I hope each of you had a great 4th of July, celebrating the birth of
this great country. You know I'm always ranting and raving about the war and the state of world affairs. This month I'd like to adjust the topic just a bit. This month, I would like to talk about separation;
a very integral part of war and service. I've been reading a lot about this and I’ve talked to quite a few people who are leaving their families and deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. Some for these men and women are deploying for the third and fourth times. What originally began as a 12-month tour, sometimes with an extra three months extension, has now become 15 months mandatory.
Can you imagine being separated from your family 3 and 4 years? Imagine not being able to talk to your wife or husband? Not seeing your children grow up? And then being shot at, at the same time? Now, think for a moment about the family left behind. A husband/wife having to become both parents, not knowing what condition their spouse might eventually come home in, if they ever come home at all. The strain of the kids having to say good-bye over and over, knowing for some it will be the last time, for they may never see that parent again. Separation is profoundly difficult for everyone. However, the state of this administration's preparation for the present war is by far some of the very worst in our history.
Let's take a moment to look at the military hospitals in America and the deplorable condition in which we now find them. Today a service person deployed in combat has to wonder if his/her spouse, child, or loved one will be able to see a doctor. If a child has a medical emergency, believe this or not, it is taking up to four weeks to see a doctor and this is happening to military families all over the country. The incredible strain being placed on families because of the war-wounded has literally taken over the military health care system and it could be weeks before your child or loved one gets to see a physician. What was promised to those willing to serve this country - adequate health care, guaranteed to the family of the military personnel in combat - is now more a dream than a reality. This is undoubtedly a horrendous betrayal.
How can we sit by and let this continue? It has gotten so out of hand
that the American Legion, one of the largest veterans' service organizations in America, has recommended that veterans actually hire lawyers to sue the Veteran’s Administration. This problem has become so great that the overwhelmed Secretary of the VA, James Nicholson, has announced his resignation and will be leaving the VA in October. The job of operating a completely under-funded program, the Veterans Administration, has simply become too much for him. The state of our military health care system, once considered one of the best in America, is now becoming one of the worst.
We must literally confront our congressmen and senators, while on their
August break designated for visiting their local districts. We want to force the issue on the recently released Vet Care program, presented to the President Bush on July 25th. All of us should get our local news affiliates to press really hard, not only for the veterans, but also for their families. We should also talk to our local reporters and radio shows, asking them to ask our representatives directly, about the failing response of our military health care, and make this question equal to the debate going on about the present funding of the ongoing wars. How can an administration rationalize sending more and more unprepared troops into combat and act as though this irresponsible betrayal is acceptable? Once again I ask, what has happened to us America?
You
know, I have been dead so many times that I tend to view
life from a slightly different perspective than most people.
Some things that outwardly appear to be serious are not, in
my opinion. While other things that do not appear serious,
really are to me. The saying "That ain't nothin'"
became one of my catch phrases after a man pulled a knife on
a friend and me one night, years ago. The knife terrified my
friend. But after all I have been through in my life, a
little pocket knife wasn't worrying me. I looked at the guy,
looked at the knife, and started to laugh. As I disarmed the
situation, I said to my friend, "Ah, that ain't nothin'!"
The story stuck and the legend grew. So, this monthly column
will be all about my unique viewpoint of current events,
world affairs, spirituality, politics, science, medicine and
life in general. Of course, it will all depend on what kind
of mood I happen to be in!
Dannion's Latest Available in bookstores or on-line December 1,
2008
Secrets
of the Light:
Lessons from Heaven
(Hardcover)
by Dannion Brinkley and Kathryn Brinkley
Secrets of the Light: Lessons From Heaven shares the lessons
learned in the afterlife so we can fulfill our true purpose in
life.
Send someone you love a "Jewel For The Soul"
from Dannion and Kathryn today!
That Ain't
Nothin'
