Can't Take Care of Our Troops But We're Going to Change a Nation?

We never fail to fail those who most need us. The U.S fails the troops---how many ways can you say it? Did this administration take into consideration the extra resources that would be needed to provide care for the wounded? I'm sure they didn't and if they did they seriously undreestimated. Kinda of how they thought the Iraqis would be throwing flowers at the troops after we captured their hearts and minds.

When Does Lt Gen Kiley Get His?

Washington Post editorial basically raises the issue that even though MG Weightman probably was incompetent, he was only on the job for six months. Isn't that always the case. Before you can put up the family pictures in your fancy schmancy new office some scandal errupts. But check out Kevin Kiley's time as a leader. Here's a bit of an excerpt to get you going:

Much of The Post's article detailed the abuse by omission that Gen. Kiley, not Gen. Weightman, committed, first as head of Walter Reed, then in his current post as Army surgeon general. Gen. Weightman, who very well might deserve his disgrace, has commanded Walter Reed for only half a year, while Gen. Kiley, now back in charge of Walter Reed, headed the hospital and its outpatient facilities for two years and has led the Army's medical command since. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife say they repeatedly told Gen. Kiley about unhealthful conditions in outpatient facilities.

This pretty much sums it up:

But the evidence compiled so far suggests that Gen. Kiley has been more complicit in the scandalous neglect of Walter Reed's outpatient facilities for longer than Gen. Weightman has been.

Army secretary gets the boot amid Walter Reed scandal

The second hit belongs to the Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey. Well now I'm surprised all these high level Army personnel are the casualties of this Walter Reed mess. Ordinarily, its some lowly schmuck who has to take one for the team. But even the Army isn't dumb enough to think they can't punish people at the lowest level for this mess. Oh wait, for the sake of being accurate he wasn't punished or fired....he resigned. Uh huh, yeah.

$400 Billion Can't Buy Much

Apparently not equipment for the Army National Guard. Nearly 90% are rated "not ready" largely due to a lack of billiosn of dollars worth of equipment. With all this war talk the politicians and hawks forgot the role of the Army National Guard is not simply to replace troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their duty involves helping Americans in America. So what does this mean? Don't live anywhere near a natural disaster or emergency in the U.S. because our troops can't help you like they should be able to. Just as the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Army fires commander of Walter Reed

Well, it didn't take long for someone to get fired due to the Walter Reed debacle. I'm surprised it was a two-star general. I guess the Army is tired of getting all the bad press for the way it treats its soldiers. Someone has to bite the bullet and I'm sure Maj Gen Weightman is glad he's the one. He will be replaced by Lt Gen Kiley. Yes, that Kiley. The one who lived across the street from Building 18 and didn't know what was going on.

Uncle Sam has to keep up appearances

The Army loves to pretend like things are going well even in the midst of horrific chaos. Thats why the ailing soldiers of Walter Reed's Building 18 have to make sure the place is spic and span for the upcoming inspections and Congressional traffic that will be roaming the halls to see what exactly our bravest are living in.

And of course the soldiers need to follow the chain of command even when that is the one thing that is failing them the most.

Well of course the Army knew

Was there ever any doubt top Army officials knew of the poor conditions at Walter Reed. In fact, a three-star general (commanding general of US Army Medical Command) lives across the street from Building 18, the ward that has been getting the most attention. Family members, veterans organizations and even members of Congress have complained over the past three years, state the article in the Washington Post.

In 2004, Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife stopped visiting the wounded at Walter Reed out of frustration. Young said he voiced concerns to commanders over troubling incidents he witnessed but was rebuffed or ignored. "When Bev or I would bring problems to the attention of authorities of Walter Reed, we were made to feel very uncomfortable," said Young, who began visiting the wounded recuperating at other facilities.

Beverly Young said she complained to Kiley several times. She once visited a soldier who was lying in urine on his mattress pad in the hospital. When a nurse ignored her, Young said, "I went flying down to Kevin Kiley's office again, and got nowhere. He has skirted this stuff for five years and blamed everyone else."

Where are all the "gung-ho we love our troops, we support this war" fanatics now? They raise more hell about people who disagree with this war than they do over the treatment our soldiers receive. What's less supportive of the troops? Not agreeing with this war or treating them this way when they return?

Mental care called sorely lacking for Iraq vets, families

Another miscue regarding planning for this war. No one thought there should be enough mental health professionals for servicemembers who killed and saw death and their families? A panel's 67 page report cites a 40% vacancy rate in active duty psychologists in the Army and Navy. Therapy is nothing more than talking. When is it going to stop being considered a weakness?

Running Like Ambulance Chasers

The Republicans don't have to do anything to make the Democrats look bad. They do it all on their own. They are shocked by the state of affairs at Walter Reed. These yahoos are going to act as if they are not accountable for the treatment of the soldiers? Please, let's not act as if because you didn't own the White House or the Congress, our servicemembers weren't your responsibility. The most horrendous things always happen right in the capital of our nation, the backyard of our public servants.

Skeletons in the Closet at Walter Reed

When someone puts their best foot forward, people forget that means something is wrong who the one left in the background. And boy is that ever the case with Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Their treatment of wounded soliders is a disgrace. But thats the Army way, pretend like everything is okay because heaven forbid a junior officer has to tell his superior he (read: his soldiers) need more help, more resources. That would be a reflection on his (or her) leadership abilities. And we wouldn't want that.

The death of PFC LaVena Johnson raises questions

The most high-profile Army cover up of the Iraq War is the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman. Chances are there is another one. If, by chance, things happened as the Army said they did they should have learned by the Tillman case to leave no stone unturned and erase all doubt. But, once again, the Army has to do things the hard way and now a family as doubts about the death of their child. The daughter of a doctor, an honor student and blood donor among a list of achievements, Johnson's death was labeled a suicide ("self-inflicted, noncombat injuries") even though she had two loose front teeth and a "busted lip" that had to be reconstructed at the funeral home.

Enemy of the Soldier: Army Physical Evaluation Board

The Army physical evaluation board's game of hoops is no shock to the countless number of Army soldiers who have medical issues. And as Iraq war veterans return home wounded they are probably surprised by the hero's welcome they receive.