Bush Optimistic on Iraq Plan Early Signs, Names Co-Chairs to Walter Reed Panel

Fox News.com ^ | Tuesday, March 6, 2007 | Staff

[The Shrew]

... While providing a progress report in the War on Terror, Bush also named a decorated war veteran and former Clinton cabinet member as leaders of a commission to investigate soldiers' treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Bush said former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole and former Heath and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, now president at the University of Miami, will co-chair the commission.

The panel will review conditions at the Army's flagship hospital after the recent uncovering of poor treatment of soldiers there. It will also look at broader treatment throughout military hospitals.

......

[The Shrew]

Donna Shalala. I'm in shock. I searched using - 'Shalala', 'Walter Reed Panel' & 'Bush Optimistic'. The article excerpted above did not show up.

Regards,

TS

[The Shrew]

A ping for your opinion.

Regards,

TS

[bmwcyle]

Let's pay people where contractors and plumbers need to be.

[NorCalRepub]

Donna Shalala?......haha....well she is still taller then Robert Reich

[Bob J]

I'm thinking we need Newt now.

[The Shrew]

....well she is still taller then Robert Reich

And more masculine, but would you explain the logic of this appointment to me?

Regards,

TS

[Interesting Times]

Maybe she'll double the number of women's bathrooms.

[NorCalRepub]

....ah, it is that old bipartisanship thing....at least she is not the loud mouth that many others are....

[The Shrew]

Maybe she'll double the number of women's bathrooms.

I'm sure that will improve things at Walter Reed. Can you explain the 'strategery' of this appointment? I'm stunned. The President isn't running for re-election. His approval ratings, according to the MSM hover around 22%. What does he possibly gain by this appointment?

Regards,

TS

[Interesting Times]

Maybe Janet Reno was busy?

[JohnLongIsland]

are tom kean and lee hamilton on vacation?

[Syncro]

Donna Shalala?

Whore Rendous decision.

It is covered in the New York Times.

...Bush said today that he was appointing a presidential commission to investigate what he called “unacceptable” treatment of wounded veterans. He said the commission would be led by Bob Dole, the former Senate majority leader and Republican presidential candidate, and by Donna Shalala, a former Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration.

There are 15 familes of wounded Military people that are up in arms over the firing of the General that took over in August. Many of the problems started long before that, but in Sept Congress cut off funding for maintainence at Walter Reed.

In Feb this year, they gave some funding back.

Hands were tied to do repairs and upgrade for one reason: Congress. They wouldn't fund it.

[Syncro]

Ok that's enough...LOL

[The Shrew]

There are 15 familes of wounded Military people that are up in arms over the firing of the General that took over in August. Many of the problems started long before that, but in Sept Congress cut off funding for maintainence at Walter Reed.

In Feb this year, they gave some funding back.

Hands were tied to do repairs and upgrade for one reason: Congress. They wouldn't fund it.

I have NO DOUBT that the blame for this fiasco lies at the feet of Congress. But, this appointment reminds me of the Jamie Gorelick appointment to the 9/11 Commission. Isn't there a Dem available that didn't serve in the Clinton Administration? By appointing her as co-chair isn't she in the prime position to leak to the mainstream media the info that will damage the President the most? If the President had appointed - former SecDef Bill Cohen - at least he would have had a Republican who had served in the Clinton administration.

Regards,

TS

[Wally_Kalbacken]

The point is that things should not improve at Walter Reed. Things should improve at Bethesda an at all other VA sites. In the past five years there have been recommendations that Walter reed is obsolete and should be replaced by a modern campus at Bethesda. I watched some House hearings about 2 years ago featuring Eleanor Holmes Norton bitching and moaning about the proposed closure, since it would reduce employment within the District - which she nominally represents in the House. One angle I see in this situation is a coordinated attack by the media and Democrats. Not that a change isn't necessary, not that the returning wounded vets do not deserve the best care, but that it was a little too convenient to see Eleanor Holmes Norton herself touring the infamous Building 18 and inspecting the deficiencies. If it's in her district, and she has some oversight responsibilities - why doesn't she bear some responsibility for not shouting from the rooftops earlier? What did she know and when did she know it?

[Obie Wan]

Donna Shalala, why am I not surprised ???

[The Shrew]

The point is that things should not improve at Walter Reed. Things should improve at Bethesda an at all other VA sites. In the past five years there have been recommendations that Walter reed is obsolete and should be replaced by a modern campus at Bethesda. I watched some House hearings about 2 years ago featuring Eleanor Holmes Norton bitching and moaning about the proposed closure, since it would reduce employment within the District - which she nominally represents in the House. One angle I see in this situation is a coordinated attack by the media and Democrats. Not that a change isn't necessary, not that the returning wounded vets do not deserve the best care, but that it was a little too convenient to see Eleanor Holmes Norton herself touring the infamous Building 18 and inspecting the deficiencies. If it's in her district, and she has some oversight responsibilities - why doesn't she bear some responsibility for not shouting from the rooftops earlier? What did she know and when did she know it?

There is not a point you are making that I disagree with, but it doesn't answer my question as to why this appointment? Do you think Shalala will go after Eleanor Holmes Norton and send some accountability her way? Does Shalala have some other connection to wounded veterans that will make her more accountable to the President than she will be to her former Dem masters?

I understand I don't have all of the information, but I would like to know why?

Regards,

TS

[The Shrew]

Donna Shalala, why am I not surprised ???

I don't know. Why are you not surprised?

Regards,

TS

[Syncro]

But, this appointment reminds me of the Jamie Gorelick appointment to the 9/11 Commission. Isn't there a Dem available that didn't serve in the Clinton Administration? By appointing her as co-chair isn't she in the prime position to leak to the mainstream media the info that will damage the President the most?

I agree totally. It makes no sense, and will only cause more problems.

The problem is that all appointments are make after a political "vetting" process. Very stupid. Especially for Bush to do something like this as he has nothing to lose.

Gorelick is a total sellout and should be tried and convicted.

[Obie Wan]

Because George Bush cannot make up his mind what the hell side of the political fence he's on that's why. I guess it comes with being a "COMPASSIONATE conservative" !!!