We all know how concerned the Washington Post is about the healthcare of veterans. That’s why they asked this question in their pages today; Will VA chief be voice of reason on climate change and medical marijuana in Trump administration? That’s veterans’ biggest concern these days. Not that the VA is largely mismanaged, or that they can’t get access to the care that they’re owed. Veterans also want free weed and they want to send taxpayer dollars to China;
[Veterans’ Affairs Secretary, David]Shulkin didn’t mention either controversy during his prepared remarks, delivered in the White House briefing room Wednesday for increased exposure, but they were raised in back-to-back questions from reporters. Each is a delicate issue for the physician Shulkin. He’s a scientist devoted to improved care for veterans and a top official in a Trump administration that denounces enlightened views on marijuana and the changing climate.
It’s a tough spot, but one where he could be a needed voice for reason.
He cautiously signaled a willingness to advance medical marijuana for veterans, while making it clear that he wants no part of the climate change debate.
If anyone can prove that there is a medical reason, beyond a placebo effect, for the use of marijuana as a treatment for anything, I’d be all for it – that doesn’t seem to be the case, though. The potheads at the Washington Post are just trying to get closer to acceptance using veterans – just like the LBGT issue.
Same goes for the climate change issue – what would the VA have to do with making policy in regards to global warming, or cooling, or whatever?
Following his frank depiction of VA’s problems, a reporter asked whether “in the spirit of the candid assessment” [David] Shulkin considers climate change a threat to his department’s mission.
This was the day before President Trump exploded the climate change debate by making the United States an international outcast when he withdrew from the Paris climate agreement.
Shulkin dodged, saying he is “focused on those environmental issues that impact veterans … beyond that, it really is beyond my scope as secretary.”
Was he “repudiating the multiple reports that have come out of your department that say climate change” is a real issue for vets?” the reporter asked. “That’s not something that you’re even considering at this point?”
Shulkin replied: “Look, I am focused on the health of our veterans. And clearly, there — there’s — there’s a relationship between health and the environment. What I’m not focused on is the bigger political issues about United States policy on — on other types of reform. I’m focused on the health of veterans.”
But, of course, climate change is related to veterans’ health, as reports from his department have said.
The author of the Post story presents as evidence a 2014 report from the VA, their “VA Climate Change Adaptation Plan” which begins with this paragraph:
The climate is changing at a pace never before experienced in recorded human history, affecting natural and human systems alike. Climate change is affecting how and when precipitation falls, the intensity and duration of excessively high temperatures, the availability and quality of water, the intensity of storms, the level of the world’s oceans, and the range and intensity of some diseases. In turn, these natural systems affect human systems by increasing the likelihood of damage to built infrastructure, harming human health, impeding operation of existing energy and water systems, damaging plant life and agriculture, and posing risks to national security. All economic sectors and communities, including the federal government, face new challenges.
It also says that; “Temperatures at the surface of the earth rose by more than 1.5°F between 1880 and 2012”. How are we still alive?
The document blames everything from influenza outbreaks to tainted drugs on global whatever. What the document doesn’t explain is how global whatever is preventing veterans from getting care they need in a timely manner. It doesn’t explain why global warming makes it so hard to fire incompetent VA employees.
The Obama Administration politicized every facet of the executive department and apparently the Washington Post liked it that way. Me? I just want the VA to do what it’s supposed to do and stop doing bad things to veterans.
Luckily, it looks like David Shulkin wants to do that, too, despite the stupid-asses at the Washington Post, who, thankfully, don’t run the VA.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.
