The most poignant words uttered at the Walter Reed hearings today came from Eleanor Holmes Norton

[Stinky The Clown]

"To thank you for your service just seems so shallow"

This woman is one good reason the Repubs fear DC statehood. She would then have not only a voice but a vote.

Thank you, for being you, Congresswoman.

[brook]

1. Amen. n/t

[williesgirl]

2. Couldn't agree with you more - she's always been one fine lady and an asset to Dems.

They do fear her because she's so rare - a respected politician. recommended

[CTyankee]

3. Hey, Husb. where you been lately?

I was getting worried about you. Everything OK?

[EST]

4. Amazing woman.

I had to leave for the puva booth during her testimony, earlier, just after she put her finger on the heart of the problem.

Republican incompetence in the area of base closings and privatization. They have such a plebeian notion of the costs necessary to run a country and can't seem to wrap themselves around the saying they are fond of quoting but have no idea what it means nor do they quote the whole mantra.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it and if it is broke, fix the damn thing!"

She needs a monument to her, while she is still here to see it and that monument should include voting and representation for DC and quit fucking around with Haiti. Of course, a realistic reconstruction of New Orleans might just be in order, too.

Jesus was hated in his time and we should not be surprised to experience the same, but, DAMN! It's time to knock it off!

[vickitulsa]

5. Excellent choice! For first runner-up poignant statement, from the wife

(Mrs. McLeod) of a wounded soldier who also testified with the two military men:

"What about all the injured soldiers who don't have me? Who don't have someone to help them fight to get their benefits and medical care?"

That first part she was actually quoting another person, a friend of hers, I think, who had asked her that question directly: What about the others who don't have you to help them get what they need?

I'm so glad they had Mrs. McLeod testifying with the two soldiers because she told the horror story from the POV of the FAMILIES who are caught up in the bureaucratic abuse and neglect that further damages the "wounded warriors."

I've been a longtime friend and supporter of many Vietnam veterans who took it upon myself to help as many of them as I could in their fight to get disability ratings and compensation as well as treatment from the VA. I went through a similar fight with Social Security to get my Disability from them, so I had "learned the ropes" there in how to work through such a paperwork-heavy system that is based primarily on cutting costs and denying care and compensation instead of providing it.

I missed the first part of the hearing this morning but tuned in as Kiley and Weightman et al were testifying, and then went back and read all the related threads here at DU. Then I discovered CSPAN was airing the hearing starting at the beginning again, and I got to hear the first panel testify.

I honestly believe that this Walter Reed nightmare story may turn out to be THE issue that we can see all Americans responding to and which might well signal the "beginning of The End" for the Bu$h administration.

This is truly huge, and because of the guilt Americans finally felt over how the Vietnam vets were treated for so damn long, we have a broad concensus now among the public that the troops should indeed be "supported." They're sick of seeing our troops continuing to be sent off to be wounded and killed -- for Bu$h's profiteer wars, no less!

So it's not a big jump to figure that the public will be outraged beyond any quick and easy pacification by administration apologists (who never apologize). I predict people are going to be enraged, as we who watched the testimony today are enraged.

And we all know where the buck ultimately stops for all these grievous, horrific wrongs being done to our troops! AND our country....

[Stinky The Clown]

6. I had first thought the same as you ..... that this might be the proverbial back breaking straw ....

.... but on reflection think not.

This will be seen as a failure of *the Army* not the adminstration.

Its about the spin. The hearings today showed Kiley to be (for all intents and purposes) a criminal. Today we saw two generals who were fired over this. That alone is pretty big.

This has to be pinned on bush's and Cheney's asses. I fear that won't happen .... due in some large part to the skill of those apologists you cited. The Great Wurlitzer will be on full throated warble to protect the bubble boy and that fat ass motherfucker, Cheney, who runs him.