One way political opponents denigrate those they dislike is to point out issues with those they consider the enemy and then pontificate about the subject.
Since actively social politicians do not like the military they are having a field day with sexual issues that have come to light within the military. I don’t think that any rational adult is accepting of sexual assault, but it does happen and society has a responsibility towards the victim, the perpetrator and society in general and to the adult mind the perpetrator should be caught and punished severely.
The President was certainly not using an adult mind when he recently spoke out on the subject and is quoted as saying at a press conference:
“The bottom line is: I have no tolerance for this,” Obama said, according to an NBC News story, he expanded on his comment by saying ‘I expect consequences,” Obama added. “So I don’t just want more speeches or awareness programs or training, but ultimately folks look the other way. If we find out somebody’s engaging in this, they’ve got to be held accountable -- prosecuted, stripped of their positions, court martialed, fired, dishonorably discharged. Period.”
These words came back to haunt the President when a Navy judge at the court martial of two accused military members was asked by defense lawyers if his comments were prejudicial to the defendants. The judge agreed and ruled that the statement constituted ‘Unlawful Command Influence’. Even if the defendants are found guilty they can not be separated from the service because that Mr. Obama had in effect ordered the military to do something that only a court-martial can decide. Under the rule of law that is unacceptable!
There went the trial and it also opened the door for future defendants in military sexual assault trials to raise the same defense. One thing politicians are not good at is foresight and the impact words can have. It does point out that words can matter, a concept that seems to have evaded the thinking of many present day political creatures.
