Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Cheney Chides War Injured Malcontents
WASHINGTON, March 13 - When Vice-President Dick "Buckshot" Cheney was recently asked on Meet The Press about the Walter Reed Medical Center scandal he insisted the news media was making "a basket case out of a scraped knee." He said the complaints by a few malingerers was no reflection on the outstanding medical care provided to all soldiers who are legitimately and verifiably injured in combat.
"You have to realize," said Cheney, "that today's soldiers are not made of the same stuff as in my generation. We would take a bullet in the gut and be back fighting with our platoon in a matter of days," explained the Vice-President who never served in the armed forces. "Now these guys want an immediate medical discharge and generous pensions.
Cheney accused some of the allegedly wounded soldiers at Water Reed of trying to "wheedle disability payments" from the government. "Just because you lose a limb or two doesn't mean you can't hold a good job and pay your own way," he pointed out.
Still, the government is willing to meet all seriously wounded soldiers half way, according to the Vice-President. "If you lose two arms we will replace one. If you lose two arms and two legs we will be happy to give you one of each," he said. Soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injuries, said Cheney, will be tested free of charge for career placement.
"Men and women who enter the armed services should realize that someday they might be sent to fight a war and could be maimed or killed," Cheney pointed out. "What do they expect? Those who have been sent to Walter Reed should be thankful to be alive and stop complaining about the mold, the neglect, and all the paperwork."
The mold in the rehab rooms, Cheney added, should not be an issue. "For goodness sake," he said, "mold is used for making penicillin."
As someone who has survived six heart attacks Cheney said he knows all about overcoming a disability and he has no sympathy even for paraplegics who, according to the vice-president, simply give up and expect the government to support them. "I have seen men who have no use of their arms and legs lead productive lives. There are excellent career opportunities for them in sheltered workshops."
"As a matter of fact," said Cheney, "there's a vet working in the White House who can neither walk nor speak. But he makes an efficient doorstop in his wheelchair."
"If I have another heart attack," Cheney pondered, "I would be delighted to be treated at Walter Reed. And if my medical insurance didn't cover all the expenses I would be happy to pay out of my own pocket," he added. "How many servicemen do you think would offer that?"
"You have to realize," said Cheney, "that today's soldiers are not made of the same stuff as in my generation. We would take a bullet in the gut and be back fighting with our platoon in a matter of days," explained the Vice-President who never served in the armed forces. "Now these guys want an immediate medical discharge and generous pensions.
Cheney accused some of the allegedly wounded soldiers at Water Reed of trying to "wheedle disability payments" from the government. "Just because you lose a limb or two doesn't mean you can't hold a good job and pay your own way," he pointed out.
Still, the government is willing to meet all seriously wounded soldiers half way, according to the Vice-President. "If you lose two arms we will replace one. If you lose two arms and two legs we will be happy to give you one of each," he said. Soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injuries, said Cheney, will be tested free of charge for career placement.
"Men and women who enter the armed services should realize that someday they might be sent to fight a war and could be maimed or killed," Cheney pointed out. "What do they expect? Those who have been sent to Walter Reed should be thankful to be alive and stop complaining about the mold, the neglect, and all the paperwork."
The mold in the rehab rooms, Cheney added, should not be an issue. "For goodness sake," he said, "mold is used for making penicillin."
As someone who has survived six heart attacks Cheney said he knows all about overcoming a disability and he has no sympathy even for paraplegics who, according to the vice-president, simply give up and expect the government to support them. "I have seen men who have no use of their arms and legs lead productive lives. There are excellent career opportunities for them in sheltered workshops."
"As a matter of fact," said Cheney, "there's a vet working in the White House who can neither walk nor speak. But he makes an efficient doorstop in his wheelchair."
"If I have another heart attack," Cheney pondered, "I would be delighted to be treated at Walter Reed. And if my medical insurance didn't cover all the expenses I would be happy to pay out of my own pocket," he added. "How many servicemen do you think would offer that?"
