Walter Reed Hospital

"The New Yorker Cover" - Mar 26, 2007 Larger image

The March 26, 2007, issue of "The New Yorker" appeared in the mailbox today. And the cover immediately reminded me of how sad things have become in the US.

I was also trying to remember a couple of comments from the earlier Congrssional hearings on Walter Reed. I found what I wanted in a March 6 article in the "Washington Post" titled "Two Generals Provide A Contrast in Accountability."

Testifying were Kevin Kiley, Army Surgeon General, in charge of all Army medical facilities, who headed Walter Reed from 2002 to 2004. With him were Gen. George Weightman, the former chief of Walter Reed, for the last six months, who was fired the week before.

Kiley was brought back as temporary head of Walter Reed, by Army Secretary Francis Harvey, after the dismissal of General Weightman. Harvey in turn resigned March 2. Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren then asked for the resignation of Kiley who submitted a letter of retirement on March 10.

(I'm sure the letter said something about "wanting to spend more time with his family." Has there ever been a letter of resignation that has not mentioned that phrase. How about a letter that says, "I'm a crooked, deceitful, incompetent motherfucker, and I intend to spend the rest of my life with whoopee girls in Acapulco")

I wanted to share some of the comments:

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" I'm (Kiley) trying not to say that I'm not accountable..."
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How could he (Kiley) not have known that wounded soldiers were living in squalid conditions across the street from his own home? "I (Kiley) don't do barracks inspections at Walter Reed," he said.
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What did he (Kiley) do when a government report in 2006 found numerous problems at the now-infamous Building 18? "My staff informed me that the Walter Reed staff was working it."
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"I want you to know that I think this is a massive failure of competence in management and command," said Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.), pointing his finger at Kiley.

After Hodes's harangue, Kiley replied, "I command by commanding through my commanders and trusting them to execute the mission."
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After Annette McLeod's testimony, the couple sat in the first row of the audience, just three feet from Weightman and Kiley as the two generals testified. "The McLeods are right behind you," pointed out Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va). "Do you have anything you want to say to them?"

I feel terrible for them," said Kiley, keeping his back to the McLeods. "We have got to double our efforts, redouble our efforts, to make these kind of cases disappear in the system."

Weightman, by contrast, turned around to the McLeods and spoke warmly, addressing Annette directly. "I'd just like to apologize for not meeting their expectations, not only in the care provided, but also in having so many bureaucratic processes that just took your fortitude to be an advocate for your husband that you shouldn't have to do," Weightman said, as Kiley finally turned to face the McLeods. "I promise we will do better."
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Shouldn't top officers make sure proper care is being given at every level? ) "I (Kiley) don't get involved at my level . . . at an individual issue."

Will he (Kiley) find a way to break down privacy obstacles that hampered proper care? "I'm (Kiley) not in charge of it, but I'll take care of it."
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Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), like his colleagues, was skeptical about Weightman's guilt and Kiley's self-exoneration; he wondered if Kiley thought the problems at Walter Reed "have been in existence for over six months."

Kiley responded with something about "two 15-6 investigations" and something else about the "MEB/PEB process."
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When the two generals were eventually excused, Weightman again turned to the McLeods and shook hands with them; though he spoke quietly, the words "I'm sorry" were clear. Kiley left the room without a glance backward.
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PAX! Erin Go Braugh!