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Latina lives maybe don't matter.
Author: TriSec    Date: 06/30/2020 12:06:58

Good Morning.

Nobody has been under a rock here. You've seen the #BLM movement gain national momentum. But they are one organization among many working to change white perception of different national groups. There's one you may not know about, the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC.


You may be aware of two disappearances of active-duty personnel from Fort Hood. Gregory Wedel-Morales disappeared without a trace almost a year ago, in August of 2019. The military has made what can at best be described as a half-hearted effort to locate him.

On April 22 of this year, Vanessa Guillen disappeared from the same base.

The military has no explanation for either of these cases - and according to many family members of both, the authorities have been less than forthcoming with any information that they may have.

But in an unfortunate twist - on June 19, human remains were found in Killeen, TX near the base, which were eventually identified as Mr. Wedel-Morales. And just days ago, another set of remains, not yet identified, was found 'within walking distance' of Mr. Morales' shallow grave.

The military so far does not have any evidence that the two crimes are linked - but if you watch enough crime shows, it's easy enough to play armchair quarterback with this case.

But back to LULAC. The Guillen disappearance is merely the tip of the iceberg; many Latinas have come forward with stories of sexual abuse and other military misconduct that has gone un-investigated and un-punished. This is completely under the radar; except for a few local stories in Texas and some deeply-listed paragraphs on the military news sites I frequent, there's been no national interest.

LULAC hopes to bring some attention to the case - they have recently called for Latinas to no longer join the military, as 'the military is not protecting female soldiers'.


Vanessa Guillen's family says they are not getting straight answers from the military.

"I am praying for her to be found soon. I just want her alive. How is it possible for her to go missing on base on a military base? How it is possible?" said Mayra Guillen, Vanessa's sister.

How does a soldier vanish off one of the most secure military bases in the world?

Guillen was last seen in a parking lot outside her regiment headquarters at Fort Hood on April 22.

"There’s cameras everywhere, so it's really impossible for her to disappear there from the largest military base in the United States without anyone knowing or finding out,” said Domingo Garcia, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC.

He says the military dragged its feet at the beginning of the investigation, losing precious time.

And now the Army is investigating the possibility Guillen was being sexual harassed by one of her superior officers.

"The Army has a saying: We leave nobody behind. We can't leave Vanessa behind or any other women who serves this country,” said Garcia.

Garcia says since Guillen's disappearance and allegations of sexual harassment, other Latina soldiers have come forward to say they have been victims of sexual misconduct.

"We are asking all women especially Latina women or their families: Do not enlist in the army until we have assurance they will be protected and taken care of when they serve our country. And right now I just don't believe the military is capable of doing that because of what happened to Vanessa Guillen,” said Garcia.

The Army did not answer our questions about allegations of other Latina soldiers being sexually harassed.


But next, we'll move on to the United States Constitution today. Just putting some things out there.

Article 3, Section 3:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.


Article 2, Section 4:

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.


And finally, Amendment 25, Section 4:

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.


You might be wondering why the AAV staff is not up-in-arms over the latest presidential revelation concerning Russian bounties on US troops. The news is rapidly fluid, but there's news overnight that the president knew about this a year ago; while no numbers can be conclusively proven, a figure I've seen multiple times is 10 US Soldiers killed under this scheme.

We are hopefully having a special guest blogger later today to expand on this story.

But as for me, in closing, let me leave you with one other quote:


I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."


I have mused for years when this oath might kick in.

The answer is now. NOW is the time.

 
 

20 comments (Latest Comment: 06/30/2020 20:06:34 by Raine)
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Comments:

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Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2020 12:53:30
Mornin!

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 13:16:40
Morning!

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 13:16:58
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin!
Hey Scoop!

How are you doing?


Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 13:18:41
This blog today, cripes.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/30/2020 13:24:06
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2020 13:25:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin!
Hey Scoop!

How are you doing?

I'm good, a weird kind of sore. Like there's little needles embedded in my neck.

I'm meeting with the surgeon later today, and he'll be doing another ultrasound.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 13:27:58
Carl Reiner has passed.

Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2020 13:28:46
A list of the remaining SCOTUS cases that should be coming.

It's unlikely we get them all today, but Roberts will probably say something about the timeline for their release.

Comment by livingonli on 06/30/2020 13:58:41
Good morning everyone.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 14:22:59
Good morning, bloggers!!!! I hope that you are doing well today.

Comment by BobR on 06/30/2020 14:28:02
Let's just say it like it is: Non-white lives don't matter, and white women aren't doing so well either.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 14:41:09
Is it wrong that I have almost lost the ability to be shocked and expect to hear things that I find to be disgusting from this administration?

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 14:58:00
Please keep TrojanRabbit and Mrs. Rabbit in your thoughts, prayers, and send good vibes their way. Scoopster and Livingonli, I included you in the Mi Sheberiach (healing prayer) at my synagogue this past Friday for our online service. I will include Mrs. Rabbit as well.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 15:25:02
Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 15:28:05
SCOTUS rules that Montana's ban on state funds for religious schools is unconstitutional. From CNN:

Supreme Court opens door to state funding for religious schools
Devan Cole byline
By Ariane de Vogue and Devan Cole, CNN

Washington (CNN)In a ruling that will open the door to more public funding for religious education, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of parents in Montana seeking to use a state scholarship program to send their children to religious schools.

The court said that a Montana tax credit program that directed money to private schools could not exclude religious schools.
The 5-4 ruling was penned by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the court's four conservative justices.

"A State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

Tuesday's opinion is a huge win for supporters of school choice programs, a hallmark of the Trump administration, and it will also encourage other states to push for similar programs.



Comment by livingonli on 06/30/2020 15:47:44
Quote by Will in Chicago:
SCOTUS rules that Montana's ban on state funds for religious schools is unconstitutional. From CNN:

Supreme Court opens door to state funding for religious schools
Devan Cole byline
By Ariane de Vogue and Devan Cole, CNN

Washington (CNN)In a ruling that will open the door to more public funding for religious education, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of parents in Montana seeking to use a state scholarship program to send their children to religious schools.

The court said that a Montana tax credit program that directed money to private schools could not exclude religious schools.
The 5-4 ruling was penned by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the court's four conservative justices.

"A State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

Tuesday's opinion is a huge win for supporters of school choice programs, a hallmark of the Trump administration, and it will also encourage other states to push for similar programs.


There goes the wall of separation between church and state.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2020 16:15:57
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
SCOTUS rules that Montana's ban on state funds for religious schools is unconstitutional. From CNN:

Supreme Court opens door to state funding for religious schools
Devan Cole byline
By Ariane de Vogue and Devan Cole, CNN

Washington (CNN)In a ruling that will open the door to more public funding for religious education, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of parents in Montana seeking to use a state scholarship program to send their children to religious schools.

The court said that a Montana tax credit program that directed money to private schools could not exclude religious schools.
The 5-4 ruling was penned by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the court's four conservative justices.

"A State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

Tuesday's opinion is a huge win for supporters of school choice programs, a hallmark of the Trump administration, and it will also encourage other states to push for similar programs.


There goes the wall of separation between church and state.


Or there is a hole in right now.



Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 18:46:24
I was home for the last half of Joe Biden's speech.

Can we hold the election now?

Comment by TriSec on 06/30/2020 20:01:18
Quote by Raine:
I was home for the last half of Joe Biden's speech.

Can we hold the election now?


Remember during the Great Recession - Bush abdicated any responsibility, and McCain "Rushed back to Washington" for some reason. Obama wound up the acting President.

Mr. Biden is rapidly reaching that point.




Comment by Raine on 06/30/2020 20:06:34
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Raine:
I was home for the last half of Joe Biden's speech.

Can we hold the election now?


Remember during the Great Recession - Bush abdicated any responsibility, and McCain "Rushed back to Washington" for some reason. Obama wound up the acting President.

Mr. Biden is rapidly reaching that point.


I totaly agree. He said something of the effect that he would get things rolling the day after he was elected.