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BUSH'S ONGOING WAR AGAINST VETERANS
British and American coalition forces are using depleted uranium (DU) shells in their occupation of Iraq and deliberately flouting a United Nations resolution which classifies the munitions as illegal weapons of mass destruction ~ and then ignoring the after effects by not acknowledging the victims as war casualties: Allen L Roland
I'm a Navy veteran, a former Navy carrier pilot, and I cannot condone the action of this administration regarding its veterans ~ who are risking their lives and health fighting Bush's illegal war and occupation and being ignored as to their growing health care needs. Incidentally, I posted this article in June of 2005 ( almost two years ago ) under the title BUSH'S UNFORGIVEABLE COVERUP / IGNORING VETERANS HEALTH.
According to a June 2005 Washington Post, the Department of Veteran Affairs predicted that just 23,533 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan would need medical treatment this fiscal year. A more realistic projection? The VA now says the number is more likely to be 103,000.
This is the unforgiveable coverup by the Cheny/Bush administration who have not only refused to honor the dead but refuse to acknowledge the seriously sick and maimed ~ especially by radio-active weapons ( code name Depleted Uranium )
The Post also writes " Given the magnitude of claims that emerged from the Gulf War and the longstanding refusal to acknowledge by the problem of illnesses caused by U.S. weapons themselves, especially depleted uranium, on the part of the U.S. government (as well as on the part of the U.S. mainstream media ) it is not difficult to foresee that a fiscal problem of truly gargantuan problems will soon be emerging."
The Sunday herald reports that an expert report warning that the long-term health of Iraq’s civilian population would be endangered by British and US depleted uranium (DU) weapons has been kept secret. The study by three leading radiation scientists cautioned that children and adults could contract cancer after breathing in dust containing DU, which is radioactive and chemically toxic. But it was blocked from publication by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which employed the main author, Dr Keith Baverstock, as a senior radiation advisor. He alleges that it was deliberately suppressed, though this is denied by WHO.
In other words, British and American coalition forces are using depleted uranium (DU) shells in the war against Iraq and deliberately flouting a United Nations resolution which classifies the munitions as illegal weapons of mass destruction ~ and then ignoring the after effects by not acknowledging the victims as war casualties.
http://www.sundayherald.com/32522
Why am I not shocked and surprised ~ in light of the ongoing actions of this insensitive and corrupt administration.
Once again, this is an unforgivable coverup which is finally making its way to the floor of Congress and the media.
And the Post quotes Jerry Lewis, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Chairman, as saying that the use of the bad budget numbers "borders on stupidity" -- or worse. " Somebody was hoping they could hide the ball for a while and talk about it later, and frankly in this arena you can't afford to do that," Lewis said.
In that regard, here is a short editorial from The Toledo Blade ~ deep in Bush country ~ which should make the White House extremely nervous.
Excerpt: For several years now, the Bush bean counters have been slashing funds for veterans’ medical care. Playing cheap with those who have put their lives on the line would be a concern any time. Coming as the shortfall does as soldiers return home daily from war in Afghanistan and Iraq with horrific injuries, it’s a scandal...The result has been a longer wait for medical care and the closing of some VA clinics.....Such discriminatory policies clearly are out of line. The federal government cannot be all things to all of the American people, but the least it can do is to keep faith with those who kept faith with it by serving in the armed forces. "
Allen L Roland http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2007/03/06.html
The war against veterans
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050630/OPINION02/50630004
PRESIDENT Bush gives plenty of lip service to men and women in uniform. Now it’s time for the President to put his money where his mouth is and fully fund veterans’ benefits.
An official of the Department of Veterans Affairs admitted last week that it is short $1 billion for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, but giving short shrift to those who have served their country is nothing new for this administration.
For several years now, the Bush bean counters have been slashing funds for veterans’ medical care. Playing cheap with those who have put their lives on the line would be a concern any time. Coming as the shortfall does as soldiers return home daily from war in Afghanistan and Iraq with horrific injuries, it’s a scandal.
The outrage on Capitol Hill is bipartisan, even though Republicans have continually thwarted Democratic attempts to give the VA more money under the guise of budget restraint.
Sen. Larry Craig (R., Idaho), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, let it be known that he has reamed out Jim Nicholson, who heads the VA.
Sen. Patty Murray (D., Washington), a member of an appropriations subcommittee overseeing the VA, declared that the administration is unwilling “to make the sacrifices necessary to fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans.”
The result has been a longer wait for medical care and the closing of some VA clinics.
Veterans groups are understandably hot, with most of their ire directed at Republicans, who control Congress and have made a priority of cutting so-called “domestic spending” at the behest of Mr. Bush. One thrust of the Bush policies has been to direct benefits mostly toward those with certain medical problems that are directly attributable to military service.
Steve Robertson, legislative director of the American Legion, says the spending cuts “are inconsistent with a nation at war.” He’s especially critical of dividing veterans into “little groups, the ones that ‘deserve’ and the ones who ‘don’t deserve.’”
Such discriminatory policies clearly are out of line. The federal government cannot be all things to all of the American people, but the least it can do is to keep faith with those who kept faith with it by serving in the armed forces.
Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on Conscious talk radio www.conscioustalk.net
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