Friday, June 13, 2014
From: Gary L. Bauer
You Spoke Up Loud And Clear!
Thank you! We received one of the highest response totals ever last night to the question of whether the U.S. should use air power in Iraq to stop the ISIS jihadists from marching on Baghdad. Over 90% of you support taking that action. The 10% who oppose it did so mostly because they lacked confidence in the administration.
In addition, virtually 100% of you made it clear that we need to strengthen our military and not implement further cuts in defense spending. All of you are deeply worried about how much more damage will be done to our national security in the next two and a half years.
As I was reading your thoughtful replies, I was monitoring several news feeds from Iraq. The main road leading out of jihadist-controlled territory is lined with decapitated bodies. Iran is sending special forces to help the Iraqi government. Christians are fleeing for their lives. Pray for mercy for these suffering people and a renewed restoration of our nation with godly leaders.
Benghazi Update
Former CIA Director Michael Morrell needs to be hauled back to Capitol Hill, this time under threat of perjury charges. Morrell recently defended the Obama Administration’s ludicrous claim that the Benghazi attacks took place because of an obscure internet video. That’s what the “desk jockey analysts” told him.
But that story is being further undermined by a new report that the terrorists who attacked the Benghazi consulate used stolen State Department cell phones to call their leaders. Those calls were immediately intercepted by our intelligence agencies.
In addition, within 48 hours of the attack, the Defense Department drafted a list of 11 likely suspects, all of whom had known ties to Al Qaeda and other jihadi groups.
Yet two days later, Susan Rice went on national television and dutifully repeated her talking points from White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes that the Benghazi attack was due to “protests rooted in an Internet video, and not a broader failure of policy,” such as ignoring a resurgence of Al Qaeda-linked terrorism.
VA Scandal Expands
Acting VA Inspector General Richard Griffin was on Capitol Hill this week, updating members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee about his investigation of the VA scandal.
According to Griffin, more than 57,000 veterans have waited longer than 90 days to see a doctor. Even worse, USA Today reported, “The agency also found evidence that in the past 10 years, nearly 64,000 veterans who sought VA care were simply never seen by a doctor.” Griffin also revealed that his investigation has now expanded to 69 hospitals, up from 42 two weeks ago.
What about accountability? His investigation has identified “some supervisors” responsible for the falsification of records, and the FBI has reportedly launched a criminal investigation of the Phoenix VA system. It has also been reported that the bonus payments have been stopped.
Stopped? That is the least we should be doing.
The bonuses were intended to promote improved performance for the benefit of our veterans. Instead, they inspired greed for the benefit of corrupt bureaucrats who gamed the system while our veterans died waiting in line.
That is fraud. The bonuses should be paid back in full and those bureaucrats should be in jail!
Meanwhile, another investigation has just been launched after two Pennsylvania congressmen, one Democrat and one Republican, discovered that officials at the Pittsburgh VA system were misleading them and that they were ordered to do so.
Responding to this latest example of corruption, Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, demanded immediate firings. “Interfering with Congress’ constitutionally mandated oversight responsibility is not just wrong, it’s against the law,” Miller said. “Right now acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson needs to immediately send a clear and powerful message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated within VA’s ranks. The only way to do this is by immediately firing anyone who directed VA officials not to speak with members of Congress.”
The good news is that members of Congress quickly passed legislation this week that will make it easier for veterans to get care outside of the VA system.
The VA scandal serves as a powerful warning about the risks of big government incompetence and corruption. And it completely shatters the left-wing myth that Obamacare can do health care better than the private sector.
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