Walter Reed Scandal Adds to Bush's Shame

My readers and friends know I do not delve into politics on this blog. But this is not about politics. I  have been a moderate Republican my whole life, and I was raised by my father to respect our nation's leaders, regardless of party affiliation. But what about when our leaders have no character to respect and be proud of?

I have been reading and watching the unfolding news about the horrible conditions soldiers are facing in this unjust and highly questionable war with Iraq. I am not talking about the conditions in Iraq itself. I am talking about how our injured troops were being treated back here in the United States. I watched with anger and tears as Bob Woodruff of ABC News documented how the Veterans Administration is unable to take care of soldiers with traumatic brain injuries once they were returned to their homes. This feeling grew into anger and dismay as I read and heard more about the conditions some soldiers were forced to live in at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the cavalier, attention, if any they have been given by their "caretakers". Last night, it turned to anger and rage as I read the quote of one general who is quoted as saying "Granted, it is not the Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City". For God's sake, it is worse than the worst Motel 6. It is worse than those by the hour flea-bag motels that service prostitutes and drug dealers around many military bases.

As a former member of the armed services, words cannot even begin to portray how I feel. Heads are starting to roll, as they should. But there are more heads that should be rolled immediately. Yes, the heads of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney need to be handed to somebody on a platter. I have had voter's remorse ever since voting for them in the last election, and that remorse just gets deeper and deeper. But others should not be let of so lightly. Every congressman and senator who visited Walter Reed for a photo opportunity should visit every troop and family member hurt by this scandal, and apologize to them in a public place. More should be done, but I just do not know what at this point. What has happened here is what troops often call BOHICA, but even worse.

We are sending these young men into harm's way, putting their lives on the line, and shattering their lives in what can only be seen as Bush's folly. He needs to stop giving lip service to supporting our troops, and to do the right thing. God bless every one of these young men and women.