By James Zeruk Jr. Santa Monica
Councilman Bobby Shriver is quoted in last Thursday’s paper (SMDP, Oct. 5, page 14) concerning VA site plans as saying,“... It’s an insult to (homeless veterans) who served... that these building are sitting empty.”Would he be speaking of the rundown, asbestos-rich, dilapidated, crumbling hulks built during WWII which would take years, and likely hundreds of millions of dollars to repair, rebuild, equip and staff? Why, yes, I do believe he is. Let’s try this one more time, Councilman Shriver. In the archives of the SMDP (June 7, 2005), there is very long and detailed letter to the editor which I wrote describing the many programs and services available to homeless vets. I spoke as a living example of the typical homeless veteran who had been in and out of the numerous VA programs.
In that letter, I accused Shriver of motives other than concern for the vets behind his VA plan. I stand by my accusations, still. But I also mentioned that Shriver, and others at City Hall, are misleading the public with statements that would, could, and in fact, do paint an impression that the West LA VA is doing little or nothing to help homeless vets. One can see my point by looking behind and between Rep. Henry Waxman’s words at the end of the Oct. 5 SMDP article: “I strongly believe the West LA VA should provide therapeutic, supportive housing...” Notice the word “should,” almost as if he (and Bobby Shriver) still want the voters to think nothing is being done for homeless vets. Sure, maybe I’m splitting hairs, but Shriver and Waxman are splitting my head with a headache of diatribe.
A lie isn’t always the twisting of truth, it is the omission of facts. Facts such as the already existing hundreds and hundreds of comprehensive homeless program beds at West LA VA; omission of the facts that show everything from basic medical services to legal problems to job training to family reunions, and more, are offered at the VA, and facts that show a proven track record of thousands of former homeless vets now housed, and employed, and drug and alcohol free (a major cause for chronic homelessness). I encourage all who are interested in this matter to read my June 6, 2005, page 4 letter in the SMDP.
Why not just say that there are indeed programs at the VA, but there is a need for more? That, at least, has merit.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.