What do you think about the current VA head making comparison between wait time

1. 81

   jackclee lmposted 7 years ago

   What do you think about  the current VA head making comparison between wait time of vets & Disney?
   
   This Bob McDonald comment comparing wait time at VA hospitals to wait time at Disney theme park is just stupid. How can an intelligent graduate of West Point make such s mistake in judgement?
   Should he resign? Or apologize or fix the problem...

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2. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 7 years ago

   I've waited in Disney lines-- it was a choice not a necessity. Of the other hundreds of people waiting with me, I don't think that many of them were suffering horribly or dying.
   Apologize and fix, would be my choice...and then give them free tickets to Disneyland.

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   1. 81

      jackclee lmposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's a great idea.

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3. 66

   WordCrafter09posted 7 years ago

   I've heard the story on the news, but just to make sure I wasn't missing something I just went and read it (and a related one).  It looks to me as if he overestimated the ability of most people hearing the remark to sort out what, exactly, he was comparing to what.  I could be wrong.  I'm not a mind-reader any more than anyone else.
   
   It struck me that he may have used Disney because it's a well known, well respected, "outfit" when it comes to processing huge numbers and aiming for "customer" satisfaction, etc. etc.  To me, this guy was clearly making the point about what's important to factor in when measuring something like efficiency, process, etc.  It was probably careless of him to assume that everyone would "get" exactly what he was comparing to what (and maybe why he chose Disney as his version of, maybe, efficiency, numbers with other important factors to be considered as well).
   
   If I'm right with my own take on why he'd choose to refer to Disney I think the only thing he's really "guilty" of is over-estimating the ability of many people to sort out that (maybe) he wasn't comparing the Veterans' thing to  Disneyland; but referring to it (again, maybe) as an easy and well known example of what skilled and experienced people (yes, in this case, at Disney) factor in when THEY'RE aiming for the most effective/efficient/skilled factors that must be considered as part of measuring how good or poor a process is/isn't.
   
   There is a thing in human nature that tends to make many people jump to the conclusion that someone who says or does something they don't understand and may misinterpret (but even if they just take it at face value and don't even consider the possibility of misinterpreting it) is "stupid".
   
   I give people benefit of doubt before automatically just thinking they're stupid; because most people are not stupid (then again, it's very easy for someone who doesn't automatically assume everyone is stupid to, in fact, overestimate many people.
   
   Now he probably can't come out and say, "Sorry, I thought more of you would understand exactly what I was comparing and why I thought it made a good example."   Maybe, however, he should have anticipated that everyone wouldn't understand such a "happy" reference.  So to me, an apology for the remark ought to do it.
   
   No, he shouldn't resign.

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   1. 81

      jackclee lmposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, that was a long explanation. I understand where you are coming from but here is where you are wrong. I don't think Mr. McDonald is stupid, his insensitive remark is stupid. There is a difference. Second, the comparison is off the mark....

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4. 0

   Old Poolmanposted 7 years ago

   What makes you think a graduate of West Point has to be intelligent? Yeah, maybe they have to be intelligent in order to graduate but once out there are no more tests, no more classes, no more grade point averages to keep up. This  guy is a prime example of how out of touch Washington is with reality, with the people, with human beings in general and how little they care about everyone EXCEPT THEMSELVES.
   
   They live in a bubble. Is anyone surprised an Obama appointee would be so bereft of common sense? Look at who appointed Bob McDonald? The man who thinks your wives and little daughters should share bathrooms and locker rooms with perverts!
   
   Give me a break, there is no one in this administration I'd expect more of than the statement made by Bob McDonald. They are all on a magic carpet ride and could care less about anything but themselves.

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      Dont Taze Me Broposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Old pool man, Perverts? you mean like these guys who now can go into girl's bathrooms anytime they feel "feminine"? thanks to BO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5VKJEEdLc

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5. 86

   tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

   It is offensive because no one died waiting in line for Disneyland, while vets died waiting to get on the official waiting lists.
   Many of their problems are due to the default solution of adding more administrators instead of doctors and nurses. Of putting solar panels on roofs and putting out press releases instead of hiring more medical staff. In short, their mission was to look good instead of deliver medical care.

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