Red Mosquito

BurtReynolds wrote:They have been quietly banning several mid level accounts lately, though. I figure their strategy is to do it piecemeal so as not to create too much attention. I wonder if there will be a tipping point though.

E.H. Ruddock wrote:I don't know the specifics of what he's done, but I'm inclined to say no. After all the bad publicity the VA has gotten, you'd think there would be sweeping changes. But there hasn't been. And my experiences with veteran services, whether it be at clinics, job placement, housing help, all seem to be very poorly run. Old buildings, antiquated equipment, government employees who are visibly miserable in their job, etc. Getting services from the VA shouldn't feel like I'm going in to a free clinic or waiting to fill out paperwork for food stamps, but it does. Old veterans looking sickly and poor, not understanding the system or how to fill out paperwork properly, spending most of their day in some 1950's government building that is depressing AF.. I'm rambling here. This isn't specific to Tester though. Just to the system as a whole.

E.H. Ruddock wrote:I've only been to a couple for any kind of treatment myself, but have volunteered in others. Could just be the South. Everything here is old and outdated. I hate it.

E.H. Ruddock wrote:I've only been to a couple for any kind of treatment myself, but have volunteered in others. Could just be the South. Everything here is old and outdated. I hate it.

We were just notified that a 6.7 earthquake occurred a few moments ago in Anchorage. The epicenter was approximately 7 miles from the VA. They are evacuating right now. No one appears to have been hurt. Staff are gathering in the parking lot.

1st update:
• NO INJURIES TO VA STAFF OR VETERANS AT THE FACILITY KNOWN AT THIS TIME.
• 1 person was stuck in the elevator, but was quickly released and one person bumped their head - minor
• Upon initial assessment, the A Wing, which contains Dental, Rehab and VBA appears to have sustained the most damage. The extent of the damage in Dental and Rehab is not yet known. The ceiling collapsed in VBA.
• In the C Wing, which contains Lab, Radiology and Logistics, there was flooding and the water has been shut off – water damage has been confirmed in the Mechanical Room.
• Staff have been escorted back into the building to get personal affects and then released to home.
• A core group will stay on site throughout the day to continue with assessments and coordination of care and services
• There is power in the building, but it is assumed to be generator power
• Mat-Su has reported a gas leak and is 100% evacuated. All clinics have reported no damage (Fairbanks, Wasilla, Kenai, Homer & Juneau) although Tsunami warnings have been issued for the Kenai Peninsula, which includes Homer
• All 3 of the main bridges connecting the Anchorage road systems are down (Muldoon, which grants access in and out of the VA; Eagle River and Peter’s Creek). The base is allowing employees with a PIV card to drive through the base to get to the other side of town.

2nd Update:
• Bartlett High School has been determined unsafe and all the children have been evacuated to the VA. They are in the atrium with teacher support and are systematically being bused home
• Peter’s Creek Bridge, North of the Valley has collapsed
• The airport remains open to inbound plans, but closed to outbound
• There is concern about pipes bursting due to damage and the weather
• The Tsunami warning has been lifted
• Aftershocks are hitting – several in Anchorage and more in Eagle River.
• Eagle River is said to have been hit the hardest with much structural damage.

run2death wrote:They should ask McP. I bet he's a seismic waves expert.

Bi_3 wrote:

run2death wrote:They should ask McP. I bet he's a seismic waves expert.

He follows them on Twitter

tragabigzanda wrote:yeah that's not PervSafe

tragabigzanda wrote:

96583UP wrote:

tragabigzanda wrote:yeah that's not PervSafe

what would you prefer that the kids put in their mouths?

once upon a time, it was ice cream