89 Cent Refill Costs $525 at VA Hospital? Epic Rant Follows.

[Strykervet]

89-Cent Refill Turns Into $525 Fine After Man Gets Seconds on Soda

A construction worker didn't know the refills at the VA hospital weren't free, cop nabbed him and wouldn't let him pay, kicked him off the job site, issued a citation worth $525. Which he can't pay now because the place that issued him the ticket is also the place that fired him.

Fucking bullshit goddamn VA, why is it every fucking time I hear or see those two letters together my BP goes up and I just get pissed.

TO THE VA IN GENERAL:

I'LL PAY THE GODDAMN 89 CENTS FOR THE MAN, AND IF YOU REALLY NEED THE FUCKING $525 THAT BAD, NOT THAT IT'LL GO TOWARDS BETTERING MY HEALTHCARE OR GETTING BETTER FOOD IN THAT SHITHOLE, I'LL CONTRIBUTE TO THAT AS WELL. SEEING HOW IT COMES OUT OF THE SAME GODDAMN CHECK YOU ISSUE IT SHOULD BE RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY. WORRY MORE ABOUT THE GODDAMN VETS, HUH? HOW ABOUT NOT TREATING SPINAL PATIENTS LIKE FUCKING VEGETABLES, PUTTING THEM OUT IN THE SUN ONCE A DAY?

TO THE PIG PERSONALLY:

FUCK YOU, FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO, WE DON'T NEED YOU AROUND THERE. ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL, THE SAYING GOES, BUT NONE GAVE A SHIT FOR WHAT YOU DID. AT LEAST THE COPS AT AMERICAN LAKE VA ARE USEFUL, AND SOME ARE PRETTY NICE AND HELPFUL, GOOD GUYS. BUT I CAN SMELL DICK FROM WAY OUT HERE; FUNNY HOW DICK AND PORK SMELL ALIKE, HUH? FIGURES. BUT YOU NEVER SEEM TO SMELL YOUR OWN DO YOU?

TO MICROSOFT AND DANIEL WEBSTER:

UNFUCK AND SHITHOLE ARE WORDS.

Rant over. Carry on. I feel a bit better now, but will be making a few phone calls tomorrow morning.

 

[roggom]

Wonder if the worker walked past the cashier and sat down. Most places that charge for refills state clearly in writing, that refills are not free.

On the other side, if the worker was charged with "theft of Government property", then anyone who pushes the nozzle and lets pop run into the drain is guilty of "destruction of government property" as is any cafeteria worker who drops food on the ground, burns food, or anyone who sips their pop before its paid for. Mr Gubmint Po-Po take a Gov issued pen home, Theft... write personal information on a yellow sticky pad, misuse of Govt resources. ON and On and ON

I am sure if the Inspector General did some peeking, he or she would find something going on at that facility, All Govt facilities have something going on.

If the worker was innocent as he says, i would get a lawyer and fight it.

 

[Maggot]

89-Cent Refill Turns Into $525 Fine After Man Gets Seconds on Soda

A construction worker didn't know the refills at the VA hospital weren't free, cop nabbed him and wouldn't let him pay, kicked him off the job site, issued a citation worth $525. Which he can't pay now because the place that issued him the ticket is also the place that fired him.

Fucking bullshit goddamn VA, why is it every fucking time I hear or see those two letters together my BP goes up and I just get pissed.

TO THE VA IN GENERAL:

I'LL PAY THE GODDAMN 89 CENTS FOR THE MAN, AND IF YOU REALLY NEED THE FUCKING $525 THAT BAD, NOT THAT IT'LL GO TOWARDS BETTERING MY HEALTHCARE OR GETTING BETTER FOOD IN THAT SHITHOLE, I'LL CONTRIBUTE TO THAT AS WELL. SEEING HOW IT COMES OUT OF THE SAME GODDAMN CHECK YOU ISSUE IT SHOULD BE RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY. WORRY MORE ABOUT THE GODDAMN VETS, HUH? HOW ABOUT NOT TREATING SPINAL PATIENTS LIKE FUCKING VEGETABLES, PUTTING THEM OUT IN THE SUN ONCE A DAY?

TO THE PIG PERSONALLY:

FUCK YOU, FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO, WE DON'T NEED YOU AROUND THERE. ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL, THE SAYING GOES, BUT NONE GAVE A SHIT FOR WHAT YOU DID. AT LEAST THE COPS AT AMERICAN LAKE VA ARE USEFUL, AND SOME ARE PRETTY NICE AND HELPFUL, GOOD GUYS. BUT I CAN SMELL DICK FROM WAY OUT HERE; FUNNY HOW DICK AND PORK SMELL ALIKE, HUH? FIGURES. BUT YOU NEVER SEEM TO SMELL YOUR OWN DO YOU?

TO MICROSOFT AND DANIEL WEBSTER:

UNFUCK AND SHITHOLE ARE WORDS.

Rant over. Carry on. I feel a bit better now, but will be making a few phone calls tomorrow morning.

I saw that article earlier and decided not to post it exactly because your thoughts mirror mine.

 

[Strykervet]

I hear ya. Problem is, getting a lawyer won't do him any good. It'll cost him as much or more than the fine will. Unless you are looking at time or a few grand, it's not worth it to get a lawyer. It's better and cheaper to find those loophole yourself, if you can, and exploit those before a judge who knows when his hands are tied (so you don't have to appeal it, thus dragging it out). Been there, done that.

On the other hand, getting ANY of this info out of the federal government is going to turn into a full time job. They won't make it easy to defend himself. They'll make it to the point he either pays the goddamn $525, or they'll get it in spades another way. Shit, the lawyer could easily pay $525 just in taxable income taking this on!

THAT's why it all pisses me off so much. I know what an uphill battle this guy's gonna have. I also know if enough vets call and bitch they'll throw it out. They HATE attention, mostly because it's ALWAYS bad.

Oh, and the way the VA cafeteria is (or was, I can't stand the smell of the place) setup at American Lake, it would be very easy to not pay. It's not like you have to go through a line. It's like 99% of the other cafeterias or food joints that don't charge for refills. Posted or not. Ever see how much shit they put on the wall? Nobody reads it.

And finally, if the guy wasn't in the military and not privy to govt. bullshit, he might never think to wonder, "hey, does this cost extra?" or "hey, wonder if I need to ask to when to piss?" And just how much is it gonna cost taxpayers? One to even prosecute the bullshit charge in a court, second in lost time on that job (leading to cost over runs). Sounds like we could fire one shitbag cop and save a lot in the long and short run.

PS, I first read "poop down the drain" and I agreed, yeah, technically a soldier shitting and then throwing the poo away IS destruction of govt. property... First, the poop was govt. food that got processed in a govt. processor, and then thrown down a govt. toilet. Then I read it again.

 

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

Got an address, phone number or contact info? I will lodge my complaint.

 

[Strykervet]

Got an address, phone number or contact info? I will lodge my complaint.

I gotta go now, don't have time to look that up, I'm so sorry. I will look it up tomorrow though and I'll try and remember to post it on here. If someone can beat me to it, please, by all means.

Patty Murray (plus your own congress critters, ideally House and Senate) and the Administrator for that particular SC hospital, along with whoever runs the cop shop, those are the 3+ numbers you need.

I keep thinking "patient advocate" but that won't work unless he's a vet himself.

 

[Delta4-3]

And I have had 3 surgeries messed up at the VA and there has been no reprimand for the doctors.....seems fair.

 

[Switchblade]

The VA, and APSU are the last holdouts for the paid refill. EVERYWHERE we go in this nation, REFILLS are FREE! It is the norm, it is expected, it is just a customary part of business at every food establishment that allows one to eat on location.
As to that POS LEO, come one, really dude? You escalated a simple mistake for normal things to the point of a crime? WTF??? If I was escalated to a point of being fired for $0.89 worth of coke, I would have to escalate that to assault and battery on an enema nozzle, to make it all worth it. I mean really, $0.89 does not even come close to $500+. THAT is worth a trip to jail for beating a fat assed enema nozzle in my book

 

[Bill Larson]

As with any news there are 2 sides to the story..... we have heard one......Guess I must be lucky....... the VA hospital I go to ...I would rate as A++++...state of the art facility..... great doctors......and I thank God and the taxpayers for it......
I have eaten in the cafeteria many times and got refills no problems......
I could see civilian contractors taking advantage of a facility designed around those who served...........

 

[Delta4-3]

As with any news there are 2 sides to the story..... we have heard one......Guess I must be lucky....... the VA hospital I go to ...I would rate as A++++...state of the art facility..... great doctors......and I thank God and the taxpayers for it......
I have eaten in the cafeteria many times and got refills no problems......
I could see civilian contractors taking advantage of a facility designed around those who served...........

C'mon man! I was getting all fired up with my hatred for the VA until you had to bring reality and common sense in to this thing.

 

[EasyGravy]

Me too. Im a combat vet and an electrician working at VA. The VA turns out to be more of a hassle just to get prescription or an appointment. I usually use my union insurance/private doctor. In my small brain I see it being money better used on more serious hurt vets. And yes, the cafeterias are a really bad, had better meals outa a bag in hadji land than Ive had working at VA for 5 years.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[Strykervet]

Patty Murray: (202) 224-2621 She's head of the Senate Committee on VA. Dad died in a VA hospital not far from mine. She's a bit more receptive about veteran's issues than the average congress critter, based on my own experience.

Charleston SC VA Hospital: 843-577-5011 This is their appt. line, which at a VA hospital functions like an operator. There is no direct line published for the administrator. Told you they don't like attention.

Charleston SC VA cop shop: 843-577-5011 Ext. 0

Your own Representatives and Senators: (you should have 'em by now, really --if not, look 'em up)

Enjoy railing into these motherfuckers!

Delta 4-3, I hear ya, I won't let them touch me with the knife. Scares the shit out of me. How 'ya hanging in there, hope your NODs venture is going well! Anyway, I have a civilian pain doc now that's outstanding, goes way beyond what VA is willing to do, and can get me a shot in the back in less than three days. VA takes 3 MONTHS! WTF?

Oh, the other side of the story is he tried to pay for it and he wouldn't let him. Dude even admitted he'd also taken other refills there in the past without paying --he was totally open with the guy. That's not the actions of thief, that's a misunderstanding. And I bet at American Lake it would still be easy to take a refill and not know about the charge. They're usually open cafeterias. In addition, refills at army DFAC's around here were always free, so soldiers around here may think it's that way at all federal institutions. I don't know the military background of the guy working there, if any, but still.

Regardless of the "sides" it is a dick move, period, to call someone out, point out their "crime" and not let them make amends on the spot if nobody is hurt and the charge is as superficial as this one. I also doubt many vets at all feel good about this. It's OUR facility, BTW, so we need to treat it as such and that means outing shitbags.

I'd like to see a soda protest, every vet just take a free refill and turn themselves in.

PS, you don't wanna get assault charges at VA. Trust me. That'll be felony shit most likely, and there'll be more consequences than you likely wanna deal with. And the actions wouldn't lean as much in favor of you as the cop defending himself for doing his job (because after the assault, the whole $525 for 89c will lost altogether). Trust me, he handled it right and put us in a situation where we can help him out.

 

[Strykervet]

Me too. Im a combat vet and an electrician working at VA. The VA turns out to be more of a hassle just to get prescription or an appointment. I usually use my union insurance/private doctor. In my small brain I see it being money better used on more serious hurt vets. And yes, the cafeterias are a really bad, had better meals outa a bag in hadji land than Ive had working at VA for 5 years.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

Dude, you need to see it for what it is. You aren't helping other vets by not going, but you ARE getting better healthcare outside the VA and that's good for you. I had to do that with my pain doctor, but I can't afford to do it with all my docs (but I bitched until I got the head doctor of my team as my personal doctor now). You'll live longer and healthier I'm sure with a good civilian doc.

Actually, the more you go to the VA hospital the more money they can request. It really works that way, just like in the army. But it's not like the healthcare will get any better for those there whether you go or not. And being admitted isn't much different than "Born on the Fourth of July" except they have some newer equipment now and there are no rats. Everything else is much the same: disgusting, unclean conditions and a total lack of concern for my well being or health. Pushing meds on me I didn't need. Not giving me the ones I did. Leaving me in agony for three months when all I needed was one shot in the back. There are good people there, but they usually don't stay very long, and others jump on the VA bandwagon and become shitbags over time, they like the do nothing job they can't get fired from. This happened to one of my docs. And to make it all worse, they'll use med students who will claim to be doctors. And hire doctors who have lost their licenses elsewhere. I'm tired of telling my doctors what to do --the reason I go is because I either don't have the answer or the meds or means to do it myself.

Anyway, make sure you go to your checkup appts., get checked out from time to time by the specialists, etc., as that all bolsters VA funding, and if it's ever to get better we'll need it.

 

[Cobracutter]

You know that soda cost the VA or contractor about 1-2 cents right? If anything, this should be a civil case, not criminal.

It would be like me picking a blade of grass of your lawn, and being thrown into lockup for theft/destruction of propperty. Whats next, people with dirty shoes are thrown in jail for destruction of propperty and drinking from a water fountain is now theft ?

 

[Victory]

Actually it is theft of federal property under 38 CFR 1.218(b) 4

The fine should have been 10x the retail amount plus $25 processing fee. He charged him under SC's state law, 1st time shoplifting, not the federal code.

Not sure what he was thinking, but he is definitely regretting it right now, I hope there is more to the story here.

 

[mtrmn]

89-Cent Refill Turns Into $525 Fine After Man Gets Seconds on Soda

A construction worker didn't know the refills at the VA hospital weren't free, cop nabbed him and wouldn't let him pay, kicked him off the job site, issued a citation worth $525. Which he can't pay now because the place that issued him the ticket is also the place that fired him.

Fucking bullshit goddamn VA, why is it every fucking time I hear or see those two letters together my BP goes up and I just get pissed.

TO THE VA IN GENERAL:

I'LL PAY THE GODDAMN 89 CENTS FOR THE MAN, AND IF YOU REALLY NEED THE FUCKING $525 THAT BAD, NOT THAT IT'LL GO TOWARDS BETTERING MY HEALTHCARE OR GETTING BETTER FOOD IN THAT SHITHOLE, I'LL CONTRIBUTE TO THAT AS WELL. SEEING HOW IT COMES OUT OF THE SAME GODDAMN CHECK YOU ISSUE IT SHOULD BE RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY. WORRY MORE ABOUT THE GODDAMN VETS, HUH? HOW ABOUT NOT TREATING SPINAL PATIENTS LIKE FUCKING VEGETABLES, PUTTING THEM OUT IN THE SUN ONCE A DAY?

TO THE PIG PERSONALLY:

FUCK YOU, FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO, WE DON'T NEED YOU AROUND THERE. ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL, THE SAYING GOES, BUT NONE GAVE A SHIT FOR WHAT YOU DID. AT LEAST THE COPS AT AMERICAN LAKE VA ARE USEFUL, AND SOME ARE PRETTY NICE AND HELPFUL, GOOD GUYS. BUT I CAN SMELL DICK FROM WAY OUT HERE; FUNNY HOW DICK AND PORK SMELL ALIKE, HUH? FIGURES. BUT YOU NEVER SEEM TO SMELL YOUR OWN DO YOU?

TO MICROSOFT AND DANIEL WEBSTER:

UNFUCK AND SHITHOLE ARE WORDS.

Rant over. Carry on. I feel a bit better now, but will be making a few phone calls tomorrow morning.

What HE said^^^^

 

[Strykervet]

UPDATE:

Charges waived, warning issued in place. Like should have been done. Thanks for all that cared enough to prompt action over this. It's little, a drop in the bucket, but it goes a long way towards how other people, mostly vets, will be treated by this cop in the future.

 

[1time]

89 Cent Refill Costs $525 at VA Hospital? Epic Rant Follows.

Just so I'm straight, can I steal things from you and then offer to pay for them if you catch me. Or is it okay to steal because it's from the Government? If the signs were as clear as the article states than a thief is a thief. The veterans that serve/d pay when they're there, so should the construction crew.

 

[Strykervet]

Just so I'm straight, can I steal things from you and then offer to pay for them if you catch me. Or is it okay to steal because it's from the Government? If the signs were as clear as the article states than a thief is a thief. The veterans that serve/d pay when they're there, so should the construction crew.

If you steal from me unknowingly and offer to make amends, yeah, I'll give you a second chance. I've made mistakes. I've fucked up in "clearly posted" areas myself. I've been given breaks over "crimes" far worse than this fellow was too for those mistakes, so that's why it's easy to see how far this was blown out of proportion.

It's a matter of empathy. We've all been there. This guy's a civilian construction worker. As a former alarm installer, if working on a job site that did have fountain drinks (ie, restaurants, cafeterias, etc.) they generally give workers free drinks and food, almost 100% of the time. It's common courtesy usually. In addition, 99% of food places in USA DO allow free refills, so it's easy to forget. At VA, though the signs may be posted, so are hundreds of others, and they get lost in the mix. There may not have been a corral that forces one through the line each time an item is taken (all VA cafeterias are different, but almost all are old) thus reinforcing the refill is free. Trust me, it's easy to make a mistake. And VA isn't known to be top notch. I can see the signs now: printed in 16 font on plain printer paper and taped to the wall, half hanging off.

And if not, why not let the guy pay? This guy admits to taking even more than this one drink, said he'd done it several times. Does this sound like a thief or a mistake? Do you think every single little shit detail should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no breaks, and circumstances be damned? He should lose his job AND pay $525? What lesson will he learn, to ask for refills next time, or to distrust his government and justice system for the rest of his life, distrust and disdain of the police (and pass off this animosity to his progeny)? See, govt. pulled that petty shit with me when I was young, and they'll never get back the respect.

And the whole "argumentative" shit? Just not doing "what it's told" by a cop can make them feel insulted and like you are fighting with them. This cop didn't want to let the guy explain, get a word in edgewise, and that frustration came off to the cop as aggressiveness.

In the end, it doesn't matter. Apparently only that cop and a handful of Americans stood by this injustice, because before I could even call who I intended, the charges were dropped and a warning issued by next AM. Like should have been done in the first place.

If you've ever had a problem at VA, you'll know that questioning or getting the least bit upset IS NOT TOLERATED AT ALL. It does what it's told, it doesn't ask questions, and if it gets fucked, well, its your problem. It. That's all you are, not even human most times. Just a number that does what it's told. Shit gets old. They'll run over you alone, so unless you stick together at VA, you have no chance at all winning any fight with them. I have numerous personal examples, I've been fighting them for ten years.

 

[1time]

If you steal from me unknowingly and offer to make amends, yeah, I'll give you a second chance. I've made mistakes. I've fucked up in "clearly posted" areas myself. I've been given breaks over "crimes" far worse than this fellow was too for those mistakes, so that's why it's easy to see how far this was blown out of proportion.

It's a matter of empathy. We've all been there. This guy's a civilian construction worker. As a former alarm installer, if working on a job site that did have fountain drinks (ie, restaurants, cafeterias, etc.) they generally give workers free drinks and food, almost 100% of the time. It's common courtesy usually. In addition, 99% of food places in USA DO allow free refills, so it's easy to forget. At VA, though the signs may be posted, so are hundreds of others, and they get lost in the mix. There may not have been a corral that forces one through the line each time an item is taken (all VA cafeterias are different, but almost all are old) thus reinforcing the refill is free. Trust me, it's easy to make a mistake. And VA isn't known to be top notch. I can see the signs now: printed in 16 font on plain printer paper and taped to the wall, half hanging off.

And if not, why not let the guy pay? This guy admits to taking even more than this one drink, said he'd done it several times. Does this sound like a thief or a mistake? Do you think every single little shit detail should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no breaks, and circumstances be damned? He should lose his job AND pay $525? What lesson will he learn, to ask for refills next time, or to distrust his government and justice system for the rest of his life, distrust and disdain of the police (and pass off this animosity to his progeny)? See, govt. pulled that petty shit with me when I was young, and they'll never get back the respect.

And the whole "argumentative" shit? Just not doing "what it's told" by a cop can make them feel insulted and like you are fighting with them. This cop didn't want to let the guy explain, get a word in edgewise, and that frustration came off to the cop as aggressiveness.

In the end, it doesn't matter. Apparently only that cop and a handful of Americans stood by this injustice, because before I could even call who I intended, the charges were dropped and a warning issued by next AM. Like should have been done in the first place.

If you've ever had a problem at VA, you'll know that questioning or getting the least bit upset IS NOT TOLERATED AT ALL. It does what it's told, it doesn't ask questions, and if it gets fucked, well, its your problem. It. That's all you are, not even human most times. Just a number that does what it's told. Shit gets old. They'll run over you alone, so unless you stick together at VA, you have no chance at all winning any fight with them. I have numerous personal examples, I've been fighting them for ten years.

I have never dealt with the VA and I am sorry you were treated that way. I guess I am colored by my own experiences as well. I work a secondary job doing security in a retail store. I see every way possible people try to get over on the store from eating candy bars without paying and leaving the wrapper on the shelf to picking tv's off of the shelf and either running out of the store or taking it to customer service and returning it for cash. The running attitude is "they make enough money, they can afford this". If I thought for a second the guy really didn't know he should be paying for it I wouldn't give him a warning, more like a politely point him to one of the signs. As a matter of fact the assholes running out of the store with tv's get a warning if it's the first time they've been caught at the store. I don't agree with that but it is what it is.

In the area where I live most places don't give free refills. Most of the places have giant signs posted on the machine and smaller signs posted on top of the label on the individual spouts that say they are not free. If it was a poorly marked sign that could have been missed then I agree with you.

 

[Victory]

If you steal from me unknowingly and offer to make amends, yeah, I'll give you a second chance. I've made mistakes. I've fucked up in "clearly posted" areas myself. I've been given breaks over "crimes" far worse than this fellow was too for those mistakes, so that's why it's easy to see how far this was blown out of proportion.

It's a matter of empathy. We've all been there. This guy's a civilian construction worker. As a former alarm installer, if working on a job site that did have fountain drinks (ie, restaurants, cafeterias, etc.) they generally give workers free drinks and food, almost 100% of the time. It's common courtesy usually. In addition, 99% of food places in USA DO allow free refills, so it's easy to forget. At VA, though the signs may be posted, so are hundreds of others, and they get lost in the mix. There may not have been a corral that forces one through the line each time an item is taken (all VA cafeterias are different, but almost all are old) thus reinforcing the refill is free. Trust me, it's easy to make a mistake. And VA isn't known to be top notch. I can see the signs now: printed in 16 font on plain printer paper and taped to the wall, half hanging off.

And if not, why not let the guy pay? This guy admits to taking even more than this one drink, said he'd done it several times. Does this sound like a thief or a mistake? Do you think every single little shit detail should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no breaks, and circumstances be damned? He should lose his job AND pay $525? What lesson will he learn, to ask for refills next time, or to distrust his government and justice system for the rest of his life, distrust and disdain of the police (and pass off this animosity to his progeny)? See, govt. pulled that petty shit with me when I was young, and they'll never get back the respect.

And the whole "argumentative" shit? Just not doing "what it's told" by a cop can make them feel insulted and like you are fighting with them. This cop didn't want to let the guy explain, get a word in edgewise, and that frustration came off to the cop as aggressiveness.

In the end, it doesn't matter. Apparently only that cop and a handful of Americans stood by this injustice, because before I could even call who I intended, the charges were dropped and a warning issued by next AM. Like should have been done in the first place.

If you've ever had a problem at VA, you'll know that questioning or getting the least bit upset IS NOT TOLERATED AT ALL. It does what it's told, it doesn't ask questions, and if it gets fucked, well, its your problem. It. That's all you are, not even human most times. Just a number that does what it's told. Shit gets old. They'll run over you alone, so unless you stick together at VA, you have no chance at all winning any fight with them. I have numerous personal examples, I've been fighting them for ten years.

Damn you have a lot more information than the rest of us, where are you getting all of this info from? Sounds like you were right there and saw how the whole thing went down.

 

[fx77]

VA Cafeteria Story 1974..Me and a buddy at the cafeteria. Special of the day was mystery meat + veggie+ mashed potato and gravy for say $1.49
So my buddy says that he doesn't like the potato so takes only the meat and veggie.
Cahier says $1.89..He says I got less than the special 2 not three things, and how could that be more money with less on my plate?...She said that's the VA way..So he asked that if he went back and got the mashed potato and gravy would it be $1.49. She indicated yes...
So he goes back and gets the potato and gravy on a separate plate pays the $1.49..then says I hate the potatoes and gravy. U take them, and he dumps them in the cash drawer..So much for the VA

 

[Victory]

VA Cafeteria Story 1974..Me and a buddy at the cafeteria. Special of the day was mystery meat + veggie+ mashed potato and gravy for say $1.49
So my buddy says that he doesn't like the potato so takes only the meat and veggie.
Cahier says $1.89..He says I got less than the special 2 not three things, and how could that be more money with less on my plate?...She said that's the VA way..So he asked that if he went back and got the mashed potato and gravy would it be $1.49. She indicated yes...
So he goes back and gets the potato and gravy on a separate plate pays the $1.49..then says I hate the potatoes and gravy. U take them, and he dumps them in the cash drawer..So much for the VA

Sounds like your buddy is a class act.

 

[Bill Larson]

Sounds like your buddy is a class act.

+2

 

[Strykervet]

Damn you have a lot more information than the rest of us, where are you getting all of this info from? Sounds like you were right there and saw how the whole thing went down.

I did read several different online papers, some had more info, some just had the same feed. Based on experiences, I can feel for the guy empathetically. I wasn't there, but I've seen worse at VA hospitals before and if you don't stand up to them they will run you right over.

The guy only wanted a second chance, a chance to right his wrongs. He got that, so case closed, ticket turned to warning as it should have been in the first place, IMO.

 

[997/2man]

The VA, and APSU are the last holdouts for the paid refill. EVERYWHERE we go in this nation, REFILLS are FREE! It is the norm, it is expected, it is just a customary part of business at every food establishment that allows one to eat on location.
As to that POS LEO, come one, really dude? You escalated a simple mistake for normal things to the point of a crime? WTF??? If I was escalated to a point of being fired for $0.89 worth of coke, I would have to escalate that to assault and battery on an enema nozzle, to make it all worth it. I mean really, $0.89 does not even come close to $500+. THAT is worth a trip to jail for beating a fat assed enema nozzle in my book

This. Right. Here. No fucking common sense. Unbelievable.

That was all the LEO had to do that day? Ho Lee Phuc.

 

[Strykervet]

Okay, fucking rant back on. If it isn't one thing, it's another. Backflushing bodily, shit and blood containing Hep and HIV from other patients, fluids from other patients via improperly administered colon endoscopy which wound up infecting many and killing some.

This congressman went on the "news" today and stated that "it's easier to get a bonus in VA than it is disciplinary action" --that's so true, it's their doctrine. They can't be fired, I've tried. Regardless of the fuck up, they cannot be fired.

My meds come from Smyrna, TN. I've mentioned multiple times, even through proper channels, that my refills could all be sent together (since they are on the same schedule) hence saving $7 per package. They weren't interested, said it was none of my business (though I pay for it) and that's the way they do it, to not bother. That it costs then 10x to send me my meds, and I'm one vet, wasn't a money saver they were interested in apparently. So those "comment" boxes or forms to recommend cost savings to the federal government --don't waste your time. Anyway, with the meds, they'd be sent out willy nilly, whenever they felt like it. A few years ago, they were ALWAYS late. Now they are early sometimes, but late the next, but it doesn't work out like you'd think --they're generally later than early. So I do without. Or go to the hospital for a knock down drag out.

Waiting lists. This hit close to home to me too. Now it's in Spokane, which to my knowledge has claims handled out of Seattle. The same folks that handled mine. It was a full time job for two years, they were literally double charging me thousands from severance back pay --charges I'd already paid in full. I was also on a waiting list for a LOOONG time, but when fires were lit under asses and we refused to leave the office until they unfucked my file, low and behold, I was approved in full within weeks! Sort of meshes with the latest scandal, huh? Long waiting list, then moved to faster one so it pads the director's numbers. Shameful.

I could go on and on. If it weren't for vets standing up for each other, for our training or sticking together or whatever it is that we have that civilians as a whole lack, we'd be run over roughshod by VA. Countless times vets have stood up for me and demanded help for me when I couldn't, laying in the floor, ignored and walked past by countless nurses "professionals" if you wanna call them that.

I'm fucking fed up. These motherfuckers will kill you if you if they get the chance, and if vets don't hang together, they'll surely hang separately --figuratively speaking. If you're a vet or know a vet or just care about them, please, harass your congressmen to unfuck this apostasy of veteran healthcare and wellbeing. I can't do it alone, I can throw monkey wrenches in the gears from time to time when I get the chance, but it'll take more of us to affect change.

That's if you have it in you. Apathy amongst the populace has been what has caused this to fester to the gaping wound it is today. Not asking much, a phone call, email, whatever. Ten minutes of your time. Some of you spent more time than that spouting shit like "Never Forget" and "Murika!". Redeem yourselves, give us a hand, because some of us are suffering more than others and some of us don't have family or friends to assist us --some of us are all alone and at the total mercy of a merciless organization.

Thank you for your time reading this, and I implore action of you and thank you and appreciate anything any of you have done to further better services for our veterans. Again, thanks, but know this is an uphill battle. But shit, were we trained for anything less!