Thanks to Senator Franken, KBR caves

[kpete]

Thanks to Senator Franken, KBR caves
by Mike Stark

Wed Mar 24, 2010 at 04:54:21 AM PDT

Remember Jamie Leigh Jones? She's the woman that was gang raped in Iraq by a bunch of her KBR colleagues and subsequently locked in a container by her superiors after she reported the incident. When she got back to the States, she sued. KBR tried to enforce a binding arbitration clause in their employment contract, but lost in court when the judge ruled that being subjected to rape had nothing to do with her employment. KBR appealed to the Supreme Court. Until yesterday, that is... Yesterday, KBR dropped their appeal.
http://www.scotusblog.com/2010/03/case-on-war-zone-job-...

Why?

Three words: Senator Al Franken.

In one of Senator Franken's first pieces of legislation, he introduced an amendment that would have cut off federal contracts to any business that sought to enforce binding arbitration clauses against employees pressing Title VII civil rights claims. Put simply, he wanted Jamie Leigh Jones and others in her position to get their day in court. KBR's appeal asked the Supreme Court to rule that the Franken Amendment didn't apply to this case, but they got cold feet when the Amendment was enforced in two other actions by the Pentagon.

Jamie Leigh Jones is going to court thanks to Senator Franken.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/24/850103/-Tha...

[FSogol]

1. K & R. We need more Senators like Franken. n/t

[juno jones]

46. I was watching the old, OLD, SNL as a kid in the 70's.

The work of Franken definitely had it's influence on me and my later views.


I'm happy to see him where he is, and we need fifty more just like him..

[SusanaMontana41]

73. Amen!

Do you remember him on "Politically Incorrect" during the 1992 campaign (I think it was in '92)? He and a Republican debated politics while sharing a bed. The Republican was none other than our own Arianna Huffington! Those were great skits.

[Echo In Light]

2. Wow, the pro-war blowhards will be a-holes & elbows un-rec'ing this one!

k/r

[SidDithers]

13. Hardly...nt

Sid

[Echo In Light]

18. How can you be so sure?

[SidDithers]

19. +46 and climbing?...nt

Sid

[Echo In Light]

21. There's likely only a small handful of pro-war types routinely posting

[SidDithers]

22. Then their efforts and affect are only marginal at best...

The vast, vast majority of DU'ers would agree that Al Franken's actions on behalf of Ms. Jones in her fight with KBR are a good thing. Why spend time worrying about the insignificant few who might unrec a thread like this. They're welcome to their opinions, as wrong as they may be.

Sid

[Echo In Light]

23. Never claimed to be concerned. Just stating the obvious based on other threads critical in any way..

... of the military

[SidDithers]

24. According to the Top Tens, Recs only...

this thread has 60 recs.

And, from the OP, it has a +60 rating.

I'll let you do the math.

Sid

[Echo In Light]

25. Perhaps those types hesitated after being called on it early in the thread?

Thanks for taking the time to look into it

[mistertrickster]

53. Agreed. The pro war types often overwhelm a post with UNRECs before it can be read by others. nt

[goclark]

56. Thank you!

[CLANG]

26. Nah, just the pro-rape and pro-kidnapping crowd.

[caseycoon]

28. Unrec'ing this would be PRO-RAPE! n/t

[Echo In Light]

40. I'm just saying there's usually specific names absent from threads critical of military

... not saying any of em are 'pro-rape'

[Deep13]

41. They don't need to worry. This has nothing to do with the military.

These are mercenaries we are talking about.

[Echo In Light]

42. I suspect 'their' perimeters re these situations is broad...broad enough that thug-cop info is appli

applicable, for example. It's that automatic defense of any armed He-Man wrong-doing thing.

[madokie]

3. Senator Franken is going to be a good Senator

So far as far as I can see he is spot on on every issue that concerns many of us

[The Wielding Truth]

48. "Is" a good senator.

[dmr]

51. I agree. He's intelligent, educated, compassionate, and committed.

You can really see the difference between a man like Franken in the Senate as opposed to an orange like Boner in the House.

[Lost4words]

4. I had no doubt Senator Al Franken would be first rate!

K&R

[felinetta]

16. Wow what a great junior senator. And who do the repugs have: Scott Brown.

[Enthusiast]

36. How's that cloning thing coming along?

[femrap]

5. I'm so glad

and relieved to finally have a person in the Senate who fights for women.

Love ya Al!

[olegramps]

82. I am glad that he is fighting for REAL Americans.

[femrap]

84. As opposed to

'unreal' Americans? I'm not sure I get your drift.

[olegramps]

85. It was a play on Palin in that only Real Americans are Republican assholes.

[femrap]

86. Oh, I get it now....

I never listen to Palin...it's just too hard on my brain! She's just too

edit for spelling

[Union Yes]

6. Al Franken is a patriot! knr nt

[Mithreal]

69. +1

[Blue Owl]

7. Yea Senator Franken

That is awesome news!

[PVnRT]

8. K&R

[classof56]

9. K&R

Good job, Al. You're awesome!

[SidDithers]

10. K&R...

good for Al. And good for Ms. Jones.

Sid

[midnight]

11. Thank goodness the court in the initial trial was able to explain to these

folks what needed to be said- rape had noting to do with being employed. Wasn't there another case similar to this where a judge told a women that she had to accept the conditions of rape as being part of the workforce?

[harun]

12. Way to go Franken!

[Soylent Brice]

14. K&R

[riderinthestorm]

15. Senator Al Franken should be very proud. He never backed down on this.

Singlehandedly, it's possible that he's done more for women serving AND working overseas with this one issue, than virtually any other senator.

[Javaman]

17. I sincerely hope she takes kbr to the cleaners. nt

[arthritisR_US]

20. more than happy to add my k & r! n/t

[valerief]

27. Our pal Al! nt

[lifeliberty345]

30. So one of the requirements of having a job there...

is being raped.

Let's guess who else will say this.

The Pope: "You are a child of Roman Catholic parents. Part of your job is to be raped."

The Republicans: "You are GLBTQ. Part of your job is to be raped."

Go Senator Franklin!

[stlsaxman]

80. Had no idea Jones was "lesbian so she was raped". Got a link for this?

It doesn't matter ONE WIT what her gender spec is... she was the victim REGARDLESS!

[Bluenorthwest]

29. Welcome to the Al Franken Decade

[JohnWxy]

31. recommended!!

[florida08]

32. n/t

[fatbuckel]

33. And the Man is(was) funny,too!

[annabanana]

34. Here's to MANY fruitful years in the Senate for Al Franken

[Enthusiast]

35. I love Senator Al Franken!

He is a real and honest American. And he is even intelligent. Funny is just a bonus.

[Mad_Dem_X]

37. Bless you, Senator Franken!

THIS is what being a Senator is all about. Working FOR the people, not against them! Bravo, Al!

[BrklynLiberal]

38. Wow. If he never does another thing during his Senate career, this would have made his

being elected worthwhile.
I, of course, believe that Sen Franken will have a very long, and very glorious career as the Senator from Minnesota.

[lonestarnot]

39. Franken appears to be doing a fantastic job! Very proud of him.

Thanks for posting! Go AL too!

[rhett o rick]

47. 2nd

[stevenleser]

43. Always knew Sen. Franken would be an awesome Senator!

K&R

[karmkay]

44. Franken and Grayson 2016

or vice versa

[stevenleser]

63. Exactly. Deciding the order will be tough!

[Uncle Joe]

45. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

49. Heeeyy, I wouldn't mind seeing the first Jewish President in 7 years! :D

Just sayin!!!

LOVE YA AL!!

Brilliant, Funny, Compassionate in the REAL sense of the word...... Awesome!!

[Lasher]

50. Franken. Now there's what a Democrat is supposed to look like. n/t

[avaistheone1]

52. Al Franken is proving himself to be a formidable senator despite

this being his rookie year.

Ah if only if all of them were even 10% this good as thus guy...

k&r

[Ignis]

54. K&R. Give 'em hell, Al!

[kestrel91316]

55. Methinks Al should have gone into politics DECADES ago.

[pjt7]

57. Great work Franken

He should encourage more people to run for Senator with strong elbows.

[DailyGrind51]

58. He's good enough and smart enough, and damn, people like him!

Thank you, Senator Al!

[mckara]

59. My Campaign Contributions to Al Were Money Well Spent!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS AL!!!!!! You're helping Democrats keep faith our party!

[TuxedoKat]

62. Mine too!

Wish he was my senator!

[lillypaddle]

60. WTG Senator Al!

[achtung_circus]

61. Good. For. Him.

that is all...

[Historic NY]

64. Damn he's good enough & he's smart enough & people like him

[groundloop]

65. Way to go Al (er uh Senator Franken)

Dam I wish his clone could replace one of my worthless right wing senators.

[NoSheep]

66. I LOVE this man!!!!

[laughingliberal]

67. Well Done, Senator Franken!

[Tumbulu]

68. Thank you Senator Franken!

Excellent work!

[Zoeisright]

70. And he's MY senator!!

[friendly_iconoclast]

71. Well done, Al!

[Shining Jack]

72. What a great news !

Thank you Senator Franken.

[meowomon]

74. I love Al Franken!!

Frannie is a lucky lady. I just love a smart left wing guy! He's good enough. He's smart enough and doggoneit, people like him!

[NecklyTyler]

75. K&R

[xchrom]

76. Recommend

[happygoluckytoyou]

77. THIS LEGISLATION...HEALTH CARE... i'm gonna cry for joy...

[NikolaC]

78. K&R

That's great news. Thank you Senator Franken.

[Angry Dragon]

79. My Senator

[Name removed]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geardaddy]

83. That's my Senator!