Dana Priest On Walter Reed: An ‘Unbelievable’ Story of ‘Neglect’ and ‘Indifference’
Dana Priest On Walter Reed: An ‘Unbelievable’ Story of ‘Neglect’ and ‘Indifference’
Dana Priest and Anne Hull of the Washington Post revealed over the weekend that Walter Reed hospital, once perceived as the “crown jewel of military medicine,” has become “something else entirely — a holding ground for physically and psychologically damaged outpatients.” Priest and Hull snuck in and out of the Walter Reed facilities over the course of four months without the knowledge or permission of hospital officials. They said they wanted to bypass the hospital’s “very well-oiled public relations machine.” Some examples of what they saw:
– The “legions” of injured soldiers housed at the facility “take up every available bed on post and spill into dozens of nearby hotels and apartments leased by the Army.”
– Building 18 “has been plagued with mold, leaky plumbing and a broken elevator.”
– “The wounded manage other wounded. Soldiers dealing with psychological disorders of their own have been put in charge of others at risk of suicide.”
– “Disengaged clerks, unqualified platoon sergeants and overworked case managers fumble with simple needs.”
Last night on PBS Newshour, Priest admitted Walter Reed’s dilapidated condition was “surprising” to her. “We think that the American — we know that the American people support the troops, no matter what they think of the war,” Priest said. “And so, when we started hearing these stories of neglect, and in some cases indifference, it was unbelievable.”
Watch it:
John at AmericaBlog has been covering the Walter Reed issue extensively, and has a nice round-up of veterans news here. PTSDCombat, FireDogLake, Carpetbagger, Daily Kos and Atrios have more.
Transcript:
JUDY WOODRUFF: Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., was long considered one of the finest American military hospitals. Almost a century old, it has treated soldiers and Marines returning from war, veterans, presidents and world leaders. Since the wars began in Afghanistan in 2001 and in Iraq in 2003, Walter Reed has treated over 5,000 wounded servicemen and women. But a new investigation by the Washington Post has revealed a troubling side of the hospital, its facilities and procedures. While receiving treatment at Walter Reed, service members have been housed in buildings, including one with a rodent infestation. Army Specialist Jeremy Duncan can stand in the shower and see through to the room above him. And his room has a mold problem. And Army Staff Sergeant Dan Shannon, who lost an eye and sustained brain injury in Iraq, said when he arrived at Walter Reed, he was given a map of the facilities and told to find his room on his own. He says he was often left for weeks without an appointment to see a doctor.
[snip]
For more on the current situation at the hospital, we turn to Washington Post reporter Dana Priest, who co-authored the two reports. Dana, first of all, you and another reporter spent, what, four months doing this reporting, and what were the circumstances?
DANA PRIEST, The Washington Post: Well, Anne Hull and myself, we decided that the only way to do this reporting was by ourselves, without the Army, because the Army at Walter Reed really has a very well-oiled public relations machine. They’ve allowed us to see the good part of Walter Reed, the medical care which people are not complaining about, the rehabilitation clinics which people are not complaining about. But we discovered this other world, which is actually populated by many more people. At any one time, there are only about 30 combat wounded in the hospital. But there are 700 living as charges of Walter Reed in one of five buildings, either on post or right off post or in apartments and houses nearby. Nearly 700 in an outpatient world that is quite different — has quite different standards than the medical facility. And that’s the world that we wanted to capture. And to do that, we visited Walter Reed and Building 18 and other places many times to interview people and to get their thoughts about this.
WOODRUFF: And just to be clear, you are making the distinction between the surgical inpatient facility and the outpatient.
PRIEST: Right. When we started hearing these stories of neglect, and in some cases indifference, it was unbelievable. And we wanted to gather many more anecdotes before we put it together.
WOODRUFF: Now, what did you find?
PRIEST: Well, what we found, first of all, was so surprising to us that we — that’s why we spent four months. In part, like many Americans, we know Walter Reed as the crown jewel of medicine. We think that the American — we know that the American people support the troops, no matter what they think of the war. And so, when we started hearing these stories of neglect, and in some cases indifference, it was unbelievable. And we wanted to gather many more anecdotes before we put it together. What we found is that there are people, as the Staff Sergeant Shannon that you referred to, many people who get out of the hospital, they’re discharged, they go to live in one of these buildings, but nobody really follows up on them.
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Its all about appearances and what the spin machine can get folks to believe. I would like to see Sean Insannity live in these conditions provided by his government.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:16 pmMembers of the republic party should be disgusted with themselves. Members of the republic party claim to support the troops, however, the troops are not properly equipped, trained or rested before going to Iraq, then if they get wounded they receive below average care. Members of the republic party are revolting pigs that should be ashamed of themselves.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pmThis “administration” appears to be pouring every spare dollar into the military and the creation of empire. Can the country take another two years of this?
February 20th, 2007 at 1:21 pm“Remember Building 18″ should be a rally cry for proper treatment (in all connotations of the word) of our veterans. “Support the troops” should mean taking excellent care of them before, during, and after their service rather than a slogan for pseudo-patriotism and support for foul foreign policy that places our troops in harm’s way without justification.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:23 pmThis is supposed to be the Crown Jewel of Military hospitals?
Since WR Hospital falls directly under jurisdiction of the Pentagon, I wonder if some VA hospitals are as bad/worse or maybe better than this?
Typical Republican strategy, steal from the poor while giving to the rich.
Truly sad.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pmI am glad this is being looked at on the one hand and sickened by this miserable administration and all it’s handling of our vet’s and our country….The light’s are getting turned on let’s make them flood light’s and stop the bush madness..Impeach, investigate, follow the money and imprison all the thieves….Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pmTP… you have an extra paragraph of words from Dana, wich is repeated. This section:
“PRIEST: Right. When we started hearing these stories of neglect, and in some cases indifference, it was unbelievable. And we wanted to gather many more anecdotes before we put it together.”
She actually says that after Woodruff asks “Now, what did you find?”
February 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmThis is disgusting. When I read the article, I was ready to throw up.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmI can’t wait to hear how pointing out this travesty is helping al-Qaida, etc.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pmthey act surprised. they act as though CNN hasn’t known about this for years. pretty sad for newsies to pretend they are competent. they didn’t know about the deathcamps in the realm of hitler either, eh?
February 20th, 2007 at 1:31 pmlike every other portion of the government the VA is being run by political appointees who have ignored every veteran group complaint. Glad to see some reporters actually doing investigative reporting, rather than taking the PR machine at it’s word
As Judith Coburn wrote on Salon
February 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
President Bush, VP Cheney, Condi Rice and others must be held accountable for the vile treatment of wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans deserve the best care that money can buy.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:36 pmI posted this yesterday on another thread, but needs to be repeated:
Turn Dubya’s Ranch Into VA Hospital!
19th of February 2007
by Jay Randal
The Washington Post has just published an article on severe neglect of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and how they are mistreated at decrepit VA hospitals.
Their mistreatment after being wounded, or maimed, is criminal neglect of men and women who served their country and they must be given the best care possible.
The number one priority of the US government must be to fully fund medical needs for every veteran who was forced to serve in the Iraq fiasco-debacle conflict.
Funds for doing this must NOT be tied into more funds for the Iraq quagmire itself, nor for general funding of Department of Defense, nor funding for more bombs.
If the existing VA hospitals cannot handle the veterans in a proper fashion, with top-grade medical facilities, then new VA hospital complexes must be constructed.
Pres. Bush has a several thousand acre ranch in Texas that can and should be used to build new VA hospital, since he is responsible for the soldiers being maimed.
(Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
PS: Contact Reps and Senators in DC to fully fund medical care for all veterans. If they do not do this, then their medical care benefits must be canceled. President Bush and VP Cheney must be impeached ASAP.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pmHere’s a question for you: If they knew that there were problems and Walter Reed is now taking steps to correct these problems, why didn’t they inform Walter Reed of those problems they profiled? I think the answer is clear. To the reporters, the story is more important than the injured troops.
Here’s another: what’s more important to all of you caring people out there; getting better care for our soldiers, or whining about right-wing nuts… here’s the chance to test yourselves (and also see how tolerant you *really* are).
February 20th, 2007 at 1:52 pmI still maintain all vet’s should be able to walk into any hospital or doctor’s office in our country and be treated immedietly with out cost or waiting….Close down these out dated and run down hospital’s. Let all vet’s get the treatment’s they diserve and payment can be gotten from the V.A……Simplify and up grade this antique system…Stoping the robber barron’s in this administration is our first step then we can rebuild…Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 1:52 pmI’d like to hear what the gungo-ho warriors still supporting this war have to say about what they can expect should they be injured on the battle field…
February 20th, 2007 at 1:53 pmDale,
February 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pmYou’re funnier on King of the Hill…
Dale sez:
Incredible. Simply incredible. Only a mind as twisted as Dale’s could actually take this issue and turn it into a referendum on the reporters who called the public’s attention to the problem.
Simply breathtaking, Dale.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pmDale > since you attack the press for uncovering this travesty, and not the Pentagon for allowing it to occur, then it’s obvious you are a paid shill for the Bush Regime, so SHAME ON YOU!
February 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pmAnd keep in mind; the VA is a bloated, government run bureacracy… you know, pretty much like what you want for universal health care.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pmWhat more evidence of criminal malfeasance do we need to eject this administration onto the trash heap of history?
February 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pmThanks wank-n-bake!
February 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pmWelcome to the US military. The premier equal opportunity employer.
They treat everybody like crap.
Vietnam 70-71
February 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pmAnybody else on TP a VFW member?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pmI’m going to get my post rabid on this…
This is Katrina times two for the GOP. Keep it #1 until our guys get the message they should be beating the White House senseless with it.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:02 pmSharon > the veterans deserve the best care possible, but Humana Hospital chain is owned by former Sen. Frist’s family, so soldiers getting medical care would be used to bilk the government for more profits. NEW VA hospitals must be constructed, and existing ones renovated or torn down. And Bush’s ranch can and should be used to build a massive VA hospital complex to care for the thousands of soldiers whom Bush has maimed in his wars for OIL and EMPIRE.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pmWhat are they going to do when WRAMC closes? Why don’t they send these valiant wounded troops to Bethesda Naval Hospital? If it’s good enough for Dubya — who didn’t have the guts to finish a TXANG tour of duty — it should be fit to send our wounded warriors to.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:05 pmAnd Tony Snowjob has essentially said, “it’s not the White House’s responsibility.”
February 20th, 2007 at 2:09 pmThey only use soldiers as props for photo ops; they don’t feel responsible in any way for their neglect.
When you don’t have any morals – no, when you don’t have any conscience, you are unable to accept any responsibility.
Doing so, would mean you have some semblance of accountability, or guilt, or any emotion that would compel you to act — these guys have none. They are cold as ice.
[...] Post’s two-part series over the weekend, highlighting the Walter Reed hospital’s dilapidated conditions. Snow stated that “the president certainly has been aware of the conditions in the wards [...]
February 20th, 2007 at 2:12 pmHey Dale – don’t need to tell us about how the Republican’ts screwed up the VA during their 14 years of total control over everything. My Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has been working overtime since elected to get that turned around, and get all the Vets In WA the care they deserve.
If you feel like making smartass comments while today’s injured Vets are neglected, go to a Republican’t or right-winger type site and make them there – they are who needs to hear your message, not the people at this site who want all Vets to be treated with the care they deserve.
You’re also a cowardly SOB for trying to hide a political argument inside your insincere troop advocacy statement. No better than the crooks you vote for. If you somehow mean to imply that WalMart and Moneytree (that is, “private enterprise”) could/would provide better care than the VA can, you’re really not too smart, either.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:12 pmIf Dale’s seems a little short on critical thinking, just consider the fact that he provides a link to Michelle Malkin to make a point. When you’re looking to Malkin for arguments, you’re already a few cards short of a full deck.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pmI also believe that the massive US Embassy project in Baghdad, Iraq, be canceled and a huge hospital built in its place to give medical care to the thousands of Iraqis maimed in the occupation of their country by the US.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pmafter our troops get used to Haliburton fecal water, poor or non-existant equipment, and one or two square meals a day in Iraq I guess they don’t want to spoil them when they come home
February 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pmHow soon before Fox news says this report is traitorous, and is aiding the enemy? How soon before Fox airheads say this is simply an attack on their beloved Bush? How soon before Fox news denies it all and pronounces it full of lies? How soon before they press for Priest and Hull to be investigated — remember Priest also exposed the secret prisons?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pmHow soon before ALL the 24/7 so-called news agencies admit that they were too busy covering Anna Nicole, and snow storms, and other trivia endless hours, instead of sending real reporters to uncover scandals like this? This is happening in Washington, DC!! It’s not like it is happening far away, like in Baghdad or Gitmo or elselwhere.
Conservatives pound down the funding for the VA for 26 years and then rely on their braindead cultist clowns to say: “socialized medicine doesn’t work.” It’s a tired old ploy and most of us recognize it by now, Dale.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pmImpeach!
February 20th, 2007 at 2:18 pmIncarcerate!
I really like Jay Randal’s idea of expropriating the Crawford ranch for a veteran’s treatmetn facility.
Thanks RUCerious > I am serious about Bush’s ranch being used for a VA hospital complex. It is a few thousand acres of good dry land with a small stream running through it, plus his existing new house is over 10,000 square feet of living space with a huge pool in the middle of the house. That building could be used for the headquarters of the VA hospital staff and the place to coordinate the construction of the hospital complex itself. Another thing is there is plenty of land for parking and housing for long term care of severly injured soldiers.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm#33. During your “26 years”, Democrats controlled both House and Senate until mid-90’s. Pres. Clinton was in office from 1992 through 2000. Just how were Republicans able to “pound down the funding” if Democrats weren’t complicit?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:30 pmThank’s for the info Jay, did not know the cat killer and family had such a hold on our medical facilities…Damn, and I have to go in for more test’s tomorrow..If you don’t see another post from me know I was part of their experiment’s I guess….Good plan for the coward’s pig farm…Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 2:35 pmJust how were Republicans able to “pound down the funding†if Democrats weren’t complicit? Comment by Dale — February 20, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
The same way they prevented debate on Iraq last week in the Senate – or were you in a coma then as well?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pmThanks Dale, didn’t realize, Iraq, the VA, and everything else was Clinton’s fault.
/sarcasm off.
Dude get over it, you have had 12 years of legislative control, and 6 years of rubber stamping. At what point do the republicans accept blame?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:40 pmDale, if you had any more than a superficial understanding of recent history, you would know that Republicans controlled the Senate for a few years during the 80’s and in the house, a faction called “Reagan Democrats” gave the Reagan administration a lot of sway over congress. Reagan ran on an “anti-government” platform in 1980 and his policies began the process of defunding many “new deal” government programs. Clinton was slightly to the right of Eisenhower in his political policies.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:40 pmSharon > take care and I hope the tests go well for you tomorrow.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:41 pmYou folks are really something… make a blanket statement that the Republicans are to blame for everything, but if anybody points out that the Democrats are complicit, then accuse them of trying to blame the Democrats for everything.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:47 pmThank’s Jay, I’m scared on the one hand and ready for the end on the other…..Been through lot’s of procedures lately, some eliminated a lot of suffering, more to come I guess..I hate it when the doctors and vet’s call me any more, it mean’s we have big problem’s…Oh well time to buck up and do all I can while I can……Blessings All.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pmHere’s another: what’s more important to all of you caring people out there; getting better care for our soldiers, or whining about right-wing nuts… here’s the chance to test yourselves (and also see how tolerant you *really* are).
Comment by Dale — February 20, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
Right-wing nutjob Malkin was complaining about the wastefulness of the VA and how the bureaucrats were neglecting some of the VA hospitals. She concludes the article by arguing that increasing the funding of the VA was profligacy.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:50 pmDale no likey taste his own medicine. You “liberals” are mean to make him taste it…..
February 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pmDale,
I have been protesting the treatment of veterans since Bushco took over. These things have been happening all along, veteran groups that have brought these issues up have been ignored by the administration and the MSM
You Dale are a sorry excuse for a person and part of the problem in this country.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:54 pmDale > nobody is excusing Democrats in DC from this travesty either, but they have had no power for the past 6 years to do anything about it. They share some blame for authorizing Bush’s Iraq Fiasco War, which has resulted in thousands of soldiers being injured or severely maimed. I want the veterans to be given the best medical services possible and given long term care in clean pleasant surroundings. Many of them will never walk again, nor be able to see anything since they are blind, nor hold anything since their arms are blown off, and some lost their sexual organs so they will never even be able to father children. They deserve whatever this nation can give them and I do NOT care how much it costs. The Pentagon can cancel all their pork weapons projects for all I care.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:57 pmSharon > I wish you the best of luck and I pray for you too.
February 20th, 2007 at 3:02 pmGreat post and I agree Jay #47…Thank’s again for your support….Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 3:12 pmYou folks are really something… make a blanket statement that the Republicans are to blame for everything, but if anybody points out that the Democrats are complicit, then accuse them of trying to blame the Democrats for everything. Comment by Dale — February 20, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Complicit? You mean like the German People were when Hitler was in power? In your mind, those citizens were Equal to Hitler and the SS?
Just because the Republicans are 90% at fault, you believe the 10% caused by Democratic complicit action makes Democrats share that blame equally?
BWAHAHAHA, nice way to rationalize your failures, skippy.
February 20th, 2007 at 3:16 pmDale is a result of a night time bedding down between Hannity and Coulter,what more would you except!
February 20th, 2007 at 3:21 pmSharon ~ best of all with your medical stuff.
February 20th, 2007 at 3:29 pmI just got diagnosed with an SPN in the lung. Probably benign, but spooky shit.
I posted about this and wrote a plan for action at Universal Health.
One important piece that was overlooked was the critical role that professional nursing care plays in the recovery and rehabilitation of patients who suffer burns, amputations, muskuloskeletal injuries, brain injuries, mental illness (especially PTSD) and other injuries. Where is Army nursing leadership on this? Historically, military nurses have been more autonomous, have been on the front lines of excellent patient care and patient advocacy, and they wouldn’t tolerate this negligence and outright malpractice.
The American Nurses Association also needs to make a public statement about this devastating situation.
February 20th, 2007 at 3:41 pm…Hannity said they’re for the troops, though…
February 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pmI don’t know what is worse, that the White House knew or that the White House didn’t know. But, the facts are the same: Bush sent them to war, Bush claims that his job is to protect the troops and the troops are being mistreated, underfunded and neglected.
So, who do we bomb now?
February 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pmHere in MN we lost a young combat vet to suicide.
He had tried to get into the local VA Hospital, but
was told he would have to wait for at least 3 weeks.
During ‘Nam, I was in charge of a ward of 60 amputees.
I have no way of counting, but I’m quite sure many of them
took the same course, due to PTSD, depression, etc.
Bush actually CUTS VA aid in the ‘08 budget, but
you don’t hear the media pointing that out.
Investigative journalism is one of our last hopes to pump any
February 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pmsunlight up this pig’s ass.
They speak with forked tongue and need surgical removal from
our great Nation’s body politic.
Now all those Americans who support the Bush Administration by yelling
February 20th, 2007 at 3:53 pmSUPPORT OUR TROOPS and the GOP, we really know what it means. Leave the troops with no help or weapons but give all the 2.9 trillion dollars to Iraq and contractor. Rummy did a great job at fooling our troops and Americans as he spent the money on other things. If I hear another GOP or American say SUPPORT OUR TROOPS I now know what their talking about. Look for more injustice by the Bush Administration to come out but Americans will follow Bush aka Satan anyway. Notice no word from the Church on these issues as they line their pockets with the US Treasury stolen money. Notice how well the media is handling this information as they are ordered to put it on the back page with a spin most likely to blame Hillary Clinton or Senator Obama. Ha it might be Bill Clinton’s fault when Chris Matthews gets the story out.
My sis is graduating nursing school soon, and she’s one of GWB’s biggest fans. I think I’ll encourage her to go to work at Walter Reed. She’ll see for herself….
February 20th, 2007 at 3:53 pmRUCerious, what is SPN.? I send Blessings to you…Mine’s a big C scare again…As long as I don’t suffer with more pain and can finish up the few thing’s I’m working on will be O.K…Blessings all
February 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pmBut Mr. Pantload says it’s overblown, and wants to send in Geraldo Mustachio for truth telling. They wouldn’t fib, would they?
February 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pmWalter Reed is NOT run by the VA but by the Defense Department, if I am not mistaken.
I am a 100% disabled Vietnam War vet who started using the VA for outpatient care about 12 years ago, both in California and Florida. I have always received excellent care by very experienced and caring staff who treat me with respect and consideration. I have been an inpatient on two occasions and the care has been far better than in private hospitals, with better nursing staffing levels than at Kaiser Permanente or other similar HMO’s.
While it is true that in the last few years there have been more non-service connected patients being seen (veterans can use their medicare or private insurance at the VA), I am still attended promtly, and far more quickly than as a private patient at non VA hospitals.
It is appalling that the Bush administration can waste billions each month paying off corrupt contractors overseas and yet fails to provide necessary care to the victims of their misguided wars.
February 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pmGeraldo for ‘truth telling’?
February 20th, 2007 at 4:04 pmThat’s almost as big an oxymoron as ‘Bush Supports Our Troops’.
Bizarro Bush: Everything he said means just the opposite.
Geraldo is a Bush lover stooge now, so if he investigates this crime it will be a cover-up!
February 20th, 2007 at 4:07 pmYa know in the old days we would just ’suck it up’ and not complain. I guess nowadays, these MTV kids just want everything handed to them.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:13 pmSharon – Single Pulmonary Nodule
February 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pmEnglish translation = lung tumor.
GW Crack has 22 months more to go. He’s presented a budget that funds the VA for two years and then in 2009 and beyond he allocates nothing for the VA. All you veterans who bow up at election time and piss all over Democrats because you think they’re wusses had better keep your testosterone in check and find out how Georgie really takes care of the troops. Has he ever taken active duty veterans for a ride through hell! He was a fricking cheerleader rather than a football player; he earned a fighter pilot slot in the Air Guard and then turned tail and ran to Washington and refused to take a flight physical; this fraud of President is a total embarrassment to our great country. I wouldn’t piss in his ear if his brain was on fire.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pmIt disgusts me about conditions some of our wounded veterans are living in at Walter Reed Medical Center.
After listening to the Senate and House for the past few weeks stands up and says how they support our troops, every one of them needs to hang their head in disgrace.
Millions of dollars have been spent in private contracts, billions just lost in Iraq with no accountability and our troops struggling with their life altering injuries having to cope with these conditions is nothing short of criminal.
Here is a bipartisan conclusion to this travesty:
1. Everyone involved with the decision to use Building 18 to house our troops resign or be terminated immediately.
2. Every-one in the Senate and House that used the phrase “support our troops†in their recent speeches or debates donate $5,000 to our wounded veterans and have the list of names nationally released (would raise over 2 million dollars).
February 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pmRUCerious, sending more blessings your way…..Mine’s a boob…Sure a lot of cancer’s.. Guess all the pollution in our air, water and soil’s are taking a toll…..Healing thought’s also being sent…Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 4:23 pmSharon ~ Thanks, we’re gonna have another look at this the end of April. If no growth we’re home free, otherwise we jerk the sucker out.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:34 pm[...] http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/20/dana-priest-walter-reed/ [...]
February 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pmRUCerious, here’s hopeing they don’t have to jerk your’s or lop off mine….Didn’t mean for that to sound so funny but maybe good that it does…..Blessings to you and me along with all that need them..
February 20th, 2007 at 4:59 pmLet’s cut through the layers of problems and get to a solution: remove Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney from office using the constitutionally-prescribed remedies.
Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid, get off your seats and on the floor and give the nation a bill of impeachment and a trial to prove, under the constitutional due process, that the president has not placed the people or the armed forces first, that he has started a war on a pretext of false information, and continues to send our family members, and friends into a clear and present danger (how’s that for platitudes?).
When Bush goes out, Cheney will follow and right behind him will be Condoleeza Rice.
Upon Mr. Bush’s removal from office, The Speaker of the House becomes president so she and the nation will have her under a magnifying glass to test her qualifications to be president.
The replacement for Bushco will have the position power to make remedies for the nation’s ills, especially its military.
I am a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans. I am not a hero but I am a service-connected disabled veteran.
I have never been under hostile fire, never killed anyone (however, if required to do so to follow legal orders, I would do it), and I am grateful to that man or woman who took the bullet that was meant for me.
“Mission Accomplished” has not happened so it’s time for a different approach.
I cannot cite budget years or line items but I have yet to see the DAV Magazine report that the budget for veterans’ medical services is adequate to treat those who need help.
Were it not for the organizations who care about hospitalized veterans and their volunteers who assist veterans in many ways, a whole herd of people would go without needed treatment for service-connected injuries and conditions.
Get Bushco out using the constitutional means already in-place. Get our troops home from Iraq right NOW, pay our enlisted military a living wage that can keep them from needing food stamps. Provide them the care they need to heal as well as they can after having fought for truth, justice, and the American way…and for Halliburton Corporation.
I suggest that the U.S. leaves all equipment, arms, and weapons in-place and let the Shia and the Sunni sort things out. The American model of a republic or a parliamentary democracy cannot be forced to grow anyplace else in the world. It grows as it does in America only, and the sooner our leaders realize this, the better for the rest of the world.
Thank you for hearing me out.
I remain, sincerely,
Resident Gas Bag
February 20th, 2007 at 5:04 pm#68 – Sharon,
February 20th, 2007 at 5:15 pmThe mammogram machine was modeled after this device. That’s according to the wife. I am not speaking from self experience, but that is what she said. The benefit is that cancer can be detected before it becomes life-threatening. We had a friend who ignored the tests and died at 53. Discomfort is a minor price to pay when balanced against a fatal disease. I pray that they pull the tumor if is not benign and wish you a rapid recovery. One of my sisters had two ‘anomalies’ removed about 4 years ago and is testing free at 63.
Gas Bag, good post…..Walt, ..LOL..thank’s for the link and support……Your wife is correct….Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 5:30 pmYep, that Republic Party sure supports our troops.
This is a national shame. The world is watching, and I think the window on America is showing just how evil bush, cheney and the rest of them are.
Impeachment now!!
February 20th, 2007 at 5:36 pm*
randi rhodes has used her whole show today to talk about veterans and veterans issues…
check out all the links at her website for lots of stories:
http://www.therandirhodesshow.com/live/
one great idea – build no more prisons – VA hospitals only…
good story about the depleted uranium problems…
February 20th, 2007 at 5:37 pm…
#39 sharon
February 20th, 2007 at 6:31 pmGood luck tomorrow.
#68 Rucerious
February 20th, 2007 at 6:33 pmBest wishes to you too.
#81 Marie Thanks. Something tells me I’m gonna be fine.
February 20th, 2007 at 6:47 pmWhere are the republican pig trolls on this?
February 20th, 2007 at 6:53 pmThank You Marie for your support….Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pmRUCerious and Sharon, I’m sending caring thoughts to both of you from both Wayne and I. You know that all of your friends here wish you both the best of luck.
February 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pmSomeone needs to end this ‘privatize everything’ ‘Halliburtonize’ everything’ ‘mafiaize every dollar spent’ philosophy or this country will end like the roman empire just 10 times faster.
February 20th, 2007 at 7:26 pmWill it help the Vets if we all slap another magnetic ribbon on our Hummers?
February 20th, 2007 at 7:40 pmRU & Sharon; good luck, I wish you well.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:04 pmas a viet vet I can honestly say we have been telling you for decades the VA is failing us…weve been at the freeway off ramps with our card board signs begging yuo to help us, if only for a happy meal from McDonalds.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:10 pmMy generation has logged more casualties to suicide than were killed on the battlefield…weve unhinged publicly in the news in events of desperation
weve told you the VA is an adversarial program that is heavily weighted against us, we are made to prove what is in our records placed there by our superiors by buddy staements of people we only knew a short while and now this?
better late than never isnt enough
A new organization was formed to make sure servicemembers with severe injuries have all available resources.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz officiated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Military Severely Injured Joint Support Operations Center. Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace was at the same ceremomy.
The new center, located in Arlington, Va., is intended to act as a core resource for injured servicemembers and their families trying to navigate services and benefits available to them.
This center was opened Feb 2005, and shut down last Week, and many think it was mismanaged by the DOD education Bureaucracy who focused on Military OneSource.
Recently the Senate Armed Service Committee learned that the requirements for large support contracts did not include wounded soldiers inputs, and the contracts turned out to be “Call Center” related unfocused websites at costs exceeding $100M.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
February 20th, 2007 at 8:44 pmTIME FOR A VETERAN’S CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
#89 – Win Reither,
February 20th, 2007 at 8:46 pmI would bet that they were based in India.
Jane & Uncle Ho
February 20th, 2007 at 8:46 pmMany thanks.
I wonder if CHIMPya got a similar horrible room when he was checked in to get two(unfortunately)benign moles removed from his face at Walter Reed? Of course not! Bush had it done at the white house–HE’s NOT STEPPING INTO Walter Reed–THAT FILTHY PLACE! DOUBLE STANDARD? YOU BETCHA! HERE’S A NEWS FLASH:
February 20th, 2007 at 9:09 pmFLASH!
A MALIGNANT CHIMPya FACE WAS REMOVED FROM TWO BENIGN MOLES TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
THE MOLES WERE REMARKING ON THE SPOTLESS ROOM…
WHILE THE DISCARDED CHIMPya FACE WAS THROWN INTO FILTHY, DISGUSTING BUILDING 18 AT Walter Reed Hospital…
Thank you Jane and Uncle Ho, I will be thinking of you all tomorrow….Nite every one, tired today, the Bear was on a tear and I was at the other end of the leash…Blessings
February 20th, 2007 at 9:09 pmDon’t Feed the Trolls!
It deflects the facts. The facts are DAMAGING. The TROLLS are doing damage control, getting you all to talk about SOMETHING ELSE!
February 21st, 2007 at 7:11 am[...] Dana Priest On Walter Reed: An ‘Unbelievable’ Story of ‘Neglect’ and ‘Indifference’ Filed under: Veterans, VA, Health Care Issues, Florida, Blogroll, Politics, Military, Uncategorized — baxpress @ 7:03 am Dana Priest On Walter Reed: An ‘Unbelievable’ Story of ‘Neglect’ and ‘…: [...]
February 21st, 2007 at 7:55 amIt couldn’t have anything to do with 8 years of cuts to the Military budget by Bill “BJ” Clinton, could it? Besides the fact that a new facility is under construction and soon to be finished….be sure and leave that out of this obvious hit piece. You clowns have done a great job of lying to the uninformed American voters and I wouldn’t doubt that one of the incompetent douch bags you dimwits are going to run will get elected……be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Turnabout is fair play and there will be a shit campaign brought on whomever you dildoes put in…..guaranteed.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:02 am[...] Dana Priest On Walter Reed: An ‘Unbelievable’ Story of ‘Neglect’ and ‘… Think Progress [...]
February 21st, 2007 at 3:17 pmLet’s blame the republican party, again, for something. hell why not!
Walter Reed has been in disarry much longer than this current administration. It was this way during the Clintonian Regime. At this time, a brand new facility is in the process of being constructed. A very modern one at that. But, of course, the MSM spin machine won’t tell you that. Give me a break losers
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 amI am retired from the federal bureau of prisons. Over the 29 years I worked for them I worked at over 7 locations from a minimum security camp, the maximum security penitentiary in Marion, Illinois and the prison hopital in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, I visited or audit programs at nearly twenty five more. There was not one single location where conditions as described at Walter Reed were even close to the same…all were clean, bright and well managed……and we were dealing with convicted felons…..not soldiers protecting our lives and freedoms. The Walter Reed conditions are unconscionable and may well indeed be prosecutable.
February 22nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm[...] care that many wounded veterans receive from Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Part I, Part II, PBS video). Even the most die-hard of Bush supporters wouldn’t try to spin a story like that, [...]
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:39 pmWalter Reed is only the tip of the iceburg being a vet belive me i know. we have a good way of putting it.(they call it practicing medicine because they have not got it right yet). The quality of care for both military and vets world wide is at times below that of third world countries.
February 26th, 2007 at 7:14 am[...] ThinkProgress has a video link and transcripts from a recent PBS Newshour telecast. [...]
February 28th, 2007 at 11:30 amI am glad that the Washington Post and its reporters have distilled the current conditions in such a way that the Administration cannot duck its responsibility.
I recall having read similar accounts of terrible conditions at Walter Reed and other VA hospitals over the years. This is not a new story, but a sad and continuing story.
The lesson is to continually question optimistic reports produced by well-oiled public relations organizations and generally question authority – see it yourself if you can, and constantly ask the basic question:
Who benefits?
March 4th, 2007 at 3:52 pmIt’s too bad that the majority of posters have NO Real Clue as to what’s been happening to the Veterans Administration.
March 4th, 2007 at 6:53 pmIt’s downward spiral BEGAN with CLINTON – opening up the VA system to ALL veterans – service connected or not. A fine an admiral thing to do – government healthcare for all veterans! Only problem when you increase the patient load by 1000% and receive minimal if any budget increases for the VA some corners will HAVE to be cut.- such as maintenance, hiring of doctors, nurses.
The REAL story is the VA Healthcare system was suppose to be for disabled veterans and funded accordingly. But, it was the CLINTON’s who wanted universal healthcare. Now the public, if it was truly interested would lobby their respective congressioanl person to put the VA on PERMANENT funding versus the current funding that is received — EVERY YEAR THE VA HAS TO PLEAD FOR ITS BUDGET!!
I worked as an RN in the Washington DC VA Hospital from 1993-97 and the place was filthy. Roaches everywhere and trash piled to the ceiling in the utility rooms. Staffing was dangerous, not enough nurses to take care of the patients. I told the chief nurse this when I left but she ignored me. I left because I was afraid that I would kill someone by giving the wrong meds to someone. Carole Gee
March 5th, 2007 at 11:46 amThis is not the only problem veterans have been dealing with. There are thousands of vet’s still fighting for help with claims that have gone on for years and no one seems to care about that. I find it painful to admit that i am one of them. I have been out of the service since 90 and tried to live a normal life but my disability has gotten so bad that i had to retire from a job i had for 15teen years. Yet’ I find that i still have to prove i have a problem even at 50%. I hope the story of walter reed wakes the world up to what all vet’s have been going throu and still do.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:28 pmWasn’t Walter Reed on the BRAC list? Doesn’t Congress appropriate the money? I can just see “60 Minutes” story now: The Pentagon is pouring millions of dollars into upgrading an antiquated medical facility built a hundred years ago that is set to close due to BRAC.
March 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pmAs a mater of fact, a quick search of on-line Pentagon budgets at http://www.dod.mil/comptroller/defbudget/fy2007/index.html showed the following for WRAMC, under category “Military Construction, Family Housing, and Base Realignment and Closure Program (C-1).” 1998-0, 1999-0, 2000-1 Mil, 2001-6.9 Mil, 2002-0, 2003-0, 2004-7.4 Mil, 2005-9Mil, 2006-0, 2007-0. So there; under last 2 years of Clinton admin = 0 dollars; under Bush, $24.3 Mil budgeted for WRAMC, which is in fact due to merge with National Naval Medical Center. Maybe if u left-wing drooling goons stoped your Bush-bashing and did some research, you’d come up with some facts (but maybe that’s the problem). The inconvient truth is the Clintonoids drained the US Military for 8 years!
March 6th, 2007 at 6:41 pmI am a veteran. I did not have the experience of going to Iraq, but I spent the last year of my 6 year “stint” with the Air Force in Korea. Before that I spent 5 years in New Mexico. One of the main REASONS I GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY WAS THE SUBSTANDARD MEDICAL CARE. They preach what a great benefit it is but I honestly dreaded all of my appointments, appointments which took 30 days in advance to get. Ridiculous. Every experience I had was negative and my records were lost on several occasions which was treated as “normal”. I was misdiagnosed for 2 years and given the wrong prescription by a doctor who I recently found out was discharged for child molestation charges. I paid to see a “real” Dr. on my own to discover the true diagnosis. I not once had a true physical, unless weight and blood pressure is a physical. You can only adress one medical concern per visit but appointments, like I said, can be months apart. I always felt depressed when I knew I had to deal with any medical concern and now as a military dependant/veteran it’s worse! I am in Japan, need to see a Dr. and again have to wait a month, I can’t get my needed prescription filled without the appointment but being in JAPAN, have no choice but to wait. I have requested a phone consult 3 times and have been assured a call back within 3 duty days and it has been 2 weeks! I can’t express how frustrated and powerless I feel. Is this what 6 years of service has earned? Some Benefit.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:42 amI am a desperate VA vet needing “fee basis” transfer of radiation treatment from Durham, NC to New Bern, NC in order to keep my job. Another VA vet with the same “status” as myself from my town was granted “fee basis” transfer of radiation treatment from Durham, NC to New Bern, NC. The only difference in our two situations is that he is self-employeed and I am only an employee. I cannot afford to lose my income for two months and lose my job also. The treatment takes 8-9 weeks and Durham is a 4 hour one-way drive, thus requiring that I stay in Durham each week during treatment. I am absolutely desperate as I’ve been denied my request twice. someone needs to see to it that all vets are treated the same. Thank you. Kenneth Eliot
March 14th, 2007 at 1:26 am