Gopher Gate Exposes VA Fraud and Corruption

Fellow Veterans and Friends of Veterans As we know, the Secretary of the VA's top assistants and Congressman Ted Lieu's senior deputies seem to have intentionally lied to Veterans. and the general public about a "gate opening" ceremony being canceled because of gopher holes.

To the contrary, a "private ceremony" was held for these same entrusted public servants along with selected wealthy and powerful attendees, while everyday Veterans and local residents were intentionally deceived to and denied equal attendance. Thus, nothing has changed as it's "business as usual" and reminiscent of the days when Sue Young, former executive director of Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC), held her "private parties" for her wealthy cronies. Now it's Carolina Winston Barrie, a former member of VPC's board of directors, who is continuing with this private and privileged tradition as the Gopher Gate "private ceremony" scam was her idea. In fact, Carolina Barrie was able to accomplish what Sue Young was unable to achieve for nearly a quarter century, and that is to open the front gates and turn this sacred land into a public park -- and she did it without an illegal "sharing agreement" but with the blessings of the Secretary of the VA. She's even having her own special plaques made to hang on the front, which we will address at another time.

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Bottom line, nothing has changed since the so-called "settlement agreement" which was also a big lie. In fact, things are worse, much worse than before the ALCU lawsuits were filed and we were being falsely arrested for hanging the American Flag in distress six years ago, officially signifying to the public that "Veterans lives and their property are in extreme danger" ... and both Veterans lives and their property continue to be in extreme danger with no hope in sight. In the meantime, please watch this video coverage of the sinister "private ceremony" ..... Gopher Gate Exposes VA Fraud and Corruption Thanks to Iraqi War Marine Combat Veteran Michael Woolston and his excellent video coverage coupled with the leadership of Ted Hayes, Internationally recognized homeless activist, who were able to intervene after a "tip" and expose the "private ceremony" that included the Secretary of the VA, Robert A. McDonald. As mentioned, things have gotten much worse since the surrendering of the Federal Judgment of nine illegal occupants on VA property. Not only are the font gates now open to the general public, but today, 5,000 people will be attending the annual AIDS Bicycle fundraiser held on these sacred grounds while tens of thousands of war-injured and impoverished Veterans remain homeless and hungry on skid row and back alley squalor. Think about the VA's priorities .... instead of honoring a formal request from Dick Southern, Region 9 Director of Vietnam Veterans of America to host a long-term crisis-shelter Stand Down / "Welcome Home Reception Center" on the Grand Lawn in conjunction with the 96-member Los Angeles Neighborhood Community Council that has declared LA to be in a "state of emergency" for homeless Veterans, the VA has opened the front gates to the general public, an AIDS bicycle fundraiser will be held as usual, and nearly 100 new Mazdas are now being stored -- "after" the Judgment was vacated. But don't worry, the VA cut a ribbon to open the antiquated Building 257 as an official "Veteran Community Resource and Referral Center" to house 35 Veterans. Did I mention there are tens of thousands of homeless Veterans in Los Angeles? If the Secretary was embarrassed by Thursday's mismanaged debacle as most everyone else was, perhaps he's now ready to listen to common sense and realistic solutions instead of being jostled around with "symbolism" by the visionless bureaucrats and self-serving "stakeholders." Perhaps he will now listen to Veterans in-the-know, instead of being dictated by the overwhelming force of non-Veterans. However, we cannot wait any long. It's time to put "Veterans first" with "shelter first" by holding a crisis shelter program on the Grand Lawn! As Dr. King said during the Civil Rights Movement about waiting .... "tomorrow is today." The Veterans Revolution continues, so join us tomorrow for our 377th consecutive Sunday Rally to "Save Our Veterans Land" and to "Bring Our Homeless Veterans HOME." God Bless America and the Veterans Revolution!

What is a State of Emergency .... You Decide ....

LOS ANGELES – On January 3rd, Rafer Johnson — the legendary Olympic Decathlon Champion and iconic leader of major Civil and Human Rights issues over the past 60 years — spoke before the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC) and declared: “I believe everyone involved in ending the homelessness of our veterans should have been and certainly by now should be acting in a state of emergency …. there is a state of emergency here in Los Angles and the time to act is now!” More...

Secretary McDonald Defeated in Battle of GopherGate

LOS ANGELES – VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald has been scared off by gophers at the Los Angeles VA and will fail to open the front gates tomorrow as originally planned. Two hundred years ago on June 16, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte lost the “Battle of Waterloo” that ended his career as a French military leader. More...