“Choose Respect” is Meaningless in this Administration By Bob Williams May 07, 2014
She expressed frustration with Guard leadership as we spoke of the news reports of poorly handled sexual assault allegations. She shared with me that those were not allegations that she had not only known of, but those that she personally experienced. She is a wonderful Alaska woman that was let down by a failed Governor that knew of sexual abuse allegations for four years before acting. I am appalled by Governor Parnell's conduct to protect his administration politically instead of standing up for victims of sexual violence in our state’s military. Parnell then made the situation worse by promoting the central figure accused of poor leadership, Thomas Katkus, to his cabinet as adjutant general of the Guard. There is a great moral failure when the Governor's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator asks sexual assault victims reasons for disliking Katkus and for expansive thoughts on Governor Parnell. The message is clear to victims: the Governor's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator has a primary focus to protect the image and political reputation of Governor Parnell and his administration, not the Alaska women that were sexually assaulted. How does Parnell's deputy commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, McHugh Pierre still have a job? Instead of advocating for sexual assault victims, he put his efforts into silencing investigators, whistle-blowers and victims. His focus was on making sure legislators didn't find out. Teachers, principals or superintendents would be fired for such incompetence and moral failures. Who is standing up for the victims of sexual assault? Women stepped up with patriotic duty to serve our country and have experienced abuse and trauma along with a reporting process that has left them devastated. As some victims struggle and have attempted suicide, Governor Parnell continues to give press conferences with the words ‘Safety For Alaskans’ printed behind him. All Alaskans deserve new leadership that represents our values of trust, fairness, respect and justice. Bob Williams About: Bob Williams is a candidate for Alaska Lt. Governor Received April 29, 2014 - Published May 07, 2014
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