This is heartbreakingly true. We use them up and spit them out when they get home. Sorry ’bout your bad luck…
War costs in a lot of ways. I recognize that we have to watch our dollars, but we promised to take care of our vets because we asked them to take care of us. Regardless of whether the mission is justified, we owe them.
Any politician who says he/she supports the troops and allows this (suicides, addiction, waits for treatment greater than 8 months, trying to re-classify diagnoses to save money, and the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed, for examples) should have to immediately exchange their cushy health care for a ride in the VA system. See how their tunes would change.
One US veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes. In two years, more Iraq war veterans will have died at their own hands than from enemy fire.Solutions -1. Increase VA funding, specifically mental health needs.2. STOP MAKING COMBAT VETERANS IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I’ve been in the VA system for 16 years, and while I have hadto wait a while for non-serious stuff to be treated, when theproblem was serious, they were right there for me. Not to say they couldn’t be tweaked, but overall…
Yeah, superpatriot, just keep saying that BS every July 4. You seem to forget that these vets often put their lives on the line for America (and even schmucks like you) in far-off, uncomfortable places that you’ll never visit and probably can’t even find on a map. I have a son serving in the Air Force on Okinawa — a relatively easy assignment, unless North Korea decides to start World War III. THEN who’s gonna save your butt?
I should have said that I was never in the military.A couple of years ago I tried to find out what it takes to get disability.I started paying my own health insurance when I was laid off almost 5 years ago. I paid about $16,000 worth of premiums and tried to get a diagnosis, but all I ever heard from the doctor was “We can’t do anything until we get your blood pressure down.”This is the private health care system some of you love so much.So I cancelled my health insurance the day after I applied for regular Social Security. I had to wait over 2 months to get any money from that.So I know the VA is separate, but I have a feeling they have some of the same problems.BTW The Social Security office is open 8:30 to 3.
You are so much fun to read. I like this part: “…It was their dumb decisions to go play soldier-boy in the first place…” I would favor a change in requirements for people that want to get elected: They must have a blood relative serving in the military, on the front lines, while they are in office.
I watch my republican friends. It seems all you need to do to support the troops is give them endless wars and, most importantly, put one of them yellow ribbon magnetic stickers on the side of your gas guzzling SUV.oh yes, and cut all programs for things that don’t go boom.
Neoconman’s sarcasm is often biting, and usually accurate.
BTW, just got some more meds from VA today, in the mail, if Ryan gets his way, I’d have to do without, and run out, until Monday, maybe, or with additional slowdowns they plan, maybe longer. Also, VA has done a pretty good job for me, but will have to wait for my next appointment with my caregiver, because they’ve been cut from three to one, trying to hire more, but VA “sustained budget” represents a CUT when looking at the increase in needs, with IRaq, Afghanistan, and an aging population of guys and gals who can’t afford that nice “private” insurance Republicons are so fond of saying is so great. Well, until they lose their jobs, or drop out of the 1% bracket.
My son is disabled retired, so has Tricare, the increase in premiums isn’t exactly a disaster, but it sure would make sense to see the highest “potential” tax bracket for the rich increase by the same percentage???
NeoconMan says, “These Vets give me a pain. A couple of years in a war zone and they come home with a sense of “entitlement” and expect Nanny Government to take care of them. They need to take a little personal responsibility for their lives. It was their dumb decisions to go play soldier-boy in the first place.”+Of course what he says is disgusting, but I’d like some conservative here to explain exactly why he’s wrong. Logic, please, not emotion.
“R..fed by…O’Reilly…” Oops! You have been caught broad brushing. Examples (with dates) are requested from billoreily dot com “Talking Points” or “Columns”. I will be willing to read your ‘take’, and I will let you know what my ‘take’ is.
I guess none of the conservatives is interested in showing why NeoconMan is wrong. By the way, I never suggested that they would think he’s right — the trick is to maintain conservative principles and even so demonstrate that NeoconMan is wrong. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I’d like to see it. The great thing about NCM is that he presents a consistent conservative position — he’s more consistent than most of the conservatives — and thus suggests where conservative reasoning would lead if it were applied consistently. If Capitalism is the correct economic and social form, and if, therefore, people are to be regarded simply as (rational) economic actors, what’s the flaw in his argument? Is there one?
“… We as a nation have no need to honor those agreements for the simple reason that we can’t afford it…”Now, now, now. NCM, you are being inconsistent with the pattern of your past posts for many months. Saying ‘…we can’t…" is out of character. Your fans all count on you to say ‘I’ as in being selfish. We fans are your editors. The NCM personae is not allowed to deviate..You are true to form in following the logic on Social Security, etc. And, I love the closing line: ‘disgusting little parasites.’
I guess my point is that free market individualist capitalism doesn’t make any provision for things such as your “social contract” or for “patriotism” or any other moral position. The only standard is maximizing profits. For those who think the government should be run like a business, the same rules would apply. But most conservatives are inconsistent. Hey, most liberal are inconsistent. Most people are inconsistent. But it’s interesting to identify the places where you’re inconsistent to see how firmly you are attached to your inconsistencies.
thegreatack about 11 years ago
Dear Congress,You can do better…~Dear Ambassador Corp,You can do better…~Dear Drones,Thanks!
I Play One On TV about 11 years ago
This is heartbreakingly true. We use them up and spit them out when they get home. Sorry ’bout your bad luck…
War costs in a lot of ways. I recognize that we have to watch our dollars, but we promised to take care of our vets because we asked them to take care of us. Regardless of whether the mission is justified, we owe them.
Any politician who says he/she supports the troops and allows this (suicides, addiction, waits for treatment greater than 8 months, trying to re-classify diagnoses to save money, and the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed, for examples) should have to immediately exchange their cushy health care for a ride in the VA system. See how their tunes would change.
rockngolfer about 11 years ago
It can take 18 months to 2 years to get any disability.Lawyers offer to help for $6 grand.
Fourcrows about 11 years ago
One US veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes. In two years, more Iraq war veterans will have died at their own hands than from enemy fire.Solutions -1. Increase VA funding, specifically mental health needs.2. STOP MAKING COMBAT VETERANS IN THE FIRST PLACE!
woodwork about 11 years ago
I’ve been in the VA system for 16 years, and while I have hadto wait a while for non-serious stuff to be treated, when theproblem was serious, they were right there for me. Not to say they couldn’t be tweaked, but overall…
apfelzra Premium Member about 11 years ago
Yeah, superpatriot, just keep saying that BS every July 4. You seem to forget that these vets often put their lives on the line for America (and even schmucks like you) in far-off, uncomfortable places that you’ll never visit and probably can’t even find on a map. I have a son serving in the Air Force on Okinawa — a relatively easy assignment, unless North Korea decides to start World War III. THEN who’s gonna save your butt?
rockngolfer about 11 years ago
I should have said that I was never in the military.A couple of years ago I tried to find out what it takes to get disability.I started paying my own health insurance when I was laid off almost 5 years ago. I paid about $16,000 worth of premiums and tried to get a diagnosis, but all I ever heard from the doctor was “We can’t do anything until we get your blood pressure down.”This is the private health care system some of you love so much.So I cancelled my health insurance the day after I applied for regular Social Security. I had to wait over 2 months to get any money from that.So I know the VA is separate, but I have a feeling they have some of the same problems.BTW The Social Security office is open 8:30 to 3.
Fuzzy Thinker Premium Member about 11 years ago
You are so much fun to read. I like this part: “…It was their dumb decisions to go play soldier-boy in the first place…” I would favor a change in requirements for people that want to get elected: They must have a blood relative serving in the military, on the front lines, while they are in office.
dannysixpack about 11 years ago
I watch my republican friends. It seems all you need to do to support the troops is give them endless wars and, most importantly, put one of them yellow ribbon magnetic stickers on the side of your gas guzzling SUV.oh yes, and cut all programs for things that don’t go boom.
cdward about 11 years ago
You realize, of course, that he is writing satire and in fact supports quality care for veterans. You got that, right?
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
Neoconman’s sarcasm is often biting, and usually accurate.
BTW, just got some more meds from VA today, in the mail, if Ryan gets his way, I’d have to do without, and run out, until Monday, maybe, or with additional slowdowns they plan, maybe longer. Also, VA has done a pretty good job for me, but will have to wait for my next appointment with my caregiver, because they’ve been cut from three to one, trying to hire more, but VA “sustained budget” represents a CUT when looking at the increase in needs, with IRaq, Afghanistan, and an aging population of guys and gals who can’t afford that nice “private” insurance Republicons are so fond of saying is so great. Well, until they lose their jobs, or drop out of the 1% bracket.
My son is disabled retired, so has Tricare, the increase in premiums isn’t exactly a disaster, but it sure would make sense to see the highest “potential” tax bracket for the rich increase by the same percentage???
corzak about 11 years ago
The VA can do better. The backlog is mostly related with releasing records from DOD to VA, no?
jimeguess about 11 years ago
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you are reading it in English, thank a VETERAN!
jimeguess about 11 years ago
Wow! So you claim to be the ELITIST the ‘soldier boy’ is supposed to die to defend?
What an EGO!
You have more hubris than Obummer!
God help you.
When you fall, really fall, it will probably be a soldier or a veteran that will pick you up. Then, if you are not grateful … well, I won’t say it.
God help you. What hubris!
lonecat about 11 years ago
NeoconMan says, “These Vets give me a pain. A couple of years in a war zone and they come home with a sense of “entitlement” and expect Nanny Government to take care of them. They need to take a little personal responsibility for their lives. It was their dumb decisions to go play soldier-boy in the first place.”+Of course what he says is disgusting, but I’d like some conservative here to explain exactly why he’s wrong. Logic, please, not emotion.
Fuzzy Thinker Premium Member about 11 years ago
“R..fed by…O’Reilly…” Oops! You have been caught broad brushing. Examples (with dates) are requested from billoreily dot com “Talking Points” or “Columns”. I will be willing to read your ‘take’, and I will let you know what my ‘take’ is.
braindead Premium Member about 11 years ago
The Vet in the cartoon should remember to thank The Decider, who sent him to Iraq to lose his limb(s).
braindead Premium Member about 11 years ago
BTW, the VA properly belongs in the MILITARY budget. It is a cost of war and not some charity provided by the ‘nanny government’.
lonecat about 11 years ago
I guess none of the conservatives is interested in showing why NeoconMan is wrong. By the way, I never suggested that they would think he’s right — the trick is to maintain conservative principles and even so demonstrate that NeoconMan is wrong. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I’d like to see it. The great thing about NCM is that he presents a consistent conservative position — he’s more consistent than most of the conservatives — and thus suggests where conservative reasoning would lead if it were applied consistently. If Capitalism is the correct economic and social form, and if, therefore, people are to be regarded simply as (rational) economic actors, what’s the flaw in his argument? Is there one?
jimeguess about 11 years ago
Liar. A true conservative RESPECTS the veterans.
Fuzzy Thinker Premium Member about 11 years ago
“… We as a nation have no need to honor those agreements for the simple reason that we can’t afford it…”Now, now, now. NCM, you are being inconsistent with the pattern of your past posts for many months. Saying ‘…we can’t…" is out of character. Your fans all count on you to say ‘I’ as in being selfish. We fans are your editors. The NCM personae is not allowed to deviate..You are true to form in following the logic on Social Security, etc. And, I love the closing line: ‘disgusting little parasites.’
lonecat about 11 years ago
I guess my point is that free market individualist capitalism doesn’t make any provision for things such as your “social contract” or for “patriotism” or any other moral position. The only standard is maximizing profits. For those who think the government should be run like a business, the same rules would apply. But most conservatives are inconsistent. Hey, most liberal are inconsistent. Most people are inconsistent. But it’s interesting to identify the places where you’re inconsistent to see how firmly you are attached to your inconsistencies.
lonecat about 11 years ago
Thanks for the conversation. Yes, I agree that the real world is complex; a certain flexibility can be a virtue.