First Veteran Ombudsman

[Topaz]

The first Vets Ombudsman retired colonel Pat Stogran, appointed by the Tories have be fired and his contract not going to be renewed. Another Fed. worker fired by the Tories. Why? Apparently, he was very passioned about how the government is replacing pensions for injured vets, with lump sum payments under the new Vets Charter. The vets are against this action and they support Stogran. I did read about a month ago they the government was going to merge the Veteran Affairs with the DND, which I think would be a BIG mistake. So many times Harper has said about supporting the troops, it seems he's letting them down now by paying them off to go away and not bother the government for more money. After all, they are spending 16 BILLION on jet fighters. When the election? http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Politics/20100813/veterans-ombudsman-stogran-100813/

[capricorn]

I agree with Peter Worthington that merging VAC and DND is a bad idea and I am against this merger.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/07/30/peter-worthington-the-kiss-of-death-for-canadas-veterans/

If it did go ahead, there would be no need for a Minister of Veterans Affairs. That wouldn't look so good on Harper.

Edited August 14, 2010 by capricorn

[Topaz]

Tonight, I watching the subcommittee on Veteran Affairs, and I couldn't believe what I heard. There sat a Major in the wheel chair who was also against the changes for soldiers with disability and the lump sum payments. He talked about himself, he lost both his legs, groin injures, sex is out with his wife, the poor guy was on the edge of tears telling his story. What really got me was this corporal that he talked about and who sitting in a motel room in Sudbury On., trying to to get a fund riser going for himself because he only has ONE arm and can't work. He also said if Canadians KNEW how the Vets coming back from these present wars were being treated they would be angry and I agree. Harper should replace Blackburn as minister and put in the other member that was in the miltary. I can't remember his name, but he need a military guy in there who understand the military. As I said befiore, if this country can spend 16 BILLION on jet fighters, then they better spend money on these soldiers that put their life on the line for this government. I don't want to see one-legged, one armed-soldiers on the cornr asking for money. If they don't want to other after these guys, then DON'T send to war. I urge everybody here to watch the subcommittee on this.

[Visionseeker]

I agree with Peter Worthington that merging VAC and DND is a bad idea and I am against this merger.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/07/30/peter-worthington-the-kiss-of-death-for-canadas-veterans/

If it did go ahead, there would be no need for a Minister of Veterans Affairs. That wouldn't look so good on Harper.

A merger makes perfect sense if the ultimate aim is to phase out Veterans Affairs entirely. And that appears to be exactly what this government is on course to doing.

“As it is, Canada’s decision to award a maximum lump-sum $250,000 to badly wounded vets sounds generous, but it’s really a cop-out if it negates long-term care and responsibility.”

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/07/30/peter-worthington-the-kiss-of-death-for-canadas-veterans/#ixzz0wdcfxN00

And that seems to be precisely the point. Toss a trifle to those who’ve sacrificed much and then have no further responsibilities thereafter. Then just sit back and wait for the older alums to die off and ask the last employee to turn off the light when the last WWII or Korean War vet dies.

Personally, I’m stunned by how little exposure and attention is being paid to this issue. I mean, where are all those outraged supporters of the troops who so enthusiastically donned red each Friday to show their solidarity for the men and women who face death and maiming in the pursuit of our country’s foreign policy aims?

We have veterans who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries that leave them cognitively incapable of sustaining a conversation, let alone a job. Others will spend the rest of their lives with significant mobility challenges that require extensive and expensive mobility assistance devices ($250,000 might cover every wheelchair, lift vehicle modification and other adaptations to their home… If they die in their 50’s).

For many if not most, $250,000 is simply a payout that will delay their eventual and inevitable application for welfare. A government policy that is crueler in the denial of dignity would be hard to come by.

[msdogfood]

A merger makes perfect sense if the ultimate aim is to phase out Veterans Affairs entirely. And that appears to be exactly what this government is on course to doing.

“As it is, Canada’s decision to award a maximum lump-sum $250,000 to badly wounded vets sounds generous, but it’s really a cop-out if it negates long-term care and responsibility.”

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/07/30/peter-worthington-the-kiss-of-death-for-canadas-veterans/#ixzz0wdcfxN00

And that seems to be precisely the point. Toss a trifle to those who’ve sacrificed much and then have no further responsibilities thereafter. Then just sit back and wait for the older alums to die off and ask the last employee to turn off the light when the last WWII or Korean War vet dies.

Personally, I’m stunned by how little exposure and attention is being paid to this issue. I mean, where are all those outraged supporters of the troops who so enthusiastically donned red each Friday to show their solidarity for the men and women who face death and maiming in the pursuit of our country’s foreign policy aims?

We have veterans who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries that leave them cognitively incapable of sustaining a conversation, let alone a job. Others will spend the rest of their lives with significant mobility challenges that require extensive and expensive mobility assistance devices ($250,000 might cover every wheelchair, lift vehicle modification and other adaptations to their home… If they die in their 50’s).

For many if not most, $250,000 is simply a payout that will delay their eventual and inevitable application for welfare. A government policy that is crueler in the denial of dignity would be hard to come by.

This is something else we could have a snap election about! If the cpc thot the census was bad oh just wait for this one to hit the fan!!! Grr!

[msdogfood]

What do you think of this??.

"it's better for the country if soldiers die in Afghanistan rather than come home wounded to be a burden on the treasury."

Veterans ombudsman.