Washblog

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson announced his resignation earlier this month amid complaints about his agency's treatment of veterans' health complaints. The agency also was under fire for failing to correctly estimate how many vets would seek care, a large backlog in disability payments, the theft of 26 million veterans' personal data, and bonuses paid to officials responsible for a $1.3 billion budget shortfall in 2005.

Standard operating procedure for this cabal, in other words.

Iraq veterans sued the VA last Monday, saying the agency was providing care only for a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of returning vets at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Chanan Suarez Diaz, president of the Seattle chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said Saturday that soldiers suffering from PTSD are often told by the armed forces that they actually have personality disorders.
"Post-traumatic stress disorder is a big, very real danger, and the military is trying to curb the benefits servicemen get," said Suarez Diaz..."This war is for oil, at the cost of Americans' lives and innocent Iraqis' lives.

I carried a flag in one hand, a camera in the other, and a sign around my neck. The afternoon was so blindingly bright that you will see reflected sunbursts in the photos.

This vehicle festooned with disgruntled lefty slogans came zooming around the corner as the marchers assembled. It was labeled the "Pissed-Off Patriot Car."

Participating orgs included Iraq Vets against War, Veterans for Peace, my own West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice (affiliated with Sound Non-violent Opponents of War, SNOW), Fellowship of Reconciliation, Youth Against War & Racism, Radical Women, Freedom Socialists, and the Green Party (The Green Party's banner could use a little work...a sunflower?) I wish some of the District Democrats had shown a presence there.

What Sally Soriano, candidate for Seattle School Board, has to do with this event I don't know, but her signs were all over the place.

The Socialist Workers as usual made sure to advertise all of their issues, including "Stand up against Israel" and "Gay Marriage Equality". I think that's quite a stretch...

The Boshiviks' book choices include mainstream lefty material like With God on Our Side, Cruel and Unusual, Fiasco, Born on the Fourth of July, Scott Ritter's Target Iran, Michael Moore's Will They ever Trust Us Again? But I doubt Bob Avakian's Communist revolutionary manifesto will appeal to many, and - is that Mao's "Little Red Book"? Am I back in the Sixties?

John and Cindi Repp carry the West Seattle Peace group's banner, designed by moi. Sally Sorviano's Minions in the background...

Did I mention: re-elect Sally Sorviano?

Several World War Two vets met us at the VA hospital to demonstrate because they weren't able to march. One of them, Bonnie, a charming lady in a flowered hat, leaning on a walker, told me one vet who participated was past 90.

Another vet told me that during his service from 75-78, he knew Vietnam vets re-enlisted because they were so alienated from their former hometown life, they no longer felt they fit in anywhere but the military, where at least they could talk to others who understood.

Oh, and re-elect Sally Sorviano.

We got hundreds of supportive honks and thumbs-up from passing motorists. Apparently they HAVE had enough. John told me that when he recently visited Repub relatives in a midwestern red state, even THEY'd had enough.

Here's an anecdote for you to consider:
As the demonstrators gathered on Columbian Way and Beacon Hill, I noticed a sad-looking guy sitting on the side of the busy corner with a carboard sign reading: HOMELESS - waiting patiently for donations from passing motorists. I went up to him and said, "I wish I could help you, but I brought no money at all with me."

Without even looking up, he snapped, "GET OUTTA THE WAY then so I can make a dollar!"

Um...okay. I won't make that mistake again.

Back to the march:

There were plenty of young people...it wasn't all gray ponytails like some people think. Some young women managed to make a fashion statement along with political passion -- I admire that. On the right, we see one of those gauzy tunics like those that were popular back in the day  ("Wear your love like heaven...") and on the left, a colorful sunhat and paisley halter top. Honey, I hope you slathered on the sunblock!

I know it's summer, but I wondered why some demonstrators would choose to march several miles wearing their favorite flip-flops; this one went the other way with equal impracticality: backless platform sandals with 6-inch heels!