Remember the aphorism, "There are more old drunks than there are old doctors." Not sure how that affects Ronny.
As to over-prescribing, remember JFK's response about the drugs "Dr. Feelgood" prescribed. To Bobby, who was concerned about JFK's intake of narcotics, JFK said, "I don't care if it's horse p*ss. It works."
So if Ronny hands out Ambien on take-off, and a waker-upper on landing, what could go wrong? Trump's excellent health and mental acuity surely would not be affected. For at least 200 years.
Trump's V.A. Nominee Ronny jackson is also known as the Candyman right?
Would that mean that Trum-Republican would have to trail and execute Dr. Ronny jackson
if they really want to legally pull through with giving the death penalty to drug dealer-suspects?
Oops NRA's genocidal white supremacist Trump's GOP, you uber-"Geniuses?
"for there be dragons”, Internationally, UN Geneva legal and it will mean your most consequential Judicial defeat, dear NRA-Republican-Mafia.
Bests,
A.E.
https://soundcloud.com/green-diversity/sets/communications-with-cincinna...
Yes, Trump is unspeakable, Jackson is a buffoon, but The New York Times isn't exactly covering itself in glory either. Your headline screams about an "aggressive show of support" even as Dr. Dimples' best buddies defend him in pro forma, even half-hearted fashion.
Toss another creature into the swamp!
Ronny Jackson is a drunken sham doctor who faked Trump’s health record in order to be rewarded. He should go away and dry out.
Further evidence of Trump's "Minus Touch'
Has anyone's reputation been enhanced by their association with the Trump??
1
Anyone who has spent time as a pol in DC knows that it is a snake pit. Destroying reputations is a game played with relish in this environment. Yes, Dr. Jackson has his flaws; so do we all. Maybe he lacks common sense, but he has proved throughout his career that he is an excellent physician. Does anyone want to address why President Obama was satisfied with the care he received from Dr. Jackson? Why, at that time, Dr. Jackson was not called out for all the abuses he is now being accused of? I agree with the Wall Street Journal editorial, which by the way is critical of President Trump. VA politics are not for the newcomer, which Dr. Jackson is in this arena. As for giving out pills, it sounds like he was trying to keep exhausted staffers functioning. If this is true, then you can bet Obama staffers also benefited from the handouts. Dr. Jackson is a poor choice to run the VA, but he does not deserve character assassination.
1
The perceptions of an executive's character and integrity can differ wildly depending on whether you're talking a superior or an inferior. I remember being promised support by a co-worker in a staff meeting, then back at the office being sneered at and told "Don't be ridiculous" when I asked for the promised support.
I was in a prime position for firsthand observation of this person's affable, exemplary behavior when he was dealing with his boss, and his lying, vulgar carelessness when he was talking to anyone else. It was a miracle of acting ability and infuriating that any complaints about him were brushed aside by his superiors.
Whether Dr. Jackson is qualified for this position will depend on solid evidence, and part of that evidence should be the testimony of those who worked under him.
1
Words that I never thought I'd say: Leave it to the President to call an abusive, unprofessional, indiscreet, power-hungry, inexperienced bully "one of the finest people that I've met."
It really, really concerns me that, if these things are true (1)this person was a naval officer and (2) he was in a place of such trust ever since 2012.
" Found passed out on duty ". He is a physician, right? Why was his license revoked to practice medicine. That's a real cause to oust the White House physician.
One point the Republicans make which is interesting: Nobody on earth is qualified to head a huge agency with a billion $ budget and 350,000 employees. That's what the WH defenders have said. Bureaucrats with lots of experience are unqualified. This is part of the Trump idea that guys at the top don't really have to know anything. Anybody could do the CEO job. That's what Trump is doing. So why should head of the VA be any different?
We're not talking about a job which requires real expertise like landing a plane with one engine.
2
How could presiding over 'a hostile work environment' be judged as having anything to do with politics? This is a human problem at its very core and should not be tolerated by anyone, anywhere. As for drinking at work; we don't do that anymore, period. Placing blame for Jackson's appointment should now be a moot point. Let's find a qualified professional to head the agency.
Why was he left to protect the well-being of the president and his family if all of this crude behavior was known? I mean according to reports the Secret Service, in charge of protecting the president, was aware the president had a drunk doctor. So, if true, why is he still competent enough to keep his current job?
2
So Trump nominates Jackson...then all this stuff starts to come out about Jackson's background and now Trump says " I don't want to put a man through a process like this...the fact is, I wouldn't do it. What does he need it for?"
Jackson would not have to endure this process if you didn't nominate him...
Its kinda like you set him up for this, right Mr. President?
Oh well, there's always the Democrats to blame...its the same old song.
9
You forgot to say that he was highly recommended by Obama.
2
To run the V.A.?
4
As a veteran, I strongly oppose the confirmation of this incompetent sycophant. But given the Senate’s record so far, I am not optimistic. Like all of Trump’s people, except for Mattis at the Pentagon, he has been chosen for the sole purpose of destroying the agency he is supposed to lead. Although the Republican Party long ago embraced the reactionary goal of deleting that line in the Constitution about promoting the general welfare, Trump is their first President to be irresponsible enough to actually try to achieve it. No wonder the Congressional Republicans love him so much.
15
This administration is just doing more of the same, appointing someone wholly unqualified for a position so it can be run into the ground (EPA, Energy) or privatized (Education, Housing and now the VA). Insanity. This guy couldn't manage a department of 20 or so medical professionals in the White House (or so the story goes).. how can he handle 300,000 plus staff at the VA. This group of know-nothings just gets worse week after week. When will the American people via their members of Congress SCREAM 'UNCLE'.
7
It is obvious that Dr. Jackson is not qualified for this job. Time for the senate to step up and say NO!
8
Drunk on the job
What’s next. Hiring a serial killer?
5
Haha. But he never killed anyone during work hours. Only before and after! He's good to go!
Wow, do I hate it when I have to defend Trump.
Trump failed to vet this nominee. Bad Trump! But, the nominee has done nothing wrong, in spite of the anonymous claims that cable TV has elevated to legal accusations.
Still, the nominee has also done nothing right that qualifies him for this job. He appears unqualified at a level at least as unacceptable as that of cable news click-bait journalists.
1
Physician, heal thyself. -Luke 4:23
5
Call the horse back into the burning barn, we are having barbecue horse to justify privatizing the VA. It won't be pretty and tasty, but we'll get what we want. (poor horse, he doesn't know any better).
3
Can we expect someone completely unqualified to be president to recognize someone completely unqualified to be head of the VA?
10
How to succeed in life as a Conservative:
1. Have rich friends
2. Be good at nothing
3. Do very poorly at your job
4. Blame everyone else for your incompetence
Sources: Betsy DeVos, Scott Pruitt, Donald Trump, Ronny Jackson, Paul Ryan
16
The head of the VA should be both a competent doctor and a competent lawyer.
2
This nominee has no qualifications to run an agency the size of the VA. Why all the support for him? Why is it necessary to stoop to sleaze to torpedo this appointment? Responsible conservatives forced George W. Bush to back down on his appointment of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, her only qualification being her personal rapport with Bush as his White House Counsel. Has the term "responsible conservative"
become an oxymoron?
8
This is what this administration calls extreme vetting .
They’re extreme
And they could care less about Vets
After all what more scorn can be demonstrated than this slap in the face of America’s vets?
8
I admire people who dodged the Viet. Nam war because they did not want to kill people fighting against US installed governors who looted what they had.
I despise dodgers like Trump, who bought his way out with the best phony 4F money could buy. I respect those who turned their lives into a legal or non-violent fights against the War, their own service to the nation.
I can respect draftees,or victim of US propaganda about honor fighting for dictator s we like over those we don’t. Never for officers who authorize or overlook war crimes, the few caught after the My Lai 4 murder then pardoned by Republican presidents, but especially those never caught, who still walk the earth as “heroes”.
And those impoverished (in all senses: financially, ethically, morally, uneducated) “volunteers” who have fought every worthless US war since.
But MY respect doesn’t matter.
Vets were promised the best care for life, in return for their service:
Taxpayer-financed government-operated care of any kind they need, overseen by the best dedicated administrator of a very large widely spread system, offering diverse high-quality services to thousands, each who must have individual attention, not necessarily an MD, but someone who can appoint compassionate physicians where needed, and fight for every single thing they need to do their job. Not necessarily ex-military, but one who can understand the mindset
Not a White House doc,who can’t even run his own office.
Defend the indefensible... it’s the Trump way.
3
So hes alleged to have been drunk while attending to Trump...sounds like Trump should be reexamined...esp. the cognition test. To a drunk, Trump would sound rational.
6
What I find most disturbing is not only that Trump picked Ronnie Jackson, because he liked him, but one can assume that a pledge of loyalty- explicit or implicit- was required. How Trump is represented in media reports to his base must be the nominee's priority. Their take on reality must work politically for him.. (DT's comments about Sessions have made this very clear.) Ronnie proved himself to DT in the many times "excellent' was use in RJ's assessment of DT's health. (Anyone looking at the guy can assume otherwise.) Veterans require and deserve that the most highly skilled person available will lead the VA with the well-being of veterans their sole focus- political loyalties be damned. I hope all who are associated with the military are calling committee members to insist that the nominee be both capable of and pledged to ONLY improving the care provided to vets.
2
Dr. Jackson should apply the Hippocratic Oath, to do no harm to his patient. His patient is the Veteran's Administration and all of the veterans is serves. If a patient needs brain surgery you would not ask an endocrinologist to perform the surgery. Or more importantly the endocrinologist by the Hippocratic Oath would decline to perform a surgery that they are not qualified to complete. It is not my intention to judge a service member or a veteran, but it seems to me the most honorable thing to do is to thank the president for the privilege to be nominated for such an important post and then decline the job to fulfill the Hippocratic Oath. But we have seen that there is no honor in this president or white house and he continues to surround himself with the swamp creatures. Welcome to the swamp Dr. Jackson
9
He should at least be qualified for the job he is currently in. Being passed-out drunk when medical attention is needed is clear grounds for dismissal, especially for a military service member.
12
I can see no way such a personality can be defended in today's world......."disqualifying" traits cannot be overlooked. But they may be with this cabal in power........
8
Have never seen so much obstruction and stonewalling as we have seen since the Democrats lost the 2016 election . Hurts to lose and , apparently , the American voters must pay for this ‘ injury ‘ to the Democrat Party.
2
You don't see any problems with Trump's "leadership?" Nominees not just ill-suited for prospective offices but largely unqualified to be anything but arrogant rich white men--oddly including Ben Carson. A pattern of lies, hostile rants, temperamental lashing out at figures from the past, pouting, erratic Tweets, threats...this is what his minions wanted?
7
Richard, you were obviously NOT paying attention during the Obama administration. Remember Mitch McConnell's declaration of GOP goal following Obama's election - to make him a one-term president! The refusal to even hold hearings on a Supreme Court nominee. Bookends to how to obstruct. I'm shocked you don't give the GOP the credit they worked to so hard to earn.
5
Clearly, you were not awake during the last 6 years of the Obama administration. Republicans perfected the art of stonewalling and obstructing. Mitch McConnell said it quite plainly when he remarked that their goal was to make him a one term President. Does the name Merrick Garland ring a bell?
Partisanship is a dirty affair no matter which side of the aisle you are on, but make no mistake - the level it has reached under a Republican Congress is worse than anything we have seen in modern history.
11
For all that the WH has failed to vet nominees, some with glaring ethical problems, shady pasts and unqualified for the positions, it's important to remember that Trump himself has the same issues. Maybe even the worst of the bunch.
13
When an MD does a treatment he is unqualified to perform, he could be guilty of malpractice. Dr. Jackson should refuse the nomination, because he should know his limitations. Would he perform neurosurgery without adequate experience & training, just because he is an MD? He's already made a laughingstock of himself. He will end his career in ignominy.
12
So typical the GOP turns "stating the facts" into a smear campaign.
Jackson is simply shockingly unqualified to run the 2nd largest bureaucracy in the U.S. government. Period.
18
Wan't he Obama's personal physician for 8 years? Why weren't these activities concerning then?
4
For one thing, he wasn't nominated to head the VA. With a budget of billions and over 250k employees running it well it requires a lot of health care managerial experience. This doc has zilch. Certainly at a relevant level. So that makes him prefect as far as Trump is concerned.
BTW, the prior VA head, Schulkin was doing a good job overall. He made a few relatively minor dumb decisions, the European trip with side visit to Wimbledon for example-- that he paid back the government for and apologized. On the scale of corruption/ mismanagement Schulkin was a minnow compared to whale of an offender, EPA's Scott Pruitt.
Just sayin....
10
They did. There was a Navy Medical Inspector General who issued a report in 2012.
6
He wasn’t nominated for any office
Btw where’s the complaint about Hillary?
2
If we reject this man because he is unqualified for the job, has no relevant experience, is of low moral character, and creates a hostile work environment, we are being totally inconsistent. We should not hold this man to higher standards than we do the president?
13
Anyone that wants any part of Trump's administration should be automatically disqualified.
7
It was Hillary Clinton who warned of the ascent of The Politics of Personal Destruction in the 1990s.
How ironic.
3
When Trump should be focusing on what's best for the veterans, he is taking the low road and attempting to make it a partisan matter.
13
Another stupid self inflicted wound by Trump. But what else would you expect from someone who never served?
The VA is the most politically sensitive agency oh the federal government. He won't be able to make his Congressional sycophants fall into line on this one. Jackson's dead. Totally unqualified with no support from Veterans groups.
10
Simple, Trump was not vetted so no one else in the cabinet needs to be vetted either.
9
After failing to stop Pompeo, Democrats have gone to a smear campaign against a good man. Democrats have the become the party of No. No ideas, no borders, and no class. They will likely ride a wave of mindless rage into the mid-terms, a product of the ongoing sour grapes campaign against our system, President and the American people. They make Trump look like genius.
1
Guessing you are forgetting when Mitch and John Boehner stated on January 20, 2009, that everything Obama attempted has to be blocked.
They publicly stated that wanted to obstruct him so he would be a 1-term president.
There is actual evidence, not just opinion, that Mr. Jackson is unqualified.
Employers don't even interview someone who does not have actual experience for the job they're applying for.
12
Get your facts straight. The people who came forward with concerns about Jackson's behavior are Republicans and Democrats who contacted the two non partisan senators with stories about Jackson, known to those who worked with him in both WHs.
7
Only Trump does since the only requirement is 'they like him'
1
Improperly dispensed prescription drugs?? Shouldn't he have his medical license revoked and be prosecuted?? This country has a rampant opioid addiction problem - which Trump has championed - created by chronic overprescribing and we have a Doctor at the highest level acting in a cavalier fashion with prescription drugs.
10
Pretty soon Jackson will have no job at all.
The Senate will turn him down to run the huge VA system.
And he’ll likely lose his medical license for unprofessional behaviors.
Time for him to decide to spend more time with his family?
6
Retired Admirals and Generals live like royalty in retirement so no worries about Ronny's future. Maybe all of them could get together and form a brigade to march in Trump's parade.
1
The Senate should vote to disconfirm this guy.
Otherwise, they’ll soon have to consider his replacement. Because someone with no experience running even one hospital should never be placed in a job to run over a thousand of them.
5
Vets who mostly voted for Trump will get exactly what they wanted, someone to stir things up and destroy whatever pretense of utility a national government has. Drain the swamp, babies and all. Bring on the next stone age.
11
Does anyone doubt that Dr. Jackson was on some of his puppy-uppers at that press conference where he gave Trump an unbelievably glowing bill of health?
9
Come on! The guy is the PERFECT Trump and Republican pick for the job - a groveling sycophant and totally incompetent for the position. A DREAM PICK in the eyes of Trump and Repubs who's primary goal is to destroy the agencies as thoroughly as possible in as little time as possible. What was everyone expecting from these folks?!?!
8
As usual, Lyin' Donald displays his obscene ignorance of the Constitution to assert what he feels to be his own personal role of Supreme Dictator. The Senate has an advice and consent constitutional duty, never clearer in history than now given our dictatorial so-called leader. The Senate needs to grow a spine and do its job, which does not include soothing the ego of Lyin' Donald. If the nominee has a background of less that stellar character, the Senate has a constitutional duty to reject him. If the nominee lacks the type of administrative experience any personnel manger would demand for the job of any applicant, the Senate has a constitutional duty to reject him. Lyin' Donald's childish whining is more than sufficient cause for the Senate to reject Jackson.
6
Trump is the one to be vetted
8
Next up.......the Willy Nelson look a like in NYC who happens to be Trump's Dr.
6
This looks like trial by the media or a public lynching, aided and abetted by various members of Congress. Wouldn't it be nice if this guy got a fair hearing before all this stuff descended on him?
4
It was cruel of Trump to put him out there without first vetting him.
Professional negligence by the WH again.
13
If he had been properly vetted before he was nominated, he would not be facing this embarrassing situation. As it stands now, they have not officially rejected his nomination. They are merely investigating the allegations. Unfortunately for all concerned, even if the allegations are dismissed, he is still unqualified to do the job due to lack of administrative experience. In the end, his hubris and the failure of the administration to do their job has led to any humiliation he may now be experiencing.
2
I am an Internal Medicine physician in Pennsylvania.
Stop using the word “narcotic” as a synonym for “opioid.” While it’s not an opioid, Ambien/zoloidem is absolutely a DEA scheduled drug that fits the dictionary definition of “narcotic.” Provigil/modafinil is also a DEA scheduled (controlled substance) medication.
The idea of a physician “passing out” controlled substances to people on a plane is unethical and illegal and physicians found to be doing this in the “real world” would be prosecuted and/or have their DEA Certificate revoked for diversion of controlled substances.
Something is very wrong in this situation and this article is factually incorrect.
17
Ideally physicians would be prosecuted but it happens often. It took ten years for some doctor I know to finally be arrested for trading scripts and I was offered painkillers by my doctor who I was seeing for suboxone. He’s still practicing because who is going to believe and addict. This guy just sounds like he can’t manage any department, but his patients seem to like him
Donald Trump got too close to Ronny Jackson and was immediately be-dazzled by the shiny, tinkley medals on his chest, and the pretty sparkly ribbons all in a line!!!
"Ronny's the guy, believe me!!" Trump tweets..."He jingles when he walks!!! And has ribbons! And a little thing with wings on it, AND a cool hat!!!!...
He is BIGLY qualified to lead the VA!!!!...MAGA!!!!"
Turning to Sarah Huckabee Sanders,Trump
whispers:"What does VA stand for again?"
17
Physician to the President for two presidents, and US Navy rear admiral, a board-certified diplomate of the Board of Emergency Medicine and a fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medicine. He also holds faculty clinical appointments with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at Harvard....but yeah no administrative experience and he's a pill dispensing drunk.
What a complete and total disgrace that the media, Democrats and Republicans have smeared this good man. I pray for our country. Very sad.
4
Come on Hank.
The media haven't harmed Dr. Jackson.
The WH who put him out there without an interview or vetting is at fault. Professional negligence.
Trump has only ever staffed a family business. He hires relatives and friends, and has no idea how a "real" organization hires. In the real world, you don't even get an interview much less a job if you don't have the experience.
8
It is wrong to demonize the guy just because he's a Trump appointee but seriously The Donald just picks people because he likes them without any thought of their ability to do the job. Board Certifications do not constitute the background and ability to manage this huge government agency. He also wanted to appoint his pilot to head the FAA. His social media manager is his former golf caddy. The Donald's record at picking people is pretty dismal so far and it's not due to the Dems shooting them down. They've all shot themselves in the foot one way or another. The Donald is a master at bamboozling his base and hustling real estate deals but he stinks as a manager.
7
Not one of the things you mentioned qualifies Jackson to run the VA
1
White House rushes to VA nominee’s defense.
White House also rushed to nominate the guy!
(That was a stupid mistake - and exactly why their rush to defend the guy will not work.)
4
Let’s recall who some of the “nicest people” were in Charlottesville....
6
Another day, another mess...
8
When Ronny praised the excellence of Donny's genes, following the presidential physical, I wondered then if he was drunk, stoned or just a toady.
11
I remember asking a colleague if the doctor appeared to be impaired.
He did not have the sober and prudent comportment one expects for the office he held.
7
What's with Ronny Jackson's dry mouth?
Pills?
Watch all the videos: past presser, cap hill appearances..
3
Many pills
For the White House staff
Now that you’re busted
I have to laugh
5
Another "best and brightest" with a portfolio of questionable actions. Kiss is goodby Admiral.
2
“ugly” abuse by politicians???!!! is this not what trump subjected James Comey to week after week, tweet storm after tweet storm? trump's hypocrisy knows no bounds.
18
Shouldn't veterans have a say in this? Clearly this man is not qualified to manage even himself let alone a huge administration. Time to take matters at hand and protest. Not just Vets but anyone whose lives are being made miserable everyday by the idiot-in-chief and his idiotic appointees! Enough is Enough!
8
Trumps requirements for employment. Will you be loyal. Can you be controlled. Are you good looking, do you hate Obama. Do you hate the press. Did I mention earlier that I am the boss and you do what I tell you. That’s all.
9
Will Dr. Jackson still be permitted to drink on the job?
5
Doubling down on a losing argument is what stupid, arrogant people do. That and belligerent five year olds.
13
Why aren't we talkin* about Court Martial and reduction in rank?
3
"Are you okay, there are a lot of sycophants on the bus."
1
How do you defend ineptitude?
2
Regarding the allegation that Jackson “too much” on the job, all I can say is that he wouldn’t qualify to be the town dog catcher where I come from. This just underscores what a lunatic Trump is.
5
Deeper into Dante's circle we go while Putin sits back and prides himself on what a great job he is doing to destroy America.
9
For someone who wants to require extreme vetting for immigrants from Muslim countries, it's funny how Trump is incapable and unwilling to vet people from his own campaign or administration.
19
Once again slavish loyalty Trumps actual qualification for a cabinet position for the POTUS. Naming Jackson to head the V.A. is like nominating your landscaper to run the department of agriculture because he's pretty good with plants and unfailingly polite.
9
If we do not see a backbone in the American people in November and 2020, we deserve to be the suckers this administration and the GOP take us for.
12
Maybe they should find out if it's standard procedure in our military to routinely give soldiers prescription drugs to sleep and to stay awake. Maybe he was just doing for the press and the White House staff what he had been doing for years for our soldiers.
6
It is not the responsibility of the Senate to vet Trump's moronic choices for Cabinet positions. HE is too stupid to do so in the asylum that is his White House and he is using people like Jackson to distract from his other deviant news cycles.The unwitting WH physician was hung out to dry the second Trump nominated him. The next nomination of "nothing but the best and smartest" will probably be the mail room clerk who he will try to appoint as Postmaster General because he brought him a cheeseburger.
THIS ADMINISTRATION IS A DISGRACE IN ANY CONTEXT. Trump could legally be certified yet he is supported by power-hungry Trumplicans to the horror of real Republicans and Democrats.
EVERY VET SHOULD MAKE HIS/HER HORROR NOTED, and vehemently oppose this travesty. Trump claims he "loves" HIS veterans - obviously NOT the case. Active military should also be horrified because this could be YOUR future.
7
Trump damage control unit. Same message every time: the Democrats are unfair, Hillary/Obama still to blame, deep state demonology. This must be getting old, even for Trump loyalists.
11
Of course, the best people. Yup!
2
only the best for our troops
4
Didn't 'Steady Genius' come from the Jackson check-up, along with 'Amazing' and 'Perfect' and 'superhuman'? Would it be good to get a 2nd opinion? Will he and Donald see the Hundred-Year Trumpancy? I want one of his candy pills. But only Trump would take an MD occupying what looks like a tiny, hereditary practice, and make him Czar of the immense VA.
3
Not being qualified isn't enough to be disqualified? Trump you say? OK, I get it.
3
Accusations aside, Adm. Dr. Jackson is not at all qualified to run the VA. It's a massive government agency that would bedevil even a competent, seasoned administrator. It is in insult to all veterans that this sycophant is being seriously considered. This is how you "Take care of the veterans," Mr. President?
8
ridiculous to be publically flogging a dedicated doctor and Naval officer. If he can't prescribe ambien who can? We can unfortunately see right through this veiled political attack on the President through this food man. Shameful.
1
Extreme vetting for immigrants;
none for Dr. Jackson!
Shame on Dr. Jackson for agreeing
to take on this position - one that he is
eminently unqualified! for!
10
Donald Trump will do anything to destroy our nation. The swamp is getting more quicksand with each passing day.
4
President Trump should consider reading a book on decision making rather than watching Fox News.
3
Trump needn’t sweat this one. As his main criterion is incompetence, the candidate pool is vast.
3
Perhaps the Senate should afford Dr. Jackson the same fair hearing that Judge Merrick Garland enjoyed.
13
Of course, the president was the one who made the nomination and then refused to do his due diligence in vetting the nominee. It appears from Trump's other cabinet-level nominees that management experience does not matter. We have a NASA administrator who knows nothing about science, we have an EPA head who hates the agency and another cabinet-level head whose experience in government dealt with just talking to campaign donors.
4
It's another scary example of trump's judgment - he doesn't seem to have the savvy to understand why appointing the White House doctor to head the VA would be, uh, a goofy idea. And doing it on an impulse without vetting just ends up embarrassing Jackson and bringing up past behavior that may or may not be that serious.
5
How in the world did Ronny Jackson think this was going to turn out well? Jackson had a great job. He should have keep his head down and enjoyed that ride. Now he's just another causality of being too close to Trump.
6
No one, not even Trump, is shameless enough to claim that Dr. Jackson is the most qualified candidate for this extremely demanding job.
America owes it to our vets to do better than this. It is to the credit of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee that they have pulled the plug and are letting this nomination sink.
3
This is the best we can do?
1
I think Ronny Jackson is parsing his words when he says that he never drank when he was "on duty". When he is traveling with the President he is always on duty
2
When Trump was a candidate, he always went to great lengths about how he would finally take care of veterans like no previous president had done, because they were hero's etc. etc. And now he delivers this clown for confirmation? It's the same story as his huge promise of "better, cheaper, health care" which turned out to be ZERO health care. When will his the brain dead base wake up to the total fraud that is Donald Trump?
4
In addition Dr. Jackson seems to have difficulty with math. I suspect he transposed the first two numbers in describing Mr. Trump's weight as 239 pounds.
4
There are already a sufficient number of inexperienced, incompetent heads of major federal departments and agencies pursuing agendas that demean and destroy the public interest. What's one more?
I believe the absolute No. 1 top priority fact that we need to know about this guy, is what his golf handicap is.
2
I read a Comment here stating in essence that Scott Pruitt must be breathing a sigh of relief and is therefore having a good week. I cannot find this Comment again so cannot credit the writer, but I agree. We've been manipulated again by President Con Artist. The spotlight has intentionally been turned away from a legitimate target, a true criminal, and redirected toward what will turn out to be a brief but distracting clown act.
4
Democrats are doing Trump and Republicans a favor here. Jackson has zero experience in managing large organizations and is grossly unqualified to lead the 375,000 employees at VA and manage its multi-billion dollar annual budget. Unlike other inept Trump appointees managing some other cabinet departments (e.g., Education, HUD), the VA has a major impact on a significant number of Trump supporters. One year of Jackson at the helm and we can be sure that no matter how bad it seems at VA now, it'd be far worse and one of Trump's core constituencies would be furious with him.
I'm sorry for Jackson, sure. But this is all Trump's fault. He chose Jackson simply because he was an affable doctor who said nice things about Trump. He nominated Jackson with zero vetting. Once again, Trump demonstrates complete ineptitude in the job.
5
"After Trump Hints V.A. Nominee Might Drop Out, an Aggressive Show of Support" ---- support, that is, for anyone and anything but our nation's veterans. if trump couldn't make the time & effort to properly vet a qualified candidate for this most important cabinet position, there's only one reason for it: HE DOESN'T CARE about our veterans, plain & simple. if he did, he would've taken the time and directed the work, however long & difficult it may have been, to do the right thing, to get the right leader, manager, and administrator to work on behalf of the american people to ensure that our vets are taken care of by a nation that owes them everything it can ever do for them.
3
Another of those "best people" Trump keeps nominating?
How come so many of the "fine people" Trump knows find themselves the focus of investigations and scandals? Is it really credible that "current and former military personnel" and staff members in the White House medical office are involved in a giant conspiracy to "railroad" the good doctor? Does everything have to be a conspiracy? Sometimes it just turns out that a fine person isn't as fine as some people thought he was, and there's no conspiracy involved.
One more thing: what about John Kelly's admission that it is "standard operating procedure" for the White House physician to provide "sleep aides and wakefulness" drugs to White House aides? That's just buried several paragraphs down in the article? What the heck?? Does that not deserve some further investigation? It sounds like there's more questionable behavior going on than Dr. Ronny's alleged drinking problem.
4
Instead of railing against the Democrats about obstruction, perhaps trump and his administration should better vet those trump appoints. The issue here is of lack of experience, period. The VA's issues do not have the time to be put on hold while someone meant to "head the department" goes through "on the job training." That is ridiculous and very short sighted.
1
Jackson is unqualified to oversee an organization this large and complex rendering his policy positions irrelevant .
Trump suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. In Trump's case it is so profound and consequential as to be characterized as mental illness. If Jacson failed to diagnose it or at least refer Trump to a psychiatrist, then Jacson isn't much a doctor either.
I got a toy train set when I was 5...maybe I'm ready to be Secretary of Transportation in the Trump Administration?
1
Outside of some sort of work-related social occasion such as a business dinner, I don't know of any job where it's acceptable to drink. I think being drunk while on duty as a doctor is grounds for losing your medical license. This guy shouldn't even be practicing medicine, let alone be the VA Secretary.
1
It's ironic that the White House is touting Jackson's endorsement by president Obama. Every other act or statement by president Obama has been denigrated by Trump and the White House. Believe me.
4
It's frightening to think Jackson might be confirmed despite these revelations. This is a credibility test for the Republicans.
1
It's his lack of experience that's the problem. I'd worry that Trump was throwing him under the bus--but Trump already has, by nominating him for a position he's so clearly not qualified for. It's a shame that smearing Dr. Jackson in the media is the only tactic that will get the nation's attention.
1
Given Trump's history of appointing the worst, most unqualified people, I'd be leery of anyone who would even consider working for him.
2
The only good that could come out of Jackson being confirmed is if Prince's doctor would take over his old job. Sounds like a good fit.
1
The Republicans are always thinking. If they can mess the VA up enough they’ll be able to privatize it to “save it”. As with every formerly successful government program, that is their goal. More profits for their wealthy friends, and a way to destroy what they see as socialism. of course the vets will suffer, but since few members of the Republican “leadership” (or their families) have ever served, they simply don’t care.
3
I am opposed to this nominee based on his total lack of qualification to run such a complex organization as the VA obviously is. I am also opposed to this nominee because Trump likes him. I realize that isn't rational but there it is. But I would caution against throwing words around like "alcoholic", "pill pusher", "passes out", etc. These are unsubstantiated allegations, and although extremely serious, require verification and context. Let's leave the tar and feathering to the Trump camp.
1
“Straight out of central casting”—was that Mad Men or MASH?
Any concierge physician will give patients ambien and provigil on request for jet lag. They're probably safer than daytime somnolence which can be dangerous. Don't use this against him. His lack of qualifications is enough to reject him without resorting to stoking fears of him creating an army of addicts.
3
Ronny Jackson was picked in part because he is a sycophant and in part because of his lack of administrative experience will likely further exacerbate the efficiency at the VA and give Republicans cause to move forward with privatizing it.
2
President Trump did one thing and its opposite yesterday; throw Dr. Ronny Jackson under the bus, then blame Democrats for it. What's really going on?
3
"The turmoil around his nomination" has brought to you -- and our country's veterans -- exclusively by Donald Trump. Jackson never should have been nominated. And it is Donald Trump who is putting him through this ordeal...not Congress or the Senate.
"The turmoil around his nomination all but ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal government’s second largest, will remain without a permanent leader for at least several weeks at a moment when it was supposed to be adopting systematic changes to its electronic health records system and to programs that allow veterans to seek care from private doctors at government expense."
This is typical trump, for someone who is always talking about "vetting" immigrants and refugees why doesn't this apply to his cabinet choices? It seems to me that for these very important jobs that can affect the lives of millions of Americans we could spend a little more time making sure they are qualified or at least the skeletons in the closet are not disqualifying! Is this what he means about draining the swamp? God help us!
1
Another choice pick. We're in good hands, folks!
DISTRACTIONS AND LIES, AS USUAL! Trump, backed against the wall, is doing everything he can to shift the attention of America away from his crimes. STAY THE COURSE, our Democracy is at stake, as Emmanuel Macron has so eloquently stated.
2
Let's not forget this this is just one of this presidents nomination fupa's. The man has a knack for finding damaged people who inflict their damage on our government. We desperately need to remove this president.
2
Trump asks why would he put himself through the process of getting confirmed. Well, in this administration it's the power, control, excellent taxpayer paid travel , and everything else they can steal from this country. By the time this administration gets done with us, we are going to resemble one of Trumps' bankrupt companies. That's why.
4
Captain Jackson had a blistering IG report in 2010. How did he ever get a star! With any kind of vetting, looking at the 2010 IG report, under normal conditions would have never been considered to head up the VA! Just another terrible trump cabinet pick.
2
The IG report that was released last night was not helpful at all. If anything, it pointed out why he is definitely not qualified to run the VA. What incompetence all around! The hallmark of the Trump Administration!
2
A Naval officer with a drinking problem. Who could imagine such a thing?
6
I think now I know why Trump is sticking with his nominee to lead the Veterans Affairs Department. Allegedly, Dr. Jackson has somewhat of a Doctor Feelgood reputation, which showcases his impulsive generosity, and got plastered one night while traveling and pounded on same lady's hotel room door. I guess this shows that he is aggressive and has a healthy libido, and this kind of behavior is guaranteed to impress Trump.
3
If the work environment was hostile prior to his nomination, I fear for the whistle-blowers if he continues in his present position.
11
Poor Dr Jackson was himself railroaded by Trump. Surely Jackson must have realized that he did not have the administrative experience to do the job that Trump selected him to do. It is true that Donald Trump is the #1 world class example of the Peter Principle. But doesn't Trump care enough about our veterans to make sure that he appoints the best possible person to see that the VA is run as effectively as possible? As we have already seen, appointing people to run government agencies effectively is beyond Trump's level of competence.
9
Even though Dr Jackson is an Obama appointee??
Politics of Mutually Assured Destruction must end.
As the White House doctor in the Obama administration Dr Jackson was apparently within his level of competence. That does not mean that because Obama, a capable and intelligent POTUS, appointed him to that position that he is also capable pf running the much more complicated VA. The Peter Principle clearly explains that.
4
I worked in the VA for a while. The vets were great, and I miss them every day. The work environment, however, was miserable. Many of those in leadership positions were authoritarian and seemed to mistake a GS level with military rank. Accusations regarding lack of productivity were common, even when people were putting in long days and juggling multiple duties beyond clinical care. The VA needs to do some serious over-hauling of its workplace morale. This doesn't seem the guy to lead that desperate need.
13
I will take the job if Ronnie doesn’t get it. My qualifications are that I have no qualifications, so therefore I can do no harm, especially because I’ll have a great team of physicians and administrative staff working under me, (when I get around to hiring them) leaving me time to swing a few with the big boss and redecorate my office. Life is good!
15
It seems you have figured out the winning formula to impress the anti-Christ.
Another battle of personal favoritism instead of providing viable, qualified candidates to serve and protect. Typical of this administration. It's a good paying job with significant benefits so why not recruit for a person with strong hospital administrator skills, staff development skills, a work history consistent with large scale medical operations and provide this person with the resources necessary to develop meaningful programs to affect change.
Or, nominate someone with a brown nose and a Yes complex.
7
The most important part of a president’s job is appointing qualified people to fill the 7,000 to 8,000 executive jobs in the administration. No matter what more is revealed about Adm. Jackson’s professional history, he won’t be the most unqualified person that Pres. Trump has ever appointed to head an executive agency or department.
3
"Passed out after a night of drinking" - if true, that is truly cause for concern - and it would be whether the person in question is a college student in his twenties or a middle-aged physician whose patient happens to be the President of the United States of America.
4
I don't understand Republicans and their thought process.
They raise questions about this nomination but were all supportive of Scott Pruitt and Ben Carson?
8
So Trump's NOT concerned about the allegations. The allegations were made by 20 members of the military. That's the military that Trump claims to care so much about. But of course Trump's only criteria for a person he nominates for high office is that they praise him and are unqualified for, or even toxic for, the office they would hold. That's been his pattern from the beginning, and nothing has changed.
7
After reading the Nunes article, another alcoholic, it seems that Trump has no problem with being an enabler. Probably stems from his relationship with his brother. Most likely both suffered from chemical imbalances; certainly Nunes who lost touch with day-to-day reality a long time ago. But that Trump would endanger the healthcare and livelihood of American veterans (as would Kelly and Matiss) by pushing a known alcoholic who over-prescribed pills and has no substantive administrative experience, is really beyond the pale.
4
My husband is a veteran and thinks that his VA doctor is great. That doesn't make that doctor qualified to head the entire VA.
Our veterans deserve better for their sacrifices than a VA department head who is woefully under-qualified and was nominated solely because Trump happens to think that he is a fine gentleman.
7
Admiral Jackson is 100-percent beholden to President Trump for this opportunity to lead an immense workforce. He has no experience that approaches the VA's complex operation. No one would select him to ensure the continued success of a mission that is light years beyond his proven capabilities.
So why, Admiral Jackson? He's a "seller" of Trump-style hyperbole. Admiral Jackson will be the figure head for the healthcare industry infiltrators to take key positions and to form a transformation team.
Admiral Jackson’s future is inextricably tied to his new liege and lords, ensuring 100-percent loyalty. He's not going to lead a workforce; he's going to replace it. He will applaud when Trump proclaims that veterans "deserve better". Then, Admiral Jackson will rubber-stamp the roll-out of the industry-concocted privatization plan.
For Trump and his industry backers (providers, insurers), the VA appropriation dollars are something to be secured through ownership. Admiral Jackson is not a prized administrator! He’s there to preside over his organization's sale. That's who Congress is confirming.
12
"At one point, Dr. Jackson even quipped that given Mr. Trump’s genetics, he might live to 200 years old if he had a healthier diet."
Is the good doctor's observation a sign of sober thinking?
3
Passed out drunk when they needed him for medical matters on an overseas trip. Banging on a door so loudly and persistently that secret service had to come get him so he would not wake the President. Backbiting and belittling his co-leader so he could be made the President's Doctor. Denying that an Inspector General had done an investigation AND a report after reviewing and interviewing over a dozen military staffers...while being the source of the hostile environment to the point that complainants were, in response, referred to by him as "transferring soon," while complaints were harshly discouraged so that they would not ever be in writing.
4
ALl lare great qualifications according to Trump!
And besides EVERYONE IS LYING about Jackson.
Of course,by next week, Ronny will be known as "Drinkin' Doctor Ronny" or whatever other derogatory name Trump can come up with.
So far the "swamp" has been redecorated with new dining room furniture, new phone booths, new doors...what will Ronny wan1? A tanker of wine delivered daily to his office?
1
The example of Sen. Edward Kennedy is a strong reminder that we really don't need a problem drinker in charge of the VA, but one slip up is just that.
Were drinking too much ONCE a disqualifier, we'd not have enough Senators present to form a quorum any day of the week.
1
What Trump calls the best picks for his cabinet are those that can lie for him. After his physical he grew one inch, is just under the weight that would classify him as obese, and is in excellent cardio vascular health. This alone guaranteed him the job as the head of the VA.
6
It's only a matter of time before some of DC's most prominent eateries and upscale watering holes begin offering a de rigueur cocktail — the Ronny L. Jackson.
3
Trump can't get it right even if he did get it right to start. The allegations against Dr. Jackson are too serious to make it through a confirmation hearing. Withdrawal will indeed save him from embarrassment in front of the world. Why the sudden change by the WH? Here we go again, either this man knows something compromising against the President, or Trump is rewarding Jackson's "loyalty" for his "excellent health" report on POTUS. By the way, improper administering of prescription drugs might explain a whole lot of the wacky behavior in the WH...
2
“The allegations against Dr. Jackson are too serious to make it through a confirmation hearing.” That sentence would make sense only if Rand Paul or other fellow travelers (yes, I use that sobriquet knowingly) would actually advise instead of just consenting to any hare-brained nomination made by tRump.
"Dr. Jackson offered effusive compliments ... Mr. Trump was pleased with the performance." This diagnosis regarded Trump's physical health and mental acuity.
While Trump is pleased with the fawning loyalty, veterans are appalled at the nomnee's lack of experience. And they thought they had fought their last war; now they will have to battle the VA for treatment of war-related impairments that an Ambien won't cure.
4
“That would involve belittling, screaming, verbally abusing the staff to the point where he would explode and the staff would feel they were on eggshells,” Mr. Tester said. He added that several of the people the committee had spoken with still work in the medical unit and are fearful of reprisals.
This is a long article and I kinda lost track. Just to be clear, who are we talking about here?
3
We Veterans have surely seen just how much our Commander-in-Chief cares about our welfare. That's the main lesson I took from this appointment.
6
You are saying that Trump cares little, correct? If so I agree. I'm a veteran of over 25 years and I've seen nothing from Trump that benefits us. He says nice things once and a while about veterans, but when he proposes a person who is so obviously unqualified to lead the VA it shows his true colors. Actions speak louder than words.
2
Something is rotten even among the rare adults in the Adult Day Care Center, aka White House, when even the chief of staff, Kelly, proclaims that giving out prescription drugs like candy sans prescriptions on long flights is "standard operating procedure".
One has to wonder on how many prescription drugs his sleep deprived boss - one who acts like an highly confused and angry Energizer Bunny during his waking hours - is.
7
Several things seem clear to me: All Trump's nominees,irrespective of merit or lack thereof will be subject to partisan bickering. None of the commentators,including me,know the facts only the allegations. We also have the recommendations by President Obama that he be promoted ahead of peers and praise by President Obama for his care for his family. WhileI will not prejudge his qualification or these allegations there is a time-honored way to assess them: the hearings,under oath,of Dr.Jackson when he can be questioned about them. It would be nice,even though this is not a criminal matter,for him to face accusers instead of third hand anonymous sources. Giving a single Ambien and Prodigal to senior staff to prevent jet lag on critical overseas meetings to prevent jet lag doesn't strike me as unusual.He didn't give a prescription for these drugs or hand out Oxycodone. Let the process play out. I believe the same should have happened with Senator Franken who was hounded out of the U.S.Senate for political reasons over a foolish picture taken in jest and never had the due process promised by our Constitution.
2
The thing is, he simply and clearly does not have the knowledge and experience for the job. Period. The rest is just noise. The weird thing about the Trump administration is that, given their promise to run the government along "business criteria", they do nothing of the sort. Most if not all nominations of department heads would NEVER even be considered in the private sector. NEVER.
On another note: this story along with the stories published yesterday about Mulvaney's speech to bankers (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/us/mulvaney-consumer-financial-protec... and the EPA's science policies (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/climate/epa-science-transparency-prui... constitute one of the most damning indictment of the Trump administration disregard for the citizenry of the USA. Talk about a major league triple. This administration clearly incompetent and corrupt.
3
How many people here can name the last head of the VA? People only notice the VA when things go wrong. The chances of something going wrong are arguably higher under an inexperienced administrator who was obviously advanced in response to a personal favor made on behalf of the President. However, I doubt most people will notice Dr. Jackson's inexperience until well into his administration. Things only tend to go catastrophically wrong when we have more veterans. We tend have more veterans when we have more wars. Jackson is actually a good argument for staying out of wars. As long as he's not actively dismantling the VA, I'm okay if he gets drunk on the plane.
David Shulkin and before him Eric Shinseki. I will say I can't remember the name of a VA Secretary when things were going well. They need somebody with a lot more chops than the person Trump is proposing.
I once had empathy for DT supporters who were voting, not out of racism or misogyny or anti-LGBT, Muslim (etc) biases, but just pure economic frustration. Marginalized & manipulated and thus impatient & resentful.
I believed the emotionally rousing & hyped performances were so well contrived that I gave them a pass. NO MORE!
Trumps ineptitude, scheming anf endless stream of abject failures is so deep & wide that there is now NO excuse for continuing to support him. Plus, there's the simple fact that he is a walking talking moral abyss.
I learned very young that there's ignorance and culpable ignorance and, at this point, Trump supporters are in the latter group. I say this without arrogance, for it's a fact of human nature: "There are none so blind as those who will not see". I understand that reaching for that feel-good golden ring that Fox News offers on its daily merry-go-round is tempting, but it's also hollow in the center.
From this point on, I feel, that every Trump supporter, whether a politician or average citizen, owes America & I a personal debt for driving us into that venal and vacuous place.
7
I think I want the same thing as Dr. Jackson: a public hearing that will prove he is unqualified for the position he's been nominated for. He'll enjoy the publicity and move on to a lucrative book deal, as is the fashion. We the people can move on to more inept acts from this administration and await his tour of duty on the book publicity circuit.
2
Trump put Jackson in this position by nominating someone so spectacularly unqualified. And Jackson made things worse by accepting a job he cannot do. He follows in the footsteps of Ben Carson, Betsy DeVoss, Pruitt, Perry, etc. People who have zero qualifications, a/k/a all the best people. And the GOP defenders know this. They simply do not care about the VA, EPA, Housing and Education as shown by their records.
3
Interesting allegations. I wonder when these things occurred, under which administration? I have heard through various media sources, including NPR, that Adm. Jackson served as the White House physician under three administrations. Why wasn't this behavior a problem then? Obviously it wasn't. Or did it just start under Trump? Which I would find hard to believe. As far as I am concerned that is just another attempt by the Establishment to derail a cabinet appointment by a non-Establishment president elected to the office by Americans who have grown sick and tired of Establishment elites, to smear a good man's name, to place one more barrier in the way of the Trump administration from fulfilling its goals. I hope that when, if ever, hopefully never, the next Establishment (Democrat) candidate becomes president that everything is done to derail, disrupt, and harass that presidency. Thank you.
2
How different from yesterday’s flippant what’s wrong with a little drink, live and let live comment.
Past administrations are not the issue here. The issue here is if the man is qualified to be the head of the VA and the lack of vetting from the current administration. Often people with drug or alcohol problems learn to fly below the radar and get by. He made the mistake of stepping into the spotlight and the scrutiny he is now facing is completely warranted.
3
He is not qualified to lead such a large and complex organization, one which needs reform. This additional information is potentially damning but nowhere near the whole story. The "elites" accusations have no substance.
1) Sometimes problems take a while to come to light.
2) Some jobs mean, rightly, more scrutiny.
3) Trump is a corrupt liar who consistently wants to hire other corrupt liars as long as they praise him.
1
The article didn't really say he drank on the job. Did he have to work 24x7? On a business trip he may have had a few drinks like many people do. So they found him passed out at night in his hotel room. Maybe he was taking Ambien too so he could get some sleep in a high stress work place.
My concern is his lack of management experience. Has he even managed a Navy hospital let alone 370,000 people and dozens of medical centers.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a president who thought through hiring decisions and based them on more than "He likes me!"
1
"On one trip during Barack Obama’s presidency, White House staff needed to reach Dr. Jackson for medical reasons and found him passed out in his hotel room after a night of drinking, "
Is this guy is a White House doctor? I cannot believe it, What a responsible person, Obama should have fired him. Any other employee would have met that fate.
10
1. Define "passed out." Did he require medical intervention?
2. Was it on his time? One man can't be on the clock 24/7.
3. Sometimes doctors, nurses, and other health professionals develop substance abuse problems for a number of reasons. Access, stress, and dealing with things many of you don't want to know. Some "fly under the radar" for a while because it doesn't affect their work time. Often, when caught they are provided board sponsored intervention. Success or failure to complete a program determines whether they get their license to practice back.
4. If he had one incident while attending Pres. Obama, I'm pretty sure Obama would give him the benefit of the doubt and provide help.
5. Has everyone commenting here never drank to excess? Mine involved Gin Gimlets, ugh, I haven't had one in 30 years.
1
Typical Trump appointment. No vetting but as Trump pointed out ' he looks the part and has movie star good looks". Trump appointed him and Trump bares the responsibility for the appointment.
13
Donald doesn't pick anyone because they are qualified to fulfill the stated mission of their agency. He picks them precisely because they've agreed to undermine those missions.
19
45 picks candidates to undermine and destroy the mission of their agency. The most recent pick is by design totally unqualified to lead the VA. What a better way to show cruel contempt for 90 million veterans, just as he has turned the EPA into the Environmental DESTRUCTION Agency. He promised to do away with any regulation that impedes greedy corporations. And he is unraveling our protections at a break-neck pace. What will be left of this country after he ruins it?
3
This efficient comment is the key to the riddle of corruption and incompetence in the cabinet picks to date. 45 is unraveling the rights and protections in each agency piece by piece. He promised this destruction and he is making good his promises.
4
The GOP Congress will not stand up to Trump to disqualify this nominee - should Trump continue to support him. Bizarre also that yesterday Trump was suggesting that Jackson should consider dropping out - what happened to Trump's "you're fired" personna?
8
it is well known that 45 does not like to 'fire' individuals. He sends notifications via messengers, tweets, carrier pigeons......whatever is handy.
1
Par for the Trump course.
Whats worry about a guy nominated to run the biggest government organization? A guy who gets drunk, creates a hostel environment, and hands out too many drugs.
And has never run a organization before.
What’s the problem?
13
Personally, I enjoyed the hostels I visited as a student :)
2
One more person nominated to join the Trump administration based on personal loyalty rather than competence.
16
Personal loyalty to Barack Obama was THE most important factor in that administration, too. When The Eavesdropper was waging his personal war against the agencies' Inspectors General in 2009, the politically loyal people saw their agency I.G. dismissed or their reputations impugned. No one has ever protected ''his'' guys as well as Barack.
"At one point, Dr. Jackson even quipped that given Mr. Trump’s genetics, he might live to 200 years old if he had a healthier diet."
This breezy answer tells us something important -not about the President's health, no one lives to be 200 - but it tells us why Dr. Jackson got such great reviews from Obama - he's likable. He has a good bedside manner. He tells his patients what they want to hear. But this in no way makes him fit to run the VA.
When I was in the Navy, it was understood that high ranking medical officers got all the respect and privileges that their rank deserved, but they but they didn't run things outside their medical staff. They were not line officers. So, unlike Gen. Kelly or Gen. McMaster or Gen. Mattis, Adm. Jackson has no experience running a large organization. Lord knows the long suffering VA needs someone with that experience.
28
All he has to do is say "Aye-aye sirs" to Trump and the Koch Brothers and privatize the VA. That's all they want out of him.
2
This has gone over the top, even for late night comedy and parody. Trump picks the best people? We can only laugh because of the utter ridiculousness of the notion.
But this is no laughing matter. There are just two possibilities. Either Trump does absolutely no vetting. Or, he does. And, in the latter case, that means Trump really believes his picks are the best people, according to his only criteria. Blind loyalty, sycophantic praise and a willingness to cast aside all dignity to lie for Trump. Exhibit A would be Dr. Jackson's glowing report on Trump's health, including his claim that Trump weighs 239 pounds. I rest my case.
14
There is a serious question as to why this man still works in the White House and wears a uniform. Clearly he is unfit for the office he holds.
12
I wondered the same thing. Why is this all coming out now, not when he was vetted?
Why should he mind? I bet his pension will top $150K a year!
Ambien is not an over the counter (OTC) drug. In nursing homes it's prescribed as a sedative often given at night for sleeping problems. It's locked away with the narcotics drugs.
17
What an awesome mess this Trump administration! And among the many amazing features of this nomination, surely the fact that Dr. Jackson entertains the notion that he could be successful at the V.A. is one of the most bizarre. That such a delusional person was allowed to rise to the rank of Admiral makes one wonder how many other Navy flag officers are also so lacking in common sense and self-awareness.
Oh, and let us just note how one more person has now been utterly destroyed by Trump's magical touch.
21
Sadly, all the things a reasonable person would view as disqualifying Ronny are precisely the things Trump likes. He'll lie for the president, suck up to the president, loose morals, and no administrative experience. Trump's bosses want to privatize the agency. Think Ronny is going to get in the way of that like his predecessor? And if he does the agency poorly, the privatization argument gets all the stronger.
17
Trump's Jackson nomination is simply the latest Donnybrook - neither the first nor the last.
4
Trump, who is enamored of all things military without having served in the armed forces himself, needs to do better on behalf of the people who have done so.
While Dr. Jackson has performed as a physician to three presidents (his odd glowing testament to Trump's good health aside), this doesn't make him qualified to run a huge bureaucracy like the V.A. Veterans deserve a well vetted and first rate candidate to work on their behalf. Dr. Jackson is not that candidate.
15
Only the least qualified and most harmful people will be accepted to serve in the Trump administration.
10
The late Dr. Edwards Deming, the American industrial engineering expert who went to Japan after the end of WW II, brought about the so-called 'miracle of Japanese manufacturing'. An engineer, statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and management consultant, educated initially as an electrical engineer, later specializing in mathematical physics, Deming is the father of Total Quality Management.
TQM includes techniques for achieving efficiency, solving problems, imposing standardization and statistical control, and regulating design, housekeeping, etc. TQM involves shop floor employees in decisions.
The VA needs an MD at the head, and the MD needs a number of TQM experts to change the way the business of taking care of our veterans is done.
A friend of mine, a nurse, felt privileged to get a job at a VA medical office. After 2/3 weeks on the job, she went to the charge nurse with a suggestion: If you let me get chief complaints and vital signs of veterans as they come in, we will have them ready to see the doctor, and can cut down their waiting time and see more veterans each day.
The charge nurse told her "That's not the way we do things here".
My friend, who considers it a privilege to take care of men and women who took care of our country, slowed down and made no more suggestions.
Dr. Deming's 'involving the workers on the shop floor in quality decisions' didn't work at the VA
11
Ran out of space - need to add this: the method my friend suggested - getting chief complaints and vital signs as patients come in and having them ready to see the doctor - is used in medical offices across the country.
My friend made her suggestion because she saw doctors sitting in their offices, drinking coffee and reading newspapers between seeing patients.
The method she suggested allows doctors to see more patients each day.
That is something the VA needs to do - see more of our veterans each day.
10
I don't think that the VA necessarily needs a Doctor as its head. I think it needs an excellent business person who can not only reorganize the VE to be more efficient and increase higher quality. Aslo someone who can convince Congress that we are betraying each and every serviceman and servicewomen bu underfunding the VA. But then Republicans only love the military as s concept but care less about our veterans.
1
If the facts are true, this guy should have been fired a long time ago. How did he managed to reach the Admiral rank. This should be investigated.
6
Ambien has become something of a public heath problem. It was never meant to address chronic sleep problems, but many people now take and rely on it nightly for sleep, and can't sleep without it. Helping someone along this path is a disservice performed by many doctors.
9
We know Trump was elected because of his business acumen—he has absolutely nailed bankruptcy—and part of being a business leader is to hire people who buy into the company ethos. Trump demands absolute loyalty, constant ego-feeds, sole decision-making power. Don’t ask questions, don’t spill company secrets. Let Trump do the thinking. Which is how he nailed bankruptcy...
18
Only in the last decade, well into the internet age, have punters been able to shout their two-penneth worth of bile against public figure candidates. So candidates for political office and public sector jobs will come from an increasingly small pool. In the UK heads of charities are resigning or being turfed out. Everyone always knew charities were badly run. All private sector companies will try and shun the limelight, but they can't escape their obscene bonuses leaking out. The next decade will be interesting. Madame Guillotine, via the net, is watching everyone, but almost all senior people have either been, by definition, yes men, and/or will have skeletons in their cupboards. Leadership was always a euphemism which = I have the money/power, do as I say. The internet has destroyed that cosy retirement seat. Expect big companies to collapse soon.
4
Jackson is the perfect man for the job. Imagine that Trump might have some cardiac event which is possible given his weight and stress level. Trump calls Jackson for help who has had a hard night of drinking and gingerly goes to phone and says "take a pill and call me in the morning."
6
Past experience with “well qualified professionals” has gotten us nowhere. Perhaps it’s time to try our luck at an “unqualified professional.” He certainly couldn’t do any worse, and who knows, he might surprise us. Trump does expect a lot from those around him so if he does not perform I am sure he will be fired. Can this all be so bad as readers predict?
1
Huh?
1
And that's why we are in the situation we are now. Shame.
As with the Trump, Jackson is fundamentally unqualified and unprepared for the position. Beyond politics, neither would pass the first round of job interview if this was a large corporation trying to fill an important sensitive position.
4
If you work for the federal government you are not suppose to drink on the job at all. Some how this person has gotten by. More than likely because he knew how to play the game. Some of the people who are stepping forward are sailors. This is how trump is making America great again? As a veteran I much say this is not the person for this job.
7
Is too much to drink enough to be associated with Trump? Clearly not from his appalling behavior. But Dr. Jackson has disqualified himself for other reasons as well. Which, of course, makes him eminently qualified for a Trump sinecure.
1
The main issue to me is, he has no management experience. It is like taking the manager of my neighborhood McDonald’s and making him CEO of the whole company. What does he bring besides his medical experience, nothing.
The VA is very poorly run and needs a kick from a good CEO AND CFO not another service trained physician who knows how to work the system. And I say this as someone who has worked at a VA hospital.
7
What happened to "extreme vetting"? Oh, guess it only applies to refugees and other potential immigrants.
11
Really, the president picked an unqualified, narcissistic, sycophant for a White House position and everyone is what? Surprised? Wake up, there is no shortage of these types in, around or looking to get into government. It has always attracted such people and their offspring. Those fewer who are really there to serve are in the minority now more than ever and I am never fooled by a uniform. The military is also full of such types with the pleasant addition of being violence prone. I'm sure some soldiers and government workers have integrity but in such hierarchies it seems integrity doesn't climb the ladder.
2
Look, I'm a dyed in the wool liberal and I hate the fact that the Trump administration is all about cronyism and this appointment smacks of that but the trashing of Dr. Jackson has the look and feel of a hatchet job. The issues I have with Dr. Jackson are a) he doesn't have the managerial experience to run the (massive bureaucracy that is the) V.A. and b) his totally disingenuous appraisal of our obese President's health. That is what the Senate committee should investigate and in public. By most accounts Dr. Jackson served three Presidents well and our country writ large. He deserves his public hearing and his service should be celebrated.
4
I do hope the committee will Vet this man!!! There has not been much oversight by congress, in so very many of the Trump appointments & we have an appalling cabinet! Congress has not done a very good job of oversight.
2
Is he the best person available to get our veterans the care they deserve?
Put aside his complete lack of qualifications for the job. If he had the guts to tell Trump that he's obese and better take care of himself I'd muster a bit of respect for the man. But instead he tries to tell us what great shape the president is in. Should we be surprised Trump is repaying that level of behavior ? You can't be obese and be healthy; Jackson has a duty to tell that to the president. Clearly he has not or else Trump would be tweeting at him and Sarah Huckabee Sanders would be telling us Trump never met him.
2
For me, any adult who uses a name like "Ronny" is disqualified to be an adult period. That is just a hang-up I have, kind of like people who have last names as first names. But then being unqualified is a prerequisite for anyone who works in the Trump Administration, so I am not sure what all the hoopla is about. Our Collective National Nightmare continues as the trainwreck of a country we have become. Sad, sad, sad.
4
sounds perfect fit for a Trump administration... all the same qualities Trump projects- not qualified to run an operation that large, others much more fitting for the job, creates a toxic work environment, questionable antics, demonstrable ego and lots of hyperbole stroking his pet project- which in this case is Trump... #SAD
2
The Administration is blowing smoke, here, a diversion, to be sure. It seems the man's professional behavior is known. There's no real chance for any appointment; but, great media potential, for sure. Trump is correct; it is "disgusting," that is Trump's behavior, of course.
1
Its interesting how the modern Republican party stands behind so many people who never take personal responsibility for anything.
2
Never, in my recollection has there been a rogues gallery of losers nominated for cabinet positions like there has been under Trump...one after another...
actually on second thought...they're perfect for this bus wreck of this administration..what truly amazes me (and I should know better) is that the Republican congress stands by these people regardless of what the facts are.
Oh yeah..its a witch hunt...sorry I forgot...pay no attention to the truth.
4
Perhaps if the Republicans had put aside their giddiness in having a white male Republican, well, in name only, as President and scrutinized his cabinet picks better we would not have expensive dining sets, expensive telephone booth and lavish spending be an unqualified individual run the the EPA-into the ground.
Yet here we go again. Another Trump crony as a department head.
2
Abusive, creates a hostile work environment, inappropriate, disregards rules and laws, incapable of performing his duties; sounds a lot like his patient. But it appears Jackson has an excuse: he's an alcoholic. His patient, on the other hand, is simply a rotten person through and through.
4
The VA and veterans need all the help they can get. This story is like a gossip rag, making claims about alcohol and drugs and then disputing them later. Let's make sure Dr Jackson is qualified and is the best person for the job for a change.
WH and cabinet etc. appointees have been criminals, criminally-inclined, the unethical, and largely incompetent, on the whole
2
What's really worth pointing out is how did he get away with such awful behavior under the three presidents. He must be doing something right or his running the biggest con ever in the white house.
Answer: He was a figurehead and the other Presidents had their own Doctors.
1
Dr. Jackson is qualified for the job.
That is, if you compare him with the other swamp creatures in the White House:
de Vos, Mnuchin, Pruitt, Pai, and the wonder boy, Kushner.
Trump's methodology is simple. Hire the least qualified person to do the job. If he/she hates it, even better. Just like himself. Least qualified, hates the job, but hey, I'm President and you're not.
What do you expect? As they say in the corporate world, A's hire As, B's hire C,s, etc. Trump is an X in this analogy.
"I hire the best people. The best people, believe me!"
1
I'm surprised to hear the aggressive dissent since the little god, Obama, endorsed him HIGHLY! I guess Obama's opinion doesn't matter any more to the left.
2
Unlike "the right" we're willing to think for ourselves and not agree with anything and everything even well-qualified and well-liked leaders do or say.
Meanwhile you guys swallow any tripe Trump hands you and call it ice cream.
Conservative, heal thyself.
They said he was a good doctor.
Nothing about running an organization with 370,000 employees.
You do seem bitter though.
If this country thinks a reality show host and pageant owner can be president, it should have no problem with a doctor managing the VA. Standards are very low now, so who cares if Dr. Jackson drank a few at work?
3
The approval of this man would be a slap in the face to every man and women who have served this country. He has not shown he is above boot licking to get this position. Irregardless of drinking and being someone no one would like to work for or have handle your healthcare , he does not have the competency ,yet he says, why not ?! I'll give it a go. Shame! Where does Trump get these appointees? Veterans deserve so much more!
2
The guy doesn't look like a drunk, but his effusive praise of Trump, and willingness to give him an extra inch in height does not speak well for his credibility.
1
The NYT needs to be careful writing about what is alleged. How about allowing the Navy working with the Inspector General to investigate? Trump is already turning us into a banana republic? Do we really want to do the same thing posing as the resistance?
3
After what Senator Tester had to say, Dr. Ronny Jackson's nomination to be the Secretary of the VA is toast.
Who is the next Secretary of the VA nominee, Dr. Harold N. Bornstein, the New York physician who wrote the note that said Trumo was in "excllent health" while Trump's limo waited at the curb?
After all, Trump only hires the "very best."
Yeah, right.
1
A new low. Before the deterioration set in, Trump abhorred drunks.
You knew this guy was full of it when he gave Trump's health report.
And now he's too vainglorious to read the writing on the wall?
God help our vets.
5
Do your research.
"Mr. Tester said that the committee had also received credible accusations that Dr. Jackson routinely distributed Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, which is not a narcotic, to White House staff and members of the news media flying on long overseas trips, as well as Provigil, a prescription drug for promoting wakefulness."
Both Ambien (zolpidem) and Provigil (modafinil) are schedule IV controlled substances.
"Narcotic" has fallen out of use in medicine as it is non-specific. Among other definitions, it refers to sleep-induced medications.
https://www.dea.gov/pr/multimedialibrary/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf#...
1
I have been hearing about this for days. I have no "dog in the hunt" as far as Ronny Jackson is concerned, but one whistleblower complaint??? Sound to me like a concerted effort to stop Trump's nominees from being appointed. Those against him will scour the earth to find something, anything, on any of Trump's nominees and destroy his life. Take for example Mike Pompeo: He received a decent number of Democrat votes when he was up for CIA Director, but this time, being up for Secretary of State, well....all of a sudden he was "not qualified."
The Democrats are looking for a scalp and poor Ronny Jackson is the loser. Donald Trump gave him an out, not because (in my opinion) he was backtracking from his support, but knowing that anyone who he nominates has an automatic target on his or her back.
When Barack Obama was president this didn't happen with the frequency it is happening now.
Really a sad state of affairs for our country and political system. Not to mention our Democracy.
This is a "scorched earth" policy by the Democrats (and the Media to some extent) and is disgusting.
2
Obama made excellent selections of very qualir-fied people. I don't see one single Trump appointee who comes close to the quality of previous administrations, including past Republican Administrations. My opposition to many of Trump's appointment is that they either are unqualified or have financial interest that are in conflict with the department they are in charge of. Scott Pruitt is a prime example. He is head of the Environmental Protection Agency, but is doing all he can to eliminate environmental protections so his friends can pollute our environment.
1
News item: "The embattled nominee tapped to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs was known as "the candy man" inside the White House, Sen. Jon Tester said Tuesday, citing reports from individuals who raised concerns about his nomination."
News item: Donald Trump called on Monday for some drug dealers to receive the death penalty in a new opioids policy rollout in New Hampshire, a state hard hit by the national crisis. “We’re wasting our time if we don’t get tough with drug dealers, and that toughness includes the death penalty,” said Trump in typically combative style.
Well, where are you in this, Mr. President? Only Rear Admirals and above can distribute drugs?
So why did none of this come out while he was serving under Obama? The Democrats are such hypocrites.
I don't have any problem with him giving Ambien to those on long overseas trips. It's great for jet lag.
2
What is allowable as the President's personal physician is not necessarily allowable as a Department Head. Dr. Ronnie has no known management experience.
The Navy Medical Inspector General issued a report in 2012.
Nothing but crisis out of this White House.
Because 1) it's amateur hour 2) no one seems to care about expertise anymore, just fealty to Dear Leader and 3) no one takes responsibility for anything. If something goes wrong, deny it to the end, call it fake news, or incorporate it into your objectively impossible "Deep State" conspiracy theory.
1
Ronny should reconsider.
I'm confused. Didn't they just indicate "adios" yesterday?
This whole issue is not because of Ronnie Jackson's small intellectual or moral slips but because of Trump's ignorance, laziness, and total lack of shame.
2
No surprise with this disgraceful administration. The best people are fired (James Comey) and the worst are defended (Scott Pruitt). Republicans have become contortionists with their cowardly and hypocritical acquiescence to the corrupt fraud in the Oval Office. Sick joke and no one is laughing.
2
"Candyman Ronny" needs to drop out and retire. Sad. Being around Donald Trump is poison.
1
Let's see- a bully, liar, cheat, alcoholic - what could go wrong?
1
Jackson has to be breathing a sigh of relief. The VA is a poisoned chalice. Only a fool would want to run the VA.
Helluva railroading by democrats considering he has the support of Obama staffers
2
Democrats disagreeing with Obama. Must be a misprint.
“Ronny’s positive impact cannot be overstated. He is a tremendous asset to the entire White House team. Already at a level of performance and responsibility that far exceeds is current rank, promote to Rear Admiral now,” said an undated performance review that was signed by Obama.
2
Unlike Republicans, we're willing to think for ourselves and not agree with anything and everything even well-qualified and well-liked leaders do or say.
Meanwhile you guys swallow any tripe Trump hands you and call it ice cream.
Anecdotally, any vets I know were rabidly in support of Mr. Trump for president and rabidly against "Killary" Clinton. Those same vets didn't seem to care about any other issue except keeping Ms. C out of the White House. I'm not a Vet so at this point I could care less who Trump appoints for the VA. Go ahead Mr. T., appoint whomever you want. And Vets, elections matter. Next time, pay closer attention to the issues instead of whom you hate. You all would have been better off with Hillary at this point.
4
He’s only human, he who has not sinned cast the first stone!!!!!!!
1
This isn’t about human flaws or sinning—it’s about being qualified to run the VA.
1
Of course they do, because, white male privilege encourages the ever more ridiculous to prove your privilege.
If he was that bad, why wasn’t he fired in the Obama administration? I guess everyone liked his pills.
2
They said he was great doctor. No one asked whether he was qualified to oversee a 370,000 organization.
The most dangerous part of this article is:
A Dr. Jackson specified how great a shape our president is in, what a hack.
Let's go for a run Don, same age.
And I'll run backwards and still beat ya.
But no fried chicken
1
Hoping to hear from all the veterans that voted for trump.....hmmm, crickets.
1
loving the new design of the comments section
1
Where's the US Navy in all this? RADM Jackson is their guy, wouldn't their ethical standards and professional code of conduct have reeled him in by now? I think it's time for the navy to be asked to make a statement.
1
What about the extreme vetting? Is that just for Muslims? No need to vet the presidential doctor.
3
Obama’s praise alone should disqualify him in Trump’s world.
3
If these allegations are true, then why didn't Obama dismiss him as his WH physician?
3
The IG report came out in 2012.
The other Navy doctor was reassigned. As time went on maybe Obama decided to just let it ride since he had better battles to fight.
Why would any physician who went to 4 years of college then 4 years of medical school then 5 years of internship and residency to be a lackey boy doctor to the white house
2
I think Donny is flushing Ronny out the building to run the VA because he, Donny, is afraid that Ronny would not be in a state of mind (please pardon the expression) to help POTUS in the event of medical emergency generated by all those cheeseburgers in bed with the tasteless Diet Coke episodes that fuel his sleepless (pass the Ambien, please) addiction to tweets against those enemies of the people (the media), those anti one party state hacks (the party of Jefferson), and the department of Justice, the FBI, the Special Prosecutor, all of whom are doing their bit of collusion to oust him from his accidental occupancy of the job that used to belong to men like Lincoln (in real life) and to Lindbergh (in the fiction of Roth)...
2
You couldn't make a movie of this administration that would sell.. It's amazing that this administration seems to be able to find the worst possible candidate for each position.. What a foul, stinking mess thjs man has made of our country, it's traditions and it's core of decency, honor and democracy. For God's sake Mueller HURRY Lets rid ourselves of this cancer growing in the white house...
3
Trump called former FBI director Comey a slimeball, liar and a leaker.
Trump called Rep. Maxine Waters a low IQ individual.
Trump called Katie Couric a third rate reporter.
Trump called Mitt Romney a loser.
Trump called David Brooks a clown.
Trump called Mika Brzezinski neurotic.
The list goes on and on.
Now, the very same man is whining about the "abuse" endured by one of his appointees?
If hypocrisy was an Olympic event, Trump would hold a world record that would stand forever.
7
So the physician praised by President Obama is somehow unqualified and unfit?
My God, Washington D. C. really is a swamp!
2
"But, but, but Mr. President, you said you loved me!"
"Oh, Ronny, love is fickle. Ask Flynn, Rexxon, Price, Manafort, Spicer, Hicks, Omarossa and the rest of my castaways. It's about ME!"
1
Any comments from Obama regarding Ronny Jackson and drinking—
Would need to be tempered by the beer brewery Obama set up in the White House and also by Obama's own problem with cigarette addiction.
1
Trump's whole show is a kiss up kick down pecking order. This Doc looks like a plug-in.
CNN headline: "VA nominee drunkenly banged on female employee's door during overseas trip, sources say"
"The incident became so noisy, one source familiar with the allegation told CNN, that the Secret Service stopped him out of concern that he would wake then-President Barack Obama."
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/24/politics/ronny-jackson-door-allegations/i...
The guy sounds perfect.
Dr. Jackson distributed Provigil or Modenafil to Trumps White House Staff to stay awake. Modenafil is the US military choice speed or "Go Pills". Before 2012, dextroamphetamine was used. Do you think Dr. Jackson distributed Tweak or Crank to the Obama White House staff to "stay awake"? back then.
Why pick on Ronny---the bar is now so low for cabinet picks, can Congress in all honesty, turn down an alcoholic office abuser? And he already comes to the job with a Trumpian nickname---the Candyman. And, finally, tops off his resume with absolutely no experience or knowledge of the job he is nominated for. No, from where I stand in the swamp, he's perfect for the job
The man who performs physicals at the White House thinks he is qualified to run the VA.
1
You are aware Dr. Jackson is a Rear Admiral, I hope.
And you are aware that Dr. Jackson had high praise from President Obama, I trust?
1
They said he was a great doctor.
They never said he was qualified to run a 375,000 person organization.
As if Trump is going to nominate someone qualified for any cabinet post. He got picked for the job by lying to the press that Dotard weighs 239 lbs. Yeah...right!
Once when he was needed by President Obama, he was so drunk he was passed out? Ummm, why is he still one the job? Are you kidding me?
1
No, Trump wouldn't put a man through this -- if he's white, and doesn't ask Trump to pay him for doing his job. Women? Forget it! And all this for saying Trump isn't obese. Obviously, Dr Jackson has an alcoholic's need for approval, and low medical standards for truth. What I wonder, is how did Obama tolerate him?
He’s no good like all Trump appointments. You know it, the NYT knows it, we all know it. Even Tage GOP who wants to scam money out of the Veteran’s Administration and route it to their interests can’t see him in their corruption. Anyway “bye Felicia”.
1
Trump’s track record on key staff and cabinet positions has hardly been cause for confidence in his judgement.
Dr. Jackson’s qualifications seem to be much more about his lofty position as Presidential Physician and personal contact with Trump, than anything to do with competently leading the massive Veterans Administration.
Even absent the current allegations, this choice was highly questionable given the VA’s spotty track record over the last decade, its huge size and scope, and the criticality of its mission to the nations veterans.
Would put your family physician in charge of the Cleveland Clinic with no management or executive experience--or even your local hospital or regional medical center or HMO?
Why, then, do some comments suggest that a physician who "served" as a physician in the White House, a service provider, be put in charge of the Veteran's Administration that oversees not only healthcare, but benefits in housing, education, disability income, and other areas--the second largest government agency in the US? The very fact that Jackson is letting his nomination go forward shows he has no self-evaluation skills, and is driven by a delusional ego that cannot evaluate his own qualifications. That inability to do self-assessment honestly demonstrates exactly why he is unqualified and unfit to manage an agency that was never in his career path or his training or experience. His appointment literally puts lives at risk and threatens to create benefit bottlenecks that will take decades to dissolve!
When his fellow members of the military report major flaws of one of their own, Trump is wrong to blame the politicians. These heroes are coming forward to protect the country; they should be listened to!
3
Even with all this familiar approval/disapproval noisy drama Dr. Ronny Jackson is going to get the Senate confirmation for the VA department head as the concerns about his personal habits and conduct as the former White House physician not only fit well with the present White House work culture but more than that go perfect with Trump's personal inclinations.
1
We have a saying in the USA: clean around your own doorstep first.
1
“I don’t want to put a man through a process like this,” Mr. Trump said. “The fact is, I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for?”
This seems to me that Trump is projecting about his own situation. It is a rare level of candor and introspection -- something I didn't think Trump even was capable of. It is an indication that the job and the stress/chaos he constantly creates is wearing on him.
4
I picked up on that too.
Trump can'.t help but blurt out his inner dialogue.
He'd love to walk out the door this afternoon without, of course, the pending felony charges.
Dr. Ronny Jackson is just the latest "unqualified"and "un-vetted" candidate nominated by an "unqualified" President. Dr. Jackson who is accused of creating a "hostile work environment" and also of drinking on the job in addition to his complete lack of management skills fits the pattern of those others that have joined the Trump swamp. Their main qualification is, as James Comey learned, "loyalty" to Donald Trump and not the "higher loyalty" to the nation. Given the recent Republican rubber-stamping of controversial nominees (despite the usual flip-flopping antics of Rand Paul), like Mike Pompeo, one can expect Dr. Jackson to muster the one vote margin to gain Senate approval. Just another dark day in Trump's America.
1
What about Bornstein, the Trump family doc that declared he would be the healthiest president in history? Aren't all dutifully deceptive docs equally qualified to run the VA?
8
Doesn't it get boring? Whatever happens in America it is always the Democrats' fault! Republicans by decree of their majority are never wrong, Trump is never wrong, the White House is never wrong and everyone Trump selects is always the best he can find, a great guy or woman, a flawless human being and the best expert available.... Until they prove and are proven not to be which happens quite frequently in his administration. And what does 'best' mean for a man who has no knowledge of government and confuses the global rule of the American and the international real estate mafia and their financial interests with a political democracy that should serve every citizen not just his selected few to whom he owes or from whom he wants favours - like a glowing medical record when everyone in the world who watches his gyrations cannot help wondering .......
3
A civil servant never gets a bad review. I remember I think I heard once they fired only 4 civil servants in the City of Los Angeles. What does that tell you?
1
As long as he will say Fat Donnie is the healthiest man on earth, not at all obese, mentally fit, that is the only requirement.
No experience? No problem
Drunk at work? Well, who isn't?
Abusive to staff? Look at the Dotard
Prescribing oxy earning the nickname "Candy Man Ronny"? Doesn't every doctor just want to make patients happy with hard drugs?
As with every single cabinet pick and judge he choses - not qualified, and personally detestable.
3
After the rocket man, now we have The Candy Man....
Alright everybody gather 'round
The Candy Man is here
What kind of candy do you want
Sweet choc'late
Choc'late malted candy
Gum drops
Anything you want
You've come to the right man
'Cause I'm the Candy Man
Who can take a sunrise (who can take a sunrise)
Sprinkle it with dew (sprinkle it with dew)
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
Oh, the Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can
'Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
Who can take a rainbow (who can take a rainbow)
Wrap it in a sigh (wrap it in a sigh)
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
The Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can
'Cause he mixes it with love
And…
2
I am most concerned that he lied about trump’s weight. He’s been compromised so to speak.
1
"We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation". If this were really true, none of Trump's appointments would have been appointed to their Cabinet positions.
In fact, Jeff Sessions lied when asked about a meeting with a Russian Diplomat and not only was he appointed Attorney General, the Senate did not remove him.
I believe that when someone is being considered for any post in any Administration that none of the Senate committee should speak about the investigation until it is complete.
And Isakson and Tester should shut their mouths until this investigation is complete.
2
The charges made about Dr. Jackson "that would involve belittling, screaming, verbally abusing the staff to the point where he would explode and the staff would feel they were on eggshells,” sound like he'd be a perfect fit in this administration.
2
That's it, he was under the influence when he went on TV and said the Don was mentally fit.
5
The good doctor lied to the American people about Trump's weight, medical condition and mental capacity. He should resign from the Navy in disgrace for that alone. Why does Trump continue to inflict pain on the American people like this. When will our long national nightmare end?
2
No doubt you have factual information about POTUS' weight, medical condition and mental capacity that differs - and that what you are saying is not just innuendo.
1
I can look at the man next to me who is 6'5" and weighs 239 and know that what Jackson said was not accurate
>>>"...possibly drank on the job."
No evidence yet, just innuendo, the favorite weapon of political culture, Washington DC in particular.
In Canada, it is a violation of federal law (the last I checked) to report an indictment in the news until a court has adjudicated a case, to avoid tainting a jury as well as damaging the case in other ways, along with not maligning someone who has been incorrectly charged. Of course, they have tabloids too, and are not squeaky clean in this regard.
Not here.... we Americans revel in tabloid blood. The media, in its quest for ratings, sales and "the scoop" is completely complicit. Perhaps the media believes that since they can't stop people from jabbering on social platforms, it might as well join the fracas. But it's dirty, plain and simple. I simply cannot believe the number of commenters here who have apparently accepted the allegation as fact, and are commenting accordingly. We get a lot of exercise jumping to conclusions. It's high time this changed.
2
Jackson has "denied any wrongdoing"...that was good enough for trump when Roy Moore was accused; and it is good enough for trump in terms of the claims by 17 women as to his misconduct toward them. What more do you need to clear Jackson? He "denies" it....need not look any farther....just "believe" him.
Jackson is a mini-trump.
2
He's an undisciplined drunk with poor judgement, a record of abusive behavior toward women, and is probably, in Trump's words, one of the finest men Trump has met given Trump's swamp of friends.
1
In 2-1/2 years democrats will get another shot at the White House and to unseat POTUS. Based on the current behavior
of the party in congress who in their right mind would want anything to do with them? Their policies are completely flawed.
it's a policy of hate and obstructionism mixed with racial prejudice through gender, sexual, economic and justice profiling.
2
Isn’t that a recipe for winning these days?
Credible allegations that a physician potentially endangers patient care by: being intoxicated on duty, prescribing medications lacking clinically relevant documentation and rationale, and finally exhibiting disruptive behaviors in the workplace, requires reporting to that physician's state board of medicine where he or she holds licensure. Was that done?
5
"Dr. Jackson's great, what a great guy, highly qualified".
"If I were him, I'd consider resigning".
"He's one of the finest people I've ever met, well-qualified for the position".
All this in the course of a day from the same person?
SAD!!
7
"He has never been drunk on duty." Is that really the best defense they have? I am an RN and a Paramedic, and I can tell you, just being sober at work isn't enough. Being hung over is just as dangerous; in my job I am required to make rapid decisions as to how to best stabilize my patient, in an environment that is often ill-suited to medical care. Everyone I know in my field not only has never been drunk on duty, most refuse to have even a sip of alcohol in the 8-10 hours prior to work.
I may not have taken the Hippocratic Oath as Dr. Jackson has, but I follow it just the same. Primum non nocere.
8
Primum non nocere. First, do no harm. If the President's physician is passed out drunk while accompanying the President on travel, that physician is potentially doing harm not only to his patient, but to the entire nation.
5
Other than the drinking his behavior sounds like a typical surgeon. Always the most “important” person in the room, this type of doctor wants you to know THEY are a doctor and your schedule, feelings and dignity are irrelevant because they are more important than you. Toxic work environment? This type of individual wouldn’t care. High staff turnovers wouldn’t phase them. They seek weak willed people to cater to them.
What I want to know is when will Trump's impeachment hearings begin? He has singlehandedly managed to damage the reputation of the United States around the world. Our government's ability to respond to crises has been deliberately hampered by both the actions and inactions of our so called president. Putin must be looking very favorably on their little puppet in the White House.
1
Enough with the Putin business already. President Obama was caught on an open mic telling then-president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev to tell incoming-president of Russia Vladimir Putin that he "must give me space".
When you read that report in the NY Times, did you feel that President Obama was the Russians' "little puppet in the White House"?
1
I wonder if Dr. Jackson gave any thought to the following.
(More then once, even before the election, I submitted variations of the following comment.)
We ALL must consider it possible that Trump suffers from early onset Alzheimer's Disease (AD) because of the following observations.
His difficulty with the truth and inability to remember his lies.
He demonstrates severe memory problems, confused/delusional/illogical thinking.
He wallows back and forth between extremes.
He will say one thing and then contradict himself soon after. At times even immediately thereafter.
We have seen his obvious memory problems, his inability to focus on the matter at hand, his tendency to wander off topic, his confusion regarding facts and figures, his desire to avoid answering questions in Q&A forums.
(Mindlessly exiting the room before signing an executive order has to mean/prove something.)
Another AD attribute can be irascible behavior and poor anger management. (I emphasize this statement yet again.)
All factors noted should be enough to remove him from office - before he does any more damage and/or creates any more severe problems for us ALL, wherever we happen to be in the political party spectrum.
There are routes to end the problem we can easily brand as Trump's Trumpism.
Let us lean on the Congress to address and to solve this problem as expeditiously as possible.
Certainly before we are, through exposure, as crazy and distracted as he repeatably reveals himself to be.
6
I am not a healthcare professional, so I cannot speak to a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease.
Even so, Donald Trump’s behavior is dangerously reckless.
Unfortunately the bromide of Congress taking action to reign him in, let alone removing him, is NOT going to happen.
For whatever reason, the Republican congress is paralyzed with fear of doing anything to exercise their duties to keep our country safe
2
Thank you, doctor. Please share your curriculum vitae with us, along with a list of your research on AD.
1
Sorry, but with a huge job like the administration of the VA at issue, a candidate having to go "through a process like this" is required. I agree Jackson seems personally unqualified and not the person for the job, but please, let's also focus more on the fact that he has does not have the skills or experience for the job at issue. Putting the personal stuff aside a bit, Jackson is very unqualified. Why don't these guys get it? It shouldn't be about whether someone is likable (or in a sycophant way exaggerates about Trump's health and fitness) but whether he/she can do the job. It is entirely apparent that almost all Trump's appointments are not qualified and that is to the detriment of our country. Shame!
6
Why are people like this so desperate to be appointed? What will they offer the country? Ugliness, pettiness, discord? People like these in leadership or managerial positions do no more than demoralize those they serve.
For a candidate promising to drain the swamp, Trump is certainly using that swamp as a landfill. Sadly with Pruitt as head of EPA, there will never be an environmental impact study to protect us from Trump and others.
3
So, the quality of administrative competence vets deserve rates lower than the threshold for embarrassment for a fake president? Why is that not a surprise?
3
Trump, who spent years questioning Mr. Obama's citizenship does not want to put a man through the "ugly" process. On the other hand, okay, I'll bite. The Admiral was unavailable when Pres. Obama required medical attention abroad... uhm, we never heard about this before. What was wrong?
1
“We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation...”
Really? How is it most of the country has managed to miss that?
5
Can you imagine a CEO of a successful corporation staffing the way Trump does, from a small circle of fawning yes-men/women? This pick, perhaps like his pick of Giuliani as a lawyer, shows the limits of Trump's leadership abilities. The presidency is not a family business.
7
The accusations of misconduct by Dr. Ronny L. Jackson may or may not be proven. However, to attempt to put this man in charge of the Veterans Affairs Department, when he is so lacking in experience for the position, is an insult perpetrated by Donald J. Trump and his administration on the veterans of America.
It appears that if Mr. Trump took a shine to his mechanic that lucky fellow could reasonably expect to be put in charge of the Department of Transportation.
5
Time is way past to get rid of Trump simply for failing in any of his duties as president. This huge waste of time, taxpayers´ money and complete incompetence just cannot be permitted to continue. No, the VA does not need a doctor who needs to have his license removed in a very responsible administrative job he has no qualifications for. This Jackson is accused of drinking on the job and abusing his staff as well as illegally dispensing drugs. Will this low never cease to get lower - please please Trump has to go.
3
This is just one more in a long line of examples typifying Donald Duck's maladministration.
3
Ryan Lizza for CNN wrote a perfect summation of Trump's hiring practices. Here's his summation of the Jackson fiasco:
"With the Jackson pick, Trump has managed to be simultaneously reckless, thoughtless and disloyal, by publicly undermining his friend at the first hint of trouble.
To borrow Bush's analogy, it's as if Trump fed someone to a pack of wolves and then asked him why he wanted to be eaten alive in the first place."
5
reports of a “toxic work environment” in the White House medical unit, which Dr. Jackson has overseen since 2013 . . . That would involve belittling, screaming, verbally abusing the staff to the point where he would explode and the staff would feel they were on eggshells . . .
several of the people the committee had spoken with still work in the medical unit and are fearful of reprisals.
. . . the Navy’s medical inspector general found low morale and “unprofessional behaviors” as Dr. Jackson and his superior, Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, battled for control of the White House medical office."
that is quoting from the article:
A conventional reading, or assessment, of such symptoms as cataloged in the quote would suggest strongly that the individual was mentally unstable.
no matter if the office environment might be called "disfunctional"
the accusations starkly describe an individual who is not well qualified to administer to or lead those on his staff.
oh, well.
next game . . .
5
The real struggle is a no brainer regarding the VA system: How long can America keep inspiring kids to join the armed forces without true backup and care. As anyone that walked the hallways of VA hospitals for thirty years knows, war wounds are physically, psychologically and economically devastating. If every perspective volunteer for the military spent a day at their VA hospital few would actually sign on the dotted line.
Otherwise, this particular MD Admiral looks like he slipped through a system with attributes unlike any other Admiral in the Navy. His fitness reports were administrative instead of observational by a real Admiral. His physician behavior was abhorrent to other doctors as he praised Trump like a buffoon saying things that were idiotic and untrue.
However, he cannot fix the VA system as can no one. The idea is unworkable and doomed to fail. So, I'd say, go ahead and run the system and have another drink, Admiral.
1
Once again, Trump shows us that he is thoughtless, cleuless and happy to toss anyone else under the bus. The GOP supports Trump. The US needs to confront this by voting out all of the GOP candidates on Nov. 6.
4
His character is not the issue. This is a new strategy by Trump to appoint people who have no real qualifications for the position that they will be assuming. What sense does this make? Trump will have less resistance from his inexperience and unknowledgeable underlings. Trump needs yes-men and this is one way he figures to get them.
1
What happened to the vaunted process instituted by Kelly to ensure that Trump received full information before making decisions? It seems that Trump picked Jackson because of Jackson's "honest hyperbole" in praising Trump's health despite evidence to the contrary. Didn't anyone in the WH think it might be useful to interview Jackson about his qualifications and any problems in his background before submitting his name to the Senate?
2
There's a lot that flies over Kelly's head - starting with the fact that Chief of Staff for this man is still just . . . staff.
If these accusations are true, not only should Mr. Jackson not get the VA job, he should also be fired from his current job. The president is not in good health, despite the doctor’s glowing report, and a stroke or heart attack, the most likely medical event to happen, will need to be dealt with speedily. I’d be curious to know if there were rumors about Mr. Jackson circulating during the Obama administration.
1
What I find so striking about the Trump presidency is the consistency with which the President seems to find ways to hollow out and weaken the U.S. from both within the bureaucracy, via questionable appointments, while also failing to fill numerous vacancies, with the VA being just one example, and the State Dept. being another.
Also of concern is the manner in which Trump continues to display an unusual degree of deference to Russia's Putin, while coupling this with his poor performance in promoting traditional U.S. values abroad.
Clearly our status around the world has lessened appreciably since Donald Trump managed to squeak out what remains in my mind a questionable presidential victory in November of 2016, given Russia's brazen interference and manipulation of our election process.
...These are strange times, indeed.
4
No one has ever accused Donald Trump of being consistent, clear or forthright about anything. That should be the biggest red flag for voters.
1
If a hearing goes forward on Ronnie's appointment, I certainly hope its broadcast live. Can you imagine the questions he would get about his effusive report on Trump's health, and his drinking habits, etc.
2
It's interesting that creating a "hostile work environment" is a concern, but his complete lack of qualifications for a management position of considerable difficulty is not.
2
From many reports the VA medical care and other benefits are often disgraceful, and the bureaucracy hinders instead of helping the many fine Americans who gave everything to help our country. I can imagine that there are those in the current administration that would like to cut veteran's benefits even further in the overall push to deny most of us any benefits of government while funneling funds to the wealthy.
The current White House cronyism will destroy our country. Now more than ever we (and the VA) need qualified leaders, and that is not happening.
Which jobs allow drinking "on the job"? I doubt even bartenders are allowed to do that.
1
“That would involve belittling, screaming, verbally abusing the staff to the point where he would explode and the staff would feel they were on eggshells,” Mr. Tester said.
As a citizen and a RN, this sounds like Trump's MO and many doctors I have worked in the past's MO.
2
Even if the current allegations prove to be true the main reason for not confirming him would be his serious lack of managerial experience as we see with others in the cabinet ie HUD. Physicians are used to working collegially, but Washington behaves adversarially, not a good fit.Let him stay as Trump's doctor, and find someone better suited to run a massive agency.
2
To be fair, to him and ourselves, we should just put aside the personal accusations for now, and just try to absorb his lack of experience as an administrator, which should be more than enough to know that he is not qualified.
154
To be fair to the country he's another one of the "best people" the leader wants in charge.
1
Trump doesn't care about qualifications, relevant experience, conflicts, or integrity in his nominees. If Trump doesn't care, neither does his GOP Congress.
3
shouldn't drinking excessively while on the 'job' and irresponsible prescribing of narcotics be a part of the evaluation process? Not to mention contributing to a hostile work environment. The VA is already pretty dysfunctional. But I agree his lack of experience should be have made his appointment a non-starter.
1
The Veterans Administration could be a smaller organization if it treated only veterans with service connected medical issues. Over the last 20 years or so it has been treating all veterans even those with jobs with health insurance who want to avoid co-pays and out of pocket costs. If it were able to bill the veteran's insurance company like any other medical practice or hospital it would go a long way towards reducing the VA cost to the taxpayers and possibly reduce the size of it.
Before anyone says anything I am a Navy veteran and I use my health insurance to pay for my considerable health costs and I pay all the out of pocket costs as well. Last year alone I paid over $5000 in out of pocket costs to treat my prostate cancer. I don't expect the taxpayers to pick up my medical costs. I served and got a paycheck for it. I have no service connected medical issues that would warrant VA care.
3
I think the annual budget for the VA is around $20 BN. That is almost enough, with privatization, to generate another Rick Scott, who is a loyal Republican for about $19 BN reasons. Any wonder why health care costs in the US are double what costs are in other equally industrialized nations?
8
This job would be a major challenge for the most accomplished Healthcare administrator in the country and Trump nominates Dr. Jackson because he's a nice guy and a medico? Incompetence, willful ignorance and corruption at all levels.
27
What's seriously bad is Trump had no clue these accusations even existed in the first place. Then he could've determined their credibility before nominating. Even worse that it's from an office within the administration. Clearly no one was assigned to vet the man. And no, a security clearance is not vetting. Proper vetting is far more exhaustive and invasive than a background check.
As was alluded to by another NYT article, Trump's desire to viciously vet immigrants and refugees but do no vetting for nominees for key positionsn shows someone who's a bigot and subject to rewarding people who flatter him and tell obvious lies about him to the public. Add this to the long list of reasons why Trump is unqualified to be president. Expect another reason why in the next few days or weeks that will make us forget this one.
43
“We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,” said Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia, the committee chairman, and Jon Tester of Montana, its top Democrat, in a joint statement.
Anyone else think this is funny, in view of the article alongside this one on the ratio of Johns to women in upper management positions?
17
And just to clarify, Isakson is a Republican. So no Donnie, the Democrats are not ganging up on you again.
Ambien (zolpidem) and Provigil (modafinil) are both controlled drugs, i.e. , they have potential for abuse. It is alleged that Dr. Jackson dispensed both drugs in an indiscriminate manner. If credible, these allegations would jeopardize his medical license in most jurisdictions. That, combined with his lack of administrative skill and experience and his absurd remarks about Trump's health. should be more than enough to disqualify him for serving as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Moreover,
19
It could be much worse than that. Most physicians have a DEA license as as "Practitioner", meaning they can prescribe controlled medications. If he has been handing over small envelopes of pills, then he is dispensing. This requires a different category of DEA license, the kind that pharmacies have. Dispensing controlled medications mandates significant record keeping.
Dispensing controlled substances without the proper license is a federal offense.
9
Remember Michael D. Brown, the under qualified director of FEMA under George W. Bush when hurricaine Katrina hit ? At least if Dr. Jackson messes up, no one will be hurt by his managerial incompetence of which he has limited experience.
1
No one gets hurt? Are you kidding? Lapses in the operations and organization at the VA have already been blamed for service men and women not receiving adequate ongoing care which was promised at the time of sign up. This is a national disgrace. These people deserve the best our country can offer.
30
Another classic how Trump treats his people, nominates them (here is a job) and when things don't go well, "is up to him." wow.
14
I drink orange juice, coffee and maybe a glass of wine on the weekends.
I get drug and alcohol tested randomly, if any anomalies pop up I loose my job.
Drinking not to much on job? I want to go work in the trump swamp.
11
Credibility, Suitability, Vetting, Experience, Ability and Longevity are just a few of the check functions and outcomes we have seen in regards in determining the best, let alone the right individual to hold the rank or position to head, control or run various critical Government departments, strategic positions and National policy and political placements
Clearly by the results and consequences we are seeing so much and in so many critical aspects of Government, policy and outcomes, all of the above and other methodologies and means to put the ideal people into such important positions is an unmitigated Failure.
Not only that, the choices made and the people chosen and those responsible for doing the choosing have demeaned themselves completely whilst the process and outcome has ensured that America's standing, reputation and ability to serve its own and others is not only tarnished, but badly damaged, whilst in some areas it is already destroyed along with the positive beliefs long held by many (whether Friend or Foe) no longer.
Finally, there is one Certainty that no one could argue against in regards to this critical and continuing issue:
None of these, this by who, how and what... has in any way made America better or greater.
And the longer this all goes on, the chances are fading on whether it will ever be those things again.
11
Typical Trump: blame the process, blame the media, even blame the politicians. But he won't blame himself for making such a terrible choice for the VA head.
26
Every day of trump world has at least one "you can't make this stuff up" moment.
23
Trump picks people who can boost his ego, and do as they are told, and he picked Dr. Jackson as a person who would not challenge him, regardless of his experience and qualifications to run the Veterans Affairs.
13
I wonder if Trump is backing Jackson so that Trump can get in an attention grabbing fight by backing an unqualified candidate. It doesn’t seem right that Trump is going after the people who will vet Jackson. It may have been best if Trump withdrew Jackson’s nomination especially for Jackson’s sake.
5
Dr. Jackson must know he is not qualified to run the VA. Why would he accept the nomination, other than to fuel an overheated ego.
21
The Republican majority in the Senate has the power to decline his nomination, just as they have had with all the other unqualified candidates for Cabinet positions Trump has foisted on us. The blame is all theirs.
16
The public slaughtering of Dr. Jackson in the press is another example of a fundamental problem in this country. Similar to the MeToo movement of accusing many fine individuals of wrongdoing without due process. Dr. Jackson will never recover professionally and will probably be dismissed from his duties. In fact, he will possibly lose his license to practice medicine. Perhaps rightly so; perhaps not. The point being that we cannot lower ourselves to lambasting our fellow Americans without the accused individual an equal opportunity to be heard in balance. This "new low" is a product of our "new normal" which is the POTUS tweeting cruel, untrue, damaging and unfair comments about his real and perceived enemies and critics.
6
Were you saying that while the Republicans were doing even worse things when Obama was president?
15
You nailed it!
I remember some reality TV star going around making absurd claims that President Obama wasn't actually born in this country, going on on and on and on about this for five years.
The documented facts that it just wasn't true didn't stop the reality TV star or a major conservative cable "news" channel from treating it as if it were fact.
So, you nailed it!
2
Except that there was a pretty damning Inspector General’s report detailing the doctor’s abuses. So, not totally unfounded and not just speculation.
Dr. Jackson is one of those in the Military who does not require a state medical license to practice.
Were he to have a state license, after these revelations he would most likely face a disciplinary for inappropriate prescribing practice in this included "controlled substances" and "under the influence" while practicing and on-call.
Another of the "elite" who plays by different rules than the "proles".
14
It seems predictable that Trump would pick an unqualified, unvetted candidate for an important position. What I find truly alarming is that Ronny Jackson has been operating in the White House in close proximity to 2 presidents without being removed from his post for cause. How did that slip by? It's easy to understand why nobody in the Trump administration removed him, but why didn't anyone in the Obama administration take action to remove him? I thought stuff like this only happened at USC.
11
dr. ronny may be an alcoholic. it seems he can't control the amount he takes once he starts and is showing up on the job drunk and is likely underreporting his use when in private. i work as a psychologist with impaired physicians (and nurses and pharmacists) in california and it is a very, very serious issue that includes not only alcoholic doctors, but docs who have problems with opioids and stimulants. while troubled for certain, they are a danger to the public and must not practice medicine until they are in a place of recovery and comfortable with the stressors of their job and their personal lives. dr. ronny may be a good physician, but he is a danger to the public if he is impaired when he is working or he drinks when he is on call, or comes to work hungover. he needs professional treatment, and professional monitoring (with a 5 year commitment) and 12 step intervention in the physicians health program in the state where he holds his license. it is imperative he surrenders his license and gets the help he needs. this is a very serious issue. https://www.centerforprofessionalrecovery.com/
19
Where did you gleam he is possibly an alcoholic, in the article. There is one *alleged* incident in the article that claims he was hung over asleep, when the Obama people needed him and instead of waking him, they indulged themselves in procuring “medical supplies” in the office. Did they use them without a doctor signing off? Aside from this tenuous mention there is NO specific instance in the article that should, cause one to go into, extreme alarmist mode, which in all due respect, it seems to me you are adopting.
As a US Army vet and practicing physician of 35 years, I have to ask why it is never mentioned that, if we had universal healthcare/Medicare for all, there would be no need for VA, TriCare, L&I, or any other politicized second class citizens struggling to obtain a basic human right?
49
I know why it's never mentioned on the MSM. Watch any news channel for an hour and count how many commercials there are for prescription medications. They pay the Bill's for those networks. Did you know only in 2 countries is it legal to advertise prescription medication? Here and New Zealand. I wonder why that is.
18
Compare his bio to other medical flag officers' and you will see he falls far short of the mark. If he hadn't been physician to the president, he would only be a captain. He is so underqualified for the role, I find it frightening he could be in this key position of VA Secretary. Being a "fine person" doesn't mean you are fit to run a mammoth organization. If the allegations are true, then his leadership was ignorant or failed in their duty to hold him to account in fitness reports among other means.
30
I find a lot of Donald's appointees very scary.
12
Ronny might make a fine country doctor. But I wouldn't ask him to oversee the third largest federal agency either. Its akin to asking a pilot of a crop duster to fly a 787 jumbo jet and its passengers safely to their destination. And I say this as a three tour combat vet of Iraq. Where our medical care is indeed unique and challenging.
27
Did you see what a crop duster did in .....Day?
Did you see what a crop duster did in Space Cowboys?
Did you see what a crop duster did in Old Lions?
Crop dusters rock
The Democrats are not to blame for this. With proper vetting by you, Mr. President, this could have been avoided. Or, you could have nominated someone qualified to perform the duties required. Dr. Jackson might be more than qualified as personal physician to the POTUS, but he doesn't have the background to run the VA. Consider nominating someone who is qualified.
19
You can't make a logical rational argument that this is the best person to run the VA. His only qualification is that Trump likes him. It's not about the vets or running the place correctly. Instead it's all about President Trump.
31
If Mr. Trump, as he so often said prior to the election and even after, knows "the best people," why have so many of them been fired? I suspect even those who left "voluntarily" were given that option, whlie those like Tillerson and Comey were not. Trump knows nobody because nobody who knows him for any length of time would never work for him. There are a few outliers who have nothing else going, like Steven Miller or Kellyanne, but anyone with options will sooner or later find the exit to the maze.
10
What do we really know about the pill-popping habits of White House aides? And I don't mean just this White House. Is it possible that the White House doctors have been acting like the trainers used to on football teams? The Jackson nomination may lead to answers.
5
Trump says that the inexperienced Dr. Jackson is "one of the finest people that I have met." I have an uncle who is one of the finest people that I have known but he is not qualified nor should he be in charge of the VA.
18
Trump seems to get by on remarkably little sleep, and we all know his famous tweets tend to come early in the morning. Perhaps there's some "chemically-mediated assistance" going on there?
17
The inconceivable initiatives emanating from Mr.Trump’s pathological narcissism and cognitive limitations should not shun our own critical reasoning.
1.Let’s consider that Trump’s nomination of a completely inexperienced Dr. Jackson to run the Veterans’ Affairs is motivated by his total lack of interest and care for Veterans.
2.The nomination was a result of Jackson’s adulation of Trump during his medical report.
3.Jackson revealed his deceptive personality and poor medical knowledge on his commentary about Trump’s aberrant diet and overweight in superlative, positives terms. Moreover he made attributions to Trump’s great genetics. No doctor can make predictions of this kind by a simple “White House” call examination.
4.Should the claims against Jackson of inappropriate alcohol abuse at work and over prescriptions of drugs be proven , he should be stripped of his medical license.
7
"One of the finest....", Trump has thoroughly demonstrated that a person of bad character is also a flawed judge of others' character. I wouldn't sully my personal or professional reputation by accepting any type of recommendation from Donald Trump. Any person who needs and/or could actually benefit from this president's verbal approval needs to be avoided, indefinitely.
9
Almost every one of Trumps' appointments, staff, etc. are as qualified to hold their positions as Trump is to hold his. There lies the problem. I'm sure he'll just move Ben Carson over from HUD because he has a history of being a Physician. I'm sure he'll do as good a job there as he has at HUD.
11
this fiasco is just the latest example of the incompetence and disarray of Trump's "shoot-fom-the-hip lstyle of leadership". If our President had any care for our veterans, he would reinstate the previous head of the VA, he forced to resign, a seasoned health administrator and the most qualified person in the country to continue the reformation of the VA.
10
Appoint Republican Governor Charlie Baker of Mass to run the VA.
He was the successful CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in New England. He turned it around when it was struggling in the late 1990s.
Baker was not a supporter of Trump in 2016. This might disqualify Baker in Trump's eyes. This is unfortunate because Baker has demonstrable success in govt and health care. Our veterans deserve to have a qualified head of VA. Charlie Baker would be a very good choice.
5
We know he doesn’t have the experience required to run such a huge organization but does he create a hostile work environment, improperly dispense drugs and drink on the job, if the answer is yes to any of these, he is unfit for the job. Period.
6
"WASHINGTON — President Trump acknowledged Tuesday that Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, his nominee to lead the Veterans Affairs Department, is in serious trouble amid accusations that as the White House doctor he oversaw a hostile work environment, improperly dispensed prescription drugs and possibly drank on the job."
I'm sorry, I am not seeing anything in here why he is not qualified to serve in Trump's administration.
9
“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”
As usual. Dan Quayle gets the last word on Donald Trump’s cabinet choices.
14
This begs the question, "What does it take to be an Admiral in the United States Navy"? Admirals are the leaders of our Navy. May God help us.
9
Prompts. A *begged* question is one you've already answered without even asking it. Example: "As a rear admiral, "Dr. Jackson is highly qualified to lead the VA." It is a staple of conservative talk radio - the faster the host talks, the easier it is to slip a begged question past a distracted listener.
Trump campaigned on extreme vetting which means there is NO vetting at all. Who needs facts and science, just go with your gut while the World watches and laughs.
8
The first thing let’s do is abandon the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and replace it with one entirely devoted to Washington D.C.
7
"...we're saying that the VA is an incredibly huge entity that you don't just hand to someone who has never served as head administrator for anything close to..."
Of course, that argument held little sway with the voters who put Trump in the White House
11
so first trump is hinting ronny should bail, and now it's those nefarious democrats using their minority status to undermine the candidate!
7
Sorry that this comment is not Timesandian standard but This made Vice-Admiral? We all know, and yes I do accept the macho military, but really, there is a point when, when one rises in rank and is required to set an example, that the nonsense stops. If true, this man is a disgrace to his uniform and rank regardless of the fact that he is not a serving line officer. Halsey, Nimitz. Rickover come to mind. And above all, our vets who have served with distinction with, at time, great personal sacrifice deserve the best our country and president can offer, not this.
3
The vetting of a candidate should be done before their nomination not afterward. Only a fool would nominate a person who was unqualified and then blame the process and people doing the confirmation that they have caused the problem.
At last those who exercise congressional oversight of the executive branch are starting to take their job seriously. Better late than never.
9
Republicans take note - the government is being run like a business - what you always wanted, and now a big division of that business may be managed by a person with a drinking problem who lacks management experience and has no problem with bending narratives to suit his boss. For the Win!
14
But Ronny looks so natty with all those buttons, medals, stripes and brightly colored ribbons. Nice hat and neat hair, too.
Central casting, they say. Strictly Hollywood material, I hear. Prime time viewing material, we all know. That's vetting enough for me to run the federal government's second largest agency!
10
Is this how extreme vetting works? How is the candy man the best people?
Asking for a friend
4
So Donald trump says this, “I don’t want to put a man through a process like this. The fact is, I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for?” How is running for president and occupying the Oval Office functionally different. The odds are a lot worse for trump than they are for Jackson. Jackson would be momentarily embarrassed by the questions. trump could end up in jail from questions raised about him.
5
There are two groups that neither President Trump nor the news media are asking about who should head the VA, the previous person who Trump let go or this nomination.These groups are Veterans and Veteran's organizations. Why is the news media not asking us what we think about all this or who we think should head the VA and why is Trump not asking for our input ? John Penley USN 1972-76
6
I have to admit, when a physician (not someone with any organisational management background) accepted the offer to be considered for the head of the VA, that was a red flag to me about Jackson's character in and of itself.
Either he was 1) totally naive; 2) weird/unstable or 3) just another white man whose mother told him he was perfect. Maybe all of the above.
But either way, his acceptance to be considered told me there were two fools in the room that day...not just DT.
18
Why would Dr. Jackson flinch from putting himself forward for a position he is totally unqualified to hold? After all, that's exactly what his boss--the so-called president--did.
8
So if Jackson withdraws his bid to head up the VA, does he still get to keep his White House doctor gig? Won't the allegations still be investigated? He bold-faced lied to the American people about Trump's physical condition so booze, pills and harassment aren't a stretch of the imagination. This can't just all go away if he withdraws.
7
Notice the first rule of Trump. If you are at fault: In this case for poor vetting. Blame someone else.
7
A few questions:
1) A physician who enthusiastically states that his patient could live to 200 if he would just lay off the fries and taco bowls? Pillar of medical science or quack?
2) A Rear Admiral who has never had administrative responsibility for an organization larger than a small medical clinic in a very White House. And who Trump nominated for a second star back in April, presumably because he was such an excellent sycophant and fun to hang out with. Is this how everyone gets a star (or two) in the Navy?
3) A guy who agrees to run a multi-billion dollar organization on a whim with zero administrative training or experience. Good judgement or sheer lunacy with strong dose of egomania?
4) A 50 year old Admiral and physician who refers to himself as "Ronny". Seriously???
Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.
14
"Any help appreciated."
Here's some help: His given name is "Ronny." That's his parents' fault. It's not "short" for anything. It's not a nickname.
You are correct, Trump never ran a big corporation either. Both are in the same category. Trump was a real estate developer who picked YES people to do his dirty work. He sat like a king in a small office surrounded by family and a few people who jumped when asked and a Secretary outside the door. He never had to answer to a Board of Directors or Shareholders. Perhaps once, The Taj Mahal that went Bankrupt. He tried to get the stock analyst fired because he was honest about the Stock. TRUMP has uses his candy store habits since he got elected President of The USA. SO FAR THE lawmakers in his party seem to be more scared of him than the loyal fixers hired and fired at will who did his dirty work all his life..
That’s telling too! Is it not?
If I had to write reports claiming Trump was healthy and fit to be President, I'd drink too.
10
Shouldn't the fact that he is eminently unqualified for the job be enough of a reason. He is a personal physician and he can defuse bombs, great, but what about experience and leadership qualities in overseeing a huge organization.
Oh! I forgot whose administration this is, the only qualification he needs is being adept at flattering the vain, self-obsessed tenant in the Oval office.
5
To nominate a crony, with no true administrative experience, to handle this huge an administrative job is to abandon vets.
Wave the flag harder Mr President so I'll know you actually care.
7
I knew something was very off with Ronny when he gave that ultra glowing report about his charge, the one where he said the charge had the genes to live to “200”, and was in great physical and neurological health. I never heard a doctor say such things. Wait, I did once before. The Vulgarian’s other doctor, during the campaign, Dr. Bornstein. The language was of the same ilk in both reports. But what did Dr. Ronnie have to do with Dr. Bornstein? Same English teacher? Or maybe the common link was the patient?
10
No privatization of the VA.
Just look at how well it works in schools and prisons.
/s/ In VA System - presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.
4
The only bad thing in Trump’s world is not doing bad things, but getting caught. The most corrupt American administration.
7
Was Mr. Jackson a fawning sycophant when he met with Mr. Trump but miserable to his own underlings? We've all seen that before.
Overprescribing? That certainly sets the right tone. How many Americans died last year from overdoses? 45,000?
Can we now ask for a new physical for the president by a credible independent professional?
"We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation." Is that a joke?
Mr. Pruitt was approved.
Moreover, the Republicans in Congress have completely abandoned their Constitutional oversight duties.
The article writes that Jackson had already undergone intense vetting, before becoming the White House doctor. One is justified in asking how intense that vetting was, or whether it happened at all.
5
I have mistrusted Dr. Jackson ever since he declared that President Trump was in "excellent" health.
7
If he didn't drink on the job during the Obama Administration, he appeared to be on something during that press briefing about Trump's health. No way he did that without a sip of something.
11
My guess is that Obama had his own doctor, bypassing the government issue.
Why not Ronnie? Trump has a HUD secretary who said he wasn't capable, he has a energy sec who wanted to close that 3rd agency. He wanted labor sec that wanted to abolish min wages.. Imagine if Putin suddenly got control of US systems what would he do? Destroy government, end democracy, break up the nation into pieces by dividing races against each other, break partnership with Europe. Is Trump doing that? What did you expect when you voted for the puppet.
10
He could live until he was 200 years old?
My Doctor tould me... stop eating, start exercising.
And have run in two marathons in the last 5 years.(only relays)
I'll getting some fried some fried chicken tomorrow so I can live to be 200.
Make America Healthy Again..Don't Exercise, Eat More Fried Chicken
4
I think Trump is doing this to try to put a spotlight on Tester, who has a tough reelection bid. I think Trump understands there are serious problems, but made a political calculation. Republicans govern solely to gain a political advantage, not to serve the national interest, or in this case to serve veterans.
4
Is there ANYTHING good inside of this Administration? If there is, I really want to know.
8
As shocking and outrageous as Ronny Jackson's nomination may seem to the general public, his behavior is typical of many high-ranking VA employees. He proved his loyalty to Trump by blatantly lying and was rewarded for it. This is "business as usual" at the VA. Unethical employees tend to move ahead quickly. The VA seems to encourage cheaters, bullies, and managers with poor interpersonal skill. The system is corrupt and broken. Veterans would be better served if they had the option to use local, non-profit hospitals.
3
Drinking on the job and this republican administration feels this man should head the VA ! Think of the enormous responsibility for this position and the millions of our service people who are depending on an experienced and qualified person. Dr Ronnie Jackson’s questionable performance regarding Trump’s health proved to me, he lied before the public ! Our service men and women deserve someone competent and has the decency to not drink on his job ... he’s a doctor, for Christ sakes !
9
Easy way out? Trumpist are not willingly to face real facts.
4
I got up this morning and heard that President Trump had nominated Harriet Miers to head the V.A. . . . or something like that.
5
Like many of Trump's appointees, Ronny Jackson is so utterly unqualified for the VA job that he doesn't merit a weighing of credentials, he simply has none. Trump insults major departments employing thousands of dedicated career professionals like State, EPA, HUD, DOE and Education by appointing clueless loyalists. US government will be greatly diminished by the end of the Trump debacle, whether it is tomorrow or 2020.
16
While there are serious questions to be asked regarding his qualifications for the job, prescribing Ambien to people who fly between the time zones should not be brought up as some major concern.
People have gotten just completely out of control blaming regular physicians for the opioid crisis (which Ambien is not, just to clarify). Next thing you know, the physicians will no longer be able to prescribe medications. The federal government feels that they should control opioid production to the point where we now have no pain medications available to give to people after open heart surgeries, or people on Hospice. Try to explain that to your patients.
Let's stick to the real issues here - qualifications, knowledge and expertise. Sadly, for nowaday politicians this no longer matters.
12
Remember in Jackson's WH press conference on Trump's health when asked if Trump taks sleep aids?? He said he gives Ambien to the staff flying on Air Force One, and that he encourages the POTUS to take it also. Ambien? Works for some yet causes others to drive or cook while sleepwalking. Not something you should casually hand out. Maybe he's looked at everyones prescription list to ensure no drug interactions and...
6
Or twitter.
1
Don't our veterans deserve better?
19
i would think this is all a bunch of hooey if not for the way he handled himself when talking about Trump's health. It was childish.
9
Sounds like Dr. J & his boss share the same management style: 'Mr. Tester said the committee had also received reports of a “toxic work environment” in the White House medical unit, which Dr. Jackson has overseen since 2013. “That would involve belittling, screaming, verbally abusing the staff to the point where he would explode and the staff would feel they were on eggshells,” Mr. Tester said. He added that several of the people the committee had spoken with still work in the medical unit and are fearful of reprisals.'
4
I hope someone is looking for and/or interviewing Captain Kaufman.
So what if he had a little drink now and then, who doesn't? I'm surprised liberals have a problem with that. Isn't their mantra" "it's your thing, do what you want to"? I don't see a problem here. Live and let live. Thank you.
1
Southern Boy,
I like to have a drink every now and again, but definitely not at work. I hope my primary care physician or yours is not drinking on the job either.
6
The report alleges that he was drunk, not that he had had a little drink. Big difference.
3
if you can't lay off the drink at work then you really have a problem.
Trump woke up and just let this nomination fly with his twitter thumbs. Yet another ridiculous action from our fool of a president.
The lapses reported officially regarding Admiral Jackson are completely credible. He was a terrible pick, and the matter is made worse by the fact that Trump didn't vet him at all.
Among the "concerns" regarding Jackson, drinking on duty is a a crime under the military. Allegations of his creation of a hostile work environment with intimidation, yelling and bullying is truly disturbing. Added to this is his utter lack of administrative experience fo an agency of this enormous size.
Do we need any further proof of Trump's utter incompetence?
18
All you veterans, that Trump plays to at his rallies—
Nominating an individual like this is how little Trump really cares about you.
19
As a combat veteran of Iraq , I didn't vote for Trump. How could I vote for someone who attacked gold star families. How can I support someone who called John McCain a coward when Trump himself dodged the draft through dubious medical deferments. Trump uses groups like veterans as stage dressing to make himself to appear more credible. Trump doesn't seek to serve the nation but serve himself and his business interests. I see him for who he is and not for what others wish him to be.
14
The initial problem was that Team Trump seems to have chosen someone quickly after having fired Shulkin with little or no vetting.
The 2012 report should have disqualified Jackson from this role, or even the fact that he doesn't have any executive management experience.
Maybe Trump was planning to use Jackson as a puppet, where one of Trump's Fox News friends would direct Jackson how to privatize the VA.
Once again, Trump attempts to deflect attention from making yet another mistake by attacking others for Jackson's issues.
5
"Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the V.A. to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve" said Hogan Gidley, a deputy White House press secretary, after using the Sarah Huckabee Sanders MadLibs quote generator.
15
As an alcoholic myself I would say that Dr. Jackson has the face and especially the eyes of an alcoholic. Sort of like an extremely fit Steve Bannon. I first became aware of this when he was giving his report on the health of Donald Trump.
16
I was married to one and I agree, he has that look with the tinge of redness in his face too. I was always surprised to NOT read this in regard to Bannon as he looks like he's had/has too much alcohol in his system.
Ronny Does Not Need Managerial experience.
It Is In His Jeans, I Mean His "Genes".
And Trump Will Live To Be 200. It Is In His "Genes".
4
If Ronny Jackson does get approved for the VA position, maybe there's a tiny bit of silver lining - - an actual physician might replace him at the White House, and we could get a true, objective assessment of Trump's health?
Nah. Not with this White House. Too much to hope for.
6
I too was also surprised by Jackson's analysis of Trump's health.
And about today's allegations of drinking on the job - although tonight 'they' are saying he drank too much on official overseas travel.
Yet...
Shulkin reported that he was hounded at work by Trump lackeys/appointees, because he was against privatization.
Jackson just the other day said he would probably oppose privatization.
Is there also something else at work here? Who stands to profit if the VA is privatized?
As the wife of a veteran, I can tell you who stands to lose: veterans.
12
How can anyone be accused of mounting an "unfair attack" on a candidate for a job who has virtually none of the required skills and experience? Who cares if he's a great guy and has a strong work ethic or if he keeps a bottle of vodka in the bottom drawer of his desk if he can't pass the hurdles of the basic requirements of the position? Why should the VA have to suffer through the learning curve of an amateur manager so that the "good doctor" can fulfill his personal ambitions? If he had any integrity he never would have said yes to the position in the first place. Surely there is a long list of more qualified professionals who could lead the agency.
11
Given Dr. Jackson's medical evaluation and diagnosis of trump, imagine what his evaluation and diagnosis of the VA will be? Perhaps his one size fits all will be to give everyone at the VA a sleeping pill - few complaints from those in REM sleep.
If he is so great a doctor, he should remain a doctor.
6
Trump thinks Jackson might be in trouble because of accusations that he, "oversaw a hostile work environment, improperly dispensed prescription drugs and possible drank on the job." Those are enormous concerns and would never be taken lightly in any other administration.
But he blamed Democrats for, "mounting an unfair attack on his nominee's record" and called Jackson, "one of the finest people that I have met"
Well, he might, in fact be, ONE OF THE FINEST PEOPLE TRUMP HAS MET, but that does not say a lot about the other people he has met, or maybe, just the people he has hired. Perhaps Jackson was, indeed, a fine man, but as soon as he declared trump, "in perfect health", many medical professionals took notice.
Now, it seems that Jackson fits the mold of many trump appointees; not fit for the job.
5
I have a friend at my local VA Medical Center. He was told by management the CHOICE program the GOP started is failing . The doctors are leaving the program in big numbers as they are not getting paid fast enough. Plus it the first step to privatize our great VA medical . Now Trump keeps picking greedy rich who are abusing VA funds meant for us disabled vets. I expect next bad news we hear is Trump will be privatizing our great VA and I hope we are all ready for a good fight to save it.
6
It's interesting that the only complimentary comments about Jackson seem to come from co-equal or superior officials, which indicates nothing--or nothing flattering--about the man. The important voices are those who worked under him--assuming they're not too intimated to speak.
6
Who's been on the receiving end of over prescribed medications?
4
If he really 'distributed' Ambien (a controlled substance) to personnel with whom he had NO physician-patient relationship, he had broken the law and should have his medical license revoked.
6
My husband was given Ambien, he worked nights. He got up early one day, drove to our banks' drive thru. He was waiting to be helped and heard a loud roaring noise. He thought he had his foot on the brake pedal, but instead he had gas pedal down to the floor . That was the last time he took Ambien. Who gives this out willy-nilly?
2
It may have been usual procedure to hand out prescription drugs but it never should have been. Giving out or even prescribing drugs to persons whom you do not keep a medical record or you have not evaluated is grounds for losing one’s license to practice. And Dr. Jackson has to know that. If he ever gave out drugs without accounting for them in a medical record, he has no business being anyone’s doctor, much less the President’s or our veterans’. I am an MD and I know that much. That was certainly impressed on me when I was treating military families at AF bases and veterans at Veterans facilities.
4
Furthermore, both Ambien and Provigil, while not narcotics, are controlled substances with some abuse potential.
All Dr. Jackson had to do was ask himself, would I hire someone with my qualifications for the job? By accepting the nomination, Dr. Jackson demonstrated that he does not have the good judgment or the executive mindset to head up the VA.
5
Drunk doc would be a tough sell on the Senate floor. It's universally frowned upon to be doing your drinking during office hours especially when your office is the WH. Looks like Dr. Ron(Rico) Jack(Daniels)son will now be seeking employment opportunities elsewhere in the near future
3
Poor Dr. Jackson. Right about now he's probably thinking to himself that instead of drinking booze, he could have had a V.A.
13
A cautionary tale. Anyone associating with The Donald ends up dirty, humiliated and their reputation bruised.
12
What separates Jackson from the "drunk/drugged up loser" Trump tweeted about the other day?
It's the flattery.
19
The first criteria for a member of the mob is a willingness to lie on command. That seems to be an important criteria for the Trump administration as well. It still surprises me that so many are so willing to meet that criteria so publicly.
14
In other news, President Trump has chosen to nominate President Macron's doctor.
4
20 members of the military reported about Jackson’s poor and unprofessional behaviors. Republicans and Democrats in Congress alike are concerned. Trump is just trying to shift blame for his very poor recommendation. Shame on Trump.
16
How come he was just fine when he worked for Obama?
It would be very interesting to see a true full medical and psychiatric examination of the creature known as Trump—say by the Mayo Clinic.
I can guarantee you that the results would be startling in comparison to what we heard from Ronny Jackson.
[Also of note, the Navy has had a long history of drinking problems in its medical personnel.]
A physician MD
15
“He always seemed to be to be alert, responsive, responsible,” said David Axelrod, who served as Mr. Obama’s senior adviser.
Modafinil, nicknamed “Moda” is the new Adderall--another stimulant abused and overused by Silicon Valley techs to Wall St financial advisors specifically BECAUSE it increases wakefulness and acts as a stimulant.
Ever seen someone on speed or meth? Yeah they’re “alert, responsive, and SEEM responsible.”
He’s been handing out controlled drugs like candy. For a 4 star Marine General like John Kelly to say that it’s “standard operating procedure” to use these drugs, I would DEFINITELY see what Navy docs are prescribing to ALL Marines and sailors!
It would be easy but HIGHLY irresponsible to put our troops in harm’s way jacked up on drugs and needing Ambien to sleep.
I know that medics and corpsmen are carrying Ambien and handing out ten pill packs...but the Moda could cause our troops to make irresponsible decisions.
I’ve been a trauma surgeon since Vietnam. I have NEVER had alcohol--ever. And I don’t do any mind-altering drugs--narcotics, stimulants, or sleeping pills. Even “off duty” I have come upon emergency situations. As an MD I have a duty to act and I want to be able to make crystal clear decisions when dealing with the lives of my patients.
Is there ANY reader who wants their emergency MD on drugs or alcohol when YOUR life is on the line?
Didn’t think so...same with our president.
39
Being under the influence would explain misreading 340 pounds for 240 pounds...
32
who drinks at work? really. that's a serious question
17
Strippers.....and White House Physicians.
18
Reminds me of a line from George Carlin. “Think about it. Somewhere in the world is the world’s worst doctor.”
We miss you George. And we found the doctor you talked about.
25
One more career Trump has damaged, although drinking on duty ought to take a few stripes away anyway.
17
Wow
Not only will he not get the VA post.....he'll probably lose the job he does have.
18
When only the best will do
18
Simple hearing: Sir did you have a drink while on the job?
13
But with Mr. Trump, flattery will get you everywhere.
12
Yep. "I'll choose only the best people for my administration."
13
If I was Trump's doctor or any other person that has to work with Trump, I'd wanna be drunk too.
28
Might this be the man who gets the call if the President has "the big one"?
5
Another week start where we see Donald Trump and the most incompetent, and divisive president it America's History. Loyalty seems to trump decency and worse competency in all Trump Appointments. He drags of Americas Politics out of the woodwork.
10
who drinks at work, at all? really. that's a serious question
15
We did not vet Trump, elected him, and now we expect him to vet his hires? Nice!
13
Trump is obsessed with trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
5
I'd be drinking too if I had to tell all those "whites lies" about trumps health, I mean just look at him, he's obese he has a terrible diet, his skin has an unhealthily pallor and just compare pre election photos of trump to the latest pictures, just a casual observer can see the difference, which begs the question: how good a doctor are you Dr Ronny?
17
Kelly says sleep medication and wakefulness aids. I'd call those downers and uppers. Potato Potaato.
32
trump and company failed once again to do reasonable background checks on someone, then nominate him, then toss the problem into the nominee's lap. Then again, I guess the WH personnel office staff just party and play because they know trump only nominates/hires 'the best' so there is no need for them to sweat the details.
Worst bunch ever.
14
Trump hates vetting especially when it involves him. The RNC never vetted Trumpzilla and li'l d refused to allow his campaign to vet him in order to appease the party and voters. This tracks perfectly with him refusing to release his shady tax returns.
Now, about Mr. Ronny Jackson. Really?!
Jackson is accused of drinking on the job for the POTUS, overprescribing drugs during America's largest opioid crisis and creating a hostile work environment. Well, that last allegation if it alludes to sexual harassment, puts Jackson in perfect company with the rest of Trump's Cabinet of comic book villains.
12
Face it, we'd all drink if we worked for Trump.
14
America to trump, please vet your appointments carefully
4
Our unstable genius fake president does it again. He sure can pick them! And where are your tax returns fake president?
18
Well, this explains how Carnage grew an inch
4
Is there no vetting at all in this WH?
5
Two months ago Donald Trump suggested that John Dunkin, his private airplane pilot, should be head of the FAA. Maybe the next thing we’ll hear from El Presidente is that Dunkin’s appointment would have prevented the death on the Southwest airline flight last week.
10
Next up, secretary of defense Wade Philips, treasury secretary Scrooge McDuck, and surgeon general Dr. Pepper.
7
What a circus this admin has turned out to be . They nominate a guy based almost solely on the glowing but challenged descrption he gave of the trumpster's health and then when things go a littler left the guy who niminated him offers him a parachute out of the job he gave him three weeks ago.
5
Thank God for vetting. Oh, wait.
6
It’s not that he "drank too much" at work. It’s that he DRANK AT WORK!
19
Another Trump sycophant who got his 15 minutes of fame. Be careful with people of part their hair on the left side. Too many of these of these "pubs from the swamp" part their hair on the left. Some weird person from WW11 parted his hair on the left also. That my nutty comment of the day.
6
My father was a veteran of World War 11 and he says things were much better during World War 9, when we fought the Banazoid Monsters. But then he didn't part his hair at all! "Raise high the roof beam," he'd say, "and let the policeman's tears make our soup." Those were the days.
1
“. . . one of the finest people that I have met . . .”
Of course, Trump. After all, you wouldn't want your prostate to be fingered by anything less. And, of course, he gave you a glowing assessment on your physical exam. Can this idiot ever discuss anything in anything other than a superlative? Is he capable of a measured response to anything? I'm tempted to trot out "I have the best people," but the good doctor was likely involved in these shenanigans under 44 and 43.
6
Who pays for the liquor supplied for staff day-drinking in the White House?
17
I suspect we the taxpayers.
1
All we need to hear now is that he is a wife beater, then we would know that he would be a perfect fit.
16
Of course Trump loves him. The man claimed Trump gains an inch of height and lost a lot of weight, taking him out of the clinical diagnosis of obesity. With a law degree he’d be on the short list (pardon the pun) for the next vacancy on the Supreme Court. Obeisance, after all, is the only required virtue in this parody of an Administration.
19
Inexperience or even incompetence has never held back any other Trump nominee from confirmation. There must be something really awful that hasn't been mentioned, but it would have to be hair raising for his hearing to have been postponed indefinitely.
13
I always ensure my drinking in the job is not too much lest I lose my entrusted position as school bus driver.
33
I'm a neurosurgeon, and concur.
7
Put simply, the man is unprofessional and unreliable. The WH should insist on a thorough vetting process before anyone is put forward. This nomination was an insult to the medical profession, to the VA and to Congress. Do your job, Mr. Trump. This never should have been brought forward.
6
The lack of basic courage all around in this situation is appalling. Dr. Jackson, for not having the courage to decline the opportunity when offered by President Trump, the Senate for not having the courage to say that Dr. Jackson is fundamentally unqualified for the position he was nominated to (and he is one of many), and most of all President Trump for essentially goading Dr. Jackson into accepting the nomination, then leaving him twisting in the wind rather than accept any responsibility for nominating so patently unqualified.
12
Very interesting, Trump and cronies not willing to face the facts. When confronted with reality they denied and make sure they scream the loudest.
6
It's amazing that so many are so willing to hook their wagon to the Trump train, only to be dragged through the mud when things don't work out. The idea that they think it won't happen to them is amazing, considering the daily lessons given by Trump about loyalty.
Dr. Jackson, had he any sense, would have graciously declined the nomination, and his skeletons about drinking, inappropriate office environments etc., would all by swept under the rug.
I guess it is all too tempting - and each one of them goes down in flames, brunt by the sun.
8
Drinking on the job is a cause for dismissal in any employment situation with the possible exception of a sommelier. Jackson should suffer the same treatment as Andrew McCabe, which is to be fired for cause and denied his government pension.
7
Although we'ed have hoped he could have risen to the occasion, it’s clear Trump is unable to demonstrate even the most basic level of judgment necessary to lead our nation. He is unsound, uninformed, and unhinged. Everything is transactional. His choice to lead the government’s second-largest agency is someone whose experience consists of running a clinic for the last 12 years, has a history of fostering a hostile workplace, has been accused drinking on the job, and is charged with over prescribing meds. It is an understatement to say he was not properly vetted. From the podium today tRUMP admitted he was nominated for a job he is not qualified to do, and then states if it was him he wouldn’t go through with the nomination process. Oh yea didn’t tRUMP say he picks the best people.
On a related note, tRUMP is getting ready to nominate his limousine driver to be head of the Department of Transportation because he great at parallel parking.
6
Limo drivers in NYC don't have a clue how to parallel park.
3
This guy has lived in DC and worked at the highest levels of government for years and, presumably, watched many confirmation processes unfold over that time. He did whatever he did at his job—drinking, etc.—without ever having to be concerned it would affect a promotion because he likely thought he’d just continue as WH doctor until retirement. But after Trump chose him, he didn’t realize that his every movement and utterance would be examined as part of the process of being confirmed? Or he knew and just thought it wouldn’t apply to him? Either way it doesn’t say much for his intelligence that he accepted the nomination and entered the process.
14
When will the GOP learn that the Presidency is not Trump's family business? His picks represent 300 million people and have to be carefully vetted. This is serious business, not a reality show where the host can do what he wants.
11
In other words, Ronny Jackson - a man who was clearly not vetted, and whose only evident qualification to serve as VA Secretary is a proven willingness to lie on Trump's behalf - is dropping out, which Trump will describe as another "win" that he (and only he) "correctly predicted." Trump will also claim that he had nominated Jackson to show that the Democrats, the media, the deep state, and (probably, somehow) Rosie O'Donnell - i.e. "the swamp" - won't let him hire "the best people" to drain said swamp. That positioning will be automatically accepted by 35% of the electorate - the rest either won't notice or won't care - because, hey, it's small potatoes compared to everything else Trump does. To use a different metaphor, this episode turns the water temperature up another hundredth of a degree or so, causing exactly zero frogs to jump out of the pot and moving them just a tiny bit closer to the moment that they all boil to death.
3
Who wouldn't drink if they worked for Trump! However, it's just the latest example of the careful, thorough "vetting" done by Donald Trump. He may have given the President a "clean bill of health," but he seems to lack one.
4
I would think that report saying Trump was mentally and physically healthy would disqualify Jackson. What happened to saying an oath not to harm? I mean look how Trump is harming not just this country but the world.
14
Given the rogues gallery of people Trump associates with his claim that Dr Jackson is “one of the finest people that I have met” may actually be the most truthful thing Trump has ever said.
3
Wow. Who knew that a nominee for such an important and critically necessary cabinet position would be subject to an intense vetting process? Kind of like who knew healthcare could be so complicated!
This so-called presidential replica just continues to show his ignorance each and every moment his lips are moving....
10
Yes, and I'm sure that now it'll just be completely unreasonable to not confirm Pompeo as secretary of state, right? I mean, you should get your way *sometimes*, right, if you're president?
So let's not even ask the next secretary of state about his overtly racist public statements in the past, or how he feels these days about, say, the general subject of torture etc...
These guys are not as bad at playing chess as you might think, it seems. And they just sacrificed a pawn.
5
If Trump doesn’t like people criticizing his nominees he should have them vetted BEFORE announcing them. Ronny Jackson was chosen based on the two criteria most important to our president-looks and flattery. That is fine, the president can nominate whoever he wants but if he doesn’t do his due diligence he can’t blame bad revelations on partisanship and the fake news media, he can only blame it on himself.
4
An article where we think a lot of things one of them is that sometimes we as people or some people tell ourselves how a person has a perspective or that they need other things, the last ones that we do not realize is why we do not We adapt to firigir things and we only see them for their beauty, but the skills they need is for intelligence, they are the most essential and they help us to choose
1
Don’t lose sight of the underlying message, he thinks congress should not question his nominees and they should just vote to approve them. That’s the danger.
11
It will take more than a doctor to fix all the problems that have vested in the VA for many years. The VA needs a strong administrator with years of proven professional and business experience. Given the poor choice of Trump's cabinet and others I do not see what should happen to better the VA from actually happening.
3
The VA is hurting - badly.
The 1st time I visited a VA facility was 40 years after I left the service.
I found a VA obsessed with trying to manage the best possible care.
Every specialist had a PhD.
Everywhere I went, I heard, "Thank you for your service."
But something is wrong.
The VA has led the cutting edge of medical science in many areas: plastic surgery, prosthetics, and now brain science.
But its primary responsibility is to bind up the nation's wounds and make whole those who gave the flower of their youth when they returned home with the stench of decay.
Suicide rates are high.
Even the brother of our state's AG committed suicide.
I spoke briefly with a woman who heads an independent (unpaid) Vet aid association who described the 1,000s of pleas for help from vet families, frustrated by the VA, as she prepared to give testimony in DC.
If she wasn't burned out, I don't know why. She has "grit".
I've talked to WW2 warrior vets and saw a great resilience among them as they mingled as a reunited band of brothers. The unit cohesion that served them in training and in combat also served them in healing. They found the best of counseling in the friendships they formed in the forge of battle.
Their "Brothers" knew their fears & doubts and saw them persevere despite it all. Brothers who wouldn't desert each other in battle knew they'd never be abandoned in later battles when nightmares were mixed with memories from the prime of their life and gave them The Courage to Be.
2
Based on who else Trump has described as "fine people," I think saying that Jackson is one of the finest people he's ever met is not much of a recommendation either for the doctor or for Trump.
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He could be the nicest guy in the world and a doctor with great bedside manners, but his lack of experience in being a medical administrator or spending even a year in the VA system makes him on par with the other green cabinet members who are bumbling through their departments. Hiring the best and the brightest has not been what Trump has done. He has instead hired the most loyal and familiar (never the right way to run a government). There has never been a government that was stronger due to nepotism than hiring objectively the best and brightest.
6
It's obvious Trump has no vetting process in choosing appropriate candidates. Neither do millions of Americans in choosing a president.
6
An article where we think a lot of things one of them is that sometimes we as people or some people tell ourselves how a person has a perspective or that they need other things, the last ones that we do not realize is why we do not We adapt to firigir things and we only see them for their beauty, but the skills they need is for intelligence, they are the most essential and they help us to choose
OK, Ronny, here's the drill. You do two things.
1. Issue the following statement:
"The brave men and women who the VA serves deserve strong leadership as soon as possible. Allegations against me have been publicized, but I will not justify these lies by making any comment. In order to get the VA to where it needs to be, I am withdrawing my nomination rather than engaging in a protracted fight that does not serve the VA constituents."
Take no questions.
2. In a little bit of time, issue the following statement:
"Unsubstantiated doubts about my fitness to lead the White House medical staff. This is unfair to me and to the staff people. To clear the air and set the staff on a new and clear path, I will immediately relinquish my position in the White House and return to my first love--caring for the Navy sick and injured as I have done before."
Take no questions.
5
Why not simplify and focus the VA's mission to make it the best in the world medical organization for military service related injuries (PTSD, limb loss/prosthetics, etc.) while allowing veterans to access the best of private sector medical care for everyday non-service related health issues (heart disease, gynecological services, appendicitis, etc.)? It seems to me that would go a long way towards addressing many of the VA's problems.
People, people, calm down, it isn’t like he’s raping children — which is specifically the bar Donald Trump sets for all his nominees.
When can we cancel this reality show? It’s gotten real bad.
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First things first: Does Ronny Jackson even have a legit medical degree? Or did Trump buy him a certificate from Moe, Larry & Curly's Doctor School? Let's start with that.
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At least Ronny, I think, knows the purpose of the VA, as opposed to Rick Perry, head of the Department of Energy. Or did everyone forget his comments during the 2016 debates? #whatamIdoinghere?
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President Blind considers the latest fine mess he's got us into (homage to wonderful Laurel & Hardy) the fault of abusive politicians. I confess that I lack compassion for Trump's ignorance and/or disrespect for OUR United States Congress and its responsibility on our behalf to advise and consent regarding presidential appointments. President Oaf, the would-be but never-will-be President King, must go -- and soon, before he does our nation more damage.
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Poor Dr. Jackson. Right now he's probably thinking, "Wow, instead of booze I could have had the VA! "
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Trump: "What does he need it for? To be abused by a number of politicians?"
What a clueless, clueless man this president is.
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Oh, I think he knows exactly what he’s doing when he blames Democrats for everything.
Not so long ago, he would have convinced his base he needed to sacrifice a virgin Democrat to the gods every time there was a volcanic eruption. It convinces the peasants he has power over everything and his actions can always be interpreted as correct. It elevates him to near-god status.
1
Trash Talk Trump nominates what he calls a perfect individual to Veterans' Affairs then denigrates him as not experienced. The good doctor nominee is WH doctor who extolled Mr. Trump's physical attributes in glowing terms, hair-do and all, and perhaps not mentioned or even extolled Mr. Trump's self and oft proclaimed groping and related attributes.
1
Dr. Jackson gave him a 10 question IQ test & declared him sane & brilliant, as well as good looking. That was all the vetting he needed. Trump still hiring the best & brightest.
3
If Dr. Jackson is “one of the finest people [Trump has ] ever met,” maybe Trump needs to meet different people.
10
Maybe he is a fine person, but being a fine person does not make you qualified for a job you have no experience for. That is the dangerous disconnect in trump-world.
2
Only the best people
Draining the swamp
You'll be tired of winning
Yadda
Yadda
Yadda
8
Contrary to Trump's puffed up claims, he always chooses the worst people. Not surprising, since he outdoes them all.
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Well, there's always Dr. Harold N. Bornstein (remember him?). I think that he did a favor that needs to be repaid.
4
"He’s served as the physician to three presidents — Republican and Democrat — and been praised by them all,” said Hogan Gidley, a deputy White House press secretary." Hey, I like my doctor too, but I wouldn't put him in charge of a 370,000-employee department responsible for every U.S. veteran's healthcare.
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you would drink, too, if you had to give trump a physical.
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I had the exact same thought.
It answers the question about Dr Ronnie reporting Trump’s weight at 239 lbs. A couple of noon martinis and you get the numbers out of whack.
Trump vetting : “hey doc....wanna run the V.A.?”
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Sometimes people who realize that they have a perspective that other things are needed the last ones that are not adequate to direct things are like beauty, good times, etc., but the skills that are needed for intelligence the most essential thing in what helps us to choose the good decisions to obtain good results
2
Isn’t this article a little irresponsible? What are these “allegations”? Any fact check?
3
I am no fan of tRump and Dr. Jackson might not be a good choice to run the VA but you are right. This article is pretty thin on substantive allegations, let alone facts.
It's coming. It's "an evolving news story".
Well, those allegations were credible enough that both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate thought it was best to postpone his confirmation until they could look into the allegations. So... no, it wasn't an irresponsible article!
1
Trump is no longer dealing with just a part of the "swamp", he has found the bottom and he's now in muck. When you bring up the bottom of a swamp it really has a foul smell. Birds of a Trump all feather together. Vote the "pubs" out in November.
3
Well whatever he has or hasn't done, one thing I'd bet he did is lie at least once. He said a man who lives in the White House and lives on junk food weighed in at 239 pounds when I'd bet a Big Mac that the man really weighs over 280 lbs.
"Duh, what's up Doc?".
15
Tim Conway and his McHale’s Navy unit is available.
5
You sure can pick them, Trump: Jackson for theVA, your pilot for the FAA, a brain surgeon for the FHA, the grifter,Scott Pruit for the EPA. How about Hannitty as ring master for your White House circus?
12
Pathetic, 3-ring clown show continues. Memo to the leader, any leader, of any other nation: Please call-out this fool of a president for the fool that he is. Man-up, or lady-up, if you will. Show some guts. Put this coward where he belongs, down. More than 150 million Americans know he’s a fraud. Speak truth to stupid.
5
It’s not up to other nations, it’s up to us. “We” elected this nincompoop. “We” need to call him out and then evict him from the White House
I love the way Trump says that it's Jackson's decision despite the fact that the President is walking back some of this support, meaning Jackson is less likely to be approved. But it's totally his decision. The fact of the matter was that if he had not been so ridiculously effusive about Trump's mental and physical health publicly he never would haven been nominated in the first place. These people could truly screw up a one car funeral procession
7
This is the big leagues. It’s not enough to be a nice guy, you actually need to have the skills and experience to run one of the biggest organizations in the world. Trump- GROW UP !! !
12
Fox News reports an exclusive:
Sarah Huckabee Sanders reports vetting process was in fact hugely vigorous. She reports Ronny and Donnie hung out all day at work doing tequila shots & reminiscing about grabbing genitals. Both concluded this was not hostile, after all they are only women. By the end of the work day Donny determined Ronny would be the best person to care for our war heroes. Both thought overprescribing medication to vets might just be the best treatment ever for multi-deployment PTSD. Who says President Bone Spurs has poor vetting skills. Only the best people. He ran it by legal also: Scooter says the top one percent are exempt from the drinking at work rule, therefore not an issue for the top doc. Ronny had to agree not to fly first class to Europe with his wife.
32
Do I smell quid pro quo? Great health report in exchange for a job?
23
Drinking too much? Now we know why he publicly praised Trump's health.
19
Normally would write something like: Only this president would put a personal spin to the opposition's objections to his wholly unfit, unqualified, out of their depth nominees...
But here, it looks like Trump wants Jackson to fold without having to go through the public firing routine for some reason...but still believe alcohol was the fatal 'oopsie' on Jackson's part.
7
... and another one bites the dust, confirming connections trump competence. Perhaps someone should vet the vetter.
7
Considering the net cast to haul in this whale of a tale is woven of innuendo, unsubstantiated allegations, silly aisle-rack presumptions and downright shoddy workmanship, we have to believe this must be fishful thinking from the ever-slippery eelmongers of our left bank.
1
Apparently lying to the American people is a feature, not a bug.
7