Jackie Speier: “Last week, as the world watched in disbelief, the trial of Brigadier General Sinclair concluded much as it began, flawed…”

“Last week, as the world watched in disbelief, the trial of Brigadier General Sinclair concluded much as it began, flawed and unjust. Even with the world watching, the military once again demonstrated its outright incompetence at administering justice. Brigadier General Sinclair walked out of the court a free man, even though he had pled guilty to these charges: He pled guilty to an inappropriate relationship with his accuser; an inappropriate relationship with another female Army captain; an inappropriate relationship with a female Army major; possessing and displaying pornographic images and videos on his computer in Afghanistan. He pled guilty to using a government-issued travel card for personal purposes for a trip to Tucson, Arizona, and a trip to Fort Hood, Texas, to see his mistress. He pled guilty to attempting to start an inappropriate relationship with a female Army lieutenant; sexually explicit communications with a female Army major, requesting and receiving nude photos and a sexually explicit video of her. He pled guilty to vulgar language to describe female staff officers; impeding an investigation; and adultery with his accuser. Again, these aren't the charges the judge found Sinclair innocent of, but all of the charges Sinclair pled guilty to. His punishment? No demotion in rank, no forced retirement, no jail time.…”