Just a quick typo, and you have this correct in the earlier post. Kiley is the army's top medical officer not military officer

-Henry

"Clear Skies", Healthy Forests", "Support Our Troops". Am I starting to notice a a pattern here?

Does anyone think that if Junior and Darth Cheney really gave two shits about the people the send out to do the nasty work that their fantasy world requires to prop itself up that this situation would have been allowed to occur, let alone persist?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the consistent attitude of this malAdministration and their stooges is simple: "I've got mine, so fuck you".

Keep voting them in. I'm sure that will pan out in the long run. Until then, take two aspirin and call me in the NEVER !!

Most of those troops didn't vote in the present administration and don't want to be in Iraq any more than you do. The troops deserve all the help and respect we can give them. Neither the conditions, nor the stupidity and arrogance of their "leaders" are they responsible for.

The larger picture should be considered and the troops don't need to be punished any more than they already are.

Yes, the underlings will take the fall - that's the way life is in this disaster of an administration.

There's another way in which Walter Reed will be like Abu Ghraib. It is yet another massive embarrassment for the US. Everyone sees how we treat those who suffer, even when that suffering was caused by this administration's wrong choices.

It's enough to cement for me a picture of those in power reveling in the suffering of others. Such cruelty is like food and drink to them, one of the most exclusive luxuries in their grasp. Can there be any other possible explanation when we look at their conduct as an undivided whole?

The first question that comes to mind is, why didn't the representatives wife, after 'getting nowhere' with Kiley, make noise elsewhere? Surely she could have spoken to a reporter? I can understand that this route might be frowned upon, by her husband or by the established traditions of politicians' spouses, or both-- I would not accuse her of any missteps if this were the case.

But when you look at the special access to information afforded to people in her position, it seems a shame that they would have no options outside of the official channels for affecting changes to those things which are obviously wrong. In the age of blogs, when we have the example of John Edwards' wife being active, if semi-anonymous, in the blogosphere- well I just think that blogs could provide an appropriate outlet for people in this woman's position. They would not be 'running to the press' or 'meddling in official afairs', but simply making their personal diaries and life experiences known.

A friend of mine works in marketing for a medical journal publishing house, and in my discussions with him it has become apparent that he has a unique relationship with the top scientific and medical minds of the day. He, in effect, has an 'in' to get explanations for the newest trends and technology- straight from the horse's mouth- and we came to the conclusion that such indirect involvement in a field allows for objective reporting and information sharing that is at once authoritative and accessible to the layman. Perhaps we can see this dynamic put to use by our natural, unofficial insider sources to stories such as Walter Reed, etc.

On The Randi Rhodes Show yesterday she tipped us off to a WPost story (the link is below) regarding Mrs. Joyce Rumsfeld. Here is the quote from the story:

Last October, Joyce Rumsfeld, the wife of then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was taken to Walter Reed by a friend concerned about outpatient treatment. She attended a weekly meeting, called Girls Time Out, at which wives, girlfriends and mothers of soldiers exchange stories and offer support.

According to three people who attended the gathering, Rumsfeld listened quietly. Some of the women did not know who she was. At the end of the meeting, Rumsfeld asked one of the staff members whether she thought that the soldiers her husband was meeting on his visits had been handpicked to paint a rosy picture of their time there. The answer was yes.

When Walter Reed officials found out that Rumsfeld had visited, they told the friend who brought her -- a woman who had volunteered there many times -- that she was no longer welcome on the grounds.

The link is

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/

2007/02/28/AR2007022801954.html

and this part is 5 paragraphs from the end on page 2.

This article also points out that Kiley lives ACROSS THE STREET from Building 18. One wonders how he can sleep at night. Thick curtains, I guess. And a good pest control guy. As for Mrs. Rumsfeld, my guess is Benadryl and gin, that's what my aunt used to cope with her creepy husband.

I have not seen one article concerning Ft Knox.

Mr. Grieve I used to work for VA & Mil Hospitals.

I retired in 2003.

I worked TDRL. Set up appoints etc.

Ft Knox was my army contact, its always been bad but since a private contractor took over the lies and bullying tactics they put members through is downright criminal. I often received urgent calls to set up appointments. In one case a soldier was dyeing and needed an appointment ASAP. The young man in question had cancer. I insisted on speaking to the soldier before I set up any type of apppointments. Ft Knox knows that NHGL does not interfere when a member is under treatment. In fact the member was in a hospital receiving treatment that day. She did not tell me this. I spoke to family members & spoke to the soldier. Found out he kept all medical records up to date and sent copies to Ft Knox for evaluation. Ft Knox did not accept civilian findings. I refused to set up exam. Eventually a Senator became involved and thank god he received 100% & went PDRL.

The Army did not allow me to contact members. I did find some. Personal information is very important medications, treatments,medical history etc.

Eventually NHGL & the VA will combine services in one building. VA is making all decisions and have let it be known they will not welcome the civilian work force. 6 nurses found out the hard way the ended up quitting.

Military & VA benefits have to be totally revised.

Keep up the good work. Thank god you never give up.