FOIA Reveals VA Public Affairs Double Standard On Racism Allegations

The Department of Veterans Affairs just released numerous pages of documents from its Public Affairs division about how to handle the agency response to a racist “F@CKING WHITE PRIVILEGE” comment on Facebook two months ago.

Tatishka Thomas, a VA employee and union president at Bay Pines VA Medical Center caused a stir in the veteran community and local press when she made her racist comment on Facebook during what appeared to be work hours. This suggests she not only was on the clock but also using agency resources.

According to the FOIA response, Thomas has not been punished for her comment, but she is still supposedly under investigation months later.

In the FOIA documents (see bottom), VA’s position at the time was, “The Facebook post is contrary to VA’s core values and is unacceptable. review the issue, however it would be inappropriate to discuss potential VA personnel actions. The AFGE is responsible for decisions regarding her leadership status in their organization.”

The grassroots Facebook group Bay Pines Exposed first highlighted the post over concerns the union president may be biased against one race of VA employees. The matter was investigated by local NBC affiliate Target 8 News, where Thomas was cited as confirming she made the comment. She further attempted to justify what she said by falsely asserting VA employees should be able to say whatever they like on their personal Facebook page.

Stephen Pina Demotion

Meanwhile, last winter, Stephen Pina another VA employee and combat veteran, made a critical comment against NFL players kneeling before games commenting on his personal Facebook page while at home on the weekend, “dance monkey dance,” referencing a commonly used colloquialism jabbing individuals for not being intelligent.

RELATED: VA Demotes Combat Veteran Over ‘Dance Monkey Dance’ Statement

When news spread of Pina’s comment, he was swiftly demoted by VA and labeled a racist even after explaining what he meant.

“It was not meant to be a racist comment, and if it was taken as such that’s regrettable,” Pina said. “At heart, it wasn’t intentional. … It wasn’t meant to be that way.”

According to Wikipedia, the phrase “dance monkey dance” originally surfaced in a movie called The Cape Town Affair, in 1967.

The phrase was made popular as a catchphrase following an SNL skit “Dance, Monkey, Dance!” in the 1980’s.

Since that time, it has been used in numerous movies and skits as a joke making fun of unthinking humans. Zoolander is a recent example where Ben Stiller is playing a dimwitted model dressed up like a monkey with cymbals and ordered to “dance monkey.”

VA Double Standard

VA press secretary Curt Cashour was quick to dog pile onto the combat veteran.

“VA does not condone or tolerate such unacceptable and offensive comments from any of our employees,” said Cashour in an email to The Enterprise. “That’s why we have proposed demoting this employee and removing him from his management/supervisory role.”

Press secretary Curt Cashour said Pina had one week from the date of the proposed disciplinary action to respond.

As to “unacceptable” or “offensive” speech, Cashour is apparently referencing some restriction on 1st Amendment free speech enacted by VA that allows punishment statements that are hateful or racist.

So where was the hard-charging Curt Cashour to address allegations against Thomas after dispatching Pina with a mighty tongue lashing to the press? Apparently that Curt Cashour did not show up. Instead, the kinder, gentler Curt Cashour waited for a legion of insiders to provide direction. His responsiveness certainly lacked same zeal for justice when Channel 8 News asked for answers about the Bay Pines matter.

When comparing the two individuals, it is not believed Thomas is a veteran. Pina is a combat veteran. Thomas is a woman. Pina is a man. Thomas did not repent for her insulting and bigoted statement. Pina apologized though his statement is not overtly racist.

You can see where I am going with this.

Pina was punished immediately. Thomas’ overtly racist comment is still under investigation months later.

The agency’s FOIA response pulls back the curtain on VA’s double standard and decisionmaking thus far. A lot of readers and outsiders will find their decisionmaking and rationale interesting as it relates to the AFGE / VA split.

Who is responsible for holding Thomas accountable? VA? AFGE? Bay Pines VA? Noone?

I plan to appeal this FOIA since VA failed to timely submit emails concerning Pina’s demotion between the same individuals and the FOIA officer excessively applied the exemption redactions. It is a matter of public interest to know who is in the loop about racism in VA and what decisionmakers could be implicated.

I suspect the differences in attitude are embarrassing and apparent, which is why VA is still holding those records.

[documentcloud url=”https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4488689-180530-Responsive-Records.html” responsive=true]

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72 Comments

  1. This one here goes along in the progression of the first vid
    STATUTE-75-Pg631.pdf
    “https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-75/pdf/STATUTE-75-Pg631.pdf”

    “United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency”.

  2. elf…. I’m no bible thumper but in all my research This world is run by a bunch of Satanists
    “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA1Ut-K1FsU”

  3. T…They just want us distracted so we won’t keep our eyes on the ball
    “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hN7CHGGqU”

  4. Just another side issue, threat, or distractions we have to deal with. Very deep subject. The VA, staff, anyone do not have to say a word or post anything to act out or show their nature of hate and activism towards white people or over identity politics. In a hospital setting them just not doing their jobs or ignoring us, the eye rolling, lip-smacking, deep breaths, horrible bed-side manners, rudeness, etc., can easily be enough.

    Old link below since the newer reports/links on wanted hate crime legislation isn’t posted on local sites.
    “https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/strengthening-hate-crime-laws/874972597”

    Like PC-ness, the Human Relations offices crap wasting tax dollars, sensitivity training, tolerance, blah blah. Is meant to socially engineer and stifle free speech, expression, be door mats for everything out there in total silence. Thought control. They are already censoring the daylights out of us for spreading information, discussing issues on social media, on chat boards to news sites. Whatever the lefties and corrupt don’t like they suppress or lie about. They want prison time for those using free speech or disagreeing with mass immigration or open borders. They want laws here, and getting, the same ones the UK, Canada, Europe has. Teach the bible the wrong way it’s hate speech… prison time. Disagree with some revised history or propaganda.. go to prison or FEMA camp. Face mob rule. But ‘One People Projects’ or Kalergi, communism/globalism, all must be blended, is pushed like other junk is in academia and to the kiddies.

    At the VA when my back was turned after asking the front desk about a black female MD that stated she didn’t read my records but started changing everything if all new patients were told this. The staff went off. “oh she wouldn’t say such a thing.. blah blah.’ Then on to her changing positions at the VA soon anyway, how great she is. I kept quiet, got my travel pay lined out again. Leaving was muffled then chuckles ‘grouchy old Polar Bear.” Must have just tickled the hell out of all close enough to hear her. After that and meeting my new Paki female MD which was just as bad and the games began, plus the new pain clinic crap, I called the PA and asked to be switched clinics due to everything going on still or again, denied. About all the months of phony referrals made and other clinics reporting not getting any, all the running, etc. I told him why, the list of issues happening, plus still being my E-vet communications being totally deleted he said was recoverable maybe, and got the old stuff again ‘oh they are team mates, they are great, who made the Polar bear remark. I said for the third or fourth time I don’t know their name. By that time I was fed up, been up too long, not in the mood. I told him some fat bitch behind the counter and do not read all their name tags to know who said what. I wasn’t going to turn around, collect all names of those looking right me, get upset, find witnesses and discuss the issue on their turf. Or report it immediately while I had enough to deal with presently. Seemed to me all present within earshot had a good laugh including some vets in peanut gallery who seemed to know what it meant. Then he really started in defending everything and irked beyond belief since I called the person/chick smiling and from where the Bear mumble came from … fat. He lives in the big city and never heard that particular comparison made. The worse and only time I got that rude with any of them at the VA or cussed over the phone.

    I fall back on the Constitution. If I can be continually offended then so can you. Speak your mind and I can speak mine even though you think it’s hate. If it’s hate I will say it. Offended? Leave or don’t listen. WE have the right to hate, question, challenge, expose evils, corruption, like, love, associate with who we want, and should be able to do business with without being forced into something with thugs or hooligans or by fascist laws. Or should in a (barf) free country. Don’t tell me what is right or wrong or what I am to totally tolerate… and like it.

    Myself, even a few blacks quit high school joining the military due to the black on white crime or daily assaults on us up to the seventies. “Civil Unrest.” One black friend and jock was harassed and called names just for not joining in and doing what the rest were. It was a daily thing and if white kids or parents tried to do something about it we were told to be quiet or we’d be expelled for ‘inciting riots or upsetting the NAACP. So media just reported two incidents that I know of while the school boards and city covered it all up. One older dude went to prison for assaults and extortion after years of getting by with it. Only prosecution I know of. Typical here.

    All through Jr. High and High S., it was constant ‘honky,’ ‘cracker,’ ‘snowflake,’ ‘white-bread,’ and others. Some white girls went through daily hell too. Others lucky enough to change schools. Some families moved. Jumped in school or out. Like the white kids or kids of the town’s lawyers, cops, SDS, college kiddies, communist, teacher pets, etc., wasn’t enough. They got your cloths, homework, books, money, watches, bike, whatever. But all that was to be seen as rite of passage or accepted pecking order or bullying. So today they want to blemish what “snowflake” really meant besides snow… and it worked. Not in my mind it hasn’t. Those flakes today are nothing to me but communist and anti-American scum bags. Along with all the SJWs and special interest groups or attack thugs. Talk to certain kids today and it all is still happening in some way and at different levels. Regardless of liaison cops in the schools. It won’t be made public news.

    The ACLU and others aren’t as fast or will help a white man like they do all others.

    Just like the hassles and corruption I deal with today, personally. If I were Jewish, Black, brown, Asian, female, Mex, Latino, MS-13, illegal, DACA, whatever, a shape shifting inner-Earth lizard person, polka dotted, I would have support easily. I could get free legal assist and help from the mighty ACLU or SPJL and others. But no I am one that Oprah claims should just die off and let all the brain-washed and socially engineered youth take over. I’d even be safe from all those self-hating white people to be found all over, in high offices to Hollywood.

    Why aren’t reports flooding MSM and schools about the White Genocide and very gruesome slaughter going on and has been in South Africa while they import them here by the thousands wanting to do the same?

    Why is it only whites are blamed for slavery when about every race, nation, and country, including American Indigenous people had slaves and totally wiped out other tribes?

    Why are so many white people afraid to be real and speak up, or fear the labels of hater, racist, bigot or something when they are being tormented or having to deal with gangs and thugs, the scum in politics or in power positions? Unions? Label away they don’t know me.

    I wrote a letter to the editor and posted it on a old local chat board many years ago about whites being discriminated and suffering mis-treatment. Or those in college and businesses free to hassle white folks for the hell of it. I even bought tickets to the NAACP banquets to discuss issues and all I heard was hate and paying back the white man or pushing us aside.

    A friend at one work place would invite me to a now gone all black legion post for drinks and talks. Had a damn great time, got liquored up and then some, listened to some good blues and Motown, ate great food…. no problems at all ever. Going up for ordination processes, get invited to an all Black church and didn’t think I was going to make it out alive. White girls I was with fine, but I was an evil white. So the elders parted the trouble makers and sit next to me until the hate filled service was over. We shall ‘over-come’ and it just didn’t mean nicely. More like we shall destroy not merely over-come. What a lessen that one was.

    It’s not going to get better. Obummer and his filth and who he allowed crimes to go unpunished didn’t help matters. Trump isn’t keeping a promise about ending PC-ness either. The mother and test for tyrannical hate speech laws. Hell Israel wants global rights to arrest anyone they want to for hate speech or possibly not supporting them or the wars. Happy days.

  5. NY attorney general: Veterans’ charity was scam, raffle a fake
    By: The Associated Press 05/30/18

    “ALBANY, N.Y. — Authorities say a New York charity that claimed to be raising money for disabled veterans sold tickets for a raffle that never happened.

    New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said Tuesday that the founder of the Wounded Warriors Foundation of Orange County has agreed to pay restitution and $250 in civil penalties. The organization must either dissolve or properly register as a charity.

    The group sold $4,200 worth of raffle tickets and said the winner would receive a new car. But investigators say the raffle didn’t happen and none of the proceeds went to veterans.

    Messages left with the organization weren’t immediately returned Tuesday. On its website the group says it didn’t sell enough tickets to hold the raffle.

    The organization is not affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project.”

    1. Notice they made the fake charity just close enough and using word ‘warrior’..and ch-ching, people contributed…this is ALSO how the emotional purse strings are pulled ANYTIME the VA wants more $$$ and must go before congress critters…again, we Vets are only the paved stepping stones to the cookie jar…

      I think these blatant war profiteering scammers, whomever they are, when caught, should be air-dropped into some shithole with plenty of unfriendly fire. Skeet-Shooting Shitheads. Could be a new Olympic Competition.

  6. Oh and Thomas Bowman passed over again. That is a good thing.

    Veterans Affairs Department Gets a New Acting Secretary
    Peter O’Rourke, the agency’s chief of staff, replaces Robert Wilkie, who President Trump has nominated to become VA secretary
    By Ben Kesling
    Wall Street Journal
    05/30/18

    “WASHINGTON—The White House on Wednesday announced a new acting secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, ending days of confusion about who is in charge of the massive federal agency.

    Peter O’Rourke, the VA’s chief of staff, replaces Robert Wilkie, who President Donald Trump has nominated to become VA secretary. Mr. O’ Rourke was elevated to the acting secretary position on Tuesday, according to an announcement from the White House released Wednesday morning.

    Mr. Wilkie had to vacate his acting position because of civil-service procedural regulations. The move sets necessary groundwork for a confirmation hearing. The White House hasn’t provided a timeline for the hearing and didn’t respond to a request for comment.

    The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee doesn’t have a confirmation timeline, according to Amanda Maddox, spokeswoman for committee chairman Sen. Johnny Isakson (R., Ga.). The White House hasn’t provided all the necessary paperwork, she said, adding, “We’ll do our part to expeditiously vet and process the nomination once the paperwork has been submitted.”

    Mr. O’Rourke is a Navy and Air Force veteran, according to his VA biography, and served as the executive director of a VA office established to protect whistleblowers before becoming VA chief of staff.

    It is unclear when Mr. Wilkie stepped down from his job as acting secretary. On Tuesday afternoon, a top VA official who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter said that other high-ranking officials were confused about who was serving as acting secretary and unsure if Mr. Wilkie had stepped down.”

    Full Article At: “https://www.wsj.com/articles/veterans-affairs-department-gets-a-new-acting-secretary-1527710916”

  7. “Union Sues Trump For Telling Fed Workers To Stop Doing So Much Union Business On Taxpayers’ Dime”
    Tim Pearce, Daily Caller, 5/30/18

    “A federal workers union sued President Donald Trump Wednesday over an executive order limiting the amount of time federal workers can spend conducting union business on official time, Bloomberg reported.

    Trump signed the order on May 25 with several others prohibiting federal workers from collecting pay for time spent lobbying the government, charging rent to union workers using federal office space and directing more aggressive union contract bargaining.

    The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed a complaint over the order in a federal court in Washington, D.C. The union is asking the court to block one of the orders because it violates the First Amendment and separation of powers, according to Bloomberg.”

    “The order in question limits the time federal workers can spend conducting union business — such as filing grievances and negotiating contracts — to 25 percent of their taxpayer-payed work time.

    A May 17 report by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) found federal workers spent $174.8 million worth of time on union activities in 2016 — all of it taxpayer funded — Inside Sources reported.

    “The data shows that Taxpayer Funded Union Time is at a steady increase,” OPM Director Jeff T.H. Pon said, according to Inside Sources. “This Administration is passionate about protecting hardworking Americans and the use of their tax dollars.””

    Full Article At: “https://dailycaller.com/2018/05/30/union-sues-trump-taxpayer-dollars/”

    1. Federal Workers Sue Trump Over Order Capping Union Time
      By Andrew M Harris
      Bloomberg
      May 30, 2018

      “Government workers are taking President Donald Trump to court over an executive order limiting the amount of time public employees can spend on union activities.

      In a complaint filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington, the American Federation of Government Employees is seeking a court order blocking the new measure from taking effect. The union claims the rule, which Trump signed May 25, violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.

      “Without any valid justification, it singles out labor organizations and their representatives for disparate, negative treatment as compared to individuals,” the union said in its complaint.

      The edict was one of three signed by the president. The others require the government to charge union members for office space, to stop paying workers for time spent lobbying the federal government and to be tougher in negotiating federal contracts. They also make it easier to fire employees.

      Trump’s action builds on a wave of laws enacted by Republican governors over the past decade to curb the power of public employee unions, moves conservatives see as helpful in shrinking government and undermining political foes.

      AFGE, the nation’s largest federal employees union, endorsed Trump’s opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, for president in the 2016 election.

      The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on the union’s complaint.

      The case is American Federation of Government Employees v. Trump, 18-cv-1261, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia.

      Full Article with updates at:
      “https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-30/government-employees-sue-trump-over-new-federal-work-rule”

      1. Great Article by Andrew M Harris but he forgot to add that the Union Members will now also have to pay all of their own transportation expenses. It was something like $22 million billed to the government in 2016 by the Union just for Transportation. A lot of which was while they were lobbying members for their votes for Hillary Clinton.

        What does the Union currently do with all the dues paid by Members of the AFGE?

  8. Wanna know if a double standard exists and why the VA is afraid to mess with Takina or whatever her name is?

    “STARBUCKS” and “WAFFLE HOUSE”

  9. reverse racism is alot worse than racism itself . thats all it is just reverse racism patronizing the cards of privilege.

    still the social media cannot define racism and liberalism is going to fuck this country up from a whole bunch of obama babies trying to paint the country black again . ABC shows are a piece of shit anyways.shows on ABC network is so segregated makes the civil rights movement look like a piece of black licorice stuck in the washing machine crying for help because some one put a load of whites on bleach spin. ABC is the new BET.
    dont even bother watching tv.facebook is hacked and youtube just started block people out that are not democrats or liberals. no wonder why theres mass shootings. yet at the end of the day a black man smiles within his government job while another veterans is fucked over by the satire of a relentless government that feels racism keeps the motivation in prospective to limit the masses.

  10. In a twitter post by Lauren Rose posted a photo showing a side by side comparison of Valerie Jarrett and the actor, wearing her makeup, during the film Planet of the Apes. It is very clear that they do remarkable resemble each other. Also the Facial hair on the actor does resemble the breads worn by members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

    You can’t tell me that they don’t look the same and that Roseanne nailed it with her comic insult.

    The Pic can be seen at: “https://twitter.com/LaurenRoseUltra/status/1001537566968082433”

    1. Seymore,
      Extremely uncanny! As you point out, the hair is almost a duplicate style!

  11. White privilege…..

    A dancing monkey…..

    Hmmm….. this is almost too easy.

    Either way, racism is designed and created by blacks. Plain and simple!! Not long ago, a female Air Force Staff Sergeant, Geraldine Lovely, was demoted for a “racially motivated rant” that went viral. A few years ago, a white US Army Soldier was brutally, blatantly, and intentionally murdered because he was white. His murderers were also US Army Soldiers, and they were black. NONE OF THEM WERE CHARGED WITH A RACIAL HATE CRIME even though they boasted slurs of “white” racism. In short, SSgt Lovely did nothing but present truths based upon facts. The murdered WHITE Soldier was just that, a murder.
    Blacks need racism. Blacks want racism. Blacks are racism. Blacks love racism. Blacks thrive on racism. Without racism, blacks would be without a purpose.
    Think about it….
    Blacks are breeding racists thereby causing all non blacks to become racist..
    There is no other place on the planet that provides black freedom and prosperity. Hugo Chavez called Obama the n****r. Muslims pretend blacks have a purpose.
    Blacks, in America, have so many hyphenated or other than identifiers:

    black
    minority
    negro
    people of color
    n****r
    african American
    and the list goes on……

    Point?? The VA has long been a playground for racists, Black Racists……..
    Black veterans groups are racist… I would lay bets that programs such as Voc Rehab covertly boast black friendly environments.

    To this simpleminded Bay Pines, VA employee Tatishka Thomas, your DNA flawed piece of human inconvenience ass should be fired and the womb from which you fell should be supeeglued. You Ms Thomas, caused my rant, now what…..

    1. Singleshot,
      You forgot “whites” who’ve kept “blacks” on the “modern [financial] plantation” since ????!
      The most egregious today are people like Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff and others!
      Their whole existence, along with our educational system, IS to keep telling “them” – “your a victim of racism!” Thereby, making everyone else the “protagonist”!

      There’s a new RNC campaign video out which shows “Piglosi” in a NOT to favorable light. Maybe you’ve seen it.
      It’s about what she said about the gang “MS-13” recently!
      If you’ve not seen it, try to find it.

  12. Here’s a true story!
    In the 1980’s, I was a student at the University of Hawaii. We had an instructor by the name of “Dr. Schliemann (sic)! She was the daughter of the man who found the city of Troy! She taught “anthropology”! And she knew her subject!

    One day, as I entered her classroom. I saw about 10 “skulls” on a table.
    During class, our “job” was to “match the skull to its corresponding ethnicity”; ie; put the skull next to what “group of peoples it belonged with!”
    Many of her students were Asian, White, African American and Hawaiian and of different age groups!

    Everyone, and I mean everyone, got two skulls wrong!
    The two were;
    1.) The two skulls of the “indigenous pre- modern Japanese” and the “modern Japanese!”
    2.) The skulls between an ape and an African American!

    As I’ve said, this is/was a TRUE STORY in an exercise of Anthropology. By an anthropologist of great renown!

  13. Maybe it’s time for the – “reinstitution of the draft!”
    Only this time – it includes everyone living today between the ages of 18 to 38!
    I don’t care what color, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, medical problems, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!! If you breath, your drafted – just like the “old days”!!!
    It’s time for this “volunteer military” to be a thing of the past!

  14. D…Just look at her face you can tell she is more than a AA…
    And she’s a Commie and so are her parent’s….. LOL

    Valerie Jarrett’s father, maternal grandfather and father-in-law were dedicated communists under prolonged investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to FBI files obtained by Judicial Watch.

    Jarrett is a trusted senior adviser to President Barack Obama.

    Jarrett’s father was James Bowman, a medical doctor who specialized in pathology, genetics and hematology. He also served as a professor at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. He died in 2011.

    An extensive FBI dossier obtained by Judicial Watch shows that Bowman belonged to the Association of Internes and Medical Students, an organization which “has long been a faithful follower of the Communist Party line,” then-contemporary FBI files indicate.

  15. cj ..I’d like to sit down with that Kid smoke a joint and drink a Beer, I would give him some information overload….LOL…So here I just smoked a bowl and Drank a Beer…Damn am I tired….LOL

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      (Makes note) Send Oldmarine, stuffed Chicago pizza STAT!

  16. So as a union president you say she wasn’t privileged, Sounds like your just a X Killary supporter,[DUMB].Your not included in the DUMB LEM….LOL
    They did get the shaft but not in this day and age, You need to open your eyes to move forward.

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      Thar you go again, spouting off with all that thar common sense!!!! Have you no mercy Oldmarine?

  17. Well, we all need to move forward and no one can deny that blacks have gotten the lower end of the stick so I can’t believe that anyone wants to argue against racism.

    At the end of the day, people need to stand up for what’s right and against what’s wrong.

    I hope to see more material that will help us all get 100% from the VA so at least we can tread water in the US or live like a prince in SE Asia or East Africa.

  18. Racial thing just bores me anymore, it is all just people trying to make a move to get something, or to make some else look like crap. Nobody really gives a **** about your skin color. The VA has screwed up huge on not having more Veterans, as things that Veterans would catch such as Jobs that use TCE, or maybe even chemicals on bases, they civilian employee’s know nothing about such things, so no claims is done properly by design until forced, no Veterans are helped for chemical exposure by design of the system. They don’t want a Combat veteran in there if they can make him or her look dirty they will.

  19. To address this matter adequately, one first needs to focus on matters of clarity related to defining standards. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines racism as: 1) a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others. 2) a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination. 3) hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. This definition seems pretty straightforward and is arguably the most widely accepted principle highlighting what constitutes racism.

    Enter: Semantic change and academia.

    The process of semantic change relates to the evolution of word usage over time. This phenomenon is largely impacted by social elements such as popular culture and explains why we have resources such as Urban Dictionary. Take for instance the word sick and how its meaning has changed over time. Sick generally refers to the condition of being ill or affected with disease. Over time it has also come to be associated with that which is good or desirable. With the alteration of descriptions comes confusion for those clinging to concrete standards of definition. Personally, I see no problem with changing some words when doing so helps others avoid confusion. However, people often experience difficulty concerning semantic change when word meanings don’t require alteration from their original form.

    Now consider the academy (institutions of higher education). Colleges and universities are often responsible for social, cultural, and political change. In fact some social sciences, humanities, and history lecturers and professors emphatically state it is the sole responsibility of an educator to challenge students to think critically of fundamental belief systems, create discomfort that leads to personal growth, and dispel archaic methods of societal interaction in order to cause students to become agents for change. Unfortunately, this process is often heavily impacted by partisan perspectives, intrinsic bias, and scarcely-hidden agendas that relate more to ideological indoctrination and conditioning than to the process of free thinking and individuality. This collectivist, postmodernist, and neo-Marxist process has been the topic of much global debate over the past five years, most recently scrutinized by those who have been simplistically categorized as the Intellectual Dark Web. This collective, however, is a topic for another discussion.

    So what does semantic change and academia have to do with the current post relating to racism?

    Words that signal specific criterion and which are utilized in sociopolitical arenas, courtrooms, classrooms, and other areas of life needn’t be altered for the sake of meshing well with partisan ideologies. One group doesn’t need a word to fit its member’s expectations; otherwise confusion across the sociopolitical spectrum will result. Still, through the process of semantic change some academics have been trying to enforce their biased perspectives upon society at large, and thusly have attempted to change the meaning of the word racism (and derivatives thereof).

    In 2015, Matthew Clair (Harvard University) and Jeffrey S. Denis (McMaster University) published a paper in the International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, Volume 19, entitled Racism, Sociology of. In it the authors stated, “racial inequality is reproduced and can even be empowering, as it demystifies an insidious element of white privilege and systems of power” (p. 859). Did you catch that? The authors specifically linked racism to the Caucasian (white) race. The paper goes on to discuss how power and privilege account for factors inherent in the spirit of the term racism’s meaning versus the supposed simplistic and widely accepted definition of the word.

    Not all academics agree, however. In 2010, Pooja Sawrikar (Griffith University) and Ilan Katz (UNSW Sydney) published a paper in the Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal, Vol.2, No.1, entitled “Only White People can be Racist”: What does Power have to with
    Prejudice? In it the authors plainly state, “By properly acknowledging the role of ‘prejudice’ in racism, and not exclusively focusing on the element of ‘power’, individuals can be better empowered to exercise their own personal power and choice to be vigilant on their racial prejudices, and all racial groups can be better empowered to take responsibility for protecting each of our human right to racial equality” (p. 95). So one set of academics states racism requires systemic power and privilege, and that white people have historically wielded such elements over persons of color. Another set argues in favor of the standard definition, as intrinsic power and privilege have nothing to do with the operational definition of racism.

    Confused yet?

    Despite differing definitions and much debate concerning this topic, some people simply choose to inforce the phenomenon of confirmation bias, disregard cognitive dissonance, and promote the notion of racism as having originated only from white people. I used 2010 and 2015 sources to illustrate differing sides of the argument. Let’s take a look at how academics treat this topic in 2018 for a more enriched understanding as to why a VA employee may not have received punishment for blatantly racist remarks—as defined by commonly-accepted standards.

    According to Rich Barlow of Boston University, in an article entitled Checking Your (White) Privilege at the Door – STH class seeks to tear down race-based assumptions, power published in BU Today (online media source; February 27, 2018), the author reports that the class instructor professes that the underlying course narrative “is the assumption that white people in America experience a privilege that they may or may not be aware of. It can be as simple as the fact that their skin is white, and it can be as complex as privileges that come from economic status,” and the “dismantling’ in the course title, she says, refers to tools the teachers hope to give students to ‘know privilege when they see it, and ways in which they can resist.” The white-only brand of racist description continues to plague academia. This epidemic then permeates society at large when left unchallenged (e.g., think VA Human Resources personnel who mandate unconscious bias training that teaches you are racist whether you know it or not—a topic that was born in academia).

    My point in all this?

    There are many people who refute the standard definition of racism and opt rather to embrace and employ the use of semantically-altered narratives that better align with the goal of academically activist change across a societal level. I wonder whether or not this may explain why one VA employee cited in the current board post received treatment disproportionate to that of another VA employee who is perhaps identified with a separate racial group. While some may retort that race has nothing to do with this matter, or irrespective of race as a factor both referenced VA employees are persons of color (minorities), the academic sources I cite retain relevance enough to dissipate the notion that racism isn’t being closely tied to race—one racial category in particular, in fact. So much for the whole judgment based on content of character versus color of skin approach, eh?

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      Just Passing Through: Uh oh, as per paragraph 1, I am a racist, or am I? Oh the plot thickens!!! (Raising and lowering eyebrows)

      I freely admit my deep seated hate for those who cross our borders in violation of the law, and make demands of our government. I also freely admit my utter hatred for the way our government, bends the rules, and writes laws to protect these criminals, in violation of our constitution.

      Isn’t it funny that an old law, written to protect the children of slaves, has been bastardized, to include the children of illegals? Oh waittttt just a minute , hold da damn boattttttt, nevermind. Illegals are the new slave. My bad!

      1. @cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿

        Interestingly, “those who cross our borders in violation of the law” relate more to nationality than race. If you are discussing Mexicans—or even those individuals associated with Mara Salvatrucha who are mostly comprised of Salvadorans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans—it is key to understand that while they may relate to various ethnic categorizations, they are more appropriately identified by nationality. Semantics aside, it is noted that you dislike our nation’s immigration policy and action/inaction relating to the same.

      2. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        Just Passing Through, I make no distinction of where they come from, most don’t realize that Mideastern Indian, it the number one illegal in the country. That aside, if your not going to enforce all of our laws then don’t enforce any. Do not stop me and give me a ticket that cost me over a hundred dollars, while you look away at the border, and chose not to fine companies for aiding illegals to stay in this country which is a felony last time I checked.

      3. @cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿

        I share your frustration with inconsistency concerning policy functioning, law enforcing, and attitudes attributed to a number of laws; yet, I make no distinction regarding race, ethnicity, or nationality. I’m more concerned with the letter and spirit of the law rather than the color, shade, or national origin of the individual the law applies to. That said, your discontent is acknowledged.

  20. Excellent work Ben. Its disgraceful those at VAHQ would not only handle this with a clear double standard, but then cover it up by playing games with FOIA.

    Its unfortunate we can’t get any swamp rats on the House or Senate VA committees to investigate this problem.

    Imagine how fast they would schedule dog and pony hearings if some white employee posted a remark derogatory about minorities to Facebook while on duty…and VA leadership drug their feet making excuses for taking no action.

  21. AS one of those so called ” White Male Privileged Bastards” I my self have been the victim of racism from the Spanish Gangs within the VA Employee club. A Social Worker spoke rather harshly towards me about how I was “Not Deserving ” my VA Benefits, that I should just roll over and die, how I was just a PoS. She spoke with a spanish accent, only gave me her first name. Then she slammed the phone down when I started asking questions.
    I delivered a print out of the phone conversation to the VA Superiors, and her boss (@ Tampa VA Annex?)
    It was after my complaint it seemed all o the spanish medical team in the group who were to treat me began to keep their distance, avoid speaking to me about my medical needs.
    The Dr was even changing and canceling my appointments.

    YES ! This Hate Whites hate veterans attitude seems to have poisonous roots spreading thru out the government agencies.
    And of course my complaints have made it as far as the trash can.

    ps; the Senior Social worker (in charge) had Also ” Counseled ” me about my letter and was trying hard to discourage me from doing Anything about the issue -IF I still want to keep being treated by the VA… ( or in other words: Dont bitch or else)
    Interesting form of PC commentary….

  22. What we continue to have a problem with that does not only include the VA, but other companies, government official, politicians, ets., is that there is no taking personal responsibility for statements or actions such as this example. That leads to a breakdown in trust, and the perception of a lack of integrity. Concerning the VA, there is no way that things will improve until senior leadership addresses problems like this, shows an honest attept at accountability, and takes corrective action to keep it from happening again.

      1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        Oldmarine, I am sorry to inform you, you suffer from one of the oldest inflictions known to man. You suffer from common sense, and therefore, you are not allowed to have any privilege. Sowwy!

      2. OldMarine,

        Given the U.S. 2015 Census shows that 11.6% percentage of veterans in 2015 were black. Additionally, 78.3 percent of Veterans were non-Hispanic white.

        Common sense in this case means White privilege allows for nearly 80% of the body counts and 80% of all the Veterans disabled during all these wars. To be white people.

        It also means that Tatishka Thomas is clearly racially biased against 80% of all the Veterans in America.

  23. I had a VA doc from Spain who hated PTSD vets and he’d low ball every PTSD vet he could low ball. VA upper management took notice and sent PTSD vets his way. Then Veterans started refusing to be seen by this doc and asking to be seen elsewhere and I believe a few people in the Congress became informed about this doc. Veterans named him Dr. NOPTSD. Anyway the Spaniard doc was allowed to stay there on and retire and that took a long long time!

  24. Good News Reporting! You are going to be taking a big hit for addressing reverse discrimination in today’s social climate. But good job! NTBR, however, each gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation have their own experiences, and hence, point of view. We need to understand why people feel the way they do and address those specific issues, not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are good reasons why ALL people have resentments and stereotypes. Address the issues, the people involved, not the whole segment of society. It’s like this in the political arena as well. I’m all about the issue and what is the best approach to solve the problem not about schoolyard antics (bullying and name calling). We are making progress, at least in this country we can debate issues openly without being poisoned, burned, hacked to death. You get the picture. We as a society need to be able to speak our thoughts in order to remedy the maladies of our mutual union and build a better and greater future for all. Keep the good faith!

  25. For Ben I would only add that with as much as people are on their phones these days, I would not hang my hat on the assumption or conclusion that she used VA resources. More than likely was on her own personal device and perhaps on a break – which is how I would bet it all washes out.
    Not excusing anything – just recognizing that this is a different world these days ….

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      Thanks Steven Shippee, for making me feel oh so old……………What I ever do to you?
      Lmao, just kidding relaxxxxxxx..

  26. Perceived racist comment? It is only racism if the comment is made by a white person .They call us crackers snowflakes honkey you name it and its okay.Let a white person say something and its OMG….Such BS Dance Monkey Dance

  27. According to the U.S. 2015 Census 11.6% percentage of veterans in 2015 were black. Additionally, 78.3 percent of Veterans were non-Hispanic white. Personally I feel that any racists white or black should be fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Given the term “Dance Monkey Dance” is not in anyway racist but the Statement “F@cking White Privilege” very clearly is racist. Clearly the administration at the VA have their collective heads up their asses.

    Also given, VA nurse, and Union president, Tatishka Thomas was paid 100% official time as Union president will now be required to actually perform the duties she was hired by the VA to do 75% of the time. As per the recent Presidental Order.

    It is truly beyond belief that the VA will be subjecting Veterans to care under this racist’s control.

    Way to Drop the Ball Cashcow.

    1. Hello Seymore,

      When I was growing up it was very common for whites to call blacks monkeys and gorillas so I would consider it a racial term.

      1. Hey Derek,

        I am white and in my 60s and while I was growing up I don’t recall ever hearing anyone referring to a Black person as a monkey or a gorilla. Although there were some terms used by both Black and White racist back in the day to insult the other color. Never have I heard the words monkey or gorilla used to insult someone over the color of their skin.

        That is of course with the present exception of those who mock our President saying he looks like an orangutan. But that is not due to the color of his skin.

        “‘Roseanne’ fans call for Bill Maher to be fired after he joked Trump is part orangutan”
        By Kathleen Joyce | Fox News
        “https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/05/30/roseanne-fans-call-for-bill-maher-to-be-fired-after-joked-trump-is-part-orangutan.html”

  28. Thanks for the article Ben. As founder of the advocacy group Bay Pines Exposed, I appreciate you bringing awareness and attempting to hold the VA responsible.

    It is widely believed by members of Bay Pines Exposed that hurt racist views definitely play a major part in the outcome of disciplinary actions at Bay Pines, particularly against whistleblowers.
    Keep Hansford,
    Bay Pines Exposed

  29. How are the incidents the same? Or even race related? They aren’t.

    1. Obviously both individuals are MINORITIES. To make an accurate correlation, Pena would need to be Anglo. I live in Texas, and every Pena I know is Hispanic. It is more than obvious that “Takisha” is AA. I mean, I have never met a Takisha, but usually “isha” is associated with an AA female.

    I’m confused as to how anyone could compare differential treat between two people who aren’t Anglo. If anything anything the article could address different treat based upon gender. But that wouldn’t make the article as divisive. White/black content is divisive and rates high as it relates to google analytics.

    Someone said Rosanne Bar’s show was canceled after she apologized for saying an AA woman was the product of a Muslim and an Ape. Despite high ratings. I’m so #dead. This person is essentially saying that he condones beastility like in beauty and the beast. This is why I hate the internet ?. #yousaiditididnt

    1. Vet1

      Winters is over, Hillary lost a long time ago and Obama isn’t in office anymore so you don’t need to be so flakey anymore.

      Best thing for you to do is go sit in your safe space and melt instead of trolling disabled Veterans.

    2. You must not have read the article closely @VET1. The two differences I highlight are Sex and Veteran status. It could simply be that she is an AFGE rep. But the questions need to be asked since both are VA employees.

    3. You do realize Valerie Jarrett is Iranian and not “AA”, right?

      Now who is racist?

      1. Actually, although she was born in Iran, both parents of Valerie Jarrett are African American which makes her African American and not Persian.

      2. D

        You are wrong about her race. Clearly she is middle Eastern Heritage just check out the picture of her at the following tweet.

        “https://twitter.com/LaurenRoseUltra/status/1001537566968082433”

  30. Here’s a utube video from “Mark Dice”, dated today (6:17 minutes long), explaining the “liberal left leaning radical snowflakes hypocrisy on racism”!
    Titled:
    “The Truth About Roseanne Being Cancelled!”

    BTW, today’s blog is/will be a “hot topic”!

    (Side Note: From my personal experience, in the Army, we were all “green”! In the Navy, we were all “grey”! Too bad these liberal snowflakes won’t take advantage of joining our military! They wouldn’t want to pull these stunts there!)

      1. Seymore,
        Did you notice the remarkable resemblance between the “planet of the apes” star and Valerie Jarrett?
        Oh, wait. I’m not allowed to point out truths, because it might offend or upset someone.
        Yet, the Supreme Court has, multiple times since the founding of our Republic, defended my/our Constitutional Right to offend or upset anyone! They even said “Hate Speech” was legal.
        So, why is it then, some (Mostly Conservatives) are NOT afforded these Rights? Only, it would seem, liberals are allowed to make disparaging remarks and comments!

        Well, I’m going to close now! I do believe y’all know where this is heading! If not, then you need to come out into the sunlight!

  31. Is the our Legislature Branch and Veteran Affairs Administration are they are Legal Mafia?

  32. Please.

    As if we didn’t know reverse racism against da white man has been pushed and sanctioned since the 90’s.

    In service everyone is green. Go to an Ohio’s VA and it’s cracker, honky and Whitey. Just call them what they are and get ready for a fist fight. I try to treat all people on a level playing field but fuck that if it’s okay to only be racist against me.

    Ungrateful bastards. Got their freedoms and all our milk and honey and it justs wasn’t enough for the greedy shits.

    I’ve never once received my white male disabled veteran privilege card. Keep getting a letter saying “ur a fuckin white male hahaha lol Bernie Sanders says ur not poor”.

    1. Well, you would not need to receive a white disabled veteran card.
      The lady is wacko but I hope that you equally stand up for the number of whites who discriminate against black and brown people as much as you are offended by this lady.

      1. There’s that cuckold talk again.

        You just can’t help buy hold “your fellow whites” to some impossible standard, when a black woman posts racist nonsense on Facebook during company time.

        We see you. We see through you. That playbook doesn’t work. President Trump gave us hope, is teaching us how to fight, and you can get on that train or get run over.

  33. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

    You Veteran hating Union bitch, bullets know no color, you cucking funt,

    Fire the bitch.

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      ASAP.

      1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        March hare, did you catch the privacy officers name?
        Laura Fowkes…. I bet she does, as many Veterans as she can.

  34. I learned in the Marine Corps that all folks are equal no matter the color. Here is one boot camp running song that made that point clear to us. Sung in the tune of “Jesus Loves The Little Children” but obviously the words changed for the Marine Corps;

    “Oh, Napalm sticks to little children, all the little children of the world.
    Red, yellow, black, or white, they’re all the same when they ignite!
    Napalm burns to the bone….

    Then repeat chorus.

    It really made me rethink my own views on skin color and realized underneath we are all the same. I learned a lot in the Marines…

  35. Here we go again! Another “act” by someone who believes it’s OK to “post disparaging/disgusting remarks on a social media platform (Facebook)!” Then, citing “1st Amendment Rights”! Some even believe it’s perfectly fine to outright lie. Which causes others to believe them!

    (side note: What I’m about to write, will more than likely piss someone off! I don’t give a shit, because I’m tired of the BULLSHIT!
    People, and I mean ALL people, NEED to understand, “Their lives are what they make of it!”)

    Kenn Daily, and other social media “journalists”, have been showing how “racial intolerance”, “racial rediscrimination”
    and “racial desegregation” is and has reinserted itself into all our lives. “It” began, in earnest, around ten years ago!
    And, yet, only those who have “no dark pigmentation in their skin” are “called on the carpet” and “made an example of”! And, there are lots of “examples” out there! Utube is full of videos supporting my opinion and FACTS over this issue!

    The latest person who wrote “disgusting comments” on a “social media platform”, “Twitter” this past weekend, and was immediately “shown the errors of her ways” – was Roseanne Bar!
    Her Monday night “sit-com” was #1 in the ratings! That didn’t matter! Her show was “cancelled” yesterday (29 May 2018)! Even her “apologies” didn’t matter!

    ALL that being said, What’s going to happen to that AFGE Union President? – in my opinion – NOT one damn thing!
    Does anyone believe she’ll have to step down? If you do. Prove it!

    1. Elf I think she will get a promotion,…LOL… In all my days of living I have never met someone that complained about Racism unless they were themselves …..

      1. OLDMARINE,
        Gotta disagree. She’s through! And yet, all of the liberal wing nuts who have done the very same – ie; racial slurs – are still on the air!

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