Response to the editorial on the subject of veterans benefits

Response to the editorials published hereon WESUPPORTTHEVETS We print ALL responses that are logical, germane to the topic of Veterans Issues and in good taste. Don't send us a bashing flaming diatribe and expect it to be viewed here. See Editorial and feedback form HERE

June 17,2005
Hi Bill,

I'm a bit bug eyed from reading the minutes and the slide presentations from May's meeting; along with reading the recent IG Report at http://www.va.gov/oig/52/reports/2005/VAOIG-05-00765-137.pdf and a GAO report which found waste and unaccounted millions at DOD...this rreport can be found at http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20050607144812-61562.pdf.

After all my reading my conclusion is the DoD is truly the Vets worst enemy...Rummy and Co want us to go to our perspective corners and color quietly, and by golly you better color inside the lines.

Anyway, why is the commission studying my Social Security as a benefit...this is a program I have paid into for years...I had no choice...

My retirement pay is a VA benefit? Hhhmmm 21 years of active duty service (and I would of pressed on except for health issues)
led me to believe I earned "retirement pay".

I wrote a letter to the commission and had a list cc list of 38 on my letter...warning that if benefits from the VA are continued to be cut my local community govt will be picking up the tab.

I truly wish I could trust the commission to do what is right for the Veterans, but I don't. Current thinking is Veterans are a greedy lot and a drain on the economy...get to the back of the bus. You are no longer a use to us. We need to pay the health care bills of the illegal immigrant while you the Vet can wait 6 months to be seen at your local VAMC and don't expect to have much time with your PCM, 'cuz they got a hundred just like you that needs to be seen.

Nothing is going to be done until the commission releases it's report...my hope would be they would find VA completely under funded and understaffed, and find that our retirement pay is long overdue. I also hope they will look again at the Voc Rehab program and maybe redefine it's mission.

I pray they will take care of the Vet, in honor of those who are no longer with us, those coming behind us, and for ourselves.

Well stated Susan. I'm pleased you took the time to write the commission with your thoughts. Letters are by law, are to become a part of the report if only as a reference. The immigration issue will become, I'm confident, a very major subject in the 2006 election because of the apparent costs now being disclosed. Thanks for your input and keep those letters going to the commission. I like the CC: part--that is the way to get more people involved and a stronger voice to be heard.

UserEmail:        wjwatt34391@earthlink.net

Date:             23 Aug 2005
Time:             09:29:16

Comments:

Bill,

Your editorial on IED's and demand for Rumsfeld to fix the problem is right on! Instead of the weekly and daily defense of his actions that he exudes in the press briefings, he needs to get off of his duff and find a solution to this problem. Our troops are walking around the streets and traveling the roads with bull's eyes on their backs. Rumsfeld has enough collective manpower on the military side of the house to come off with an effective solution to end this problem. I sometimes think that Rumsfeld's micromanagement of the WAR is a hindrance to the on scene commander's. But, your assessment of the problems are on target. The bottom line for DOD is to "fix the problem" and stop the senseless killing of our troops. Use whatever tactics it takes. Thanks for your ongoing support of veterans causes. Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

Bob

Thanks for the kudos Bob. We'd probably gain a lot of ground in getting the mess cleaned up if we didn't worry about all the "politically correct" repercussions. I note that Tony Blair may have some advice for GWB in that respect. England's Prime Minister Blair made a national speech yesterday in which
he more or less said he didn't give a damn what color you were, what
religion you practiced, or how long you'd been in England ..... anyone stirring
the S**T was OUT .... DEPORTED .... GONE! We're having a hell of a time
keeping men, women and children from crossing the borders illegally, we support
them when they get here, and put people in jail for reporting them
Within days of the terrorist attacks in England, Scotland Yard had
accounted for every man involved. We're still looking for 9/11 terrorists, can't
find Bin Laden, and are now trying to get "permission" to search people who
might have bombs. While the rest of the world is dealing with major problems,
we've got the whole damn Congress fighting over appointment of one Judge
and whether or not the Atlanta Braves can keep their mascot.
We've become so politically correct we look like idiots to the rest of
the world.

At the time the Paris peace talks started on May 10,1968. shortly after the defeat of the Vietcong during tet of 68, a total of 27479 Americans had died in Vietnam. It was at this point the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong were, according to General Giap ready to unconditionally surrender. That is until he realized that although he was being soundly defeated on the battlefields of South Vietnam, He was winning the war over here in the streets of America. He had already heard Walter Cronkite declare the war unwinnable by the United states. He also heard Cronkite state that the defeat during tet was a "Stalemate". With support like this from the US media, Giap determined that he would continue on.... delay delay delay Until the Americans lost their fight at home.

During the negotiations until the cease fire on Jan.28, 1973 the number of Americans killed was 29380. More than before the talks began.

It was during this time when Hanoi Jane was doing here thing. David Horowitz was protesting at Cal Berkley.(Horowitz has since admitted that what he did bordered on treason).

And of course John Kerry met with the negotiation representatives of both the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong. He then testified before Congress and urged them to accept the terms laid down by the North Vietnamese representative.

Also during this time span we had the Kent state shooting, the pictures of the execution in Saigon and the picture of the little Vietnamese girl fleeing naked from a napalm attack. All of these things caused the war to be prolonged as the gave the enemy hope .

At the same time returning soldiers were met with protesters throwing rocks and bricks at buses transporting us to the out processing centers. No one knows how many of us returning vets were met with spit and shouts of "baby killer". Soldiers returning home at this time were instructed NOT to wear our uniforms while traveling home. We were also released in the early morning hours so the chances of running into "hostile Americans" would be less.

Today's veteran must not be put into the same situations. We must not let the protests cause the insurgents to feel the are gaining strength. Nor can we let the protesters take out their hostilities on out returning heroes.

Yes , the protesters have the right to disagree with policy but they do not have the right to endanger our military personnel including my son who will be spending his second consecutive Christmas in the war zone. My suggestion to those who are against the war write and phone your political leaders! keep it personal the media doesn't need to report on it for it to be effective. let your voice be heard by those who need to know not by everyone including the enemy

Larry Stimeling
Di An RVN
1970-71
595th Signal Co.

Well stated Larry.

We also, continue to hope that these protests, no matter if we agree or disagree with the reason for them, remain only an expression of opinion and do not turn aggressive as those in 72 era. I remember well the mixed emotions of this nation at that time. I sincerely do not believe those reasons exist today and the nation is more passive when it comes to protests. This nation today loves and admires our servicemen and women for what they are doing.

Bill - I'm sorry, but I've just got to say this.

While Cindy Sheehan questions the United States' goals in Iraq and has
publicly said that the US is not worth fighting for, she has not done so
simply as a grieving mother, but more so as a political operative. Her
support group is not her family, but many highly visible groups- all
with anti-war, anti- American and socialist trademarks, including Code
Pink; Moveon.org; Veterans for Peace; and United for Peace and Justice.

These groups are anti-Semitic and want Israel dismantled as a state;
they are openly supporting the insurgents in Iraq and elsewhere; and
they are opposed to capitalist societies. Much of the funding for the
publicity behind Ms. Sheehan's "grieving" comes from Fenton
Communications, supported by who's who of the left, George Soros, the
Hollywood elite and foreign sources. It's stated goal is to provide
public relations to those who advocate social changes in this country.

Ms. Sheehan is justified in grieving the loss of her son, but not enough
to condemn his killers.She wrote in one blog that "I don't blame the
Iraqi who killed Casey, I blame Bush... " She also has made a number of
other outrageous statements by referring to terrorists in Iraq as
freedom fighters and has called President Bush the greatest terrorist in
the world .... incredible !

Ms. Sheehan has clearly sided with Islamic fanatics who have declared
war on the Western world. Since 1998, when Osama bin Laden issued his
call to jihad, al-Qaida has attacked 17 countries; killed no less than
5,000 men, women and children; and openly threatened to bring down every
government not committed to Islamic fundamentalism.

That is what Casey Sheehan died fighting against. He died fighting for
the freedom of speech that permits his mother to denigrate and malign
the country he and others who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces
giving life and limb to protect.

Jim Ball

Jim Is a school alumni and personal friend of mine for many years. He is also an outstanding athlete in the track and field events. His background as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force (retired) includes many distinguished duty stations.

Bill,

Just how much do you have to pay to support your Country and President! Hasn't the wounded paid the price already ... or is this just the beginning! Join the Army and be the best you can be ... but don't come home wounded ... because the Army

Doesn't take care of it's own! Then they save Enlistment's are down ... I wonder why?

Irish

Thanks for the article. The sad part is yet to come. When these returning veterans enter the V.A. system they will see what most of the ww2, Korea and Nam vets have experienced in respect to treatment and compensation. This is the only country in the world where the returning vet stands at the end of the line for earned benefits. When you think about the fact that we have given more money to "rebuild" Iraq than we have to the V.A. budget for assistance to veterans, you know we have the wrong reps in D.C. Any Nation that gives immediate financial and medical as well as construction assistance to a foreign power that continues to kill our service members in their streets while making disabled veterans in America wait in a "Ten year phase-in program" to get their earned retirement, is not on the list to receive the Nobel prize for Humanity. One of the known and obvious problems in getting this to the American public is that the media will not cover it in detail.

For instance; If, for one week O'Reilly, Bret Hume and Hannity and Combs asked every congressman that came on their program why they cosponsored HR303 but yet will not sign the DP to get it to the floor for vote, we'd see some response. The reason they will not is that it will bring out the fact that Hastert has had "instructions" from GWB not to let that bill get to his desk for signature because he would have to pass it or explain his veto. Antics like this are what make you wonder why Americans blindly vote for the guy with the best hair and smile. The result is we wind up with no veterans in D.C. representing us. ( Only 23% of the Senate or House have ever worn the uniform) It will remain that way until vets are better organized. Perhaps with the increasing numbers of returning W.I.A. vets and their soon to be experienced association with the V.A. system, we'll see more reasons to VOTE VET!

Bill Gast-editor

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The article on Obama rates in the "top ten things not to do during a national election. Good coverage.

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