VA Outrages

Update: On a related note, see the NYT's Herbert's column on the new proposed GI Bill: "Politicians tend to talk very, very big about supporting our men and women in uniform. But time and again — whether it’s about providing armor for their safety or an education for their future — we find that talk to be very, very cheap."

via mal contends

The U.S. Dept of Veterans of Affairs (VA) has gone down the toilet.

This is what happens when the VA adopts the American Enterprise Institute's (AEI) Dr. Sally Satel ethos that veterans need to just get over it, and not be enabled in a 'culture of trauma'.

From South Carolina, Paul Alongi reports:
An 89-year-old World War II veteran bought six bullets from a Greenville pawnshop on Thursday before fatally shooting himself outside a nearby veterans’ clinic, authorities said. ... "He felt like the VA turned its back on him and a lot of other veterans," Harriett Chapman said.

From California, Jim Holt reports: The VA demands 87-year-old Iwo Jima Marine vet return $3,000; vet received $84/month.

From Wisconsin, coming here tomorrow are the latest VA outrages on Vietnam-era veteran Keith Roberts.

And nationally, final arguments were made last week in the landmark veterans/VA class action case alleging systemic VA failure in denying returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans proper care.

The chickenhawks talk a good game, but when it comes to giving the troops respect and care, they are absent without leave.