Lesbian ex-soldier angry about MoD payouts to injured soldiers - Polidicks

[quote=BBC] Gay ex-soldier angry at pay-outs Bombardier Kerry Fletcher A lesbian ex-soldier who won £187,000 damages after being sexually harassed has said she is "disgusted" by lower payments given to injured personnel. Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, 32, who worked at an Army stables in North Yorkshire, said she was bullied after refusing to sleep with a male sergeant. Last year's pay-out was criticised as it was more than many soldiers hurt in Iraq or Afghanistan had been awarded. She said: "I'm embarrassed the MoD have only given them such a low sum." In an interview on BBC Radio 5 live on Thursday she said it was "not fair" to compare her situation with that of injured soldiers. Ms Fletcher, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives in Germany, added that anyone who felt they had not received enough compensation should fight the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for more money. 'Deserved compensation' She said: "There's just no comparison. I feel sorry for these people who were injured in wars but they joined the Army knowing there was a risk they could come back injured or even dead. "I didn't join the Army to be harassed and bullied purely because of my sexuality and because of what happened with this sergeant. "I fought for what I got... I believed I deserved compensation for what I had to go through and these people should do the same. "To be honest, I'm disgusted in the MoD more than anything." A tribunal in 2007 heard that the staff sergeant pestered Ms Fletcher, who is openly gay, for sex and sent her explicit text messages. She resigned in February 2008 after serving in the Army's Royal Artillery for 10 years. The Ministry of Defence, which is appealing against £70,000 of the damages, said in a statement issued in response to Ms Fletcher's interview: "There is no place for harassment or discrimination of any sort in the Armed Forces and we are committed at the highest levels of leadership to dealing with it. "The Army has established an inquiry panel to investigate the wider related equality and diversity issues raised by this specific case. "The panel is chaired by a Major General, who has been assisted by independent, external experts and is expected to report its findings later this year." [/quote] Basically, sexually harassed lesbian soldier gets more compensation than injured soldiers and is pretty pissed about it. She urges those who feel they're not getting enough compensation to fight (Not literally, they're probably incapable) to get what they deserve

That's pretty nice of her. And yeah that's totally fucked, shouldn't get paid more for sexual harassment than chopping your balls off and posting pics.

GI Jane's Mission for Compensation Equality and Usurping Corrupted Pay Schemes* *and Muff Munching.

Ah yes, a good example of righteous indignation. Such qualities are rare indeed in this age.

"I'm not a dwarf, I'm a lesbian!"

Why? If you join the army in a position that puts you at risk you obviously know this and it's part of the job, I didn't even know you get compensated beyond maybe a Purple Heart for getting injured. Her case isn't even remotely close; being sexually harassed isn't part of the job and isn't to be expected(I hope) so her logic is clearly quite off.

If she really feels that way then why not donate some of her excess compensation to injured soldiers?

[QUOTE=Xesum;16959625]"I'm not a dwarf, I'm a lesbian!"[/QUOTE] Love Frankie Boyle!

I was discussing this (the idea in general, not this specific instance) the other day with someone. We both thought it was completely disgraceful that other people in the country are being awarded more compensation for things like discrimination than soldiers who are out on the front lines being injured or killed.

we need more people like her not lesbians, duhr(unless she starred in a porno :q: ), but nice people who want others that deserve more to have more

[QUOTE=Darkcoder;16959629]Why? If you join the army in a position that puts you at risk you obviously know this and it's part of the job, I didn't even know you get compensated beyond maybe a Purple Heart for getting injured. Her case isn't even remotely close; being sexually harassed isn't part of the job and isn't to be expected(I hope) so her logic is clearly quite off.[/QUOTE] If you're going to be disabled for life you should at least get a free PS3 or something.

[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/08/27/article-1209424-022BCE73000004B0-279_233x415.jpg[/img] She has this unsightly mole [editline]02:51PM[/editline] [img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/28/article-1090398-029C33A8000005DC-665_468x666.jpg[/img] Her girlfriend looks like a boyfriend

[QUOTE=Dan2593;16959902][img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/08/27/article-1209424-022BCE73000004B0-279_233x415.jpg[/img] She has this unsightly mole [editline]02:51PM[/editline] [img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/28/article-1090398-029C33A8000005DC-665_468x666.jpg[/img] Her girlfriend looks like a boyfriend[/QUOTE] "Scissoring"

[QUOTE=Darkcoder;16959629]Why? If you join the army in a position that puts you at risk you obviously know this and it's part of the job, I didn't even know you get compensated beyond maybe a Purple Heart for getting injured. Her case isn't even remotely close; being sexually harassed isn't part of the job and isn't to be expected(I hope) so her logic is clearly quite off.[/QUOTE] Actually I would say that your logic is off. I would lke to see you repeat that after having both your legs blown off by an IED. Obviously what she went though is unacceptable, but for the soldiers it is more than emotional stress they eperience. For the injured, they will often be disabled for life and will struggle to find employment. As a result, they will need financial assistance. And of course there is my own personal belief, but no doubt you apparantly disagree with me here, that a persons life is actually worth something and that a soldier should be rewarded for putting his life on the line for his country.

To be honest... I don't really see why soldiers get massive payouts when they get shot. I mean, they joined the army and went to war... of course they'll get shot. Surely it's a risk that comes with the job? I have utmost respect for our soldiers by the way, I'm just confused as to why they should get huge amounts of money when they're essentially just doing their job.

[QUOTE=Scotchair;16960060]To be honest... I don't really see why soldiers get massive payouts when they get shot. I mean, they joined the army and went to war... of course they'll get shot. Surely it's a risk that comes with the job? I have utmost respect for our soldiers by the way, I'm just confused as to why they should get huge amounts of money when they're essentially just doing their job.[/QUOTE] I don't think it's unfair to ensure that people who are protecting the country are well paid. The only difference is that the system is designed to make sure they are paid [b]after[/b] they are injured. Besides, as I mentioned earlier, morality isn't the only reason. Financial support for the injured soldier is another as he/she will struggle to find a job (it's hard to find one when you are legless, armless, blind, etc).

[QUOTE=Darkcoder;16959629]Why? If you join the army in a position that puts you at risk you obviously know this and it's part of the job, I didn't even know you get compensated beyond maybe a Purple Heart for getting injured.[/QUOTE] If you get injured and can no longer work, how the fuck are you supposed to survive? You can't rely on family members or a significant other to support you.

I don't know anything about injury compensation in the military but it seems like that if they gave everyone the morally/ethically/financially correct amout of money to to take a bullet or get blown up the cost would rapidly become to great to fight the bad guys aswell as pay the soldier folk for fighting.

[QUOTE=Scotchair;16960060]To be honest... I don't really see why soldiers get massive payouts when they get shot. I mean, they joined the army and went to war... of course they'll get shot. Surely it's a risk that comes with the job? I have utmost respect for our soldiers by the way, I'm just confused as to why they should get huge amounts of money when they're essentially just doing their job.[/QUOTE] Because their injuries can make it hard for them to get work outside the army, or make it impossible to work. They have to be financially compensated. Not to mention their pay is disgustingly low. They deserve it. I'm quite happy for my tax to go towards their payouts.

Well I was talking to a US Airforce recruiter the other day on a similar topic on what happens if you have to get a limp amputated do to injury. Reply was simple and good in my own thought... "Why would you complain? Uncle Sam is taking care of you for the rest of your life. He's also still be sending you a check through the mail." I agree that in the case of sexual harassment vrs losing a limb in active combat that both sides are not exactly equal with the scale factor losing a limb is a lot harder then dealing with someone calling you milk tits or shit like that daily.

[QUOTE=Wiggles;16960148]If you get injured and can no longer work, how the fuck are you supposed to survive? You can't rely on family members or a significant other to support you.[/QUOTE] I suppose that makes sense. Though if they can no longer work then some type of pension like scheme seems more appropriate than a lump sum, as that will only last so long.

How is this news?

[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;16960943]How is this news?[/QUOTE] Maybe because it's from the BBC News, and is relevant to people living in the UK as it involves taxpayers money as well as furthering the debates over lack of governmental support for soldiers and over-compensation for discrimination?

Muff munch the new monster munch.

[QUOTE=Dan2593;16959902][img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/28/article-1090398-029C33A8000005DC-665_468x666.jpg[/img] Her girlfriend looks like a boyfriend[/QUOTE] No straight woman could dress that bad.

She should donate some of her cash, then. [editline]12:55PM[/editline] Start a charity.

So, a man can lose his leg to a grenade explosion and get compensation. But if a woman is touched on the tit she gets paid more than the man who can't walk anymore?

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;16962066]So, a man can lose his leg to a grenade explosion and get compensation. But if a woman is touched on the tit she gets paid more than the man who can't walk anymore?[/QUOTE] That's Sexist! [img]http://afrocityblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/thats_racist_animated1.gif[/img] Oh wait...

[QUOTE=Dan2593;16959902] [img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/28/article-1090398-029C33A8000005DC-665_468x666.jpg[/img] [/QUOTE] Does her Girlfriend hunt vampires or something?

Only in Britain.