And So It Begins: The "I complained about Walter Reed, but..." Excuses

The Washington Post's Dana Priest and Ann Hull have done it again:

Hospital Officials Knew of Neglect
Complaints About Walter Reed Were Voiced for Years

By Anne Hull and Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 1, 2007; Page A01

Top officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, including the Army's surgeon general, have heard complaints about outpatient neglect from family members, veterans groups and members of Congress for more than three years.

A procession of Pentagon and Walter Reed officials expressed surprise last week about the living conditions and bureaucratic nightmares faced by wounded soldiers staying at the D.C. medical facility. But as far back as 2003, the commander of Walter Reed, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who is now the Army's top medical officer, was told that soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan were languishing and lost on the grounds, according to interviews.

It's CYA time, everyone.

In 2004, Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife stopped visiting the wounded at Walter Reed out of frustration. Young said he voiced concerns to commanders over troubling incidents he witnessed but was rebuffed or ignored. "When Bev or I would bring problems to the attention of authorities of Walter Reed, we were made to feel very uncomfortable," said Young, who began visiting the wounded recuperating at other facilities.

Ahem.

A veteran of the Army National Guard, Young is nationally known for his expertise on defense and security issues. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, a post he previously held from 1995-1998, and is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs.

Expect more "I tried" Republicans to crawl out of their holes to voice their sudden concern about the conditions at Walter Reed.

Truly heavy sigh.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.