As vets await checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses in 2007 and 2008

By KIMBERLY HEFLING (AP) – 6 hours ago

WASHINGTON — Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses.

In scathing reports this week, the VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between two VA employees.

The inspector general accused one recently retired VA official of acting "as if she was given a blank checkbook" as awards and bonuses were distributed to employees of the Office of Information and Technology in 2007 and 2008. In some cases the justification for the bonuses was inadequate or questionable, the IG said.

The official, Jennifer S. Duncan, also engaged in nepotism and got $60,000 in bonuses herself, the IG said. In addition, managers improperly authorized college tuition payments for VA employees, some of whom were Duncan's family members and friends. That cost taxpayers nearly $140,000.

Separately, a technology office employee became involved in an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a high-level VA official. The technology office employee flew 22 times from Florida to Washington, where the VA official lived. That travel cost $37,000.
read more hereAs vets await checks, VA workers get bonuses

Bush will keep secret Afghanistan report quiet to help McCain

Is there nothing sacred in Washington? Has all truth and accountability been lost? The troops with their lives on the line in Afghanistan are being used as a political tool in Afghanistan just as they are and have been used in Iraq, yet no one seems to object to any of this? The report is not being released because if the public found out that McCain has been wrong, they may not vote for him?

Bush Administration will keep secret 'grim' Afghanistan report quiet until after election
John Byrne
Published: Tuesday September 23, 2008


A secret US intelligence report which says the political and military situation in Afghanistan is "grim" will be withheld from the public until after the election, a new report says.

Intelligence officials are finishing up the National Intelligence Estimate on Aghanistan, according to ABC's Brian Ross, "but there are 'no plans to declassify' any of it before the election," an official said.

Keeping the intelligence report under wraps would likely help Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). McCain has focused on what he sees as the success of the Iraq "surge," in which the US added troops to lessen violence. Attention to problems in Afghanistan would put the spotlight on President Bush's failures, which might rub off on the Republican presidential nominee.

"According to people who have been briefed, the NIE will paint a 'grim' picture of the situation in Afghanistan, seven years after the US invaded in an effort to dismantle the al Qaeda network and its Taliban protectors," Ross writes.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen told Congress last week the US is struggling to retain control.

"I'm not convinced we're winning it in Afghanistan," he said, adding, "we're running out of time."
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"NEW" BUSH 'VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION TASKED WITH STIFLING CHANGE

THE "NEW" BUSH 'VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION TASKED WITH STIFLING CHANGE

BURYING PROBLEMS AND LETTING THE PROBLEMS BURY VETS

By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER

Bush appointed a commission today headed by General Terry Scott to deal with the abuses caused by, among others, General Terry Scott. Scott is known for making two recommendations. One is a good one and that is for the DOD to turn veterans disability evaluations over to the VA, known to be drowning in paperwork, incredibly inconsistent in evaluations, often taking years on a single case and notoriously unfair to veterans.

OF 11 MEMBERS, FOUR ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED, ONE PROBABLY QUALIFIED BUT UNKNOWN AND SIX HIGHLY POLITICAL, SEVERAL OF WHOM ARE CLOSELY TIED TO CURRENT V.A FAILURES.

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Bush's speech on Webb's GI Bill was a load of lies

YouTube - COUNTDOWN: Sen. Jim Webb On The GI Bill 6/30/08
Jim Webb discuss the recent GI bill he sponsored and the hypocritical stance of President Bush and Sen. John McCain trying to take credit for it when they

Statement of Senator Jim Webb on the White House's Embrace of his 21st Century GI Bill
"For the past 17 months, I and my staff have been working every day to provide first-class educational benefits to those who have served since 9/11. I am delighted that after having opposed this legislation, the President has now pledged that he will not veto it when it comes before him as part of this year's supplemental appropriations package.

"The bill being sent to the President contains every provision in S. 22, which has received meticulous scrutiny and the full support of every major veterans' organization. It will pay for a veteran's tuition, books, and a monthly stipend, along the lines of the benefits given to those who returned from World War II. As such, it fulfills the pledge I made on my first day of office to provide today's veterans with the opportunity to move forward into an absolutely first-class future.

"I would like to again express my appreciation to the veterans' service organizations, many of whom communicated their support of this bill directly to a skeptical White House, and to the 58 Senate and 302 House cosponsors of this landmark legislation. This bipartisan coalition consistently rejected the allegations of this Administration, and of Senators McCain, Burr and Graham, among others, who claimed that the bill was too generous to our veterans, too difficult to administer and would hurt retention.

"It has now been nearly seven years since 9/11 -- seven years since those who have been serving in our military began earning the right for a proper wartime GI Bill. I am looking forward to the President living up to his word, and signing this legislation at his earliest opportunity."
To view a Fact Sheet on S.22, please click here
To download a complete press packet on S.22, please click here
To view the Senate co-sponsors, please click here
To view the House co-sponsors, please click here
New York Times Op-Ed: A Post-Iraq G.I. Bill by Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel (November 9, 2007)
Washington Post Editorial: Reward for Service, Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan deserve an improved GI bill (November 11, 2007)
Prominent GI Bill Beneficiaries (Edward Humes, Over Here: How the GI Bill Transformed the American Dream)
Chart on WWII Veterans in the Senate--How Much the GI Bill Would Cover Then & Now

but here is Bush's speech

President Bush Signs H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
Oval Office

Video (Windows)
Presidential Remarks
Audio
En Español



9:48 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. A few moments ago I signed legislation that funds our troops who are in harm's way. Our nation has no greater responsibility than supporting our men and women in uniform -- especially since we're at war. This is a responsibility all of us in Washington share -- not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. And I want to thank leaders of the House and Senate for getting this bill to my office.

America remains a nation at war. There are enemies who intend to harm us. Standing in their way are brave men and women, who put on the uniform, who raise their right hand, and took an oath to defend our freedom. They volunteered to deploy in distant lands, far from their families, far from their homes, and far from comfort of America. And every day, they risk their lives to defeat our adversaries and to keep our country safe.

We owe these brave Americans our gratitude. We owe them our unflinching support. And the best way to demonstrate that support is to give them the resources they need to do their jobs and to prevail. The bill I sign today does exactly that. It provides necessary funds to support our troops as they conduct military operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and in other theaters in the war on terror.

I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders, and without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq. Our troops have driven the terrorists and extremists from many strongholds in Iraq; today violence is at the lowest level since March of 2004. As a result of this progress, some of our troops are coming home as result of our policy called "return on success." We welcome them home. And with this legislation we send a clear message to all that are servings [sic] on the front line that our nation continues to support them.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our nation's military families. They endure sleepless nights, and the daily struggle of caring for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I'm pleased that the bill I sign today includes an expansion of the GI Bill. This legislation will make it easier for our troops to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses and children. It will help us to recruit and reward the best military on the face of the Earth. It will help us to meet our responsibilities to those who support our troops every day -- America's great military families.

The bill also includes agreed-upon funding for other critical national priorities. This bill includes $465 million for the Merida Initiative -- a partnership with Mexico and nations in Central America to crack down on violent drug trafficking gangs. The bill includes nearly $2.7 billion to help ensure that any state facing a disaster like the recent flooding and tornadoes in the Midwest has access to needed resources. This bill includes a measured expansion of unemployment insurance benefits with a reasonable work requirement. And this bill holds overall discretionary spending within the sensible limits that I requested.

The bill is a result of close collaboration between my administration and members of both parties on Capitol Hill. I appreciate the hard work of my Cabinet -- especially the leaders of Defense and State, and Veterans Affairs, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as well as OMB. I want to thank House and Senate leadership and leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. I am particularly grateful to Congressmen Boehner, Hoyer, Obey, and Lewis. And I want to thank members who worked hard for the GI Bill expansion -- especially Senators Webb and Warner, Graham, Burr, and McCain.

This bill shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080630.html

Too bad the fact is Bush, McCain and others fought against this bill and that is why Webb had to fight so hard to get this many to sign onto it. He had to make sure Bush could not be able to veto it as he promised he would and was on tape saying he would veto it. McCain fought it because he said it was just too generous.

Now I heard on the Randi Rhodes show today that McCain is getting disability payments from the VA for his wounds. If he is, he does deserve them but you would think he wouldn't have become part of the "I got mine, screw you club!" since he always votes against veterans.

Bush didn't tell the truth about golfing either

This morning on CNN, they were talking about Bush's claim he gave up golfing out of respect for the fallen. Turns out that is not exactly true.

Inside BASS
President Bush, Alton Jones enjoy a round of golf
By Tim TuckerAug. 27, 2003(Archive)
Updated: September 2, 2003, 6:56 PM ET
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Nine years ago, veteran Texas pro Alton Jones guided then-Gov. George W. Bush on a fishing trip to Lake Aqilla. The pair was recently reunited in the great outdoors.

Alton Jones shakes hands with President Bush after a friendly game of golf.This time it was on the first green of the Ridgewood Country Club near Waco, where Jones lives, and Crawford, which serves as the President's southern White House while visiting his home state.
It was on the golf course that a gracious President Bush greeted Jones and Charles Pack, a mutual friend who hosts a local television fishing show. Pack had pre-arranged the meeting with the President, who fishes his own 80-acre stocked bass lake on his Crawford ranch.
"It was probably the most amazing thing I've ever experienced," Jones said. "He remembered all about our fishing trip, and I was surprised to learn that he follows the (CITGO Bassmaster) Tour. He knew that I had had a real good season.
"It was a thrill to talk with the president. He is a genuinely nice, sincere person."
When Jones and Pack arrived on the course (after submitting to a government background check), President Bush recognized them and waved to them to join him and his entourage (which included 19 golf carts). As they ducked under the security barrier, they were immediately confronted by Secret Service agents. The President instructed the agents to allow them to continue toward the green.
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/columns/story?page=bass_col_tourney_trail_030827

Bush Shoveling Out Iraq Happy Talk
Associated Press Writer Scott Lindlaw contributed to this report, 10.13.03.
WASHINGTON – President Bush, annoyed by what he considers the “filter” of news reporting, will seek to go around the press on Monday through television outlets that do not routinely cover the White House.
Bush was giving a series of interviews to make the case that the situation in Iraq is getting better.
The Commander-And-Sneak George W. Bush shows off his military skills at the Andrews Air Force Base Golf Course in Maryland, using golf club to command troops to “Charge!” Bush acquired his knowledge of tactics and strategy watching John Wayne cavalry movies in his childhood. He has told the press that he receives direct orders from God on military matters (such as invading Iraq).
http://www.williambowles.info/gispecial/gi-113.html

Yesterday I posted how he made the claim of giving up golf because of the fallen troops but managed to do a stunt for the video he presented for laughs at the correspondents dinner. I brought up the fact of how many lost their lives looking for the WMD Bush managed to joke about looking for on this tape. This morning one of the panel on CNN raised the fact that maybe he should have taken care of the wounded out of respect instead of giving up golfing. He was right.

The conditions at Walter Reed were known by his administration in 2004. He did absolutely nothing. We've have years of members of his administration hiding data on the wounded, the suicides and the backlog of claims, yet Bush seems to think that his golfing is so damn important that the imagine of his sacrificing it for the troops would be of any value to anyone! Well turns out that wasn't true either. Above are just two pictures of him enjoying golfing. Who knows how many more are out there on the net?

This just came out on Raw Story

Bush's last round of golf as president dates back to October 13, 2003, according to meticulous records kept by CBS news.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Bush_I_quit_golf_over_Iraq_war_05132008.html

In the interview he said he gave up golfing in August. Looks like one month is just like anyother to him.

Bush Goes to Court to Deny Mental Care for Veterans

Apr. 28, VCS Lawsuit in the News: Bush Goes to Court to Deny Mental Care for Veterans

Peter Collorafi


American Chronicle

Apr 28, 2008

April 25, 2008 - A wise President, who was also a veteran of multiple wars, once said: "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they preceive the veterans of earlier wars were Treated and Appreciated by their nation."

The issue of veterans affairs has seen an upsurge of interest in the past few weeks, as Dr. Ira Katz, an official in the Veteran's Affairs Department, is coming under fire from Congress, after giving misleading information to a CBS reporter, who was researching for a story about sucide rates among veterans.

During an interview given in November for the original CBS story, Dr. Katz told reporter Armen Keteyian that "There is no epidemic in suicide in the VA, but suicide is a major problem." When pressed for an answer to explain the VA's inability to come up with any suicide statistics among veterans, Katz replied "That research is ongoing."

However, "After a public records request, the VA provided CBS News with data that showed there were a total of 790 attempted suicides by VA patients in the entire year of 2007." This number does not match up at all with a private email sent by Dr. Katz to a colleague in which he states that the VA has identified "about 1000 suicide attempts a month in patients we see at are medical facilities," a far cry from his public estimate of 790 a year.

Compared with the number of suicide attempts, the number of actual suicides is monstrous in comparision. CBS news identified a total of 6,256 suicides in 2005 among veterans of the "war on terror" [VCS Note: this should read 6,256 suicides among all veterans], double the national average, although that number does not include the 5 states who refused to provide their suicide statistics for the CBS report.

As he did with the statistics for attempted suicides, Dr. Katz again played a two-faced persona. Katz declared that the "number is not, in fact, an accurate reflection of the rate."

Nevertheless, Dr. Katz told colleagues in another private email that "There are about 18 suicides per day among America's 25 million veterans," and "4-5 suicides per day among those who receive care from us [the VA]." Katz goes on to add that his figures are ironically "supported by the CBS numbers," which he disparaged previously in public.

In his later email titled "Shh!" Dr. Katz asks colleagues if the suicide statistics should be buried by dropping them into "a general release about our suicide prevention efforts," "before somebody stumbles onto them."
go here for more
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm/page/article/id/9953

So much for public's right to know

Published: March 23, 2008 6:00 a.m.
So much for public's right to know
Commentary by Sylvia A. Smith
Washington editor

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration wants to pick and choose what you are permitted to know when it comes to spending your tax dollars.

A brash, sweeping statement? You bet. True? Sadly, yes.

How else to explain the White House’s continued acceptance of a 2001 memo written by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft telling federal agencies to withhold documents whenever they could – and that the Justice Department would defend them in court.

This is a sharp contrast to the Clinton-era standard. During that administration, federal documents were censored only when their publication would result in real harm.

If you need any convincing, consider the fragments of a report I received from the Veterans Administration last week.

You spent $530,000 for a 78-page assessment of the recommendation to close the outpatient services at the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center and direct veterans to Indianapolis for their care.

But you will never see the consultant’s recommendations or the information used to reach those suggestions.

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