Mosque Is About Fear and Hate, the Real Harvest of War

by: HalDonahue

Sat Aug 21, 2010 at 07:55:56 AM EDT

Our nation has been at war for nearly ten years and it is no surprise that we try to demonize our enemies. Many in our country sadly aid these enemies by misidentifying them. Islam is not our enemy any more than Catholicism was the enemy of Britain during the IRA terrorist bombing campaigns.

Our enemies are criminal terrorists who felt the world was not paying their nasty, extremist cult version of Islam enough attention. They hoped to incite the Muslim world into rising up and joining them through mass slaughter and incurring the wrath and violence of the United States. They succeeded in the wrath part but clearly did not succeed in their primary goal of all Islam joining their cult of hate and subjugation.

No less than Christianity, Islam is a rich and varied religion. Just as in Christianity, some fringe cults can grow toxic and extreme. The terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 do not represent Islam. Far better representatives of Islam are the over 100 Muslims who died at work in the towers that day. No one need apologize for Islam.

All these years of war are having a toxic effect on our own American Society. The same toxic poison that infected America during the Vietnam War is infecting our nation again. A propensity to violence, a devaluing of others, even our own citizens, and a decided lack of empathy are decaying our society. It is not just the current hysteria over a NYC mosque and community center but also our vastly skewed government budgets. Billions for a Defense Budget that neglects medical care for troops and their families while preserving enough nuclear weapons to destroy earth several times over. The poison shows in our declining healthcare system where hysteria against providing healthcare for all runs rampant.

The current hostility toward government isn't about a rebirth of "Marxism" or a "Federal take over" of government. It is about ten years of war. It is about a growing frustration that all the death and destruction was for little. It is about a growing realization that our society may have paid too high a price for too little.

The Vietnam War actually sowed seeds that grew into the West's victory in the Cold War without a nuclear war. American society was so traumatized that it took a generation and an attack on our homeland to incite Americans to war. The US military was so deeply troubled that it was transformed from top to bottom. A new generation of military completely rebuilt the services. The new thinking and attitudes resulted in a formidable fighting force seen as unbeatable. War was not a viable option for our enemies.

What was and is a viable option is random acts of violence. During the Reagan Administration many believed that powerless groups frustrated at their inability to compete in the marketplace of ideas or blaming the US for their perceived injustices would launch attacks against this country. Their goal was and is to seek attention and to project an appearance of power. That it took so long to happen is a testament to both our nation's ideals and our power.

As during the Vietnam Era, service to country is denigrated by many. Government is seen by many as ineffective and by others as dangerous. Even if those views are justified, the wrong answer is to denigrate public service. The right answer is to encourage our best and brightest to become part of public service and government. The right answer is to join in the transformation of our government. To help redirect and rebuild our nation not to abandon it.

The Vietnam conflict is far, far different from today's wars. What is not different is the highly toxic effect that war has on a nation and its people.

Diversion of Wounded From Walter Reed to Less Capable Hospitals Ordered

by: HalDonahue

Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 11:42:11 AM EDT

"From: Perry, Cyndi I Ms CIV USA MEDCOM HQ
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 5:47 PM
To: ...
Subject: FW: WTU Patient load in the NCA (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

Consultants,

The attached adheres to guidance from the MEDCOM Chief of Staff and the TSG. With the approaching BRAC transformations in the National Capitol Area it is crucial to decrease the flow of wounded Soldiers to WRAMC and Ft Belvoir in preparation for new facilities being constructed.

Barracks space on the Bethesda campus will be significantly less than
presently at WRAMC.  Similar space on Ft Belvoir will eventually increase but is still in construction and staffing for an increased number WTs is still in the planning stage until space actually exists.

It is crucial to direct Wounded Warrior flow arriving from the DWMMC at Landstuhl to MTFs outside the NCA.  Today there are 569 Wounded Warriors at WRAMC. This number needs to decrease in a controlled fashion to about half over the next months. MTFs in other Regions need to gradually increase their populations wherever and whenever they have the clinical capability.

One risk to this mission is for receiving physicians to accept Soldiers who could be well-served elsewhere. Please re-enforce this message and pass it to your physicians, particularly those in the NCA and those at sites which are now receiving an increased WT flow.

VR/
Neil Maher ."

The Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) is now causing DoD planners to deprive wounded military personal and indeed the entire military family of the very best medical care. The above quote confirms that the Department of Defense (DoD) directed that wounded soldiers be routed away from Walter Reed, the only world-class institution of its kind in the world. By DoD admission, the the New Walter Reed National Military Medical Center will not be world class.

What is the immediate impact of BRAC Compliance?

-- Our wounded and injured will be sent from the war zones to the "next best" facility

-- Concentrated surgical expertise found at Walter Reed is compromised

-- Concentrated rehabilitation expertise is compromised

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte, U.S. Army. (Released)

The military is facing the largest offensive of the Afghanistan war. And DoD is blithely cutting back on military medical expertise and capability to meet BRAC timetables. A high ranking military medical source unwilling to be officially quoted, stated that if the US conducted a major offensive, the Army in particular and all the military in general, would have no choice but to further overextend medical capabilities through a surge with reduced care. What is going on?

Inconceivably, Bethesda Navy facility will close approximately half of its operating rooms this September for a long awaited renovation. The Navy facility's 19 operating rooms will be reduced to seven for one year to meet BRAC requirements. Walter Reed will close its 16 modern state-of-the-art operating rooms in August 2011 and the Navy will follow by closing their remaining operating rooms to remodel them. The result is fewer operating rooms due to incompetent planning and implementation of BRAC construction.

The New Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) at Bethesda is now officially a catastrophe. DoD refuses to request extension of the BRAC mandated closure of Walter Reed even though Congress urges them to do so. Perhaps the reason is the possible highlighting of the massive, well over one and a half BILLION dollar cost overrun. The Navy retained the authority for the Bethesda WRNMMC project. Perhaps recognizing the failed Navy roll, the Joint Chiefs reportedly assigned BOTH the responsibility and the authority for the New Walter Reed to the Joint Task Force, a long overdue step.

In an "all hands on deck" effort, the Navy is not addressing the major decrease in medical care for our wounded but rather attempting to convince the Joint Chiefs to return authority for the New Walter Reed to the Navy and to retain the base as a navy run facility. The massively over tasked and over extended DoD and JCS appear unable or unwilling to address this catastrophe directly. The result will be degraded medical treatment for our wounded. The Obama Administration and/or the Congress must step in to obtain relief from BRAC in the capital region, at least until the Afghanistan fighting begins to wind down and our casualty rates decrease. The Obama Administration and Congress own this issue now.

Where are the Veterans Service Organizations?  

Speaker Pelosi, 9/11 and Torture

by: HalDonahue

Mon May 18, 2009 at 14:15:58 PM EDT

As the extremely unpopular Dick Cheney continues his torture apologist tour, the reactionary (they are now beyond conservative) opinion media tries to shift attention to Speaker Pelosi and to distract President Obama from the urgent business of repairing our nation.

What are we to do?  Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi gave us the answer immediately following the tragic attack upon our country by Osama Ben Laden and Al Qaeda. The answer is Independent Commission.

During testimony at the "first public hearing in Washington of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States", House Democratic Leader Pelosi stated:

 "From the outset, I believed that a review of the events leading up to the attacks, including the government's response, and the larger issue of our nation's preparedness for terrorist attacks, needed to be comprehensive and conducted independently by individuals who could bring fresh thinking to the issues at hand.
"Congressional investigations, no matter how thorough, would likely be restricted primarily to the jurisdiction of the committee or committees involved.
"Because the government would conduct such investigations, they would be unlikely to achieve the same degree of public acceptance as an independent inquiry.
"I regret that such an inquiry did not begin sooner. Within weeks of the attacks, I offered legislation to establish an independent review to be conducted by people who would challenge conventional wisdom and who had wide perspective and broad experience in dealing with complex problems..."

Nancy Pelosi was right then and her same advice is right now. President Obama did not want the issue rising at this time but it is too late for that course of action. National security is at risk. The very integrity of our legal system and constitution are at stake. No one is above the law. The president is first among EQUALS but not above our lowest citizen. While vile rumors tarnish our soldiers' and country's reputation abroad and stir hate and physical attacks toward us, here at home, violence increases in our society. The world and we need to know exactly what deeds were done in our name, why and the outcome.  

My own personal opinion is that while the disaster of  9/11 called for a level of greatness and resolve found in all the core events of our history from Valley Forge to the Great Depression, the Bush regime rather sacrificed principle and courage for weakness and cowardice. While our people cried to participate and our military sacrificed, the panicked Bush regime dishonored our nation and squandered our resources. I say this because you should know where I am coming from.

The reason Dick Cheney is speaking out is not patriotism but the hot breath of exposure and justice breathing down on him. While the failed vice president rationalizes and dissembles nationally, the United States Government cannot ignore the apparent crimes and failures of the past nearly eight years. For national security reasons, we must perform an accounting of what worked and what failed and why.

The nation conveniently forgets "Slam Dunk!" George Tenet. Bush's approach was unlawful interrogations and opposing a 9/11 commission. Speaker Pelosi stood tall and called for an Independent Commission then; she calls for an independent commission now. Republicans, evidently afraid of the truth, oppose any independent commission.

If we are to accept and condone torture of anyone, it will infect our own society. Already, the integrity of the military appears to be eroding as witnessed by the Tillman case and the cover up of troop electrocutions.  Soon, if  not already, we will see police abusing prisoners. I am a graduate of SERE school. This is the school that exposes select troops to the dangers of captivity and torture. I am proud to say that the instructors there are the very people who led interrogations while exposing and opposing them.

Let's call for an independent commission to review the whole depraved issue of prisoner handling and treatment since 9/11. After that if criminal charges are necessary, we let the law take its course. This way Congress and President Obama can get on with the business of governing. As far fetched as it sounds, it may not be long before waterboarding and other forms of torture come to a police station near you. Why stop at criminal terrorists? Drug users and dealers cause far more American deaths and I know some of you racists out there can't wait to get your hands on illegal immigrants.  

Is Specter in a primary fight? Yes!

by: HalDonahue

Wed May 13, 2009 at 23:31:07 PM EDT

The elephant in that auditorium had nothing to do with veterans and everything to do with Congressman Sestak. The elephant was WHEN Joe Sestak would officially announce that he is running against Senator Arlen Specter. Notice, I said when, not if.

I questioned a few district military veterans about the "when" word. One said best what all were saying:

"He cannot back out now and he will kick Specter's butt".

My thoughts went back to 2005 when several candidates took up the challenge to run for congressmen from Pennsylvania. Joe Sestak pulled rank and took over Iraq Veteran Bryan Lentz's congressional campaign and Bryan agreed to run for state representative. It was a win for Pennsylvania. Both Sestak and Lentz won their races. Sestak performed at such a high level that he is now considered a real contender for senator. Bryan Lentz is a star in the Pennsylvania House. What now if Sestak abandons his seat to challenge Senator Specter?

Bryan Lentz is a former ranger and paratrooper and recipient of the Bronze Star for Service. He was deployed to Bosnia in 1998 and when asked in 2003 by his former commander to return to active duty, he volunteered to go to Iraq to serve with his old unit. During his 2004 tour of duty in Iraq, Bryan rightly earned the respect of his troops. Wayne Bowen, author of the book "Undoing Saddam" and a Republican and Army vet who served under Lentz in Iraq, cited Bryan's leadership and valor in the book recounting Bowen's time in Iraq: "Bryan Lentz was the finest example of wartime leadership that I saw in Iraq, and he will always have my respect and admiration." That literally says it all to my mind.

Lentz is a member of Pennsylvania's Veteran's Affairs Committee and a constant and visible advocate for Veterans' issues. He pushes and promotes job training and education programs for veterans. In his very first year, he was the prime sponsor of a law creating a$50 million dollar grant program for volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel.

As a former city policeman, I appreciate that Bryan, a former prosecutor, is a leader on legislation supporting police officers and emergency personnel in the areas of benefits, training and equipment and law and order. Lentz is pushing for parole reforms in the wake of the killing of police by violent parolees.

Do not confuse Bryan with a Republican however! He is a solid progressive or liberal. Lentz co-sponsored legislation banning discrimination on the basis of sexual identity; he is pro-choice and received a perfect score from Penn Environment for advocacy of renewable energy programs. Representative Lentz supports the Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor's energy independence program. Since his experience in Iraq, Bryan knows that a renewable energy policy is directly related to national security because of our dependence on hostile nations that produce oil.

Bryan was the first elected official in the 7th congressional district to endorse Barack Obama for president. Although facing his own re-election bid, he worked with grass roots groups including Obama for America to help deliver both primary and substantial general election wins for Obama.  Lentz demonstrates a selfless commitment to party and principle, and a practical approach to politics that produces results.

Bryan Lentz possesses the perfect resume for a member of Congress. Veterans at the Sestak event, to a person, endorsed State Representative Lentz as the individual best suited to replace Joe Sestak. They remember Bryan's willingness to sacrifice personal desire for the good of the nation and the state.

I remember a younger Bryan. Fresh from active duty and willing to put it all on the line to continue service to country and community. I was searching the nation to find candidates that could win races and were military or could strongly support military. Pennsylvania hit home runs. Lentz was one of the best of that group.

We need leaders like Bryan in government. People who see honor and duty in government service. People who know government is a necessity to a well run society. People who still hear the echoes of long ago: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Pennsylvania Representative Bryan Lentz knows that life is not about him; he knows life is about all of us.  

Prostate Cancer -- DoD dismantling key Pathology Center

by: HalDonahue

Fri Mar 20, 2009 at 10:00:14 AM EDT

Two years ago on a lovely spring day, my world turned upside down. Routine physical, get to the part all guys find uncomfortable and the show stops! My general practitioner says something doesn't feel right. He had taken my pulse and blood pressure earlier; I wager it went off the charts. Next step is a biopsy; results bad. Next step Urologic Oncology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Let us just say it was an "interesting" year and a half of combined military/private medical treatment. Both were top notch, now it appears that nature will have to find another means to my demise.

I am optimistic with a touch of  smugness because of a prestigious  medical organization  -  The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology,  (AFIP), established in 1862.  This world-class pinnacle of science earned its reputation as a national treasure by virtue of being the first  internationally recognized source of sub specialty expertise, with its expert medical second opinions for patients, surgeons, and pathologists both nationally and internationally.  In my case, the physician at AFIP saw an area in question, because she is able to examine the prostate in multiple slices that most private institutions cannot afford. This meticulous detail gave my medical team a heads up to treat me. The failed Bush Regime wanted to outsource this activity, evidently saving money trumps good military medical care that, by the way, is cheaper than from a contractor. Deeply personal to me, it should concern DoD also.  While I am a retired guy for them to "practice on", the Walter Reed waiting room was filled with active duty and their dependents. This is about the soldier.

The AFIP directly impacts modern medicine, particularly surgical pathology, by refining tumor diagnosis, classification and prognosis, leading to increased understanding of effective patient treatment. Many of the AFIP research studies have had a significant impact on treatment and patient outcomes and have led to the development of newer, more effective therapeutic regimens.  

Do you have young children? Are you aware that very young children no longer take aspirin? The Reye Syndrome research came from AFIP studies and data, which led to the Food and Drug Administration decision. Are you aware of record high combat survival rates for our wounded? Body armor and ejection seat studies came from AFIP research data bases. Also, did you know that the AFIP recently identified the strain of influenza virus that devasted the world in 1918 and may replicate in the future?  What all this and much more really means is this institution sees the big picture and both saves and improves lives.  Guess what? You got it - the failed Bush regime placed it on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list. Last year, Congress ordered that from those ashes a new improved AFIP be created called the Joint Pathology Center (JPC), which is at this time a poor substitute for this irreplaceable institution.

To quote a career, senior DoD healthcare official:

"The world class Armed Forces Institute of Pathology was thrown on the
funeral pyre of the BRAC in spite of its invaluable service to the
members of the Armed Forces and all of the citizens of the United States
of America and individuals around the world. "

The AFIP is the benchmark for the JPC. Expectations are high; but the JPC is seen as the "replacement" in this field by all interested parties.  As constituted, this will never be.  The AFIP receives and processes requests for consultations from a wide-variety of both military and civilian sources!  The need for the AFIP consultation services is further substantiated with the following information.  In 2006 and 2007, the AFIP changed more than 70% of over 100,000 contributors' diagnoses! Using just one month, AFIP reviews resulted in change of treatment for more than 30% of patients. Guess what? These are the very labs DoD wants to outsource to civilian labs at far greater costs.

I know this is a dry subject unless you are as intimately involved as I am. This is why DoD healthcare personnel provided data to me and input to this blog. However, my very intimacy allows me to understand what a treasure is being sacrificed on the altar of private enterprise for zero gain. The  Joint Pathology Center should be reviewed and reorganized. Now it appears that remnants of the failed Bush regime are trying to ram its agenda through the Obama Administration before their people are in place to provide direction and oversight. If the AFIP must close, I am confident that the Obama Administration will provide a new direction for the JPC. But I am happy to point out what is happening at DoD while their team is coming together. The United States cannot afford to lose AFIP, the nation's only independent second opinion source.  

'The Unforgiving Minute', Craig Mullaney's Service

by: HalDonahue

Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 09:34:49 AM EDT

The F-4 Phantom, heavy with fuel, began her roll down the tarmac for take off. Going by the book, rotation speed past, hurtling faster down the runway, lift off speed attained, the doomed bird lifted gracefully off the tarmac, landing gear retracting, flaps going up. Slowly, the bird started an uncommanded slow roll to the left, unresponsive to the stick. Bail out, bail out, bail out! Two nearly instantaneous booms as ejection seats struggled at the edge of their design envelope to take their cargo to safety.

The god of Martin Baker, manufacturer of the F-4 ejection seat, smiled that day. A crewman related that he had an out of body experience and watched his physical self hurtle barely off the ground in his seat. All worked as advertised and both men landed safely, literally on the runway. The doomed aircraft crashed across the highway in the Queen's largest forest, exploding in a huge fireball. By the end of the day, the Queen had a new largest forest.

That night Mike, one of the aviators, sat at my dinner  table enjoying the thrill of being alive. My young children listened far closer than my wife or I imagined. That dinner remains a defining memory for my youngsters who are now in their thirties.  Mike's animation, enthusiasm  and excitement burned a lasting image in their minds.

Craig Mullaney's book, The Unforgiving Minute, reminds me of that evening at my dinner table. You are instantaneously in his life. Craig draws you into both his heart and mind; you are "there" whether "there" is West Point, ranger school or Afghanistan.  The Obama campaign introduced us. I purchased the book out of both admiration and encouragement. I recommend 'The Unforgiving Minute' because it is superb and important.

Service to community and country count and Craig Mullaney provided that service. Read the book and you know the caliber of the men and women leading our troops and the troops themselves. More importantly, Craig shows the price of service to country and the cost of sacrifices so few individuals endure in our name. Through heavy use of National Guard and Reserve troops, these men and women are in all of our communities. You can do no less than know the price they paid to serve you and the country.

Our radio show, "What Vets Need to Know" interviewed Stephanie Himel-Nelson, Esq., Director of New Media, Blue Star Families. Their mission is:

"Blue Star Families is a bridge between military families, the shapers of policy affecting military life, and our nation at large. Through outreach to our government leaders and local civilian communities, we strive to share the unique experiences of our military lifestyle and the pride we feel in our families' service. "

Stephanie spoke of the hardships and the rewards of military service. She stressed the economic and social price the military  family pays to serve the country. The disconnect that exists when families return home not just for the service member but the family. They are treated like rare, exotic plants. This is not what they need. The military family needs help and it needs recognition. Please give it and please support them.

These issues percolate in Mullaney's book. These are real challenges and these are real people enduring both the joy and the pain of service.  Captain and Mrs. Craig Mullaney,  thank you both for your service. Craig, well done and welcome home brother.

"It is About Service"

by: HalDonahue

Mon Mar 09, 2009 at 18:58:00 PM EDT

Service matters. Meet Jan Donatelli candidate for congress from the 5th Congressional District of Illinois. Jan Donatelli, pictured above, is a proven leader eager to serve. Jan Donatelli's diverse background includes Navy veteran, mother, civil and military aviator, business owner and union activist. I said her name three times; I want you to remember her name. Donatelli's website states:

... Jan is a regular person, with regular problems just like you -- not a professional politician. She has worked her entire life -- started two businesses, and is a wife and mother. Life experience has taught Jan that the best plans are pragmatic, and solution-driven...

At a time when public service desperately matters, we need people to step forward and lead or work. Long ago in 1973, a military veteran graduated from a top university and, strangely for that time, entered the military. Still losing in Vietnam, the American people attacked government failures and turned away from public service. I was that veteran and I do not regret my decision for one minute. Barely a teenager, I was inspired by President Kennedy's: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. "

We are only now returning to a call to national service. Ronald Reagan convinced "we, the people" that the private sector held all the answers. It does not and it never did.  The failure of Reaganism is as much about balance as anything.  Conservative disgust with government workers produced an aversion to working for or helping anyone else. If you were not a business owner, then you were "less".  Now we stand among the rubble of a crashed economy and a struggling country. The truth is that a healthy country needs good people in every category of society. This is a call to public service. We must rebuild our government and country.

In the recent past, outstanding leaders stepped into the political ring. From just my home state of Pennsylvania, Senator Bob Casey, while not a military veteran, is a staunch supporter of the military family and healthcare. Military veterans, Congressmen Chris Carney and Patrick Murphy, came forward and are leading the effort to rebuild the nation. Jan Donatelli is cut in the same mold. Their call to politics is driven by a call to service and a dedication to country.

But it is not just political service. With my diverse background, I was a member of two unions and and an executive with unionized work forces. Unions can be good and unions can go astray. But the one common denominator, I see  in my experience is that wages are higher and communities healthier when unions are strong.  I was a guest on Charles Showalter's The Union Edge radio program and found out that fully 20% of union members are military veterans.  This makes sense. Veterans know the importance of working together and that you are only as strong as your weakest link.

If politics is not your skill set, become involved in service where you work or live. Every sector of society needs people to get involved in service. Answer the call and help rebuild the USA.

Veterans and the Stimulus

by: HalDonahue

Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 20:37:45 PM EST

Citizens fearing loss of their homes are the single, largest segment of constituent calls to members of Congress. Thousands of jobs are being lost daily and the stock market is in the tank. I expected to see a bit of relief or, at least, hope in my e-mail when President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package). There was some of that but a strong hint of dissatisfaction permeated my mail.  Why? They didn't get enough!

Administration and non-administration staff alike were staring at graphs pointing steeply down. I was in Washington when the bill was being negotiated. Frustration was high and few knew exactly what was in the bill.  Everyone had a strong opinion expect for the Party of no.  They could only chant their failed "tax cut for the rich" strategy. Perhaps in the future, they can help target better legislation instead of playing to their base. I  left Washington as the Senate was voting on the bill and wondered what it would contain.

What it did contain for veterans was:

VA Total = $1.4B
VA Medical Facilities (facilities maintenance) $1B
VA National Cemetery Administration $50M
VA General Operating Expenses (for hiring claims processors) $150M
VA Information Technology Systems $50M
VA Inspector General $1M
VA Grants for State Nursing Home Construction $150M

Joe Bello, a friend, breaks the funding out in more detail with notes and thoughts.

The bill was not even signed and my e-mail was swamped from the left and the right. Why? The right was accusing me of supporting a Democratic Party that abandons both the military and veterans. The left was screaming veterans were not given enough. When President Obama signed the legislation, the pace only accelerated.

Congressman Chet Edwards, Chairman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, is on record in a February 13 press release stating:

"The funding provides for much-needed jobs through targeted investments to improve the quality of life for our service members and veterans, support the National Guard and Reserve. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, these construction funds will create and sustain nearly 100,000 jobs."

Today, February 20th, Congressman Edwards said:

Regarding Congressman Buyer's criticism of the bill, let me point out that the Democratic Congress has increased veterans health care and benefits funding by more in two years than the Republican led House did in 12 years, including his years as Chairman of the VA Committee.  

In 2007 and 2008 alone, the Democratic led Congress increased veterans funding by $16.3 billion, which is more than House Republicans did collectively from 1995 through 2004.  

In addition to the $16.3 billion increase by Democrats in just two years, we also passed a historic 21st Century GI Education bill, which matched the education benefits of the World War II GI Bill.

Congressman Edwards makes clear that the Democratic House, led by Speaker Pelosi, passed $16.3 billion in increases over the Bush requests in the 110th Congress. I mention the House because that was the target of most e-mails. Senate support was as strong. The entire Democratic Party supports veterans and will continue to expand on their record.

Stimulus funding is a good start.   My immediate concern is that the VA may not have enough Obama appointees to quickly direct the new spending.  That can be solved. Now, we veterans must stay in front of Congress and make our requirements known. Over the next couple of years, there is much to accomplish.

Also, a broader course of action is needed. Many temporary and permanent VA positions are available in the coming months. Apply for them. Consider sacrificing some years of your life to helping veterans. For far too long, Conservatives and  Republicans frowned upon government  service. To my mind, there is no higher calling. Barely a teenager, I remember  President John F. Kennedy's stirring call to ask what you can do for your country. Now is another such time.

Democrats in Congress support and will continue to support our military and veterans. Join them.

Rush to Failure: Tripped up by Congress

by: HalDonahue

Tue May 20, 2008 at 17:38:00 PM EDT

I am an outpatient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I wrote several blogs addressing both my inpatient and outpatient experiences. Walter Reed personnel walk on water without wetting the soles of their shoes. Why? Besides their overall medical excellence, Walter Reed medical personnel continue to produce the only clear success story of the Iraq War. They reduced the number of our wounded who died from 25% to 15%. A HUGE accomplishment and the first reduction in casualty deaths in over 50 years. Until the wonder workers at Walter Reed sprang into action, the percentage of our wounded who died remained essentially unchanged from WWII and Korean War times. We are in danger of losing all they gained.

Brigadier General Michael Dunn commanded the Walter Reed Health Care System from 1999 to 2002. In testimony requested by the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in January 2007, he described in depth the impact of BRAC on Walter Reed two months before its problems came to national attention. He now says "The 2005 base closure decision and related serious errors have become a threat to Walter Reed as our dominant teaching medical center, just when it is needed most. I admire Mr Murtha's and Mr Skelton's vigilance to make every dollar count, no matter where Walter Reed begins its second century. Generations to come will need a strong Walter Reed, a name that means clinical excellence." This is the type of forward thinking that matters. General Dunn doesn't oppose the closure of Walter Reed; he does oppose losing or compromising Walter Reed's hard-earned clinical and educational excellence.

We are not discussing "gotcha" moments here. Congressional staff see a real bipartisan concern that the troops receive a world class medical facility not a botched, hurried and mismanaged project. Areas such as cancer treatment and research units are seeing their floor space reduced by nearly half in an apparently futile effort to control construction expenses. Consider that the cost of the Bethesda project has increased almost 500% since May 2005, from $201M to an estimate of $940 million in February 2008. Even with this increase, all the functions currently approved are not reflected in this funding estimate and the cost overrun will almost certainly exceed one BILLION dollars. Further, no completed or even partial design for the new Walter Reed exists and something as simple as parking appears headed for disaster. They appear to be providing a net increase of 1,800 parking spaces while the total increase in workforce and patient population will be over 4,000 per day, leaving a potential shortfall of over 2,200 parking spaces. A bit of oversight is in order.

Amy Gardner, Washington Post staff writer, says that Congressman Murtha's concerns led to the change in the bill, and that ensuring proper medical care is the purpose of the provision. Because the focus of the legislative language is improved medical care for our troops and their families, this language has bipartisan support. According to his office, Congressman Murtha said: "I'd like to thank Chairmen Skelton for his unrelenting leadership and support of military medicine. His diligent efforts resulted in this bipartisan language."

The focus of their effort is transparency and accountability; traits lacking now. Everyone, liberal, conservative, military or nonmilitary should call their congressional representative and urge them to retain Chairman Skelton's committee language requiring true accountability and transparency in the Walter Reed related hospitals construction. Finally Congress is speaking out for the troops in meaningful ways. Tell them so now.  

Homeless and Facing Prison: An American Tradition

by: HalDonahue

Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 13:41:38 PM EST

I returned home from the Vietnam War and was extremely lucky. A local college provided a very warm welcome to veterans. As I remember it, no matter what our high school academics looked like, we were provisionally admitted into a program with limited class load and careful but almost unnoticed counseling. We thrived. Our little group of 10 or 12 veterans produced local community leaders like a bank president, a Chamber of Commerce president and a carpenter/artist to mention just a few. To the best of my knowledge, none of us became homeless or spent years in prison. What that college provided was a community and a reality check for all of us in a safe environment. Mixing veterans and the outside world, barely noticed we transitioned. We need similar programs now.

While attending college, I worked as a city policeman and saw the human toll building up as returning veterans tried desperately to cope. My fellow officers, many veterans of WWII and Korea, tried to stem the flow to "give a break" where they could but in so many cases it was hopeless -- a mere finger in the dike of agony. Well, I will no longer stand for it. I urge you not to either.

Demand programs like the one I attended. Demand new and innovative programs for another generation at risk. What worked for me and my cohorts won't necessarily work for today's soldier. Do not allow ANY politician to claim a program is too expensive - we started this war; we better pay for it.

The hurting soldiers and veterans in our midst are a cost of war. They deserve better than my generation and so many past veteran generations often received: homelessness and prison. It is WAY past time to brake the chain of human waste and abuse. I don't want any right or left wing propagandist saying hurting veterans don't exist or calling them phony soldiers. Everyone of us, not just veterans but all proud American citizens of every political stripe, should demand accountability and change. None, not one, of our troops should be abandoned anywhere because they were too expensive.

Bush's Greatest Military Success

by: HalDonahue

Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 20:57:10 PM EST

Dead and injured are the byproducts of war. If you were seriously injured in combat from the Korean War to the Gulf War, there was a 25% chance that you would die. The miracle from Iraq is that the 25% rate is reduced to an incredible ten (10) percent. This is astonishing, incredible; there are not enough superlative words to heap on this achievement. What I did not understand was why this incredible accomplishment is played down by the Bush Regime. I thought the answer was the new and constantly modified body armor but now I know the  whole story.

I received a book for the holidays:"better; A Surgeon's Notes on Performance" written by Atul Gawande, a young Boston surgeon. Dr. Gawande explains the real story. Here, I found the percentages above and, although he is almost certainly not aware of it, he explains why the Bush Regime plays down their magnificent accomplishment.  Rumsfeld, failed Secretary of Defense, is at fault..  As told by Dr. Gawande, Walter Reed medical staff early on worked diligently to achieve the best results with their limited resources. How?

"And what they described revealed an intriguing effort to do something we in civilian medicine do spottily at best: to make a science of performance, to investigate and improve how well they use the knowledge and technologies they already have at hand. The doctors told me of simple, almost banal changes that produced enormous improvements."

(better, A Surgeon's Notes on Performance, pages 55, 56)

The combined "Top Gun" and "Red Flag" of the military medical world, Walter Reed is the only remaining United States medical facility with the critical mass of medical and military professionals at all levels (medics, research specialists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare specialists) able to develop the program described by Dr. Gawande.  Having the ability is one thing; having the courage to shake up a whole military medical establishment is another. The military serving at Walter Reed have the courage. They  pursued  absolute perfection implementing the perfection of tiny steps. They were and are wildly successful and the number of combat injured who died fell from 25% to an amazing 10%. Could this really be true? I contacted people, not just at Walter Reed but in Iraq and those recently retired. This incredible feat is true.

Their reward for this outstanding achievement? The entire team is being dismantled and the critical mass required to accomplish great things dispersed to the winds. Brownie and Tenant got medals. I realize incompetence is the single word identifier for the Bush Administration but I didn't realize that they pursued it so aggressively. Sadly, in the next conflict, the death rate for our wounded will again approach 25%. Meanwhile Rumsfeld is gone but his acolyte, David Chu, and of course Dick Chaney continue destroying military healthcare.

Senator Mitch McConnell explains...Bottom line? The troops asked for it

by: HalDonahue

Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 17:38:26 PM EST

Kentucky's Grayson County News-Gazette:  

"I won't tell you everything is great in Iraq; it is not. But we want to keep a steady flow of funds so that we don't disrupt the military," said McConnell. "Unfortunately, most of our friends on the other isle are having a hard time admitting things are getting better; some days I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win. Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers.

Rather than just go to the core of McConnell's statement I wanted you to see the entire quote. To note that even Mitch admits that Iraq is NOT going "great" and to see how Senator McConnell attacks the very patriotism of Democrat Senators and the majority of the military and their families criticizing Bush's Iraq War: "... I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win"."  But the last sentence is outrageous! "BUT REMEMBER THESE ARE FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS.

Senator McConnell, my first major point is that you are lying. There my be a nicer way to phrase it but I will not do it. This is a premeditated lie. In your position as Republican leader of the Senate, you have to know that a large number of our combat dead are not "professional full-time soldiers". They are our friends and neighbors, National Guard and Reserve soldiers dying far from home.  But even if they were professional soldiers, as I am even though retired, does that make their deaths more acceptable? Is the life of a professional soldier pledged to defend this country and its constitution any less valuable? No soldier serves a lifetime for the money. We serve to defend the United States and the Constitution, a document you apparently do not understand.  THEY ASKED FOR IT.! The country owes them little if anything for their sacrifice.  At least now I understand why the Republican Party and Senator McConnell do not support the troops. I never understood why only words and yellow ribbons ever reached the troops on time and in adequate numbers.

You, Senator McConnell, insulted our soldiers and their families while dishonoring our casualties. You owe EVERY soldier and family member an apology. If you had any honor you would resign.....

Exposed, and I Don't Mean CNN

by: HalDonahue

Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 20:57:43 PM EST

Well someone should not so gently tell extreme conservative Limbaugh those ARE the defining issues of his fundamentalist conservatives. A retired National Guard Army General, who is gay and actively supporting Hillary, asked if the US military was professional enough to end the "don't ask; don't tell" policy. The general was booed and the tap dancing on stage was amazing to watch. Another gay related question, by a Log Cabin Republican supporting Obama, completely upset Rush who shrieked that "gay" is not an issue. Well from the sounds of the audience booing the General, it certainly is an issue with what remains of the conservative movement and the Republican Party.

Another question from an Edwards supporter concerned what would Jesus do. Rush was screaming foul. Mr. Limbaugh, I don't know how to break it to you but I wager these supporters of Democratic candidates are still or were recently Republicans. The dirty little secret, that I am certain your frequent issue polling indicates, is that many of that vast audience you claim to have are simply people who don't care to listen to music all the time or who require traffic information. Almost all the near-monopoly talkers are owned by your fundamentalist conservative fellow travelers. But, you do entertain us. THAT is why you found it so necessary to paint religion, gays and racism as dead or uninteresting issues. Your polling must show those issues will only expose fundamentalist conservatives as intolerant and nasty. You even accused CNN of attempting to expose conservatives as racist because of a questioner who had a confederate flag as his background and in his question.

Mr. Limbaugh went on to rant that immigration was a hot issue. Again, as your frequent polling must show, Rush, the majority of your listeners are not racists but your fundamentalist conservatives often are VERY racist. I troll conservative blog sites and I urge all of you to join me. Please spend an hour or two on any conservative blog addressing immigration and it is immediately clear that a virulent strain of racism runs throughout most discussion. At several anti "illegal" immigrant rallies in Pennsylvania, the crowds were heavily made up of neo-Nazis, skinheads and assorted "other" white supremacist organizations and members. Rush desperately attempts to hide this aspect of extreme conservatism from his listeners. Immigration presents serious challenges to our country. Illegal immigration, by the way, is yet another direct result of fundamentalist conservative George Bush's near total incompetence which clearly complicates the challenge facing the country. Conservatives scream, "illegal immigrant" indicating a crime akin to murder or certainly some major felony. In the real world, on the criminal totem pole, being an illegal immigrant is a crime ranking lower than jay walking or a parking ticket.

Reality check! Here is a dose of reality. Walk across any military base. Walk the halls of Walter Reed, as I do. You will see the "real" America. We are all there in the military: gay and straight soldiers and generals, fundamentalist conservatives and atheists, children of illegal immigrants and I suspect illegal immigrants. Would you like more? The military has the brilliant and the challenged along with every color and racial mix under the sun. This is AMERICA at its absolute best. Like a great stew every flavor is identifiable and not easily blended into a wonderful creation. The REAL America is not Rush's fundamentalist conservatism of black and white, of obey and pay or of every"man" for themselves. The REAL America is much more like the military, especially at the unit level: a sometime bruising mixture of all Americans nonetheless watching each others backs to the death and totally committed to defending and building America.

Rush, if you do not know that, then no amount of polling will ever help you nor will it help your acolytes. Immigration is a real challenge. As this country strives to deal with the huge influx of immigrant workers Bush allowed into this country, we need to behave as the great nation we are and the military that represents us; not the racists and greedy Limbaugh is attempting to cloak.  

Veterans: the good, the bad and the ugly

by: HalDonahue

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 14:29:42 PM EST

Many of us, veterans or not, knew faces behind the names on the "Wall", the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.  Northeastern Pennsylvania knows the horrendous cost of war. Every name on that wall reflects a life cut short serving our nation. Just as our most recent local war casualties, every soldier on that wall , many local men and woman included, had families, friends and ties to the community severed as they sacrificed their future. The lesson: never treat war lightly or use force easily for the cost is always high.

However, our dead represent only a portion of the pain, anguish and loss.  While the public supports our fallen,  our community's feelings for the wounded and injured among us are much more complex and no where near as strong. A soldier seldom, if ever, returns home unchanged whether he served in bloody war zones far from home or in New Jersey. One story concerns a seasoned noncommissioned officer who served in the United States, not a war zone; his unit performed autopsies on our combat dead. He went off the rails. Drugs, lies, divorce etc. The result was homelessness and adrift in society. A casualty of war? Oh, yes absolutely.  Difficult to be around? I suspect so. Those who waded knee deep in dead or saw horrific scenes that far more relate to a slaughter house than human congress are often as or more affected. Far easier is to honor those gone, than those who returned, especially when they limped home "damaged". Marble monuments seldom cause problems and are often very comfortable to be around. A scrappy military veteran with many difficulties is the exact opposite. But, no matter how uncomfortable these veterans make you, you do owe them. You sent them off to war. You asked that they literally place their very lives on the line. Many veterans do return home "damaged" and suffer homelessness, imprisonment and disease. They too represent loss to the family and community. Watching a flag draped coffin being lowered into the ground is painful; perhaps more so is watching the slow death and deterioration of other veterans whose wounds we cannot see and whose anguish we cannot hear.

Recently, I monitored absentee voting at the local veterans home.  Many of these veterans were extremely old and struggled to complete absentee ballots.  Many shook and seemed barely able to hang on to life but they demanded to vote and perform what they saw as their civic duty. I was simultaneously sad and inspired. The arrival of the Wall, watching the veterans struggle to vote and assisting families reminded me of both the loss and the cost to the community of veterans "damaged" or suffering early death and disability from their service.

Often veterans are community leaders. Their loss is so often a community loss as well as a family loss.  A grateful Federal and State Government provides earned and awarded benefits for veterans and their families. As much as bullets and bombs, these benefits are a cost of war. Veterans are well served by Pennsylvania. However, the Federal Government at all levels appears to be deliberately depriving veterans of their benefits through inaction, under funding and under staffing. One example, an indigent veteran is entitled to a small pension for service so he is not left completely homeless and starving. The wait time to process a claim for an indigent veteran is six months - not much help to a troubled or dying veteran with no resources. Local charities or governments are forced to step in and expend their sparse resources on an individual that should have recourse to Federal benefits.  A second example, loans and business development programs are available for many military veterans. Small compensation for the loss and sacrifice of the individual and the community but recognition of service from a grateful nation. Finding the programs and the veterans seldom appears to function well. This is a serious issue. While many veterans return "damaged" many more return disciplined and educated - natural leaders and businessmen. The local community, as well as the  veteran, loses the opportunity to create new jobs and businesses when these benefits are denied or unused. Ask your local Senator and Congressmen if their intercession on behalf of military veteran constituents is increasing; I wager the answer will almost always be yes.

The Federal Government, for whatever reason, is ignoring, delaying or otherwise making it increasingly difficult to obtain EARNED benefits, not handouts or charity. Veterans should seek those benefits and we should insist they receive them in a respectful and timely manner. Benefits paid to veterans are usually benefits also to the local  community and economy. Worse case, veteran benefits allow local charities and governments to husband scarce resources for those most in need.  Best case, veteran benefits can create jobs, businesses and  retain talent in our communities. Demand the Federal Government recognize its just debts to veterans - they are a cost of war. Local governments: work to guarantee your community's veterans receive every benefit due to them; they, and your communities, earned them.

From Vietnam Veterans' Memorial to 'You No Longer Have a Healthcare Provider'

by: HalDonahue

Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 15:03:41 PM EST