Bush's Veterans Affairs Chief Goes Overboard

[Guest Harry Hope]

The administration had been embarrassed earlier this year by

revelations of shoddy care for veterans wounded in Iraq and

Afghanistan.

 

Nicholson, who oversaw a vast network of 1,400 VA hospitals and

clinics that provide supplemental care and rehabilitation to 5.8

million veterans, defended the administration's performance on

veterans issues but conceded there was room for improvement.

 

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Nicholson came under harsh criticism in Congress after it was revealed

in May 2006 that VA computer files with personal data, including

Social Security numbers, for 26.5 million veterans and military

troops, were missing.

 

Burglars had stolen computer equipment from a data analyst's Maryland

home.

 

Law enforcement officials recovered the laptop and hard drive about

two months later after being tipped by an informant who'd heard about

a $50,000 reward and knew where they could be found.

 

Called to account at Capitol Hill hearings, Nicholson said he was

angry that he hadn't been told about the burglary until nearly two

weeks after it happened.

 

Nicholson acknowledged at the time that officials including Deputy

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield knew about the incident

earlier, but would not say whether Mansfield should be punished,

citing a need for a full investigation.

 

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Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who sits on the Veterans

Affairs Committee, said that "we need the president to send us a

serious nominee to fill the job. That means a truthful advocate for

veterans, not an apologist for this administration's failures to

plan."

 

 

From The Associated Press, 7/17/07:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VETERANS_NICHOLSON?SITE=WSPATV&SECTION=NATIONAL&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-07-17-12-17-28

 

Veterans Affairs Chief Nicholson Resigns

 

By TERENCE HUNT

AP White House Correspondent

 

WASHINGTON (AP) --

 

Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, who had to explain the theft

of agency computer files containing personal data on millions of

veterans and active service members, announced Tuesday he is

resigning.

 

The 69-year-old Nicholson, who is returning to the private sector, is

the latest in a lengthening line of senior officials heading for the

exits in the final 1 1/2 years of President Bush's administration.

 

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ABANDON SHIP!!! I'm sure our veterans ain't unhappy about it.

 

Harry