Comments on: Army Spokesman: Injured Vets ‘Can Go To Starbucks’ If They Want To Speak With The Media http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:39:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Right wing hate, Obama and Clinton unite for racial justice « blueollie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1984381 Right wing hate, Obama and Clinton unite for racial justice « blueollie Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:21:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1984381 [...] Army to injured vets: Want to talk to the press? Then grab your prosthetic limbs and haul your ass down to Starbucks. [...] [...] Army to injured vets: Want to talk to the press? Then grab your prosthetic limbs and haul your ass down to Starbucks. [...]

]]> By: citizenjane http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1977691 citizenjane Sat, 03 Mar 2007 00:14:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1977691 I 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. I 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.

]]> By: Uncle Ho http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1976767 Uncle Ho Fri, 02 Mar 2007 23:07:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1976767 citizenjane: In my day it was 'what are they gonna do, send me to Vietnam?" citizenjane: In my day it was ‘what are they gonna do, send me to Vietnam?”

]]> By: citizenjane http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1976516 citizenjane Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:15:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1976516 First, 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. First, 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.

]]> By: sandy t http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1975175 sandy t Fri, 02 Mar 2007 19:47:41 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1975175 Can we lean on starbucks to give a Vet a free cup of coffe? Can we lean on starbucks to give a Vet a free cup of coffe?

]]> By: JR http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1974078 JR Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:28:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1974078 I 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. I 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.

]]> By: Pete Bogs http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1973910 Pete Bogs Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:57:46 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1973910 <em>“Let them eat cake” Comment by Exley — March 1, 2007 @ 5:10 pm</em> exactly... can we cut off someone's head about this now? “Let them eat cake”

Comment by Exley — March 1, 2007 @ 5:10 pm

exactly… can we cut off someone’s head about this now?

]]> By: pigboy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1972097 pigboy Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:43:23 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1972097 Cleaning 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. Cleaning 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.

]]> By: pigboy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1971805 pigboy Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:25:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1971805 "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." 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 “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.”

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

]]> By: Uncle Ho http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1970452 Uncle Ho Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:29:32 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1970452 Vet's can go to Starbuck's if they want to speak with the press. CATCH-22: Command declares Starbuck's OFF-LIMITS. Vet’s can go to Starbuck’s if they want to speak with the press. CATCH-22: Command declares Starbuck’s OFF-LIMITS.

]]> By: Paul Boyce, U.S. Army http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1969779 Paul Boyce, U.S. Army Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:28:10 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1969779 First, 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. First, 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.

]]> By: The Gun Toting Liberal â„¢ » Blog Archive » FIRED! http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1967843 The Gun Toting Liberal â„¢ » Blog Archive » FIRED! Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:48:45 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1967843 [...] spokesman Paul Boyce tells Think Progress that patients are free to speak to the media; however, they must receive permission to speak with [...] [...] spokesman Paul Boyce tells Think Progress that patients are free to speak to the media; however, they must receive permission to speak with [...]

]]> By: DeanOR http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1966459 DeanOR Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:52:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1966459 Man, 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? www.votevets.org Man, 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

]]> By: rachel rj kinnardi http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1966421 rachel rj kinnardi Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:43:06 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1966421 http://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 http://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

]]> By: rachel rj kinnardi http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1966199 rachel rj kinnardi Fri, 02 Mar 2007 04:59:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1966199 http://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. http://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.

]]> By: Raymond Funamoto http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1966105 Raymond Funamoto Fri, 02 Mar 2007 04:40:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1966105 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!!!!! 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!!!!!

]]> By: nitpicker http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1965754 nitpicker Fri, 02 Mar 2007 03:33:51 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1965754 One would assume that these service members can have any visitors they want and the Public Affairs Regulations (<a href="interviews." rel="nofollow">PDF Link</a>) give them the express right to be interviewed.<blockquote><strong>5–13. Unofficial discussions</strong> Anyone subject to this regulation may agree to a media request for an interview in an unofficial capacity. Army personnel may express personal opinions unless limited by law or regulation. They should discuss candidly matters about which they have personal knowledge if the information is not classified or otherwise non-releasable. When questioned on a classified matter, they will state frankly that the information cannot be discussed.</blockquote> One 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.
5–13. Unofficial discussions

Anyone subject to this regulation may agree to a media request for an interview in an unofficial capacity. Army personnel may express personal opinions unless limited by law or regulation. They should discuss candidly matters about which they have personal knowledge if the information is not classified or otherwise non-releasable. When questioned on a classified matter, they will state frankly that the information cannot be discussed.

]]> By: Fool Zero http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1964690 Fool Zero Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:56:04 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1964690 <i>ThinkProgress contacted several legal analysts and none of them could explain why this would justify media restrictions.</i> Well, it's like this. That's not just ordinary mold and ordinary mice we're talking about -- it's special <b>classified</b> 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. 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.

]]> By: Wayne http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1964252 Wayne Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:01:15 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1964252 BE 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 My sister, who is an Iraq vet currently being screwed over by the VA did not recieve one either. BE 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
My sister, who is an Iraq vet currently being screwed over by the VA did not recieve one either.

]]> By: effrenatus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1963942 effrenatus Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:26:23 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/veterans-starbucks/#comment-1963942 Anyone 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. Anyone 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.

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