Senator Murray and Senator Ayotte's Combating Military Sexual Assault bill

Senator Patty Murray (above) is the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee.  She also serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.  She and Senator Kelly Ayotte are sponsoring a bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault.  Senator Murray's spoke on the Senate floor about the bill last week.






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Murray Press Office
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013
(202) 224-2834

MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT: Murray Speaks on Senate Floor on Bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault

Bill would provide greater victim resources while improving current DoD prevention programs 

Pentagon released annual report today on sexual assaults in the military, shows the number of reported assaults rose to 26,000 in 2012

Watch video HERE.  

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Tuesday, May 7^th, 2013, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor on the Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA) Act of 2013, which she introduced today with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). In an effort to reduce sexual assaults within the military and help the victims of this crime, the Combating MSA Act would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the positive steps the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has taken in recent years. According to DoD estimates, there were about 19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2010 alone. Of these, 2,723 servicemembers reported these assaults, leaving thousands of victims to face the aftermath alone as their assailants escape justice.  Today the Pentagon released its annual report on sexual assaults in the military, which shows the number of assaults rose to 26,000 in 2012.  Of these, 2,949 servicemembers reported these assaults. 

“When our best and our brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with the understanding that they will sacrifice much in the name of defending our country and its people. However, it’s unconscionable to think that entertaining unwanted sexual contact from within the ranks is now part of that equation,” said Senator Murray. “Not only are we subjecting our men and women to this disgusting epidemic, but we’re also failing to provide the victims with any meaningful support system once they have fallen victim to these attacks. And while I applaud recent efforts by the Department of Defense to turn the tide on this mounting crisis, we must do more to root out the culture that fosters this behavior and provide substantive assistance to those who face these tragedies alone. I am proud to join Senator Ayotte in introducing the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act, to reverse this trend and establish the necessary means for victims to take action against their attackers. It’s inexcusable for us to wait any longer to address this issue and I’m glad this bipartisan legislation is taking meaningful steps to do right by our nation’s heroes.”

"The services have struggled for decades with pervasive sexual assault in the ranks,” said Anu Bhagwati, Executive Director of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN).  “SWAN has been at the forefront of demanding institutional changes that would help improve this crisis and transform military culture. The Combating Military Sexual Assault Act introduced today by Senator Patty Murray and senator Kelly Ayotte contains many provisions that will give the military the tools it needs to combat this widespread problem. Common-sense solutions like providing victims with their own designated lawyers, criminalizing sexual relationships between basic training instructors and students, and making sure that our National Guard troops have access to the same resources that active duty service members have are critical in making sure that survivors are supported and that offenders will be better prosecuted."

“The 380,000 member Military Officers Association of America strongly endorses the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013,” said MOAA national President, VADM Norb Ryan, USN-ret. “Preventing sexual assault is a duty of everyone in the chain of command.  This legislation will increase support for sexual assault victims and strengthen policies and procedures for such cases in our nation’s Armed Forces.”

More information on the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act HERE. 

Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s speech:

“Sexual assault continues to plague the ranks of our military services. And it is absolutely unconscionable that a fellow servicemember, the person you rely on to have your back and to be there for you, would commit such a terrible crime. It is simply appalling they could commit such a personal violation of their brother or sister in uniform. Even worse is the prevalence of these crimes. Just today, we’re hearing the alarming statistics that the number of cases has increased by more than a third since 2010. And for the estimated 26,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2012, less than 3,000 of them were reported. What’s even more startling is that of those who bravely came forward to report the abuse, an astounding 62 percent of them were retaliated against in one way or another.”

“Recently, I was told a very disturbing story by a female servicemember from the National Guard in my home state of Washington. After being sexually assaulted during her monthly drill on a military base, she took all the necessary steps, including calling the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. But when she called, she was told that because the assault happened during monthly drill, and not on active duty, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator could not help her –that those services were only reserved for those on active duty. This is absolutely unacceptable. When one of our men or women in uniform is the victim of sexual assault, and they have the courage to come forward and ask for help, the answer can never be, ‘Sorry, there are regulations and there is nothing I can do for you.’” 

“This bill is one step to address the crisis we have in our Armed Forces. And it needs to be done now. And yesterday’s news that the Air Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested for sexual assault is another reminder that we need change the culture around this issue.”

 

The full text of Senator Murray’s speech follows:

 

“ I believe the great strength of our military is in the character and dedication of our men and women who wear the uniform. 

“It is the courage of these Americans, to volunteer to serve, that is the Pentagon’s greatest asset. 

“I know it is said a lot, but take a moment to really think about it. 

“Our servicemembers volunteer to face danger, to put their lives on the line, to protect the country and all its people. 

“When we think of those dangers, we think of IEDs. 

“We think of battles with insurgents.

“Many of whom are so cowardly and so evil they refuse to wear a uniform, and they seek to kill innocent civilians.

“But there are other dangers as well. 

“Dangers that cannot be accepted, and none of our courageous servicemembers should ever have to face. 

“Sexual assault continues to plague the ranks of our military services. 

“And it is absolutely unconscionable that a fellow servicemember, the person you rely on to have your back and to be there for you, would commit such a terrible crime. 

“It is simply appalling they could commit such a personal violation of their brother or sister in uniform.

“Even worse is the prevalence of these crimes.

“Just today, we’re hearing the alarming statistics that the number of cases has increased by more than a third since 2010.

“And for the estimated 26,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2012, less than 3,000 of them were reported.

“What’s even more startling is that of those who bravely came forward to report the abuse, an astounding 62 percent of them were retaliated against in one way or another.

“And according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about one in five female veterans treated by VA has suffered from military sexual trauma. One in five.

“That is certainly not the act of a comrade. It is not in keeping with the ethos of any of the services. And it can no longer be tolerated. 

“We have still not done enough to put an end to these shameful acts. 

“Well, today I am taking action to change that. 

“Today, Senator Ayotte and I joined together to introduce the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013. 

“This bipartisan legislation will make several vital improvements to protect our servicemembers, to assist victims, and to punish the criminals.

“The Combatting Military Sexual Assault Act would create new category of legal advocates, called Special Victims’ Counsels, who would be responsible for advocating on behalf of the interests of the victim. 

“These SVCs would also advise the victim on the range of legal issues they may face. 

“For example, when a young Private First Class is intimidated into not reporting a sexual assault by threatening her with unrelated legal charges -- like underage drinking -- this new advocate would be there to protect her and tell her the truth.

“This bill would also enhance the responsibilities and authority of DoD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office – also known as SAPRO– to provide better oversight of efforts to combat military sexual assault across the Armed Forces. 

“SAPRO would also be required to regularly track and report on a range of MSA statistics, including assault rates, the number of cases brought to trial, and compliance within each of the individual services. 

“Some of this data collection and reporting is already being done – so this requirement would not be more burdensome, but it would give that office statutory authority to track and report to us on the extent of the problem.

“The Combating Military Sexual Assault Act would also require sexual assault cases to be referred to the next superior competent authority for court martial when there is a conflict of interest in the immediate chain of command. 

“This will help ensure sexual assault allegations get a fair, impartial, and thorough investigation.

“And the President of the Military Officers Association of America agrees saying, ‘Preventing sexual assault is a duty of everyone in the chain of command.  This legislation will increase support for sexual assault victims and strengthen policies and procedures for such cases in our nation’s Armed Forces.’

“This legislation would also prohibit sexual contact between military instructors and servicemembers during basic training, its equivalent, or within 30 days after the end of training. 

“As we have seen with disturbing frequency at places like Lackland Air Force Base, or at the Air Force Academy, new servicemembers are too often taken advantage of and abused. 

“In these settings, new servicemembers have every aspect of their lives controlled by their instructors. 

“While this is appropriate for military training, in this type of setting, it is entirely inappropriate for senior servicemembers to seek a sexual relationship with such a junior subordinate. 

“And it is our view that it is impossible for a servicemember to freely give consent in that setting.

“The bill would also ensure Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are available to members of the National Guard and Reserve at all times. 

“Recently, I was told a very disturbing story by a female servicemember from the National Guard in my home state of Washington.

“After being sexually assaulted during her monthly drill on a military base, she took all the necessary steps, including calling the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

“But when she called, she was told that because the assault happened during monthly drill, and not on active duty, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator could not help her –that those services were only reserved for those on active duty. 

“This is absolutely unacceptable. 

“When one of our men or women in uniform is the victim of sexual assault, and they have the courage to come forward and ask for help, the answer can never be, “Sorry, there are regulations and there is nothing I can do for you.”

“Now, this bill is one step to address the crisis we have in our Armed Forces.

“And it needs to be done now.

“And yesterday’s news that the Air Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested for sexual assault is another reminder that we need change the culture around this issue.

“But I want to be very clear the military has taken some steps on its own. 

“For instance, I am looking forward to seeing Secretary Hagel’s proposal on how to reform Article 60 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 

“As I think most of my colleagues know, under Article 60, the convening authority of a court martial is empowered to dismiss the judgment of a court martial and overturn their verdict. 

“Many of my colleagues, myself included, have had serious concerns about how this authority has been used in sexual assault cases.

“I want to thank the Senator from New Hampshire for her advocacy on this issue, and for her help in putting this legislation together. 

“I also want to thank Representative Tim Ryan for his leadership in introducing the companion bill in the other chamber.

“When I asked Navy Secretary Ray Maybus about the sexual assault epidemic, I was glad to hear that ‘concern’ wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how he feels about this problem. 

“He said he is angry about it. 

“And I know many of us here share this feeling and want to put a stop to it.

“So, I am hopeful both chambers can work quickly to do right by our nation’s heroes.

“Because when our best and our brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with the understanding they will sacrifice much in the name of defending our country and its people.

“But that sacrifice should not have to come in the form of unwanted sexual contact from within the ranks.

“Thank you Madam President, and I ask that the text of the bill be included in the record.”

###

Kathryn Robertson
Deputy Press Secretary 

Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray

154 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington D.C. 20510

202-224-2834

@PattyMurray | @SenateBudget | @MegRoh

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Jason Collins: Trail blazer (Monico Moorehead, WW)

Repost from Workers World:

First Jackie Robinson; now Jason Collins

By Monica Moorehead on May 9, 2013 » Add the second comment.

1

Jason Collins

When the great African-American baseball player, Jackie Robinson, broke the color barrier of the then all-white, segregated Major Baseball League on April 15, 1947, as a Brooklyn Dodger, it was a historic first. It was even more remarkable because there wasn’t a modern-day Civil Rights Movement at that time to support his efforts. In fact, it would take another seven years before the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott was launched to challenge Jim Crow racism in Alabama and throughout the South.


Similar to the Black masses, Robinson endured unimaginable racism from baseball fans, opposing players and even some of his own teammates.


In 1962, Robinson became the first Black player to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his entering the MLB, Robinson’s number, 42, was retired league-wide. It was an unprecedented honor for any U.S. professional athlete.


Fast forward 66 years later to a different historic first. On April 29, 2013, Jason Collins, a 34-year-old, African-American basketball player, became the first active player amongst the four major U.S. pro sports leagues — the MLB, National Basketball Association, National Football League and National Hockey League — to openly proclaim that he is gay.


This announcement by the seven-foot-tall, 12-year NBA veteran resonated not only within the NBA and other sports but also throughout U.S. society. Collins received massive support that transcends the sports world.


Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer athletes, regardless of nationality, gender, age, or amateur or pro status, play all kinds of sports. Some active athletes who play in individual sports, like tennis, have come out, especially female players. But this is not true of LGBTQ athletes in team sports, especially those deemed to be “masculine” driven.


Some of these athletes have come out publicly once they have retired from age or injury, like football running back David Kopay in 1975. Many, understandably so, fear verbal, emotional and physical abuse from teammates, fans and society as a whole — a society impacted by homophobic attitudes perpetuated by the ruling 1%.


However, it is important to put into broad perspective the current social period in which Collins told his exclusive story in the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated. Collins’ announcement comes 44 years after the historic 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, which ushered in the modern-day, LGBTQ movement. Gay Pride marches, which started in 1970, bring out hundreds of thousands in many U.S. cities, especially during the month of June.


Despite political ebbs and flows over the decades, this mass movement continues to be in the forefront of battling anti-LGBTQ oppression on all fronts. Due to the strength of this movement, same-sex marriage, an economic civil right, has been legalized in 11 states and counting. Even President Barack Obama mentioned LGBTQ rights in his second inaugural speech this past January.
Straight athletes, such as football players Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe and baseball player Brandon McCarthy, have strongly expressed their support for LGBTQ rights. In a related article in the May 6 SI issue, Ayanbadejo mentioned that he anticipates that some active, gay NFL athletes will be making a public announcement similar to Collins’ before the end of the year. The NHL announced its alliance with the “You Can Play Project,” an organization which opposes anti-LGBTQ discrimination in sports.


Collins certainly didn’t make this life-changing decision within a social vacuum. For instance, he has worn the number 98 as a player, in memory of Matthew Shepard, a gay youth kidnapped, tortured and murdered in Wyoming in 1998 by homophobic bigots. This atrocity provoked many angry protests throughout the U.S. Upon hearing that Collins paid tribute to her son, Judy Shepard reportedly cried.
It is understandable why many are making comparisons between Robinson and Collins. Both are African-American. Both made difficult decisions to help tear down the barriers of injustice during two different social epochs. Robinson’s actions were a precursor to the Civil Rights era, while Collins’ announcement was influenced by progressive changing societal attitudes toward LGBTQ people. Collins states in the SI article, “I’m Black and I’m gay. I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.”


Collins is currently a free agent after being released by the Washington Wizards at the end of the regular season. It remains to be seen if he will be signed before the 2013-2014 NBA season by what would be his seventh team. Hopefully, he will play again.


Jason Collins’ words will help inspire LGBTQ youth to seek alternatives other than suicide as the only relief from the relentless torment they may face in school or on the playground.
Upon Collins telling his twin brother that he is gay, Jarron Collins stated, “I’ll love him and I’ll support him and, if necessary, I’ll protect him. … Today, Jason has taken a huge weight off his shoulders. And I’ve never been more proud of him.”


Jarron Collins speaks for millions of us. Jason Collins’ heroism will encourage more LGBTQ people, athletic and non-athletic, to express publicly that they have the right to be proud of their sexual identities and preferences — because they will know that an even more determined mass movement will have their back.




Articles copyright 1995-2013 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.

Highlights

This piece is written by Rebecca of Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude, Cedric of Cedric's Big Mix, Kat of Kat's Korner, Betty of Thomas Friedman is a Great Man, Mike of Mikey Likes It!, Elaine of Like Maria Said Paz, Ruth of Ruth's Report, Marcia of SICKOFITRADLZ, Stan of Oh Boy It Never Ends, Ann of Ann's Mega Dub, Isaiah of The World Today Just Nuts and Wally of The Daily Jot. Unless otherwise noted, we picked all highlights.



"I Hate The War"  -- most requested highlight by readers of this site.

Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Pigs Guarding the Pen" -- Isaiah takes on the Commerce nominee.


 "Iraq snapshot,"  "Complimentary medicine (Ava),"  "VA screws over Camp Lejeune victims," May 8th "Iraq snapshot,"  May 10th snapshot,   "Crazies on the Committee (Ava),"  "If today were a movie . . .,"   "Biggest Coward at today's Committee hearing" and "An order to stand down." -- C.I., Ava, Kat, Wally and Ruth report on Congressional hearings.



"Peach and Avocado Salad in the Kitchen" -- Trina offers  a fresh summer recipe.


"Benghazi exposed," "Bob Somerby floats in his own toilet," "Not a cult," "Stephen Stromberg doesn't know all he thinks he does," "Benghazi," "Benghazi" and "We need answers" --  Betty, Ruth, Marcia, Elaine and Mike cover Benghazi. 



 "The unemployment crisis continues" -- Trina on the economy.

"scandal: any questions," "bad news," "ABC plays Lizzie Borden with 4 shows," "Arrow," "Nikita: Invisible Hand" "TV," "Body of Proof," "community," "Jodie Foster's finest role," "Revolution,"   "revenge 'engagement'," "The Client List,"  "TV talk" and "Smash (Karen lets Jimmy take the blame)" -- Rebecca, Kat, Stan, Mike, Marcia, Ruth and Elaine cover TV. 


"A trip to Social Security" -- Stan visits Social Security.



 

"Do we need this book?" -- Ann covers a new book.


"The White House plans a field trip -- if Barack promises to be good!" and "THIS JUST IN! PARTNER UP FOR THE FIELD TRIP!" -- Field trips?  Really?















"Iraq," "Peace?" and "Iraq's elections" -- Betty and Ann cover Iraq.


"Why does a public radio show think it is funny to insult people?" -- media critique from Ruth.


"That's My Boy" -- Stan goes to the movies.


 "What those CODEPINK crazies won't do" -- Ann on the nonsense.







"Brownie Approved" -- Isaiah dips into the archives.


"The grown ups?" and "THIS JUST IN! A NEW IDEA?" -- Not for the White House, never for them.

Truest statement of the week

Iraqi authorities often report lower estimates for the number of victims of attacks for unclear reasons but April's toll is still the highest since the beginning of the year.


-- Raheem Kareem, Suadad al-Salhy, Isabel Coles and Angus MacSwan, "April bloodiest month in Iraq since 2008 - UN" (Reuters) on the United Nations figure of 712 violent deaths in Iraq for the month of April when compared to Iraq's Ministry of the Interior claim that only 245 people died from violence last month.

Truest statement of the week II

Keith Ellison, the Black U.S. House member from Minneapolis who is co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, says the U.S. should push for a no-fly zone over rebel-held areas in Syria. Ellison, who is also one of only two Muslim members of Congress, appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, as did Republican Arizona Senator John McCain. It is a measure of how far to the right the Democratic Party has come under President Obama, that McCain, the war monger who likes to sing about bombing Iran, and Ellison, who claims to be a progressive, are in basic agreement over Syria. Both McCain and Ellison want no-fly zones, and both claim to prefer that there be no U.S. “boots on the ground” in country. Both are raving American imperialists who believe that the U.S. has not merely the right, but the obligation to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries. As Ellison, the phony progressive, puts it, “I don’t think the world’s greatest superpower, the United States, can stand by and do nothing” – which is, essentially, John McCain’s position.

-- Glen Ford, "Rep. Keith Ellison, the Personification of the Phony, Pro-War 'Progressive'" (Black Agenda Report).

A note to our readers

Hey --

Another Sunday.



First up, we thank all who participated this edition which includes Dallas and the following:



The Third Estate Sunday Review's Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess and Ava,
Rebecca of Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude,
Betty of Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man,
C.I. of The Common Ills and The Third Estate Sunday Review,
Kat of Kat's Korner (of The Common Ills),
Mike of Mikey Likes It!,
Elaine of Like Maria Said Paz),
Cedric of Cedric's Big Mix,
Ruth of Ruth's Report,
Wally of The Daily Jot,
Trina of Trina's Kitchen,
Marcia of SICKOFITRDLZ,
Stan of Oh Boy It Never Ends,
Isaiah of The World Today Just Nuts,
and Ann of Ann's Mega Dub.

And what did we come up with?

• Truest statement of the week

Reuters noting that the Iraqi government reports an undercount.

• Truest statement of the week II

Glen Ford calling out the faux progressive.

• Editorial: How a massacre happens

Our Iraq piece this edition.

• TV: Soap Opera again says you've got One Life To Live

If you don't get the title I (Jim) gave to Ava and C.I.'s piece, you must not know your Janet Jackson.  Go listen to "What Have You Done For Me Lately."  They're covering One Life To Live which started back up last week online (and on TV in Canada) after getting the axe from ABC some time ago.

• Roundtable

We roundtable on Guantanamo, Iraq, Pritzker and TV.

• Porn Site Flickr -- Vaginas, Cocks and Kidde Porn

Isaiah's editorial cartoon featuring a drawing of Nouri's ass is offensive and must be restricted, according to Flickr?  Have they seen what's up at their own site?

• The different standard for women (Ava and C.I.)

Ava and C.I. tackle sexism -- in part because it was needed and in part because they wanted the edition finished early. 

• His skin does not travel well

A short piece. 

• The Drone War (Minnie Bruce Pratt, Workers World)

Repost from Workers World.

• ETAN calls for US to condemn Indonesian Attacks on...

ETAN calls attention.

• Highlights

Mike and the gang wrote this and we thank them for it.


That's what we came up with on time.  We had two more features that another hour (I believe) would have made them postable but the rest of the gang says it's time to call it a 'night' and get some sleep.


 Peace.




-- Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess, Ava and C.I.



Added: Ann calls out Women's Media Center and Lauren War ...

Ann's just got added to the list of pieces.

Editorial: How a massacre happens

Iraqis have been protesting since December 21st and they've repeatedly asked for the world's support and wondered, "Obama, If you Cannot Hear Us Can you Not See Us?" (photo via Iraqi Spring MC).


Tuesday, April 23rd, Nouri al-Maliki's federal forces stormed a sit-in in Hawija, Kirkuk. Alsumaria noted Kirkuk's Department of Health (Hawija is in Kirkuk)  announced 50 activists have died and 110 were injured in the assault. Saturday, UNICEF informed the world that 8 of the dead were children and twelve more children were left injured.


If they'd be seen and heard before April 23rd by most Americans, would Nouri al-Maliki have dared send in forces to slaughter the peaceful protesters?


 Some are paying attention.  Last week, Nussaibah Younis argued "Why Maliki must go" (New York Times).  Younis isn't the only one to make the argument still the US government continues to supply Nouri with weapons (that he uses on the Iraqi people).  Last week, Jim Fuquay (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) noted, "Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth will keep building F-16s a bit longer, thanks to an $839 million contract to suppy 18 of the jeft fighters to Iraq.  According to the announcement this week from the Air Force, the contract is expected to run through April 30, 2014."


The head of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq, wrote a column for UPI which noted:

 Angered at critics in the press who have highlighted the spiraling violence and human rights abuse in Iraq, Maliki has banned al-Jazeera and nine Iraqi TV channels, eight of which are Sunni. Without licenses, news crews from the banned channels will be arrested if they attempt to operate in Iraq. Iraq's descent into another sectarian civil war, prompted by Maliki's determined efforts to marginalize the Sunni population, has become an embarrassment to the United States, which regard the Iraqi prime minister as their adopted son. U.S. State Department assertions that they were leaving behind a "functioning democracy," following the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, now have a hollow ring. Mass demonstrations against Maliki have been going on in six of Iraq's provinces and most of the major cities for the past four months. Hundreds of thousands of protesters are pouring onto the streets, particularly following Friday prayers, to demand an end to sectarian oppression, human rights abuse and arbitrary executions.


But instead of supporting the protesters, the US government has repeatedly supported Nouri.

Which is how a massacre like the one on April 23rd happens in the first place.

TV: Soap Opera again says you've got One Life To Live

What a week for TV.

Jeffrey:  The blogs are going to go nuts.  "The American public are a bunch of idiots who can't be trusted to spell their own names."

Viki:  Okay, you cannot print that.  Well not without confirmation.

Jeffrey:  Well she said it to you, right?

Viki:  Yes, she did.  But there were other --

Jeffrey: This is huge. Dorian buried those flight manifests for months. 

Viki:  Not according to her. She claims she gave it to Conan Ashford immediately.

Jeffrey: Who cares?  Somebody sat on it.  The point is: Are there black sites or not and now we've got these guys by the balls.

Viki: In what sense?

Jeffrey:  They have to investigate.  And our story made that happen.

Viki:  But is it right for us to make Dorian collateral damage?

Jeffrey:  Don't get soft on me, boss.

Viki: Oh, Jeffrey, wait a minute.  This is a very big story and I have to make sure that we are above reproach.  So just as you had to confirm the manifests sources --

Jeffrey: A US Senator squashes information about illegal torture sites and then calls Americans morons for not understanding the way things really work and you want to let that slide?


Thank goodness someone on TV cares about the torture sites, right?

Well . . . not TV.

It used to be on TV but ABC axed it.  Last week, One Life To Live returned online with all new episodes.  Monday through Thursday, four new episodes.  Friday a recap with cast members.  Hulu's carrying it and it's immensely popular there (as is All My Children which ABC also axed).  Viki is Victoria Lord played by Erika Slezak who has won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her One Life To Live role(s) (Viki - Niki, don't ask us to explain).  And the scene above is with Corbin Bleu's Jeffrey King.

Slezak and Bleu are the reason to watch the show.  Both for the fireworks between the two actors and the storyline.  Let's deal with the fireworks first.

Viki's a woman, Jason's a man.  On most shows, that means get them into bed.  That's not what great chemistry's meant on One Life To Live.  Though, for example, Todd Manning has his freaky fans, the reality is One Life To Life never had a super couple.  The closest they came were attempts to revive the Jacqueline Courtney and Robin Strasser rivalry from NBC's Another World.  The actresses became famous as rivals Alice Frame and Rachel Davis in scenes largely written by Agnes Nixon. Nixon would go on to create One Life To Live and both actresses would end up on the show, frequently pitted against one another.  We'll come back to it.

But One Life To Live, for all the efforts at star-crossed lovers, repeatedly failed. Edwina was a damp noodle with Mario or Marco.  Bo Buchanan (Robert S. Woods) had (and has) about as much sex appeal as the generic TV dad of prime time.  Asa?  Does anyone remember Dorian Lopinto paired with Phil Carey?  When they did have a super couple building -- Fish and Kyle -- ABC decided to stroke its inner homophobe and the story was dropped so quickly that actors Scott Evans and Brett Claywell had no clue it was coming.

So when chemistry worked on the show it was the chemistry of friendship.  Viki's friendship with Karen (Judith Light).  A nothing scene where Viki goes to Waldorf hotel to visit her friend Karen who's left Dr. Larry Wolek and returned to prostitution.  Viki carries board games her sons wanted Karen to have.  Karen doesn't tell her this is actually an elaborate sting operation.  She can't.  The two talk but talk about nothing while the silences say everything and the audience just wants the day to come when Karen can tell Viki the truth and the friendship can go back to normal.

There were other variables over the years but when the show works, it works because you believe the characters on the screen deeply care about one another.  They're not just actors reciting lines.

And that's why you care about Viki and Jeffrey.  Jeffrey's brand new to the show.  Slezak's grimace at his use of "balls" in the exchange above is perfect for Viki, it shows her offense and disgust but also shows 'this is someone I care about, I am moving beyond it.'  This could be the most important relationship for the show this year.  You can see Jeffrey going after stories and getting burned.  Maybe he's ordered to reveal his source and he refuses due to ethics.  You can see Viki visiting him in jail and telling him, as a journalist, she appreciates what he's doing but, as a friend, a part of her wishes he'd give up the source. 

Erika Slezak has held her own for years.  She's worked with very talented actors before.  She's worked with many hacks.  She's worked with Andrea Evans who is a force that goes somewhere beyond acting.  (We mean that as a compliment.)  Slezak always gives a scene as much as she can.  But when she's got an actor that she can really connect with, there's an extra spark to the scenes and that's present in her work with Bleu.

All My Children is finding its way and we'll give it its own review within a month or two.  Julia Barr back as Brooke is reason enough to cheer.  But the reality is that One Life To Live is the crowd pleaser right now.

Agnes Nixon, remember her?

She created One Life To Live and All My Children.  The shows made an impact for being about the world we live in.  Interracial romance hit daytime TV with One Life To Live.  All My Children tackled Vietnam.  Abortion, equal rights, same-sex relations, spousal abuse, the world we live in was reflected on daytime TV.

With the story about the torture sites and Viki Lord and Jeffrey pursuing it for the Llanview Banner, the show's exactly where it should be.  It's a topical and attention-getting storyline, amazingly well acted, that can pull an audience new to the characters and keep the audience long enough for them to get to know all the players.

Dorian Lord.  Robin Strasser has her own Emmy for playing this part.  Too often, Dorian's over-the-top for no reason.  The battles with Pat Ashley, for example, in the early 80s were laughable.  She and Courtney vested a great deal into the dialogue but who really cared?

The Pat Ashley Show features a discussion on Asa's dead wife and Dorian, who owns the station, storms in to berate Pat for "cheap and vulgar sensationalism" and accuse Pat of being "a bit unhinged" only to have Pat respond, "Dorian, what you know about friendship could fit on a postage stamp!"?  The actresses had you applauding even as you realized you were watching filler and that, in the end, this scene didn't matter one bit to the storyline.

Too often, the show's used Strasser's strong acting chops as an excuse to poorly write storylines and scenes for Dorian.  So how great that Senator Dorian Lord is now in a real crisis.


As David (Tuc Watkins) puts it, "For the first time in her life, Dorian Lord committed the crime of being naïve."  And he wasn't referring to what they did to her at the beauty salon ("I've got Michelle's bangs, Pelosi's lips!" Dorian announced).  Dorian worked with others on the Senate Intelligence Committee to bury evidence of the government's role in torture.  And the senior senators are more than happy to let the junior senator from Pennsylvania take the fall.   As longtime viewers know, the best Dorian storylines are always the ones where Dorian's fighting to keep hold of whatever's she's managed to grab. 

And that's the storyline that can pull people in to find out what's going to happen to Rama (Shenaz Treasury) and Vimal Patel (Nick Choksi) and their discussions about starting an open marriage.  They'll nod in agreement when Blair (Kassie DePaiva)  tells Todd (Roger Howarth) that he is "useless as a husband and a lover and you're even more pathetic as a father."  Hopefully, they'll be thrilled Victor Jr. (Trevor St. John) is alive.  And that he's back with Tea (Florencia Lozano) and back with rage at Todd (just look what he does to the stuffed giraffe after Tea catches him up on the lost baby and all he missed after Todd shot him).

These are characters you care about.  Passions, more than anything else, destroyed daytime dramas.  It took the nonsense of the Ice Princess and other crap General Hospital (and others) churned out during a writers strike, these idiotic, over-the-top plots  and soon you've got Days of Our Lives having Marlena (Deidre Hall) possessed by the devil.  How do you top that?

The real question is: Why would you?

Soaps don't have to go that over-the-top.  At their best, they're about conflict between characters you know.  There's the one you can't stand, there's the one you root for and, somehow, they're all part of the same show.  And many of the characters have a history which not only rewards longterm viewing but also gives audiences a sense of permanency in what is a very juxtaposed and changing world.

"You're going to regret printing those lies about me. I'll be exonerated and I will bring you down," Dorian vows to Viki.  And that carries more punch than all the elderly ladies and their wooden talking dolls Passions could ever muster.