Good News-Bad News
The general who headed Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been relieved of his command following the revelations in a series of Washington Post articles which detailed the horrendous conditions wounded soldiers were living in during their treatment. The good news is that, for a change, the man in charge got fired rather than the janitorial staff. The bad news is who the Pentagon designated as his replacement. From today's Washington Post:
YESTERDAY THE Post reported that Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley heard years ago from a veterans advocate and even a member of Congress that outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center was distressingly squalid and disorganized. That commander proceeded to do little, even though he lives across the street from the outpatient facilities in a spacious Georgian house. Also yesterday, the Army announced that Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, the head of Walter Reed since August, had been relieved of his command. His temporary replacement? None other than Gen. Kiley.
Here's where the story stops making sense. Much of The Post's article detailed the abuse by omission that Gen. Kiley, not Gen. Weightman, committed, first as head of Walter Reed, then in his current post as Army surgeon general. Gen. Weightman, who very well might deserve his disgrace, has commanded Walter Reed for only half a year, while Gen. Kiley, now back in charge of Walter Reed, headed the hospital and its outpatient facilities for two years and has led the Army's medical command since. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife say they repeatedly told Gen. Kiley about unhealthful conditions in outpatient facilities. [Emphasis added]
In case you've forgotten about Gen. Kiley, allow me to refresh your memory: he's the general who held a press conference on the Washington Post articles and had this to say:
"It's not the accuracy I question, it's the characterization," he said.
His rather puzzling comment is now beginning to make some sense. What doesn't make sense is his reappointment to this position.
YESTERDAY THE Post reported that Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley heard years ago from a veterans advocate and even a member of Congress that outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center was distressingly squalid and disorganized. That commander proceeded to do little, even though he lives across the street from the outpatient facilities in a spacious Georgian house. Also yesterday, the Army announced that Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, the head of Walter Reed since August, had been relieved of his command. His temporary replacement? None other than Gen. Kiley.
Here's where the story stops making sense. Much of The Post's article detailed the abuse by omission that Gen. Kiley, not Gen. Weightman, committed, first as head of Walter Reed, then in his current post as Army surgeon general. Gen. Weightman, who very well might deserve his disgrace, has commanded Walter Reed for only half a year, while Gen. Kiley, now back in charge of Walter Reed, headed the hospital and its outpatient facilities for two years and has led the Army's medical command since. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife say they repeatedly told Gen. Kiley about unhealthful conditions in outpatient facilities. [Emphasis added]
In case you've forgotten about Gen. Kiley, allow me to refresh your memory: he's the general who held a press conference on the Washington Post articles and had this to say:
"It's not the accuracy I question, it's the characterization," he said.
His rather puzzling comment is now beginning to make some sense. What doesn't make sense is his reappointment to this position.
Labels: Pentagon
posted by Diane at 9:49 AM
1 Comments:
This is such classic Bush -- reward the person who screwed up the most.
Do you think it has something to do with projection? I mean, throughout his life he's been rewarded for screwing up. Perhaps he thinks (I'm using the word in its loosest possible sense) that this is the way it works for everybody.
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