No Punishment For Navy Football Player

[columbusdem]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's the second piece of good news for Lamar Owens in as many days. First, the former Navy quarterback was cleared of rape charges. Now, a military judge is recommending Owens not be punished for the lesser charges on which he was found guilty.

Prosecutors had recommended he get two years for conduct unbecoming an officer. But instead, the case has been referred back to the superintendent of the US Naval Academy.

Owens has said he would like to stay in the Navy.

Owens had been accused of raping a female midshipman in her dorm room at the academy back in January. A jury of five academy officers acquitted him, deciding the sex had been consensual, though it was wrong.

[SammyBlue]

1. Consenual Rape?

Isn't that like non-intentional murder or a truthful lie?

Military Justice is to justice what Government efficency is to efficency!

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. No, consensual sex.

Not rape.

[SammyBlue]

6. Joke, meet top of head. . .now go WAAAY over it!

[Breeze54]

7. Rape!!

She said .... NO!!!

No means NO!

[SquireJons]

9. It's not that simple

I agree that no means no... even when she really means maybe. I've been in that situation a couple of times and it really sucks. But for me, the pertinent fact is that he did stop and left the room. What got him in trouble was his conscience. After leaving her, he apparently felt bad about his own actions and called to apologize. Not exactly the actions of a sociopath. I'm glad that he did not get convicted of rape, because this does not fit my definition of rape. She enticed him, he responded and when she became unresponsive, he left.

I wish that sex was more understandable. I wish that both men and women took responsibilities for their actions and communicated honestly with each other. I also wish for world peace and an end to poverty and hunger, but that's just a pipe dream also.

[Spazito]

10. Sometimes it really is that simple..

"his accuser testified that she repeatedly rejected his advances." NO simply means NO, full stop.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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

[FredScuttle]

16. Those damn temptresses!

I sincerely hope your post was a joke, because if not, I want to turn in my membership card for the male gender. Oy.

"Blue balls are real and they hurt" :rofl:

"women don't think at all when it comes to sex" ??? How many women have you been with?

Tell you what...the next time an evil siren toys with your precious sex organs by telling your ass NO when it SO obvious she wants you to ravish her six ways from Sunday, just go squeeze one out in the shower. You and your "blue balls" will feel so much better.

[Mandate My Ass]

18. No never means maybe

Ever.

[Wickerman]

2. linky?

[columbusdem]

15. Midshipman Acquitted of Rape Charge

I forget where the original article I posted was from.

This one's from:

http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/07/20/ap2894553.html

By DERRILL HOLLY (Associated Press)

A military jury on Thursday acquitted a former Naval Academy quarterback of raping a female midshipman in her dormitory room.

But jurors convicted Lamar S. Owens Jr. on charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and disobeying a lawful order.

"They have determined, obviously, that the consensual act took place," said Cmdr. John Maksym, the trial judge.

Owens, standing at attention as the verdicts were read, showed no emotion.

[Breeze54]

3. More here.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1695352&mesg_id=1695352

[regnaD kciN]

5. Nice to know...

...that football players "skate" at the Naval Academy, the same way they do at every other school that puts a premium on their athletic team's won-loss records. :grr:

[unhappycamper]

8. Hmmmm

ETHICS AND THE ARMED FORCES states:

The concepts of honor and integrity are reflected in the statement of core values of the armed services and provide the underpinnings of the military way of life. The occasional perception of misconduct among military personnel challenges the notion that the military holds itself to high ethical standards. In an effort to respond to media criticism and with an eye toward implementing a continuing process of self-examination, military writers, theorists, and professionals discuss ways in which the military can ensure that personnel adhere to high standards of accountability. Those standards are exemplified in behavior in everyday life as well as under the stress of combat. They are reflected in the military mind-set --the ways in which personnel not only relate to one another, but, also, in the manner in which they contribute to the decision making process, exercise leadership roles, and interpret significant and timely world events. Concerns range from an examination of honor codes at the service academies to consideration of more cosmic matters such as nuclear deterrence, the use of biological and chemical warfare, the development of just war doctrine, and the ethics of intervention. The Gulf War and recent peacekeeping initiatives did much to stimulate debate and discussion on a host of issues relating to ethical dilemmas and the ethical climate of the armed forces.

The Honor Concept of the U.S. Naval Academy states:

Honor, personal integrity, and loyalty to the service, its customs and its traditions, are fundamental characteristics essential to a successful Naval Officer. Any midshipman unable to conduct himself at all times in a manner indicating the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and manliness, is unfit to hold a commission in the Navy or to enjoy the privilege of being a member of the Brigade. Therefore, any midshipman guilty of offenses of a dishonest nature, such as Falsehood (including any form of deception or attempt to deceive) or Fraud (including false muster- answering for another at muster, or any form of cheating) or of offenses indicating Moral Turpitude, is an individual intolerable to the Brigade, and becomes immediately subject to a recommendation for dismissal from the Naval Service.

Could it be that Mr. Owens no longer is bound by these ideals because he is a commissioned officer? Or have the 'brass' decided a warm body is more important than Duty, Honor, and Country?

[saigon68]

12. This guy's military career as an officer is over

No one is going to take him seriously in the future

[SquireJons]

13. Oh well, there's always the NFL

Poor guy... Maybe he and Kobe can do a commercial together.

[saigon68]

14. He could play for Oakland

They have a history of Thuggery

[Vidar]

17. Headed for a career in Republican Social Services, no doubt.