Rodents, rot, and a nation's shame

Every time I turn around it seems someone else has lost his job over the Walter Reed flap. Good!

After 6 years, I never expect to agree with anyone in Bush 43's Cabinet. But Defense Secretary Gates rocks. Once the problems at Walter Reed came to his attention, he started making changes. And, unlike the way predecessor Rumsfeld handled heartbreaks such as Abu Gharib and Gitmo (first ignore it, then blame low-ranking officers), Gates has been demanding accountability from those in power.

It recently came to light (courtesy of the Washington Post) that Walter Reed Army Hospital has been infested by mold, mice and rot. Those wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq were being treated as though they were a burden, forgotten by their country. It's horrible.

What bothers me most is that this President and his administration, claim that their #1 priority is the "War on Terror." That non-binding resolutions "undermine the troops." What hypocrisy!

These soldiers volunteered to come between us and danger. They go where they are sent and they serve with courage. Those who come back wounded deserve the best we can give them. I refuse to believe that's mold, mice and rot.

There are those who say Gates should have known this was going at Walter Reed. I don't disagree with that. But once indisputable evidence came to his attention, he acted. And acted swiftly. He deserves a lot of credit for that.