Hey, War Veteran, You Maybe Gave Up Your Leg For Your Country; Now The VA Will Remove Your Dignity Before You Enter Their Building
Disgustingly, VA medical facilities posted signs prohibiting various items -- including, guns, knives, backpacks, and phones. At the Free Beacon, Adam Kredo posts:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) apologized on Wednesday for temporarily implementing what it called an "ill-advised" policy at some medical centers that banned veterans from bringing cellphones to appointments, according to a statement provided by the VA to the Washington Free Beacon.Photographs emerged earlier this week showing official signs at VA medical facilities stating that a veteran would have his or her appointment cancelled if they bring with them a cellphone.
The photos, first published on the blog Disabled Veterans, depict of a list of "prohibited items." Included within that list, along with guns, knives, and backpacks, is a photo of an iPhone.
"If brought to your appointment [these items] will result in the cancelation of your exam(s)," reads the flyer, which bears the VA's official logo and slogan, "Defining Excellence in the 21st Century."
This is the sort of "excellence" they "define" -- a total betrayal to those who fought for our country, and sometimes have lifelong physical and/or psychic injuries from it, and deserve medical care and being treated with dignity.
The flyers are being discontinued, and exams now won't be cancelled if somebody who fought for our country brings a damn phone to their appointment. What were they supposed to do, leave it outside in the bushes? And picture a vet who can't walk and has to use crutches. How is he supposed to carry his stuff if not in a backpack?
And finally, what sort of sick fuck makes policies like this and why hasn't that person been named and fired?
Disabled Veterans' Benjamin Krause criticized the VA (Free Beacon link above):
"The decision is a violation of due process and numerous laws protecting the rights of disabled Americans," Krause wrote."The key here seems to be that VA forgets that veterans are also Americans who are protected by the Constitution and who also possess unalienable rights," he adds. "Did we sign our rights away forever by fighting our country's battles?"
Moreover, Krause wrote, "the leaflet does not explain what to do if the veteran is prescribed use of an iPhone or backpack as an accommodative device that helps the disabled veteran with a disability."
"And finally, what sort of sick fuck makes policies like this and why hasn't that person been named and fired?"
Shame our President is SO busy saving us from Global Warming (aka "Climate Change") that he can't make an example of the top Admin personnel in the VA by assigning them to a newly formed post in the Antartica.
Don't believe anybody got canned over the killing of vets by postponing their medical care.
Bob in Texas at October 1, 2015 6:07 AM
I would say that our "betters" are increasingly seeing themselves as fifth-grade schoolmarms. But that would be an insult to my fifth-grade teacher.
Cousin Dave at October 1, 2015 6:55 AM
Don't believe anybody got canned over the killing of vets by postponing their medical care.
They didn't get fired and prosecuted for it, they used their sanitized data to get bonuses and raises for "exemplary work" at "reducing waiting times". Expect the same treatment once the government takes over your health care.
I suspect the real reason for banning phones is that they can be used as recording devices. Posting a video of egregious conduct on the part a VA employee much more difficult to deny.
I R A Darth Aggie at October 1, 2015 7:30 AM
Guns, knives: weapons
Backpacks: bombs
..and the most dangerous,
Phones: audo video recorders
Andrew_M_Garland at October 1, 2015 7:30 AM
There had to be so many folks who created, approved, and finally received and posted those signs that so many didn't think to question them?
In a simple phrase - bureaucrats are mindless idiots
And kudos to those places where some bureaucrat did say "Nope, not going to put that up."
And, I'm with Bob in Texas on this - name names!
charles at October 1, 2015 7:34 AM
Those of you who clamor for term limits for elected officials might notice that those officials are not the reason for poor agency performance: it's the rules and employees of the agency. They don't change. They aren't prosecuted for poor performance. Their paycheck is the same no matter what. And state and Federal agencies have hiring quotas, which produces protected jobs completely immune from performance reviews.
The post offices, Social Security offices and probation offices in my county are only open 27 hours per week. The USPS actually complains about poor revenues -- hey, idiots, stay the hell open!
It is a rare public "servant" around here who doesn't relish telling the peons what to do -- as they surf Facebook on their phone.
Radwaste at October 1, 2015 7:47 AM
Do you really want to improve the VA? Then I have an idea...
Let's change one thing right now...all elected federal officials and their families healthcare is now through the VA system. No exceptions.
I believe things would improve pretty quickly if this change was instituted. What do you think?
godfather at October 1, 2015 10:41 AM
Maybe I need to read the signs again. I'm usually running late so I don't pay attention anymore. I only forgot my carry once but nothing happened. I always carry my knife - I carry two - life sucks when when you go to feed your two horses and don't have a knife to cut the bailing twine. The cell phone thingy is weird; I never even turn it off - no one calls me.
Dave B at October 1, 2015 12:13 PM
The VA medical service is medical -- duh! -- and everything in medicine costs at least an arm and leg....so only giving a leg is not enough. Sorry.
The Former Banker at October 1, 2015 1:17 PM
Now Rad, the post office people in my area are great. They love the mail. Every letter, every stamp, they love them like their own family. Which is probably why they refuse to deliver them some times. After all, would you stuff your child into a box to wait for some stranger? ;>
Ben at October 1, 2015 4:01 PM
Andrew_M_Garland: "...and the most dangerous,
Phones: audo video recorders..."
I guess that's what they feel most threatened by.
Ken R at October 2, 2015 9:34 PM
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