NARA is responsible for the preservation *and access* of records. As with other agencies which interface directly with the public - IRS, USPS, Social Security - Republicans have hobbled Archives services to frustrate the public with government and to get us to push for privatization.
Of course, with the Trump administration, Republicans…
NARA is responsible for the preservation *and access* of records. As with other agencies which interface directly with the public - IRS, USPS, Social Security - Republicans have hobbled Archives services to frustrate the public with government and to get us to push for privatization.
Of course, with the Trump administration, Republicans have had an additional incentive to actively prevent access. For several years Freedom of Information Act requests have been backed up. Now that Trump's presidential papers irregularities have metastasized to possible criminal cases, the situation created by Trump and his Republican co conspirators is taking a disproportionate percentage of limited resources. This does not only obstruct research and reporting - ie government transparency.
Recently Rep. Jared Golden (D, Maine CD2) a combat veteran of our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, who now serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, wrote to NARA about the plight of veterans, who because they cannot access their records, which can only be accessed through NARA, they cannot receive their essential and emergency benefits.
The harm Trump and the Republicans do ripples out across the nation. Much of it irreparable for many of us.
Lin, I can also attest that nothing at the VA can move for a vet without access to records, from several heartbreaking experiences of fellow veterans. Even with the problems both I and my wife had, they were nothing compared with the experiences of others. While Jabba bragged about what he was doing for the vets and the money he was sending to the VA, it’s services began a significant decline soon after he took office. Part of that was cronies without any experience who were gradually replacing the professionals installed by the Bush and Obama administrations, part of it was Jabba’s obsessive rolling back the VA advances to care and benefits of President Obama, and then part of it was pure Covid 19. Example: The VA had no PPE stockpiles. Remember the South Korean government flying a plane with 50,000 masks to the VA “In honor of the American soldiers who served and died for our country.” The VA was the only major hospital system in the country to all but completely shut down its services. I can’t explain why, nor has anyone given me a reason that makes sense. I could go on, but you get the point. I still get all of my medical services at non-VA providers and hospitals, and they have to rely on me to provide what medical records I have or can remember, which hampers their ability to make good medical decisions in some cases. Other vets are doing the same thing, and we may never go back. It’s a shame, because the VA gave me decent care in the past, and saved my life twice.
Lin, in fairness I give a shout out to my local VA clinic, best care I have ever had. They have struggled to reopen, subject to Administration controls, but most services and departments still closed. President Obama really did make a huge difference in our care and benefits as well (he put a major push on to fast-track records!), only to see the VA partly lose it’s way after he left office....
I use both VA and civilian resources because my records are so dispersed and generally unavailable. My medical care is cobbled from luck and accident. My DDForm214 alone probably saved my life because several critical records “vanished.”
My husband is a Vietnam Vet. He has only used the VA for therapy and meds from a psychiatrist and a therapist. Because of new compensable medical issues that they are discovering, he is now getting a blood draw from them…first time ever…after 53 years!
Here is a man who truly loves you both, (Just as every American should!), for your patriotic sacrifices and brave service as one of America's U. S. Military Heroes.
George, I am REALLY grateful for that Link, thank you! Jon Stewart is anything but skin-deep. A solid human being.
I was a 'burner' while waiting for my combat assignment at Long Binh, and then again after transfer from my combat tour, to the 12th Evac MASH at 25th Div. base in Cu Chi, I was briefly sentenced to burning again as I 'adjusted' to base dress code and protocol.
Every 'shi##er' on base had cut-down 55 gallon drums for depositing human waste. Behind each latrine was 5 gallon diesel fuel cans and a paddle or stick. After sliding out the unoccupied drums you poured the fuel into each one, tossed in something on fire, and picked up the stick, pipe, or paddle and stirred the cauldrons--producing thick, fetid, oily black smoke. It took hours of stirring, because the diesel did not mix with the urine and feces by itself. The smoke was inescapable, and you burned until all that was left was a thin lumpy tar product. Then you cooled the drums, slid them back into the latrine, and brought out the remaining drums, repeat. Like, standing there under the hot tropical sun, you say, "I'm just not warm enough--I need to burn me some sh#t!" Wonderful fragrance on your fatigues, nose hairs and lungs, but it beat combat! And I was lucky--it was temporary duty, and I came home ALIVE. With a bunch of medals and certain smells that my nose will never forget....
All of us here love you, respect you, and are so very grateful for the sacrifices you endured in service to America.
You, and all returning military service men/women are our heroes!
We owe all of you more than we can ever repay, but we all hope to be able to honor you by helping make your living life much more comfortable, peaceful and full of joy.
Ohhhh Gus…my heart goes out to you. I had been with my husband for over 20 years-before I learned about his experiences in Nam (68-69). The only reason was that he suffered a breakdown, out of the blue. He applied for PTSD benefits but writing three incidences that he
was involved in while in combat. It was there I learned the horrors he lived through. I burst into tears. He was referred to a psychiatrist who had been denying every veteran their right to compensation and help. Before he saw him, we learned the VA told him he had to stop that “practice”. My husband should've been given a 75% or a 100% as it affected his job but no, he was given 50%. That was over 30 years ago and he never has been reevaluated because he despises the VA and the government. I hope you are taking care of yourself, Gus.
Oh Gus. I pray that somehow President Biden’s administration will restore the care that President Obama’s administration gave to strengthening and streamlining procedural structures within the VA.
I too get almost all of my medical care here in GA at the VA. The Atlanta VA did indeed shut down as soon as the virus started, but so did the assisted living facility my father was in, and maybe that was part of the reason the hospital shut down, they have a lot of end of life veterans on the upper floors. They have been reopening but like you say, it’s not the same as before. The insipid clown did as much as he could do destroy the federal government, including the PO and the VA. I have found the people there almost universally to be caring and considerate especially now after 2 years of this goddamn virus 🦠. I still prefer to get my care there, and I have excellent private insurance, because I like being with my brothers-in-arms, we still get each other’s backs and I find that comforting. The individual clinics, hematology, hearing, eye care, dental, mental health etc. are as good as you can find and if they can’t help you they will refer you outside of the VA to specialists who can. I know they have been hampered on purpose, but they are swimming against that current heroically from what I have witnessed.
Can’t “heart” this, Dick but I have noticed since my husband put in a claim for hypothyroidism recently, that the VA has been over-responsive. This is a welcomed sight, in my opinion. In fact, here in No. California, the people who have examined him have been female and are very patient with an impatient man. I am happy to hear your (and others) experiences have been so good.
Dick, thanks for your service, Trooper! My wife and I were both receiving care at the Atlanta VA, for over 25 years, and no substantive complaints besides understandable beaurocratic hiccups and the occasional bad apple. Amazing what they did with all they were faced with, if you could find a parking spot....and they improved that over the years. My wife was there for months at a time, and I had many surgeries including open heart, and an agent orange tumor ablation. Got to know the place really well, and see improvements up close. President Obama's Veterans Choice program has now become Community Care in spite of republican efforts to kill it when they could no longer personally enrich themselves.
I agree with everything you wrote, and we chose the VA for the same reasons. I have every hope that President Biden will repair the damage and do good things for us, but I am getting to the point in life when I will have to choose one or the other, and I just may not be able to wait for the VA to recover itself. Thanks again!
Lin, I’m not sure what the source of your information regarding the VA is, but there is misinformation in it. Medical facilities (VA and non) no longer “stockpile” supplies. It was found to be wasteful as many items were thrown away because they expired before they could be used. People tend to paint the whole VA with a broad brush, when there is an error or problem at on facility there is an assumption it occurs in ALL facilities. With that being said, many/moats VAs slowed or cancelled services at various times throughout the pandemic, but there has never been a threat of them closing down. The services were limited to conserve supplies - because of the global healthcare supply shortages (masks, gloves, sterile gowns, etc.) due to manufacturing limitations. To be clear, the VA and military healthcare facilities will be able to get supplies long before non-VA healthcare settings because of the purchasing power of Uncle Sam. The VA, like every other business, has bad employees (doctors, nurses, administrators), but the vast majority of its employees are there because they want to serve Veterans. Direct care providers are verbally and physically abused by Veterans and their families, yet they continue to come to work and greet the Veterans with respect. Every complaint I’ve heard about care and administrative faux pas at the VA happens in non-VA settings as well, you just don’t hear about them. Are there things they can do better? Yes! But given the antiquated electronic medical system it is working with and the BILLIONS of dollars it costs to upgrade the entire (national) VA computer system - it does a damn good job. As you can tell, I’m a VA employee, a Veteran and a nurse - and I’m damn tired of the VA bashing and misinformation. *rant over*
I was an Air Force nurse. The VA operates just like any other hospital system where there are good locations and bad. The administrator at each location is vital. The biggest problem our VA system has is they get the short shrift from political appointees who can do massive damage. TFG despises our military men and women who put their life on the line for this country and would deny them medical care because they’re “suckers and losers”. I think he wanted to privatize VA healthcare to make a profit just like everything else. Already Vietnam veterans have suffered terribly with mental health issues and many are still living on the streets today. I don’t see this trend changing unless someone strong gets in there and fixes the separation process to help everyone leaving military life transition to civilian life.
I have to jump in here. I'm a Vet on disability (60%) and receive all my healthcare from my local VA. As Gus noted, their care has saved my life twice. I have nothing but good things to say about the professionalism and compassion shown me over the past ten years with VA.
Yes, the paperwork drill can be exasperating at times. But one of the other non-combat skills I learned in the Army was how to do battle with a Bureaucracy. It's amazing what a phone call from a Rep or Senator on an Armed Services Committee can do. Know your enemy, have a plan and a back up plan.
Glad to hear you learned how to deal with the bureaucracy. There needs to be an office dedicated to dealing with the transition from military to civilian life.
TO, ThankYou for your work. Being a government employee can be tough. You are a trifecta of public service on many frontlines. ThankYou! Your experience and perspective are really important and welcome. Please do not feel that your contribution is 'a rant.'
I think you are replying to Gus' comment and I think he provided some clarification in another of his comments.
It is complicated. Both the science and the logistics and both are complicated by politics. And now the pandemic.
ThankYou, as always, Gus. I look forward to your comments.
Yes, for decades, my mother worked for a very prominent physician and somewhat greedy man, and another who had been a bombardier and was a socialist, both of whom every week volunteered their services at VA facilities.
It is not only veterans who suffer depletion of services. Military in combat zones and stateside suffer as well. Trump stole money for his wall - from funds allocated by Congress to improve dilapidated military housing.
Republicans give those who serve lip service. But for decades it has been useful to them to have a population of angry men with tactical training and armed to the teeth - not caring about suicide and self harm. Let alone 1/6.
And often the other way round. The mindset of many police officers fits right in. There is considerable overlap, and it is not "invading" that is causing that overlap. It goes in both directions.
Hard to heart this, they were a destruction derby from before day one. Your last sentence is the bookend for Bannon’s boast about destroying the administrative state. They chose heads to destroy departments, not lead them, as was done to the USPS in 2006. Like W, chump pretended that he had a mandate and bulldozed as much of the government as he could. Why is this not a clear and concise message from Dems…
"Why is this not a clear and concise message from Dems…"
Please let me know what you mean by this?
Since Reagan openly declared 'government is the enemy' and Norquist spoke of 'shrinking government so small that you can flush it down the drain' Republicans have set to work dismantling FDR's New Deal, LBJ's Great Society, and even programs that Nixon signed into law such as the EPA and Head Start. Of course McConnell stuffed the ACA so full of poison pills they expected it to strangle at birth and when it didn't Republicans dedicated themselves to repealing it in Congress and dismembering it in the courts. Also since Reagan, Republicans have underfunded and understaffed programs and agencies. Trump was the first to endanger all of government and all of us by assembling a Cabinet and larding the Executive branch with not only incompetent and unqualified people but ideologues opposed to government in general and the missions of the agencies they were planted in.
Democrats talk about this all the time. In office, on the campaign trail, to the press . . . not sure what more you are asking for. But please let me say, it is a rhetorical trope on the Left to note the sins of the GOP, and then blame the Democrats. And just the way your comment is structured brought that to mind.
That said. It is easier to message a lie clearly and concisely, than to unpack the facts of the case and analyze them. It is easier to destroy something than to fix it.
For instance. Look at pandemic policy. It is easier to say 'the virus was created and spread by China' than to trace its origins, the mechanisms of viral spread, and its trajectory. It is easier to say 'mandates take away your freedoms' than to keep revising policy to reflect changes in the virus and in scientific knowledge.
Democrat messages need to be simplified for the dumbed down/headline reading only/think they know it alls who like to argue. Hillary’s emails, Benghazi and now freedom were constantly repeated. After President Biden said so brilliantly “pay your fair share” three times in a speech, I never saw or heard it again. And it relates to so many repubs right up (or down) to idjt45.
Yes. Make America Great vs ... Love Trumps Hate? Most stupid campaign slogan ever. Love Trump, Love Trump ... argh.
Gingrich whipped GOP rhetoric into shape. I think he sent out 'word/phrase of day' cheat sheets to keep them lockstep on message. You can hear it any day of CSpan.
It is so essential to have people like you in red states. Not easy for you, but really important for all of us. ThankYou for finding the strength and fortitude.
From my experience, Golden is as threatened by Left wing ignorance, intransigence, and self indulgence as he is by Right wing rage and propaganda.
In collecting signatures to get Golden on the 2022 ballot, I have already had Indivisible 'activists' (who never show up to Get Out The Vote) saying 'we might as well have the Republican, there is no difference between the parties.' This is a lie of those who oppose parties in general and have a fratricidal/suicidal hatred of the Democratic party in specific.
I am in a blue dot, in a little purple circle, in a vast red wasteland and am already volunteering with the Hancock County Democratic Committee and the Golden campaign.
I am Left of my landsman (Brooklyn homeboy) Bernie Sanders and of anyone you care to name on the Progressive Caucus. But I have campaigned for Golden from the start - some of his big votes frustrate and anger me so I always go back to his full record which is overall good on environmental, labor, civil rights issues which you don't hear of in the press much and which many on the Left do not bother to research or want to know about.
Thank you lin...I feel the same way. Some of Golden's votes and positions are frustrating, but I have never questioned his character, honesty and desire to truly serve the best interests of ALL of his constituents in the 2nd CD. Indivisible seems only to look at the end of their nose....Jared is light-years beyond and above Poliquin and I'd never vote for any Republican in a contest with Golden. I campaigned for Bernie...I was a state level Bernie delegate and one of the twelve Dems in my town. (We joke that our caucus could have been held in a small shed)....but we do what we can, where we can!
Yes. And as a party..we better realize we have become little more than a lost ball in the weeds. Complacency brought us here. Now we are suffering because many Democrats, (and hard working Republicans!) failing to see any action taken by our politicians (Presidents included!!!) to address the simplest of tailgate crap, jumped aboard the B757 hauling the owner who promised to 'take care of it'. Yup.., ticked-off voters from everywhere jumped on the maga-expess. We Democrats, fumbling around with red-flag words like "socialism" just pee'd in our sneakers. Presently, we need to get behind every Democrat running for Governor, Senator, and Representative, plus those already there, Like Rep Golden. Wake up! "This aint no puss game" people.
AGREE 100%. Poliquin is an obsequious worm. Did you see the news of him "marching" to the state Capitol a day or so ago, in company with that other loathsome egomaniac, LePage. Poliquin did a terrible job of representing the 2nd District. He only wishes to represent himself to garner as much wealth and influence as he possibly can.
Yes, we caught that on the news. I am so disgusted that Lepage is back. Was not at all surprised to see Poliquin tagging along to suck up to him and grab that indecent exposure.
Concur! He was fortunate to see the light of day, too many did not. Still, others are 'making do' sans arms, legs, eyes. Now, Rep Golden, is on another battlefield where rules of engagement are just as fuzzy & blurred, and T-snipers abound.
Golden was not drafted into the military. After 9/11 he left college and chose to enlist in the Marines, where he was likely to be sent into combat. He has spoken openly about PTSD.
In general, I try to avoid military metaphors for other struggles. When I try to do that, I really see how overwhelmingly prevalent and almost unavoidable they are. I fear it not only reflects our mind set but bends it to combat rather than cooperation. Eventually you have to come to the bargaining table, best not have too many bodies to climb over. Actual or metaphorical.
Representative Jared Golden has worked hard for Maine-while I haven't always agreed with his positions as a Centrist Dem, I do respect his character, honesty and integrity. That is something I CAN'T say about Mr. Bruce Poliquin, the "conservative" slimewad who is looking to be his opponent. Poliquin is the former Representative for the 2nd District, who was so evasive about answering questions that he hid in a women's lavatory rather than face the media. He was seen marching to the state Capitol a few days ago in the company of another loathsome reject of Maine politics, Paul LePage who wants another term as Governor, since he evidently hadn't considered his mission of decimating state government to be complete enough in his first two terms (won by a lucky plurality, both times). Grrr.
Bathroom Bruce and TeaParty LePage. They're Back. Tanned, ready, and rabid.
Some left wing 'person not party' damage can be mitigated by RCV for Golden. But as some wording in the Maine constitution blocks ranked choice for the gubernatorial race, the Elliot Cutler cultists could hand LePage a win, again.
I can verify Rep. Golden's statement about veterans not receiving their military records for needed causes.
I filed for a copy of my military records on Nov. 22, 2021. A couple of days later, I checked online, and they acknowledged receipt of my request, and the next step would be processing my request. I've checked back every week or two since then, and my request has not moved forward one bit. I checked again five minutes ago and still no movement on my case.
NARA is responsible for the preservation *and access* of records. As with other agencies which interface directly with the public - IRS, USPS, Social Security - Republicans have hobbled Archives services to frustrate the public with government and to get us to push for privatization.
Of course, with the Trump administration, Republicans have had an additional incentive to actively prevent access. For several years Freedom of Information Act requests have been backed up. Now that Trump's presidential papers irregularities have metastasized to possible criminal cases, the situation created by Trump and his Republican co conspirators is taking a disproportionate percentage of limited resources. This does not only obstruct research and reporting - ie government transparency.
Recently Rep. Jared Golden (D, Maine CD2) a combat veteran of our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, who now serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, wrote to NARA about the plight of veterans, who because they cannot access their records, which can only be accessed through NARA, they cannot receive their essential and emergency benefits.
The harm Trump and the Republicans do ripples out across the nation. Much of it irreparable for many of us.
https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/response-severe-backlog-veterans-records-requests-golden-joins-call-full
https://golden.house.gov/sites/golden.house.gov/files/Bentz.Keller.RMBost-Letter%20to%20Fully%20Reopen%20NPRC%201.24.22.pdf
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
https://www.archives.gov/veterans
Lin, I can also attest that nothing at the VA can move for a vet without access to records, from several heartbreaking experiences of fellow veterans. Even with the problems both I and my wife had, they were nothing compared with the experiences of others. While Jabba bragged about what he was doing for the vets and the money he was sending to the VA, it’s services began a significant decline soon after he took office. Part of that was cronies without any experience who were gradually replacing the professionals installed by the Bush and Obama administrations, part of it was Jabba’s obsessive rolling back the VA advances to care and benefits of President Obama, and then part of it was pure Covid 19. Example: The VA had no PPE stockpiles. Remember the South Korean government flying a plane with 50,000 masks to the VA “In honor of the American soldiers who served and died for our country.” The VA was the only major hospital system in the country to all but completely shut down its services. I can’t explain why, nor has anyone given me a reason that makes sense. I could go on, but you get the point. I still get all of my medical services at non-VA providers and hospitals, and they have to rely on me to provide what medical records I have or can remember, which hampers their ability to make good medical decisions in some cases. Other vets are doing the same thing, and we may never go back. It’s a shame, because the VA gave me decent care in the past, and saved my life twice.
Lin, in fairness I give a shout out to my local VA clinic, best care I have ever had. They have struggled to reopen, subject to Administration controls, but most services and departments still closed. President Obama really did make a huge difference in our care and benefits as well (he put a major push on to fast-track records!), only to see the VA partly lose it’s way after he left office....
I use both VA and civilian resources because my records are so dispersed and generally unavailable. My medical care is cobbled from luck and accident. My DDForm214 alone probably saved my life because several critical records “vanished.”
My husband is a Vietnam Vet. He has only used the VA for therapy and meds from a psychiatrist and a therapist. Because of new compensable medical issues that they are discovering, he is now getting a blood draw from them…first time ever…after 53 years!
Here is a man who truly loves you both, (Just as every American should!), for your patriotic sacrifices and brave service as one of America's U. S. Military Heroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-_cipRbqA
George, I am REALLY grateful for that Link, thank you! Jon Stewart is anything but skin-deep. A solid human being.
I was a 'burner' while waiting for my combat assignment at Long Binh, and then again after transfer from my combat tour, to the 12th Evac MASH at 25th Div. base in Cu Chi, I was briefly sentenced to burning again as I 'adjusted' to base dress code and protocol.
Every 'shi##er' on base had cut-down 55 gallon drums for depositing human waste. Behind each latrine was 5 gallon diesel fuel cans and a paddle or stick. After sliding out the unoccupied drums you poured the fuel into each one, tossed in something on fire, and picked up the stick, pipe, or paddle and stirred the cauldrons--producing thick, fetid, oily black smoke. It took hours of stirring, because the diesel did not mix with the urine and feces by itself. The smoke was inescapable, and you burned until all that was left was a thin lumpy tar product. Then you cooled the drums, slid them back into the latrine, and brought out the remaining drums, repeat. Like, standing there under the hot tropical sun, you say, "I'm just not warm enough--I need to burn me some sh#t!" Wonderful fragrance on your fatigues, nose hairs and lungs, but it beat combat! And I was lucky--it was temporary duty, and I came home ALIVE. With a bunch of medals and certain smells that my nose will never forget....
Gus!
All of us here love you, respect you, and are so very grateful for the sacrifices you endured in service to America.
You, and all returning military service men/women are our heroes!
We owe all of you more than we can ever repay, but we all hope to be able to honor you by helping make your living life much more comfortable, peaceful and full of joy.
Ohhhh Gus…my heart goes out to you. I had been with my husband for over 20 years-before I learned about his experiences in Nam (68-69). The only reason was that he suffered a breakdown, out of the blue. He applied for PTSD benefits but writing three incidences that he
was involved in while in combat. It was there I learned the horrors he lived through. I burst into tears. He was referred to a psychiatrist who had been denying every veteran their right to compensation and help. Before he saw him, we learned the VA told him he had to stop that “practice”. My husband should've been given a 75% or a 100% as it affected his job but no, he was given 50%. That was over 30 years ago and he never has been reevaluated because he despises the VA and the government. I hope you are taking care of yourself, Gus.
Oh Gus. I pray that somehow President Biden’s administration will restore the care that President Obama’s administration gave to strengthening and streamlining procedural structures within the VA.
I too get almost all of my medical care here in GA at the VA. The Atlanta VA did indeed shut down as soon as the virus started, but so did the assisted living facility my father was in, and maybe that was part of the reason the hospital shut down, they have a lot of end of life veterans on the upper floors. They have been reopening but like you say, it’s not the same as before. The insipid clown did as much as he could do destroy the federal government, including the PO and the VA. I have found the people there almost universally to be caring and considerate especially now after 2 years of this goddamn virus 🦠. I still prefer to get my care there, and I have excellent private insurance, because I like being with my brothers-in-arms, we still get each other’s backs and I find that comforting. The individual clinics, hematology, hearing, eye care, dental, mental health etc. are as good as you can find and if they can’t help you they will refer you outside of the VA to specialists who can. I know they have been hampered on purpose, but they are swimming against that current heroically from what I have witnessed.
ThankYou. Your insightful and detailed reporting is very useful. A good continuation of Gus' comment.
Can’t “heart” this, Dick but I have noticed since my husband put in a claim for hypothyroidism recently, that the VA has been over-responsive. This is a welcomed sight, in my opinion. In fact, here in No. California, the people who have examined him have been female and are very patient with an impatient man. I am happy to hear your (and others) experiences have been so good.
Hi Melanie, I too am having 'heart' problems, ❤
Dick, thanks for your service, Trooper! My wife and I were both receiving care at the Atlanta VA, for over 25 years, and no substantive complaints besides understandable beaurocratic hiccups and the occasional bad apple. Amazing what they did with all they were faced with, if you could find a parking spot....and they improved that over the years. My wife was there for months at a time, and I had many surgeries including open heart, and an agent orange tumor ablation. Got to know the place really well, and see improvements up close. President Obama's Veterans Choice program has now become Community Care in spite of republican efforts to kill it when they could no longer personally enrich themselves.
I agree with everything you wrote, and we chose the VA for the same reasons. I have every hope that President Biden will repair the damage and do good things for us, but I am getting to the point in life when I will have to choose one or the other, and I just may not be able to wait for the VA to recover itself. Thanks again!
💚
Lin, I’m not sure what the source of your information regarding the VA is, but there is misinformation in it. Medical facilities (VA and non) no longer “stockpile” supplies. It was found to be wasteful as many items were thrown away because they expired before they could be used. People tend to paint the whole VA with a broad brush, when there is an error or problem at on facility there is an assumption it occurs in ALL facilities. With that being said, many/moats VAs slowed or cancelled services at various times throughout the pandemic, but there has never been a threat of them closing down. The services were limited to conserve supplies - because of the global healthcare supply shortages (masks, gloves, sterile gowns, etc.) due to manufacturing limitations. To be clear, the VA and military healthcare facilities will be able to get supplies long before non-VA healthcare settings because of the purchasing power of Uncle Sam. The VA, like every other business, has bad employees (doctors, nurses, administrators), but the vast majority of its employees are there because they want to serve Veterans. Direct care providers are verbally and physically abused by Veterans and their families, yet they continue to come to work and greet the Veterans with respect. Every complaint I’ve heard about care and administrative faux pas at the VA happens in non-VA settings as well, you just don’t hear about them. Are there things they can do better? Yes! But given the antiquated electronic medical system it is working with and the BILLIONS of dollars it costs to upgrade the entire (national) VA computer system - it does a damn good job. As you can tell, I’m a VA employee, a Veteran and a nurse - and I’m damn tired of the VA bashing and misinformation. *rant over*
I was an Air Force nurse. The VA operates just like any other hospital system where there are good locations and bad. The administrator at each location is vital. The biggest problem our VA system has is they get the short shrift from political appointees who can do massive damage. TFG despises our military men and women who put their life on the line for this country and would deny them medical care because they’re “suckers and losers”. I think he wanted to privatize VA healthcare to make a profit just like everything else. Already Vietnam veterans have suffered terribly with mental health issues and many are still living on the streets today. I don’t see this trend changing unless someone strong gets in there and fixes the separation process to help everyone leaving military life transition to civilian life.
So right you are.
I have to jump in here. I'm a Vet on disability (60%) and receive all my healthcare from my local VA. As Gus noted, their care has saved my life twice. I have nothing but good things to say about the professionalism and compassion shown me over the past ten years with VA.
Yes, the paperwork drill can be exasperating at times. But one of the other non-combat skills I learned in the Army was how to do battle with a Bureaucracy. It's amazing what a phone call from a Rep or Senator on an Armed Services Committee can do. Know your enemy, have a plan and a back up plan.
Glad to hear you learned how to deal with the bureaucracy. There needs to be an office dedicated to dealing with the transition from military to civilian life.
TO, ThankYou for your work. Being a government employee can be tough. You are a trifecta of public service on many frontlines. ThankYou! Your experience and perspective are really important and welcome. Please do not feel that your contribution is 'a rant.'
I think you are replying to Gus' comment and I think he provided some clarification in another of his comments.
It is complicated. Both the science and the logistics and both are complicated by politics. And now the pandemic.
Thank You, from an RN.
ThankYou, as always, Gus. I look forward to your comments.
Yes, for decades, my mother worked for a very prominent physician and somewhat greedy man, and another who had been a bombardier and was a socialist, both of whom every week volunteered their services at VA facilities.
It is not only veterans who suffer depletion of services. Military in combat zones and stateside suffer as well. Trump stole money for his wall - from funds allocated by Congress to improve dilapidated military housing.
Republicans give those who serve lip service. But for decades it has been useful to them to have a population of angry men with tactical training and armed to the teeth - not caring about suicide and self harm. Let alone 1/6.
Yes, Lin, we have found that out with members of white supremacy groups invading the armed services and police forces, now haven’t we?
And often the other way round. The mindset of many police officers fits right in. There is considerable overlap, and it is not "invading" that is causing that overlap. It goes in both directions.
Oh. No.
Hard to heart this, they were a destruction derby from before day one. Your last sentence is the bookend for Bannon’s boast about destroying the administrative state. They chose heads to destroy departments, not lead them, as was done to the USPS in 2006. Like W, chump pretended that he had a mandate and bulldozed as much of the government as he could. Why is this not a clear and concise message from Dems…
"Why is this not a clear and concise message from Dems…"
Please let me know what you mean by this?
Since Reagan openly declared 'government is the enemy' and Norquist spoke of 'shrinking government so small that you can flush it down the drain' Republicans have set to work dismantling FDR's New Deal, LBJ's Great Society, and even programs that Nixon signed into law such as the EPA and Head Start. Of course McConnell stuffed the ACA so full of poison pills they expected it to strangle at birth and when it didn't Republicans dedicated themselves to repealing it in Congress and dismembering it in the courts. Also since Reagan, Republicans have underfunded and understaffed programs and agencies. Trump was the first to endanger all of government and all of us by assembling a Cabinet and larding the Executive branch with not only incompetent and unqualified people but ideologues opposed to government in general and the missions of the agencies they were planted in.
Democrats talk about this all the time. In office, on the campaign trail, to the press . . . not sure what more you are asking for. But please let me say, it is a rhetorical trope on the Left to note the sins of the GOP, and then blame the Democrats. And just the way your comment is structured brought that to mind.
That said. It is easier to message a lie clearly and concisely, than to unpack the facts of the case and analyze them. It is easier to destroy something than to fix it.
For instance. Look at pandemic policy. It is easier to say 'the virus was created and spread by China' than to trace its origins, the mechanisms of viral spread, and its trajectory. It is easier to say 'mandates take away your freedoms' than to keep revising policy to reflect changes in the virus and in scientific knowledge.
Democrat messages need to be simplified for the dumbed down/headline reading only/think they know it alls who like to argue. Hillary’s emails, Benghazi and now freedom were constantly repeated. After President Biden said so brilliantly “pay your fair share” three times in a speech, I never saw or heard it again. And it relates to so many repubs right up (or down) to idjt45.
Yes. Make America Great vs ... Love Trumps Hate? Most stupid campaign slogan ever. Love Trump, Love Trump ... argh.
Gingrich whipped GOP rhetoric into shape. I think he sent out 'word/phrase of day' cheat sheets to keep them lockstep on message. You can hear it any day of CSpan.
GOPAC word list
https://uh.edu/~englin/rephandout.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/11/newt-gingrich-says-youre-welcome/570832/
That said. Thoughtful messaging is difficult. Not impossible but difficult.
The 'It Gets Better' campaign for LGBTQ youth for instance.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3IYv1__mSpE
Of course you are right, just wish the cultist in my red state had a clue
It is so essential to have people like you in red states. Not easy for you, but really important for all of us. ThankYou for finding the strength and fortitude.
Lin, I just want to say that I always appreciate your posts for their thoughtful clarity. Thank you.
Jared Golden is being challenged by Lepage/Trump acolyte and former Congressman, Bruce Poliquin. Golden’s voice needs to remain in DC.
From my experience, Golden is as threatened by Left wing ignorance, intransigence, and self indulgence as he is by Right wing rage and propaganda.
In collecting signatures to get Golden on the 2022 ballot, I have already had Indivisible 'activists' (who never show up to Get Out The Vote) saying 'we might as well have the Republican, there is no difference between the parties.' This is a lie of those who oppose parties in general and have a fratricidal/suicidal hatred of the Democratic party in specific.
I am in a blue dot, in a little purple circle, in a vast red wasteland and am already volunteering with the Hancock County Democratic Committee and the Golden campaign.
I am Left of my landsman (Brooklyn homeboy) Bernie Sanders and of anyone you care to name on the Progressive Caucus. But I have campaigned for Golden from the start - some of his big votes frustrate and anger me so I always go back to his full record which is overall good on environmental, labor, civil rights issues which you don't hear of in the press much and which many on the Left do not bother to research or want to know about.
Please Contact your local Democrats or HCDC.
Thank you lin...I feel the same way. Some of Golden's votes and positions are frustrating, but I have never questioned his character, honesty and desire to truly serve the best interests of ALL of his constituents in the 2nd CD. Indivisible seems only to look at the end of their nose....Jared is light-years beyond and above Poliquin and I'd never vote for any Republican in a contest with Golden. I campaigned for Bernie...I was a state level Bernie delegate and one of the twelve Dems in my town. (We joke that our caucus could have been held in a small shed)....but we do what we can, where we can!
Yes. And as a party..we better realize we have become little more than a lost ball in the weeds. Complacency brought us here. Now we are suffering because many Democrats, (and hard working Republicans!) failing to see any action taken by our politicians (Presidents included!!!) to address the simplest of tailgate crap, jumped aboard the B757 hauling the owner who promised to 'take care of it'. Yup.., ticked-off voters from everywhere jumped on the maga-expess. We Democrats, fumbling around with red-flag words like "socialism" just pee'd in our sneakers. Presently, we need to get behind every Democrat running for Governor, Senator, and Representative, plus those already there, Like Rep Golden. Wake up! "This aint no puss game" people.
AGREE 100%. Poliquin is an obsequious worm. Did you see the news of him "marching" to the state Capitol a day or so ago, in company with that other loathsome egomaniac, LePage. Poliquin did a terrible job of representing the 2nd District. He only wishes to represent himself to garner as much wealth and influence as he possibly can.
Yes, we caught that on the news. I am so disgusted that Lepage is back. Was not at all surprised to see Poliquin tagging along to suck up to him and grab that indecent exposure.
Concur! He was fortunate to see the light of day, too many did not. Still, others are 'making do' sans arms, legs, eyes. Now, Rep Golden, is on another battlefield where rules of engagement are just as fuzzy & blurred, and T-snipers abound.
Golden was not drafted into the military. After 9/11 he left college and chose to enlist in the Marines, where he was likely to be sent into combat. He has spoken openly about PTSD.
In general, I try to avoid military metaphors for other struggles. When I try to do that, I really see how overwhelmingly prevalent and almost unavoidable they are. I fear it not only reflects our mind set but bends it to combat rather than cooperation. Eventually you have to come to the bargaining table, best not have too many bodies to climb over. Actual or metaphorical.
Oh, my… :’-(
"The harm Trump and the Republicans do ripples out across the nation. Much of it irreparable for many of us."
lin, don't hold back now, are you sure that they are not "true patriots"?
:-)
Representative Jared Golden has worked hard for Maine-while I haven't always agreed with his positions as a Centrist Dem, I do respect his character, honesty and integrity. That is something I CAN'T say about Mr. Bruce Poliquin, the "conservative" slimewad who is looking to be his opponent. Poliquin is the former Representative for the 2nd District, who was so evasive about answering questions that he hid in a women's lavatory rather than face the media. He was seen marching to the state Capitol a few days ago in the company of another loathsome reject of Maine politics, Paul LePage who wants another term as Governor, since he evidently hadn't considered his mission of decimating state government to be complete enough in his first two terms (won by a lucky plurality, both times). Grrr.
OMGosh. You nailed it.
Bathroom Bruce and TeaParty LePage. They're Back. Tanned, ready, and rabid.
Some left wing 'person not party' damage can be mitigated by RCV for Golden. But as some wording in the Maine constitution blocks ranked choice for the gubernatorial race, the Elliot Cutler cultists could hand LePage a win, again.
I can verify Rep. Golden's statement about veterans not receiving their military records for needed causes.
I filed for a copy of my military records on Nov. 22, 2021. A couple of days later, I checked online, and they acknowledged receipt of my request, and the next step would be processing my request. I've checked back every week or two since then, and my request has not moved forward one bit. I checked again five minutes ago and still no movement on my case.