The V.A. and my m715

Had my son drive me to the va to get staples removed from a total knee replacement yesterday.While waiting for the doc,the v.A. cops ask if I drive a green truck parked outside.I say cant drive it now but yes its mine.They tell me they removed my pick,axe and shovel,and have them locked up.I ask why did you do that?Cops tell me under title 18 these are weppons and not allowed on govt land.I asked if the five gallons of gasoline in the can in my bed was a bomb.They told me no but the tools were a bad thing,WTF.They did give me them back when we left but the pick head bracket was badly bent.Jerks I say.

You can't file a lawsuit against the VA but you can get the media and press involved. I'd make a big deal out of it. I'd insist that they pay for the damage to the "highly sought after and collectable, one of a kind custom military vehicle". Up to and including a new paint job since a bodyshop can't correctly match up the paint on the heavily dammaged quarter panel!
Please believe me you can do alot with just a couple of phone calls.
I flew for Oklahoma University Hospital witch is co-located with the VA in OKC. During the two years I worked there I came to see the security people there as a bunch of self-important, no GED havin', lazy, ethnically challenged, low life-can't get a job anywhere else bullies. Hard to get a good $6.00 an hour rent-a-cop these days!
Call your local TV station (today!) for a 30 second soundbite with a two shot showing the damage to your truck (nice truck too, by the way) that you spent years and many thousands of dollars to restore and since of course your post surgically impaired, you "just don't see how you can afford the time, effort, and money to correct it." .........you just may be able to gold plate that brushguard and shifter after that hits the air!
Seriously, I'd persue this one with gusto, the media milks on stuff like this.
Sorry for the rant but I've been told I have trouble with authority before, does it show?

Gotta gree. While it may be an somewhat overzealous reaction thi is the government you are dealing with. They don't understand anything short of a full frontal assault. While you won't get anything changed, yet anyway, you may get a few more people to wake up and see just how absurd things are today. That is one of the best things we can accomplish at this stage.

Quote from Lt.Gen. George S. Patton (circa 1944):
"The best way to open any controversial conversation is with two rounds of Main-Gun"

How friggen ridiculous.

I'd make a stink....

shot over - fire for effect!

azzhats! Should have them arrested for theft from your vehicle!

I'd be mad! Start making some noise and get them to PAY for someone to repair your mount. I hate frivilous lawsuits, but they had no business STEALING stuff from your truck. Duh, it's obviously a (former) military vehicle.

I never knew my shovel and pic/axe were considered weapons... If I hide them in the bed, do I need a conceal/carry permit?

Go git 'em, man! Seriously. If only to cause them embarrassment. We need to get this kind of crap out in public more if anything's going to change.

Not to mention that they probably don't inspect all the work trucks on the property, or the plumbers, electricians, etc that come to the VA in their work trucks.

The only reason they screwed with you is that the tools, and that's what they are, tools, were visible.

I'd throw a fit at the top on-site VA guy.

My company has done numerous construction type jobs over the last 25 years at three area VA hospitals. Never had any issues with shovels, picks, hammers, and etc.
Now when we work in the psyc ward...that's totally different...understandably so. Tools are checked in, and checked out and you don't leave them laying if you don't want them stuck in your back. In the friggen parking lot the "psycs" are what need to be controlled.

Remember We Are At War

Man that sucks! I agree, they should have to pay. There was no call for that. They could've said not to bring them back on the truck, but WTF it's a millitary site.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

Remember We Are At War

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True. Then there needs to be a BIG notice that ordinary items such as shovels and picks are considered WEAPONS of war and therefore not allowed. What about cell phones? From what I understand, cell phones are the weapon of choice when detonating IEDs. You can't really ban cell phones on all military bases, can you?

The MPs certainly could have come in FIRST and asked if that was the guy's truck. If it wasn't, THEN they could have pulled the stuff if they really had a valid reason to be suspicious.

dude got your back, get on the horn with WBZ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FSJGuy

True. Then there needs to be a BIG notice that ordinary items such as shovels and picks are considered WEAPONS of war and therefore not allowed. What about cell phones? From what I understand, cell phones are the weapon of choice when detonating IEDs. You can't really ban cell phones on all military bases, can you?

The MPs certainly could have come in FIRST and asked if that was the guy's truck. If it wasn't, THEN they could have pulled the stuff if they really had a valid reason to be suspicious.

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WHAT? First, YES you can ban cell phones at military bases, if you want.

Second SO WHAT if we're at war. Who's been using shovels and pickaxes against the VA hospitals across America? NO ONE. So f you ck those guys for being retarded overreactionary idiots. Doubly so for bending the mount.

Government incompetence at it's best, yet again.

The real government incompetence is the V.A.I had my knee replaced on the 31 st was discharged two days later.Left the V.A. in westhaven ct at 5 pm.Two hour ride home and by 9 pm I had to go to the E.R. by ambulance with a 101 temp and leg swolen x 3.Four days in I.C.U. undergoing antibiotics treatment for a major joint infection,thank god I got thier when I did.Was then back to westhaven by ambulance where they removed and replaced part of my new knee.Spent one more week in va now back home.Then the tards wanted me to drive two hours back to have my staples removed and blood work done.Called va and said I wont be back send me to the va thats 10 miles from home.They did and you know the rest.

You'd think we'd pay the VA docs a little MORE so that we get the good ones for our veterans. :(

That's too bad. I hate the idea of being locked into one provider or another jsut due to $$$ and network status.

You know, historically the VA has always been at the bottom of the barrel for quality health care. In EMS we always refered to any flight originating from a VA facility as "a scene" (a term usually refering to any accident along a roadside or anywhere other than indoors).
Think about it, the doc's usually have last names that begin with 3 consonants, the medical staff is surly, incompetent and indifferent. There is a pervasive attitude amongst all thier employee's including the non medical staff. All employee's receive gub'ment benefits and collectively thier primary focus is just to perform to the minimum standard required to keep their job. If you've ever had the experience to visit any VA they all have that certain "smell" to them. (read: unclean). And the overall consensus of the professional medical folks I've worked with in the past is that the VA is the worst place any critical operation or serious medical proceedure that can be performed.
I'm not ranting, these are actual facts.
Take a look at whats going on with Walter Reed, just one example of the true nature of how our government has and is treating our war wounded. It is a shameful state of affairs, a travisty for those who volunteered to defend our country, against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
Bawanna, you deserve better. All veterans do.
Don't get me wrong here, I am veteran, a patriot and proud to have served in the defense of the greatest nation on earth. But in some places the system is just plain broken and needs a serious overhaul. Having seen first hand these problems and feeling somewhat ineffective against the "goverment machine" I'm apathetic, as are millions, towards any modern-day gub'ment type. Just name any of the alphabet soup Federal agencies and you'll find the same mindset as the VA. Thats why I urge anyone with an opportunity to point out these shortcommings to do so. Can you blame me?

Bawanna-here's your shot-make it count.

are... you making fun of Irish doctors?

haha good one...no

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fng

You know, historically the VA has always been at the bottom of the barrel for quality health care. In EMS we always refered to any flight originating from a VA facility as "a scene" (a term usually refering to any accident along a roadside or anywhere other than indoors).
Think about it, the doc's usually have last names that begin with 3 consonants, the medical staff is surly, incompetent and indifferent. There is a pervasive attitude amongst all thier employee's including the non medical staff. All employee's receive gub'ment benefits and collectively thier primary focus is just to perform to the minimum standard required to keep their job. If you've ever had the experience to visit any VA they all have that certain "smell" to them. (read: unclean). And the overall consensus of the professional medical folks I've worked with in the past is that the VA is the worst place any critical operation or serious medical proceedure that can be performed.

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Thanks for a glimpse into our National Healthcare future!

Go Dems!!!!

I normally don't reply to these, but you can't condemn them all. I also use the VA system. I used Walla Walla for 4 years and now use Grand Junction (for 4 years). Both have been very professional and the staff is great at both places. They have lacked funding, but Clinton also underfunded the VA. In fact his Appointee to run the system was one of the worst. I've been in civilian hospitals that are worse (and , yes, some better).

If you want a new shovel or axe better get it soon,before you can't. Like 2HN batteries that fit Military vehicles,civilians cxan't buy them anymore!!

I think these "security " bozos were bored and looking for something to do. Whatever your response is should involve as limited an effort as possible for you, and as big an inconveniance, that is as long lasting as possible for them. Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fng

You can't file a lawsuit against the VA but you can get the media and press involved. I'd make a big deal out of it. I'd insist that they pay for the damage to the "highly sought after and collectable, one of a kind custom military vehicle". Up to and including a new paint job since a bodyshop can't correctly match up the paint on the heavily dammaged quarter panel!
Please believe me you can do alot with just a couple of phone calls.
I flew for Oklahoma University Hospital witch is co-located with the VA in OKC. During the two years I worked there I came to see the security people there as a bunch of self-important, no GED havin', lazy, ethnically challenged, low life-can't get a job anywhere else bullies. Hard to get a good $6.00 an hour rent-a-cop these days!
Call your local TV station (today!) for a 30 second soundbite with a two shot showing the damage to your truck (nice truck too, by the way) that you spent years and many thousands of dollars to restore and since of course your post surgically impaired, you "just don't see how you can afford the time, effort, and money to correct it." .........you just may be able to gold plate that brushguard and shifter after that hits the air!
Seriously, I'd persue this one with gusto, the media milks on stuff like this.
Sorry for the rant but I've been told I have trouble with authority before, does it show?

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Atually he VA doesn't have security they are actual police which makes them worse. I am at hospitals all day every day and the VA police are by far the worse anywhere. One of our guys forgot his security badge and tried to get in. the lady cop wouldn't let him by. On his way out he muttered "" under his breath. The cop gave him a $250 fine then called the company and stated if they didn't immediatly fire him she would press charges on them. By the time he got to the office he was alread fired and had no idea.
I say stick it t them. someone needs to teach them a lesson.

So much for Freedom of Speech, huh?