Georgej, I agree that someone wasn’t doing their job because the conditions should never had been allowed to deteriorate to that level. I own an older home, and have to do constant upkeep on it or it would fall into dis-repair real fast. The part of this I wonder about is did the military people in charge mis-use the funds they had for upkeep, or were they not given the funds and told by their higher ups to do the best they can? Congress has to appropiate the funds after the president requests them. With Walter Reed on the base closure list, it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case. In that case, the suggestions of scape-goating gets some real traction in my mind.

What are the odds of social programs being cut and placed into the VA system?

*holding breath, turning blue*

SouthernGent on March 3, 2007 at 12:03 AM

Dang skippy! We have the hogs at the trough leeches of our society who do nothing for the country as a whole getting a free ride, yet our heroes who have sacrificed the most are treated like second class citizens in many areas. It is to our troops credit, AND many of our contributors here, that take the attitude of bucking up. That attitude is why they are heroes, but they don’t do it for that reason. Thanks for the great comment!

Thanks for the comments you guys, you’ve given me a new and better perspective on this.

Jeeze, I hate the way everything is politicized!!! If somebody needs to hang, then lets get it done and get our troops the care they deserve!

That is not the point nor (I agree) is it true.

The point is that people in authority were not doing their job, and the failure to do that job impacted upon the welfare of some of our wounded soldiers and marines.

I’ll repeat what I said yesterday: If senior officers in the chain of command KNEW about these substandard conditions and did not either blow the whistle nor work to correct them, then I believe that courts martial would be in order.

As Doctors they swore an oath to do no harm. As officers in the United States Army they took an oath, too, but more importantly, they undertook an obligation of honor to treat their subordinates with honor and integrity.

he would tell the soldiers to suck it up
geckomon on March 2, 2007 at 10:02 PM

That is also my inclination, but all I have to go on is what I’ve read in the news, and on blogs, and that puts my bullcrap detector in full alarm mode.

So I’ll vote with your father; (and good luck to you, both.)

But while we are having all of firings and investigations somebody damn well better be making it right.

LakeRuins on March 2, 2007 at 7:23 PM

That’s usually lost during managment changes; corporations, The Senate, etc.

- The Cat

*holding breath, turning blue*

I’m not going to say much since Allahpundit over at hotair has such a good post on the subject, with video.

……

Although the conditions should be handled, this does not warrant resignations. We are quickly becoming a society that does not know how to handle inconvinience and make mountains out of molehills because “we” feel “offended.”

The pace of activity is fast at Walter Reed. If you haven’t been there, picture Grand Central Station in NYC. However, the commitment,from the medical staff and those in charge, to our soldiers is ever present. Given the current circumstance, I say shame on anyone who says otherwise!

Spurlee on March 2, 2007 at 7:22 PM

Well written and right on the mark.

The only thing to add is something President Bush has had to deal with since day one (1):

Bureaucratic resistance….

RushBaby, Aggies are people too. SailorDave on March 2, 2007 at 7:14 PM

No offense intended, fellow Texan! My son is an Aggie. My family’s full of Aggies AND Longhorns and good natured ribbing is just reflexive.

You would lose. Walter Reed is on the base closure list.

LakeRuins on March 2, 2007 at 7:24 PM

You obviously don’t have any experience with the BRAC process…

I am willing to bet real money that unless they send in a wrecking ball to destroy Building 18, in 10 years it will be in exactly the same state it is today.

Spurlee on March 2, 2007 at 7:22 PM

You would lose. Walter Reed is on the base closure list.

That said, a thorough investigation should show that there are policy and cutural reasons why this building was not as well maintained as it might have been. I can speak as one who spent most of my adult life in the military. Budgets are created by sending your requirements up to Washington, and then distributing what the President asks for and the Congress appropriates. There is never enough money to do all the things that you are required to do. Each service decides if “A” is more important than “B.” Over the years, and spanning multiple administrations and Congresses, the military medical system has done the best it can with the resources it is given. MG Weightman just happened to be the guy holding the stick when it blew up.

The tragedy, in my mind, is this is going to be the scandal du jour. As soon as all the politicians get their soundbite showing “they support the trooops,” it will return to business as usual. I am willing to bet real money that unless they send in a wrecking ball to destroy Building 18, in 10 years it will be in exactly the same state it is today.

How much money did Slick and his cronies take out of that budget?

Good point. But six years have passed… more than enough time to clean some mold and do some repairs. I am personally sickened by the situation. We can’t, as conscientious Americans, claim to support these men and women and not be outraged by this.

I hope Gates continues to clean house, literally and figuratively. My dad and brother are both Aggies. I give Gates extra points for that. RushBaby, Aggies are people too.

How much money did Slick and his cronies take out of that budget? jaleach on March 2, 2007 at 7:00 PM

Good point. But dang – the Republicans were in charge of the budget for four years. They proved pretty adept at earmarks…no excuses. Hey – this will be a terrific opportunity for the dems in Congress to restore military hospitals!
.
.
crickets
.
.

When we hang somebody in the village square, I want it to be the right guy.

Never forget that the news media loves to sensationalize these kind of stories.