For the early birds in the east and the night owls in the west, please tune into C-Span2

[Decruiter]

It is 4:08 in Central Time - Texas.

This is heart rending testimony. I only caught parts of this a few hours ago, I was out and off-line for 12 hours.

This should be heard by everyone, everywhere.

(I'm watching pieces of this now I've not seen earlier, I'm thinking right now something along the lines of classic war tactics, "divide and conquer".)


What I hear breaks my heart. I have a background in the hospitality industry and I've spent lots, just lots and lots of time in hospitals taking care of my grandparents and parents. I listen to the testimony and I just want to go and help. How hard could this possibly be? My heart just breaks.

The bureaucracy is the problem, the issue. The lack of funding is the issue.


I"m so damned tired of hearing this concern now, but I welcome it.

What is new anyone?

I am feeling hopeful though, I believe that it is the work of activists that has finally brought this issue to the front.
(activists supporting our Veterans and our kids, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and on and on...)

I want to believe that finally this country is going to listen to our true Vets and take care of them as they should be!

[Decruiter]

1. I listen and I just believe that if every soldier before enlistment read

"War is a Racket" by Smedley Butler we would not be where we are today.

Education is the key.

[Decruiter]

2. Is anyone checking in, watching? n/t

[Decruiter]

3. I listen to Sgt. James Doyle's testimony and my heart is breaking,

how have "we the people" let this happen.

Oh, dear god/goddess, spirit, someone please hear our cries and forgive us.

Just DAMN!

[laylah]

4. I do not get

CSpan...please share what you are hearing.

Thanks!

Jenn

[Decruiter]

5. Sgt. Doyle is no longer speaking.,

Now we haveStaff Sgt. Eric Lee speaking.

I can not give a transript but the bottom line is just a total breakdown of care.

Stepmom of Wounded Soldier on now, Leta Dunlap. She is giving kudos, but she has issues, PAPERWORK.

Here we go.................

[sandnsea]

6. What is her deal?

She says she doesn't want people to think there are problems all over Walter Reed, then goes on to talk about that poor couple who didn't know of the assistance they were supposed to get and not even having hot water in the morning!! :crazy: I'm glad she's speaking because she's got a lot to say, but I sure don't understand why she felt the need to defend the problems there.

[Decruiter]

8. She was just one person. Listern to Steven Seyfried now.

It is painful. His heart is broken. We have to do something.

[sandnsea]

10. Oh she was compelling

I just couldn't understand how she could be defensive about the hospital, then turn around and talk about that poor guy left in the lobby for two days and everything else she had to say. It didn't sound like a great situation to me.

I've been watching almost since you first posted. I'm not really surprised by it though. I remember Travis and Keesler back in the 70's, I never felt all that confident about their care and it doesn't sound like it's improved. They do great if you can get with a doctor, it's always been the getting TO the doctor that's been the problem.

[Decruiter]

12. S&S you've been around forever. What you said is why I posted.

The testimony of these individuals is so harsh. They praise and yet complain. They are all just asking for help.

As I said, this has aired several times and I've caught bits and pieces each time.

I'm heartsick.

I can't believe what I'm hearing.

on edit:

I can believe it, it is just so damned not acceptable!! Not again. just not again, only this time it is worse than ever.

[sandnsea]

14. I was so lucky

My oldest was born with a heart condition. Travis decided to just let the civilian pediatric cardiologist handle everything so I only had to go there once. Medical was different then too, they just paid the hospital and doctor direct, no Tri-Care and whatever stuff they have today. Anyway, Travis and Keesler were just swamped with patients, and it was lots of go here and go there and on and on with paperwork. My husband was stationed at a small base with a small hospital, so we were lucky to get good personal care there. So I know the doctors have the training and ability. It's just when they get into the larger facilities without enough support staff that it all goes to hell.

[fedupinBushcountry]

7. The thing is

if the story of the mold etc. did not come out all the underlying problems would have also continued.

It was soldiers who brought their story to the media, they are the activist in this situation. If it wasn't for those soldiers going to the media this woman would not have been able to voice her concerns.

[Decruiter]

9. The thing is "we" have been letting our soldiers be mistreated for

many, many years. I thank god for the Vets we have now that picked up the mantle to take care of those coming home now.

I am just so pissed!

Our citizens that have served deserve so much more than this total disregard.

[fedupinBushcountry]

13. What "we" have to do

is not let this story die and leave the short attention span of the media. I know exactly a lot of the problems in the military and the privatization that has been allowed to grow since the Reagan years has caused many of them.

My husband served for 20 years and I do know what I am talking about.

[Decruiter]

11. I hope more DU'ers tune in. I've got to go. n/t