Christopher Robin, yes, reports of sub-standard conditions in the VA hospitals have been rumored for years. . .  actually since the vets returned from Vietnam.  Not only that, but HEW did a study on “Homelessness” in 1984-85 and reported that 10% of the Homeless population were Vietnam veterans.  No doubt the percentages are considerably higher now. 

Hey, so what if the living vets are suffering . . . there’s a wailing wall where Congress and the Prez’ can hang wreaths and pay their “respects”.
Maybe they will start collecting money for the next WAR MEMORIAL where they will inscribe new names.

In the meantime “they” i.e. the OLD men who play war games from the comfort of their easy chairs and discuss strategy while they are hunting quail; can pretend they didn’t know that the fallen soldiers are “messed up” upon their return to American soil. That “they” only allow
paraplegics with arms to re-enlist, is another indication of just how harsh the REALITY of WAR is.  The Bush Administration has been requesting a SURGE of 21,000.  Second and Third tours of duty require soldiers who have NOT been diagnosed with PTSD. . . therefore they simply WILL NOT BE diagnosed. Armless persons NEED NOT APPLY. Only paraplegics with arms can re-enlist . . . quadraplegics are absolutely out of the question . . . The REALITY of WAR is exceedingly HARSH. 
Someone asked, (I’m afraid it was Hillary). . . ‘Who knew and when did they know it?’ No, the question should be, WHO DIDN’T KNOW and WHY did they NOT know it >> > >

OK, now we’re all supposed to feel better, right?
The Pentagon found a fall guy, the White House is off the hook, and everyone can go back to paying attention to the real news, like who got married and who got divorced and who sired that baby anyway?

But not me, I am PISSED OFF ROYAL!

Problems exist in the care of the wounded vets because a certain PRESIDENT and a certain VICE PRESIDENT don’t give a damn!

And a certain bunch of congressaurs, particularly the ones who wear their “support the troops” badge on the end of their red noses DON’T GIVE A DAMN EITHER!

The soldier, whether a two-star, a doctor, a nurse or the grunt that mops the ward take their orders through ‘the chain of command’ from ...

THE FLIPPING CIVILIANS THAT RUN THE PENTAGON!

Court Marshall General Weightman ?
Obviously you haven’t been paying attention!

Lets go back and look at the article. “the commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and the medical center, was relieved on Wednesday by ... Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey.”

Harvey is a MISTER as in never seen a lick of military service. In fact Mr. Harvey has a long and profitable career working in corporate America. In fact you might recognize some of those corps as war profiteers!

Gates, who also hasn’t got a lick of experience in the military (but a great deal of experience in promoting Bushes) was quick to concur with Harvey, and say he’s creating a commission to look into the situation. Oh goody! Another bunch of civilians with the ‘to be expected’ boondoggle of layers of bureaucracy.

Notice he DID NOT say the problems would get fixed ASAP!

Of course he didn’t mention the lack of funds, or suggest maybe he should ask the PRESIDENT and his red-nosed congressaurs ... “Why have you cut funds to take care of the wounded that YOUR war created?”

No, instead he came up with two (non) solutions ...

FIRE THE TWO-STAR WHO WAS FOLLOWING ORDERS and
THREATEN THE WOUNDED VETS!

[Walter Reed patients told to keep quiet!] http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/TNSreedinspect070227/

Since the introduction of women into combat there is a new phenomenon surfacing among that population. They are showing signs of suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Their symptoms are unusual, in that it is being reported
and documented that some women military personnel are suffering from the repercussions of sexual assaults and sexual harassment.

How NOT surprising!  Following most wars the “spoils of war” have included the women of the conquered, i.e. “the war booty”.  Agreed, one of the arguments for invading these societies (Afghanistan & Iraq) was so the women of those backward societies would be freed of their oppressive male dominators. (Women would even be allowed and encouraged to VOTE) Ironic then, that the males of the conquering armies would turn around and RAPE their fellow female soldiers.  Just another example of the sheer “Insanity of War” in a seemingly minimally civilized world. 
Oh me oh my !

Since the introduction of women into combat there is a new phenomenon surfacing among that population. They are showing signs of suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Their symptoms are unusual, in that it is being reported
and documented that some women military personnel are suffering from the repercussions of sexual assaults and sexual harassment.

How NOT surprising!  Following most wars the “spoils of war” have included the women of the conquered, i.e. “the war booty”.  Agreed, one of the arguments for invading these societies (Afghanistan & Iraq) was so the women of those backward societies would be freed of their oppressive male dominators. (Women would even be allowed and encouraged to VOTE) Ironic then, that the males of the conquering armies would turn around and attack their fellow female soldiers.  Just another example of the sheer “Insanity of War” in a seemingly minimally civilized world. 
Oh me oh my !

Poor him ! We sincerely send him our
“condolences”. Just rest in peace, my dear general.

They were so quick to fire Weightman after public outcry about the conditions at Walter Reed.  How is it we were stuck with Rummy for years after it became apparent he was screwing up.  And he still wasn’t fired.  At least, parts of Walter Reed seemed to be going quite well.  Can’t say that about Iraq.  Now, they’ll have to gag Weightman to keep secret the reasons things were so deplorable at Walter Reed.  He probably complained bitterly about conditions and got no help from the Bush administration which is so dedicated to giving our troops the care they deserve.  This is going to impact recruitments.

So is this bastard going to be Court Marshalled?
It seems to me that this should be the end of his career and all retirement benefits suspended indefinitely. Had this been an NCO hard time and forfeiture would have been the norm. I hope all readers will E mail their congressmen and demand General Weightman be brought up on charges.

How long has there been talk of the poor conditions in Veteran hospitals?

Years.

But now they discover them? And better yet Gates gets out in front, with a flag and cameras rolling, like this was some new discovery uncovered? Please.