OPINION:
I have read more than a few stories about the calls for Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to tender his resignation following a report that revealed the VA tried to cover up sexual-assault claims.
First, this is a tempest in a teapot. Mr. Wilkie, a political appointee, will be gone next month when Joe Biden takes office. Thus the demand from some members of Congress and now several veterans groups is pure “woke” grandstanding.
On the whole this was a trivial incident blown out of proportion because of how the VA handled the investigation. If there was a crime it was simple assault, not indecent assault. The venal sin Mr. Wilkie committed was looking into the background of the victim to see if she was credible. That’s a logical thing to do. Today, however, no one dares question the veracity of a woman’s claims; only the credibility of men can be questioned. This seems sexist to me.
While the federal government has elected not to prosecute Ms. Goldstein’s alleged assailant, Ms. Goldstein can always sue him and the company for which he was working. The burden of proof in a civil suit is much lower than it is for a criminal trial. She ought to be able to find an attorney who will to take it on a contingency basis.
COMM. WAYNE L. JOHNSON
Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (retired)
Alexandria, Va.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.