Posted on 06/25/2002 4:32:29 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Speaking at a Balboa Park landmark dedicated to America's fighting men and women, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon yesterday accused Gov. Gray Davis of neglecting California's veterans and said if elected he would overhaul the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Four years ago, Gray Davis promised us the most veterans-friendly administration of the 20th century," Simon said at the Veterans Memorial Center. "When you look at the record, a cold, hard reality stares you in the face. This governor hasn't delivered."
The Davis campaign criticized Simon for taking on a decorated Vietnam veteran.
"While Gray Davis was serving as a captain in Vietnam, Bill Simon was serving as the captain of his squash team," said Davis campaign press secretary Roger Salazar.
Davis, an Army Signal Corps officer, was not directly involved in combat. But he was awarded the Bronze Star in 1969 for delivering radio equipment to the front in a helicopter that came under frequent fire.
Simon, who entered Williams College in 1969 and became captain of its tennis and squash teams, was on student deferment.
Yesterday, Simon lauded veterans and promised to protect them from "bureaucratic incompetence, indifferent service or inferior care."
Simon keyed on a string of trouble areas, including licensing woes at a Barstow veterans home that has affected San Diego County; and the Cal-Vet loan program, which he said has been mismanaged.
Davis, a Democrat, made veterans affairs a cornerstone of his 1998 campaign. But his first two picks to head the Department of Veterans Affairs were rejected by the Democrat-controlled Senate over objections to their leadership abilities.
The veterans home in Barstow, opened in 1996, lost its certification in July 2000 because of mistakes in care of two elderly patients who later died. The Department of Health Services fined the home $64,000; the lost certification cost the state about $5 million in federal reimbursements.
The Barstow problems delayed opening of a skilled nursing facility at a new veterans home in Chula Vista; the Barstow home regained certification earlier this year.
Simon vowed to "build as many veterans homes as necessary" and to focus on female veterans.
"We haven't seen any (state) budget from Bill Simon," countered Salazar. "He can tell you from here to November that he wants to fund every program under the sun, but until he puts it down on paper, we're not going to give it much credence."
Last week, Davis signed a bill giving California members of the National Guard the same benefits as the federal military. Davis also supports legislation to build five new veterans homes.
Yesterday, Simon also called for an independent audit of Davis' handling of the energy crisis, following press reports that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may have used a questionable energy trading strategy in the 2000 energy crisis. At the time, the Los Angeles agency was headed by S. David Freeman, now chairman of the state's new public power authority.
"I don't believe Mr. Freeman is fit to serve," Simon said.
This seems a bit bizzare!
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The veterans home in Barstow, opened in 1996, lost its certification in July 2000 because of mistakes in care of two elderly patients who later died. The Department of Health Services fined the home $64,000; the lost certification cost the state about $5 million in federal reimbursements.
LOL.
Patton: Like, can I get a bronze star for taking a taxi through Detroit?Maybe Simon was taking a taxi through Detroit, but Davis was in Vietnam serving his country. Riding in a helicopter under enemy fire is not like taking a taxi to squash tournaments. I don't know if Davis earned his bronze star, but I get tired of chicken hawks of both parties criticizing people who were there, putting their lives on the line. This is not in criticism of you. For all I know, you were there.
But I bet that is a darn sight closer than greyout davis ever got to being shot at.
Patton: But I bet that is a darn sight closer than greyout davis ever got to being shot at.Anyone ferrying radio supplies to the front in Vietnam was subject to enemy fire. You can ask anyone who was there how important radio equipment was on the front line. Simon should know better than to address veterans issues, considering his student deferment. Deferments were not wrong, but he was 10,000 miles away from the Vietnam front line. So, something tells me that Davis was more liable to be shot at than Simon was. Meanwhile, after signing an $80 billion pork-laden farm bill, Bush is being told by his advisers to veto the bill that rights the wrongs of veterans and their disability payments. Altogether, not a very impressive show.
As to Simon not being eligible to discuss veterans issues, does that mean you can`t talk about abortion? As a Vet. I want to know what Simon will do with our issues, don`t you?
bybybill: As to Simon not being eligible to discuss veterans issues, does that mean you can`t talk about abortion? As a Vet. I want to know what Simon will do with our issues, don`t you?I didn't say that Simon was not eligible to discuss veterans issues. What I meant was that unless he has specific plans to outline of how he would improve veterans standing, all he is saying is that I will do better than the other guy, which is what every non-incumbent politican says. Meanwhile he opens up his own record as taking a student deferment while Davis volunteered for and served in Vietnam. And his supporters get egg on their faces when they whimper about Davis not earning the bronze star. But the public reads that Davis was there in Vietnam and Simon was not. Altogether, a draw at best, probably negative results for Simon.
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