I am outraged.. This week, there has been a barrage of reports concerning the treatment of our finest heroes who are being re- turned to us from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.. The conditions in the Flagship, state of the art VA hospital.. Walter Reed is beyond deplorable.. Buildings in disrepair.. incomplete medical reports and lengths of waiting times for treatment, are just a few of the many complaints that are coming to light.. Not just at Walter Reed, but the satellite VA facilities around the country are being examined and found deficient.. The reporter, Bob Woodruff.. who was wounded while on assignment in Iraq.. hmmm.. the cameraman who served with him was killed in the same incident, has initiated the scrutiny of the treatment of our heroes.. His own experience was in the past few months.. The Iraq war has been going on for four years.. We've learned that the Bush administration has commenced budget cuts for the Veterans Administration that will begin in 2008.. Meanwhile, the Director of Veteran's Affairs was interviewed on the PBS Newshour today.. He complained that he feared the revelations of the past few weeks, are "politically motivated".. Fortunately.. that lameassed excuse wasn't credible and he immediately switched gears to describe the rosy scenarios of the plans in progress and the wonderful strides of accomplishments that have been made through his politically appointed office as Director.. Say what ? Even one of our veterans who has received anything less than excellent care and treatment .. is far too many.. much less the hundreds, if not thousands who've suffered through this incompetence. If you recall.. a couple of years ago.. a small group of bikers.. converged at the VA hospital facility in Dallas.. Before that.. a much larger group ran from Waco to Crawford to protest against the closing of the hospital in Waco.. I'd like to think that we are responsible for many of the improve- ments in the Dallas facility and we kept this administration from closing the Waco hospital.. There is much left to do and not many of us who are willing to do it.. Especially amongst the motorcycle newsgroups on usenet.. there is much patriotic posturing and expressed loyalty to our men and women in uniform.. Hey there, peoples.. it's time to substitute action for the usenet lip service.. Are you up to it ? Ask yourself which priorities are most important.. Many on tx.motorcycles newsgroup have supported the current administration in our State and Federal government.. None have expressed anything but dedication to the troops that have been sent to war.. Take a close, hard look at that dedication and decide if those priorities are in order.. Our gov- ernment isn't only betraying those men and women in uniform, that gov- ernment is betraying each and every one of us who have sent those fine sons and daughters to fight for our country.. Did I do enough.. apparently not.. Will I do more.. I certainly hope so.. There will be more and more of these injured and wounded men and women returning to our care.. Are we up to the challenge to provide that care for them.. I believe so, but what has been occuring will have to make drastic changes.. The shame and disgrace is equally shared amongst us all.. Bill Walker Irving
