Carlos Fuentes

USMC Vet, SVAC Alum, Former VFW Leg Director

[Matthew Berry @MatthewBerryTMR]

Tomorrow... tomorrow is #LOVEHATE day.

[Matthew Berry @MatthewBerryTMR]

I asked @DangeRussWilson about my crazy theory that, because of the tension, that AJ Brown leaving Philly might be good for the Eagles offense, despite Brown's incredible talent. #FFHappyHour @FanaticsFest @MBFantasyLife

[VFW National HQ @VFWHQ]

#TBT In celebration of the second annual #VFWDayOfService back in 2023, VFW National Headquarters employees treated residents of local St. Michael's Veterans Center to a homestyle cookout complete with outdoor games and onsite representatives of our National Veterans Service!
#VFW #StillServing

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

It's an honor to work with @wwp and my @SVACDems colleagues to improve the lives of our nation's vets.

[VFW - Washington Office @VFW_OfficeDC]

And now a word from VFW's National Legislative Director Pat Murray -

Normally, Thanksgiving is synonymous with food, family, friends, and giving thanks. For @TheEconomist, Thanksgiving apparently means taking a turkey-sized dump on disabled veterans. The other day I had the unfortunate opportunity to read an unattributed article on The Economist titled, “American veterans now receive absurdly generous benefits” and it left me with a lot of thoughts. (You can read it for yourself here: https://t.co/E2hfOpyRjn, just be ready to sign up for a subscription.)

The piece on The Economist has no author and reads like it was poorly run through ChatGPT. And the title of the piece is insultingly stupid. The definition of absurd is "wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate." I’d challenge the anonymous cowards at The Economist to illuminate us on which parts of veterans’ healthcare and benefits are inappropriate, illogical, or wildly unreasonable?

I am a disabled veteran. I had my right leg blown to pieces on September 4, 2006, in Fallujah, Iraq. Since that time, I have had to walk with an above the knee prosthetic and I have not had an easy day physically for as long as I can remember. Hey, The Economist, which portion of my healthcare or benefits are wildly unreasonable?

Service to our country can be an incredibly uplifting and positive experience for many who wore the uniform, but that service can also involve hazards. Some disabled veterans struggle physically or mentally with the effects of their service. Bullet wounds, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post Traumatic Stress, and other effects of a service can sometimes cause chronic issues for veterans, and providing care and benefits for those issues is certainly not inappropriate or illogical.

While the AI assisted “journalists” at The Economist boldly chose not to put their name on this piece, they did attribute a quote to another non-expert in veteran benefits, Mark Duggan from Stanford University. Mark foolishly stated about VA Disability and Compensation, “Once you qualify you have an incentive not to get better.” An incentive not to get better?!?!? Hey Mark, any clue how I can get my right leg back? I’d gladly give back the money I’ve received so I can get up out of bed without the assistance of a wheelchair or a prosthetic.

The meandering poorly structured article in The Economist highlighted a lot of increased numbers and statistics, many of these figures quoted began back in 2001. It highlighted the increased number of veterans with high disability ratings beginning to increase in 2001. However, nowhere in the article does it state what else began back in 2001. These dopes conveniently left out the Global War on Terror that began in 2001 lasted for TWENTY YEARS! A full 20 years of the same all-volunteer force serving over and over, and over again in the same toxic hellholes fighting the same brutal terrorists. Gee, I wonder why today’s veterans are presenting with more chronic ailments than generations that came before us.

Ivy League elitists like Mark Duggan and the pretentious wankers at the Economist clearly didn’t bother to do much research on veteran disability or bother to speak to one of the millions of disabled veterans like me. We would have told these arrogant snobs that certain injuries and illnesses are with us for life, and no disability rating is worth the difficulties that come with some of the aftereffects of service.

The real cherry on top of this turd sundae was the lazy suggestion (possibly lifted from the fools at the @washingtonpost Editorial Board) that VA should means test veterans before receiving benefits. As in, if you make enough money after service, you won’t be taken care of for the costs of war. If The Economist had bothered to attribute a name to this drivel, I would ask that idiot, “how would you means test my inability to teach my son to ride a bike?” It’s a pretty routine joy that most parents get the privilege of taking part in. However, my prosthetic leg doesn’t really function in a way that allows normal bike riding. So that is a simple joy I won’t get. How exactly do buffoons like Mark Duggan and the dollar store journalists at The Economist suggest factoring in that loss?

The last paragraph of this loosely compiled puddle of garbage juice included the statement, “Reducing payments to former soldiers will never be popular, but it would be wise. America’s veteran obsession has gone too far.” -- TOO FAR?!?!? Holy hell, this sounds like it was written by a jealous also-ran who every veteran has probably met. The guy or girl who “totally would’ve joined…but I didn’t because I would’ve told-off a Drill Instructor if they got in my face”. Losers...

In the future, if any major publication wants to embarrass themselves by anonymously taking shots at disabled veterans, I’d like to offer my services. I can start by helping you research this subject to learn about the actual effects of service-connected injuries and illness. I can also connect you with other disabled veterans so you can hear first-hand accounts of some of the difficulties veterans face. I could even help google image search pictures of actual veterans, instead of the stock photo of firefighters The Economist used at the top of its trash piece on veterans. Then finally, if you are still intent on disparaging disabled veterans, I can assist you in removing your head from your ass…free of charge.

Patrick Murray

VFW Legislative Director
USMC 2003-2007

[Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 @alexplitsas]

D.C. area Veterans — Can we make sure he gets a proper send off?
https://t.co/3iBriJfiIQ

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@TomPorterDC @IndyFund @TheMilCoalition @MilitaryOfficer @WWP_DC @usawoa_social @VVAmerica I’ll sign a petition to get @jeremyv2018 some wardrobe assistance.

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@PostOpinions @washingtonpost , the impact these dangerous proposals would have on the all-volunteer force deserves more than a passing mention. Disability comp is 2% of the fed budget. VA is 4%, but its beneficiaries have guaranteed 100% of our rights and freedoms. Not a bad ROI.

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

Great discussion re global health, climate, and building a safer world @USGLC #MidAtlanticSummit23. https://t.co/zU5Qbrxztl

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

Long road ahead, but VA electronic health records modernization already making a difference 💪 https://t.co/lDGM2COU7z

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

Well written article, despite the headline. Some posts may die but the organization will live on. The generational divide has been around longer than the @VFWHQ & @AmericanLegion. But there are bonds that transcend generations, it’s why they’re still the largest vets orgs around.

[Thomas Novelly @TomNovelly]

VFW and American Legion posts are disappearing.

These posts, often decorated with military flags, dusty plaques honoring community service projects and faded photographs of past members and friends, are woven into the fabric of communities across the U.S.
https://t.co/ABh44Df3g6

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@ShusontheHill @AmericanLegion @RepBost What you do to cause Maria to stare you down?

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@SVACDems @SenatorTester Love this. @CarlBlakePVA, @Kat_Monet, or @freshmex13 please tell me that is Morgan on the top right with that amazing beard.

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@HeatherKellyPhD What happened, did Elizabeth make cookies? They are delicious and a great morale boost :)

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@JonMLCoen Switzerland 👀

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@JonMLCoen All for vaccines, but may miss those weird mefloquine dream.

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@connorobrienNH asking @SenatorTester if he can see DOD having a flat top line next FY is the best thing I’ve read all day.

[House Veterans' Affairs Democrats @VetAffairsDems]

Congratulations to Ray Kelley on his appointment as VSO Liaison for VA in the Biden Administration.

Ray has been a tremendous support and guide to Chairman @RepMarkTakano and the Committee is grateful for his work on behalf of our nation’s veterans.

https://t.co/vgp9u12UOV

[Oracle Health @OracleHealth]

Cerner has always worked to promote the health and well-being of our communities.

Read our statement for more on our ongoing efforts to advance policies that put the patient at the center of their care.

[Carlos Fuentes @clos_fuentes]

@WashingtonNFL @EAMaddenNFL PS5 WFT FTW