ONE IDIOT STOOD UP TO BE COUNTED
By Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration

Some of you may recall that I pleaded with all idiots to please stand up to be counted. One did. On Thursday, June 24, 2010, one claimed his birthright when he queried, “Where is the White House?” “Where are the Senators and Congressmen?”
“Not a one of them is here!”

I’m going to attempt to paraphrase his ‘enlightened speech.’ “Last night I could not sleep thinking about this event, thinking about this building. Here we are in the Nations’ Capital and not one senator is here and only two congressmen are here. There is no one from the White House here, no cabinet members. Where are they? Where are they?”

It is with great pleasure that I tell you where the White House was, if you were referring specifically to President Barack Obama. President Obama was meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia attempting to mend some fences to eliminate the necessity for answering the red phone in the middle of the night. Thus, he was tending to the business of the
Nation. Bridging the divide, President Obama heartily endorsed the position that Russia be admitted into the WTO, the World Trade Organization, something that Russia has wanted for a long time.

Additionally, I’d like to inform you that because the Nation’s Capital has not moved to Bethesda, MD, you were not in the Nation’s Capital, my dear sir.

I listened to your remarks with mixed feelings, pleased that you answered roll call; but displeased that your cacophonous complaints spoiled the dignity that the ceremony deserved. The dedication of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD was a cause for elation and celebration. The $65,000,000.00 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art center dedicated to the diagnosis and clinical care of service members suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress syndrome (PTS) was built and paid for with private donations given to the military. Lacking both in class and candor, you misspoke because like most idiots, you were devoid of facts. Of course, absence of facts has never stopped the babbling of idiots.

I have to ask you were you equally concerned when Walter Reed Hospital and other veterans’ hospitals were neglected and were operating in disrepair? After an expose in the Washington Post in 2007, it came to light that a name familiar with troublesome ventures was named. The contract for maintenance was awarded to former executives with Kellog, Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Haliburton. Coincidentally, Haliburton’s name came up with some problems with overbilling and other problems with their contract in Iraq. Now with the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, again the name Haliburton comes up. I’m beginning to wonder if there is a pattern developing. I am positive that you must have vented your fury about these disastrous events.

I am certain that you must be cognizant of the fact that to their credit both the President and Mrs. Obama have advocated for veterans and their families in order to make conditions better for them. President Obama tried to get a more substantial raise in the pay for service people; but, typically the opposition party blocked the effort. Have you ever taken the time to applaud them for that?

Now, let me tell you something about the absence of Secretary Gates who was scheduled to be there. All of us who were awake were aware of the fact that we had a general with motor mouth syndrome who had to be relieved of duty in Afghanistan. It was important that the Secretary be involved in the transition to make certain that a change in leadership would not create a lack of continuity in our efforts to carry out the mission in Afghanistan.
There is as pointy hat awaiting you. You have earned it. I have made several because daily the idiots are opening their mouths to prove to us that they have earned their stripes and their pointy hats. I’m so glad you answered roll call. You have a lot of company so don’t worry, don’t lose any sleep because you won’t be lonely or look odd for many will be wearing a pointy hat just like yours.

I’m sorry about the fact that your hat is not personalized but I could not find your name. Wear it as it is. As soon as I learn your name, I will personalize it for you.