Where "Stuff Happens" Just Doesn't Cut It

We got to head 'im off at the pass.

I have often heard that the mind is the first thing to go when people retire. This is further proof of that.

No, it was a reference to Pat Williams. I sense you knew that, but I'd hate to confuse anyone else through your efforts.

I have often heard that the mind is the first thing to go when people retire. This is further proof of that.

Can we further understand you to mean that Reagan, when he retired from Hollywood, lost his mind as well?

Good quote dys;

au1929,


I have said it, I will say it again:

The current president was not elected by a fair voting majority.
I will ALWAYS believe the elections were manipulated- in favor of the Republican party.
(not trying to argue, just stating my opinion, AGAIN.)

So we can safely assume that only elections won by dems are fair,legal,and above board?

That tells us where you stand.

Quote:

What Real Westerners Think About Bush's Pseudo-Cowboy Palaver. Western members of Congress, I proudly among them, were the most aggressive in the nation at sponsoring and fighting for healthcare and benefits for those veterans. From the liberal high plains Senator Tom Daschle, who created the Agent Orange Health Care Act, to the conservative southwesterner, Senator Barry Goldwater, who fought continually for both readiness and Veteran benefits, we have always said, "Thanks."

In this latest catastrophic mistake, Iraq, we continue to honor our Vets and in doing so we are appalled to learn that the Bush administration, so quick to go to war, has under calculated by five-fold the V.A. healthcare dollars needed to care for our returning injured from Iraq.

We are angered that Bush and his neo-con advisors have unnecessarily placed the lives of our sons and daughters in danger in the shooting gallery that is Iraq, angered that the President can't get help from our few remaining allies to secure the borders of Iraq and at least stem the rising tide of terrorists that are now flooding that country, furious that in response to a question from one of our soldiers about lack of life-protecting armor, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said dismissively, "Look, stuff happens."

Frankly, here in the West we reject Bush's silly, pseudo cowboy lingo about "chase 'em down, " "smoke 'em out of their holes, " and " get 'em dead or alive."

We resent his continual waving of the bloody shirt of September 11th.

Out our way, we know about war and we can shoot straight; what we prefer is a president who can do the same.

Pat Williams served nine terms as a U.S. Representative from Montana. After his retirement, he returned to Montana and is teaching at The University of Montana where he also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West

BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONCEDES -- AGAIN -- MORE FUNDS NEEDED FOR VETERANS' HEALTH CARE

Washington, D.C. - Less than two weeks after first telling Congress it could ride out the fiscal year with inadequate funding, then reversing and asking for$975 million in supplemental funds, the Bush Administration today admitted it needs yet another $300 million to take care of veterans' health care needs through September. The nearly $1.3 billion the Administration now admits is necessary is exactly the amount Democrats have long urged and is in line with funding recommended by a group of national veterans' organizations that annually develop and submit an independent budget view.

On June 28th every House Democrat signed a letter to the President requesting he submit a $1.3 billion supplemental funding request for fiscal year 2005. Moreover, former Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and current Ranking Democratic Member Lane Evans (D-IL) were on target more than a year ago when they submitted the Committee's bipartisan views and estimates to the Budget Committee citing a need for an additional $2.5 billion over the President's fiscal year 2005 budget request. That effort fell short by $1.3 billion.

"This whole funding process has become a farce, except that it's not a laughing matter," said Evans. "The Administration had better wake up and get it right instead of relegating veterans and their needs to the lowest priority levels. Now that we've seen the wrong way to do things, I sincerely hope we're embarking on a renewed era of bipartisan collaboration to properly respond to veterans' health care needs," he added. Evans noted that it is "long past time to implement an assured funding process based on the number of veterans enrolled in the system with inflation factored in."

Despite Democratic efforts to boost the amount, the House of Representatives passed the $975 million supplemental as it adjourned for the Independence Day recess, instead of the higher - and more accurate - amount of $1.5 billion passed by the Senate. VA officials conceded today that the $975 million mark was incorrect and an additional $300 million is necessary to meet increased "intensity of utilization."

While the differing supplemental measures wait to be reconciled, more than 50,000 (and rising) veterans await health care appointments, clinical positions across the VA are not being filled, VA hospitals are deferring critical equipment purchases, there are shortages of medical supplies in some locations and the number of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan seeking services at VA hospitals continues to rise.

The DAV raised the alarm earlier this year noting that VA medical facilities across the country were running out of money and face huge deficits. In April, the organization expressed its bitter disappointment that the United States Senate blocked an amendment to the $80 billion supplemental appropriation bill that would have provided $2 billion to cover the critical shortfall in funding for veterans medical care.

"Congress must now act quickly to stem the flow of red ink that threatens health care for today's veterans and thousands of men and women injured and disabled during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Commander Sursely.

Under legislation passed by the House, the VA would receive a total of $68.1 billion in fiscal year 2006. VA health care funding would be $28.8 billion. The Senate has yet to act on a bill funding the VA.


"The DAV and other major veterans service organizations are united in calling on Congress to provide $31.2 billion for veterans medical care next year," said Commander Sursely.


"VA facilities in every region of the country have exhausted reserve funds to meet critical needs. Many have stopped hiring doctors and nurses because of shortfalls, while still others have cut back or even eliminated medical services. Health care for millions of today's and tomorrow's veterans is in limbo because Congress and the Administration have continually failed to adequately fund the VA," Sursely said.

The Iraq War Clinician Guide, 2nd Edition

Contents | Download PDF (18.5 mb)

The Iraq War Clinician Guide was developed by members of the National Center for PTSD and the Department of Defense. It was developed specifically for clinicians and addresses the unique needs of veterans of the Iraq war.

Brain injury therapy being underfunded

March 18, 2005

According to doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., 60 percent of the wounded soldiers coming back from Iraq have traumatic brain injuries.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration has recently completely zeroed out funding for the Federal TBI Act, which provides exactly this kind of help.

In Vermont, due to recent decisions concerning budgetary shortfalls, TBI survivors are now prevented from entering the Vermont TBI Medicaid Waiver Program, which delivers exactly this kind of help.