Nicholson Downplays High Numbers Of Injured Vets: ‘A Lot Of Them Come In For Dental Problems’
Nicholson Downplays High Numbers Of Injured Vets: ‘A Lot Of Them Come In For Dental Problems’
Through the lens of his own personal recovery from a traumatic brain injury suffered in Iraq, ABC’s Bob Woodruff last night examined the plight of military families dealing with injuries to their loved ones.
While the Department of Defense reports that there have been about 23,000 nonfatal battlefield casualties in Iraq, Woodruff reported — through an internal VA document — that more than 200,000 veterans have sought medical care for various ailments.
When Woodruff confronted VA Secretary Jim Nicholson about the disparity in the administration’s figures, Nicholson responded that Americans are probably “surprised to know that 200,000 come to the VA for some kind of medical treatment. That’s probably more than they think.” But Nicholson quickly downplayed the high numbers, claiming a lot of veterans simply “come in for dental problems.” Watch it:
Nicholson’s attempts to diminish the seriousness of the issue are insulting. According to the VA internal report, the injuries afflicting veterans are quite serious in nature:
Mental disorders: 73,000
Diseases of nervous system: 61,000
Signs of ill-defined conditions: 7,000
Diseases of musculoskeletal system: 87,000.
Despite the increasing numbers of wounded and injured veterans seeking care, the Bush administration has laid out plans to cut funding for veterans’ health care two years from now.
Transcript:
WOODRUFF: According to the Department of Defense, there have been about 23,000 nonfatal battlefield casualties, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
[…]
PAUL SULLIVAN, VETERANS ADVOCATE: These are the big numbers, Bob. 200,000 have already gone into VA for medical care.
WOODRUFF: The official number is that there are only about 23,000 soldiers and Marines who have been injured in this war.
SULLIVAN: What you have are two sets of books. The Department of Defense saying there are 23,000 wounded from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the Department of Veterans Affairs is actually treating 205,000 veterans from these two wars.
WOODRUFF: According to this internal VA report, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are being diagnosed with a wide variety of ailments; many for multiple problems. The report does not have a category for traumatic brain injury, but it does include post-traumatic stress disorder, mental disorders, infectious and parasitic diseases, and ill-defined conditions.
WOODRUFF: You think americans fully understand how many injured there are in this war?
NICHOLSON: I think it — i think it cuts both ways. I think Americans are always very surprised to know the number of amputations, for example, which is fewer than 600 in total. They’re probably also surprised to know that 200,000 come to the VA for some kind of medical treatment. That’s probably more than they think.
WOODRUFF: You have mental disorders — 73,000; diseases of nervous system — 61,000; symtpoms, signs of ill-defined conditions — 7,000; diseases of musculoskeletal system — 87,000. These are numbers beyond the 23,000.
NICHOLSON: A lot of them come in for dental problems, others come in for a lot of the normal things that people have. We’re providing their healthcare. Some I suppose are because of their service over there. But they weren’t evacuated for that.
WOODRUFF: But they got some kind of injury, some kind of problem because of the war.
NICHOLSON: That’s possible, yes.
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94 Responses to “Nicholson Downplays High Numbers Of Injured Vets: ‘A Lot Of Them Come In For Dental Problems’”
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James Nicholson,
How dare you? You have no respect for the sacrifice of our troops and veterans.
Resign immediately.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:58 amShameful ! I urge all would-be volunteers to find another vocation or employement option. And for those already in the military, get the hell out.
You are nothing but expendable cannon fodder for the militarist/imperialist. If you get killed, they bury you in silence. If you get wounded, you are just a burden on our treasury…. BushChaney need every penny to buy more weapons, kill more people and make more enemies….
Patriotism be damned.
Oppose their wars. You are just a pawn. Dont be a fool !
February 28th, 2007 at 11:01 amThe following quote is straight of of Jim Nicholson’s web page at http://www.whitehouse.gov:
February 28th, 2007 at 11:05 amMy favorite paraphrased exchange:
Woodruff: A doctor me that many VA hospitals are not prepared for traumatic brain injuries.
Nicholson: I don’t believe it.
Give this man a medal of freedom!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:06 amWe have to not allow the public to see these vets. That could influence their opinion against the war. The most important important thing is winning in Iraq. Our entire nation hinges on victory, which you libs don’t get. After we win, we can worry about the vets.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:15 amRemember, the democrats dont support the troops.
We must be doing some god-awful things eh?
I am speechless. Dental???
February 28th, 2007 at 11:16 amMicheal Leeden accuses our Soldiers of losing his war because they’re hanging out inside the wire lounging at starbucks the doughy pantload does the same and now this guy. Can you imagine a Democrat getting away with a statement like that? IOKIYAR.
Off topic sort of. But later this year the Army Reserve will begin it’s first round of involuntary second deployments to Iraq.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:17 amThese punks need to be put in their place.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:17 amHell.
now I know firehead is a parody troll.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:19 amTypical response. Downplay the bad news, overstate the good news. Disgusting. They have also ordered the soldiers at Walter Reed not to talk to the press.
This is something else to consider:
“Depleted Uranium: Pernicious Killer Keeps on Killing”
http://www.globalresearch.ca/ index.php?context=viewArticle&code=ETC20070220&articleId=4867
This is really serious and will have a long lasting effect.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:19 amTypical Republican a**hole.
You too firehead.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:23 amWe have to not allow the public to see these vets. That could influence their opinion against the war. The most important important thing is winning in Iraq. Our entire nation hinges on victory, which you libs don’t get. After we win, we can worry about the vets.
Comment by firehead — February 28, 2007 @ 11:15 am
That’s might human of you. Your compassion is astounding.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:25 amThis administration and all who represent it lie about virtually EVERYTHING.
Name one single point of data released by this administration on ANY subject that is verifiably accurate by an independent third party.
You can’t.
They have eliminated every possibility of independent third party varification.
Jobs, Consumer Confidence, Housing Starts, Inflation, Deaths in Iraq, you name it…they control ALL of it - and EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS 100% FALSE - ON PURPOSE.
YOU ARE BEING DUPED - EVERY SINGLE DAY - IN EVERY SINGLE WAY - BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU 9/11, AND THE “SWIFT LUCK GREENS” CONCENTRATION CAMP IN HANNA WYOMING.
NOTHING THEY TELL YOU IS TRUE - LITERALLY NONE OF IT.
DAVID ROCKEFELLER’S CFR IS YOUR ENEMY.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:26 amklyde - I’m not a parody and I’m not a troll. My opinion is just as valid as yours, as this is a free country (something libs care nothing about).
All I’m saying is I would rather win in Iraq than lose there but make sure troops in hospitals get a daily backrub and two applesauces instead of one.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:27 amOf course, you libs don’t care about victory, so you wouldn’t understand. You want us to lose in Iraq so Bush looks bad and Hillary “the fascist” gets elected. I see through you all.
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs website, he’s the dream cabinet secretary/GOP donor:
February 28th, 2007 at 11:28 amWonder if Pelosi and the Democrats are going to do anything with this.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:29 amWait until the effect of the several thousand tons of depleted uranium manifest themselves upon our troops and their children yet to be conceived.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:31 amWell, it all depends on what your meaning of “dental” is.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:31 am#5 firehead
We have to not allow the public to see these vets. That could influence their opinion against the war. The most important important thing is winning in Iraq. Our entire nation hinges on victory, which you libs don’t get. After we win, we can worry about the vets.
You’re pulling our leg now. There’s no way you believe what you’re saying. I know there are people who think like that, and some people who have their own talk radio shows are even stupid enough to say things like that publicly, from the safety of their studio, with a call screener to keep negative feedback from reaching their tender ears. But, there’s no way you’re going to come in here and say “After we win, we can worry about the vets” and mean it. You may be trying to stir up some angry comments, but you can’t possibly be stupid enough or so apathetic towards the troops as to believe that. You’ve been exposed.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:31 ambut make sure troops in hospitals get a daily backrub and two applesauces instead of one
February 28th, 2007 at 11:32 amComment by firehead — February 28, 2007 @ 11:27 am
C’mon, punk, let’s friggin’ dance!!!
While our brave men and women are sacrificing everything for this bogus war, you sit safely behind a computer screen, and mock them?!
You friggin’ hypocrite!
I’ll take the Wayne and Spudge_boy approach…. If you had the ballz to say that to my face, you’d be ass flat on the floor…no lie, beyatch!
Not possible :
Bush going in for Brain problems : no brain
February 28th, 2007 at 11:33 amCheney going in for Heart problems : no heart
chimpeach, there’s no point in responding to firehead.
He’s a recursive parody. There’s no need to refute him, as he refutes himself.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:35 amFIREHEAD:
There is no such thing as “Victory” in Iraq. There was never a strategy for “Victory” in Iraq - by design.
You drank their kool-Aid.
Rumsfeld threatened to fire any general who worked on any planning for the aftermath of the initial invasion. Do you understand what that means? Do you really need it all spelled out for you? the goal is not “Victory,” the goal is “OCCUPATION FOREVER.” If you read the words of Michael Ledeen and Myrav Wurmser, and you understand that it is THEY who are in control of Israeli/US strategy (in that order), only then can you wrap your head around the fact that the actual goal is a 100 YEAR WAR. Peace is not the goal, and never has been. Victory means war - that’s it - just war - forever. Not the resolution of hostilities - not peace - not EVER. Just War.
It’s time for you to do less writing and more reading. Study the writings of Ledeen and Wurmser - look how their opinions fashion this administration’s actions - then get back to us. While you’re at it - prove that anyone named Osama Bin Laden actually exists.
Wake up.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:37 amNicholson is a scandal on many levels and this is just the latest example. He was head of the Republican National Committee and went from there to Ambassador to the Vatican. It was under his ambassadorship during the last presidential campaign that prominent Catholic Church officials began calling for denying communion to politicians who favor a woman’s right to an abortion.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:37 amTo firebreath ~
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes.
Then you’d know what a drag it is to be you.
For all wounded vets, a rousing “up yours, dickhead”~!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:37 amI really sympathize with Dems and Progressives. They worked hard and spoke out about their dissatisfaction with the current administration….and all they get are Dem Leaders who don’t have the heart, will or mind to do anything meaningful about Iraq.
Over at HP, Melinda Henneberger noted,
“Wisconsin’s Russ Feingold says the Iraq bill his fellow Senate Democrats are working on is so weak that it “basically reads like a new authorization” of the war.
“I am working to fix the new proposal drafted by several Senate Democrats,” Feingold said in a statement this afternoon. “I will not vote for anything that the President could read as an authorization for continuing with a large military campaign in Iraq.”
He hasn’t given up on “using our Constitutionally-granted power of the purse to bring this catastrophe to an end,” he said, though the Senate leadership has not only rejected that approach, but said it would be tantamount to abandoning the troops.”
February 28th, 2007 at 11:37 amDental problems, eh?
February 28th, 2007 at 11:39 amAt some point in time Iraqi Vets will join up w/Viet Nam Vets.
They share similar situations by serving their country. Specifically, being lied to on a daily basis while flag waving Rightards bilk our soldiers.
When this happens could be today or 5 years from now. But, remember…
February 28th, 2007 at 11:40 amall of us are well trained in the use of weapons.
“Our entire nation hinges on victory . . .” Comment by firehead
Can you explain to us how our entire nation hinges on victory in Iraq? This makes no sense.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:43 am#16 infoshaman
In January 1986, Mr. Nicholson was elected committeeman from Colorado for the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 1993 he was elected vice-chairman of the RNC, and in January 1997, he was elected chairman of the RNC, where he served for four years, through the elections of 2000.
That’s the most important piece, right there. He got the job because he was a loyal Republican, not because he had any great affinity for seeing the troops get the healthcare they need and deserve.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:43 amZimzone ~
February 28th, 2007 at 11:44 amI second that threat.
#28: VV, interesting how your quote about Feingold illustrates how he, a Democrat, is working to do something meaningful in Iraq. Pretty much destroyed your own premise.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:45 amAnother gear in a corrupt regime.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:48 amCongress has no “Power Of The Purse”
They relinquished that power to Israel when they allowed Dov Zakheim to be installed as Comptroller of the Pentagon in the months preceding 9/11.
On 9/10, 2001, just one day prior to Cheney’s attack against America (with Mossad in a supporting role), Rumsfeld stated publicly that Zakheim was unable to account for $2.3 TRILLION of YOUR MONEY. the actual amount stolen by Zakheim (and shipped off to Israel to conduct this entire Coup) was $7 TRILLION.
Congress is powerless to stop the funding because the money to fund the entire Crusade was already stolen.
Zakheim remains a free man in the employ of Booz Allen. One of his co-conspirators, the former CEO of Comverse, Kobi Alexander, is SAID to be in Namibia awaiting extradition to the United States on insider trading charges. In reality - he is inside the United States in the Witness Protection Program - at the behest of one Richard B. Cheney - who coordinated 9/11 and all that has followed on behalf of his direct boss, one George HW Bush - and the true Puppet Master at the top of the (all seeing eye) pyramid (as depicted on your currency) - EVERYBODY’S BOSS - one David Rockefeller - the true villain of 9/11.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:48 amlying to the public about soldiers’ health. orwell-tastic!!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:50 amDental problems, eh? Try that at the VA hospital I go to. “Sorry, guy, we don’t do dental work here. Hafta go to your own dentist.”
That said, I need to point out that at the front line of care, the staff at my hospital works hard; they’ve given good care at minimal cost to me.
The problem — as is true with so much of what’s going on in the Cheney Regency — is with the venal bastards at the top.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:50 amMaybe they better make ready with some more beds.
Unprepared US Rooky Troops Being Rushed Straight Across To Iraq …
February 28th, 2007 at 11:51 amWhy do they want to debate the details of the injuries and ailments suffered by those in combat? Why do they diminish them? Why do they take it so personally that thousands of veterans are in need of care? Why are they so defensive?
Why does the Administration hate the troops?
It’s like they see it in terms like this — you enlisted, you gave your body and soul to Bush&Co, if you are wounded, fall ill, or suffer in any way, just tough it out, and keep your mouth shut - after all you are a volunteer; you’re disrespecting your commander in chief if you bellyache too much, and your talking publicly about your woes embarrasses us.
Godalmighty, every damn one of them in the administration is a revolting POS.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:51 am#15 fireeater
How many times to I have to remind neocon trolls?
We aren’t fascist, we are pinko commies. Neocons are the fascist brownshirts.
Anyway, if you actually took into account everything us liberals say, then you would realize that we want a strategy for victory. How many of us have advocated pulling out of Afghanistan or calling the war in Afghanistan illegal? A majority of us backed the administration in that invasion, because that is where the terrorists were.
The reason we oppose the Iraq war is because it was not part of the war on terror. It has derailed our country from the true task of dealing with the terrorist movement. If we stay in Iraq, we are just going to lose. If we declare victory and get out, Iraq may have a chance to stabilize.
In addition to that, declaring victory and getting out of Iraq will allow our army to rest and resupply, and allow us to refocus on Afghanistan in particular, since the Taliban is resurgent there.
We look at the big picture. Iraq technically is a victory, since we have accomplished all the objectives we set out to do. And if it is truly a loss, then it is only a battle and not the war is lost, we’ll just be chopping off a gangrenous limb so we can defeat the disease of terrorism. We are willing to lose a battle if it means winning the war. No use pouring all our resources in to possibly, maybe win a single battle and lose a war as a result.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:51 amI’m not a parody and I’m not a troll. My opinion is just as valid as yours, as this is a free country (something libs care nothing about).
Comment by firehead
Got it, didn’t mean to blow your cover.
Listen up peeps firehead is NOT a parody troll!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:53 amVV, interesting how your quote about Feingold illustrates how he, a Democrat, is working to do something meaningful in Iraq. Pretty much destroyed your own premise.
Comment by And You Thought REAGAN Was Stupid
The ugliness of her mind and soul color how she sees everything.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:54 amBless her heart.
#16 infoshaman
February 28th, 2007 at 11:56 amThanks for all the info. Nicholson has a very impressive resume`. What the hell happened to him?
He went to work for Bush&Co.
They must take a secret blood oath and the mingling of those corpuscles gradually morphs them all into the same unfeeling, robotic yes-men.
#34 - Too bad the illustrious Senator from Wisconsin is wandering aimlessly in progressive Congressional wasteland. It’s hard to “do something meaningful” when your comrades head for the hills. (Feingold aid, Mr. Sancho, was overheard saying, “Senator Quixote-Feingold, there’s a windmill up ahead….”)
February 28th, 2007 at 11:58 amWe have to not allow the public to see these vets. That could influence their opinion against the war. The most important important thing is winning in Iraq. Our entire nation hinges on victory, which you libs don’t get. After we win, we can worry about the vets.
Okay, so you confirmed what we know already, that this administration and their supporters such as yourself don’t support the troops.
klyde - I’m not a parody and I’m not a troll. My opinion is just as valid as yours, as this is a free country (something libs care nothing about).
All I’m saying is I would rather win in Iraq than lose there but make sure troops in hospitals get a daily backrub and two applesauces instead of one.
Of course, you libs don’t care about victory, so you wouldn’t understand. You want us to lose in Iraq so Bush looks bad and Hillary “the fascist†gets elected. I see through you all.
Projection, pure projection. It’s not the progressives resorting to smear campaigns anytime someone makes a valid opinion known that isn’t in lockstep with the madness of King George! And it ain’t Hillary spouting virtues of a ‘unitary executive’ or combining business and government. The fascists would be the current occupiers! You see what Hannity, Beck, Rush, and the rest of the water carriers tell you to see.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:58 amace, Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:02 pm“(Feingold aid, Mr. Sancho, was overheard saying, “Senator Quixote-Feingold, there’s a windmill up ahead….â€)”
i guess that means 60% of america is also quixote-esque.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:14 pm…
What a Boob. In one second, he attempts to diminish the reality.
Here’s a Thought: Bet Ms. Michelle Malkin says “The Liberal Media is only reporting the BAD things at the VA!“
February 28th, 2007 at 12:15 pmand please tell me again why we constantly bicker about the death penalty?
February 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pmNicholson’s dental comment is insulting. As a veteran, I’m not surprised that right-wingers who are so quick to send our troops into harm’s way are the same people who propose slashing health care for the troops who are wounded.
As for Michelle Malkin, remember, she’s the same right-wing loudmouth who supports placing all Muslims into concentration camps. Of course, we can’t be sure if the book was her idea or Jesse’s.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:21 pmFor those who supports the war in Iraq, when do you plan to enlist and fight it?
February 28th, 2007 at 12:22 pmWow, I’m famous. : )
If any of these creeps were to say any of these things near me in public, I would take car eof it in a hurry. I would stand proudly in court and let the judge know why. Because I would never stand for anybody saying anything close to what firehead said about vets go unanswered.
Now, here is how you know firehead is a teenage twerp in his mommies basement.
25% of the people I work with now and have worked with in the past are vets. I don’t think these dopes realize just how many people in America are vets. Hell, 1.6 million soldiers have gone through Iraq alone and that’s not counting Afghanistan.
When you fu*k with vets, you are fu*king with a lot of Americans.
Americans that have bigger balls than most of the trolls who post here. firehead included.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:26 pm#38 pj
That said, I need to point out that at the front line of care, the staff at my hospital works hard; they’ve given good care at minimal cost to me.
Good point. I’ve never needed to use the VA facilities, but I’ve toured them and that’s what I’ve been told by patients, too. The problem isn’t the staff or even the equipment. It’s mostly funding cuts, closed facilities, long waits for appointments, and denial of benefits.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pmOf course, you libs don’t care about victory, so you wouldn’t understand.
Excellent point.
So tell me again why you haven’t joined the army and volunteered to go to Iraq and sacrifice your life to help achieve “Victory for the Homeland”?
Hm? What was that? Speak up…
February 28th, 2007 at 12:32 pmI remember when people like him got fired.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:43 pmNicholson’s World:
A GI gets wheeled into a VA hospital a says to the doctor: “Hey doc, I got this tooth ache that just won’t go away. Can you take a look at it. While you’re at it can you take a look at the hemmoraging that I have of the brain from the IED that blew my Humvee sky high. But please just record that you looked at my tooth….because I love my country.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:45 pmYou’ve got it backwards. You don’t seem to understand that victory means not caring, which as libs, we have a harder time doing than pantywaists such as yourself.
Not caring about what you ask? About he total cost of the war. About the parts I don;t have to pay directly, and those that I do.
As a ‘lib’, I am my brothers keeper. His price, your price, they are both MY price.
if you can understand what i mean, you;re probably a ‘lib’. And If not, I’ve got a steamin cup of STFU for ya.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:48 pmThe treatment of America’s wounded warriors by the Bush regime is despicable. The latest blow is a clamp-down on patients at Walter Reed:
out of bed by 6 a.m., room inspection at 7 a.m., daily formations (by the wounded!), strict adherence to the chain of command and NO COMMENTS to the press about conditions of care.
Veterans must speak out about this ill treatment of our brothers in arms.
My only complaint with VA healthcare is the lack of adequate funding which results in an overworked staff and long waits for care by veterans. Since Bush’s invasion of Iraq, my twice-yearly check-ups at the local VA clinic have stretched to nine-month intervals.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:51 pmI wouldn’t be at all surprised if the battlefield casualties are being understated, but the number of veterans who have sought medical care is not going to be the same as the number of veterans who have been injured on the battlefield.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:52 pmprediction: the glare of media spotlight will force the Bush/Cheney administration to take swift action on this issue… by making VA internal reports classifed top secret.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pmMy opinion is just as valid as yours, as this is a free country
Freedom of speech never guarantees the quality of what is spoken. The disgusting bile you puke forth is a demonstration, nay, a paradigm of this principle.
All I’m saying is I would rather win in Iraq than lose there but make sure troops in hospitals get a daily backrub and two applesauces instead of one.
Congratulations, you dung-munching reprobate.
You just made Satan wince.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pmthis is one sorry ass peckerwood. uh,uh, uh, dental problems. kiss my veteran ass. and let that be the reason why i raked the sob’s for everything they have.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pmAs any Vet who gets care at the VA knows that dental care is only available if the Vet is 100% service connected. If less than 100%, the service connection must be related to a jaw/mouth injury. Since this administration took office, dental services have been reduced to cleanings every three years, it can take up to a year to just get in to see a dentist, if that hospital even has a dentist. Most Vets have been told to find dental services outside of the VA. The problem with waiting til the “war is over” is what the heck do we do with all the injured, physically and mentally, that this immoral war is producing?
February 28th, 2007 at 1:18 pmI don’t understand why the people who support the war aren’t either signing up to go or encouraging their children, relatives, friends etc. to go? And before the war supporters think I’m just spouting “left-wing” rhetoric; my husband is a Vietnam Vet, our oldest son is a Gulf war vet and our two sons-in-law are in the Air Force, one of them just returned from Iraq and has already received deployment papers for his next tour.
I’ll take the Wayne and Spudge_boy approach…. If you had the ballz to say that to my face, you’d be ass flat on the floor…no lie, beyatch!
Comment by DRxJ
Damn right!!
When you fu*k with vets, you are fu*king with a lot of Americans.
Americans that have bigger balls than most of the trolls who post here. firehead included.
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Damn right again!!
That being said, Nicholson is part of the problem with the VA. He is not a veteran, he is political hack. Bush appointing him tothe VA is like appointing Brownie to FEMA.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:19 pmHey Nicholson,
Come on over to my place and I’ll make sure you need a dentist before you leave.
Or a maxillofacial(sp?) surgeon.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:23 pmIt was obvious, during the interview, that this guy knew he wasn’t being entirely truthful.
Republicans aren’t concerned with facts or truth. Those things impede their agenda of world domination. Perhaps they should consult Stewie on Family Guy for some tips.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:30 pmIt’s true. We have spent over $300 billion in Iraq and billions more are sure to follow- while we could be spending $19 billion annually to end world hunger by 2015. And there would be no PTSD or amputees to treat - and less reason for war in the first place. Stop ruining innocent lives! Start saving them.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:37 pmThis didn’t come across as a legitimate snub, at least in writing. It feels manipulated. Sorry, not taking the bait.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:41 pmWhat do you expect? He’s a Bush political appointee, huh?
February 28th, 2007 at 1:43 pmEditorial to the Press Democrat newspaper:
Boast then Roast
February 24, 2007
Editor: The article “Walter Reed cleanup vowed†is a spurious quick fix promise that President Bush will take to heart. The vows by Robert Gates, Sec. of State, to swiftly fix the dilapidated condition and eliminate the negligence in medical care for our veterans at Walter Reed Hospital is another example of Republican lip service. No matter how much of Gates’ high sounding jingoism about holding those who are responsible for the unspeakable condition at Walter Reed, our troops will continue to receive the substandard medical care. How do I know this? It has been going on for years with the president’s blessing. Since the beginning of the Iraq war our returning veterans and the wounded have been receiving continuous cuts in their medical benefits year after year. This administration who boasted and praised our troops in Iraq to no end never cease to short change them at every turn. From extending their tours again and again to denying them the needed body armor and armored vehicle, the Bush administration didn’t hesitate for a second when it cut $1.5 billion from their housing/medical facility fund. Our wound veterans were felt languishing in U.S. barracks while they waited, sometimes for months, to see a doctor. Even their children, up to a million, were denied the child tax credit in President Bush’s tax cut. All this happen in 2003. Two year later Bush, who continues to speak highly of our veterans, admitted that he significantly short changed their $2.1 billion health funds for the fiscal 2006 veteran’s bill. Both Gates and Bush had sung regal praises for our troops in Iraq while those at the home front received the royal shaft. So the pertinent question is why should we believe anything Gates say?
February 28th, 2007 at 1:46 pm[…] in Uncategorized at 11:07 am by LeisureGuy From ThinkProgress: Through the lens of his own personal recovery from a traumatic brain injury suffered in Iraq, […]
February 28th, 2007 at 1:57 pmLet’s not acknowledge the seriousness of injuries acquired .Maybe providing direct care to a 22 year old who will never be able to function completely would temper your mean-spirited arm chair quarterback rants. I love the small minded partisan (care of BOR )statements that have no bearing whatsoever on the issue. Or maybe try enlisting so that you can help win your so called war on terrorism instead of reducing the sacrifice of others who have.
The philosophy of our country is based on a certain level of integrity, and the right and responsibility of its citizens to participate. If it is about the ends justifying the means and lack of disclosure than we are no different than the terrorism we are fighting.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:09 pmTake another look at this man’s photo, he is such a lieing puke he can’t even open his eyes to look at the face he is lieing to….Some people look at body language for hint’s on truth and statement’s, others listen to word’s and try to make sence by reading between the lines, many want to believe the best about a person untill proven diffrently, some of us look at all the above and most importently the eyes,,Like dead eyes rice for instance…And lastly but also important the company one keep’s and their own actions….This man is miserable and evil, just like the one’s he supports and installed him into his position…..Our local dog catcher would of been a better choice…..
Great post’s Zooey and I agree to #22..Blessings all
February 28th, 2007 at 2:11 pmThat dental thing was absolutely bizarre…. Good news that breaks your heart. The good news of Bob Woodruff’s miraculous recovery just underscores the tragedy of all the others who weren’t so lucky or privileged. If the Iraq war had been an honest response to a real threat, these terrible injuries and ruined lives — both American and Iraqi — would be the tragic price of fighting for freedom. But this war was based on lies, and there never was a real threat to our national security. This war was not a cause, it was a crime.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:16 pmI have recently re-thought my opposition to the War on Iraq. The result of my cogitations is the conclusion that the US Armed Forces are less of a threat to me and my family while they are in the ME. When all those men (and women) come home, full of DU and knives in their backs, and convinced we all owe them something (besides medical care, which they are certainly entitled to) and take jobs with local police or “security” companies, the danger to society will be immense. In addition, what will happen when the Armed Forces no longer provide an easy route to sublimating mental illness?
Keep the Army over there, as far away from my home and family as possible. My empathy with the poor people of the ME has to come second to my concern for myself and my family.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:16 pmThe solution is easy. Just find a way for Halliburton to profit off the proper treatment of our vets.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:22 pmNicholson is the INEPT PIECE OF repugnant-repub HYENA-SHIT that LOST ALL THOSE RECORDS ON THE COMPUTER THAT WENT MISSING–HOW CAN A TOTAL F*CK-UP LIKE Nicholson BE IN CHARGE OF THE VA AND THE IMPORTANT DUTY IT HAS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR BRAVE VETERANS THAT SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR AMERICA??????????
February 28th, 2007 at 3:23 pmOh, Yes…Nicholson is an AVID CHIMPya ASS-KISSER–Even if he MURDERED HIS OWN GRANDMOTHER HE’D STILL GET OFF SCOT-FREE–Bushland Uber Allies NAZIS PROTECT THEIR OWN, DESPITE HOW CRIMINALLY INEPT, USELESS, UNCARING and SOCIOPATHICALLY UNQUALIFIED THEY ARE FOR THEIR JOB!!!!!
HELL OF JOB YOU’RE DOING, NICK!!!!!
Gus:
Check out Plunger’s stuff at http://plungerspeaks.blogspot.com
February 28th, 2007 at 3:30 pmBut Nicholson quickly downplayed the high numbers, claiming a lot of veterans simply “come in for dental problems.â€
Nicholson:”What I din’t tell you is that the head that the teeth are connected to, well, it doesn’t have a body attached”
That sick fu*ck NeoCon bastard.
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Side Note:
Strom Thurmond is related to Al Sharpton?
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Troops/Veterans
Mental disorders: 73,000
Diseases of nervous system: 61,000
Signs of ill-defined conditions: 7,000
Diseases of musculoskeletal system: 87,000.
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The numbers speak for themselves.
War is no good for absolutely anything.
It eats your mind and body up and spits you out, then it goes looking for more.
War is always hungry.
War never rests, never sleeps, never eats.
When will we, as a worldwide people, learn?
February 28th, 2007 at 3:52 pmBob Woodruff’s recovery isn’t miraculous - it’s the result of competent rehabilitation therapy as an INPATIENT. His care was provided by professional nurses, round the clock, and nurses coordinated his therapy, involved his familiy in his rehabilitation, and provided ongoing assessment so that his therapy could be adjusted quickly to meet his ever-changing needs/progress. His care should be the standard for all veterans. But it’s not because:
The Army/Marines are so overstretched that the military has changed its policy from immediately issuing medical military discharges as soon as the wounded are discharged from the hospital. In the past, these soldier patients were both hospital discharged and military discharged, and their care was transferred to the VA system or to civilian healthcare where they continued to be inpatients in rehabilitation, sub acute care, psychiatric care, etc. Since they are still being discharged from the hospital while still seriously ill/injured and recovering, the military transitions them to independent living as outpatients. This is the wrong level and type of care for patients unable to fend for themselves, as you saw on the Woodruff ABC report.
The military historically has focused healthcare on medevac/stablization and critical/acute hospital care at one end of the spectrum and well adult/child care on the other end, since service men and women are in overall underlying general good health. The military has never provided large scale long term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care, which is what is needed now for this soldier patient population.
I blog about it - as well as a plan for the military to alter its care - on my own blog. I sent the plan to the SecDef for use by the investigative panel.
But it comes down to needing round the clock professional nursing and rehabilitation therapy. The military barely has enough nurses for the frontlines and stabiliation. Without contracting with the VA and civilian rehabilitation facilities, I don’t see how the care that is critical can actually be provided.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:52 pmNicholson is a lying ass dog who serves as point man in the Bush administration’s attempt to screw the vets they are sending into battle.
This is a quote from a GAO report to congress dated 2-1-06:
“VA lacked a methodology for making the health care management efficiency savings assumptions reflected in the President’s budget requests for fiscal years 2003 through 2006 and, therefore, was unable to provide us with any support for those estimates. VA officials told us that the management efficiency savings assumed in these requests were savings goals used to reduce requests for a higher level of annual appropriations in order to fill the gap between the cost associated with VA’s projected demand for health care services and the amount the President was willing to request.â€
The shoddy accounting practices VA is being criticized for using are simply lies they were forced to tell congress to cover up for the Bush administration’s deliberate underfunding of veteran’s health care for the last 4 years. All this while sending vets into harm’s way. What a disgrace!
There should be a special place in Hell for this bastard.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:52 pmAs a participant in the VA medical programs, I am confirming the report from DesertRose. Dental care is only available for those veterans with 100% service-related disabilities. Nicholson is simply lying.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:56 pmWasn’t Nicholson put in that position to help with the neocon agenda? I believe he was and the wrong doings, robbing our veterans to enable the rich their tax cuts should not be a surprise to anyone. Such lying low life scum in charge and I feel we have not seen the worst of it.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:09 pmIf I could get my hands on Nicholson I can assure you he would be in need of serious dental work….but unless he is !00% disabled per the VA he will have to seek his care elsewhere.
I have called my representatives to demand his resignation. He is but another administration stooge selected for his position merely for his connections in the repugnant political party. Instead of defending Veterans, he has advocated the liar-in-chief’s cut and run budget for the VA even while demands for services by those maimed and injured in VietRaq has escalated. He should be sent back to the RNC. Lets get Max Cleland back to run the VA.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:33 pmMy son’s best friend is at Walter Reed right now. He has lost his right eye. He will have no use of his left arm. He will have limited use of his right leg. His teeth probably hurt, too, after having his right side blown up.
Shame on Mr. Nicholson calling our servicemen and women a bunch of whiners. He probably gets the best of care, and he probably gets a pretty good room when he is laid up. Our troops deserve the best care and a decent place to stay while they are recovering from whatever injuries they suffer while in service to this country and after they are discharged, too. That is the deal we make with them when we pay them so poorly, for such a dangerous job. We promise we’ll take care of them.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:36 pmHey TP, thanks for deleting my comment telling fireant exactly what he is.
Wankers.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:05 pmOne wonders if Bob Woodruff, while recovering from his injury. had thought to interview Cheney and ask him: “Mr. Vice President, I thought you had said the insurgency was in its last throes.”
February 28th, 2007 at 6:22 pmB*llshit. My husband and I are both Veterans… and they don’t DO dental procedures (unless, probably, if it’s service related)… we have to see to that outside the system and pay for it ourselves.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:56 pmGeez, it’s beginning to feel like we’re in free fall here. Just when you think these mean spirited idiots couldn’t possibly sink any lower, they find some new way to do it. We’re gone thru the bottom and we’re in free fall.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:27 pmThe clip says 67,000 from ill-defined diseases.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:50 pmI missed the ABC segment, but the PBS Newshour had some info on this issue today (2/28). Read the transscript or listen.
LT. PAUL RIECKHOFF was totally on message about how bad things are for so many of our fellow military persons and their poor families. Wow, was all I could say.
Next, the sad JIM NICHOLSON came on. The guy is just like many have described here - a total loser who while he professes that he and his wife visit VA’s across the country, just seems totally out of place as an adminstrator for 230,000 workers in the VA system.
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Veterans Hospitals Struggle to Treat Brain Injuries
The Veterans Administration is unprepared to care for brain-injured Iraq war veterans once they leave rehabilitation centers and return home to VA hospitals, a new documentary reports. An advocate and the VA secretary discuss treating the injuries.
….JUDY WOODRUFF: Again, we saw — there was a report over a year ago, quoting a physician at Walter Reed — now, again, this is active duty — telling the reporter, “There is a distressing number of patients there who are not getting adequate screening and care. Many doctors,” he said, “know little about traumatic brain injury and are prone to making the wrong diagnosis.”
This is not new, is my question?
JIM NICHOLSON: Well, it is quite new. I mean, I can’t speak for Walter Reed, which is a Department of Defense facility. But the number that you used there for people that have had acute brain injury has been 312 people. And they have come to these centers that we established for that. Now, I’d like, if I could…
JUDY WOODRUFF: But out of 200,000 troops that have come out of Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s hard for people to believe only 320 or so have been diagnosed with this.
JIM NICHOLSON: Well, that’s the number that has been diagnosed with very acute brain injury. I’d like, if I could, to clarify that 200,000 number, because that was quoted kind of out of context.
But 206,000 people that have come to the V.A. are people who have come back from the combat zone, and that is people for all reasons, but they were not the people that, you know, have been — who are wounded in theater.
JUDY WOODRUFF: They were not all necessarily severely injured.
JIM NICHOLSON: That’s about 26,000, I think about half of those very seriously wounded. This is the number of people, because this grateful country of ours is giving these people, the National Guardsmen and Reserve, the right to come to the V.A. now for health care. And that is new.
So they come for all reasons, general medical maintenance. I mentioned that some do come for dental. Some come for a vision problem or hearing or an orthopedic problem….snip
http://www.pbs.org/ newshour/ bb/ health/ jan-june07/ veterans_02-28.html
March 1st, 2007 at 12:20 amI haven’t been through the 90 comments, so I don’t know if this has been mentioned, pardon me if it has.
As service-connected, disabled vet myself, if vets are going to the VA for “dental problems” as Nicholson states, in order to be eligible for dental service at the VA, vets must be 100% disabled. So Mr. Nicholson might not be lying, maybe just taking the numbers out of context. Ergo, whomever is showing up for ‘dental work’ must have a debilitating injury which render them 100% disabled.
March 1st, 2007 at 12:48 amDear Hope Springs, Nicholson mentioned dental work along with other injuries. TP chose to highlight that which would reflect badly on the administration.
“I think it — i think it cuts both ways. I think Americans are always very surprised to know the number of amputations, for example, which is fewer than 600 in total. They’re probably also surprised to know that 200,000 come to the VA for some kind of medical treatment. That’s probably more than they think.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:04 amJim Nicholson reminds me of Michael Brown, “Brownie.” If he is satisfied with the status quo, It is time for him to step down.
March 1st, 2007 at 8:26 pm[…] trouble sleeping.” And they also aren’t just coming to the VA to see the dentist, as VA Secretary Nicholson, the Rumsfeld of the Veterans Affairs Department, suggested two weeks ago. Make no mistake: this is a generation of new veterans coming home to diagnosable illnesses like […]
March 15th, 2007 at 11:55 am