VA Secretary Resigns After Record Of Neglecting Veterans
VA Secretary Resigns After Record Of Neglecting Veterans
Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary, Jim Nicholson, has resigned. In a lengthy press release, the his department praises Nicholson for his “leadership” in “transform[ing] the VA health care system to meet the unique medical requirements of the returning combatants from Iraq and Afghanistan.”
In reality, however, Nicholson’s tenure put the health care of both current and future veterans at risk. Some highlights:
- In February 2005, Nicholson kicked off his tenure by calling praising a VA budget proposal that cut “health care staffing, reduced funding for nursing home care and [included] staffing cuts for the Board of Veterans Appeals.” He said it demonstrated of the Bush administration’s “ongoing commitment to provide the very best health care and benefits to those veterans who count on VA the most.” [LINK]
- In May of 2006, Nicholson waited two weeks to notify the Justice Department and FBI of the “largest loss of personal data in U.S. government history.” He then waited another full week before notifying the 26.5 million affected veterans of the theft. [LINK]
- In April of 2006, Nicholson rejected four separate bills “pending before Congress to reduce the 600,000-case backlog of veterans’ benefits claims.” [LINK]
- In May of 2007, the AP revealed that Nicholson awarded “$3.8 million in bonuses to top executives in fiscal 2006″ — many as much as $33,000 — despite the department suffering from a $1.3 billion shortfall. [LINK, LINK]
Nicholson — whose previous posts include chairman of the Republican National Committee and U.S. ambassador to the Vatican — was uniquely unprepared to deal with the challenges of caring for the health our nation’s veterans.
In March 2007, for example, he cynically defended what he called “‘anecdotal’ exceptions” of veterans falling through the cracks. “When you are treating so many people there is always going to be a linen towel left somewhere,” he said.
As Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said today, “The next VA Secretary must have a record of being a strong and independent voice for veterans — not someone being rewarded for political loyalty.”
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The next VA Secretary must have a record of being a strong and independent voice for veterans — not someone being rewarded for political loyalty.â€
Look, up in the sky, the pig with the lipstick on is flying!
July 17th, 2007 at 5:52 pmHeckuva Job.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:52 pmAnd just what’s wrong with political loyalty?
July 17th, 2007 at 5:53 pmThe fellow in China, do you remember mister? do the right thing and follow that minister in the 11th dimension
July 17th, 2007 at 5:54 pmIndeed, why do Repubs hate America so, ESPECIALLY the soldiers?
July 17th, 2007 at 5:56 pmAnd just what’s wrong with political loyalty?
Comment by Mr. President’s illegitimate son — July 17, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Everything when it supercedes loyalty to the people, the constitution and the oath of office he took.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:56 pmYawn – another outrage from the Bush Crime Family. And the MSM will spin it along whatever their masters dictate. And America will roll over in its sleep.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:57 pmHas Nicholson’s Medal of Freedom ceremony been scheduled yet?
That’s what they do for disgraced political hacks after they screw up important appointments, isn’t it?
July 17th, 2007 at 5:57 pmIn a lengthy press release, the his department praises Nicholson
July 17th, 2007 at 5:58 pmNot to be a nitpick, but… “the his department”?
Political loyalty is fine. But loyalty to the American public and the Constitution must come first. And COMPETENCE is REQUIRED.
To date, ZERO Bush appointees meet my simple criteria.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:58 pmWill he or will Johnny Boy Bolton win the “Free Moustache Rides” T-shirt?
July 17th, 2007 at 6:09 pmAnd just what’s wrong with political loyalty?
Comment by Mr. President’s illegitimate son — July 17, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
And just what’s wrong with denying our soldiers the very best care that money can buy and the care that they deserve for laying their bodies at the altar of freedom?
Answer me that and you’ve got your response.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:14 pmSo where’s the retirement party Jimmy? I would really like to be there to thank you in person for the care and attention you have show for our wounded soldiers.
And honestly, with what a good doctor can do with plastics these days, even your best friends won’t notice my gift after a few years.
F*ck you buddy.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:17 pmReward the incompetent, fire the capable, hide the truth, promote the hype.
Bushworld 2007.
-GSD
July 17th, 2007 at 6:26 pmAnd just what’s wrong with denying our soldiers the very best care that money can buy and the care that they deserve for laying their bodies at the altar of freedom?
Isn’t that just it!!! Well said TonyC.
These people VOLUNTEER to serve knowing they are going to Iraq. When they get injured it is abominable that they aren’t given the best treatment. Really supporting the troops Bush! Can you imagine the reaction of those injured people and their families if they were treated properly to the cries to end the war? Maybe Bush, sorry, Rove and Cheney have underestimated the political gain from treating injured soldiers with the respect they deserve. The shit should go to the top. They are not following up on their responsibilities. To top it off, these idiots want this occupation to continue. As long as they hold the reins, they are NOT EVEN CONSIDERING altering their course.
It seems interesting to see how bloody far the American People are letting this go on. What, in this day and age, will it take for The People to take to the streets en masse?
July 17th, 2007 at 6:28 pmPolitical loyalty?
No use for it.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:29 pmAnd I thank my Senator for speaking out about the “All loyality to Bush the King”.
Now Senator Murray how about Impeachment talk?
Or how about Inherent Contempt charges on Meyers?
You’ve been a good Senator and we love you, but could you show some love to the rule of law and start digging in here?
Butt Slush, CT_V1’s slurpy of choice
(for those who don’t get the Butt Slush joke, Ct_V1 was trying to make a grade school level play on my name, so I just turned it on him, he is such an immature loser, sorta like Mr. P(rick))
July 17th, 2007 at 6:33 pmSo where’s the retirement party Jimmy? I would really like to be there to thank you in person for the care and attention you have show for our wounded soldiers.
Comment by nanlichi
It needs to be a necktie party. Invite all the veterans he has screwed over.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:37 pmGood riddance, Nicholson. Rot in eternal hell.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:39 pmAmericans have watched our troops be sent to die based on lies with no problem as all supported Bush/Cheney. So Nicholson should not have resigned. Look as all the White House staff and the GOP have turned their backs on our troops and still they are supported by Americans why would this man have to leave. Americans didn’t give much attention to the way the troops were treated at Walter Reed Hospital, hundreds of soldiers are dying each month, equipment is mad, injured soldiers sent back to Iraq and no time off so where’s the problem with this guy not caring about the Vet’s has become the White House policy and Americans seem to agree.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:39 pmComment by Mr. President’s illegitimate son — July 17, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Oh, how I wish there was one out there.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:39 pm#18, Wayne, that would include my brother Bo, and Jimmy would not like to meet him in some dark alley.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:40 pmhttp://ccoaler.blogspot.com/2007/07/boxer-on-betrayus.html
Boxer on Petraeus
July 17th, 2007 at 6:40 pmThis is the harsh reality of “drowning the government in the bathtub.”
July 17th, 2007 at 6:43 pmAnd just what’s wrong with political loyalty?
Comment by Mr. President’s illegitimate son — July 17, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
July 17th, 2007 at 6:45 pm————————————————————————————-
Get back in the underground cage with your mother, boy!!!
#18, Wayne, that would include my brother Bo, and Jimmy would not like to meet him in some dark alley.
Comment by RUCerious
I bet. Lots of veterans are pissed at this goon.
Me, I wouldn’t wait for him to enter the alley, heh
Soldiers died from neglect and vets systematically denied coverage under this slimebag.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:46 pmWayne, RUCerious,
How scary would it be to be Jimmy right now? How many totally pissed off veterans will look to him personally for the shitty treatment they got, and are getting?
And these are not pudgy little zitfaced trolls we are talking about, but serious men with some serious scores to settle.
For that matter, do you think Bush, Cheney and the whole cabal will sleep good? Ever?
Secret Service are good, no doubt, but these guys are intense and persistent.
I know which side I am cheering for, but I have always been a supporter of our soldiers.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:48 pmIt wasn’t the Walter Reed scandal. He is just another Republican whore buddy.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:54 pmAnd these are not pudgy little zitfaced trolls we are talking about, but serious men with some serious scores to settle.
Comment by nanlichi
Some of my old buds from the 82nd are seriously scary guys to cross, for sure.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm“a linen towel left somewhere”? That has to be one of the most callous (sp?) things I’ve ever heard, and that’s saying a lot when you consider all of the quotes coming from the bush administration.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:05 pmWhy isn’t there concern from the prez’ illegitimate son for taxpayer loyalty? The way the wheels are coming off this bus, there will not be a taxpayer base to abuse anytime now.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:14 pmThe prick should not have been allowed to resign. He should have been fired. Now get someone in there who will straighten that mess out.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:33 pmDo they even make towels out of linen?
July 17th, 2007 at 8:00 pmHe’s a real saint, isn’t he.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:23 pmI wonder how much money he’s walking away with?
Thank goodness! Now, when I go to my VA appointments I will no longer have both Nicholson and Bush framed portraits smirking at me in the waiting room. It really bothers me to have photos of these two incompetents plastered all over the VA hospital and clinic halls. Kinda leaves me wondering how the VA system manages to function fairly well despite these two fools at the top.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:54 pmHey, that IS leadership, according to the Nixonian “less care, more money” paradigm.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:13 amAnother one bites the dust.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:34 amGeez, whens the last time you heard something about a republican,
that didn’t involve some type of financial, political, or sexual corruption,
or perversion?
To hear republicans tell it, they are the moral compass of the Nation.
They fool only themselves, and do it very well.
In reality, the republican party is a criminal sewer. Quite obviously.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:19 amThe VA is a perfect example of what Universal Health Care in the US will look like.
UHC will not stop the rot and corruption only leave average American citizens with no choices.
The rich will recieve superior health care which they can afford while the rest of US get screwed by the gov.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:30 amFor you liberals: President Bush has nothing to do with how VA handles its business. As a Soldier and veteran, I know what I’m talking about. You, on the other hand, always assume from the outside! VA does suck and needs to do more, but you muckrakers need to quit trying to drag our elected President into every damned problem that happens in the United States. You certainly don’t do that when one of your democrat presidents is in charge! Do you?!?
July 18th, 2007 at 9:28 amHe should be thankful that he lives and “serves” the government of the United States of America and is allowed to resign, he should be thankful that he doesn’t work for the Chinese government where they execute incomptent liars and thieves.
July 18th, 2007 at 10:20 amAnd what was HIS whore’s name?
July 18th, 2007 at 12:12 pmsee http://photo2text.com/
July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pmbush appointed these people who don’t like government in the first place. So of course they were incompetent, and were going to do a bad job. That’s the point. The more of these idiots that resign, the better. So of course he has to take the blame . It’s his administration.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:59 pm