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Opinion
This week, social media proved its value due to a viral Veterans Affairs memo revealed on Web site X by a preferred account identified for exposing woke ideology in authorities. The memo referred to as for the elimination of the enduring World Struggle II picture of a sailor celebrating V-Day by kissing a nurse in Instances Sq..
The memo demanded that VA amenities take away the picture and exchange it with one thing extra consistent with the group's values. Why? As a result of the picture allegedly went towards the VA's zero tolerance coverage for sexual assault and harassment. Sadly, the memo was reportedly by no means authorised by VA Secretary Dennis McDonough, who apparently first heard in regards to the memo by means of a viral social media publish.
Secretary McDonough clarified that he didn’t approve of the memo, nor would the picture be faraway from any facility. Nevertheless, questions nonetheless stay as to why anybody thought the memo was a good suggestion within the first place and whether or not those that helped create it is going to be held accountable.
Shock-inducing iconic World Struggle II picture?
In a memo signed by RheaAnn Nelson, assistant underneath secretary for well being and operations, VA amenities have been directed to take away the well-known picture that reveals a sailor kissing a nurse in celebration. In accordance with the memo, the picture shows “inappropriate conduct” and depicts a “non-consensual act.”
Ms. Nelson wrote that displaying the photographs in VA amenities:
“…This can be thought-about a tacit endorsement of the inappropriate conduct depicted herein.”
The memorandum claimed that:
“Employees have expressed discomfort on the show of this picture.”
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Ms. Nelson continues to instruct amenities to take away the photographs:
“…promote a extra trauma-informed atmosphere.”
nothing to see right here
As soon as the memo went viral on Twitter, VA Secretary Dennis McDonough reversed the ban on the picture and stated the picture would stay in VA amenities. He wrote in no unsure phrases:
“Let me be clear: This picture will not be restricted from VA amenities, and we’ll preserve it in VA amenities.”
In response to calls to fireplace Ms. Nelson, Secretary McDonough wrote:
“Reema has devoted her profession to serving veterans. “We’re lucky that she is on the VA and she is going to keep on the VA.”
Ms. Nelson really has a protracted employment historical past with the VA. And this isn’t the primary time that his talents to carry out his responsibility have been questioned. In 2016, Congresswoman Kristen Sinema and Congressman Matt Salmon requested then-President Barack Obama to cease Ms. Nelson's appointment to the then-crisis Phoenix, Arizona, VA hospital.
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Their reasoning was attributable to her monitor file at her former place in St. Louis. He wrote to President Obama:
“Below Ms. Nelson's tenure, St. Louis Hospital was closed twice attributable to unsafe and unsanitary circumstances and ranked final within the nation for affected person satisfaction out of 126 VA medical facilities.”
Nevertheless, her request was not granted, and right here Ms. Nelson has climbed the VA ladder, her talents are being questioned, and but she is protected against any accountability.
incorrect focus
This isn’t the primary time the VA has decided primarily based on woke ideology to attempt to erase historical past. Final 12 months, the VA up to date its motto to make it extra gender-neutral after already updating it to incorporate ladies.
The unique VA motto was from President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural handle. He declared that that is the grave accountability of this nation:
“Deal with him who suffered within the struggle, and his widow, and his orphan.”
The VA up to date that motto to incorporate feminine veterans like me, altering it to:
“Fulfilled President Lincoln's promise to 'look after him that has suffered in battle, and for his widow and his orphan' by serving and honoring America's veteran women and men.”
As if including a second warning that girls like me now serve our nation wasn't sufficient, the VA took one other step by altering the motto:
“Ship on President Lincoln's promise to care for many who have served in our nation's army and their households, caregivers and survivors.”
Eradicating the quote doesn't make me really feel included as a category of veterans. It's an insult to my intelligence that I can't make the psychological leap that in President Lincoln's time, solely males served within the struggle. Now the nation has advanced to permit ladies like me to serve in struggle.
VA failures
Moreover, due to President Lincoln's precise quote and perception that the nation has an obligation to care for many who have “fought the battles,” veterans like me have well being care choices and different rights. I'll go away you with some present statistics:
- The variety of veteran homeless to extend by 7.4% in 2023
- On a single night time in January 2023, there have been 35,574 homeless troopers
- 17 ex-servicemen commit suicide daily
- Digital well being information downside might result in 250,000 veterans getting incorrect drugs from VA hospitals
I don’t get my medical care from the VA hospital. Not due to the World Struggle II image, however as a result of I don't belief that they may observe by means of on their solemn promise to maintain me, and probably make me worse than I already am. Maybe it's time to concentrate on caring for veterans as an alternative of making imaginary trauma-inducing photos.
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