Army Spokesman: Injured Vets ‘Can Go To Starbucks’ If They Want To Speak With The Media
Army Spokesman: Injured Vets ‘Can Go To Starbucks’ If They Want To Speak With The Media
Yesterday, the Army Times reported that soldiers at Walter Reed say they have been told “they must not speak to the media.” Editor & Publisher reported subsequently that the military press crackdown was more widespread than Walter Reed, and that “many of the denials are apparently in reaction to the potential negativity of a planned story.”
In an interview with ThinkProgress, Army spokesman Paul Boyce insisted that the Army Times report is inaccurate, and that injured vets are “free to exercise their First Amendment right” and speak with the media. But upon further questioning, Boyce acknowledged that if patients at Walter Reed wanted to speak to reporters inside the hospital, they must first receive approval from the hospital’s press relations office.
What if reporters want to speak to a reporter without getting approval from a PR office? “They can go to Starbucks,” Boyce said. Asked whether this was a reasonable solution for patients recuperating from physical and mental trauma, Boyce said yes. “It’s just a short trip, and many of them want to get out [of the hospital] anyway.”
Boyce repeatedly justified the restrictions on patients’ activities by citing the fact that Walter Reed hospital is a “government building.” ThinkProgress contacted several legal analysts and none of them could explain why this would justify media restrictions.
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C’mon boys and girls, I’m buying…
March 1st, 2007 at 4:40 pmtell me all about it…
Just as I thought, they fired the commanding General, but the order not to talk to the press as well as the “punishment” inspections are still in effect. Nothing has actually changed, it will be whitewashed.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:43 pmonly justification is a nondemocratic society
March 1st, 2007 at 4:47 pmThe order they were given was not to talk to the press. It was not “don’t talk to the press unless you are at Starbucks”.
The soldiers are still being restricted from voicing complaints about the problems, when their chain of command has failed them miserably.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:49 pmSome of these veterans still owe Halliburton money for meals that were served to them, not to mention a debt of gratitude. How can they possibly afford to get coffee at Starbucks? That’s absolutely ridiculous and I’m going to talk to George about this “conflict of interest”. We may have to resort to hiding thier artifical limbs. Then, we’ll see how far they get.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:55 pm“Let them eat cake”
“They can go to Starbucks,â€
March 1st, 2007 at 5:10 pmAnother insult – I live need Walter Reed … the closet ‘bucks is about 5 long miles up Georgia Ave with crappy bus service. Why does the army hate vets?
March 1st, 2007 at 5:12 pmDoncha just love that GOP attitude of expecting a ham, and then giving a weenie in return.
March 1st, 2007 at 5:15 pm#8
I think we know a few of those GOP’s? Poor Sad people…..
March 1st, 2007 at 5:31 pm“many of them want to get out [of the hospital] anyway.”
Yes, that’s actually what they’re trying to talk to the press about…
March 1st, 2007 at 6:15 pmI suggest that if the war vets want to talk to the press, they get a ride down to the front of the White House where they can exercise their constitutional rights.
If the DOD doesn’t like it, what are they going to do? Court martial them? ……
Weren’t they wounded “spreading freedom and democracy” , while basic liberties are being denied in the “Homeland” ?
March 1st, 2007 at 6:23 pmBE watchful for a rigged VA survey from our government. 21,000 surveys have been sent out to our veterans and I will just bet it is to the higher % rated disabled vets who qualify for the most care – not the Iraq vets we hear about everyday getting screwed over.
There is a guy down the street, in his 80’s who receives 100% service connected VA disability. A couple of months ago he got a survey in the mail asking him to rate his care from VA. He did not answer and he started receiving phone calls demanding he do the survey on the phone if needed. He became nervous suspecting identity theft so he called the VA. Yes VA through someone else are doing surveys 21,000 have been sent out and what do you want to bet it is to the “happy” vets with a high disability therefore receiving better care and will give a good score. He was outraged as his grandson has a friend a Iraq vet getting the screw job. He did not receive a survey.
March 1st, 2007 at 6:28 pmI would suggest the press go to http://www.ivawdeployed.org contact Darrell Anderson who received a purple heart and refused to go back for a second tour, went AWOL, and did several months in the brigg for his convictions.
March 1st, 2007 at 6:28 pmThe guy that SHOULD be fired is Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley. He was the top commander since back in 2003 through just last summer, when he was replaced by Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman. Kiley is now the top medical officer of the Army. The maddening irony here is that it’s Kiley that’s going to take over Weightman’s duties until they find another commander!!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/28/AR2007022801954.html?referrer=email
March 1st, 2007 at 6:53 pmDo I smell BigPharma & Military Medicine in bed together and committing fraud by fleecing the taxpayers through our troops (lack of care) by proxy?
March 1st, 2007 at 7:18 pmZetaTalk: Human Condition
Note: written July 5, 1995
The human condition, on Earth at this time, is deliberately one of confusion. We will examine several situations that may help to clarify the issues at play.
First, humans desire security. The human condition is insecure. From birth, or particularly at birth, the human is acutely aware of its insecure position. Nude, tiny, unable to navigate, utterly dependent on others. The human infant wants to dominate those it is dependent upon. It is natural for the human to want to dominate its environment. The human wants to control the climate, the seasons. Homes are structured to provide summer warmth year round. Food is grown or at least provided as though harvest season were year round. Storms have no effect, nor do catastrophes have effect. There is social security, the umbrella of government aid. Floods and hurricanes are but another reason to open the government coffers. All this is evidence that the human wants to dominate its environment.
Second, the desire to dominate goes outside of inanimate factors. The human wants to dominate the other humans in its vicinity. Starting with the infant’s desire to dominate its mother, all her attention, and on to the stage of public opinion, the human desires to be the focus of attention. The infant wants its cry to bring immediate attention. The adult want its comments to bring rapt attention from others in the conversation group. No difference. Those who can command attention will get their needs met – so goes the logic. The infant displaced by a younger sibling is insecure, as it is no longer the focus of attention.
Third, love comes into play. Love, or empathy, is something felt at an early age. Empathy is not an emotion reserved for the intelligent, sentient being alone. Love and empathy are felt by all forms of life, even plant life, to some degree. It is a factor of life. It is intrinsic to life. Love and empathy pull the human into a conflict situation with its desire for security, to be the center of attention. Decisions are made to share the spotlight, to share resources. These decisions vary greatly, among humans. Some humans consider others on the same plane as the self. Other humans rarely, if ever, consider others, and never on the same plane as the self.
March 1st, 2007 at 7:20 pmAnyone from Starbucks reading this?
Do your country a service and get some good publicity for supporting the troops:
Start a free “taxi” service between that site and Walter Reed, escorting patients and reporters whenever they care to chat.
You’ve been directly linked to this story now. This is your chance to step up and support our soldiers *and* freedom of the press.
March 1st, 2007 at 7:26 pmBE watchful for a rigged VA survey from our government. — Goehl
hmmm, I just IM’d 2 of my friends, GWI vets, one is in a wheelchair and the other has the”syndrome, neither got a survey. Both are veteran activists, so figures
March 1st, 2007 at 8:01 pmMy sister, who is an Iraq vet currently being screwed over by the VA did not recieve one either.
ThinkProgress contacted several legal analysts and none of them could explain why this would justify media restrictions.
Well, it’s like this. That’s not just ordinary mold and ordinary mice we’re talking about — it’s special classified mold and mice. Discussing it too freely could help Al Qaeda. Only traitors would want to harm our troops — right?
Move along, nothing to see here.
March 1st, 2007 at 8:56 pmOne would assume that these service members can have any visitors they want and the Public Affairs Regulations (PDF Link) give them the express right to be interviewed.
March 1st, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Put a wig and a French dress on Paul Boyce–after all, he thinks he’s Marie Antoinette and can TELL veterans “LET THEM EAT CAKE” at Starbucks(tm) along with their double cappuccino!!!!!
March 1st, 2007 at 11:40 pmhttp://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3456
————————————————————–
War Resisters — Support the Troops Who Refuse to Fight
The Army has re-filed charges against Lt. Ehren Watada, the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, following mistrial. Find out the latest developments in his case and how you can help.
It takes courage to say that you will not fight — especially if you are a soldier. As more members of the U.S. military step forward for peace, the peace movement must step forward to support them.
Large numbers are now refusing to serve: The Department of Defense estimates that there are about 8,000 AWOL service members. The GI Rights Hotline http://www.girights.objector.org/
(800-394-9544) is currently receiving about 3,000 calls a month.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:59 pmhttp://www.vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project
The Occupation Project
THE OCCUPATION PROJECT is a new effort initiated by UFPJ member organization Voices for Creative Nonviolence. The plan is to unfold a campaign of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience aimed at ending the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. The campaign begins with occupations at the offices of Representatives and Senators who refuse to pledge to vote against additional war funding.
Several UFPJ member groups, including CodePink, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace, After Downing Street, and a host of local groups from North Carolina to Alaska are all involved in this effort. United for Peace and Justice, as a national coalition, has also endorsed The Occupation Project.
Your group can find out more about this initiative, including how you can get involved, by visiting their website. Or you can contact the organizers via phone at 773-878-3815 or via email, occupationproject at vcnv.org
—————————————————————–
And if you haven’t already:
Click here and sign Peace Action’s “No War with Iran!” petition today!
http://www.peace-action.org/Iranpetition.html
This petition to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice rejects any U.S. military action against Iran and demands direct negotiations. Copies will go to Chairs of the Senate
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:43 amMan, this gets my blood boiling. Why does that quote remind me of Lieberman’s comment that a woman who has been raped and been denied emergency contraception can just take “a short trip” to another hospital? Marie Antoinette, for sure. Where do they find these guys? http://www.votevets.org
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:52 am[...] spokesman Paul Boyce tells Think Progress that patients are free to speak to the media; however, they must receive permission to speak with [...]
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:48 amFirst, please allow me to apologize for the quote attributed to me. This partial explanation that mentioned the possibility of going to a public location for interviews was part of a much longer phone conversation. The Army will continue to assist and permit Soldier interviews. During that phone call, I explained that outpatients may still conduct interviews and that it’s every Soldier’s right to talk with the media. Again, Walter Reed Soldier-patients may still conduct interviews – it’s their right to do so – in-person interviews, phone interviews, in front of their barracks … all kinds. I also emphasized that Soldiers may consider sharing concerns about their care with their unit and that their commander discussed Monday afternoon his open-door policy. This particular barracks building, for non-amputee outpatients who walk across the street to the hospital on Georgia Avenue, has TV security cameras and a front desk, so that visitors need to be identified before going to a Soldier’s room. If a Soldier wants to invite media up to their room the hospital does ask that they go through the communications office so the building staff knows what’s expected. These outpatients are proud veterans who are serving our Nation, they’ve been through incredible experiences to protect our freedom and we will certainly help them to continue to conduct interviews – by phone, on the hospital campus or near it. My deepest apologies for any offense and our Army is dedicated to improving outpatient care within this month.
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:28 amVet’s can go to Starbuck’s if they want to speak with the press. CATCH-22: Command declares Starbuck’s OFF-LIMITS.
March 2nd, 2007 at 7:29 am“What if reporters want to speak to a reporter without getting approval from a PR office? “They can go to Starbucks,†Boyce said. Asked whether this was a reasonable solution for patients recuperating from physical and mental trauma, Boyce said yes. “It’s just a short trip, and many of them want to get out [of the hospital] anyway.â€
Boyce repeatedly justified the restrictions on patients’ activities by citing the fact that Walter Reed hospital is a “government building.†ThinkProgress contacted several legal analysts and none of them could explain why this would justify media restrictions.”
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/
This comment by Boyce makes perfectly clear why there are the problems there are in the VA system. Maybe it is time some other branch of government be put in charge of this system. Soldiers trained to kill don’t seem to have the empathy needed for the job
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:25 amCleaning and repairing a hospital facility does not equate to repairing a failed healthcare system Sir.
Soldier should not have to wait a month to see a doctor or be released from service at adequate disability levels
Soldiers lying in their own filth? Brain damaged patients doing the work of nurses? The list goes on and on about troops being abused and not being given the proper medical care. Are they going have to wait a “month” for that to change too? That needs to stop now!
I wonder if you get that this is more than a PR disaster for Mr. Bush.
From what I’ve been reading you’re actions would make a used car salesman hang his head in shame.
Our troops deserve better and We the People Demand Better.
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:43 am“Let them eat cakeâ€
Comment by Exley — March 1, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
exactly… can we cut off someone’s head about this now?
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:57 amI am so glad to know that some who are fighting for our country are not considered worthy. The Army, the idiot President and the Congress should hang their heads in shame…….. White female unthreatened by gays but fearful of a good number of elected officials and the Bush.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:28 pmCan we lean on starbucks to give a Vet a free cup of coffe?
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:47 pmFirst, a note to Nico. Your post has a typo – it reads “What if reporters want to speak to a reporter without getting approval from a PR office? “
I think you mean patients in the first half of that sentence. We don’t need reporters talking to other reporters, or we end up with Bob Woodward leaking to Judy Miller who passes it on to Bob Novak.
On the substance, the military brass is delusional if they think they can contain the incredible bad press of this story by restricting access to wounded soldiers. That cat is long out of the bag. Back when I was in the USAF, we had a saying about consequences. We said, “what are they going to do, send us to Guam?”, which was the generally undesirable place we were posted. I understand that some of these patients may fear that their benefits, such as they are, could be negatively affected if they were to speak out, but as we’ve seen, the military hierarchy is so dysfunctional now, it’s doubtful that they could muster the organization to enact any punitive measures against individuals.
March 2nd, 2007 at 5:15 pmcitizenjane: In my day it was ‘what are they gonna do, send me to Vietnam?”
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:07 pmI hear ya, Uncle Ho. I was lucky enough to serve in peacetime, in lieu of money for college or any meaningful employment opportunities. I used to encourage young people to enlist if they were not headed to college for either academic or economic reasons. Just another option screwed up by Dumbya.
Also, this just in: latest Walter Reed casualty is Army Sec. Francis Harvey, fired by DefSec Gates. Fortunately for Mr. Harvey (he’s a civilian), his wounds are political, not physical, so he won’t have to spend any time at WR. Next on the block should be that doofus Kiley, suffering from a total lack of conscience and severe foot in mouth disease.
March 2nd, 2007 at 7:14 pm[...] Army to injured vets: Want to talk to the press? Then grab your prosthetic limbs and haul your ass down to Starbucks. [...]
March 3rd, 2007 at 5:21 pm