Squalor surrounding wounded Iraq veterans shocks America

[babylonsister]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21324938-2703,00.html

Squalor surrounding wounded Iraq veterans shocks America

* The Bush administration has gone into damage control as the scandal over the treatment of injured soldiers grows,
Sarah Baxter reports from Washington
* March 05, 2007

WHILE he was recovering from a double amputation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington, Latseen Benson, 27, met a parade of VIPs.

Every time the President, the Vice-President or the Defence Secretary passed by, the military hospital would be thoroughly scrubbed. But the improvements would not last long, according to Diane Benson, the mother of the injured Iraq war veteran.

"I wasn't so bothered by the rats, although there were a lot running around outside, but I really wanted his room to be swept and kept clean," she said.

"You couldn't get people to mop the blood and urine from the floor while my son was there with his legs wide open."

snip//

Staff Sergeant John Shannon, 43, whose eye and skull were shattered by a sniper in Ramadi, was sent to Walter Reed in November 2004. On arrival he was given a map of the grounds and told to make his own way to his room. Badly disoriented and barely able to see, he had to hold himself upright by sliding against the walls, asking anybody he could find for directions.

After treatment for his injuries and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, he remained stuck at Walter Reed for two years as an outpatient, but felt neglected by case workers.

more...:cry: :cry: :cry:

[MadMaddie]

1. At what point does neglect become criminal?

[acmavm]

2. We are way past that point I think. I do believe that civilly we are way

into the area where negligence of the intentional variety are valid basis for lawsuits.

[Rydz777]

11. Two kinds of conditions

The condition of the facilities is a scandal, but there is another scandal that is being covered up - the condition of the troops who are being brought there. We still don't have specifics on how many troops have been maimed, how many limbs have been amputated, how many are suffering from mental problems associated with the war. I have seen a figure that 100,000 troops have rotated back with some sort of mental issue, but who really knows? Just like the flag draped coffins are kept "private," data on injuries is closely held. It is simply terrible.

[icymist]

12. Do what these people are doing in a nursing home and face criminal charges.

Blood and urine on the floors is life endangering neglect. Forcing someone who clearly need assistance to walk by themselves and find their own way is abuse. If you get caught doing this kind of stuff in a nursing home, you would soon find yourself suspended, facing possible criminal charges.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

3. kick

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[tblue]

4. My heart breaks

I hear they are silencing the vets at Walter Reed and punishing them for speaking out. That should be the next story.

[Monkeyman]

5. The World is watching!!

[babylonsister]

7. Yes, they are. And their already low opinion of the US is going to take

a big hit over this, justifiably so.

[indepat]

6. How else can 'puke cronies get filthy rich quickly in lucrative probably no-bid privatization

contracts other than by not delivering the product/services they are paid to. Otherwise it would take a little longer for 'puke cronies to get filthy rich.

[niyad]

8. it passed criminal a LONG time ago--these stories are nothing new, I have been hearing them for

decades (ask any vietnam era vet). the situation at walter reed is only a microcosm of the treatment our active duty military and vets have gotten, and are getting.

there needs to be a complete overhaul of the systems for care of our wounded soldiers. but, the person who is MOST responsible for THIS round of wounded, let us not forget, is GEORGE W BUSH, who sent our people into an illegal, unjust and immoral war of choice.

[babylonsister]

9. At least now it's getting a lot of attention. Things can only improve,

hopefully.

And I'm with you; GWB should accept responsibility but you know he won't.

[w4rma]

10. I no longer care if he accepts responsibility. As long as he and his backers are held responsible.nt

[MotorCityMan]

13. *'s accepting responsibility won't mean shit

Number 1, you know damn well he won't mean it. Number 2, when they (rethugs) accept responsibility, they expect that to close the matter and for everyone to "move on".

Fuck that; this situation is heart breaking. These criminals need to be stopped NOW.

[bigtree]

14. they absolutely rely on their volunteers, they need more

what a mess