With Kiley gone, the fate of a task force is in limbo

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Monday, stating their concerns that the Defense Department’s Mental Health Task Force report due in June will be delayed in the wake of the resignation of Army Surgeon General Kevin Kiley; a valid concern as Kiley was the co-chair of the task force. He was forced into retirement earlier in the month because he was the General Officer who let Walter Reed happen on his watch.

The task force in question was created from legislation written by Senator Boxer, and is supposed to deliver a report to Secretary Gates in May. It was announced today that Surgeon General of the Navy, Vice Admiral Donald Arthur, has been nominated to replace Kiley on the investigative body.

The panel was created to assess strategies for assuring the delivery of mental health services to all veterans who need them, especially the veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many veterans have lost their driving privileges because of traumatic brain injuries the have resulted in seizure disorders (NPR did a piece last week on just such a case.) Or they have physical limitations that they have not yet overcome to the point they can resume driving. Some are just so wracked with PTSD that they don’t or won’t drive.

Too many have lost their vehicles to repossession while they wait for benefits to start.

“We are concerned that his departure could delay the completion of the task force report.” They wrote. “Service members cannot be forced to wait for care because of a shortage of mental health providers. Tragedies have occurred because service members did not receive the care they needed.”

The Senators raised explicit concerns about veterans in rural areas where services are not readily available and VA centers might be hours away. For whatever reason, if a Veteran can’t get to the services, the services need to get to him. Or her. Period. There is simply no discussion to engage in on that topic.

They also wrote about the need for pre and post deployment mental health screenings, comprehensive education about mental health issues such as depression and PTSD, and the need to take steps to eliminate the stigma associated with seeking mental health services that some members of the military have expressed. (If I made the rules, discrimination against and the hazing of those returning from combat with readjustment issues would be a career ender and a pension forfeiture.)

The task force should not let the sacking of Kiley sideline them. They should continue working, and the confirmation process for Admiral Arthur should move quickly and, if he is suitable, confirm him promptly.

The issues faced by our veterans – who have really gotten a lousy shake all the way around – will continue to need services they are not getting. God knows that the US government is not going to do anything on spec and suddenly start taking care of the Veterans and war wounded they have created.

No, that requires an official report from a task force; signed by all members, notarized and in triplicate.

There's more: "With Kiley gone, the fate of a task force is in limbo" >>

Where's Afghanistan?

And no, the answer I am looking for is not "between Iran and Pakistan" but that would get partial credit.

I just read the Defense Department's Current News Early Bird, which is essentially abstracts of the top news stories from the morning papers. Reading it today, I am left pondering that burning question. Remember Afghanistan? That's where the real trerrorists are, and where we could be doing some good.

Buildup In Iraq Needed Into ’08, U.S. General Says

[New York Times, March 8, 2007, Pg. 1]
Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the day-to-day commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, recommended that the heightened American troop levels there be maintained through February 2008.

Pentagon OKs Military Police Increase
[Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2007]
The Pentagon approved a request by the new U.S. commander in Iraq for 2,200 MPs to help deal with an anticipated increase in detainees during the Baghdad security crackdown.

Petraeus: Iraqi Insurgents Attacks Up
[Washingtonpost.com, March 8, 2007]
Gen. David Petraeus said insurgents in Iraq have sought to intensify attacks during a Baghdad security crackdown, which he predicted won’t be at fully strength until June.

U.S. Commander Says No Military Solution To Iraq
[Reuters.com, March 8, 2007]
Gen. Petraeus said U.S. and Iraqi security forces cannot solve the problem of violence in Iraq without political action and reconciliation with some militant groups.

Petraeus Strategy Takes Aim At Post-Vietnam Mind-Set
Seeks to change military view on insurgencies
[USA Today, March 8, 2007, Pg. 9]
Gen. Petraeus, 20 years ago, wrote a dissertation that said many of the lessons U.S. military leaders learned from the Vietnam War were wrong. He is taking his own advice in Iraq by moving U.S. troops off large bases and into combat outposts in Baghdad’s turbulent neighborhoods.

Suicide Bomber Kills 30 In Café
Three GIs die in another blast
[Washington Times, March 8, 2007, Pg. 15]
A powerful bomb killed three U.S. soldiers trying to clear explosives from a highway near Baghdad, and a suicide bomber killed 30 persons and wounded dozens in a café northeast of the capital.

At Least 146 Shiites Killed Across Iraq
Wave of Violence Comes on Eve of Shiite Holiday
[Washington Post, March 8, 2007, Pg. 18]
As a small Shiite political party pulled out of the governing Shiite parliamentary bloc the put Iraq’s prime minister in power, violence continued in Baghdad and elsewhere in the country yesterday.

Iraqi Government Urges Displaced To Return Home
U.S. Military Officials Say Encouraging Resettlement Is Perilous, Citing Ongoing Sectarian Violence.
[Washington Post, March 8, 2007, Pg. 18]
Ground-level U.S. and Iraqi officials warn that encouraging Iraqis to return to their homes is perilous at a time when bombings regularly occur.

Sadr City Patrol Met With Iraqi Egos, Priorities
[Houston Chronicle, March 8, 2007]
Iraqi troops that were scheduled to join an American patrol in Sadr City delayed operations by more than two hours by showing up late and debating who would get to ride or walk during street patrols.

Political Bloc To Target Shiite Extremists
Alliance plans to pressure Iraq’s prime minister
[USA Today, March 8, 2007, Pg. 8]
A new coalition in Iraq’s parliament seeks to challenge Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and force him to purge Shiite militias from police and government.

And here is the coverage Afghanistan received today:

Taliban Has 4,000 Ready To Fight NATO, Militant Commander Says
[Boston Globe, March 8, 2007]
A top Taliban commander said the group has 4,000 fighters bracing to rebuff NATO’s largest-ever offensive in southern Afghanistan, now in its second day.

This isn't a contact-your-congressman issue. This is a contact-the-ombudsman-of-your-local- newspaper issue.

There's more: "Where's Afghanistan?" >>