I’ve been getting pretty good care through VA since ’96, for PTSD and other physical conditions, yes, permanent and total disabled on “service connected” that caught up as I go older. The VA has been very good with my son, 13 years Navy, disabled retirement, but the Pentagon and Navy on the other hand? A completely different story.
Like many vets we know, Army and Navy, it’s been the military screwing them over, those “old hats” at the Pentagon go back a long way, and don’t want Iraq and Afghanistan to “cost them too much”, so they dump on folks, lots of ’em. Iraq especially has been far more costly than they want folks to know, or get paid for.
At the same time, there ARE some “flakes” using changes in regulations to take advantage of VA, wanting the money, not treatment, especially for PTSD when they never came close to any action. These “flakes” ARE a part of that backlog problem, and I have no sympathy for them, they should be dumped, because there ARE a lot of guys and gals who need the HELP and TREATMENT, not just $$$$.
Oh yeah did I mention that BOTH Bush administrations actively sought to screw veterans, along with a number of Republicans who didn’t want those costly wars (don’t forget such as Panama either) publicly counted as to cost. Oh, right, Afghanistan and Iraq, can’t forget those…
Clinton, and yes, Obama, with Shinseki who told Bush where to stick it, have both shown more interest in serving those who served.
What on Earth is happening here? Lisa Benson has a reasonable editorial cartoon that is not based on total hatred for our current president, but is actually impartial in is blame for a national disgrace! Good for you Lisa, keep it up!! By the way, very good comments also!
I must have missed the memo. Please explain to me which “liberal socialist” started a war in Iraq resulting in so many men and women needing the services of the VA? Or are you say Mr Bush is a liberal socialist? Don’t think so. The disaster that was (and still is) Iraq rests squarely on the shoulders of one George W. Bush and no one else!
I’d be very suspicious of unbelievable TV stories without checking elsewhere. I’ve also heard that with the horrible economy and job losses due to the Republican-enabled depression and the obstruction of all serious jobs creation bills, the military is doing just fine. Young people can’t get hired anywhere else.
1. Bush senior ordered VA to reject all applicants three times, and force them to the court of appeals. Clinton said if they have any valid claim, get them served in 90 days. “W” reinserted his dad’s method of turning everyone down. It didn’t make the press, because the Bush boys weren’t to fond of whistleblowers either
2. Just a note; a friend was due for a heart transplant at the VA/OHSU facility in Portland. When he go there, one of the most advanced heart surgeons, IN THE WORLD, instead went in and reconstructed his heart instead. He’s been going for 16 years now, when “outside the system” medicine said he’d be dead in a few weeks or months, 16 years ago. Yes, there are problem areas in VA, like any other large system, but in many other areas, they’re the best, and most economically efficient (like on drug prices) in the country.
3. The point of all us “old farts” now getting into the system, and stressing it, is also a very good point, for Republicans in the House to consider as the continue to UNDER fund VA.
Instead of all the blaming and name-calling being posted here, why not send a commentary to your senators and representatives about this state of affairs? As I posted a few days ago, I read in the news Monday that during the month of March, over 700 combat veterans took their own lives. Many do every month. The V.A. needs more funding to help those who need it most. And, there are some private, non-profit groups out there trying to help our vets re-adjust, to listen to them, to help them sort out their thoughts & fears.The big oil companies, whose property and interests are being defended by most of our soldiers, continue to register record profits. Advise your elected officials that YOU have not forgotten what these veterans (from way back) have sacrificed so we can lead our cushy lives here. Advise them to enact a TAX on these profits, with the total amount to be used to fund legitimate veteran help groups.I just Emailed Markey and Warren. Not it’s your turn.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
I’ve been getting pretty good care through VA since ’96, for PTSD and other physical conditions, yes, permanent and total disabled on “service connected” that caught up as I go older. The VA has been very good with my son, 13 years Navy, disabled retirement, but the Pentagon and Navy on the other hand? A completely different story.
Like many vets we know, Army and Navy, it’s been the military screwing them over, those “old hats” at the Pentagon go back a long way, and don’t want Iraq and Afghanistan to “cost them too much”, so they dump on folks, lots of ’em. Iraq especially has been far more costly than they want folks to know, or get paid for.
At the same time, there ARE some “flakes” using changes in regulations to take advantage of VA, wanting the money, not treatment, especially for PTSD when they never came close to any action. These “flakes” ARE a part of that backlog problem, and I have no sympathy for them, they should be dumped, because there ARE a lot of guys and gals who need the HELP and TREATMENT, not just $$$$.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Oh yeah did I mention that BOTH Bush administrations actively sought to screw veterans, along with a number of Republicans who didn’t want those costly wars (don’t forget such as Panama either) publicly counted as to cost. Oh, right, Afghanistan and Iraq, can’t forget those…
Clinton, and yes, Obama, with Shinseki who told Bush where to stick it, have both shown more interest in serving those who served.
frodo1008 almost 10 years ago
What on Earth is happening here? Lisa Benson has a reasonable editorial cartoon that is not based on total hatred for our current president, but is actually impartial in is blame for a national disgrace! Good for you Lisa, keep it up!! By the way, very good comments also!
TexTech almost 10 years ago
I must have missed the memo. Please explain to me which “liberal socialist” started a war in Iraq resulting in so many men and women needing the services of the VA? Or are you say Mr Bush is a liberal socialist? Don’t think so. The disaster that was (and still is) Iraq rests squarely on the shoulders of one George W. Bush and no one else!
woodwork almost 10 years ago
The VA hosepital in Charleston SC, the one in Johnson City TN, the clinic in Knoxville TN all have given me excellent service for over 20 years.
ARodney almost 10 years ago
I’d be very suspicious of unbelievable TV stories without checking elsewhere. I’ve also heard that with the horrible economy and job losses due to the Republican-enabled depression and the obstruction of all serious jobs creation bills, the military is doing just fine. Young people can’t get hired anywhere else.
Robert Stroud almost 10 years ago
Great comic… though most of the comments provide a sad commentary on our nation.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
1. Bush senior ordered VA to reject all applicants three times, and force them to the court of appeals. Clinton said if they have any valid claim, get them served in 90 days. “W” reinserted his dad’s method of turning everyone down. It didn’t make the press, because the Bush boys weren’t to fond of whistleblowers either
2. Just a note; a friend was due for a heart transplant at the VA/OHSU facility in Portland. When he go there, one of the most advanced heart surgeons, IN THE WORLD, instead went in and reconstructed his heart instead. He’s been going for 16 years now, when “outside the system” medicine said he’d be dead in a few weeks or months, 16 years ago. Yes, there are problem areas in VA, like any other large system, but in many other areas, they’re the best, and most economically efficient (like on drug prices) in the country.
3. The point of all us “old farts” now getting into the system, and stressing it, is also a very good point, for Republicans in the House to consider as the continue to UNDER fund VA.
Mike Herman almost 10 years ago
Now that the Dems have put us all in government’s hands be prepared to be treated similarly.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
Instead of all the blaming and name-calling being posted here, why not send a commentary to your senators and representatives about this state of affairs? As I posted a few days ago, I read in the news Monday that during the month of March, over 700 combat veterans took their own lives. Many do every month. The V.A. needs more funding to help those who need it most. And, there are some private, non-profit groups out there trying to help our vets re-adjust, to listen to them, to help them sort out their thoughts & fears.The big oil companies, whose property and interests are being defended by most of our soldiers, continue to register record profits. Advise your elected officials that YOU have not forgotten what these veterans (from way back) have sacrificed so we can lead our cushy lives here. Advise them to enact a TAX on these profits, with the total amount to be used to fund legitimate veteran help groups.I just Emailed Markey and Warren. Not it’s your turn.
oneoldhat almost 10 years ago
so beggar chem weapons are not wmd /// va is an example of gov hc we all are going to be under
NoCons almost 10 years ago
It was cute when Bush used lies and deceit to drag us into Iraq. What a guy.