Levin: Last Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ Bush
Levin: Last Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ Bush
On NBC’s Meet the Press today, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) argued that the Senate Armed Services Committee did not conduct oversight of the treatment at military facilities in recent years because “they did not want to embarrass the President.” As the new chairman of the committee, Levin said he will be visiting Walter Reed this week and holding a hearing on March 6.
Levin decried the deplorable conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. “Where we need a surge is not in Iraq. We need a surge of concern for our troops, for the veterans, for the injured, for the wounded, for the families of those who have lost loved ones. That’s the surge of concern and that’s the surge that we need,” Levin said. Watch it:
In its cover story, “Failing Our Wounded,” Newsweek reports that the government is struggling to care for an increasing number of injured soldiers. Newsweek’s investigation of the VA system “paints a grim portrait of an overloaded bureaucracy cluttered with red tape; veterans having to wait weeks or months for mental-health care and other appointments; families sliding into debt as VA case managers study disability claims over many months, and the seriously wounded requiring help from outside experts just to understand the VA’s arcane system of rights and benefits.”
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72 Responses to “Levin: Last Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ Bush”
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Sorry but, that shouldn’t have stopped the subject from coming up from someone on the left side of the isle. Hold a press conference, anything. Just because you can’t bring it to the floor doesn’t mean the story doesn’t get out.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pmNone of Bush’s supporters ever want to see him embarrassed. Hence the pathological degree to which they keep lowering the bar for their guy. They have it on the floor now, yet Chimpy still can’t seem to step over it.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pmThe President embarrasses himself just fine on his own…
February 25th, 2007 at 12:17 pmGood for Levin, but call for impeachment hearings for Bush and Cheney too.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:17 pmWTF?
February 25th, 2007 at 12:22 pmLevin: Last Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ Bush
I’m sorry, but the poor treatment of our veterans is WAY more important than the possible embarrassment of any president.
We have a real problem with priorities in this country.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pmUncle Ho, I have information for you. See the “Shot in the Head” thread. Thanks.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:26 pmOh paleeeeeze. Levin cant be serious.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:26 pm“Sorry but, that shouldn’t have stopped the subject from coming up from someone on the left side of the isle.”
The problem is that they probably did not know about it. In case you were living in a cave somewhere for the last 6 years, the Democrats were COMPLETELY shut out of the government process, not to mention the press. How many times did you see the press give any coverage to anything the Democrats did for the last six years?
February 25th, 2007 at 12:31 pmSorry but, that shouldn’t have stopped the subject from coming up from someone on the left side of the isle. Hold a press conference, anything. Just because you can’t bring it to the floor doesn’t mean the story doesn’t get out.
Comment by Fred
Did you see on the news the hearings the democrats were having on the Iraq pre war intell, among other things? In the basement. Should have been news because it was the only attempts of oversight in the whole 109th.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:34 pmIn order for word to get out, the media would have to report it. The media for the last 6 years has not aired democratic complaints.
You could read their web page and the blogs who covered the speech, but the “liberal” media refused to air them.
This has been a conspiracy of “silence” on opposition voices and it goes from Bushco and the Republican Party, all the way into the corporate owned media.
Bushco is all PR, no substance. We are living “1984″ now.
Zooey; OK & thanx.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:36 pmAny GOPers in the House and Senate who knew about mistreatment of wounded soldiers must RESIGN from the Congress immediately. Shame on all of them!
February 25th, 2007 at 12:36 pmWe are living “1984″ now.
Comment by Wayne — February 25, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
I read that book when I was a junior in high school in 1983. Even as a sixteen year old, I was shocked that something like that could possibly exist. But I was also relieved that I thought it could never happen in America. Boy was I wrong.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pmFAIZ:
We dial-uppers really, really like the transcripts you usually provide.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm**smiling sweetly**
does anyone in the democrat party EVER say anything of substance as opposed to substance abuse?
you have to admit that was good. i surprise myself sometimes.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:44 pm#15 - ballbuster
Non sequitur
February 25th, 2007 at 12:48 pmthey hadn’t conducted oversight on ANYthing, in part not to embarrass, but mostly out of fear…
but that is a good point, fred #1… “Hold a press conference, anything.”…
more fear, i think… that’s changing now…
but how ’bout that newsweek cover…
February 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pmw o w … that’s gonna shake up the folks…
ballbuster we all know you use crack so be silent > lol.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pmDo It for the Troops! Yeah, right. In this, as in all things, Mr. Bush exempts himself and his government.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:51 pmyou have to admit that was good.
Comment by ballbuster — February 25, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Actually, it wasn’t. It was kind of sad. It looked like you were trying really hard to make a joke, but not understanding humor, you fell flat on your face.
Well, so we’re laughing at you - again. You can take credit for that.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:51 pm…the Democrats were COMPLETELY shut out…
Comment by Kate Henry — February 25, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
another VERY IMPORTANT point… of course… i spaced that out… duh…
February 25th, 2007 at 12:53 pmZooey; I’m not sure what I’m looking for on that site.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:55 pmi surprise myself sometimes.
Comment by ballbuster
Oh, your
February 25th, 2007 at 12:57 pmbrightnessDullness knows no bounds.[…] February 25th, 2007 · No Comments Levin: Last Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ B… […]
February 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pmI’m sure our “hacker bob” is grateful that his beloved Commander Bush has been spared embarassment while his fellow wounded comrades suffered.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pmZooey; I’m not sure what I’m looking for on that site.
Comment by Uncle Ho
Sorry! #107
February 25th, 2007 at 1:00 pmDon’t worry guys, The DECIDER is still president! Thank you God.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:04 pmWell post 26 ballbuster wins The Fascist Post Of The Day award.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:08 pmDon’t worry guys, The DECIDER is still president! Thank you God.
Comment by ballbuster
You know ballslobber, if the world goes to shit for us, it goes to shit for you too. And your beloved Decider will care as much about you and he does about us.
Sweet.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:09 pmZooey; I saw #107 OK, and went to that site, but don’t know what I’m looking for at where you directed me to, unless you meant it’s a nice place to visit.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:11 pmDon’t worry guys, The DECIDER is still president! Thank you God.
Comment by ballbuster
Why does God hate America?
February 25th, 2007 at 1:11 pmThank you God.
Comment by ballbuster — February 25, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Uh, The President is elected by the voters of the U.S. (or. in Junior’s case, appointed by the Supreme Court) - not invisible sky daddies…
You should be thanking your true god - PNAC.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:14 pmUncle Ho,
Email me at zooey at moscow dot com
February 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pmLast Congress Didn’t Investigate Walter Reed Because ‘They Did Not Want To Embarrass’ Bush…
On NBC’s Meet the Press today, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) argued that the Senate Armed Services Committee did not conduct oversight of the treatment at military facilities in recent years because “they did not want to embarrass the President.†As the…
February 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pmGood day to most, Hay, ballwasher for bush’s back one, humor is not your strong suit, keep your day job or mama’s support……Blessings you realy need them..Peace and quiet, we need more of that from you .
February 25th, 2007 at 1:42 pmOn NBC’s Meet the Press today, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) argued that the Senate Armed Services Committee did not conduct oversight of the treatment at military facilities in recent years because “they did not want to embarrass the President.â€
*********************************************
And we should accept this as a sufficient excuse why?!? Anyone who believes that this is an acceptable excuse cannot claim to truly support the troops, and that’s all there is to it. Frankly, it cuts no ice with me to hear this from the Democrats either — they may have been a minority in Congress, but that doesn’t mean that they were powerless! There were Democrats on the Senate Armed Forces Committee during the 109th Congress — Levin was the Ranking Minority Leader, for crying out loud. Why didn’t he or other Democratic members of the Senate make more of an effort to come forward and make this issue public if they knew what was happening? Why were our veterans forced to undergo this sort of shoddy treatment simply in order to protect the President’s fragile ego?!?
February 25th, 2007 at 1:56 pmThink now that Bob Gates has had his nose rubbed in it, something will get done for these guys? Or just more oral ballwashi… excuse me, whitewashing?
February 25th, 2007 at 2:06 pmI agree Bluestocking…Blessings
February 25th, 2007 at 2:15 pmOMG, don’t tell me you are STILL pounding that ’stolen election” drum?
is there a conspiracy that you don’t swallow hook line and sinker?
February 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pmdo you call miss cleo for your daily stock tips?
ps PNAC is a brilliant strategy. how do you think PRESIDENT Reagan busted the communists balls?
Comment by unbelievable — February 25, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
For the past two years, I’ve gone through that book with my 8th graders. They get it.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:06 pmComment by ballbuster — February 25, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Do us a favor and enlighten us. Begin with a scholarly analysis of Bush v. Gore.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:09 pmalso, we are “very far along†towards Marshall Law here at home. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, an act which disallowed our military to take up arms against US, has been eliminated through a rider slipped into the defense appropriatons bill in Oct. ‘06. No links, heard it on Thom Hartman. We have also lost habeas corpus through the Military Commission Act.
The obvious take over of the Middle East and US is terrorizing.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:11 pmSupport the troops????
February 25th, 2007 at 3:24 pmLet them suffer so King George is not embarrassed????
I wonder how many of our soldiers are returning home and killing themselves. I personaly know of one. The medical and mental health care that our soldiers are not getting is such a disgrace.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:46 pmEMBARRASS CHIMPya? WELL SHET MA MOUF’ AN’ CALL ME SCARLET-IN-DA-FACE!!!!! I don’t think Bush would be EMBARRASSED if he was caught RED-BOTTOMED on the receiving END of Gannon/Guckert’s
February 25th, 2007 at 3:59 pm“services” side-by-side with Karl Miss Piggy Rove and Torticola Cheney by The New York Times(tm)! CHIMPya MIGHT be embarrassed, however if he was caught IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO with Barney and Laura and Barney on top of CHIMPya by Poppy H.W. and Mater Dearest Barbara!!!!! Senator Levin, I HOPE YOU PUT CHIMPya, Cheney and Bushland Uber Allies THROUGH THE WRINGER!!!!!
The current executive branch is of the opinion that service people who have conditions that preclude further service in the battlefield are an unnecessary burden on the defense budget. The WP articles brought this to the forefront more vividly than any Congressional Investigation (behind closed doors?) ever could. The NY Times had a series on stress induced mental breakdowns before that that barely raised a whisper.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:08 pmThe Post series was hard hitting and to the point. Such series in the Times typically span three newspaper pages per article.
You cannot embarrass Chimpy…he has no shame.
The Repukes have covered this up, like the rest of their crimes, because there was an election coming up.
This is 100% the Republicans fault that our veterans are being neglected.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:30 pmIt figures the Repuke trolls would try to spread the blame to the Democrats. Typical Repuke propaganda LIE.
This is 100% the fault of the Repukes. They were in charge.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:31 pmIt is spelled MARTIAL law.
Chimpy thinks its Marshall Law and he gets to wear a shiny badge and a six-gun. He asked Mister Cheney and Mister Cheney said he could.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:34 pmAWOL Cammader in Torture did not want to be embarrassed. So they let our injured troops live in rat infested conditions. So much for that sh*t we hear them spewing about supporting the troops. Our government is full of republican thugs.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pmCome on Levin. Vets are treated like shit. Always have and always will. Do a story about that media.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:49 pmI agree with Fred. Democratic leaders have to share the blame for the horrible conditions in the military hospitals. They have been sitting on their hands for six years enabling the bush lies. Now they say they will not impeach bush! If ever a person (persons) should be impeached it should be bush/cheney!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pmYou dont get it.
Once the patriots in uniform are sent off to defend and expand the Empire and they are wounded, they are no longer of use. They are a burden. Why waste precious dollars on them that could be buying us more bombs to drop on the terrorists….
Um…sounds like terrorist thinking, doesn’t it?
Maybe Halliburton can make a political contribution and have the wounded at Walter Reed stay at the Ritz Carlton or the Hays-Adams where they might be visible to the high and mighty…What? you say? Having disfigured wounded ruining my fancy lunch? Pleasssseeeee. Keep them out of sight…in some cheap out of the way motel…yes, thats the ticket.
PS I am a 100% disabled vet from KheSanh and member of Vietnam Veterans against the War.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:07 pmangryvietnamveteran; welcome home brother, from another vietvet
February 25th, 2007 at 5:19 pmUncle HO…..Thanks and Welcome HOme ….Can you believe so many fools apparently learned nothing from our experience in ‘Nam ? … especially the chickenhawks who lacked the balls to go there…?
February 25th, 2007 at 5:56 pmangryvietnamveteran:
thanks for your service, man.
(another vet)
By the way, why does Timmah Russert still have a show? He has been exposed in a COURT OF LAW during the Valerie Plame trial as the White House’s “go to guy” when they need to spread PROPAGANDA. That should have TOTALLY destroyed his credibility. He needs to be FIRED and then jailed for TREASON for playing into the Bush Administrations RELEASING of classified information by outting CIA NOC agent, Valerie Plame.
Andrea Mitchell, and David Gregory, were also exposed as hiding the White House’s involvement. THEY ALL CONTRIBUTED TO TREASON and traded their credibility for access.
Look at the INCREDIBLE damage they have done to our country by allowing Bu$hco. to LIE TO US ALL. Those of us who tried to warn the mesmerized followers of Bush he was lying to them might have had a chance of convincing others not to support the DIVERSION INTO IRAQ if our journalists had served us with the truth, instead of WHITE HOUSE SPIN AND LIES.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:57 pmps PNAC is a brilliant strategy. how do you think PRESIDENT Reagan busted the communists balls? - ballsy @ 3:05 pm
brilliant, maybe, if it hadn’t been twisted and perverted and misused and abused and used for ulterior motives, etc…
and way after reagan’s time… but then, the pope was a bigger influence on that wall coming down anyway… i don’t think the jews and the catholics were into teamwork at that time… correct me if i’m wrong…
…
hey, i found this site… new to me… and over and beyond my personal enjoyment threshold, but some might find it very useful and informative:
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1535 … the first hit in a google search for “PNAC, Reagan”…
i thought this was telling:
PNAC’s 1997 “Statement of Principles†set forth a new agenda for foreign and military policy that William Kristol and Robert Kagan described as “neo-Reaganite.†Signatories of this charter document said that they aimed “to make the case and rally support for American global leadership.†2 Excerpts from the statement follow:
“We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the Reagan administration’s success: a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership that accepts the U.S. global responsibilities.
“Of course, the United States must be prudent in how it exercises its power. But we cannot safely avoid the responsibilities of global leadership or the costs that are associated with its exercise. America has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our fundamental interests. The history of the 20th century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership.
…should have…
February 25th, 2007 at 5:59 pmUncle Ho,
I have been in touch with Jean Chabut, who is the Public Health Administration Chief Administrative Officer for the Michigan Department of Public Health.
Basically, she said the survey apparently had a very low response rate so the information was not reliable enough to be used. There is a report on the Agent Orange survey, but they need your address in order to send it to you.
Also, there were other studies done at the time that you might be interested in.
If you want the emails, let me know, and I’ll forward them to you.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:05 pmWhile republicans were in charge during this, Im still upset with Murtha and the others on our side who flaunt their trips to Walter Reed. This is unacceptable.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:07 pm54 - this is not the zoomeister of just 6 months ago.
:-)
February 25th, 2007 at 6:41 pm54 - this is not the zoomeister of just 6 months ago.
:-)
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
You say the sweetest things. :)
February 25th, 2007 at 6:44 pmSo Ballbuster if you are so supportive to the bushbrat how come you are not in Iraq fighting his “war”?
February 25th, 2007 at 6:55 pmWait! What am I hearing? The Republiscum are blaming the Democrats!! Yes, they are saying it is the Democrats who hate the troops and who failed to exercise oversight in protecting the troops because they want America to lose.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:21 pmThey have taken their lessons from the regime in “1984.”
Zooey says in #14,
FAIZ:
We dial-uppers really, really like the transcripts you usually provide.
**smiling sweetly**
Some of us with high speed appreciate it too because some of us print them to use for reference.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:24 pmIn order for word to get out, the media would have to report it. The media for the last 6 years has not aired democratic complaints.
You could read their web page and the blogs who covered the speech, but the “liberal†media refused to air them.
This has been a conspiracy of “silence†on opposition voices and it goes from Bushco and the Republican Party, all the way into the corporate owned media.
Bushco is all PR, no substance. We are living “1984″ now.
Comment by Wayne
Well said, Wayne! I watched the Democratic meeting on C-Span, held in a basement closet, and an annoyed Sensenbrenner cut off the mike and the sound while someone was speaking.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pmmadness-madness!!!!!what’s next???
February 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pmOur great SENATOR LEVIN FROM MICHIGAN has once again proved why he deserves to be in the SENATE,,,A true man of courage,,,integrity,,,honesty,,,class,,,and best of all he is very intelligent and determined…All of you BUSH supporters,,the MICHIGAN delegation is coming to ask GEORGE “NIXON” BUSH and his gang of total incompetents a few questions,,,when Sen Levin is finished,,,congressman CONYERS may have a few questions for you to. How in the hell did you bunch of sub-performers think you could possibly get away with all of ” your CRIMES” and STUPIDITY. This administration will go down as the most MORONIC AND INCOMPETENT group in all of American history. FAST FORWARD TO 2008 PLEASE…………………………………………………Charles Belenchia………………Plymouth,,Michigan
February 25th, 2007 at 8:46 pmGood for Levin, but call for impeachment hearings for Bush and Cheney too.
Levin wouldn’t do that. He is a huge, wimpy, triangulating coward. Who votes for these losers?
February 25th, 2007 at 10:57 pmI am always amazed at how the righties in ANY left wing site will come in, make inflammatory statements, and when called on for facts that back up what they say, they disappear like a fart in the wind. And that seems to be the entire basis of their arguments.
So, you righties, no matter how many articles appear that show that, YES, BOTH elections involving the pretender in chief WERE stolen. In the first case, the Supreme court didn’t even have jurisdiction, and I DEFY any rightie to show me another SC dcision that involves ONE person in ONE situation and is never to be repeated. The SENATE is supposed to decide in such a situation, so it’s not legal that the SC decided ANYTHING.
It annoys me that the righties would allow themselves to be so fooled by such a moron. I guess that IS a fault of the right wing mind. They don’t seem to be able to think critically, or even very well at all. They want to believe whatever is easy and makes them feel good. It’s unfortunate that what they believe is all crap with no basis in reality. It’s even worse that they think YOU should have such a lack of thinking skills as well.
So come on, righties, answer the questions that have been put to you. I am willing to bet that you can’t and won’t, because you have NOTHING to offer. You have lies, you have deception and you have deceit, none of which have anything to do with reality. You can either wallow in your ideology, or you can deal with reality. We prefer reality. You prefer falsehoods. But go ahead, make it good. I need the laughs, today.
February 26th, 2007 at 10:03 amIt’s about time some looked into this scandal.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:35 pm[…] of how Bush and Republicans claim to support the troops while shitting all over them. Worse, Sen. Levin claims that the 109th Congress knew about the horrid conditions at Walter Reed, but did n… Party first, second, third, and fourth, what’s best for the country and our troops a distant, […]
February 26th, 2007 at 8:27 pm[…] Like Bush doesn’t do a good enough job himself? […]
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 am