Discuss Tim Rutten's Nov. 19 Op-Ed column
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From the Los Angeles Times
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Funding to research the disease was slashed when Bush II took office. Then veterans voted to keep him in. I hope the spell that Republican jingoism has had over military voters is over. Bush should be tried for several war crimes - let's start with the ones at home.
John Ellis @ 9:41 PM PST, Nov 19, 2008
Since the VA is run like an HMO you get the government working against the very troops who suffer defending it. Their main purpose seems to be denying/ losing claims, or to bury people in paperwork and a system that seems designed to make vets give up out of frustration or settle for a fraction of the benefits they're owed. The history and behavior of this agency during the War on Terror is inept and uncaring.
JM @ 7:29 PM PST, Nov 19, 2008
Also, when I served I met a man (who is still a good friend) who suffered from GWS. I was stationed with him for 2 years and all that time he was fighting to be diagnosed. His treatment was one of the reasons I did not re-up.
Paul @ 5:23 PM PST, Nov 19, 2008
I served in the Army in the mid 90's and did not see any combat action. I don't mind getting ribbed about it because I have so much respect for my fellow vets that have. It has been my belief that a country's greatness is measured by 3 things: 1. How it cares for children. 2. How it care for the elderly. 3. How it cares for vets. By that standard we are a pitiful excuse for a world power.
Paul @ 5:20 PM PST, Nov 19, 2008
Yes, we need to bring back the draft. The middle class is shouldering the burden of protecting this country. As a result, the upper class communities who benefit most from this country have the lowest representation in the military. One has to wonder whether the neocons would have pushed for war in Iraq if their sons and daughters would have been drafted. The country needs an infusion of patriotism because many of our young have no sense of loyalty to this country. They consider themselves world citizens or true citizens of their parents countries. A draft of some sort would speedup the Americanization process.
Ransome @ 3:49 PM PST, Nov 19, 2008
I am a Vietnam Vet and we are not doing enoguh for Vets of any war. 3 years ago I lost my job, I went to the VA Office on Temple Street in downtown L.A. to apply for medical benefits. I have a heart condition that requires daily medicaiton. I filled out the forms, I did not qualify because I made to much money last year. I never applyed for VA medical benefits while I was employed, I DID NOT NEED THEM, IF I HAD NOT LOST MY JOB I WOULD NOT BE APPLYING! I would not encourge any of my service age family to join, let the rich kids defend those $500K a year jobs on Wall Street. BRING BACK THE DRAFT AND NO DEFERMENTS.
Peter @ 11:32 AM PST, Nov 19, 2008
As Tim Rutten points out, high quality medical care must be made available for the veterans of the Gulf wars and of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, and we should press Obama to make this happen. Even so, when we are tallying the weekly, monthly or annual cost of a war, as in, the Iraq war costs us $X billion a month, the cost of the lifelong health care of our veterans, many of whom will have very expensive illnesses, is not entered into the calculation. This hidden cost will have to be paid by generations to come and should be made transparently a part of the discussion about going to war at all.
Charlotte Collins @ 10:45 AM PST, Nov 19, 2008
Yes, but since they don't work on Wall Street we won't be able to find the money to help them...
Barbara Aquino @ 10:21 AM PST, Nov 19, 2008
Tim, You covered our veteran's needs thoroughly and have made a fine recommendation. Obama should address this promptly, ahead of a number of other problems facing us all.
La Mirada Bob @ 8:05 AM PST, Nov 19, 2008
As usual, Tim Rutten is right there bringing to light the important issues neglected in the public hysteria over more immediate concerns. That it should have taken so many years to validate the complaints by Vietnam vets suffering from Gulf War Syndrome is not only a national disgrace, but a backhanded tribute to the agility of successive Administrations in dancing around a blatant abuse of our service personnel. Let's hope the new President, who seems to be a moral being, will try to alleviate, if only belatedly, the suffering of these soldiers.
Jankne Lee @ 8:05 AM PST, Nov 19, 2008
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