CDC tells all? Nope, but they’re throwing out some crumbs.

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Laura

I’ve been studying WHO’s successful global eradication of the dreaded smallpox virus by vaccination.  The program began in 1969.  According to a press release, smallpox was “eliminated first in South America, West and Central Africa, then in Asia and finally in East Africa. Global smallpox eradication was finally achieved with the world’s last naturally-occurring case in Somalia on 26 October 1977.”  It remains a remarkable achievement.

However, jet-gun injectors (MUNJIs) were used; later bifurcated needles dipped into multi-dose vials became a popular way to administer the vaccine.  (More about that later.)  Please let this 1975 CDC photo of a resident vaccinator (Bangledesh)–and CDC description sink in.  

“This local smallpox eradication team member displayed a high degree of ingenuity in keeping his vial of smallpox vaccine cool while he made the rounds from house to house, by placing the vial inside the core of a palm branch. You’ll note the placement of a single bifurcated needle in the branch as well, which was worrisome, for using the same needle between vaccine recipients could have facilitated the spread of other blood-borne diseases. Today, the practice of needle-reuse would be completely unacceptable knowing what we now understand about the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.”

PHIL Image 7515

A dirty bifurcated needle, dirty multi-dose smallpox vial and
dirty hands were used to puncture the skin, (drawing blood) to
vaccinate many villagers.

The crude methods used were not “worrisome” in the past although some people may have had reservations about the potential for the transmission of blood-born pathogens.

bifurcated needle

bifurcated needle

Now consider Egypt.  It has the largest burden of HCV infection in the world.  The CDC published a 2012 report about the link between unsafe vaccinations and the Hepatitis C epidemic in Egypt in the report Progress Toward Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus Infection — Egypt, 2001–2012.

“The hepatitis C epidemic in Egypt began during 1960–1980, when mass campaigns were conducted to control schistosomiasis…administered by health-care workers using improperly sterilized glass syringes.”

In a different CDC 2009 publication for lab workers, I found:

“Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus (formerly known as nonA nonB Virus), Hepatitis D Virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the type species of the Orthohepadnavirus genus in the family Hepadnaviridae. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the type species of the Hepacivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is the only member of the genus Deltavirus.

These viruses are naturally acquired from a carrier during blood transfusion, vaccination, tattooing, or body piercing with inadequately sterilized instruments.  Non-parenteral routes, such as domestic contact and unprotected (heterosexual and homosexual) intercourse, are also major modes of transmission.”

The quote is from Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition,  section VII.  This statement is inclusive of all three viruses and lists vaccination before tattooing and after transfusions.  The word “intercourse” is called  a major “mode of transmission.”  Interestingly, IV use is omitted.

The list of HCV smoking guns is long.  Are the timid scientists at the CDC getting a bit braver?

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, Jetgun Claims evidence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DISTINGUISHED WARFARE MEDAL

Posted on February 15, 2013 by asknod

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Imagine watching your hopes of ever experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of TBI evaporate when you see your orders for  Tech training. Your expertise and prowess on HALO- Warrior from the Sky video gaming has earned you a job at MacDill AFB and not that top dog, Red Beret for SAR. No sir. You are headed to an underground room and a video screen for four years.

Well now there’s a medal for you, too. The Distinguished Warfare Medal, baby. It’s above the Bronze Star and just below the Silver Star. Huh? Say all after above Bronze? Comment deleted due to low ratings.

My Uncle Jay was shot through the ankle and did the 63-mile Bataan Fun Run on it with a lot of help from his friends. He received a Bronze Star for that and another for his defense of Corregidor. Think about this. He had his foot amputated after he got back to Letterman Hospital in 1945. He couldn’t get here any sooner- he was a POW for 4 years.

Now we have a medal for flying a Predator remotely and taking out terrorists. Do they get a bronze oak leaf cluster after 5 kills? This is asinine. Why not just hand out a Joe Blow medal with a picture of an X box on one side and a Hellfire missile on the obverse? Call it the Virtual medal for those who were there in spirit and were infinitely familiar with the concept of cold coffee or a flat Dr. Pepper. It would rate right up there with the “I was there” medals and prove you weren’t a run of the mill REMF. I’m sure there’s a special place for airmen like this. In the sixties up in Laos, we used enlisted men as FACs (called Butterflies) until Gen. Momeyer found out about it in 67.  After that it was done by reckless “commissioned” FACs rather than reckless “non-commissioned” ones. There went all the medals. Actually, it was damn difficult to get any medals over the fence because we weren’t there. I never got mine.

Our good buddy and fellow Vietnam Vet John Kerry was part of a group who espoused a desire to strike a  medal for all those who refrain from shooting back when shot at.  No, silly. it wasn’t when he was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. I’m talking about more recently in the “blue on green” Afghani attacks on our troops. That seemed like a sure fire (no pun intended) one to take off with the American public. It never materialized. It seems America wants to see valor and selflessness. Touchy-feely medals just don’t cut it, I guess.

Another one I felt had merit was a Libyan medal. It would have very few recipients for obvious reasons but here again, the Virtual Video Warriors would have a good shot at it. They must have had some eyes on the ground watching the Ambassador and the SEALs getting snuffed.

So there you have it. The latest on medals and virtual warriors explained for all. So why do I still feel like the whole medal thing is becoming jaded? Why does it seem that a “V” device for valor has been usurped by a “V” device for virtual. Am I alone in this respect? Medals need to mean something. Medals should speak of privation and hardship. They should represent lousy food and foolhardy behaviour. Their essence should be steeped in camaraderie and shared misery.

There is a place for this medal but it seems it’s being overblown a bit. Why not an emblem like a Combat Infantryman’s Badge? How about a silver image of a handheld X Box controller with wings on it? A big V with wings on it? Anyone have an idea?

REMF w/ full compliment of I was there medals and then some

 

P.S. Or, as Robert observes, maybe an award for the most preparation H and 5 hour energy drinks consumed on one watch.

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

CAVC–WADE v. SHINSEKI–BONO PRO $18,000 ME Ø

Posted on February 14, 2013 by asknod

WHERE’S MY CUT OF THE EAJA FEES, DUDE?

Every once in a while, we see a case here that induces compassion for the Veteran. If there is a God, he was AWOL this time. Occasionally we’d post some under “Frivolous Filings” in the old forum. I honestly didn’t believe I’d find another one quite like this.

Here’s Mr. Wade’s decison-WadeLM_11-2446

Sit back and listen to Lynn M. Wade’s sorry tale of woe. If we can believe his tale, he has been horribly bushwhacked by carpetbaggers and scalawags at every turn. Without a minder, he has wandered in the desert for 8 years. Much baksheesh has traded palms with nary a shekel touching his. In his own words…

“Bono Pro was granted $18,000  Me   Ø”

2013-02-14 133905

2013-02-14 133905_2

2013-02-14 133905_3

It’s just idle conjecture to me to comment but I would point to this and say it reminds me of the movie where Tom Hanks is shipwrecked. Remember him storming (comically) up and down the beach in front of his new fire and shouting loudly “Witness my prowess! I have made fire! Fear me! ” Now substitute Lynn standing in front of 625  Wagonburner Lane NW beating his chest…

images (1)

Yes I think the Board had no Ø consideration for me, but instead came up with perjury charge only to keep from paying me 8 year, I do believe from my heart I’ve been rail rail.roaded but that, ok

Obviously, if Lynn is writing this, it means his former legal help is AWOL or he has decided on a new legal strategy which is still evolving even as we speak. Who knows? Maybe he has deep pockets and will shell out $450.00 for the filing fee at the Fed Circus. As those old 8 balls say on the bottom ” The future is unclear at this time” or some such bother.

images

There it is. Hazy. At any rate, Mr. Wade is going to have to make some decisions soon. The ink dried on his decision January 17th- less than a month ago. He’s got the standard 60 days to file so he hits Bingo is around March 17th.

I think the biggest obstacle is overcoming his credibility issues with some of the judges he has valiantly attempted to plead to. He has stepped on his tongue and can’t seem to hit the rewind/erase button on it. Regardless of whether this started out as a Frivolous Filing, the facts are unfortunately cast in his own words. The old Diarrhea of the Mouth disease is fatal to these claims in almost all instances. If you have not created the right evidence in the record by the time you arrive at Indiana Avenue, honey, you are in deep doo-doo. And if you arrive there in your own car without a minder, you may be in for some rude surprises on how that Benefit of the Doubt thingie works in “Bono” jurisprudence.

In January 2010, Mr. Wade submitted to VA a medical opinion from a private physician, Dr. Dale R. Crawford, who concluded that “it is more likely than not that [Mr. Wade’s] Hepatitis C is etiologically related to the jet gun injections that he received in the Army.” Dr. Crawford relied in part on the appellant’s assertion that he did “not have any other plausible risk factors for Hepatitis C . . . [and i]n particular, he denies using intravenous drugs or intranasal cocaine, or high-risk sexual activity . . . [and h]is medical records do not reveal any other recognized risk factor for Hepatitis C.” Id.

In July 2010, Mr. Wade underwent a new VA medical examination. R. at 53-55. At that time, he denied having had blood transfusions prior to 1992, any past or present intravenous drug use, hemodialysis, and any tattoos or piercings. However, he reported that he had “approximately 20 to 30 sexual partners,” that he has had a history of venereal disease, and that he had a history of intranasal cocaine use that ended 10 to 15 years prior to the examination. Id. He also stated that he was accidentally stuck with a needle during active duty service “by someone who was using intravenous drugs” and that he may have been infected while receiving a vaccination through a jet gun transmission. Id. The examiner determined that Mr. Wade’s current hepatitis C is less likely related to his active service or any incident therein.

Wade v. Shinseki  2013

So here we have what the VA and Congress profess to be ex parte justice in it’s most raw and earthy format. The Lynnster feels himself cast as David and the VA as Goliath. In his mind this is just a small matter of exerting form over substance If he can bluster his way through and convince Judge Coral into  simply examining the record more thoroughly,  she will see he is clearly entitled to service connection. Ignore all that legal jargon and get with the “Just the facts, ma’m. Just the facts”.  Lynn’s been watching too many Badge 714 reruns. It doesn’t work like that. What makes me sad is that the Court and VA permit this self-destruct case to proceed pro se. I guess we can all agree the Lynnmeister is in waaaaay over his head. I also think we could safely say that VA knows this to be a fact as well by now. Any semblance of justice went out the window when he filed. Perhaps we should refile this in the “You have the right to remain stupid” file but we don’t have one. Nevertheless, at some point a intervention should have been effected and remedial legal help assigned. To let him proceed was a waste of precious judicial resources and a tremendous disservice to all Vets-him included. This is a horrible indictment of the nonadversarial process-perhaps an indifferent one that doesn’t benefit anyone.

We set aside our protections accorded us as Veterans when we get to the Court. We are given some deference on rules and procedure when we represent ourselves. What we are not given is license to go back and change the evidence. We are big boys and girls when we get to the Court and we must act that way. Shoot them we cannot. And gone is the non-adversarial, Veteran friendly camaraderie that you were so accustomed to at the RO where they grant if they can and only deny if they must. The Court is only too willing to bend over backwards and entertain your overactive imagination-once. When the BVA then gets their denial perfected, your goose is cooked. Mr. Wade just learned this and it will stand him in good stead in any future claims. He has now made fire and understands it’s properties more clearly. And if he is still in the dark he can go here then enter 11-2446 in the upper left Case Number/ Range box and hit search. This reveals the VA’s position on it as well. It may help shape his new defense when he refiles. 

Bono Pro?

Bono Pro?

Too many Bono Pros

Too many Bono Pros

Posted in ASKNOD BOOK, CAvC HCV Ruling, EAJA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Public health Johnny-come-latelies on HCV

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Laura

images

Zoom, zoom.  The federal government health professionals are revving up their Denali SUVs  to educate the public on hepatitis.  Yesterday, they announced on the aids.gov blog:

SOUNDING THE ALARM ON A SILENT EPIDEMIC: FEDERAL HIV/STD ADVISORY GROUP ADOPTS VIRAL HEPATITIS AS PRIORITY

Why now?

“The implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis has really sharpened the focus of federal agencies on viral hepatitis and galvanized cross-agency collaborations.”

“…A second main impetus was learning from CDC analysis last spring that mortality related to hepatitis C has now outpaced AIDS related deaths.”

Really? Completely clueless until the spring of 2011?

“Finally, …One-third of people living with HIV are co-infected with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis progresses at a faster rate among persons with HIV. …Indeed, liver disease—much of which is related to hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection— has become a leading cause of death among people living with HIV.”

HIV/AIDS is where the funding is.  Transmission similarities aside, it makes sense to finally tap into this budget.

Now, to compare the VA’s HIV and HCV 2008 figures.

From: http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/pdf/HCV-State-of-Care-2010.pdf

“In 2008, VHA clinicians cared for over 147,000 Veterans with chronic HCV.  Of the 5.6 million Veterans in VHA care in 2008, one of every 38 (2.6%) had a diagnosis of chronic HCV. “(Executive summary)

“Hepatitis B co-infection was present in approximately 8% of Veterans with chronic HCV while 3.8% were known to be co-infected with HIV.” (pg 23)

From :  http://www.hiv.va.gov/pdf/state-of-care.pdf

“In 2008, over 23,000 HIV infected Veterans were seen by VHA clinicians; …Overall, 5.6 million Veterans were treated by VHA in 2008, thus about one of every 250 Veterans in care at VHA is living with HIV/AIDS.”

One out of four had chronic hepatitis C virus infection and 7% had chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

It will be interesting to look at the HIV and HCV veteran boomer cohorts, subtract out, say, 10% from each group,  (I’m estimating 10% to be gay, or IV drug users), and look for commonalities among the remaining 90%.

These figures are five years old.  To recap, in VHA patients, 1/250 had HIV; and 1/38 had HCV. Both statistics are bad but HCV is clearly much worse problem in the veteran population. 

Editor’s note: If VA has suddenly noticed the offending nose on their face and elected to cut it off, it would be due in no small measure to the constant drum roll of information being trebucheted over the walls of the VA castle by none other than Patricia Lupole. Odd that it has taken 15 years for them to notice, let alone acknowledge what everyone knew. I watched the appeals for HCV at the BVA skyrocket from 1992 to the present. I have seen no such phenomenon relative to HIV. Apparently, it’s more politically correct to be gay ( and get the scarce medical research dollars)  than to have a “drug addict’s” disease.  Rodney Dangerfield’s plaint that “I don’t get no respect”. is more than an apt metaphor  to enunciate our plight . It appears the pooh bahs have artfully dallied just long enough to permit the majority of us to die or become horribly afflicted with post-Interferon treatment maladies before acknowledging that the smoke indeed represents a fire. Seems we did this from 1981 to 1991 with Agent Orange. The public hue and outcry did much to bring it to the front burner. Nothing like a little cirrhosis and HCC to invigorate public opinion and get the ball rolling. I would also point out the obvious. Vets could be falling like flies and it would not motivate public opinion one iota. When some Senator’s son is suddenly afflicted, it becomes a major epidemic- but not one day sooner. Or, in the alternative, if it will bring in more votes and keep or facilitate a political agenda, stand back and avoid the stampede to the medical research trough. Whatever the underlying reason, let us all say a prayer and thank our lucky stars that someone noticed our plight. What is most dangerous is that it will be no more than a flash in the pan and subside. Please don’t permit that to happen.

It’s first and ten on our 40 yd. line and we have an excellent chance of scoring this time if we control the media. As they say at Huntington beach, “Dude! Surf’s up. Let’s hit it.”

Posted in Congressional HCV info, Guest authors, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented), Medical News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

CAVC–SCHUBRING V. SHINSEKI–HEARING LOSS DUE TO IFN THERAPY

Posted on February 13, 2013 by asknod

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Here’s a decision that bears mentioning. No doubt we’ll see this gentleman sail by again on this one. Mr. James P. Schubring has appealed his recent denial at the BVA. As is their wont, they have stepped all over his toes in their haste to hang him. Of more note is   footnote² at the bottom of page 2. This indicates Mr. Schubring’s burning desire was to adjudicate an §1151 claim against the VA for medication he received for treatment of his HCV.  Wowser. Who would have thunk it? Did anyone bother to read his Brief? The BVA record?  What’s more, the VASEC belatedly happens to notice the necktie party was way too premature on the §1151 gig.

The Secretary concedes that the Board erred when it referred the issue of benefits based on service connection for hearing loss under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 to the RO for initial adjudication.   This issue was raised by Mr. Schubring in November 2008 and the regional office (RO) issued a Supplemental Statement of the Case in July 2010 adjudicating and denying that claim. R. at 57. Mr. Schubring subsequently filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for that decision; however, no Statement of the Case (SOC) was issued pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 19.30. The issue of entitlement to benefits based on service connection for hearing loss under section 1151 therefore must be remanded to the RO for issuance of an SOC.

What? No SOC? Goodness. Can it be his VARO somehow overlooked the SOC in its pell mell rush to deny? VA never makes childish errors in 2011. How can this be? James will live to see another day in court but he’s not getting any younger. What’s even sadder is that he had documented earjamb in service and VA just jumps right on over that.

Interferon is some really mind-bending stuff. We always thought good LSD was the only thing that could bend the grey matter like that in the 60s. It would seem hearing, vision and other little minor things like your thyroid gland tend to go on the fritz soon after playing in the IFN sandbox. To VA this is just a remarkable coincidence-nothing more. I would have been hard pressed to say I was even aware of this but for the fact that just yesterday on the Facepage Street Journal, another hepper was complaining of how his tinnitus went right off the map after he began the South Beach bug juice diet. I disremember whether he implied he had none prior to his debut on Interferon or whether it ramped up exponentially thereafter. Mine sometimes drowns out conversation temporarily when it peaks. What’s important is to consider adding this one if it applies to your circumstances. I’m already rated for it so it won’t affect me.

Anyway, this is one to keep your eyes peeled for. If we don’t see him again, we’ll know he won. To see Mr. Schubring’s sleight of hand decision, simply click here, then in the search bar (delete the word {QUERY}) enter 12-505. Click on the blue Download in the upper left to view normally.  Notice who is representing him on the last page. Pretty smart cookie. He made his point but if he returns, I’d suggest a little more in the way of hired legal muscle. VASEc is not going to be so forthcoming the second time out.

Here’s Mr. Schubring’s “Informal Brief”. It’s a masterpiece of brevity and captures that Je ne sais quoi we all seek to incorporate to get our Judge’s attention. Here, it can indisputably be proven that he captured  Judge Greenberg’s undivided attention…

Schubringshubring2Schubring3Without a doubt, it’s apparent what this drug can wreak on our grey matter. As Mr. Shuebring’s parting comment points out, he has one year to live. Seems that’s in keeping with the current ploy of delay and deny until he is no more.

Posted in CAvC HCV Ruling, HCV Health, Interferon claims | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

WHAT CUSHMAN TELLS US (AND WHAT IT CAN’T YET)

Posted on February 11, 2013 by asknod

Hear’s an excellent article sent in by member John of the Syrup of the Month Club up in Vermont. The article was written by Michael Allen under the auspices of the University of Cincinnati Law Review.

What is important about this is the implications of due process brought up in the Cushman decision. It’s droll reading for all but the legally adroit. However it does come across without too much trouble for those of us who want to explore the basics of due process and understand how it will soon affect VA law.

Always remember that law is in a constant state of flux. It matures and metamorphoses over time into something more and more nuanced to deal with each new permutation. Veterans Law is unique and there will always be some situation that demands a new viewing in a different light to accommodate these circumstances.

I think you’ll take a new understanding of law away from this as it’s closer to Dick and Jane speak that it is to Lawyerspeak.

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Posted in Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Agent Orange (AO) Fast Track Claims Processing System

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Laura

FYI:  You can now to apply online for disability benefits for eight conditions if you served in the Republic of Vietnam or in-land waterways between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 (The other AO exposure locations aren’t mentioned but there is a number to call: 1-800-827-1000 for more information.)

10/15  Update:  This option may have been discontinued.

www.fasttrack.va.gov/AOFastTrack/

The eight presumptive conditions for which you can submit a claim through the Fast Track Claims Processing System are Ischemic Heart Disease, Hairy Cell and other B-Cell Leukemias, Parkinson’s Disease, Prostate Cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Hodgkin’s Disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, or Multiple Myeloma. This is not meant for complex claims.  A veteran’s medical provider can use the online application as well.

More from the VA:

Ischemic heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease or “hardening of the arteries.”)

Parkinson’s Disease VA Centers:  http://www.parkinsons.va.gov/Care.asp

VA slides on PD.  AO slides 34-39

Parkinson’s Disease is a big 55.000 + veterans for the VA.  Those tremors may not be “old age” related.

As the largest healthcare system in the nation, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has as many as fifty-thousand PD patients under its care. In response to this overwhelming demand, the VA launched a campaign to revolutionize available services for veterans with PD and related movement disorders.

Map of PADRECC and Consortium centers.

Map of PADRECC and Consortium centers.

B-Cell Leukemias

Prostate Cancer  

Multiple myeloma

Hodgkin’s disease

Posted in AO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Projected veteran deaths: WWII, Korea, Vietnam

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Laura

projected veteran deaths

The chart was created from data in VetPop2011:  https://www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp

The highest number of deaths of WWII veterans has peaked.  Korean veterans are dying in larger numbers in this period.  Alarmingly, Vietnam veteran deaths are climbing steadily even though they are still relatively young.

Certainly poverty, disabilities, and homelessness are major factors in veteran mortality regardless of age.  From a VA Special Report on Homelessness veterans:

Veterans are over represented among the homeless population:
In 2010, Veterans account for 10 percent of the total adult population and 16 percent of the homeless adult population.

SHIV tended to be older, more male and more disabled than non-Veterans

The 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) data estimates that 7% of veterans are living below poverty (Tables) but the data has limitations.   The Census Bureau has additional data specific to veterans.

The takeaway from the chart above is that Korean and Vietnam veterans have no time to spare.  Waiting patiently or impatiently for the government and veteran service organizations to voluntarily address the real needs of these veterans in the magnitude necessary is a pointless now.  What positive actions can we take as individuals?

This Sunday post is dedicated to those suffering in the cold right now.

Homeless veterans sleeping on street

VA photo of homeless vaterans sleeping on the street

Posted in HOMELESS VETERANS, Uncategorized, vA news, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE THOUSAND-MILE LONG SCREWDRIVER

Posted on February 10, 2013 by asknod

shinseki

In a brief (and rare) moment of camaraderie, VA Secretary Eric “Chia Pet” Shinseki and  HUD Secretary Shaun ” Shu-Shu” Donovan decided to go slumming on the streets of DC last Thursday night. Their mission? Find homeless Vets and other “home-challenged” persons with formerly underwater HUD mortgages.

Using a hunter’s variation of the decoy method supplemented with a  duck call, Donovan’s security detail occasionally engaged their siren in addition to using the flashing red and blue lights on their black Yukon Denali which has been proven time and again  to attract the homeless. Donovan’s head of security, Brad Reunsch commented  “Nothing gets them up and moving like the sound of cops coming to roust them. This makes it easier for us to spot them. It sorta reminds me of poaching deer at night. They freeze up when we hit ’em with the lights.”

Secretary Shinseki shared his views on counting the Vets. He’s impressed with Donovan’s technique of “boots on the ground” search missions. “Before, we’d open a window on the ninth floor down at Vermont Ave, and yell down to people to raise their hands if they were homeless. It wasn’t giving us accurate numbers so we went over to HUD and asked them how they did it. We got valuable input by going outside the box. Sometimes that’s how you have to do it. While the point-in time numbers of actual homeless vets went up, the numbers, as a percentage actually decreased even though it looks like a shit ton more. The guys over in the Homeless section at HUD tell me it’s simply a trick of perspective and how you cook the statistics. We’re learning from them and now count them as shareholders in our endeavor.”

The Secretaries, accompanied by a horde of “volunteers”, descended on the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church after breaking bread and indulging in aged,  fifteen year old bottles of Merlot next door at an area restaurant.  The bill for this extravaganza was graciously picked up by Secretary Shinseki as they have a much larger entertainment budget than HUD. Subtle inquiries as  to the actual cost revealed it to be less than $10,000.00 before the obligatory 18% tip for large groups.The volunteers are all salaried so this author finds the term “volunteers” questionable at best. Paid research workers seems far more apropos.

Secretary Shinseki complained loudly about the freezing temperatures and the inconvenience of drinking cold B&B during the outing. “Homeless Veterans need to know that we have programs to help them but they need to seek services on the 9 to 5 program. We’re not geared up to come out at night looking for them. It’s so uncivilized. I think everyone would agree that’s unworkable.” Relying on his phalanx of GS-4 Mailroom volunteers, Shinseki  retired early to a warm SUV and exhorted his VA employees to work diligently for several hours. A good time was reportedly had by all and several homeless Vets were discovered and interviewed. They were deluged in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Starbucks™ instant coffee packets and gift cards from McDonald’s®. Following the presentation of the “gifts”, volunteers were greeted with a mixed response.

Vietnam Veteran Bob “REMF” Scharnhorst asked that the volunteers hang around for a while after he consumed the doughnuts because he has “a rather severe case of DM2” and had no insulin.  He had been promised a refill at St. Elizabeth’s several months earlier but apparently there was a mixup.    The VASEC said he’d look into it personally when he got back to the office on Monday (three days hence). As for the Starbucks Via™ coffee, most of the homeless were at a loss as to how they can take advantage of it due to a severe shortage of hot, potable water on the streets.

Homeless "portacoffee"

Homeless “portacoffee”

The high caloric content and questionable nutritional value of the food offered at McDonald’s was glossed over by VA Deputy Secretary Scott “Fools” Gould:  “Well, sometimes you have to bite the bullet for a good warm meal. Get it? Bite the bullet? But seriously, there has to be a trade off between homelessness and high cholesterol chow. VA scientific research has shown that a good, warm meal chock full of empty calories is infinitely preferable to no calories at all. These Vets know that. They made that choice when they opted to be homeless. It’s a lifestyle decision and a poor one at that and we simply try to ameliorate that with some touchy, feely stuff like Krispy Kremes. Did I mention they give a 15% discount to Vets? We saved the taxpayers quite a bit on that this evening”.

This from the article:

Donovan’s group also found three men under the awning of a medical clinic off Constitution Avenue, including Michael Williams, 54, who was wearing a green fatigue jacket and identified himself as a former Marine. He had been homeless for years, he said.

“We’ve got some Krispy Kreme doughnuts that will hit the spot, and some hot coffee,” VA Deputy Secretary Scott Gould said.

W. Scott "Fools" Gould

W. Scott “Fools” Gould

Nothing like a big sugar hit and some hot coffee to keep you wide awake and provoke a nice diabetic coma. Gould neglected to mention the free cellular telephones, socks and Gideon Bibles available at all VAROs for the home challenged- the ones they disremembered to bring with them.

Don’t get me wrong. I applaud anyone venturing out at 2200 hrs in downtown DC trying to spread good will among men once a year. Counting them is also admirable. Calling up Steve Vogel and his merry band of media monkeys to observe and record it for the Sunday “Informal Living” section in the Washington Post reeks of hypocracy. Perhaps a more appropriate gesture would have been some intake clerks, a portable laptop hooked into VACOLS or the PIES database or a handful of analog 21-526s to get the ball rolling. Instead, we see the normal VA Dog and Pony Show approach in which the homeless are given the Queen for a Day treatment and a brand new Maytag® washer and dryer with no outlet (or domicile) to plug it into . Par for the course. This partially explains how we got into the backlog dilemma. Who said you can’t fine-tune VA’s problems with a thousand mile long screwdriver? It may take a little longer than 2015, but they’re “on it”.

unidentified VA employee handing out kitchen appliances to homeless woman Vet.

Unidentified VA employee handing out kitchen appliances to homeless woman Veteran Thursday night.

While this may appear to be tongue in cheek humor, I feel Steve Vogel is being played like a small-mouth bass on a Heddon Tiny Torpedo. He’ll never become disentangled but does he want to be? His article today in the WP accepts everything hook, line and sinker offered by VA as unvarnished truth. VAOIG’s report to Congress belies that.  Investigative reporting ought to focus exclusively on the first word rather than the last.

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Fish on!

Posted in HOMELESS VETERANS | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

HAGEL–THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB?

Posted on February 9, 2013 by asknod

Much is being made of Chuck Hagel’s enlisted status as a solid foundation for an appointment to the Secretary of Defense. Some of it hinges on his appointment thirty years ago (1981) as Asst. VA director before it attained cabinet status. As you can see from the article, there is much discussion on his departing due to the shoddy treatment accorded Veterans there.

At what was then the Veterans Administration, Hagel soon had run-ins with his boss, VA Administrator Robert P. Nimmo, who had described Vietnam veterans as “crybabies” and likened the health effects of the herbicide Agent Orange to “teenage acne.” Nimmo imposed tight budget restrictions limiting psychiatric counseling available at veterans’ centers, yet he spent more than $54,000 to refurbish his office.

Look up featherbedding and you’ll find a picture of Bob Nimmo. Hell, there’s probably another of Uncle Eric below it. There’s nothing new under the sun here. The VA post is one generally handed out like a political plum. The same could be said for Secretary of Defense. One would think it (the VA)  would be a natural fit for an ex-military type (Jesse Brown) but that doesn’t always pan out as we see now.

Similarly, Hagel would seem to be a natural for this. I commend him for his stand against the “teenage acne” philosophy that infected the VA for all those years, but that in itself should not be the predicate for a nomination. One will notice this objection did not translate into a lifetime calling for his brothers in Vietnam. Moving on to Congress seemed to quench this fire. I worry that he may not have that fire in his belly to go head to head with the VA.

An accommodation between VA and Defense is long overdue. Is Hagel the golden boy? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. I don’t see it. As with most, this looks to be a case of featherbedding the IRA against his retirement. Were he principled and outspoken on Veterans affairs and defense all these years, I might assume he’d be a better fit. Everyone is entitled to believe he’ll see the light once confirmed. Seems we all felt that warm, fuzzy glow when Uncle Eric settled in at Vermin Ave. NW. Rude awakenings are just that-rude.

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Posted in vA news | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments