope you are, that if there were the “taint” of homosexuality by the General, he would be quickly shelved?
1
@Creighton Goldsmith After all that metoo has taught us, that is the question worth asking?
These allegations complete the candidate's qualifications for approval by this administration and Senate. His appointment is now all but guaranteed.
58
@KAN simply brilliant!
Do the investigation. Do it every time.
Did she speak to anyone at the time about it? A friend, a family member? If there is nothing to go on but her word (and no other woman steps forward after this report) you close the case. That's it, that's how it should work every single time.
Without any "he's a great guy" statements beforehand by his cheerleaders. Geesh. This is not hard.
5
It seems to be a disturbing fact that a history of sexual assault is not an impediment to obtaining positions of power and prestige in the United States of America.
46
@Concerned
There was not a single allegation until after he was appointed.
Bill Clinton established that even validated accusations are not grounds for disqualification.
The general is innocent until proven guilty. End of story.
10
@Krugman
Yes absolutely if this was a criminal investigation. This is a nomination for a job he wants. If I called to do a reference on a potential candidate I'd like to hire and I heard that they had a reputation for abusing their subordinates, I'm not sure I'd wait for a guilty verdict from a jury before questioning whether I should hire that person.
6
Semen test.
Two things might affect the Gen. Hyten’s nomination. One: if it comes out during the hearings that Col. Spletstoser kept the towel and sweatpants in their original condition. Two: if Senate Republicans attack her motive for reporting the incident two years after it occurred.
1
Why doesn't the military have police to investigate this sort of thing? Why doesn’t she sue the man?
I haven't read all the comments so maybe someone else has asked about the elephant in the room on this -- her yoga pants.
I trust that any follow-up article on this will deal with this incriminating evidence, if such exists.
6
@dwalker What incriminating evidence? It is unclear from the article where they were both coming from but they were both wearing workout clothes-- for him, sweatpants, for her yoga pants.
I feel sorry for the Colonel. In an era where justice is served based on the victim's and suspect's political affiliation, I am highly doubtful her courage of coming out will be rewarded with even an investigation into the matter.
7
It is not clear to me why in an article about a potential assault the times felt it was important to discuss a performance review of the victim. Certainly there was apparently no similar performance review characterization of the assailant nor was there much discussion about the inappropriate evaluation of the report. The military could put a stop to all of this bad behavior if it really wanted to but I suspect they continue to value men over women and do not see sexual assault as a crime. Several having initiated such assaults themselves they see it as no big deal and I would guess think that if they really came down on this they think they will lose a lot of really “good” men to something trivial. What is not acknowledged is that they are enabling soldiers within ranks to prey upon their own....is that really what they want to promote?
9
@christina kish
The colonel presented the performance reviews to the NYT, presumably because she thought it would counteract the investigation from 2018 that she was toxic to subordinates.
After reading through almost 100 comments, I am shocked how many people are out there who know the truth.
Most everyone reading this story never heard of either of these individuals before the story or slightly before.
Nevertheless, through the skillful art of framing the narrative for a certain agenda, Ms. Helene Cooper has succeeded in convincing all beyond any reasonable doubt of the guilt of General Hyten.
Personally, I have no idea what the truth is.
However, I thought we lived in a country where a person is presumed innocent until proved guilty?
Has due process been eliminated in our world?
Can anyone make any allegation and if they are fortunate enough for the NYT to write about it, they are guaranteed to have a complete jury, judge and executioner on their side?
I don't know if General Hyten did what he is accused of or not, however, I sure hope the lynch mob out there is reigned in before every man out there will refuse to say "hello" to any woman for fear of accusation.
Let justice run its course and let us keep open minds.
And please, no reason to bring Mr. Trump into the melee.
10
@Simple Sam
Relax, Francis. These are just other's opinions. They have no influence on the outcome of this situation. Try the Fox News site, their readers never post personal opinions. Well, almost never.
1
God forbid that a woman in a leadership position should be "hard hitting and assertive."
29
@LEB
My thoughts exactly. God forbid any woman, or person, be hard-hitting and assertive. That these traits are something "she freely admits" was laughable.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty??
Nowadays anything can be said about anyone and a guilty charge by the masses MUST be upheld. Sad.
9
@Enid You don't seem to really understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Vitriol from an online community is not the same thing as innocent until proven guilty. Yes, this man is innocent in the eyes of the law but that does not mean allegations cannot be aired against him. While public allegations might not always be the best approach, it is sometimes necessary for victim's to take that route. Especially in a system as insular as the military, it would be nearly impossible for this woman to get justice against her alleged attacker. This point ignores the incredible emotional toll that a decision to come forward will take. Look at Christine Blasey Ford, who was prevented from returning to her home from fear of threats against her life for a very credible accusation against a powerful man. Heck, there were dozens of incredibly credible allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and that man was only finally jailed in the past month (after DECADES of sexually abusing women). If you are immediately jumping to a defense of the man in this situation you should probably look at your own biases. You might not think they exist but immediately reverting to "innocent until proven guilty" clearly shows that you are unwilling to even consider the woman is speaking the truth.
2
The mentality of a swarming mob who are often oblivious to factual information.
Welcome to Chaos 101 now being taught in major universities are the country.
I want to believe her, but these types of accusation have been cheapened so much by those who have tried to use them to political ends, that I have no idea who to believe. And, in that case, I have to give the benefit of the doubt to the accused. It's called "innocent until proven guilty."
After all of the false accusations and other detritus tied to the Kavanaugh debacle, not to mention other attempts to use unfounded charges of sexual assault to "get" people nominated to high-level government posts, the bar of proof has been raised extremely high.
Too bad the Left doesn't seem to understand the concept of unintended consequences. By leveling so many garbage allegations, they've cast a shadow over every allegation, making it harder for real victims to get the justice the deserve.
I feel bad for this woman. She deserves better. But, the over-the-top #MeToo "boy who cried wolf" circus that the Left has engaged in lately has made it impossible to believe her without proof.
When will the Left see that the people they claim to be trying to help are really the people they hurt the worst?
This is just a sad, sad situation.
4
@Elfego el Gato False accusations regarding the Kavanaugh "debacle" Many, if not most found Kavanaugh's accuser extremely credible and overall found his defense as insulting, unhinged, untruthful, and just confirmed my initial judgement that he in no way had the character or probity to be on the Supreme Court.
4
Concerning a segment of your comment about the #MeToo movement, it would be “girl who cried wolf”
This administration goes out of its way to ignore the concerns of women, including women who have been battered or sexually harassed.
The allegations of over a dozen women does not equal the denial of one man in the Dotard Administration. You see it again and again.
10
It boils down to "She said, he said". Regardless of what transpired, there's no proof that the general assaulted the colonel. Should her word be taken over his, and if so, why?
6
@Les Le Gear
Yes, her word should be taken over his. It's entirely plausible. The story is not over-the-top. Do you think someone would really even invent a story with these gross details for no reason?
His behavior sounds like a young man who has a crush and is excited and doesn't know how to approach the woman he likes. However, that he was her boss, in the military, changes the whole situation.
@Les Le Gear There was an official investigation going on which was disbanded because it was assigned to a junior member, there were multiple accusations of past harassment and the guy performed poorly with the polygraph.
2
@Les Le Gear
No proof? Not hardly. There was a witness to the alleged assault and that witness was the victim. Her testimony represents proof. You may not find it convincing but it's there, and it demands an investigation. It sounds as though you think it's a "he said, she said" so why believe her? Why indeed? But why believe him? What does she gain by coming forward and probably risking her career?
2
Military justice is to justice as military music is to music.
10
What does Trump do? Does he ask low lifes to come forward for positions? Perhaps it takes one to know one. This will probably go nowhere. He will deny it and Trump will continue to support him. Her career will probably be damaged because she came forward!
6
I am quite certain Trump considers this type of job applicant favorably. He's a real man.
9
Such bravery. I hope this woman's story is taken more seriously than those of the MANY women who have credibly accused the President of sexual assault, a practice he has freely admitted to.
17
It seems no woman is believed. But I believed Anita Hill and Christine Ford. And I'm strongly inclined to believe Spletoser. I'm NOT inclined to believe Clarence Thomas, Kavanaugh, Hyten - or Trump. And I wasn't inclined to believe Bill Clinton. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
22
It seems to me that a lot needs to be done to improve gender relations in the military and to promote a safe work environment for women. Given the general is in his 60s, how do we know that the soldiers coming up the ranks aren't going to follow in the same footsteps because they're being trained the same way? This problem won't go away unless it's really being addressed within the military training. Unfortunately, I don't have any faith that that is happening. Any woman looking to go into the military should arm herself with cameras and recordings of their encounters because she'll be asked to give proof and she won't be believed.
6
@missivy And find yourself court marshaled for taping confidential and off-limits military information. Good luck with that...
1
Her moral responsibility is to report it when it has taken place and pursue it through the appropriate channels. She does not have the right to play God with other peoples lives, by only speaking out only when a Promotion is taking place which she opposes.
7
She was risking her entire career. It is a difficult and personal decision to report
3
Concerned citizen, Read the story; she did report it when it happened. She’s not playing God; she’s speaking up.
3
@Concerned Citizen well her rationale was the opposite. She dealt with it quietly and through the proper channels, but as you can see through reading the article, they are rigged when it comes to high authorities.
2
The one thing that I think is true is that this cannot be something that the DOD handles itself given the potential consequence for both individuals. If he were convicted and there was a shred of doubt the officers at the court martial no longer have careers. At a minimum, any jury should be composed of officers who have put in already for retirement.
I've been on hundreds of business trips in mixed company. I cannot recall any occasion when I knew where anyone's room was unless they told me what room they were in. Period. I'm also intrigued by why she, after apparently being harassed several times, let's the creep into her room. Why not say she's indisposed and will meet him in the bar?
I have no idea what's happened here.
1
@Ross Salinger
Please. The guy is her superior. It’s more realistic to assume that he has easy access to every detail of the trip planning of his subordinates if he so pleases than your own underlying speculation, which suggests and relies on the assumption that the alleged victim may be guilty and somehow responsible to in any way for this situation. If she did say no even once as she alleges, he shouldn’t have come back to her personal space, period. If you don’t know them and weren’t there, then I believe you are much better off assuming nothing and waiting for more facts to be reported.
Democrats force an outstanding senator to resign over charges that in no way, no way compare to the seriousness of this issue. What will Republicans do about this: absolutely nothing and he will be confirmed for the position.
29
The present Commander and Chief bears full responsibility for the behavior of members of the Armed Service. He must set the standards and ensure those he appoints clearly understand his direction. This, of course, is impossible with the present occupant of the WH and his documented behavior. In addition, Trump has not shown any inclination at working toward resolving a systemic problem in our culture. His silence on this issue is deafening. And without a program to work toward resolving a systemic cultural problem one can hardly expect success within the DOD.
12
I guess he did set the standards, didn't he?
@Vivien Hessel
Tragically, I suspect you’re right.
Sigh. Another situation in which we have to explain to our growing daughters that yes, she was right to speak up but no, nothing will happen to the man that did this.
There is no explanation for the "Why not ?" followup, however .
20
@JaneK
Not so. We could explain to our daughters (and sons) the American ideal called the presumption of innocence.
In most other times in American history, even a hint of impropriety would be sufficient to derail this man's nomination, but this is the Trump era, which has normalized this sort of behavior to the point that even so-called evangelical Christians ignore it.
Given how much the colonel had to lose by coming forward, I believe her.
39
@Barbara
The Trump era? No, there is nothing new under the sun. Maybe you are too young to recall the Clinton era.
In any event, destroying people’s careers over a mere “hint of impropriety” seems grossly unfair to me. If this were your husband or son, would you be so quick to condemn?
1
What about if your wife or daughter was raped by a 4 star US Military General?
1
I do not think he should continue in a national security role for our country. He knows he has a problem, it's not going away, and he's now a security risk for our country.
Do the right thing. Retire.
20
Like millions of other women, there have been times in my life when I reported bad behavior and other times when it seemed more practical not to do so.
I am grateful that Col. Spletstoser has the courage to try to prevent such a man from being appointed. Here's hoping her courage is rewarded with the outcome of a better person and more honorable leader getting the job.
27
As a woman in the military, I am already grieving for the Colonel’s career. She will lose so much, even if Gen Hyten doesn’t get the job.
Ma’am, if you ever read this, please know that countless nameless and faceless women in the military thank you and admire you for your courage and integrity. We stand with you.
74
As a retired colonel, she will receive a nice pension and be eligible for TriCare, one of the best healthcare plans on earth. Just like me.
1
@JSK
This goes beyond her military pension and health benefits. She has no chance in the military contractor "after market" that so many military officers slip into after retirement. Similarly, the Air Force four-star will get a much higher pension and equally good health benefits if he didn't get the job he now seeks.
1
@Lama Lama
As a fellow female vet who knows how often this happens and what the outcome will be, I, too applaud you Colonel.
Rape culture and military violence share one thing in common: doing stuff to other people by violent, physical force which they do not wish you to do to them.
So long as the population tolerates leadership that insists on military violence as the primary way to deal with all international problems, then such a population can be said to support an ideology of force as a primary good, with all other conditioning variables receding into the ideological background. Force, in this scenario, becomes not a last resort, but the primary focus and ideology around which the entire government operates. Predictably, when run this way, chaos results.
Governments are not always looked at in this way. They can also be seen as managerial, justice seeking, conciliatory, exploratory, redactional, overseeing, compassionate, fiduciary. No government that rules by force, fiat and fear has ever survived.
Trump, McConnell and the current crop of warmongers, oligarchs and Republican anti-democracy promoters have in fact been overwhelmed by the idea of force as the greatest good, or at least are willing to believe that it is the greatest, best means to certain outcomes. This is the path to (obvious) ruin.
So, as long as there is this massive struggle in the government to force people to do things, rather than to simply manage the nation, it will tend to select and promote those people around whom the ability to exercise force and dominance are primary character traits.
8
Would you have your military not be capable of violence on behalf of you and yours when the violence comes knocking on your door?
The military is only one of many tools available to government for international relations, how it is employed is not the choice of the military itself. It is not “military violence” that the military practices, but rather a profession of arms. There are rules to abide by in the conduct of war and when those are broken, there is a system that holds people and organizations accountable.
Sexual assault, and its many variants, are not exclusive to the military nor a problem that originates from the fundamental purpose of a military. Sexual assault, and its many variants, ARE a product of our societies bias towards the powerful and against women.
Everyone in our society is responsible for that.
@Lama Lama -- "Would you have your military not be capable of violence on behalf of you and yours when the violence comes knocking on your door?"
No, I would not. I have no personal need for a $750 billion a year military-industry-political complex. They cannot keep me safe from ordinary crime and street violence. A $100 set of locks on the three doors into my house does that just fine Under the presidency of George W. Bush, and estimated total of $8 Trillion will be spent through 2053 to pay for all coasts ($24,000 per person). My $100 set of locks is 240 times cheaper than this $24,000, and the locks keep me safer than any army ever can.
We are entering into a period of mass ecological and political crisis due to global warming. In a hundred years, a billion people will be on the move to escape heat, find water and produce food in changing climate patterns.
Historians 10,000 years into the future will look back at our current historical period in the same way that we now look back at the social organization of Neanderthals. They will look back at our annihilation of one another, our genocides, our usage and fixation on nuclear weapons as the kind of mental and spiritual disease that it truly is.
The kinds of things that knock daily at my door for assistance are poverty, ignorance, pain and human suffering in a multitude of agonizing forms. Guns are worthless instruments for healing these types of sufferings.
2
A courageous woman of principle. She realizes that her very successful Army career is now ended. Sad.
27
A very brave women, who odds are very good given the military's record on sexual assault, will have her reputation and career destroyed. Every brave woman who comes forward, moves the fight forward until someday victims receive justice.
23
The General seems to behave like an obstreperous juvenile. It's hard to imagine that a person of such high military rank will be overseeing 1.2 million active-duty troops. His conduct, if true is appalling and this type of behavior may be subject to blackmail? Frankly, I think Colonel Spletstoser has the leadership qualities to be the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
13
I believe Colonel Spletstoser and I admire her courage. She is a patriot, too.
112
@Blankmisgivings
We don't have to "believe" her -- we have to open an investigation. That's it. You take every claim seriously, and you remain agnostic until it is completed. This didn't happen for Kavanaugh, and it appears the Air Force is trying to thwart it from happening this time. ENOUGH.
8
Back to the drawing board-there must be someone with a sterling character who can be nominated as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.That the Trump administration would nominate him and then stand behind him indicates that they have no moral compass.How could he even get a Security Clearance?-someone who could be blackmailed.Women in the military have no motive to falsely accuse a superior officer-they know it will end their career.Trump has compromised every branch of the government-leave the military alone!!
46
"Colonel Spletstoser said that she had believed that General Hyten would retire, and had planned to say nothing about the incident."
Retiring would would not have necessarily stopped General Hyten's purported behavior. It is not a stretch of the imagination that his unacceptable behavior in this case would merely continue with other women in post-military, civilian life. I empathize with Colonel Spletstoser's career being on the line at the time of the first awful encounter, but, frankly, the "moral responsibility" to report the General was there from the start of the initial episode, not merely after "he was nominated to the second highest military job in the country."
23
Well, we’ve all seen how well these things usually play out.
19
@James L. Yes and it is very difficult, even under the best of circumstances, to come forward. Your career is at stake. It could be embarrassing. You could be ostracized by colleagues. And the victim is historically the one who is dragged through the wringer. "What was she wearing?" "Was she drinking?" "Why did she open the door?" "Had she led him on?" Etc, ad nauseum.
11
@James L.
It is easy to say that....as a man. As a woman there is always a downside. Also, retirement is a very different scenario than a promotion - it's like his conduct is been greenlit and he has influence over many many woman. It makes perfect sense to me that she decided this was the point at which she would take it further. And to be clear she had alerted the powers that be at the time. Nobody did anything about it.
13
I hope a due process is in order before confirming General Hyten and if he is found guilty of the charge then he should resign rather being forced to resign.
12
I’m guessing this accusation will only further endear the general with Trump and Republicans.
36
This is obviously a problem in the US Armed Forces, a problem that does not exist to this extent in the Armed Forces of many other G8 counties. It is also a problem in our society and government. We have two justices on the Supreme Court who stand accused as well as Congressman, etc. It always is a tough one to call if physical evidence does not exist. I do notice that the women involved always lose in their accusations. The men seem to on to greater glory.
50
@MED Al Franken is an exception--but he's a Democrat.
@MED Err.. Not to mention our POTUS, who is on record saying publicly that he would....Well, you know the rest.
Perhaps the appropriate reaction here would be "It takes one to nominate one."
This female colonel has a lot of guts, and a lot to lose, by airing this account; why on earth would she report this if it weren't true? But, alas, many Americans have made the same statement referring to Trump's long list of accusers, too.
Why would a woman make such an accusation if it weren't true? WHY?
37
@Metrowest Mom
That particular argument has been made multiple times and it is belied by the number of times that proved to be not true.
It also ignores the fact that in many of the cases there has been an official or in some cases a police investigation that has exonerated the accused.
The "Believe Women" independent of evidence is a false and irrational claim.
1
@Metrowest Mom
I have no idea why women would make false accusations. Perhaps we should ask Carolyn Bryant. Or Crystal Mangum. Or Danmell Ndonye. Or Wanetta Gibson. Or Mary Zolkowski. Or Kellie Bartlett. Or Tawana Brawley. Or any number of women from every race and station in life who have over the years demonstrated that women are just as capable of deception and moral blindness as men are.
1
Moral responsibility matters, though it's not common currency in our 45th presidency. Maybe another nominee for Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be put forward by president Trump?
15
Do you think it is premature to support the General?
NO - which of course means YES!
2
One thing we can't blame on Trump. But if the Senate goes ahead with hearings like the Kavanaugh debacle then Trump and the Senate Republican majority will be held accountable by women voters.
48
@RLW "...will be held accountable by women voters."
I doubt it. Not the women who would have considered voting for him in the first place. Besides, he will deny the election results if he loses anyway. (Certainly he hasn't a prayer of getting the popular vote, but that's only the public, not the Electoral College. Ugh.)
4
You’d think so,wouldn’t you? But there were a lot of women who voted for him last time and will again. Sad!
@RLW Excuse me, but didn’t a whole lot of women vote for Donald J. Trump, despite, well you know what?!
1
Maybe she should be nominated to be the vice chair. She clearly has the integrity,character,and fortitude to stand up to power when it is needed. The general needs to fade away into the sunset,or go to the brig. It is time to end this predator's career. This kind of behaviour needs to be gone from our armed services;it does not make our country stronger.
36
Horrible story. Seems there was a pattern of unwanted advancements. She would have let it go were it not for his promotion. Now she's boxed in by a male culture that simply dismisses by any all allegations from female officers.
I have no idea how this ends other than badly, but more for the "temptress" colonel than the General.
27
Who in the Trump administration vetted this appointment? The entire Trump Administration seems to be staffed by incompetents. Is this the way a successful businessman runs a successful company? I don't think so.
43
It was a company dependent on others to bail it out...
2
@RLW the same guy who hung up the fake presidential seal.
What convinces me, beyond doubt, are the details she recalls of the assault. She remembers where, when, how. Sheesh, what does it take?
55
General Hyten, except for an apparently high level of competence at his work, sounds like exactly the kind of man President Trump would want around him.
18
Thank you for your bravery in coming forward. Your abuser should withdraw his name from consideration, retire from the service and especially apologize to you.
24
This disturbing pattern of sexual assaults will surely guarantee his confirmation in the Republican controlled Senate. Will we ever believe women?
26
Trump would probably give the General Medal of Freedom and any highest military award possible
9
Nothing but the best people. claims Trump.
9
Be open minded until all evidence is in. Females are a member of the same species as males.
6
The military investigating the military. Am I the only one that sees the problem? This behavior can be investigated outside on a military court room.
47
This will be fun. All of the Republicans except a few women will support him. Susan Collins will express concern. Trump will say he is a good man, and Vice will remind us why he follows mothers orders and is never alone with another woman. All the Dems will vote against him. Net result--He gets his job, her career is ruined, and Trump gloats.
187
I don't know that a guy who cannot even control his own weapon during peacetime is qualified for a leadership position in our nation's military. How can he keep us safe? He's a danger himself.
56
@Cathy We could call it a preemptive strike.
There should be forensic evidence on Spletstoser's clothing from the incident, as in the Lewinsky/Clinton case. The preservation of a dress as evidence by Lewinsky was well-publicized and would serve as an example.
15
When the military is in charge of its own justice system, justice is rarely served.
When will we stop allowing the military autonomy in dealing with its criminal accusations, and try these cases in the normal court system?
37
@Kayla It's something like the police judging their members accused of shooting unarmed black men.
Does she have absolute and incontrovertible proof?
Because if she does - she needs to publish it.
Her career is over anyways- any woman who calls out a senior male officer for inappropriate contact is done.
6
Unless she gets his nomination.
@dog lover Too bad she didn't hold on to her clothing as evidence as Monic Lewinsky did.
To state the obvious, our President certainly surrounds himself with like-minded individuals. Let's see if Gen. Hyten does the right thing and resigns. "Deny, deny" is the Trump mantra. It's way past time for that mantra to be denied.
13
@C.L.S. I think resignation would be inadequate. How about docking his pension?
2
What really irks me is the abuse of power and the lack of moral leadership. It's just so prevalent and, sorry to say, especially in the Republican Party.
13
In recent years we have seen many similar situations where powerful, wealthy men have been exposed as sexual abusers. Victims are now coming forward, sometimes years after the fact, to confront their abusers.
It's frightening to think of all the other victims who still remain silent, too frightened, damaged, or humiliated to come forward to tell their stories.
We have a president in the White House who has openly bragged about his history of abusing women. Unfortunately, this sets a poor example for the nation.
32
Sexual abuse in the military is pervasive.
And it often goes unchecked.
In Canada, where I live, the federal government has just settled a major multi-million dollar class action suit for victims of sexual assault in the military. There were a great many people.
I get the impression that the military is anything but what it is made out to be: looking good on the outside with those fancy uniforms, but a cultural swamp.
This guy should not be promoted!
16
Military careerists would never make these accusations if they didn’t carry weight. I fully believe her.
55
@Get Honest Now!
So, because she's been there a long time that makes her more likely to be truthful?
@Lilo
Well, I suppose the same would apply to the Air Force general. Because he's been there a long time and wears four stars he is more likely to be truthful?
This will get swept away and the victim will be publicly shamed by Republicans. They have it down to a science.
30
Let me get this straight, the General is being investigated and is commended by the same agency that is investigating him. That, tells me everything I need to know about the stupid manner this investigation was handled.
39
Is anyone surprised by this?
Let's just call it the "Sexual Assault Administration" today -- we can add other epithets as we go.
17
Wow. It just keeps getting worse and worse.
15
I am so tired of hearing another case of where the powerful man gets away with it. My rapist got away with it. And yes, his reputation is quite good. These stories always deliver little shocks to my system. My total sympathy is with the woman. Now I am going to put away the New York Times and read a good romance book. I am simply tired of reality. What I suppose will happen next is...........nothing. It feels like to me a whole lot of evil is taking place in corridors of power. Why not a lie detector test for her? Because they really do suspect she will pass. Part of the dissonance most readers feel when they hear the details of this sexual assult is that simply it is so believable, yet there isn't much hope for justice. I do wonder if things would change if we elected a woman president. Go Elizabeth Warren.
37
If the President of the United States can get away with this kind of behavior, we have an obvious precedent and revised standard of what we expect from men in high places. Evidently they enjoy the venerable tradition of "droit du seigneur".
10
Hey, come on. This is "he said, she said." How about some facts, evidence, witnesses. Reputation. Prior conduct. Something other than an accusation by someone who appears from the article to be a difficult person. Even a 21 year old intern knew to keep the "blue dress" in a safe deposit box. And a 50 year old army colonel sends her outfit to the cleaners?
5
@Sausca
She had no intention of coming forward. Why on earth would she keep her clothing? To bribe him? I would have burned that clothing if I had been her. It wasn't some romantic treasure to hold to like tickets from a first date (or, as you imply, something left to cling to after a 21 year old had an encounter with a crush). It was the disgust body fluid of a horrible and powerful old man she worked for. Yes, she should have told his wife and the big boss, but it would have changed nothing for her.
And just because we haven't heard of prior conduct from other victims doesn't mean it is or isn't there.
1
@NorthLaker
Remember Monica? If she hadn't kept her dress with Bill Clinton's DNA on it, she would been toast. Real simple. Hyten gives a blood sample. If it doesn't match end of story. If it matches, get a new candidate.
@Sausca
Everyone isn't the same.
But, yeah, it would've been a good, if extremely icky, move. Maybe she did. She should call his bluff and say it's getting tested.
1
Oh man, that takes tons of courage.
22
Maybe Gen. Hyten's supervisors should be concerned that the man who oversees the country’s nuclear arsenal is a bit fast on the trigger. What is worse, he is apparently ready to use his rank for sexual advances towards his subordinates. That's a no-no.
It takes a lot of courage to do what Col. Spletstoser did - to risk her brilliant career in order to expose a powerful man who should not be the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
28
This accusation needs to be taken seriously. Boys will be boys just doesn't cut it. (Ignoring accusations) That's what the senator is saying as he touts the nominee's accomplishments. And continues as business as usual. Sick and tired of the cruel, unlawful and ignorant actions of privileged men. I don't care who nominated him for positions in the past or currently. His nomination needs to stop now. I am sure there of plenty of qualified men and women who do not carry this baggage.
6
I believe her, unequivocally.
26
general hyten is fully qualified to serve under trump's rules.
1
It’s probably in the job description.
Sounds credible, but it would have been helpful if she came forward before. It is a cop out to say that she did not before because she thought he was going to retire. Though the one incident described is disgusting and pathetic, it is not rape. Still, she had a duty to report him then and not wait two years and only now go public for moral reasons. Where were the moral reasons two years ago? Part of the problem is not reporting. McSally tried but was trashed. That was then. This lady would not have been trashed just two years ago. He is done and ruined. But, he would not have gotten this far if she had done her job and reported him. If these men know they will be reported when they do these things, it just might prevent other egregious conduct.
7
@Bian The climate for those reporting sexual harassment/assault certainly hasn't changed that much in two years. Christine Ford had to hire private security as she was inundated with threats. There are lots of reasons why most women would prefer not to report if at all possible.
5
@Bian He isn't done. He isn't ruined. He will be confirmed just like Kavanaugh.
Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten and Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh need to be taken to a law enforcement facility where they can be professionally examined by an expert in lie detection technology and procedures.
9
Not intending to blame the victim here. This was only 2017, the #MeToo movement had already begun. Perhaps Colonel Spletstoser in hindsight should have confided in at least two people, including a military colleague, if she did not feel like reporting the assault immediately. Also, she could have forensically preserved her yoga pants splashed with Hyten's semen.
Unfortunately women still need physical evidence to be believed, otherwise a reported assault years after the fact falls into the category of "he said she said". The Colonel is well-informed above the average citizen and therefore could have taken simple steps to preserve physical evidence, in the event that she decided to come forward years later.
If as a Colonel in the US Armed forces a woman cannot be believed on the strength of her words, even if against a General, then every woman should take note.
8
@Merlin
Even if you believe her I would not describe this as being a assault.
It doesn't even qualify as a criminal act.
However if true it should disqualify him from being in the military with power over others.
The big question is without proof either way can a judgement be made.
Another one of the boys like Epstein and Kavanagh who do not think harassing women is a crime or even a serious issue. I hope this man does not stand the challenge as we have a Misogynist in Chief already and now one in the Supreme Court and two are enough. Enough said. Perhaps a Colonel's words are to be believed where a intelligent Professional woman was not.
4
Sounds like Trump's kind of guy.
7
Cops never squeal on their counterparts. Doctors close ranks when one of theirs is sued. Military courts rarely, if ever, find a senior [male] officer guilty of anything. I believe Colonel Spletstoser. I do not believe him.
13
@Gardengirl. As a doctor with a long career in academic medicine and as an expert witness for the plaintiff in a number of medical malpractice cases, I would say that doctors do not “close ranks” when one of them is sued. The medical record is the key to understanding a malpractice case and it speaks for itself. The main threat against winning a case against a doctor who committed malpractice is the ability of a good defense attorney to confuse a jury.
2
I would never discount any woman who complains of or reports a sexual assault without doing an exhaustive inquiry first. If Hyter is guilty he should be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
On the other hand, and speaking the the larger "Me Too" movement, I think it is abjectly foolish to outrightly dismiss the potential for misreporting based on ulterior motives including but not limited to vengeance, brinksmanship, or disappointment with the quality or aftermath of fully a consensual encounter.
None of us will ever know exactly what happened between Spletstoser and Hyter. Hopefully a full investigation will reveal the truth. Having said this, as a general rule I am absolutely not ok with, and in fact vehemently opposed to instantly believing every single woman who says she was sexually assaulted in every single case simply because she said she was.
Nuance is the tail that wags the dog in each and everyone of these cases and I sincerely hope the truth comes out and real justice prevails.
3
I read something the other day that said - when males come forward to accuse another of sexual abuse, they are all so brave and strong. A female comes forward to accuse another of sexual abuse, and she's immediately a liar. That pretty much sums up our present situation.
19
The General Hyton to promoted to Joint Chiefs of Staff after distinguishing himself in combat in the GOP War on Women.
10
Ugh, I'm just sick to death of this...Sick of people who're harassed and assaulted not getting justice. Sick of people who are determined to disbelieve accusers while being pathologically unable to believe that men who've attained positions of power can be both great at, say, being a commander of troops AND be a sexual assaulter. Sick of those who pat themselves on the back for being 'fair-minded' when they intone that "we'll never know what really happened", when, really, they just don't think men forcing themselves on women is a big deal.
15
A famous, deceased psychoanalyst, Jacob Arlow, once wrote that the superego is like the cop on the corner; he's never there when you need him. A matter such as sexual assault doesn't deserve a joke, but the joke tells us something interesting about humans. They can be self-controlled, well behaved sometime-- maybe a lot of the time--and suddenly go haywire in some area. This area of superego lacuna, it seems to me, is illuminated by an old Yiddish saying, "Der rebbe meg," the Rabbi may, that is: All things are permitted the Rabbi---the man who has risen above others and is superior to other--so the normal rules of behavior, of ethics, of morality, of legality don't apply to such a man. He feels that he can then do--in fact is entitled to--whatever he wants. Such a mental state kills the cop on the corner, needless to say. So what we see over and over again, is a man with considerable success who transgresses--sexually, legally, financially--all the way from Enron to Trump. How and why such men have such a hold on us is something worth thinking about.
6
@Geoman
The patriarchy needs to bow out. Now.
Wait. What's all the fuss about. Aren't charges of sexual assault a plus in the Trump administration?
5
Not doubting what Col. Spletstoser is true, but without evidence placing General Hyten in her hotel room, outside of embarrassing the General and killing what's left of her military career, convicting the General is going to be almost impossible. Perhaps those stained yoga pants are lurking somewhere in the inky shadows?
1
Another Trump appointee... more serial sexual abuse.
Seems the Trump administration does conduct vetting after all. Requirements include a demonstrated disregard for women and non-whites. Expressed disdain for American values and the rule of law is strongly preferred. The ability to deny the truth with a straight face is mandatory. Amoral sycophants only, need apply.
5
I hope she kept the yoga pants as evidence.
The general will go to prison if she did.
3
Trump's kind of guy.
1
Another military sexual abuse cases and the disgusting arrogance of their own members denying without any consequences. What happened with America ? We have nothing to hold on. The only Institution that can save the population is the Military then what? They became number one enemy of their own service man and woman. Who will fix this sicknesses in our society?. This president also has accusations of sexual abuse cases growing. The military once again after thousands of denial need a medal of “zero morals and lies “ to cover up the most serious cases against a human being .
So much for military “justice”
The investigation was led by a more junior general
The accused refused to take a lie detector test
7
@Chicago Paul - "The accused refused to take a lie detector test"
What has that got to do with anything? Those "tests" are no more accurate than L. Ron Hubbard's "E-Meter" tests. They are not admissible in a court of law for a reason. They are not accurate and anyone can learn how to beat one.
https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2012/09/25/nsa-whistleblower-reveals-how-to-beat-a-polygraph-test
If (white) men being nominated to such high level positions are so innocent of any misgivings brought up against them, then why not submit to a Polygraph to prove their innocence?
After all, if you have nothing to hide then you should have nothing to worry about...
5
Trump's kind of guy.
1
I don't see how a female officer would accuse a superior of these acts unless they were true. She is putting her career in jeopardy and is very brave in reporting this. With all his years in the military and the high rank he has achieved, he needs to go quietly and save his marriage and his name.
501
I completely agree. Her career is over. She knows it and she came forward in spite of that. Brave lady!
96
@Jane Welsh Agree, but disagree that her career is over. If vindicated, she becomes a hero.
24
@1coolguy The fact that you "don't see how" which I take to mean "don't see why" presumes that you know the people in question. Maybe she wants out of the military anyway and so has nothing to lose. Maybe this general did something even worse to her or one of her loved ones and this is payback. Maybe she had taken some drug that night. Who knows, not me for sure. Personally, crimes involving high ranking military probably need a different form of investigation and adjudication from a court martial. I'd have civilian prosecutors handle such cases to reduce the intimidation factor.
6
I believe her and deeply respect her courage for coming forward with the truth.
M
220
For everyone who's pointing out that Gen. Hyten fits the mold for a 'Trump' appointee, kindly recall that he was appointed to his current position as the commander of the United States' vast nuclear forces by President Obama.
In fact, all of the senior military officers President Trump has nominated to senior defense positions were previously nominated by President Obama. President Trump didn't just magically make a bunch of new general officers appear when he came into office. He's promoting the ones that were previously promoted by Obama, and Bush, and Clinton, etc.
42
@John
No one cares who appointed him- he is accused of sexual assault.
That's what people care about.
12
@John Yes, but Trump is the only one who will continue with a nomination in the midst of sexual assault allegations such as these. Obama may well have nominated someone before allegations were made; only Trump cares so little about sexual assault that he would continue to support a nominee under these circumstances.
11
@John
I remember when Conservatives asked the question "When are Liberals going to stop blaming George W. Bush."
6
President Trump & E. Jean Carroll (previously over 20 others), Justice Kavanaugh & Christine Blasey Ford (previously Justice Thomas & Anita Hill), Lt Gov. Justin Faifax and Vanessa Tyson ... now General Hytel vs. Colonel Spletstoser — A February 2019 Denver Post article chronicles 90 lawmakers similarly accused just since 2017, overwhelmingly men. Beyond race relations, inappropriate behavior by highly-placed, mostly male officials remains a major problem in these United States.
151
Hi @Jaime - thanks for the Denver Post reference. Of the 90 lawmakers listed - I counted 88 = men. I'd say that stat warrants the adjective "overwhelmingly".
6
Boy ! Have we heard this story before! Men in high, authority positions feeling they can do what ever they want to whom ever they want. Where have we heard this before? In the news, practically everyday. Some pay their way out. Some publicly denounce their victims. And some threaten them. The military who have been praised as the best, the brightest, the strongest can’t even control their men. I think we need to rethink our feelings as a whole. Who wants their daughters, wives, sisters going into this hornets nest?
87
This is so normal that it should be in the lower columns with miscellaneous items. Is anybody really shocked by anything originating in the Trump House?
22
@notfit
Obama made the general’s prior appointment.
@notfit I am not making any judgements here, but I would like to refer you to the email above from John.
‘For everyone who's pointing out that Gen. Hyten fits the mold for a 'Trump' appointee, kindly recall that he was appointed to his current position as the commander of the United States' vast nuclear forces by President Obama.’
Partisanship is misplaced in this context. This sort of behavior has been around since time immemorial, before the existence of any party.
1
@Linda: Maybe, just maybe, there was no accuser when President Obama made the appointment, do yuh think? And maybe because the General saw who he would be working for, he knew he could now get away with the alleged assault? Something to consider. Or would you rather just blame President Obama???
Trump’s handlers in Russia have decreed that all nominees to any executive branch role must be properly compromised in some fashion.
That explains everything.
33
Yeah, like most conspiracy theories, yours "explains everything" without having any demonstrable basis in reality. What exactly is your point? That because the Russians are bad actors (and undoubtedly they are) and because they presumably want to cause trouble, turmoil and division in our system (also generally true), that Col. Spletstoser's accusations against Gen. Hyten are probably untrue and should be dismissed out of hand?
2
There is no upside in this for her. Perhaps that should be the greatest indicator of credibility.
Predation occurs BECAUSE people can get away with it, whether the perp is a Jeffrey Epstein or a punk on the street. They have power. Once every predator is held accountable, predation will drop dramatically.
178
@DSwanson MMm...we don't know her situation. She could well be telling the truth.
Or she could be acting out of spite or on behalf of one of the general's rivals, for example.
Only a full and fair investigation has a good chance of uncovering the truth.
Once again, a woman risks everything -- reputation, career, health -- in making a complaint.
The DoD's response -- "Gen. Hyten has proven himself to be a principled and dedicated patriot" -- is therefore grotesque and disturbing. One's patriotism has nothing to do with the issue at hand.
That Gen. Hyten's "guards" saw "nothing amiss" is also deeply disturbing.
Yet does anyone see a pattern here? Not only does this heinous behaviour appear far more prevalent than decent people suspected, it is practically a prerequisite for nomination in this craven administration.
154
@Phil Carson
You are right! There is a pattern! And not a good one!
7
@Phil Carson: Of course the guards saw nothing amiss.
For openers, their task is to protect the general. The colonel was no such threat. She didn't come out of her hotel room screaming, there was no altercation or any other disturbance.
Also, where was the Secret Service when JFK and WJC were doing their "thing"? Same thing, no threat to the President.
2
@disillussioned1 the security men are not there for anyone else’s protection but his. Of course as Sgt. Schultz on Hogan’s Hero said “I see nothing!”
4
I find myself wondering if the colleagues who criticized Colonel Spletstoser during the "administrative inquiry in 2018" were male or female, whether they have made similar comments about those of the other gender, and whether their comments were solicited in hopes of making the inquiry go away.
It sounds like Colonel Spletstoser's own career has been outstanding, and nothing in this article suggests that she is motivated to be other than truthful.
"Participants head[ing] to the hotel bars" is a tradition that needs to go away.
73
When I became more senior in my USAF career, any behavior to take advantage of lower ranking females would be strictly taboo and end a career if reported. Given the recent cases involving Hollywood movie top executives and scores of TV and media personalities, it is quite unfair to assert that this behavior is common in the military.
19
@Peppermann Guess what? During my corporate career we thought that sexual harassment had been virtually eradicated. How little did we know.
2
@Pepperman
So if it has stopped being common in the last 5 minutes, or 5 weeks or even 5 years--then we can say, phew, at long last. If. But we still have to say: what took so long?? Probably the most you can say here, based on your experience, is that it's unfair to say the behavior is common now in the USAF. Can you really speak for the whole military? Does anyone really believe that he military--unlike any institution in our society--has really accomplished making this behavior uncommon?
@Pepperman The military itself is saying they have a problem. The question is, as an organization, are they capable of policing (and correcting) themselves?
2
Given that she has effectively ended any chances she may have had at promotion or a job associated with the military industrial complex, I believe her.
314
@Ek I'm not so sure about that, not to mention there are many great jobs out there these days.
Especially if lots of people think (rightly or wrongly) that you're brave.
1
It appears that an investigation of this incident has already occurred, and that charges have not been assessed. From a military legal perspective, the investigation appears to be closed. I hope that Congress audits that investigation closely. It certainly seems to be the case that it is very hard for a senior military official to be disciplined for sexual misconduct, and that has to change. Which means the military justice system needs to change for this type of charge.
As to his promotion, there is a double jeopardy element to returning to charges that he has been cleared of. I don't know from reading this article what really happened. I would prefer to see the investigation re-examined under different and critical eyes, and the nomination delayed until the investigation is confirmed or re-opened. A Senate confirmation hearing is not a good forum for resolving guilt or innocence in a sexual assault case; we should keep politics and justice separate and avoid media circuses on Capital Hill. A party line vote after a show trial isn't going to deliver justice.
46
There is probably more than a good chance that Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten will be confirmed as the next vice chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff. The odds and various mindsets seem to lean in his favor.
That being said, I could not be prouder of Army Col. Kathryn A. Spletstoser, Senator Martha McSally and other women who have come forward with their personal accounts of men in the military who have raped, assaulted and forced themselves on them.
The more women who courageously speak out against this abuse and abuse of power, the brighter the light begins to shine on such horrific and unacceptable behavior. Maybe in my lifetime I will actually see this kind of behavior not only not tolerated in the military but also grounds for immediate discharge.
A sincere and heartfelt thank you to Col. Spletstoser for speaking out.
221
Given the history of this administration, I automatically assume that every person nominated by them is some sort of criminal. I would be (very happily) surprised if they put an honest, capable person in any position.
109
@Frank
Obama nominated the general to his present position.
1
Ugh. Can't the military grow up? It's not as if there's a lack of guidance out there on how to conduct an investigation on allaegations of sexual harassment up to rape. Not as if the bad boy behavior is going to disappear on its own. Tailhook happened in 1991.
All abusive or inappropriate behavior is not ever going to vanish. But where are the protocols and the discipline from the top to deal with reports?
Why are they still making it ever so clear that no one wants to hear women's reports?
Yup, a great choice to command the troops. He'll fit in well with his new boss.
36
It’s deeply unsettling, to say the least, that so many Trump appointees have had accusations/records of sexual harassment. It has to be more than coincidence. It’s starting to seem as if it is a job requirement of any man who wants to serve this president. Please, let’s organize, vote, and send this horrible man and all his wretched “colleagues” far far away.
104
@kglen
I agree, but let's call a spade and spade: this isn't "harassment," it's assault. And Trump has been accused of rape, by more than one woman.
73
Agree wholeheartedly. Sadly I was searching for a blanket term because this abuse is so endemic in this administration. But you are right harassment is not a serious enough description. Just off the top of my head there’s been various types of spousal abuse and domestic violence, attempted rape, groping, grabbing, unwanted touching and then of course just plain old sexism. And let’s keep in mind—that’s only what we know about.
6
@kglenPlease provide us a list of those appointees. We are waiting.
1
This sexual assault scenario across the country, involving men from all walks of life, including top brass of the US Military is a very frightening picture. This General was protected at all times by his 'guards' and of course they are not at liberty to discuss his 'personal time' on or off duty. Trump has the dubious honor of choosing some scary dudes to be in his Cabinet and now this one to be the NO. 2 man in the Pentagon??? And the brass marching band plays on as the world snickers.
38
Does the degeneracy of the Republican Party know no bounds?
Possibly the most disturbing sentence in the entire article is that "Senator Jim Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma and chairman of the committee, said he planned to go ahead with hearings on General Hyten’s nomination."
The Official GOP response to rape seems to have evolved all the way into "Be quiet, woman, we're busy enriching the rich."
The violent acts of the individual rapists are despicable, but it's the stone-faced acceptance and allowance of them by the entire right wing establishment-- from the president to the senators to the pundits to the Joe six packs-- which is nauseating and pathetic to an unprecedented degree.
I apologize to all the women. At least 90 million American men are on your side.
108
@Erik Guilty until proven innocent. Unless it is your son.
@Erik
In the court of public opinion?
Yes. Definitely guilty...
Here's the proof there's something to her charges:
"General Hyten declined to take a lie-detector test for the Defense Department’s investigation"
82
@DD - I would not take one either because they have been proven to be inaccurate and are not admissible in a court of law.
1
@DD
A polygraph test, misleadingly called "lie detector", is pseudo-science, the modern equivalent of trial-by-fire or a dunking chair. Having said that, I have no doubt that Colonel Spletstoser is speaking the truth.
I'm more interested in what republican women will say about this than I am the men.
29
Hopefully she kept the clothing that got "stained" by the General...would certainly be interesting to try to splain that away.
38
@Mike
- it would be explained as a 'consensual encounter'.
Cue the usual mansplaining:
1) Why did she wait so long?
2) She probably asked for it and felt bad.
3) She's not my type.
4) It's a he said/she said, so what we can do?
etc. etc. etc.
More business as usual for Washington, especially when the man at the top has a long history of engaging in (beyond) questionable behavior with woman.
148
@D She didn't wait at all....she reported it immediately.
51
@D
Correct, and let's be sure to add a little bit about her "reputation," as if that has anything to do with anything. "She was toxic" probably means she did something that men do all day, every day.
48
Why did she wait so long? Because once you open your mouth, the blowback is life changing. The gossip alone is enough to stop most from moving forward let alone the professional repercussions from higher ups.
It’s a brave thing to move forward with reporting such behavior. It’s a braver thing to survive it. I’ve done it and my reputation was trashed.
I told no one yet the perpetrator was free as a bird to say what he wanted after he was fired. I even had a lateral male coworker tell me I should have kept my big mouth shut. And when I think he was bold enough to say it to my face, I shudder to think what was said behind my back.
Why don’t people just behave themselves so no one ever has to be in her shoes?
Military is a boys club that women happen be part of. When that mindset changes, we will have less of these incidents.
9
I find it fascinating, and scary, how easily Americans are to set aside the presumption of innocence when someone else stands accused.
12
@Jeff
Sure, legally, he's presumed to be innocent. But his accuser has a whole lot more to lose by coming forward. So why would she lie about it?
52
@Jeff..maybe because women are abused so pervasively that one has only walk down any street in America and witness first hand the catcalls, and the way men stare with a persistence that is invasive. It doesn't take rocket science to understand how a patriarchal culture instructs men to behave this way and to take from women what they want in ways that extend to assault and rape. The scary thing maybe that you don't realize how common it is to abuse women throughout America.
50
@Jeff its not that we are presuming him guilty it is that the political machine that is Trumpism refuses to even look. Here you have a 28 year active military veteran and they have said absolutely nothing to praise her, yet her accused gets promoted and praised.
51
Why is it that many wholesome men of impeccable character, some fervent evangelicals, cannot envisage even the possibility of a sexual assault happening by anyone they know or who wears a uniform? The same point applies to many republicans sitting in Congress right now. Coincidence? Is this due to "A" type personalities that are rewarded for their assertiveness thus giving them leeway?
Seriously, everyone should ask themselves if they would approve if their sister, spouse, or daughter wanted to enroll in th armed forces. Get real, no way.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice is outdated and used way too often to essentially show that there is no punishment if you go a "bit" too far. In all 50 states, every person including the accused and the accuser and all witnesses and medical experts etc. can rightfully have their character challenged and, when warranted, all exploits fully exposed. Not so in the armed forces. You may not challenge the character of an officer. This is 2019, not 1777.
Time for a reality check.
31
@Andy dB Great point. I'm a 14 year army veteran and i think that they need to have civilians who are specially appointed to investigate sexual assault by members of the military including officers. These people would have broad discretion. I"m pretty sure that if these high ranking officers knew that there was a civilian who could end their career they would be less inclined to act badly.
6
The security detail from that trip should be transferred to equivalent duty where they are not associated with the General, and then be interviewed under oath regarding their knowledge of what happened. And the military brass needs to make it clear that they will support people who tell the truth.
74
Dear Colonel Spletsotoser, whatever comes of this, know that you did the right thing. The more women speak up when assaults happen to them, the more the accusers and their supporters will realize they can't get away with this kind of outrageous behavior.
Thank you, Colonel, for your bravery. I'm glad to know people like you defend our country. We owe it to you to support you now.
130
@L
Although I agree, men won't stop with this outrageous behavior. There will always be men who think they can do what they want and feel they will never get caught. Sad, but true.
2
Thank you for your service, Colonel. Surely, those who place nominees for the President's review are among the worst-performing Federal employees. It saddens me to know that a great amount of taxpayers monies are spent conjuring up these 'best' people. A credible Secretary of any of our military branches could suspend from duty any senior ranking active duty member for investigation of serious charges as these. It could still happen........
Oh, I forgot, many of our service members are required to wear 'insignia' and unit designations at times that are have no more military purpose than MAGA plastic straws.
14
Sadly, General Hyten perfectly matches the profile Trump likes to see in his appointees.
51
There is significant rot in the command structure of our military. We have only to look at the highest ranking officers who have accepted positions in the Trump administration, or to news stories about naval officers receiving kickbacks from contractors and the Air Force scandal regarding qualification testing for missile officers. The Air Force Times (an independent news agency) reads like a crime blotter. The very nature of military hierarchy serves to protect these people and in most cases their actions go unpunished.
19
The older and often consequently higher ranked officers have been groomed and are steeped in the military's culture of no accountability for males when females allege misconduct or crimes.
Colonel Spletstoser did what almost every female is forced to do to protect her own career goals: Stay silent.
If the military were to treat each of its member with equal respect, no matter the rank, no matter the sex, the military wouldn't suffer the dismal reputation for injustice that it does in cases of alleged assault.
20
"...Ms. McSally said she believed the prosecution of such cases should remain within the purview of the Defense Department,..."
She's a U. S. Senator but she still doesn't get it. Even now.
You cannot trust the DoD to investigate itself; which has been proven over and over to the point it's just a fact of life. The drill is to lift carpet, sweep dirt under, lower carpet down, get your job rating, punch ticket, move to next duty station, rinse, repeat, get your Joint Service Commendation Medal, retire rich.
I say this as a 30-year retired DoD civilian. Seen it. A lot.
Industry is the same; see the Epstein case, and a hundred more.
Someone must be the checker. Someone outside the arena.
60
@Mike i agree they need to have civilians whose only purpose is to investigate sexual assault. They would complete authority.
1
The attacks against the female victim are so old and so obvious. The points listed against her in her performance evaluations, that she was "hard-hitting, toxic in her dealings with others", are all traits that would earn praise for men in the military. It's as though she's being criticized for not being "feminine" and submissive enough. Officials aren't commenting on the disgusting nature of Hyten's putative attack, they praise his mililtary record. Women in the military are really in a tough position -- can't say no or report sexual predators of higher rank without jeopardizing their own career. If they do report sexual predators, military women face being demonized in official reports. Don't these military men have daughters?
63
@Tina
Of course they have daughters. So does Alex Acosta. So does our latest Supreme Court justice. Doesn't seem to make a difference.
7
Gen. John E. Hyten can just publicly declare that Col. Spletstoser is not his type. That excuse has worked well for his boss so far. After all, more than 45% of the country is planning to vote for him in 2020.
47
Here we go again. Shades of Kavanaugh.
Guess who's going to win this
fight?
As a Trump appointee, Hyten will receive the full force of presidential support (Trump has total sympathy since he has been accused over two dozen times of the sexual assault).
But the victim, Colonel S will be attacked, maligned and completely destroyed because well, she was "perceived as disrespectful" by some subordinates.
32
Once again, Trump rolls the dice and the dice settles near a person of dubious integrity. Maybe the dice knows something we all don't.
19
I believe her!
There is no reason any woman should vote GOP for the foreseeable future.
Everyone (especially women) must vote for the government THEY want. Republicans have proven for decades that they feel women are inferior/less.
Only women can change that going forward!
I believe her!
26
“But the case is, once again, highlighting an issue that has plagued the military as it struggles to address sexual assault complaints within its ranks.”
Although the military may be struggling with these complaints, Trump isn’t. He surrounds himself with such people and showers them with praise.
18
Same old same old. Did anyone think he was going to be found guilty by his subordinates? Yeah and I believe in tinkabelle. I would like statistics on how many cases have ever been found for the victims. And what happened to them after the hearing? Where did their careers go?
5
I believe her. How many other women are out there who are too afraid to come forward?
27
I can’t put into words how disappointing it is at how this has been handled.
Women are asked all the time why they didn’t report, remember the backlash and subsequent hashtag campaign #WhyIDidntReport after Dr. Blasey-Ford came forward? This is why sexual assault victims don’t report. She reported it when it happened, like McSally, and nothing ever came of it. Now that she has come forward publicly, people are already defending him by his service and “patriotism”, forgetting her service and patriotism in the process. Hell, the Republican rep already said they are going forward with nomination hearings before they have gotten to the bottom of it.
Why don’t sexual assault victims report? Because people don’t care. It’s simple. They can’t say they didn’t know, they know but simply do not care.
70
@Emma Bosley
53 witness interviews and thousands of documents reviewed doesn't strike me as not caring about the accusation.
This type of conduct has been tolerated for too long. Col. Splestoser, thank you for coming forward. This underscores the need for women in leadership positions.
94
It is troubling nowadays when someone is appointed to a position of importance, someone comes forward at the final hour to question his appointment. If there is an inquiry and there is no or inconclusive evidence that anything happened and finally it is a “he said she said” Where do they go to get their reputation back and the lives and careers destroyed.
10
@Nitin
Can you explain how Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh have had their careers destroyed?
76
@Nitin Yet if she is telling the truth he gets away with sexual assault. If it's he said she said we should at least listen to both sides,
I hate that phrase he said she said. In what other crime is the victim's word equal to the criminal's. If someone goes to the police and says their wallet was stolen, a much less devastating crime, are they assumed to be lying?
22
@Nitin It's more troubling that there were an estimated 20,500 instances of unwanted sexual contact reported throughout the various branches of the military in 2018 alone. Where do those who were raped, abused, or assaulted go when their lives and careers are destroyed? In all likelihood, general Hyten will be going to the pentagon as vice chair to the joint chiefs of staff. Colonel Spletstoser will likely being going home to death threats.
33
What is it about some men that they are unable to control their sexual desire to act inappropriately?
It happens over and over and over again. Is it just impossible to stop?
Hopefully, if our species can survive until we understand how to genetically alter embryos before they are born, we can remove the malformed gene(s) that produce this behavior.
41
@Richard Phelps
It is probably the same thing that causes women to be unable to control their inappropriate sexual desires. Maybe you should ask all the women teachers sent to prison for having sex with boys in their schools. Or do you want to blame the victims for that?
@FWS I never thought about that, but you may well be spot on! Why can't a woman have the same gene dysfunction as a man and preying on young men a perfect expression of it.
We were all the products of evolution and are driven to procreate. Why do salmon swim upstream?
2
Thank you for your courageous service to the cause of women in the military and MST Col. Splestoser.
55
I’m glad that she’s doing this. Now she needs to back it up with charges. Hopefully it will spur people on to come forward at the time the crime actually occurs so criminals like this aren’t able to ascend the ranks of power.
21
@XLER If I read the article correctly, she did report this at the time. It was essentially swept under the carpet, so to speak.
27
Asleep at the wheel much, Trump Aides?
The accused General has a right to presumption of innocence, but there had to be some rumblings of this roiling around in his past. People do talk, even if it's unattributed scuttlebutt.
Why nominate someone who MAY (huge stress on MAY) have something foul in his past? Unless you just don't care. I have my suspicions.
20
@joe
Let's see if other women are brave enough to come forward, with his rank and age it's unlikely an isolated incident.
19
When Trump made the appointment did he understand what a "vice" chairman would do? Or did he just take the term literally? After all a little over a decade ago our POTUS and Jeffrey Epstein were a close confidants, sharing a taste for younger women.
12
What are the possible national security implications of this alleged sexual assault, particularly regarding the general being subject to extortion/blackmail attempts, not only in his present highly classified and important position but also in the event he becomes the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs? Given his existing command and the future one he seeks, it would seem that the burden of proof should squarely rest on him to disprove by clear and convincing evidence, or even a higher standard, the serious allegations made against him by the complainant, including that he conclusively "pass" another lie detector exam.
35
@John Grillo
He doesn't have to take a polygraph if he doesn't want to. He can legally refuse. They are not acceptable in court. They are not reliable. It's still the burden of the accuser to prove a persons guilt, but in the military that all depends on politics.
8
Here we are. Another brave woman comes forward, risking much for truth and justice, and is already being dismissed, doubted and disrespected. Next will come the threats. We all know how this will end. Hyten will get the job, and Spletstoser, an Army Colonel, will have come forward for nothing. I hope I'm wrong this time. Maybe someday I'll be wrong.
142
Now this accusation appears totally, undeniably believable. He'll fit right in.
29
Trump: He denies it.
Trump: Our generals need to be virile.
Trump: She would not be my first choice.
55
Of corse he denies it. What else can he do. I wonder if there is any woman in the military who has NOT been sexually assaulted. Seems like it’s common practice sanctioned by no consequences. So much for that oft vaunted word HONER in the military. Honorable men do not assault women - ever - not non-combatants or their fellow comrades in arms.
32
@Gwen Vilen
What else can he do? How about resigning if it's true, or be court martialed?
3
Col. Spletstoser is brave to come forward. The country owes her a debt of gratitude. I say this with the full understanding that the Senate will confirm her assailant just as they did Kavanaugh. So the Colonel has nothing to gain, but everything to lose by being forthright and honest. Still, she chose to act with integrity, unlike our "president".
Recently Charles Blow wrote an insightful column titled "Trump Detests Apologetic Men." Of course Trump never apologizes. Sexually assaulting women is his badge of honor.
But underlying all this bravado is a quality that he displays - a quality that his base shares - and that is failing to take responsibility for one's own actions. The belief that others are to blame for one's own wrongdoing, one's own lapses of judgment. And of course he appoints toadies with these qualities, as they are reflections of himself. And "General" Hyten is a case study in failing to acknowledge his own wrongdoing.
But this also explains why his base tolerates - even applauds - all of his wrongdoing, and that of his appointees. Why they haven't peeled off, nearly three years into the most disastrous presidency in our history. The narcissism, the resentment, particularly of white males, drives Trump voters. They want to blame someone else for their own shortcomings. And this is what they love about Trump. He absolves them of all their moral failings, their lapses, as well. Commit the crime and blame someone else. Just a typical day in Trump country.
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@Kyle Reese
Thank you for this -- needs to be stated over and over.
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At this point, it seems that all male Trump nominees and/or appointments must have either been a perpetrator of sexual assault, accused of sexual assault or been an enabler of sexual assault - I mean, locker room talk -as a qualification to be on his team.
28
This is exactly why we must pass the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA). This has been a long-standing issue. I’ve personally negotiated with the Joint Chiefs for certain protections such as getting Articles 132 & 138 added to the UCMJ, but still it’s not enough. It’s time to get an impartial third party. DOD has blatantly & consistently demonstrated that it cannot police it’s own with any amount of integrity.
You know DOD should be looking to Canada. Canada implemented an amazing reporting system with great results & then authorized each victim a monetary settlement on top of it. Why can’t the US follow suit? Oh that’s right because the US has a terrible misogynistic culture especially in male dominated fields.
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@MollyMarineJD
No one, under any circumstances, can be trusted to police themselves. And examples are presented daily. Here's one. Another is the FAA allowed the jet manufacturers to police themselves on safety issues. Two plane loads of innocents lost in that failure of logic.
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@MollyMarineJD Thanks for the comment i wasn't aware of that act. I have been saying since i left the military that there needs to be civilian oversight of officers especially when it comes to sexual assault.
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@Craig Barron you’re welcome (: We originally introduced the STOP Act out of the House, but once it got to Senate it became MJIA. It’s attached to Coica V Rumsfeld & Klay V Panetta.
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It doesn't take much imagination to assume that the officers covered for the General. Rape happens in the military and the female is discredited or dismissed by the men in charge.
Kavanaugh should not be serving on the Supreme Court, but he is. This General should not be elected to fill this position in our government, but he most likely will still get the job.
When you have a President who brags about grabbing women's private parts and has no respect for women in general, these are the low life individuals who make up our governing body.
This is "Trump's World".... as sickening as it is.
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A graphic and specific accusation, much Christine Blasey Ford's accusations against now-seated Kavanaugh.
He's on the Supreme Court, despite credible and damning evidence and his own alarming display of "character" during the hearings. And where, oh where, is she?
Stand up courageously and do the right thing....well...better check who is in power first.
It makes one wonder if the Republicans may feel that such accusations actually help them, reinforcing their good-ol-boy politic, underlining their brand and ultimately showing that even credible (and incredibly indefensible) sexual assaults hold less sway than a wish to return to the good old days when another's pain was simply none of your concern.
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@C. Whiting Your quite right to speculate that these accusations can serve to reenforce a "good-ol-boy' or other politic. It's now being researched by neuroscientists. See Tali Sharot's work on this subject, it's fascinating how our brains have evolved to protect our belief systems. Evolutionarily it served us well, up to a point, where now things are dissembling.
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@C. Whiting.
They don't really want women around, "tempting" the men or offering a different perspective on much of anything. Witness only two women in the cabinet: McConnell's wife and DeVoss - who works for free and gives tens of millions per year to Republican candidates.
They are not trying to reinforce anything. They just don't care.
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@C. Whiting
I'm sorry but I have to disagree. The accusations in this article may to Blasey Ford's but they are much more relevant. These events took place in recent history. Not only are memories fresher but the accuser and accused are largely the same people they were at the time of the incident. In the other incident you reference took place decades before the accusations were made. Memories were obviously much less fresh more, more importantly, the accuser and accused were largely different people than they were at the time of the incident. They were different in so many relevant areas related to biological, emotional, educational and career development.
Most of us who are mid- to late-career are fully accountable for who we were two years ago. And much less so for who we were as teenagers.
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Previous score: Men 28,597,423 Women 3. Will this case move the needle? Get out your microscope.
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@uga muga
Yikes, well if Trump and Company are willing to smear Mueller with his stellar record of stunning service to our country, this poor Colonel doesn't have a chance.
15
Another sexual assault allegation by a credible person. You know what will happen? Nothing. The guy will get confirmed. The Republicans will stand by him. They DO NOT CARE.
This is not an administration, it is a safe haven for every thief, rapist, pedophile, bigot and racist in the United States.
The Republican Party is morally bankrupt.
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@Colleen "not an administration ... a safe haven" - i don't think it can be better characterized.
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@Colleen - Hopefully I can understand your cynicism but I am pretty sure this guy resigns or whatever they do when they say they'll be spending more time with their family...
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@Colleen Dear Coleen, I agree with you, but feel your statement is incomplete. Both parties are culpable. Once in power, their views and actions change dramatically as they do anything to hold onto and consolidate that power.
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The Republicans in the Senate will confirm the General. They are so beholden to Trump, they will never reject anyone he wants to appoint. The General needs to be a man of true honor, he should retire and just go away! His career is now ruined no matter happens, best to just take his pension and attempt to salvage his family life!
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I support her and her courage.
These people he chooses to lead must have a "secret "handshake" or something that lets him know, " I am in the club that has no problem sexually assaulting women too!".
How does he find these people?
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If, as the Col. said, there was proof on her clothing that could identify the General then she should have saved the garment.
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@JaaArr she though he was about to retire and had resolved to remain silent on account of that. Not because it did not happen.
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@JaaArr. So it's on her, not him? What about a lie detector test? For both.
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@JaaArr
Yeah, and she should have video, audio and multiple eye-witnesses.
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Are these guys ever capable of NOT DENYING these allegations? Seems to be every assaulters MO. Can they ever man up? Doesn't appear so.
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@Margaret melville - couldn't agree more but you have to think for a sec, does this guy want to be fired or disciplined immediately on the spot? That's like sticking your head in the yoke part of the guillotine. Better to deny and hope maybe you can wiggle out. If not, then you're truly done.
Colonel, thank you for your service! You’ve done a brave thing. Regardless of its direct effect it is a contribution to our culture and the protection of the future of our daughters.
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@Fred Corbalis—even if it’s not true?
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All power to you Kathryn! Your service to the country is of utmost worthy of respect and justice that you should receive!
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@WD What about the general's service?
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@Dan Gibson
What about it ?
Does it give him the right to abuse a fellow officer?
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@Dan Gibson What about it?
5
Thank you, Colonel, for speaking up.
[And Trump's judgment regarding Hyten comes as no surprise.]
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Good for her, coming forward like this. This sows why we need a LOT more women in top leadership positions.
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During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to surround himself by “all the best people.” My definition of “best” does NOT include men who sexually assault women yet so many of Trump’s “best people” are men who do just that.
Thank you Col. Spletstoser for having the courage to come forward.
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@Marge Keller. A real pity that Trump’s supporters don’t care. And they continue to support him in spite of what they have heard him brag about himself!
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@Marge Keller
However, your definition is at odds with Trump's, who has no problem with sexual assault.
The real and only question to that "man" is whether she is the right type.
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@Marge Keller He meant people just like him.
Rather than a factor that would force someone to withdraw their nomination, it appears that this kind of behavior is de rigueur for serving in the Trump administration.
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@Clyde. It’s a question on the official application. 10. A. “Have you ever sexually assaulted a woman or girl?” If you select “No” it says “please submit, we will keep your application on file.” If you select yes it offers you positions in the administration to apply for.
9
A lot of detail to this account. Could it actually go somewhere or will the GOP treat her like they do all women and not take her account seriously?
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That's what makes them a Grand Old Party to you, doesn't it?
What's that you say? You don't think of them that way?
Then quit building them up. Call them by their name, not their brand.
@Anthony
Based on past performance I'm going to take a chance and say - no, her accusations are not going to go anywhere. In fact, if you are nominated for a position in the Drumph administration her accusation is a "badge of honor" as far as the current GOP is concerned.
It's a very SAD state of affairs.
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@Anthony, An investigation into the matter proved her claims to be inconclusive. All that's remaining is why the colonel has such an axe to grind with the general and/or this administration, that she would make such an inauspicious accusation.
I'm not speaking my mind; I'm anticipating the defense on the GOP's side.
1