Bush To War Vets: You're Liars And Babies

Bush does everything on the cheap, so it's no surprise Bush -- who couldn't be bothered to make sure the soldiers were properly equipped and armored -- now can't be bothered to take care of them once they're home. Apparently, Bush is freaking out over the longterm costs of treating the wounded, so the VA is re-examining some 70,000 cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, because they insist that too many people must be lying in order to rip off the system. Besides, mental problems? Those are for wimps. In part, they can't understand why PTSD cases have jumped from 120,000 in 1999 to 216,000 in 2004. Gee, could it because...um...WE'RE AT WAR?

Never mind that it's difficult for gung-ho soldiers to admit to emotional difficulties in the first place. Never mind how traumatic it is for a soldier to have to undergo examination to "prove" they need help. Now they have to do it all over again, knowing Bush doesn't believe them. And how did this come about? In part, because Sen. Barack Obama asked the VA to look into PTSD because he believed not enough soldiers were getting treatment. Salon has the story. (Thanks to threader Hippodameia for pointing us to this.)