Way to Support the Troops

Time now for a case study in the way the Bush regime rules.

1. Through neglect and general incompetence, create a problem that never should have existed:

Mold infests the barracks that were set up here a year ago for wounded soldiers after poor conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center triggered a systemwide overhaul, soldiers say. [snip]

Early last week, soldiers told USA TODAY that in April they first noticed what looked like layers of mold in flexible air ducts above their rooms when ventilation covers were removed to be cleaned. "(The duct work) was just caked black," said Sgt. Willard Barnett, 51, an Iraq war veteran.

Some soldiers said they have been affected by air in their rooms.

"When I wake up in the morning, I have crud in my eyes, and I have like this slimy phlegm in the back of my throat," said Spc. James Dodson, 26.

2. "Fix" the problem by telling people to pretend it doesn't exist:

Twenty soldiers, who spoke to USA TODAY early last week, said their complaints about mold and other problems went unheeded for months. They also said they had been ordered not speak about the conditions at Fort Sill.

3. When those affected by the problem are driven by desperation to bring in the media spotlight, feign concern and promise immediate action:

Officers at the Army base last week ordered that ventilation ducts in two barracks be replaced and soldiers be surveyed, anonymously if they wished, about any concerns. Maj. Gen. Peter Vangjel, the commanding officer, said it was "inappropriate" for soldiers to be ordered not to talk about the mold.

"We're going in and we're going to take care of this for these guys," he said over the weekend.

4. Deny, deny, deny:

The commander general of Fort Sill has denied published reports that said complaints about mold in the barracks of wounded soldiers went “unheeded for months.”

5. At the first available opportunity, fire the fucker who blew the whistle:

An Army social services coordinator here who told USA TODAY about poor conditions at Fort Sill's unit for wounded soldiers has been forced out of his job, the employee and base officials said Tuesday.

Soldiers meeting with Army Secretary Pete Geren here on Tuesday said Chuck Roeder, 54, was a strong advocate for their problems and should not have been forced to leave.

[snip]

Roeder, a retired soldier, said he was told to resign or he would be fired.

6. Deny and smear:

Roeder's departure Friday, following his contact with USA TODAY, was purely coincidental, said Col. Sam White, an executive officer at Fort Sill. He said Roeder has a history of confrontations with base officials.

"They can say whatever they want to say, but they're not being truthful," Roeder said. "I stand up for soldiers. I'm sure the word got out that I'd encouraged soldiers to speak."

[snip]

Geren, who was at Fort Sill for a previously scheduled visit, said he would look into Roeder's case but that it was difficult to manage hirings and firings from his office in Washington.

Repeat until country in shambles.

Tell me again why Bush shouldn't be impeached. It's his blueprint they're following. He's the one who's politicized every aspect of government, encouraged incompetents and opportunists to infest every level of our infrastructure, and sold this country right up shit creek (paddles sold separately).

And tell me again that it's the Republicons, not the Democrats, who support our troops.

(Tip o' the shot glass to Think Progress.)