I agree Dudette that it is sad that Sec. Shinseki felt the need to resign because of the distraction that the MSM and Congress made this situation. Not once did I hear anyone suggest that the problems were in place even before this administration or that there is a problem within the culture of the VA/VHA. And of course, none of those yelling “off with his head” would admit to their role in this problem — either by denying funding or by pushing wars that resulted in a need for increased resources to service our vets. The theme in recent time has been “FIRE” or “RESIGN”. They did not want to give the President the opportunity to get the facts to make an informed decision. Fortunately, PBO is one who is not hasty in his decision making or actions.
Those who have been quick to say Shiseki must go, are now being critical of the fact that the interim secretary has only worked with the agency for a short period of time. DUH!!! More fallout in the rush to judgment and the demand to blame. I truly believe that Sec Shinseki would have been able to make progress to put the VA on the right track. However, as he has said, he would have been a distraction and I imagine any request for funding would have been shot down for no other reason than because he was still Secretary.
Although he alluded to it, I wish the President had been a little more blunt in identifying the *REAL* distraction. But as usual, he is the adult in the room and is trying to keep the focus on getting the problem fixed.
I’ve watched, read and listened with trepidation while this entire VA mess has unfolded over the last few weeks. This incident gives the cable pundits, the Republicans and the MSM the so-called scandal that they have been clamoring to have for well over a year against this administration. There is no sugar-coating what the inspector general found in his investigation. This is bad. Plain and simple our Vets should not ever have to be treated this way. The problem that I think most of us have is that this problem didn’t start yesterday or last year or on January 20, 2009. The VA as we all know has had a systemic bureaucratic problem since its inception.
As a mother and aunt of three young beautiful men that served this Nation gallantly even under false pretenses in that gawd-awful Iraq War I want them and all our Vets to always have access to the best care possible when needed. They have earned that right. Whatever resources are needed have to be used to do whatever it takes to fix these problems and fix them now.
With that said, this incident highlights everything that is wrong with the way the cable pundits, the Republicans and the MSM handle these situations. No one is seeking a solution to the problems. All they care about is who is to blame and what political fallout it will have on this administration. This is why they are all demanding that the President fire Shinseki. It gives them another opportunity to question (falsely) President Obama’s leadership style. They’re like a wild mob looking for someone to sacrifice so they can then write the story about how the President threw Shinseki under the bus for all the problems at the VA. We all know by now how these games are played. He’ll be damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
Our President is a results driven person. He has put people in place in his cabinet to run their perspective departments with the highest expectations. He doesn’t fire someone just because the media, Republicans and mealy-mouthed Dems suggest he does so. He waits until he has all the facts and then he takes action.
As a manager myself I experienced something similar (on a much smaller scale) this week. One on my staff made an error that she had been counseled about and she knew better than to make. I, as her manager took a thumping from my superiors because of her neglect. She is normally a very competent and dependable employee. In fact, I consider her a superstar. Yet, she neglected something that had a profound impact. The next day I discussed the situation with her and requested that she come back to me within one hour with a procedure that would ensure that this error could never happen again. She was standing in my door 20 minutes later with a written procedure that blew me away that would solve the problem and ensure that this could essentially never happen again.
I took it to my superiors and they were so impressed that she received a personal email from the CFO of the company. She and I experienced a rough patch this week but because the focus was on solving the problem this nightmare came to a positive resolution and made each of us better professionals.
No administration in that big bureaucracy known as the federal government is without fault but just imagine if those brilliant minds could be allowed the opportunity to fix and resolve problems without the glow of “it’s a scandal” or the mob circling the wagons for someone’s scalp. I trust that President Obama felt it was necessary to accept Sec. Shinseki’s resignation but he did it on his terms when he thought it was appropriate. No one forced him into it and the silver-lining in all of this is that the VA will be fixed because even though this may have been lost in all the noise, that’s what’s really at issue here.
Beautiful statement. And you hit the nail on the head. The whole focus has been on who to blame, not on how to fix the problem. No explanation of the root cause of the problem, which is that the VA health system (which is only one part of the VA whcih seems to be ignored) is overloaded due to a high influx of veterans needing a lot of care while the actual medical staffing has barely increased to cover it.
No explanation that, in order to meet the medical needs of the veterans, the medical staffing needs to be increased which will cost money, money the GOP refuses to spend.
There were recommendations in at least two separate reports from 2005 to the end of the Bush administration and absolutely nothing was done by Bush/Cheney. Frankly, I know this is not the point – this is a terrible system and PBO is well into his second term. But my point is that Bush ignored these reports and recommendations and PBO will act decisively.
Thanks donna for this excellent commentary, and for sharing with us your personal experiences as a manager in a difficult situation. I too believe that there is going to be a silver lining in all of this. Let the media/GOP have their 24 hr news cycle of carnival barking – as we have seen before, their “happiness” will soon be short-lived.
We saw it when PBO released his long-form birth certificate. Trump was all in his glory…now is anyone talking about Trump? Karma is taking notes, and getting ready to pay some visits…
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I, too, have been in situations where I probably should have let someone go but instead gave them a time-limited opportunity to perform better and produce tangible results. I’m very glad I did because I think we all learned a good lesson, one worth having.
But what I think PBO recognizes is that now the focus will be distinctly placed on CONGRESS to step up to the plate and do their part, a responsibility for which they have really been MIA. He knows that they must now bear the brunt of helping to fix the problems and it remains to be seen whether they will. I have my DOUBTS.
It is such BS but now there is so much noise around Shinseki that it will get in the way of accomplishing the important tasks in the short term. He was definitely scapegoated by a lazy media who have failed to ask questions over years of Republican underfunding the VA and by the Republicans who love to talk about their support for the troops and were outraged by the scandal at the VA but who consistently vote to deny necessary funds to adequately support our troops when they need support the most.
One question I wish our journalists would ask is whether or not Senators Flake and McCain ever received any complaints or requests for assistance from veterans and/or their family members. In fact I would love for journalists to do FOIA requests to see if there were any complaints. Both Senators have established constituent services staff and I find it hard to believe that they never received a single complaint or request for assistance. I would like to find out what they knew and when they knew it.
I would like to believe that those who are most directly impacted by VA are aware of the improvements that Shinseki has implemented and are likely to be supportive. But those who — as AMK said — want to fix blame rather than fix the problem 1) probably don’t have need or even utilize the services of the VA and 2) will continue to be critical even though Shinseki has resigned.
I don’t understand the full extent of the problems – but would it be fair to say some administrators have been hiding the size of waiting lists because – bonus payments! It is always MONEY.
I have never believed government employees should get performance bonuses – whether they be teachers or doctors or administrators. I call b.s that it is needed to get good people to work for the government – some people prefer to work in such an environment & there is never a lack of folks lining up for government employment.
I feel their disappointment. However, I do hope they now channel that “groan” appropriately. By helping to ensure that the GOP in congress either SHAPE UP or SHIP OUT by VOTING against them in November.
This makes me so sad. Such a great man. I know I will be staying off twitter and not listening to any news. What a bunch of vultures. Do they really want it fixed. They would rather rant about it that fix it. Again thanks Chips for this place.
I am so sad that this man had to resign. He did so much good for so many, but in the end, it was never about him but getting the very best for those that serve. This is the compassion, empathy, selflessness, and moral values that so many could learn from…but they won’t. I wish him all the success’ in his life, the General has earned every one. Veterans may not even realize the extent of what he has done to make their lives better….
I posted this last night and hope that someone will pick up the ball and Tweet this, etc. Now is the PRIME MOMENT for Americans to get whiplash realizing that the Republicans that they THOUGHT supported our veterans, never really did. This is that moment…we need to make this happen..the light bulb needs to go off, and this should be the catalyst for that to happen. McCain isn’t the only one either, he’s just a prominent one, and one that spends every gd Sunday telling the rest of America how he supports veterans more than anyone else! Not so much….here’s a little taste of how John McCain has “supported” veterans over the years.
Senator John McCain’s Record on Troop and Veterans’ Issues
Voting Against Veterans
Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades. In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans’ issues. Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a “D” grade for his poor voting record on veterans’ issues, including McCain’s votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment.
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)
McCain Voted At Least 28 Times Against Veterans’ Benefits, Including Healthcare. Since arriving in the U.S. Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 28 times against ensuring important benefits for America’s veterans, including providing adequate healthcare. (2006 Senate Vote # 7, 41, 63, 67, 98, 222; 2005 Senate Votes # 55, 89, 90, 251, 343; 2004 Senate Votes # 40, 48, 145; 2003 Senate Votes # 74, 81, 83; 1999 Senate Vote # 328; 1998 Senate Vote # 175; 1997 Senate Vote # 168; 1996 Senate Votes # 115, 275; 1995 Senate Votes # 76, 226, 466; 1994 Senate Vote # 306; 1992 Senate Vote # 194; 1991 Senate Vote # 259)
McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
There’s SOOOO many more examples of the senator “Supporting our troops” at the link….There are hyperlinks to the bills and votes he took. Fucker. This damn charade needs to END RIGHT NOW!!
Note the dates and how long John McCain has been “supporting the troops better than anyone else in the whole wide world”….I don’t think that “SUPPORT” means what he thinks it means.
Very welcome, purpleshoes:) Glad to see you back here! America needs to see this. We can make this right…all the way around! Make them pay for asking for this great man’s resignation …when all the while they have cut away at veterans care FOR DECADES!!
I just sent that to CNN and Wolf . Told them to be ready with it the next time they bring on Senator John McBitter to show his sad sad face because he is a lying POS !
It’s so disheartening for the pundits to allow the GOP be blameless in this debacle and allow Sec. Shinseki to be railroaded. Congress handles and doles out the majority of the money for the running of the country, government, and agencies. The GOP blocked bill after bill that would have addressed these VA issues but now they get to crow and thanks to the despicable media we have, the public won’t get the true story.
I thank Sec. Shinseki for his service, for everything he has done to improve the VA since he stepped into that position, and I wish him well in his future endeavors.
I believe it must have pained President Obama to accept his resignation but I also thank President Obama for never leaving him out to devoured by the disgusting GOP and media wolves by echoing their lies about him. I thank President Obama for always having his back and reiterating at every moment (even before this recent issue) his trust in Sec. Shinseki, his admiration, and respect for his services and for his person.
We REALLY need to be more forceful and aggressive with the media. At times like these, we typically focus on our disappointment with PBO, or with red-state Democrats. But I think we need to have a razor-like focus on the MSM and their hypocrisy. They need to be called out directly and be forced to either respond or be dismissed and exposed.
well I am very disappointed to read that Gen Shinseki is resigning, it’s all wrong imo.. I missed the President’s statement, though. I am for the first time- ever- disappointed in President Obama. This really bothers me.
I think you should watch the President’s remarks before coming to any conclusions. You might feel differently. He did not fire Shinseki. Sec. Shinseki came to the Oval Office today and while updating President Obama on what he has been doing to address the VA problems, he told President Obama he wants to resign. POTUS didn’t want to accept his resignation but Shinseki said he’s being used as a distraction and because of that, the real focus isn’t being placed where it should be: fixing the VA’s problems, having more funding to address not just surface but deeper issues.
President Obama praised him as he has continued to do and did not back the media’s assertions that Sec. Shinseki is a failure.
Don’t fall for the nonsense the media has been peddling. When you have a media that doesn’t point out to the public, that President Obama and Sec. Shinseki pushed for funding for the VA; especially in the area of healthcare, or doesn’t point out that they implemented fundamental changes in the VA, and doesn’t point out that the GOP blocked funding requests time after time, what choice does one have?
I believe President Obama and Sec. Shinseki want the focus placed exactly where it should have been all along —> On Congress. There hopefully will now be a laser focus on them and the question that should be asked is why do they complain about VA problems when they regularly block funding or why do they still complain about VA problems but haven’t come up with a solution to fix them?
Now that Sec. Shinseki is out (a sad development for sure), they can’t use him as a scapegoat to hide behind the problems they helped in part to create.
thank you Nerdy for the explanation, and you’re correct that I should have listened to POTUS’ statement before reacting.. I never listen to the media, so I ought to know better. I’m just saddened and angry that Shinseki and POTUS were even put in this position. Thanks, again.
It sucks…. Giant boulders. But the President did what he believes he had to. I think the Secretary is amazing and should’ve been allowed to see through the fixes. In another time it could’ve worked. Secretary Shinseki is an honorable man who stepped down so others could keep focus on the mission.
Political calculations ruled the day. #TrustBarack
I was just thinking that…they’re already asking why the President accepted Sec Shinseki’s resignation when he didn’t accept Sec Sebelius’ resignation.
That’s exactly why the President should continue to do what he thinks is best…there will be fault-finders no matter what. At least we know his decisions and actions are well thought out and is based on factual and relevant information.
That is a good idea. Immediately retweeted. And I will tell you, my wife once worked with a doc who served in the Air Force as a doctor. He said his training in that capacity was better than in medical school.
From GPs to every kind of specialty, working in the VA will help them immeasurably in the private practice world.
Sounds a lot like the teacher deal where they work in a school with a certain population for five consecutive years while paying their loans then the government loans are forgiven. My daughter-in-law just got her teaching loans forgiven.
I thought this very same thing this morning!! They’ll have people knocking down the doors! OR…those that are in medical school or PA school….or other medical necessity….offer to pay their tuition up front with the promise of ready made job upon graduation….
We are the only industrialized nation that doesn’t train its doctors for free, in exchange for a period of service to the health care of their country. It’s why we have too many dermatologists and not enough rural family practice physicians. You have to pay off those debts somehow.
Also, imagine the talent we could attract right here in the U.S. of people who have no way to afford medical school.
DOC SHORTAGE Doc Cited in VA Delays An acute shortage of primary care doctors is behind delays at some hospitals and clinics run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. “The problem facing the VA in terms of not having the number of primary care doctors and nurses it needs is part of a national crisis,” Sen. Bernard Sanders, the Senate veterans committee chairman, told The New York Times. He will offer legislation to let VA patients who can’t get appointments go to community health centers, military hospitals or private doctors. He also wants to provide medical school scholarships and loan forgiveness as incentives to attract more physicians and nurses to careers at the VA.
VA HEALTH CENTERS Veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are overwhelming underfunded VA facilities in the Southwest and South, Sen. Sanders told The New York Times. VA has set a goal of seeing patients within 14 days. “Do we have the staffing to achieve that goal?” Sanders asked. “In some parts of the country, clearly we do not.” As part of the solution, Sanders’ bill also would fund construction of 27 new VA health facilities, The Hill reported.
I forgot Franken was even around…..and then this! This is a person who had to wait six months to take his seat because of the gop…and he waited, not a peep from him!
I think we ought to inundate them with info about this! Flood their inboxes, phone lines and twitter feeds…MAKE them report this! What say you, TOD villagers??
Okay…for all the idiots who have been constantly beating that drum for Sec Shinseki to resign/be fired…he has resigned. Now all the problems in the VA have been resolved; right!?!?!?!?!?!
Yes, I have often wondered about his violent swings back and forth. You could get dizzy trying to keep up with him. One minute he is praising President Obama the next minute he is ripping him to shreds. He spritzes and talks over his guests. He loves to hear the sound of his own voice. He sits on his perch in an air conditioned studio and acts like he is some armchair advisor to President Obama. It’s maddening. Two seconds after every speech he is criticizing what PBO said, how he said, what he should have said, etc. I stopped watching Tweety a long time ago. My only regret is that he didn’t hear me click the remote to turn him off.
BURLINGTON, Vt., May 30 – Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after President Barack Obama accepted the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:
“Secretary Shinseki is an American hero who courageously served his country in war, rose to be the Army chief of staff and has dedicated his distinguished career to helping his fellow soldiers and veterans. I am sad that he resigned.
“The unequivocal goal of the VA must be to provide the highest-quality health care possible to all of our veterans in a timely manner. The new leadership must transform the culture of the VA, establish accountability and punish those responsible for the reprehensible manipulation of wait times. As chairman of the Senate veterans’ committee I look forward to working with President Obama, the new VA leadership and my Senate colleagues to make that happen.”
Thousands of Vets are denied Medicare for many GOP govs and the GOP controlled Houses have refused ACA. Would the Media cover that? How about 5M plus ordinary American Citizens left out by these same Political GOPers?
Yes, Shinseki had to go. As an exemplary honest soldier, he knew that. Yes, the problem has existed for years. Yes, with more vet into the system, the problems were to get Huge. Perhaps, now is the time to push for a REAL solution be it funds, manpower and administrative restructuring and including modernization of their Computer system.
Dems believe is a Functional Gov’t. Therefore, they must always unfairly carry the burden especially in the politicization of the media. Dems want to get things done, feed the poor, help the sick and the rest. They must continue to be TRUE to who they are.
But
They must continue to demand that the Media be TRUTHFUL and they must demand that the GOP be held accountable due to their inaction.
Gen Shinseki did Right by this nation and the Vets he served. Thank you, Sir!
Hello TOD. I don’t tweet and couldn’t here at work either, but please….please…..PLEASE….direct all your anger and venom to those responsible for this travesty…Congress and their evil co-horts, the punk-dits… Bombard them. Make this one thing a revolution across social media as best you can. I will do my part. We have got to stop this evil upon our good folks. The evil is killing us as a sensible society. Get LOUD! Stay righteously indignant. JM2cents worth !!
Jay will be missed by POB and all of us who respect him; but mostly the manner in which Jay respected President Barack Obama as a president and dear friend.
I respect Jay for holding on this long; but I also respect him for respecting his family enough to know that some history, one can only take to your level of greatness by allowing the next chapter to be written and carried on with deep respect for both his calling and his family. May his family enjoy him even more and may Jay enjoy the next chapter with great respect and deep appreciation for taking this journey with the greatest president in my lifetime.
Blessings to you, Jay Carney. We thank you for serving your president and your country with patience, compassion, and great respect to your boss.HZ
The Obama Diary 
Punished for telling truth about Iraq war
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/opinion/mills-truth-teller-iraq/
Exactly
I agree Dudette that it is sad that Sec. Shinseki felt the need to resign because of the distraction that the MSM and Congress made this situation. Not once did I hear anyone suggest that the problems were in place even before this administration or that there is a problem within the culture of the VA/VHA. And of course, none of those yelling “off with his head” would admit to their role in this problem — either by denying funding or by pushing wars that resulted in a need for increased resources to service our vets. The theme in recent time has been “FIRE” or “RESIGN”. They did not want to give the President the opportunity to get the facts to make an informed decision. Fortunately, PBO is one who is not hasty in his decision making or actions.
Those who have been quick to say Shiseki must go, are now being critical of the fact that the interim secretary has only worked with the agency for a short period of time. DUH!!! More fallout in the rush to judgment and the demand to blame. I truly believe that Sec Shinseki would have been able to make progress to put the VA on the right track. However, as he has said, he would have been a distraction and I imagine any request for funding would have been shot down for no other reason than because he was still Secretary.
Although he alluded to it, I wish the President had been a little more blunt in identifying the *REAL* distraction. But as usual, he is the adult in the room and is trying to keep the focus on getting the problem fixed.
I’ve watched, read and listened with trepidation while this entire VA mess has unfolded over the last few weeks. This incident gives the cable pundits, the Republicans and the MSM the so-called scandal that they have been clamoring to have for well over a year against this administration. There is no sugar-coating what the inspector general found in his investigation. This is bad. Plain and simple our Vets should not ever have to be treated this way. The problem that I think most of us have is that this problem didn’t start yesterday or last year or on January 20, 2009. The VA as we all know has had a systemic bureaucratic problem since its inception.
As a mother and aunt of three young beautiful men that served this Nation gallantly even under false pretenses in that gawd-awful Iraq War I want them and all our Vets to always have access to the best care possible when needed. They have earned that right. Whatever resources are needed have to be used to do whatever it takes to fix these problems and fix them now.
With that said, this incident highlights everything that is wrong with the way the cable pundits, the Republicans and the MSM handle these situations. No one is seeking a solution to the problems. All they care about is who is to blame and what political fallout it will have on this administration. This is why they are all demanding that the President fire Shinseki. It gives them another opportunity to question (falsely) President Obama’s leadership style. They’re like a wild mob looking for someone to sacrifice so they can then write the story about how the President threw Shinseki under the bus for all the problems at the VA. We all know by now how these games are played. He’ll be damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
Our President is a results driven person. He has put people in place in his cabinet to run their perspective departments with the highest expectations. He doesn’t fire someone just because the media, Republicans and mealy-mouthed Dems suggest he does so. He waits until he has all the facts and then he takes action.
As a manager myself I experienced something similar (on a much smaller scale) this week. One on my staff made an error that she had been counseled about and she knew better than to make. I, as her manager took a thumping from my superiors because of her neglect. She is normally a very competent and dependable employee. In fact, I consider her a superstar. Yet, she neglected something that had a profound impact. The next day I discussed the situation with her and requested that she come back to me within one hour with a procedure that would ensure that this error could never happen again. She was standing in my door 20 minutes later with a written procedure that blew me away that would solve the problem and ensure that this could essentially never happen again.
I took it to my superiors and they were so impressed that she received a personal email from the CFO of the company. She and I experienced a rough patch this week but because the focus was on solving the problem this nightmare came to a positive resolution and made each of us better professionals.
No administration in that big bureaucracy known as the federal government is without fault but just imagine if those brilliant minds could be allowed the opportunity to fix and resolve problems without the glow of “it’s a scandal” or the mob circling the wagons for someone’s scalp. I trust that President Obama felt it was necessary to accept Sec. Shinseki’s resignation but he did it on his terms when he thought it was appropriate. No one forced him into it and the silver-lining in all of this is that the VA will be fixed because even though this may have been lost in all the noise, that’s what’s really at issue here.
Thank God PBO is in charge!
Beautiful statement. And you hit the nail on the head. The whole focus has been on who to blame, not on how to fix the problem. No explanation of the root cause of the problem, which is that the VA health system (which is only one part of the VA whcih seems to be ignored) is overloaded due to a high influx of veterans needing a lot of care while the actual medical staffing has barely increased to cover it.
No explanation that, in order to meet the medical needs of the veterans, the medical staffing needs to be increased which will cost money, money the GOP refuses to spend.
There were recommendations in at least two separate reports from 2005 to the end of the Bush administration and absolutely nothing was done by Bush/Cheney. Frankly, I know this is not the point – this is a terrible system and PBO is well into his second term. But my point is that Bush ignored these reports and recommendations and PBO will act decisively.
Thanks donna for this excellent commentary, and for sharing with us your personal experiences as a manager in a difficult situation. I too believe that there is going to be a silver lining in all of this. Let the media/GOP have their 24 hr news cycle of carnival barking – as we have seen before, their “happiness” will soon be short-lived.
We saw it when PBO released his long-form birth certificate. Trump was all in his glory…now is anyone talking about Trump? Karma is taking notes, and getting ready to pay some visits…
BRAVO, DONNA DEM
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I, too, have been in situations where I probably should have let someone go but instead gave them a time-limited opportunity to perform better and produce tangible results. I’m very glad I did because I think we all learned a good lesson, one worth having.
But what I think PBO recognizes is that now the focus will be distinctly placed on CONGRESS to step up to the plate and do their part, a responsibility for which they have really been MIA. He knows that they must now bear the brunt of helping to fix the problems and it remains to be seen whether they will. I have my DOUBTS.
I agree with you in full, donna, No more to say.
*fist bump*
Bio of our new Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs
http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_gibson.asp
Well, this is bullshit news to come into work to.
It really is, LL.
It is such BS but now there is so much noise around Shinseki that it will get in the way of accomplishing the important tasks in the short term. He was definitely scapegoated by a lazy media who have failed to ask questions over years of Republican underfunding the VA and by the Republicans who love to talk about their support for the troops and were outraged by the scandal at the VA but who consistently vote to deny necessary funds to adequately support our troops when they need support the most.
One question I wish our journalists would ask is whether or not Senators Flake and McCain ever received any complaints or requests for assistance from veterans and/or their family members. In fact I would love for journalists to do FOIA requests to see if there were any complaints. Both Senators have established constituent services staff and I find it hard to believe that they never received a single complaint or request for assistance. I would like to find out what they knew and when they knew it.
Good Morning TODVille!
Sad about this morning’s news.
And Dudette, I agree wholeheartedly with Pat Fuller. McCain should resign.
I agree John McCain and his phony old senile self should resign.
Welp, I think I’ll be staying off Twitter today.
Most of my TL, when it comes to the VA is very supportive of Shinseki.
I would like to believe that those who are most directly impacted by VA are aware of the improvements that Shinseki has implemented and are likely to be supportive. But those who — as AMK said — want to fix blame rather than fix the problem 1) probably don’t have need or even utilize the services of the VA and 2) will continue to be critical even though Shinseki has resigned.
egg-xact-ly
I would also add…Try to find a way to blame Obama (or actually blame it on Obama).
right, both of you—Dudette and swbluega
Bingo!
I don’t understand the full extent of the problems – but would it be fair to say some administrators have been hiding the size of waiting lists because – bonus payments! It is always MONEY.
I have never believed government employees should get performance bonuses – whether they be teachers or doctors or administrators. I call b.s that it is needed to get good people to work for the government – some people prefer to work in such an environment & there is never a lack of folks lining up for government employment.
LiberalPhenom @LiberalPhenom · 18m
George Bush & his evil cabal set this country on fire w/help of the media and POTUS still trying to put it out. Meanwhile GOP sets more.
Truth!
This is effing bullshyte!!
Yes it is
I feel their disappointment. However, I do hope they now channel that “groan” appropriately. By helping to ensure that the GOP in congress either SHAPE UP or SHIP OUT by VOTING against them in November.
This makes me so sad. Such a great man. I know I will be staying off twitter and not listening to any news. What a bunch of vultures. Do they really want it fixed. They would rather rant about it that fix it. Again thanks Chips for this place.
I just turned away too! I can’t take it!
Hey, they fav’d my tweet! 🙂
I am so sad that this man had to resign. He did so much good for so many, but in the end, it was never about him but getting the very best for those that serve. This is the compassion, empathy, selflessness, and moral values that so many could learn from…but they won’t. I wish him all the success’ in his life, the General has earned every one. Veterans may not even realize the extent of what he has done to make their lives better….
That said, I rage inside myself because of this fraud: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brandon-friedman/mccains-non-support-for-t_b_131046.html
I posted this last night and hope that someone will pick up the ball and Tweet this, etc. Now is the PRIME MOMENT for Americans to get whiplash realizing that the Republicans that they THOUGHT supported our veterans, never really did. This is that moment…we need to make this happen..the light bulb needs to go off, and this should be the catalyst for that to happen. McCain isn’t the only one either, he’s just a prominent one, and one that spends every gd Sunday telling the rest of America how he supports veterans more than anyone else! Not so much….here’s a little taste of how John McCain has “supported” veterans over the years.
Senator John McCain’s Record on Troop and Veterans’ Issues
Voting Against Veterans
Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades. In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans’ issues. Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a “D” grade for his poor voting record on veterans’ issues, including McCain’s votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment.
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)
McCain Voted At Least 28 Times Against Veterans’ Benefits, Including Healthcare. Since arriving in the U.S. Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 28 times against ensuring important benefits for America’s veterans, including providing adequate healthcare. (2006 Senate Vote # 7, 41, 63, 67, 98, 222; 2005 Senate Votes # 55, 89, 90, 251, 343; 2004 Senate Votes # 40, 48, 145; 2003 Senate Votes # 74, 81, 83; 1999 Senate Vote # 328; 1998 Senate Vote # 175; 1997 Senate Vote # 168; 1996 Senate Votes # 115, 275; 1995 Senate Votes # 76, 226, 466; 1994 Senate Vote # 306; 1992 Senate Vote # 194; 1991 Senate Vote # 259)
McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
There’s SOOOO many more examples of the senator “Supporting our troops” at the link….There are hyperlinks to the bills and votes he took. Fucker. This damn charade needs to END RIGHT NOW!!
Note the dates and how long John McCain has been “supporting the troops better than anyone else in the whole wide world”….I don’t think that “SUPPORT” means what he thinks it means.
When the red haze of anger subsides, I am going to tweet every single god damn one of these. Thanks for this DF
Very welcome, purpleshoes:) Glad to see you back here! America needs to see this. We can make this right…all the way around! Make them pay for asking for this great man’s resignation …when all the while they have cut away at veterans care FOR DECADES!!
I just sent that to CNN and Wolf . Told them to be ready with it the next time they bring on Senator John McBitter to show his sad sad face because he is a lying POS !
Thanks. Whether they DO or not…that’s the question.
It’s so disheartening for the pundits to allow the GOP be blameless in this debacle and allow Sec. Shinseki to be railroaded. Congress handles and doles out the majority of the money for the running of the country, government, and agencies. The GOP blocked bill after bill that would have addressed these VA issues but now they get to crow and thanks to the despicable media we have, the public won’t get the true story.
I thank Sec. Shinseki for his service, for everything he has done to improve the VA since he stepped into that position, and I wish him well in his future endeavors.
I believe it must have pained President Obama to accept his resignation but I also thank President Obama for never leaving him out to devoured by the disgusting GOP and media wolves by echoing their lies about him. I thank President Obama for always having his back and reiterating at every moment (even before this recent issue) his trust in Sec. Shinseki, his admiration, and respect for his services and for his person.
Well said NW and I agree!
What we hear in this silence, is the ugly sound of dark money.
Some images to calm the storm
https://twitter.com/Fascinatingpics/status/472256141897248768
We REALLY need to be more forceful and aggressive with the media. At times like these, we typically focus on our disappointment with PBO, or with red-state Democrats. But I think we need to have a razor-like focus on the MSM and their hypocrisy. They need to be called out directly and be forced to either respond or be dismissed and exposed.
Totally agree!
well I am very disappointed to read that Gen Shinseki is resigning, it’s all wrong imo.. I missed the President’s statement, though. I am for the first time- ever- disappointed in President Obama. This really bothers me.
I think you should watch the President’s remarks before coming to any conclusions. You might feel differently. He did not fire Shinseki. Sec. Shinseki came to the Oval Office today and while updating President Obama on what he has been doing to address the VA problems, he told President Obama he wants to resign. POTUS didn’t want to accept his resignation but Shinseki said he’s being used as a distraction and because of that, the real focus isn’t being placed where it should be: fixing the VA’s problems, having more funding to address not just surface but deeper issues.
President Obama praised him as he has continued to do and did not back the media’s assertions that Sec. Shinseki is a failure.
Don’t fall for the nonsense the media has been peddling. When you have a media that doesn’t point out to the public, that President Obama and Sec. Shinseki pushed for funding for the VA; especially in the area of healthcare, or doesn’t point out that they implemented fundamental changes in the VA, and doesn’t point out that the GOP blocked funding requests time after time, what choice does one have?
I believe President Obama and Sec. Shinseki want the focus placed exactly where it should have been all along —> On Congress. There hopefully will now be a laser focus on them and the question that should be asked is why do they complain about VA problems when they regularly block funding or why do they still complain about VA problems but haven’t come up with a solution to fix them?
Now that Sec. Shinseki is out (a sad development for sure), they can’t use him as a scapegoat to hide behind the problems they helped in part to create.
thank you Nerdy for the explanation, and you’re correct that I should have listened to POTUS’ statement before reacting.. I never listen to the media, so I ought to know better. I’m just saddened and angry that Shinseki and POTUS were even put in this position. Thanks, again.
huh?
It sucks…. Giant boulders. But the President did what he believes he had to. I think the Secretary is amazing and should’ve been allowed to see through the fixes. In another time it could’ve worked. Secretary Shinseki is an honorable man who stepped down so others could keep focus on the mission.
Political calculations ruled the day. #TrustBarack
I agree Dudette. thanks.
What to do with your anger… direct it into action
YES! YES! YES!
Retweeted by Matt Murphy
jamia @auntoona · 59m
Now the media will hound PBO about why he accepted the resignation they’ve been clamoring for. #VAScandal
#politicsnation
I was just thinking that…they’re already asking why the President accepted Sec Shinseki’s resignation when he didn’t accept Sec Sebelius’ resignation.
That’s exactly why the President should continue to do what he thinks is best…there will be fault-finders no matter what. At least we know his decisions and actions are well thought out and is based on factual and relevant information.
One solution. I like it!
That is a good idea. Immediately retweeted. And I will tell you, my wife once worked with a doc who served in the Air Force as a doctor. He said his training in that capacity was better than in medical school.
From GPs to every kind of specialty, working in the VA will help them immeasurably in the private practice world.
Sounds a lot like the teacher deal where they work in a school with a certain population for five consecutive years while paying their loans then the government loans are forgiven. My daughter-in-law just got her teaching loans forgiven.
Awesome!
A win-win solution.
I thought this very same thing this morning!! They’ll have people knocking down the doors! OR…those that are in medical school or PA school….or other medical necessity….offer to pay their tuition up front with the promise of ready made job upon graduation….
We are the only industrialized nation that doesn’t train its doctors for free, in exchange for a period of service to the health care of their country. It’s why we have too many dermatologists and not enough rural family practice physicians. You have to pay off those debts somehow.
Also, imagine the talent we could attract right here in the U.S. of people who have no way to afford medical school.
Exactamundo!
This. Too many choose medicine for the big $$, not necessarily for the calling.
This is encouraging …..
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS
————————————
DOC SHORTAGE Doc Cited in VA Delays An acute shortage of primary care doctors is behind delays at some hospitals and clinics run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. “The problem facing the VA in terms of not having the number of primary care doctors and nurses it needs is part of a national crisis,” Sen. Bernard Sanders, the Senate veterans committee chairman, told The New York Times. He will offer legislation to let VA patients who can’t get appointments go to community health centers, military hospitals or private doctors. He also wants to provide medical school scholarships and loan forgiveness as incentives to attract more physicians and nurses to careers at the VA.
VA HEALTH CENTERS Veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are overwhelming underfunded VA facilities in the Southwest and South, Sen. Sanders told The New York Times. VA has set a goal of seeing patients within 14 days. “Do we have the staffing to achieve that goal?” Sanders asked. “In some parts of the country, clearly we do not.” As part of the solution, Sanders’ bill also would fund construction of 27 new VA health facilities, The Hill reported.
—————————————
http://www.sanders.senate.gov
What does Hillary have to do with this?
Thank you, Deserflower. The hypocrisy is amazing.
Thank YOU, Nerdy:) This needs to be plastered freaking EVERYWHERE!
#whynot? They might be too busy scheduling golf weekends and trying to get away from the office?? Well, maybe. ( snark)
EXCELLENT Must Read! h/t Jeff Gauvin
http://thesterlingroad.com/2014/05/30/the-shineski-firing/
Just sayin’ Chips…YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD THIS SITE TO THE BLOG ROLL…. 🙂 🙂
When Fox News Shrugged Over A Military Care Scandal (Hint: Bush Was President)
http://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/05/21/when-fox-news-shrugged-over-a-veterans-care-sca/199406
egg.saclk.lee. Instead dumb dems like franken, grimes and GA lady wasshername join the mad crowd.
Franken?!?! Are you effing kidding me?!?!? Jees, the one voice of reason on our side of the aisle was effing Bernie Sanders on this issue.
yup. he did.
grrrrrrrrr
Bernie has been AMAZING!!
He has taken my breath away on this one.
Yup. Absolutely. You do that when you know you’re right and have a clear conscience:) Bravo to him.
THIS!
I forgot Franken was even around…..and then this! This is a person who had to wait six months to take his seat because of the gop…and he waited, not a peep from him!
EXACTLY!!!
I am so disgusted !!!!!!!!?!!?!?
I think we ought to inundate them with info about this! Flood their inboxes, phone lines and twitter feeds…MAKE them report this! What say you, TOD villagers??
I’m totally with you on that one df!
YES
I also tweeted out all your points about McCain. Thank you very much for bringing the info here.
This was such a painful announcement. My heart aches for President Obama and Secretary Shinseki.
I’m sorry to see Sec. Shinseki go. POTUS said he is a good man and I believe he is.
Okay…for all the idiots who have been constantly beating that drum for Sec Shinseki to resign/be fired…he has resigned. Now all the problems in the VA have been resolved; right!?!?!?!?!?!
Every last problem in the VA is solved. It is to bad we can’t get rid of Congress that easy.
Sometimes I wonder if Chris Matthews haven’t lost his dam mind.
Yes, I have often wondered about his violent swings back and forth. You could get dizzy trying to keep up with him. One minute he is praising President Obama the next minute he is ripping him to shreds. He spritzes and talks over his guests. He loves to hear the sound of his own voice. He sits on his perch in an air conditioned studio and acts like he is some armchair advisor to President Obama. It’s maddening. Two seconds after every speech he is criticizing what PBO said, how he said, what he should have said, etc. I stopped watching Tweety a long time ago. My only regret is that he didn’t hear me click the remote to turn him off.
Sanders Statement on Secretary Shinseki
Friday, May 30, 2014
BURLINGTON, Vt., May 30 – Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after President Barack Obama accepted the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:
“Secretary Shinseki is an American hero who courageously served his country in war, rose to be the Army chief of staff and has dedicated his distinguished career to helping his fellow soldiers and veterans. I am sad that he resigned.
“The unequivocal goal of the VA must be to provide the highest-quality health care possible to all of our veterans in a timely manner. The new leadership must transform the culture of the VA, establish accountability and punish those responsible for the reprehensible manipulation of wait times. As chairman of the Senate veterans’ committee I look forward to working with President Obama, the new VA leadership and my Senate colleagues to make that happen.”
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-secretary-shinseki
Sander’s VA bill should be brought to a vote ASAP. I wish I trusted Harry Reid to do that. The gop needs to be put on record.
Thousands of Vets are denied Medicare for many GOP govs and the GOP controlled Houses have refused ACA. Would the Media cover that? How about 5M plus ordinary American Citizens left out by these same Political GOPers?
Yes, Shinseki had to go. As an exemplary honest soldier, he knew that. Yes, the problem has existed for years. Yes, with more vet into the system, the problems were to get Huge. Perhaps, now is the time to push for a REAL solution be it funds, manpower and administrative restructuring and including modernization of their Computer system.
This!!! This is a sad day for me.
Dems believe is a Functional Gov’t. Therefore, they must always unfairly carry the burden especially in the politicization of the media. Dems want to get things done, feed the poor, help the sick and the rest. They must continue to be TRUE to who they are.
But
They must continue to demand that the Media be TRUTHFUL and they must demand that the GOP be held accountable due to their inaction.
Gen Shinseki did Right by this nation and the Vets he served. Thank you, Sir!
Hello TOD. I don’t tweet and couldn’t here at work either, but please….please…..PLEASE….direct all your anger and venom to those responsible for this travesty…Congress and their evil co-horts, the punk-dits… Bombard them. Make this one thing a revolution across social media as best you can. I will do my part. We have got to stop this evil upon our good folks. The evil is killing us as a sensible society. Get LOUD! Stay righteously indignant. JM2cents worth !!
My head is hurting due to extreme anger – i need to take a break
Try this
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-206
5-30-14
How I wish that Jay would say today:
Never Mind. WH presser is not happening today.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/05/30/truth-is-140-characters-2/
President Obama is announcing Jay Carney’s resignation as Press Secretary. Sad to see Jay go.
Jay Carney calls it quits.
Jay will be missed by POB and all of us who respect him; but mostly the manner in which Jay respected President Barack Obama as a president and dear friend.
I respect Jay for holding on this long; but I also respect him for respecting his family enough to know that some history, one can only take to your level of greatness by allowing the next chapter to be written and carried on with deep respect for both his calling and his family. May his family enjoy him even more and may Jay enjoy the next chapter with great respect and deep appreciation for taking this journey with the greatest president in my lifetime.
Blessings to you, Jay Carney. We thank you for serving your president and your country with patience, compassion, and great respect to your boss.HZ