John Kerry Statement on Stolen Veterans’ Records

[sabra]

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/05/kerry_on_va_som.html#more

<snip>

John Kerry Statement on Stolen Veterans’ Records

Below is a statement by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) on reports that the personal data of over 26 million U.S. military veterans has been stolen from the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs staffer. Kerry will be introducing legislation that requires the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a copy of the credit report to each veteran affected by the theft:

“If your credit card company or your doctor’s office lost your personal private information, you’d go ballistic. There’s no more personal and private information than a veteran’s medical information. This is no way to treat those who have worn the uniform of our country. Someone needs to be fired, the perpetrators need to be caught, and the security system at the V.A. needs to be massively overhauled.”

[saltpoint]

1. It goes without saying, but isn't that Bush's job?

I salute John Kerry for DOING Bush's job for him, but just as an aside, where the hell is the president?

[Wickerman]

2. once a soldier is no longer cannon fodder

they mean even less to Bush** than do the pointless deaths he is responsible for.

[saltpoint]

9. Very sad and very true, Wickerman. He considers people dispensable

and veterans have not fared well at all under this administration.

[Divernan]

3. Now if it were the Texas Air National Guard records. . .. .

nt

[saltpoint]

10. Yes. It's in Dubya's best interest that those records stay lost. /nt

[genie_weenie]

4. Veterans are Servicemembers who Failed

to die for their country, ideal, Glorious leader...

So, fuck'em.

This isn't sarcasm, this is what happens to vets. Servicemen are nothing but meat for the grinder...

[NJ_Lib]

5. Ahhh, what does Kerry know about this stuff...

...Oh wait a minute, I thought he only served in Vietnam for the photo-op... God, how can some Murkins be so stupid... They all owe Kerry an apology...

[napi21]

6. I don't know about the "massevely overhauled" statement.

This sounds like a very easy fix to me! Forbid ANYONE from taking confidential information out of a Gov't secured building. No downloading, no taking files home, NOTHING!

I know how much nicer it is to work at your leisure at home, and you can even get more done in less time, but people who work in Banks aren't permitted to take customer data home on their computer", and neither should Gov't employees.

This is not a massive overhaul, just a little commonsense!

[NJ_Lib]

8. Yes but banks are private institutions that are actually...

... managed (the theives...).... This is the government we're talking about... Who's gonna stop them?

[napi21]

14. I didn't say the Seante shouldn't stop them, all I meant was it doesn't

take a lot of thought here. A massive overhaul isn't necessary when a simple and easy to pass new reg would work just fine!

[NJ_Lib]

15. Sorry, I should have included the dripping...

... sarcasm "smilie"... I was agreeing...

[papau]

7. toll-free number for Vets discharged from the military since 1975

toll-free number, 1-800-333-4636, for veterans to call if they notice anything suspicious
Also info is on www.firstgov.gov
Data stolen includes names, Social Security numbers, information on some veterans' physical disabilities, and birth dates, but no actual medical records and no financial information was on the computer equipment that was stolen.

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?...

UPDATE 3-Personal data on millions of U.S. veterans stolen
Mon May 22, 2006 5:36 PM ET

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) - Personal information on 26.5 million U.S. veterans was stolen from an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who took the data home without authorization, exposing them to possible identity theft, the department said on Monday.

The computer records included names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for the military veterans and some spouses, the department said. The electronic data related to everyone discharged from the military since 1975, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said.

Lawmakers and veterans' advocates expressed alarm that the government failed to safeguard the data, which could be used in credit card fraud and other crimes.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said that "we have no reason to believe at this time" that the data has been exploited for identity theft.<snip>

[Klimmer]

11. I appluad Pres. Kerry for pointing out what the Bush fraud should be doing

Just great. I'm a veteran, and my records are now involved. I ETSed in 1984 from the 3rd US Infantry, US Army Honor Guard. I've always been very careful with my personal data not ever wanting to be a victum of identity theft. From what I hear, this data can also be used in election theft also.

[babylonsister]

12. The supposition that this data can be used in election theft

deserves its own thread. I suppose just obtaining someone's SS# can do much harm. And I have several vets in my family who aren't happy.

[wisteria]

13. I understand this just didn't happen yesterday. Good for Kerry!

How come this administration took so long to let the veterans know about it and why are they not angry about one of their own for not following the rules and bringing home important information like this. Have they even said the person will be fired?