Cnn To Do Expose On

[Berta]

I also saw this advertised last night and believe they said this will be a two part show this coming Saturday and Sunday night at 8 PM-on CNN-

If anyone can confirm- please do-

email from Jere Berry at ALLVETS

"CNN will be airing a blistering report on the Department of Veterans Affairs and their total failure to meet their commitment to our disabled veterans. I urge everyone to tune-in to see how CNN handles this very sensitive subject. Also, tonight at 8PM on CNN is a Special on Homeless Veterans.

Jere Beery

National Public Relations Director

Operation Firing For Effect

www.offe2008.org "

[john999]

I think the national level VSO's and the VA are part of the problem. As soon as the shooting stops I think the American people will get amnesia again for 20 years. This stuff has to be front page news every day for anything to happen. There has to be shock and outrage that will carry over for more than a week. The Vietnam war is largely forgotten as are the veterans of that war. How did that ever happen? I hope these reports can reignite some memory. The First Gulf War vets are invisible. Where did they go? We live in the United States of Amnesia.

[68mustang]

Well, I've done some thinking and read some comments from non-veterans on some blogs. Across the board there was shock and horror about how these veterans were treated.

My first reaction to the show is that even though it was very good at getting these stories out, american nature is to be "shocked", say what a shame it is, then go about their lives untill something comes around to "shock" them again. Unless VA issues stay at the forefront of the media, americans will soon forget what they have seen.

There are those that say "Why march on Washington?". They are correct that one march will do little. They are dead wrong that it will do nothing. Our issues are now being recognized by major media. If we allow this one program (CNN) to run it's course, this issue will die in the media and the public eye as it has over and over again. To win a War it is neccissary to overwhelm the enemy completely. Hit and run tactics don't work. They will not produce change.

Veterans contacting Congressmen/Senators is helpfull but will not produce change. We have been doing this for years while fighting for bennifits and they know full well what we go through. We must get the public, non-veterans beside us to fight.

This program is an open door. If we don't go through it we are not helping ourselves, our veteran brothers, or those that come behind us. And if we don't do something to help ourselves the media won't either.

I believe the time is right for veterans issues to come to forefront. It's time to march. In Washington. In New York. In Los Angeles. In Pocatello, Idaho. Everywhere. It's time for not one veterans story, not two or three, but hundreds or thousands of stories. Otherwise Mansfield, or Bush, or Clinton or any other politico can continue to say that this poor treatment is "rare". The VA can continue to scrub the numbers. The public can continue to forget.

Here at Hadit, we know these cases are not rare. But who else does? I have won my bennifits. Now I NEED to win them for everyone else that deserves them before they are homeless.

Time

Time

I agree with you. In an earlier post I stated that veterans need to be vocal and visible. The time has come to end the neglect and abuse that many veterans suffer at the hands of the VA. Time will tell if the CNN program had any effect on our government to do the right thing for our veterans.

68mustang

[luvHIM]

I watched CNN yesterday evening and was glad to see some exposure being revealed but concerned that there were only a few veterans interviewed. And, worse, they were only veterans from the Iraq war. In some ways, I think the news coverage could have an adverse affect on veterans who are not OIF combat vets.

Most of the individuals on Hadit seeking assistance with their claim have been in a tug of war and or all out fight with the VA for benefits for years. Some even well before the Iraq war.

If a rating specialist could so blatantly deny a service connected claim from a soldier returning from the Iraq combat zone, what is to become of the many veterans who are still battling the VA for benefits from before OIF even started?

That concerns me greatly. Since I am one of those veterans who has been service connected since 1979 and still fighting for a simple increase; with enough medical evidence (labs and radiographic) to share with a fellow vet, it is disheartening...to say the least...to even think about the outcome for so many other veterans who are still waiting for grants and awards.

I can't recall who stated that we (veterans) have an open window at this point in history to right some wrongs (I know I paraphrased); nonetheless, I agree with that person. Sometimes a window is opened to see what will be done with the opportunity availed to us. I may not be the one in my local area to assemble and or organize such an event but I would be there if someone did.

Talk is cheap and it always has been (Mansfield was a good example of that). Unless action is applied to what we believe, it does no good to continue "preaching to the choir"...so to speak.

I know I sustained an injury in service. I know that the injury I sustained has reaped havoc in my life over time. I know today, as a result of that injury (per VAMC and other medical professionals) , I am no longer able to work. I am now on over six medications a day and living off of SSD. It makes no freakin sense and to know that a rating specialist can sit in the comfort of his/her office and mark DENIED on a claim just because...should extend beyond outrage.

Edited November 18, 2007 by luvHIM

[hurryupnwait]

Veterans can also fight the VA system from another front, the internet. A video of some veterans presenting problems and issues with the VA could be placed on You Tube and send 5 links to friends and ask them to pass it on. This would be almost as valuable as a professional ad.

Maybe do one once a week, this would help keep Veterans fighting the VA system in the public eye.

Otherwise as others have said, the American public forgets about it very quickly.

Paul

[Louie]

Time,

There are Os here. O/E...the struggle is the same for all. I did receive comments from the finance office at the RO about the size of my retirement check and concurrent receipt, but that matters not. Each is entitled to the benefits allowed by law, O/E doesn't matter. I lurk alot and learn much thanks to the active members of this board. I currently have an appeal in awaiting to be sent to the BVA. I would not have been able to effectively wade through the VA maze but for the help found at HADIT.

Louie

[68mustang]

Veterans can also fight the VA system from another front, the internet. A video of some veterans presenting problems and issues with the VA could be placed on You Tube and send 5 links to friends and ask them to pass it on. This would be almost as valuable as a professional ad.

Maybe do one once a week, this would help keep Veterans fighting the VA system in the public eye.

Otherwise as others have said, the American public forgets about it very quickly.

Paul

Great idea!

68mustang