The Cost of War

It would come as no great revelation to say that the cost of any war goes behind monetary spending and its reach stretches far beyond the battle field. As many veterans from earlier wars can contest to, the social structure that is suppose to care for the wounded often forsake those that are so often held up by the current administration as the "heroes" that fight for what is sold as "freedom." During the early post Vietnam years, for example, many veterans were denied medical and psychological care due to a system of red tape and the rise of policy of anti-worker paradigm. Today we have a similar climate of hidden abuses of those that risk their lives for yet another unpopular war. While these soldiers do receive medical care in medical facilities such as Walter Reed, the conditions of centers often do not meet acceptable standards.

As first reported in the Washington Post and later in multiple other media sources, the veteran's wing of Walter Reed hospital was found to heavily infested with black mold, rats and other sub-standard conditions. Since the report, Maj. General George W. Weightman was relieved of his duties as the head of the hospital. Even so, reports have been released that conditions in the ward had been known about for years and nothing had been done about them until now, after the publishing of the post article. What's even more disturbing is the fact that these brave men and women are revered in the press but seem to lose value in the eyes of some when they are no-longer able to fight. In New York, there is a move to close down one of the largest VA hospitals in the State. The facility cares for thousands of vets both in New York City and in New Jersey. For many, this treatment includes psychological care for those the suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The closing of the hospital is a cost cutting move to funnel funds into the active war effort. Walter Reed, could also be viewed as a similar cost cutting move but there is no evidence at this time that, that is the case.

Whistle blowers are also feeling the heat of this current war. In 2003, after Joseph Wilson released now that famous article that rebuffed the Bush administrations claims that the Iraqi government had weapons of mass destruction, his wife's identity as an undercover CIA agent was exposed. Many through the political horizon have viewed the outing the Valerie Plame as an act of political assassination. The only one to pay any kind of political price for the revenge was the GOP's favorite fall guy, Lewis Scooter Libby. Thanks to his trial we now have a very clear understanding of the inner working the Bush White house. While the spot light is now on Vice president Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and former State Department Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage but the trial that they may face will likely be a civil one so, for those who remember the Contra hearings, its deja vu all over again all over gain. Only this time, those on trial can claim executive privilege during war time and any further actions on the criminal level would, at this time seem rather unlikely.

Until next time

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