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DEL.ICIO.USBlogwatch: Gingrey says Walter Reed is no flophouse
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the weekend, Democratic bloggers were buzzing about a statement U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) made about the Walter Reed scandal during a House committee hearing, in which he said Building 18 reminded him of the motel his parents had in Augusta.
Said Gingrey:
“It’s not a five-star hotel, make no mistake about it, but it’s not a flophouse. It’s not a dump. It’s not a dive. It needs some work, no question about it. I’m not making excuses, of course.
“And when I read the Washington Post report I was glad to know that those cockroaches were belly up. It suggested to me that at least someone was spraying for them, Mr. Chairman.”
Here’s the audio posted by thinkprogress.org.
A transcript is on the jump.
U.S. REP. PHIL GINGREY AT HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING, MARCH 8
I want to say for the record that, Mr. Chairman, that, um, I have been to Building 18. I have been to Walter Reed on a number of occasions, but specifically in regard to this issue went to take a look first-hand.
Having grown up in a motel, when I was going to medical school and living in one of the rooms, when I saw this old Walter Reed Motor Inn, it really reminded me a lot of, Mr. Chairman, of a, of the motel that my parents had in Augusta, Georgia.
It’s not a five-star hotel, make no mistake about it, but it’s not a flophouse. It’s not a dump. It’s not a dive. It needs some work, no question about it. I’m not making excuses, of course.
And when I read the Washington Post report I was glad to know that those cockroaches were belly up. It suggested to me that at least someone was spraying for them, Mr. Chairman.
And, of course, if you leave food around in a motel room or a dorm room at a college, you’re going to get some mice show up at some point in time. But there’s no question that there’s a problem. I’ve heard some of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle suggest that specific heads should roll.
I don’t know that, ah — I was a little bit shocked, quite honestly, that the Secretary of the Army was relieved of his command and the commander at Walter Reed, General Weightmann was relieved of his command and a change has been made there.
I don’t know what comes next, but I would guess if you ask, since General Schoomaker has had to recuse himself, ask the Washington Post whose head should roll I think it probably would be the Commander-in-Chief, would be the only satisfaction, and that would be President Bush.
But here again, let’s try to take some of the politics aside and some of the rhetoric, and try to solve the problem.
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Comments
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By retired vet
March 12, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Oh, so Gingrey dropped by, and now knows the whole extent of the problems in the military medical system? I feel so blessed. Wonder when he’ll be staying there? Or using the Walter Reed system like a common soldier would?
Nice implication that the whole investigation is an attempt to attack Bush. That’s exactly why one Congressman, who knew of these problems earlier, didn’t pursue the complaints. He thought it would “undermine the war on terror”.
Go back to sticking those yellow ribbons and W stickers on your SUV’s. That makes the chickenhawks feel superior. God forbid they actually do anything to support the troops besides worship at the altar of Bush.
By Tony
March 12, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
If his parents ran a dive like that, I’d question the type of people they were.
Mold and roaches don’t appear overnight. And as for belly-up, I’d hope after a few weeks attention and several months of complaints that not only would they be belly up but swept up as well.
To sit here and say this and excuse this behavior is pathetic. Since January 2001 we’ve had a President proclaim his dedication to those men and women who give their lives for this country. To sit back and say roaches, mold, and poor facilities is not a five-star hotel is pretty low in my book. Our President has preached a commitment to give these men and women a five star hotel, to which they deserve. Nothing less should be expected. Would Dr. Gingrey accept these conditions in HIS medical facility?