Threads from Henry's Web

Category: National Security

  • PTSS and Military Discharges

    This is the sort of story that makes me so angry that I want to hope it’s not really true. Fortunately, it appears a couple of senators with some substance are on the case, and hopefully will get to the bottom of this and hold some people’s feet to the fire as appropriate.

    According to an AP Report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (HT: Thoughts from the Heart on the Left):

    After two combat tours in Iraq on a “quick reaction team” that picked up body parts after suicide bombings, Donald Schmidt began suffering from nightmares and paranoia. Then he had a nervous breakdown.

    The military discharged Schmidt last Oct. 31 for problems they said resulted not from post-traumatic stress disorder but rather from a personality disorder that pre-dated his military service.

    Assuming the facts are correct, I wouldn’t care if he did have a pre-existing condition. After two combat tours the military should be taking care of him.

    Amongst those in congress who are moving to take action, Senators [tag]Barack Obama[/tag], Senator [tag]Christopher Bond[/tag] are investigating this in the Senate, and Rep [tag]Bob Filner[/tag] in the house.

    Please read the whole St. Louis Post-Dispatch article. It has more information and the Pentagon’s response, which thus far doesn’t impress me.

  • Here’s When the Democrats Annoy Me

    It appears that Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) will get a seat on the Homeland Security Committee, according to the Washington Post. If anyone is wondering how I can vigorously oppose the war in Iraq and still consider not voting for Democrats, this is an excellent example. (I have the same problem with the Republicans and their responses to their own scandals, but this morning is the day for the Democrats to get on my nerves.)

    If a member of the armed forces, or a federal employee had access to classified information, or was involved in security discussions, and that person came under investigation, that person’s security clearance would be lifted until the issue was resolved. It may sound unfair from a civilian point of view. What if he or she is investigated and turns out to be innocent? Well, as we were told repeatedly when I was in the service myself, your security clearance is not a right, it’s a privilege. If you’re found innocent as the result of investigation, your clearance will be restored. Otherwise, away with you!

    Just because the voters of his district in Louisiana were careless enough to re-elect him doesn’t mean the rest of the country needs to suffer because of his behavior. At a minimum his response to the investigation puts his judgment badly in question, and congress behaved badly, even under Republican leadership, in trying to protect themselves from investigation.

    Congressman Jefferson should not hold any position of responsibility in the congress, with the exception of the one that cannot be denied to him due to the voters of his district, until this is cleared up. Congress should be anxious to do so. Instead, they appear to be giving him a free pass, and a position of serious responsibility. Removing him from Ways and Means (a good choice, in my view), but then putting him anywhere where he’d be involved in national security is irresponsible.