Hospitalized Reservist's AWOL Case to Proceed(spoke of supply shortages)

[maddezmom]

Hospitalized Reservist's AWOL Case to Proceed
Army Report Says Officer Who Sought Psychiatric Care Should Face Court-Martial


~snip~

Goodrum denies the charges and claims the case against him is rooted in retaliation. He has filed numerous complaints up the chain of command over the lack of equipment for troops in Iraq, about a commander whose leadership he questioned and about poor treatment of soldiers awaiting medical care at Fort Knox.

In the October hearing, a lieutenant testified that a captain who particularly disliked Goodrum had coerced two witnesses into writing statements saying they saw Goodrum fraternizing with his sergeant. (She, too, denies the charge, Goodrum's lawyers say.)

Also at the hearing, a lieutenant colonel at Fort Knox testified that he was angry about Goodrum's public statements criticizing the base's handling of sick soldiers. Lt. Col. Ronald Stevens, then the deputy chief of clinical services at Fort Knox, confirmed that Goodrum had been "turned away" from a clinic during his breakdown, but said it was because of a misunderstanding.

Goodrum's case has raised concern among some veterans who are also activists, as well as among some members of Congress.

When contacted by Goodrum earlier this year, Tennessee Republican Sens. Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander asked the Army to investigate and report back on his case. The senators specifically asked about allegations that Goodrum had been inappropriately locked down in the Walter Reed psychiatric ward. Goodrum's medical records suggest that he was locked down for administration or legal reasons rather than medical reasons, as is the norm. Army lawyers told the senators the Privacy Act prevented them from responding.

~snip~

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53642-2004Dec9.html

[Rose Siding]

1. You know it's fubar

when even honorary cabal members can't untangle the mess that's been woven around you.

[Tempest]

2. More information on Iraqi supply problems

U.S. details problem on Iraq supply lines

http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/12/10/news/armor.html

[maddezmom]

3. Paul Rieckhoff of Operation Truth

Yet other soldiers and former soldiers remain angry. "This is a big problem that demands immediate attention and what you saw yesterday from Rumsfeld shows that he fails to understand what goes on on the ground," said Paul Rieckhoff, a former infantry platoon leader with the Florida National Guard in Iraq who now runs an organization called Operation Truth, an advocacy group for soldiers and veterans.
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"This is a life or death situation for guys over there. Complacency, incompetence, or negligence, I don't know what other excuse there could be. But when these guys screw up, we bleed."
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[anarchy1999]

4. Dear god in heaven! This is so totally spinning out of control!

We, yes that's you and I and all the rest of us, have got to do something to stop this madness.

A good friend told me today to take the money we would spend on my going to Washington on Jan 20 in protest and instead take the money and go to a beach somewhere.

I was in awe, here is a friend, from another country that we are in, suggesting to me that why should I bother to care or to do anything. My response was that "we" as citizens of this country have a responsibilty to hold our politicians' accountable. "They" work for us. My good friend told me, no. Take care of those around you and yourselves.

I'm confused tonight.

(By the way, my friend speaks several languages and has read each book, The Bible, The Koran and The Torah.)

[Just Me]

5. I LOVE MY TROOPS!!!!

I sincerely hope that more and more of them will arrive at an understanding that my (our) opposition to this administration and its policies had everything to do with my (our) love for those who sacrifice for my (our) protection!!!

We are "freedom fighters" of different breeds.

Just, never doubt how much I love you,...'cause I lived in your community,...and I'll never forget the awesome support and unity from that experience,...ever!!!!

Hang in there!!!!!

Together, we will overcome!!!