How Many Dead Veterans Do You Need?

I am proud to announce the addition of Duffel Blog to our Right Jabs Blogroll.

Thus far, President Obama and his team have regarded the scandalous treatment of veterans seeking care from the government over which they preside as a political hiccup rather than an indefensible breakdown in competent management that has led to the deaths of at least 40 veterans.

Dick Scuttlebutt has a searing satire that I am shamelessly appropriating:

We appreciate you holding. The VA is experiencing a higher-than-average volume of calls this week. Calls are answered in the order they are received. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes. 

From the lakes of Minnesota … to the hills of Tennessee … 

Did you know that you can check the status of your claim by going online? Point your browser to w-w-w dot claims dot veterans dot medical dot va dot gov, forward-slash medical, forward-slash veterans, forward-slash claims, forward-slash 404 dot vagov dot current, forward-slash aspx dot com, forward-slash va.gov, forward-slash 404.html##. 

Across the plains of Texas! From sea to shining sea … 

Your call is important to us. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes with your call about [INVALID MENU ENTRY]. 

From Detroit down to Houston … from New York to L.A. … 

A claims representative should be with you [SHORTLY]. Your call is important to us. Just hang up and kill yourself. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes. 

Well there’s pride in every American heart, and it’s time we stand and saaaaaay… 

You selected menu option [INVALID MENU ENTRY]. Please have your claim number and social security number on hand when you speak with the claims representative. You should just hang up and watch cat videos and leave us alone. Your call is very important to us. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes. 

And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free … 

We appreciate you holding. Did you know you can check the status of your claim by presenting yourself in person to your local VA claims center? Just hang up, go to your local VA claims center, and sit in our waiting room. Current in-person wait time is approximately [DEATH] hours. 

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me … 

Your call is extremely important to us. If this is an emergency or if you are having suicidal thoughts, please hang up and dial 911. Make sure you have your claim number, your social security number, and a sharp paring knife on hand while you wait for a suicide prevention specialist. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes. 

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today … 

We appreciate you holding off killing yourself. The VA is experiencing a higher-than-average it’s hopeless, just end it all this week. Calls are answered in the order they are sweet release of death. Someone should be able to assist you in [ONE] minutes. 

Cause they’re ain’t no doubt I love this land…God bless the U.S.A…