1115.org

The Bush administration has just officially certified itself to be stark raving mad.

Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who has been relieved of command as a result of WaPo’s Walter Reed expose has been the head of Walter Reed only for six months .

Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley headed Walter Reed for two years before Weightman took over.

Yesterday The Post reported that Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley heard years ago from a veterans advocate and even a member of Congress that outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center was distressingly squalid and disorganized. That commander proceeded to do little, even though he lives across the street from the outpatient facilities in a spacious Georgian house. …

Much of The Post’s article detailed the abuse by omission that Gen. Kiley, not Gen. Weightman, committed, first as head of Walter Reed, then in his current post as Army surgeon general. Gen. Weightman, who very well might deserve his disgrace, has commanded Walter Reed for only half a year, while Gen. Kiley, now back in charge of Walter Reed, headed the hospital and its outpatient facilities for two years and has led the Army’s medical command since. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and his wife say they repeatedly told Gen. Kiley about unhealthful conditions in outpatient facilities.

So who have the clowns who masquerade as military decision makers by day named as Weightman’s temporary replacement at Walter Reed? Who else but Gen. Kiley?

Presumably he will also head a one-man high level inquiry commission into allegations of his unconscionable inaction? After which, maybe he can preside over his own court-martial?

*** Update, 5:20 pm ***

Now I’ve seen everything! Accountability in the Bush administration for lunatic decisions? Wow!

Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey abruptly stepped down Friday as the Bush administration struggled to cope with the fallout from a scandal over substandard conditions for war-wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Harvey’s departure, announced on short notice by a visibly agitated Defense Secretary Robert Gates, was the most dramatic move in an escalating removal of officials with responsibilities over one of the military’s highest-profile and busiest medical facilities.
[…]
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Harvey had resigned, but senior defense officials speaking on condition of anonymity said Gates had asked Harvey to leave. Gates was displeased that the officer Harvey had chosen as interim commander of Walter Reed — Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, a former commander of Walter Reed — has been accused by critics of long knowing about the problems there and not improving outpatient care.

“I am disappointed that some in the Army have not adequately appreciated the seriousness of the situation pertaining to outpatient care at Walter Reed,” Gates said in the Pentagon briefing room. He took no questions from reporters.

Who knows where this could end? But as a personal salute to Robert Gates for swiftly doing the right thing, no snarky comment whatsoever. And a warm “Good for you, sir!” instead.