Was there enough outrage? Enough publicity? (re: Walter Reed)

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm glad to hear they're doing something to make the situation better. I remain more than angry that it happened. I am virtually certain it is not an isolated case or confined just to Walter Reed; there's no doubt there are other horror stories on or near military bases and military hospitals across this nation.

My question today is about the political aspects of it all.

Have any elected officials done enough? I am aware only that Louise Slaughter wrote a nasty letter to SecDef Gates.

Would it have been effective - or unseemly and grandstanding - to have a few congress critters, accompanied by video cameras, knock on the door to the place, tell the (inevitable) guards to stand down, and just walk in, intervbiew the residents, and start filming?

Or should we just wait for the speeches of feigned outrage?

I know Congress is in recess. So fucking what? Most of the bigger mouths live in DC anyhow.

What do *you* think would have been an appropriate response?

[Monkeyman]

1. Here a kicker CNN is with the Army Sec when a soldier yells out check building 11

This is not over. But your right where is the outrage

[AndyA]

2. I believe if we had representatives who gave a shit, things would have never deteriorated

to this point anyway.

Have no Democratic Senators or Representatives visited this facilty lately? Have none of them been there to greet or meet the troops? No doubt one of the questions asked during any visit is "How are you doing now?"

Once again our brilliant elected officials have gotten caught with their pants down, and they will all be trying to spin their way out.

I think it's a disgrace that these people can say support the troops knowing that the ones in need of care here are home are being exposed to such conditions.

It's shameful, it's disgraceful, and every last member of the Senate and House should be ashamed of themselves. But I know that's too much to ask for. They have no shame.

(A few do, but the vast majority as scumbags.)

[Monkeyman]

3. You know Larry Scott of VA Watchdog has done article after article

About the VA , HOW KIDS RETURNING HAVE TAKEN THEIR OWN LIFE's and how in Washington State two vets denied care died. There has been no public outrage by our Leaders

[Hawkowl]

4. We need to follow up!

Letters and phone calls to our reps and LTTE! It is our moral duty as citizens in a pseudo-democracy. Now if only one of our currently politically opportunistic presidential candidates took this issue and mentioned it twenty times daily. This coupled with Murtha's troop bill could be the final stroke in destroying the lying illusion that the Rethugs are strong on defense and pro-military. It is our wedge issue! The wedge between the industrial/military complex. Turn the military against the corporations!

[Stinky The Clown]

5. The military has leaned Republic since St Ronnie bought 'em all those toys back in the 80s ........

..... and they proved to be sufficiently shiny to distract them from the truth. This mess could mark the start of a generational shift in how the military leans.

[KingofNewOrleans]

6. Really, this is just the tip of the iceberg

of a severely overburdened and poorly run healthcare system for the wounded.

The Army Times ran their expose today

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/tnsmedboards070217/

[CANDO]

7. NBC News just covered it.

Support the troops, my ass!