Second of two parts
Re “For Incompetency Alone, Shinseki Must Be Ousted”
[img]2103|right|General Eric Shinseki (USA-Ret.)||no_popup[/img]Last Aug. 29, U.S District Judge S. James Otero entered a federal judgment against the defendants for violating the Administrative Procedures Act with nine separate real estate dealings that were “unauthorized by law and therefore void.”
All nine illegal agreements are with non-Veteran entities for non-Veteran use at the expense of tens of thousands of disabled, homeless Veterans who have been discriminatorily and “permanently banned” from this sacred property by VA Secretary Eric T. Shinseki and his Los Angeles staff.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles remains our nation's capital for homeless Veterans.
Even more shameful, defendant Shinseki has appealed the federal judgment at the added expense of the American taxpayer and the prolonged misery of disabled homeless Veterans.
Regardless of Donald Sterling's boorish behavior and incendiary remarks, he did not misappropriate one square inch of Veterans property. Nor did he force one disabled Veteran to live homeless and hungry in back-alley squalor.
Defiance and Irresponsibility
In a recent Wall Street Journal story headlined “VA Secretary Eric Shinseki Says He Won't Resign,” the defiant and smug retired general boasted “I serve at the pleasure of the President.”
Those who work in the private sector are held to a different set of principles than government bureaucrats like Mr. Shinseki. They accept appropriate responsibility for their actions, even when it seems unfair.
Consider Brendan Eich, the former CEO of Mozilla who was recently forced to resign because of protests over his $1,000 donation made eight years ago in support of California’s Prop. 8, which defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman. At the time, it was the same view held by then-Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton along with many other prominent public officials. Prop. 8 passed with the support of 7 million California voters.
Nevertheless, Mr. Eich was ousted over the campaign donation. It is important to know that he did not misappropriate one square inch of Veterans property, nor did he force one disabled Veteran to be homeless and hungry on skid row.
So why doesn't President Obama take all of these VA matters seriously and bring in new leadership to head this cabinet seat?
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney stated that “President Obama takes seriously the allegations that veterans died waiting for care at the Phoenix VA hospital.”
Mr. Carney further proclaimed that “the President remains confident in Secretary Shinseki’s ability to lead the department and take appropriate action.”
Instead of accepting responsibility and saving the President embarrassment by resigning, Mr. Shinseki stoutly declared: “I need to let the independent Inspector General complete his investigation.”
Yeah, sure. Just as he let a federal judge investigate and rule on his illegal use of federal VA property and then he arrogantly and defiantly appealed it.
This pompous, self-righteous General will disregard and defy anyone who proves him wrong instead of accepting responsibility and resigning for the greater good of his country and for the men and women who have defended it.
Why Does the President Support Him?
For years, the Old Veterans Guard has observed the failed leadership of Secretary Shinseki. It has been vocal in calling for his resignation or termination. So have others.
When the highly respected Vietnam Veterans of America organization signed on as plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit, it was essentially a condemnation of defendant Shinseki’s failed leadership.
Most recently, the national commander of the American Legion, Dan Dellinger, boldly denounced Mr. Shinseki’s performance: “His record as the head of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs tells a story of bureaucratic incompetence and failed leadership.”
Even though Commander Dellinger called for the resignation of Gen. Shinseki because of his incompetence, he refuses to step down. President Obama refuses to fire him.
The legendary Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. wisely noted: “Government employees are like a broken cannon. They don't work, and you can't fire them.”
Gen. Shinseki and Gen. Patton are both West Point Ggraduates where their code for military leadership was founded upon “Duty, Honor, Country.”
In 1962, cadet Shinseki was one of the fortunate few who sat at the feet of Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he delivered his famous “Duty, Honor, Country” speech.
With all this revered training and discipline instilled for military leadership, it’s deplorable to witness the failed stewardship that retired Gen. Shinseki has displayed toward those who have defended our country.
Conversely, how many active-duty generals has President Obama forced into retirement over the past five years because of a disagreement he’s had in their military leadership?
Whatever disagreements they might have couldn't even come close to Gen. Shinseki.
Game Over
If the NBA commissioner can take immediate action on behalf of the recommendation of National Basketball Players Assn., why can't our nation's Commander-in-Chief take immediate action on behalf of the American Legion and other Veterans organizations?
Taking care of America’s disabled Veterans is not a game, but the ball is still in Mr. Obama’s court.
In sum, it doesn’t take the President of the United States to determine who should be banned from what in this matter.
When presented with the facts, a class of second graders would unabashedly conclude that Gen. Shinseki needs to be permanently banned from the VA.
God Bless America and the Veterans Revolution!
Mr. Rosebrock contacted at RRosebrock1@aol.com
