1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why Do Republicans Hate America's Veterans?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by larkinmj, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    Why Do Republicans Hate America's Veterans?
    By Bob Geiger, AlterNet

    Posted on June 27, 2006
    http://www.alternet.org/story/38145/

    In his quiet moments, Rep. John Murtha must sometimes catch himself thinking about how much easier his life would be if he had just kept his damn mouth shut and gone along to get along on the Iraq war. The Democrat, who has represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District for 32 years, began angering the Republican party in late 2005 when, having seen enough of the Bush administration's incompetence, he became the most vocal critic of the White House's failed and dishonest Iraq policies.

    "The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It's a flawed policy wrapped in illusion," said Murtha, in November 2005, in calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. "The American public is way ahead of the members of Congress. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq. But it's time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf regime."

    Despite Murtha's standing as a highly decorated combat veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 37 years, it was off to the races for the right-wing smear machine. They immediately set upon Murtha, who just turned 74, for requesting moderation and a cautious course when risking the lives of our military men and women stationed in Iraq.

    And who did most of the attacking? Conservative chickenhawks, who have never served a day in uniform in their lives, but who immediately began talking tough and accusing a man of Murtha's stature of running from a fight.

    It started on Nov. 18, 2005, the day after Murtha's initial remarks, when Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, the most junior member of the House of Representatives at the time, implied loudly on the House floor that Murtha was a coward.

    "Cowards cut and run, Marines never do," crowed Schmidt, as the House chamber erupted in shouting and came to a standstill. Schmidt was eventually forced to withdraw her statement as inappropriate but, knowing how the GOP leadership operates, it's safe to assume she was given major kudos behind closed doors for taking one for the team.

    Dick Cheney, told in advance of Murtha's new stance on the war, had begun insulting former Marine Murtha almost immediately saying, "The president and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory or their backbone."

    Meanwhile, Murtha, who was fighting in Southeast Asia while Cheney was kicking back on one of his five military deferments, fired back at the vice president.

    "I like guys who've never been there that criticize us who've been there. I like that," said a disgusted Murtha. "I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done."

    But that didn't stop the likes of Cheney and Schmidt at the time, and it's proceeded to get worse ever since -- the same ugly specter of Republicans who claim to be so patriotic and to worship at the military altar smearing decorated veterans at every turn for the crime of being Democrats and voicing dissent with GOP policies.

    They did it with former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam, famously brought out the Swift Boat Liars to smear John Kerry's war record, and they immediately started doing the same with Murtha, who volunteered for Vietnam in 1966 and for his service was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V," two Purple Hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

    In January 2006, a pseudo-news organization known as the Cybercast News Service (CNS) picked up with Murtha where the Swift Boat Liars left off with Kerry by questioning the circumstances in Vietnam that led to Murtha's two Purple Hearts.

    This time it was David Thibault, editor in chief of CNS, who picked up the prevailing tactic of the GOP, which is to smear the patriotism and good name of any Democrat who dares question Bush and the war -- even if, like Murtha, you happen to be a 37-year military veteran and a former Parris Island drill instructor decorated for valor in combat.

    CNS, which is part of the ultraconservative Media Research Center, trotted out the familiar, slimy routine of questioning the seriousness of Murtha's war injuries and the extent to which they were worthy of the Purple Heart awards. Thibault made his motivation clear, saying that Murtha had brought the attack on himself because "the congressman has really put himself in the forefront of the anti-war movement." There's the theme again: Shut up and go along with Bush or get slimed beyond recognition.

    Which begs the obvious question: Why do the likes of Thibault and so many Republican operatives who so righteously question the courage and patriotism of guys like John Kerry, Max Cleland or John Murtha hate our veterans and the military so much?

    Their deeds speak louder than their words, and one wonders how they would treat liberals who questioned the guts of men who put their lives on the line and bled for our country. The wailing and outrage would be deafening, and yet they believe it's perfectly acceptable to vilify certain veterans if they happen to be Democrats and it furthers the far-right political agenda.


    And what of their disgracefully insulting treatment of the very military institutions they claim to support? Those of us who have served know that you don't just walk into the PX and buy yourself a Bronze Star or a Purple Heart -- they're awarded at great discretion by the leadership of the military. Yet even those who have reached the upper echelons of our Defense Department now have their wisdom and integrity called into question by people who will stoop so low as to question whether or not someone came close enough to dying in combat to receive a Purple Heart.

    My guess is that it's just a matter of time before House Republicans don Purple Heart bandages to ridicule Murtha's service as their people did on the floor of the GOP national convention in 2004 in an effort to minimize John Kerry's service.

    It's repulsive, insulting and demeaning to every veteran, whether or not they have ever been unfortunate enough to receive that decoration.

    The latest salvo appears to be a new smear site, MurthaLied.com, which is about to be drawn out from under a rock and it certainly has all the looks of the same people who brought you pure fiction about Kerry in 2004. The website is run by a woman named Amanda Doss, who has a long alliance with -- guess who? -- the Swift Boat Liars and a whack job named Ted Sampley, who runs the hate site, The U.S. Veteran Dispatch.

    That name may sound familiar to you. This is the same guy who once wrote of John McCain as "The Manchurian Candidate" and suggested that McCain had been brainwashed during his lengthy captivity while a POW in Vietnam. Oh, yeah, he also said McCain was a KGB Spy. It's also the same Sampley who headed Vietnam Veterans Against Kerry and was responsible in 1992 for faking a photo of Kerry allegedly shooting an American MIA in Vietnam.

    It was Republican McCain who called Sampley "one of the most despicable people I have ever had the misfortune to encounter" and said "Sampley has a nose for publicity and knack for making money from invented controversies."

    If you want to know what kind of people are going after a legitimate American hero like John Murtha, look no further than the likes of Sampley, Doss, Thibault and their Republican backers.

    There's also right-wing prom queen Ann Coulter, who recently said that Murtha was "the reason soldiers invented fragging," suggesting that Murtha should be killed. She followed that up by saying that "if he did get fragged, he'd finally deserve one of those Purple Hearts."

    Only time will tell how much more repulsive this gets, but the mainstream media needs to explain how these cretins keep managing to get ink and air time. At least in Coulter's case, it can be partially explained in her being a high-profile cretin who may be good for ratings. But the mystery endures of how little-known -- and discredited -- "sources" like Sampley and the laughable CNS continue to get attention and relevance.

    So we'll watch and see what happens in the coming days and weeks to Rep. Murtha, a man who has dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. How much character assassination will the 74-year-old Murtha have to endure for simply being a veteran who has seen war, doesn't like war and believes that a solid national security posture has nothing to do with starting wars for no reason?

    And how much stomach do the American people have to continue watching Republicans and their operatives so piously chanting "support the troops" while turning right around and treating veterans and our military with such outrageous disrespect?

    "War's a nasty business," Murtha said on CBS's "60 Minutes" earlier this year. "It sears the soul. The shadow of friends killed, the shadow of killing people lives with you the rest of your life. So there's no experience like being in combat."

    When I was in the military, no matter what personality conflicts arose during long sleepless hours at sea or on patrol, the main measure of your regard for a shipmate or fireteam partner was this: Who do you trust to hang tough when the crap hits the fan and true courage needs to kick in? Who do you want in that ditch, in those weeds or sitting in that foxhole with you?

    It would be interesting to take a poll and see if, faced with those circumstances, most Americans would choose the likes of Ted Sampley, David Thibault, Jean Schmidt and Dick Cheney, or men like John Kerry, Max Cleland and John Murtha.

    Yeah, that's a tough call.


    © 2006 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
    View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/38145/
     
  2. Mirza

    Mirza New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    898
    0
    0
    Thanks for posting... a great article.
     
  3. wstander

    wstander New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2005
    982
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Jun 27 2006, 08:12 AM) [snapback]277363[/snapback]</div>


    I don't 'hate' Murtha or Kerry or Cleland; I applaud their military service. What they do in congress is another issue altogether. I served in the US Navy for 22 years. The military is but a microcosm of the society from whence the members are drawn; we are not monolithic in our politics. I disagree with the policies stated by Murtha, Kerry, and Cleland; I hope that they in turn respect my rights to disagree as much as I uphold their right to have differing opinions. From what I know and have heard them say, I would vote against their policies and proffered ideals. These men had every opportunity to vote against the war powers acts that prestaged the war in Iraq; but they voted the 'politically expedient' line.

    For 3 honorable men who suffered the Viet Nam war and era, they should have held their ground. They chose differently.

    Similarly, all of the rhetoric accusing the President of offenses would be more believeable if several of the accusers in congress would throw caution to the wind and actually draft and sponsor articles of impeachment. Sure, they may be vilified by some and even get voted out by their constituents, but at least they will have done what they thought was right. And, I know some will say 'with the Republicans in power in both houses, impeachment won't happen', but to that I say, so what? If you feel strongly enough that this (or any ) President has committed crimes, bring the charges!! District attorneys bring charges against people all of the time, and sometimes they lose in court. It does not stop a person with the courage of their convictions from proceeding.


    On another note, what people do in combat may bear little on what or how they would react when it comes to writing laws and executing those laws. Recall that the military has a strictly defined set of parameters and ethics with which to guide us; congress has a much looser set of standards. Some of our best politicians never served in the military, and some of the best military men turned out to be the worst politicians. It is too early for history to define how the current group of politicians will be placed in rankings.
     
  4. eyeguy13

    eyeguy13 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    337
    0
    0
    Location:
    Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mirza @ Jun 27 2006, 10:36 AM) [snapback]277374[/snapback]</div>
    larkinmj..thanks for the article. As military members, I find it disgusting that Republicans attack our patriotism if we disagree with the Bush Regime and attack Murtha, Kerry, and Gore. How many of the current members of the House have served in the military? Not many. Maybe after the fall elections, we'll have a whole lot more! And they will be Democrats!!!
     
  5. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    2,707
    3
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Yeah another Republican smear thread, :huh:


    Did you know, Not all Democrats are lining up behind Murtha? Even John kerry doesn't stand behind Murtha..
    http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/18/murtha.iraq/ :blink:

    Then the other side of the smear
    http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports....E20060113a.html <_<


    I guess one can dig up dirt on anyone and throw it into the air.. :mellow:

    I guess the republicans were the ones who didnt support the vietnam vets. when they returned home too..
    http://www.commondreams.org/views01/1031-02.htm

    [​IMG]
    http://www.socialistworker.org/2005-1/545/..._Movement.shtml


    MarinJohn: Their deeds speak louder than their words, and one wonders how they would treat liberals who questioned the guts of men who put their lives on the line and bled for our country. The wailing and outrage would be deafening, and yet they believe it's perfectly acceptable to vilify certain veterans if they happen to be Democrats and it furthers the far-right political agenda. Why not the democrats do it all the time to the republicans that run for office (what goes around comes around) Most not all of the anti-war mongers for Vietnam were extreme left wingers....

    If conservatives / republicans are concidered Neo-Cons, wouldn't Liberals / democrats be concidered Decepto-Cons? :mellow: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    Like the transformers (more than meets the eye) :lol:
     
  6. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    3,945
    304
    0
    Their deeds speak louder than their words, and one wonders how they would treat liberals who questioned the guts of men who put their lives on the line and bled for our country. The wailing and outrage would be deafening, and yet they believe it's perfectly acceptable to vilify certain veterans if they happen to be Democrats and it furthers the far-right political agenda.


    Truly says it all.
     
  7. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jun 27 2006, 12:01 PM) [snapback]277386[/snapback]</div>
    I thank you wstander- both for your service (I also served in the Navy, though not as long as you) and for your consistent reasoned and level-headed posts on this forum. I enjoy the opportunity to debate the issues with people having a more conservative point-of-view, but every time I post something of a political nature on PriusChat I’m accused by the resident right-wing contingent of being a terrorist supporter or a traitor.

    I put the title chosen by the author in this post, but I don’t believe that all, or even most, Republicans “hate†veterans. But there has been, as the article describes, a deliberate effort to discredit veterans who speak in criticism of the Bush administration by defaming their character and disparaging their service. If you disagree with what Jack Murtha or John Kerry says, then by all means refute them. But to call Murtha a coward and to stand up in Congress as Rep. Gohmert did and say that we’d all be speaking German had Murtha been at Normandy, or to imply in a campaign ad that Max Cleland (who was so “selfish†that he only gave up three of his limbs in Vietnam but kept one for himself) was a supporter of terrorists, or to smear John McCain in a Republican primary by spreading the rumor that he was mentally unstable because of his time in a POW camp- these actions are despicable and offensive to all veterans who have served their country.

    You are also absolutely correct when you say that those who accuse the President of offenses (I would say this applies to such things as contravention of the Constitution; not a mere disagreement with policy or dissatisfaction with performance) should have the courage to bring impeachment charges against him. There have been a few sponsors of Rep. Conyer’s impeachment resolution and Sen. Feingold’s call for censure, but overall the silence has been deafening. The “leadership†of the Democratic party has decided that two things that are not to be discussed are Iraq and impeachment. If it is true (and I believe that it is) that this President has flouted the Constitution, then that is cause for impeachment. And, as you say, even if it is near impossible that it would result in removal of office, that is not a reason to avoid abiding by your principles. The Democrats have failed miserably, with a few exceptions, to represent any kind of “opposition†party (and, as you point out, they failed to stand up for the right of Congress; not the President, to declare war.)

    I wish that our “leaders†could have a reasoned debate on matters as vital to our country as the Iraq war, rather than resorting to name-calling and trite catch phrases such as “cut and run.†With the polarized atmosphere in Congress, as well as in our nation as a whole, we are not likely to see it.
     
  8. Wildkow

    Wildkow New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2006
    5,270
    37
    36
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Jun 27 2006, 10:00 AM) [snapback]277424[/snapback]</div>
    If the shoe fits wear it.

    You are such a hypocrite first you claim that no one is beyond criticism not even the President. Then you cry "FOUL" when a Vet from the left with ideas and policies even his own don't support gets critisied by the Right. You truly are a piece of work. <_<

    Wildkow
     
  9. burritos

    burritos Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2006
    4,946
    252
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jun 27 2006, 11:01 AM) [snapback]277386[/snapback]</div>
    Nicely said.

    Though I'd have to say most of the republicans who call vets cowards are closer to the definition than those who have actually served on the battlefield.
     
  10. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Interesting that people who have never fought in war are so eager to send others to fight in war; and that people who have never fought in war are so quick to place the label of "coward" on people who have fought in war and now oppose a war they believe to be ill-conceived and mis-managed.

    Who is the coward? Is it the man who fought bravely and earned medals and now speaks out against what he believes is a wrong war?

    Or is it the man who used family influence and power to avoid going to war and then sends others to die?

    I oppose all war. But the word "coward" does not apply to the veterans who now oppose this war.

    BTW, I worked as a volunteer in a homeless shelter for 5 years, and my informal observation was that between 1/4 and 1/3 of homeless men are Vietnam veterans. The government has turned its back on them, now that they're sick and broken and can no longer serve as cannon fodder.
     
  11. wstander

    wstander New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2005
    982
    1
    0
    I posted what I did in response to an op-ed piece; not that I agree with the 3 ex-officers named. For what it is worth, I work with several retired O-5s and O-6s (Navy Commander and Captain, equal to LTCOL and COL) that despise and distrust the aforementioned people. They also did not care for what Randy Cunningham did, either. )

    In my years of service, I was never directly in combat. I volunteered, but like so many others, was not chosen. I was on a ship that was illuminated by Soviet fire-control once and when we offloaded Marines in South Korea, they were shot at by the North. I spent my tours in acoustic and electronic intelligence, at shore stations and at sea. Is my service less honorable than Kerry's?

    My dad spent WWII on an oiler in the Murmansk and Atlantic runs, but he wanted to fly bombers or fighters, even volunteered for PT boats. The Navy sent him to a unpowered barge and then (Korea) to a repair ship.

    The point is, no matter what you do when serving the country, active or reserve, foot or air, has no relation to how you vote or how you legislate or lead.

    Politics is a lot of theater, and little real substance...
     
  12. Mystery Squid

    Mystery Squid Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    2
    3
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Jun 27 2006, 01:00 PM) [snapback]277424[/snapback]</div>
    :lol:

    until, of course, they vehemently disagree with you... only there's no real IGNORE feature in that respect is there...

    We need a house of commons like in the UK...
     
  13. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusguy04 @ Jun 28 2006, 09:00 PM) [snapback]278346[/snapback]</div> The Washington Times (Sun Myung Moon's newspaper)- there's a credible source! :lol: :lol: :lol:
    For those who actually are interested in the facts (I exclude priusguy and wildkow from that group), here is the actual story on that "incriminating" photo of Jane Fonda and John Kerry from the photographer who took the photo: http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0403..._skoogfors.html
     
  14. imntacrook

    imntacrook New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2005
    289
    0
    0
    Location:
    On the Beach
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 27 2006, 07:45 PM) [snapback]277691[/snapback]</div>
    Just a quick aside here, I saw stats where Vietnam veterans were doing much better in life and society and income than the general population at large and that seems to square with all the guys I knew. So we aren't really the pitiful down-and-outers you portray. Any that is truly great that you did that for five years - kudos!
     
  15. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2005
    1,766
    4
    0
    Location:
    Noneofyourbusiness, CA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(imntacrook @ Jun 30 2006, 08:33 PM) [snapback]279498[/snapback]</div>
    You're right ... my brother is a Viet Nam vet, and he hates that stereotype. Viet Nam vets are not "worse off" and the government hasn't turned its back on them. The VA hospitals are still out there for any Vet who needs free medical care.

    These are just ancetdotal, I know, but there have been several cases in the local LA area where the service history of "homeless vets" was non-existent ... in other words, they were not only homeless bums, but also liars. But when pan handling for your next pint, it is better "marketing" to say you were a vet than a homeless bum.
     
  16. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(imntacrook @ Jun 30 2006, 08:33 PM) [snapback]279498[/snapback]</div>
    Vets as a whole may be doing well. That does not excuse the government leaving the homeless ones out on the street. And while some homeless guys may lie about their service record (in which case my estimate may be high) they're not all lying.

    And to be clear, in my opinion there's no excuse for a society as wealthy as ours to leave anyone out on the street. The shelter where I worked (The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Moorhead, MN -- just across the river from Fargo, ND) served homeless men regardless of their past history or their reasons for being homeless. We also served breakfast and supper to anyone who cared to show up. With a seating capacity of 15 or 20 and a kitchen well-suited to serve 25 or 30 we generally served supper to 30 to 40 people, and on one occasion when I was washing dishes I counted 70 plates. Breakfasts were usually only the dozen or so guys sleeping at the shelter, plus the live-in staff, and a few stragglers who showed up. We were the smallest of 4 shelters in Fargo-Moorhead, a city of about 125,000 people.
     
  17. gschoen

    gschoen Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2004
    343
    3
    0
    Location:
    Chicago/Wrigleyville
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Jul 1 2006, 02:11 AM) [snapback]279582[/snapback]</div>
    Umm, have you every actually TRIED to receive care at a VA hospital or medical facility? Let's just say they don't have the same standard of care as active duty personell receive. The waits are LOOOOONG and if you're a vet of limited means you're better off on Medicaid.

    Most veterans with a choice use private care or insurance.. those who can't, well, they're stuck with the system.

    Amazing how our defense budgets go up and up and up for weapons, and contractors (Halliburton, anyone?) but pay for troops and VA benefits never get the same percentage increases. Is our human capital worth less than welfare for companies whose business is war and weapons?
     
  18. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    2,707
    3
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    These are just ancetdotal, I know, but there have been several cases in the local LA area where the service history of "homeless vets" was non-existent ... in other words, they were not only homeless bums, but also liars. But when pan handling for your next pint, it is better "marketing" to say you were a vet than a homeless bum.

    Well put, ;)

    I think Daniel & gschoen, should open thier homes up to the homeless...

    The homeless people will tell you anything if they think it will get them a buck or two.... Here if you take a walk into the woods you bound to trip over a homless camp. ie tent cities is what we call them. they are a close knit group of panhandlers. Are they homeless? yes, do they live well, have a roof over their heads? yes a tent, is there more crime near a homeless camp? yes, Why would you work if you can get it handed to you for free?.. :huh:

    I do think there are some vets who choose to be homeless, but the ones that are not homless arenot that bad off, and the VA hospitals are slower, but heck its free! (to the vets) (thus the care probibly isnt the greatest)

    In 1998 I offered quite a few homless people jobs making $10 an hr + benifits after 30 days at a flea market doing odd jobs.. They all refused and said they would rather stand and hold thier card board sign (Will Work for FOOD) I even had one try and start a fight with me because I was on his median spot.. (google homless panhandling) they make some good money.... We watched a cpl the other day one would work the corner while the other wouls sit in the shade and rest then they would switch again, when a marked unit would drive by they would act like they would leave then the other guy would come out.. :rolleyes:

    A tent city normally has 5-10 tents set up in a row spaced 10 ft apart with a 20ft isle down the middle kinda like a street in a neighborhood but at the end of thier street is a pile of beer cans and the potty.
     
  19. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I had a friend in Fargo (not homeless) who went to the VA for a sigmoidoscopy. The procedure was performed by a P.A. who did it wrong and my friend wound up in the emergency room and nearly died.

    I had the same procedure performed in a private hospital. It was done by a specialist. It's no fun but there's no reason it needs to be life-threatening if it's performed by a competent person. At the VA it was not even done by a M.D.!