Well, this was just lovely to see! 12 employees have sued VA Secretary Doug Collins, alleging the agency did not extend them their rights to due process when the administration terminated the office. The Office of Equity Assurance was created under former President Joe Biden to help minority veterans to help deal with issues in how the government provides benefits. In other words, they are there for this sort of thing.
You would think this administration would have figured out that they need to be careful with veterans. They gave their lives in service, with some coming back disabled, and they have every right to sue. Do not mess with these people. They deserve more than they are currently being given – such as the loss of a job due to DOGE nonsense.
This makes me angry! I believe they have more rights than I do and they deserve them! To be summarily fired, good grief! (Of course, I had no indication I was losing my job but that’s where the resemblance ends!)
“The lawsuit alleges that VA officials told the 27 employees of the office that efforts were being made to reassign them to other jobs, but the workers were ultimately terminated. It also states that top VA officials were incorrect in labeling the office a diversity, equity and inclusion entity.” I wonder if they actually bothered to work and re-assign them. I’m thinking not. It was just a cover because they were actually going to fire them and not try to get them another job.
“The Plaintiffs are dedicated civil servants who have worked for the good of all Veterans, and have been selected for numerous awards based on their performance”, the complaint says. “Their careers have been destroyed by false accusations that their work was ‘wasteful’ and they engaged in discrimination and their work was ‘divisive’ and ‘shameful.’” Yea careers destroyed by crap, and it was untrue crap.
They are closing numerous offices across the US. This makes it harder for vets to get what they need. They may have to drive hours to another office. That’s not helpful. They can’t just pop in for an update. They have to plan for a whole day more or less wasted. And what if they can’t drive to one? That‘s another problem that will need to be solved.
We are treating our veterans like crap, throwing them away at the worst times. What is going to happen with them over this? The more I think about it, the worse it gets. Asked about the lawsuit, a VA spokesperson said it “doesn’t typically respond to pending litigation.” Yea right.
And a very special nod to Pz’s very own vet Denis.
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Yes, the cuts have affected me already. I’ve been waiting to be assigned a therapist for much needed counseling, and recently got a call saying that the wait would be “indefinite.” As when I was originally told (in November) it might take six weeks or even two months and being offered a referral to a counselor in the community I declined the offer. For one I don’t want to go outside the VA and I won’t go into the reasons. The other is that even in the past where there was no choice but an appt. five or six months out by the time a civilian provider was found I’d have been seen by the VA within a week or two! Now, it would be worse because they’ve fucking cut the employees assigned to find people who can’t get an appt. within 30 days for non acute care! With few, or NO people on the job to find Veteran’s civilian providers the GOP is giving a giant FUCK YOU to Veteran’s medical care.
Other than a statement (albeit a forceful one but just the one) from the VFW the two biggest Veteran’s lobby groups in this country, the VFW and American Legion are sitting on their fucking hands. And they wonder why guys like me don’t join up! For decades they SHOULD have been leading a large campaign to FULLY fund the VA. Democrats have been much more willing than Republicans to do so but conservatives want it all privatized. If our two biggest groups want to suck up to conservatives instead of holding their feet to the fire on Veteran’s health care then fuck em. There emails get deleted and their mailers go into the fucking trash.
I had thought they were affecting you. I had no idea about the lack of balls from the VFW and the American Legion. You are (of course) correct in how pitiful that is. And it’s kinda sad. Thank you for the detailed comment!
If there is a benevolent deity they will win