453 Orlando area veterans wait too long for appointments?

Whistleblower says veterans are waiting 30+ days to see doctor at Orlando VA

WFTV 9 News 
By: Christopher Heath 
Feb 14, 2019 

ORLANDO, Fla. - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, sent a letter Thursday to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie demanding answers after a whistleblower revealed lengthy wait times for more than 450 vets.

“I write to express concern with substantiated whistleblower allegations regarding lengthy wait times at the Orlando VA Medical Center,” wrote Rubio. “Your Department found that approximately 453 Veteran patients seeking care at this facility experienced wait times for endoscopy procedures longer than 30 days."

 Since 2014, veterans have been eligible for what’s known as the Veterans Choice Program, which allows vets to seek private care if the VA can’t schedule an appointment within 30 days. 

According to the Office of Special Counsel, the acting chief of medicine of the Orlando VA “instructed staff to not refer some of these patients to community care.” Rubio in his letter wrote that the “delays raised the risk for medical conditions to worsen.” Rubio is asking the VA to outline what changes it has made to ensure these wait times are addressed at the Orlando VA. read more here

From Black Hawk Down to Orlando VA, veteran fights to save lives

This ‘Black Hawk Down’ special operator is still fighting, but on a different front
Army Times
By: Neil Fotre
August 2, 2018

“I’ve lost almost as many friends to substance abuse in the form of overdose deaths or death by suicide coupled with substance abuse disorders than those lost in war.” Dr. Norman Hooten

“It’s about the men next to you. And that’s it. That’s all it is.”

Norman Hooten, bottom right, is pictured with other special operations soldiers in Somalia. (Courtesy photo)

That line in Ridley Scott’s acclaimed movie “Black Hawk Down” is holding true for one of the U.S. military’s most fabled special operators.

The real-life Delta Force operator who went by “Hoot,” and who was portrayed by Eric Bana in the movie, today fights a three-pronged enemy that continues to plague troops and veterans: post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and substance abuse.

Almost 25 years after the infamous Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, which led to the “Black Hawk Down” book and movie, retired Master Sgt. Norman Hooten is now Dr. Norman Hooten.

Hooten is a full-time health care provider at the Orlando VA Medical Center. And he has first-hand experience with the effects of war, including a platoon sergeant he had known early in his career who died by suicide after struggling with PTSD and substance abuse.
read more here

Sunny 105.9 Paco Lopez Remembers Veterans Everyday!

I listen to Sunny 105.9 FM everyday and one of my favorite things happens during the Paco Lopez show. He plays a song , usually the Eagles Hotel California, and dedicates it to the veterans at the VA everyday. He always makes me smile when he does it because I know how much it means to them to be remembered. It means even more because it comes from one of their own. Paco was a Marine. Or should I say is a Marine? Considering the saying goes, "Once A Marine, Always A Marine."

Noah Galloway: A Real American Hero (And Great Dancer Too)
Sunny 105.9
April 9, 2015

I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, serving my country. Though I never saw any battlefield action, I recognized that I could have been called onto the battlefield at any time. I intentionally, and quite voluntarily, enlisted during a very tense period in history. It was when the Ayatollah Khomeini had taken 52 hostages and held them for 444 days.

During boot camp, our drill instructors came in on several occasions and told us to pack our gear because we were going to Iran. We believed them, and so we did…only to be told 30 minutes later that our orders had been cancelled. Our hearts were pounding while we stood there on “line” waiting for our next command from our leaders. Later we learned those were only head games they played with us.

All the more reason, that as a Marine vet, I can appreciate what Noah Galloway did, and even more impressively, what he continues to do to amaze us.
read more here

I asked Paco to give a bit of his background so that veterans would know why they matter so much to him. This is what he wrote back.

"I went to Paris Island in Dec of 1979 and served for 4 years at EdCtrCo, H and S Bn, MCDEC, Quantico, Va. Also, I was on the Quantico Ceremonial Squad and did many burials, grand openings, special events, and presented colors for MCDEC.

Meritoriously promoted to PFC by recruiting two into service after boot camp as a recruiters asst while awaiting my due date in MOS school. Meritoriously promoted to LCpl by graduating 1st in my class at MOS school. Meritoriously promoted to Cpl by 9 months for performance. I was an SRB Chief when I left. Rifle Expert 2nd award, 1st class PFT, 3rd class swim qual. EAS'd as an E-5/Sgt. in 1984."

VA serving high number of women

VA serving high number of women
13 News Orlando
By Margaret Kavanagh
Reporter
Last Updated: Thursday, February 07, 2013

“Being here with other people or just trying to be a civilian is really hard, I was completely different. As if I was an alien from another planet it felt like that. Like welcome to civilian life,” Murray said.

CENTRAL FLORIDA
More and more female soldiers are returning home in desperate need of help.

Now, as the U.S. military is allowing women on the front lines, they’re also working on a plan to help them once they come back home.

Life got difficult for 25-year-old Sarah Murray once she said she got out of the military in 2008.

“It was really hard to adjust to civilian life. I didn’t know how to fit in or find a job easily. I had a hard time socializing with people and I became homeless,” Murray said.

Last year, Murray wound up in a food pantry in Cocoa Beach struggling to make ends meet to feed her 3-year-old daughter.

Bill Breyer, a volunteer with the National Veterans Homeless Support group, pointed her in the right direction.

"This is why we are here, to go out and get these veterans much more out of a life that is due to them as a result of their service,” Breyer said.

Murray said he provided her with information about resources that were available to her.

According to the VA, the number of female veterans using VA Health Care as more than doubled since 2000 from nearly 160,000 to more than 337,000 in 2011.
read more here

DAV Orlando needs drivers too

I received the following email from the Orlando Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 in response to the post I put up about volunteer drivers needed for Syracuse area VA.

The same thing can be said for the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center (see article below), since they have four vans, but many days they do not have four drivers. There are days when only one driver is available.

We need to get the word out to the newspaper, radio stations, and tv stations, but I am not sure how.

If you can get the word out, I would appreciate it. I get letters from DAV headquarters in Cold Springs, Kentucky, that are letters passed on from veterans complaining they can not get rides in the DAV vans.

I am the VAVS representation for the Orlando V.A.M.C., but can not tell the VA what to do with the vans. Some drivers are only here during the winter, and like other "snowbirds," they go back north in the summer.

There is a code for how veterans must behave, and rules like no wheelchairs nor oxygen tanks.

Remember, many of these drivers are disabled too, and are older veterans themselves.

Please ask others if they can volunteer.

I think the transportation department at the VA can get rides for a few veterans who are special cases.

Lynx has special vans for wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, but they do charge a fee.

I was unconscious in 2008, so I can not be a driver.

Thanks for reading this.
Jonathan Turk

Considering the recent report about the Lake Nona VA stated there are now 500,000 veterans in Central Florida, the need is greater than ever! If you live near a VA hospital, connect with your local DAV and volunteer to drive these veterans so they can get their medical care.

DAV needs volunteer drivers in Syracuse area
Volunteer drivers needed for vets
By MARTHA ELLEN
Watertown Daily Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Disabled American Veterans is looking for volunteer van drivers to take veterans to clinic appointments and to the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“We’re in desperate need, especially in the north country,” said Andrew T. Newcomb, DAV transportation/hospital service coordinator. “The ones we have are being run ragged.”

The need will grow as the DAV has 13 new vans on order, which will replace some aging vehicles and add to existing service. Massena soon will have two vans instead of one; Watertown will grow from two vans to three; and Ogdensburg and Potsdam will receive replacement vans.

“We’re looking for as many drivers as we can possibly get,” Mr. Newcomb said. “Our needs are always for drivers and donations.”

Semper Fidelis July 4th cookout at the Orlando VA

Semper Fidelis went out to the Orlando VA Community Living Center for their annual July 4th Cookout with heroes.
Good food, great fun and awesome entertainment!

VA Awards include Orlando VA's Tim Liezert

VA Announces Awards for

Clinical Simulation Training, Education and Research

Innovations Result in Better Clinical and Customer Service Training

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2011)- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
employees Dr. David M. Gaba and Timothy W. Liezert were recently named
the first-ever recipients of the Under Secretary for Health's Awards for
Excellence in Clinical Simulation Training, Education and Research.

"This award honors individuals who have made a national impact through
the direct provision of innovative clinical simulation training,
education and research in VA," said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr.
Robert A. Petzel. "Dr. Gaba's influence on the skills of clinical staff
throughout VA has benefited the millions of Veterans cared for in our
health care system."

Petzel presented each with the award at the International Meeting of
Simulation in Healthcare in New Orleans on Jan. 24.

Gaba describes simulation as a technique - not a technology - to replace
or amplify real experiences with guided experiences that evoke or
replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive
manner.

Simulated learning enhances patient safety by ensuring clinicians
receive experience on virtual "patients" to improve procedural
performance. It also improves team functioning through training
scenarios in emergency rooms, operating rooms and intensive care units
where entire medical teams need to act seamlessly under tremendous
pressure. Recordings of simulated scenarios allow teams to review how
they work together and assess how they might improve their performance.

Dr. Gaba was recognized with the 2011 Excellence in Clinical Simulation
Training, Education and Research Practice Award for his numerous
contributions to the field of clinical simulation over the past two
decades. He created the first modern mannequin-based fully interactive
simulator, which has since been commercialized and, along with his
curricula, is in use in thousands of simulation training and education
programs around the world. He has also conducted ground-breaking
research in Crisis Resource Management (CRM) in clinical care settings
and has designed CRM-oriented simulation instructor training designed to
improve patient safety outcomes.

Gaba is staff anesthesiologist at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System,
Calif., and Associate Dean for Immersive and Simulation-based Learning
and Director of the Center for Immersive and Simulation Based Learning
(CISL) at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. He is
also editor-in-chief of "Simulation in Healthcare," the official journal
of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

In receiving the 2011 Clinical Simulation Training, Education and
Research Executive Leadership Award, Liezert was recognized for his role
in championing clinical simulation practice at the Orlando VA Medical
Center (VAMC), and in support of VA efforts to establish its Simulation
Learning Education and Research Network (SimLEARN) as a program of
peerless excellence. An active contributor to the vibrant and
nationally renowned Orlando simulation community, he has established
strong relationships with simulation leaders in industry, government and
academia that are greatly benefiting VA clinical simulation programs.

Committed to simulation excellence in clinical and non-clinical
settings, Liezert has applied simulation methodologies to customer
service training. "Tim Liezert is truly a model leader for VA in the
arena of clinical simulation," said Petzel. "His tireless efforts to
lead the way in establishing simulation as a learning modality for
health care education and training is significant, and is duly
recognized by this award." Liezert is director of the Orlando VA Medical
Center, Fla.

The strategy of VA's SimLEARN program is to improve clinical outcomes
for America's Veterans by providing a safe and supportive environment in
which practitioners master skills, practice protocols, learn
system-based practices, apply critical decision making and promote
communication and interpersonal skills. To learn more about the
SimLEARN program, visit www.simlearn.va.gov.

Orlando's VA Medical Center taking shape

Orlando's VA Medical Center taking shape

By Mary Shanklin, Orlando Sentinel
10:29 p.m. EST, January 24, 2011

The Orlando VA Medical Center slated to open next year in Lake Nona will offer some nationwide firsts for the more than 100,000 Central Florida military veterans expected to seek treatment there.

The $600 million-plus facility, which includes a hospital, clinic, nursing home and rehabilitation center, will be the only such center in the country in which all of the rooms are private. Each one will be equipped with a hoist and railings for lifting patients, and they will accommodate all but intensive care so patients don't have to move to new rooms as they recover. Each room will also have a view of a lake, conservation area or garden, and offer Internet access.

"It's very much different than anything else you'd see around here," said Joe Battle, who oversees construction of the center for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "It's very much about making this as home-like of an environment as possible."

Everything from colors to textures have been chosen to create a more comfortable feel than that of the typical hospital, he added. Window glass, for instance, is 3 inches thick to keep out noise from nearby Orlando International Airport.
read more here
Orlando's VA Medical Center taking shape

Homeless Veterans in Orlando, not hopeless

At the Orlando VA hospital there was a great gathering of people dedicated to our veterans. This event was to address homeless veterans issues taking into account all the reasons they end up homeless. From substance abuse, to PTSD, lack of supportive family and friends, legal problems and lack of jobs, all the reasons were tackled.

There were people from the Department of Corrections and legal
Ms. Sherri Claudio LCSW
Atty. Robert Wesley Public Defender
and Ms. Maria Scruggs-Weston Inmate Program Supervisor

From the VA
Heather Gallagher LCSW, Program Coordinator
Brian Wright, LCSW, Outreach Social Worker
Lou Smith, Peer Support

From Housing
HUD/VASH team and Ms. Carolyn Smith of Winter Park Pointe

In the audience there were people from community services, service groups like the DAV and others working to help the veterans in Orlando and Central Florida. One of the most moving panels was the ex-homeless veterans themselves.

Hearing their stories about their service and then what followed left lumps in everyone's throats. All of them had their own stories and reasons why they ended up homeless but just when they thought there was no hope for them they found their way to the Orlando VA and the DOM. This program has never been about putting a roof over their heads for a few weeks but to provide what they need to be able to live on their own. This is a program dedicated to staying with them, right by their sides to help them stay in a place of their own.

The message is clear. Our homeless veterans should not be alone, or feel alone, when there is a army of dedicated people ready to help them. This is one of the best kept secrets in Central Florida. Many people I come in contact with are stunned to discover there is a homeless veterans facility on the VA grounds. They know even less about the work being done for veterans.

While we are far from being able to take care of every homeless veteran, we are so much closer to it than ever before with programs like today. The problem is, no one knows about it. The media doesn't seem interested in reporting on great things being done simply because people care. They need to report on the homeless veterans, just as they do all veterans, but they just don't seem willing to invest the time in getting to know any of these men or women.

These are our veterans and all most of them need is to know someone cares. They have found it right here in Orlando.

Now as for the work that still needs to be done, we need to get the local churches involved. There was someone from Northland in Longwood at this gathering. Northland has been very involved in the community for a long time, so I was not surprised to see someone from that church there, but I was very disheartened to not see more from the religious/spiritual community.

This is an issue that requires action from the faith based groups but too few have been interested. Unlike the general population needing help finding places to live and assistance when they have fallen on hard times, the vast majority of our homeless veterans ended up needing help because they served in the military. They have unique issues behind them and they need help to heal from combat in many cases, which is a spiritual issue above and beyond what others face.

We need all faith based groups involved in stepping up to help, not just the homeless veterans, but for all veterans before they end up homeless as well.

Chaplain Kathie
PTSD Consultant
Senior IFOC Chaplain
DAV Chapter 16 Auxiliary Chaplain
Kathie "Costos" DiCesare
407-754-7526
web site
www.namguardianangel.com



"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Nam Guardian Angel is a Charter of the IFOC, (501c3)

Orlando VA hospital needs lawmakers' backing and no more yakking!

The groundbreaking was a big event around here last year. I went to it, listened to the speeches and walked away scratching my head. The groundbreaking came before the election, no big surprise there but what stunned me was how obvious it was. This is not about what veterans need in Florida or it wouldn't have taken this long to get this hospital built. We have over 400,000 veterans in this state and the veterans of central Florida have to rely on a clinic. While it is the size of a hospital, it is far from being large enough or staffed enough to take care of all of the veterans here, especially when the snow birds come swooping in and getting in line for care.

A few months ago I posted how I had taken my husband to one of his appointments because parking was a huge issue. It was so bad there were security guards directing traffic behind the building. There were over 3,000 cars! We needed a hospital years ago and the veterans deserved a lot more than lip service about getting one when it seems the rest of the country is still waiting as well. When do we get any of this right? When the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan all come home and need help? Why will it take until 2012 to get this hospital up and running?

VA hospital needs lawmakers' backing
Mark Schlueb Sentinel Staff Writer
April 22, 2009
With construction of a veterans hospital under way in east Orlando, congressional lawmakers pledged Tuesday to secure the money needed to finish the job. U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, hosted a meeting in Orlando to talk about the Lake Nona hospital. Filner, of San Diego, brought the committee to Florida at the behest of fellow Democrat and committee member Corrine Brown of Jacksonville. It was a chance for members of Florida's delegation to sit in and talk about the hospital. The hospital is scheduled for completion in 2012. It needs another $371 million appropriation, and Filner has grown accustomed to hearing freshman Democrats Alan Grayson of Orlando and Suzanne Kosmas of New Smyrna Beach mouth the number "371" in the halls.
VA hospital needs lawmakers' backing

Orlando Sentinel editorial on new VA hospital

We think: Lawmakers need to follow through on new hospital for veterans
October 27, 2008
Because success has many fathers, as the saying goes, it's not surprising that almost every member of Congress who represents Central Florida is claiming credit for bringing a badly needed and long-awaited Veterans Affairs hospital to Orlando. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Friday for the $656 million medical center at Lake Nona.

This is one project lawmakers don't have to be embarrassed about. There are about 400,000 veterans in Central Florida. Orlando is the country's largest metropolitan region without a VA hospital. Area veterans and their leaders have spent years pushing for the facility. Some have died waiting.

go here for more
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed27308oct27,0,4794373.story

Barbara West Orlando TV Anchor asked Biden if Obama is a Marxist. Shame on her!

So much for everyone working together. Barbara West did the opening remarks at the Orlando VA ground breaking ceremony I attended. I posted about how wonderful it was that people from all sides came together for the sake of the veterans. It really was great that everyone there was there for the greater good. Now, after this question from West, whatever she had to say for veterans, now seems like empty words.

West quoted Karl Marx

"You may recognize this famous quote," West said. "'From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.' That's from Karl Marx. How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?"

This quote came after even Greenspan admitted that this is what has to be done to fix the economy of this nation. While McCain fails to understand that greed is not good and fails to understand what any economist is talking about, people like West use great words from a polarizing figure instead of a beloved figure like Christ who said basically the same thing. Gee, wonder why she did that?

This whole interview was not an interview a journalist would do but one a political attack queen would do. If she really cared about the veterans as she claimed the other day when she was standing in front of all gathered for the ceremony to begin construction on the VA hospital, she would have mentioned the fact that McCain has been voting against the veterans all these years. His record speaks for itself.

This is from the AFLCIO

McCAIN HAS NOT DELIVERED ON HIS PROMISES TO VETERANS

Union members respect Sen. John McCain’s service to our country. When will he start respecting ours? Although McCain talks about his support for veterans, he repeatedly votes against increased funding for veterans’ health care—and more. We call on John McCain to join us in supporting our veterans and working to turn around America.

McCAIN REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST VETERANS’ HEALTH BENEFITS

McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)

McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’ health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)

Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans’ Health Care. McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans’ health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans’ population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06)

McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans’ Care. McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06)

Voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities. McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)

McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders. McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)

McCain Voted in Support of Disabled Veterans Only 25 Percent of the Time from 2004-2005. While McCain claims he “has been a leading advocate” for veterans with disabilities, statistics show he supported the Disabled American Veterans’ interests only 25 percent of the time in 2004-2005. In 2006, that figure slipped to 20 percent of the time. (Project Vote Smart)

McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-ofliving adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)

INCLUDING BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS

McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists. Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (www.johnmccain.com/Informing/ Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm; S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03)

McCAIN ALSO VOTED TO OUTSOURCE JOBS AT MILITARY FACILITIES

McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs. McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07)

He Also Supported Outsourcing at Walter Reed. McCain opposed an amendment to prevent the outsourcing of 350 federal employee jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—outsourcing that contributed to the scandalous treatment of veterans at Walter Reed that McCain called a “disgrace.” (S.Amdt. 4895 to H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; Speech to VFW in Kansas City, Mo., 4/4/08)

AND HE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

2003: McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03)

2001: McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding. McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01)

2000: McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00)

1999: McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs. McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99)

1996: McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)

1995: McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)

1995: McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes to Increase Veterans Funding by $74 Million. McCain voted against eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans Affairs spending. (S.C.R. 13, Vote 226, 5/25/95)

1994: McCain Voted Against Funding the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90 billion in budget authority for the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments. (H.R. 4624, Vote 306, 9/27/94)


http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_vets.cfm

Central Florida veterans have been waiting too many years to have a hospital built here. Did West ever wonder how much faster they would have had one if McCain had really supported the veterans she claims to love? Did West ever ask McCain why he voted against all these bills for veterans or why he has received such low rankings from all the major service organizations? Has West even attempted to be a real journalist on McCain's record or on Obama's record, what he's done since he's been in the Senate or the fact that while McCain did not see fit to serve on the Veterans Affairs committee, Obama has?

West has just turned a wonderful day of unity for the sake of the veterans into something I will now remember as a bunch of empty words when it comes to the veterans who have been suffering. The same veterans I've been fighting for 26 years for. The same veterans who are turned away from VA hospitals, have had their claims denied yet served this nation and did all we asked of them. Too many have taken there own lives because people in the media failed them. They failed to report on the miserable records of politicians who voted against taking care of them. Now I put West into that category. Shame on her!!!

Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos

Namguardianangel@aol.com

http://www.namguardianangel.org/

http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

Orlando TV Anchor conducts 'unprofessional interview' of Biden
David Edwards and Andrew McLemore
Published: Saturday October 25, 2008


"Are you joking?"

That was one of Sen. Joe Biden's responses during an interview with a Florida news station that the Obama campaign said was so "unprofessional" it canceled another planned interview with his wife, Jill Biden.

Barbara West conducted the interview for WFTV-Channel 9 and asked the Democratic vice presidential candidate if Sen. Barack Obama was a "Marxist," referenced a recent statement Obama made in Ohio to Joe the lumber about "spreading the wealth around," and was Biden "embarassed" about Obama's alleged ties to ACORN.

"You may recognize this famous quote," West said. "'From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.' That's from Karl Marx. How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?"

Biden did not immediately take the question seriously.

"Are you joking? Is this a joke or is that a real question?" Biden said. "It's a ridiculous comparison with all due respect."

For her final question, West asked Biden what he would say to the people "who are concerned that Barack Obama will want to turn American into a socialist country, much like Sweden?"

WFTV news director Bob Jordan defended the interview as hard-hitting journalism and rebuked criticisms of West as mere complaints that she didn't ask "softball questions," The Orlando Sentinel reported.

"When you get a shot to ask these candidates, you want to make the most of it," Jordan said. "They usually give you five minutes."

But the Obama campaign lambasted the station for its "100 percent false" statements that Obama worked for ACORN and for the "combative" nature of the interview.
click post title for the rest of this

By the way ACORN did what they were supposed to do when idiots decided to sign up fake applicants. They flagged the applications because they had to turn in all of them under the law. They also had to pay for them. ACORN was supported by McCain as well for the work they do, which for the most part has been fantastic for Democrats and Republicans and our Democracy. Does West know what a small percentage the fake applications are? Does she know this is not vote fraud because none of these fake names will show up to vote? Give me a break!!!