Walter Reed: A Center of Shame

[babylonsister]

http://media.www.dailytitan.com/media/storage/paper861/news/2007/03/07/Opinion/Walter.Reed.A.Center.Of.Shame-2762130.shtml

Walter Reed: A Center of Shame

By: Tom Madden

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Accounts like Reed's exhibit the irresponsibility of the Bush administration. The president's plan of sending 21,500 more troops to the bloody streets of Baghdad might mean catastrophe both in Iraq and at the medical centers across the nation, which can't provide proper care for our wounded troops.

With 11 soldiers already dead in the early days of March, according to icasualities.org, coupled with the despicable government-provided treatment that our troops receive, it is definitely time for a regime change.

Why does it take four years and a Washington Post story to uncover the injustices taking place only miles from President Bush's bedroom? Why is it that every time a high-ranking official gets questioned over their incompetence, they pass the blame onto others? When will the American people hold their public officials accountable?

According to nytimes.com when former Walter Reed director Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley was asked to explain the soiled and vile conditions at the center he told Congress that "inspections were not part of his normal job duties."

As head of any medical center, let alone one that houses the brave soldiers whose lives will forever be changed by disfigurements, disabilities and mental anguish, wouldn't making sure the foundation that houses them is at least a cut above an abandoned warehouse be one of your "duties"?

While the blame gets predictably passed on down the line, let's hope it will reach the minds of the Americans that voted for these incompetent rats, and that they will have enough civility to make sure our wounded troops and their distressed families will be given the treatment they rightfully deserve.

[Monkeyman]

1. No Kidding

[knowbody0]

2. my grandfather was a WWI vet

as a wee child, I often joined him on his monthly visit to the VA hospital where he checked in on his infantry friends. We brought treats from the farmer's market, fruit, sardines, bread etc. I remember mostly their eyes, often tears, their lack of limbs, and the horrible stench. I remember big bugs, dirty toilets, unfriendly staff. My gramp was always quiet on the long road home.

[caseycoon]

3. What I would like to know ...

is what is being done AT the facility right now? Do they have a couple of platoons worth of housekeepers cleaning it? Do they have social workers (or the military equivalent) interviewing the present patients to find out if they are getting what they need? Like maybe even luxuries such as clean sheets? Are they providing what they need, now that they have been caught? In short, have the bastards started doing ANYTHING WHATSOEVER?

Sure we have an investigation... we have inquiries... we even have an oversight committee... But what is being done for our kids RIGHT NOW?

We have to keep shoving this in their faces until they DO something. Not just at Walter Reed, but the whole system!