STALKING AND THREATS REPORTED

CALMER HEADS NEED TO PREVAIL

By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER/Senior Editor

Few understand the root of the years old protest in Los Angeles, especially the VA security forces, often outnumbering the octagenarian protestors 2 to 1.  Billions, yes billions, not millions, in land was donated for homeless veterans but is now being given to private schools, corporations and political insiders.  Veterans who try to walk across their own land, try to sit and read a book or enjoy the outdoors are immediately arrested for loitering.  If they were students at a posh private school or a rich Brentwood housewife, they could spend the day in peace.  The issue at hand is discrimination against veterans.

Over the last couple of weeks, the veterans protesting, some in their 80s, have been confronted and threatened, first by uniformed Army Reservists and repeatedly by armed Veterans Hospital security.  The facts are simple.  Vets can protest on city land, on county land and on federal land as long as they are not a direct and immediate threat.  Remember the abortion clinic protests that nobody could stop?  Same laws apply to vets.  If VA guards need to control protestors who are within their First Amendment rights, they need a court order showing a clear and present danger to the facility.  No such order exists.

A protest for veterans rights has become an armed confrontation by VA guards who may now represent a clear and present danger themselves, a danger to the legal protest by aging and crippled VA patients, the people they should be protecting instead of working for local fatcats. 

Were I a VA security officer, having to spend every Sunday racing up and down Wilshire Blvd. or sitting in my "Scooby-Doo Spy Van" filming a half dozen WW2 veterans, I would be mad.  I would be mad at the idiots who put me on this detail, not the stubborn heroes protesting, not against the VA guards, but against the crooked local politicans who have been giving away Veteran land.

None of this has anything to do with VA police.  There never has been one second of violence.  There has never been a confrontation except when VA guards came off federal property and began armed confrontations with the WW2 vets.

Training SWAT teams to go after a half dozen old guys in wheelchairs has to seem totally insane.

If anyone out there in Los Angeles doesn't think Secretary Shensiki is aware of this, they are mistaken.  He has been briefed on all of this and has seen every article written.  Anyone who thinks he is afraid of Congressman Waxman or the wealthy homeowners in Brentwood is using bad judgement.

Every time something really dumb goes on out there, senior members of Congress in those nasty areas like appropriations and Veterans Affairs get on the phone.  Please, make the call, check to see if I am kidding.

This is my suggestion:

• Threats of violence made against Robert Rosebrock or other vets need to end.  All surveillance and the following around the city has to come to an end.  This is simply insane.  We all know it, everyone knows it. This isn't a TV show.
• It may be too late for security and protestors to make friends or start dating but I grew up respecting WW2 vets.  I expect the same out of VA security officers. 
• For both sides, this protest has nothing to do with VA security.  It is about politics.  If VA officials are pushing police to confront protestors, perhaps endangering them, then be aware that acting on such orders is a violation of California law.  If one of our vets is injured or has a heart attack because VA guards have come out of their jurisdiction to play "tough guy," there will be hell to pay.  It is not going to be a VA investigation or a transfer. 

We expect this:

• VA security should be veterans themselves.
• I expect trained professional police officers, not "mall rent-a-cops."  No real cop would be running around playing Dick Tracy with disabled vets in wheel chairs
• If VA police are acting as professionals, veterans themselves, and true to their real oath, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, they should expect to be treated with respect themselves. 
• The next time a civilian bureaucrat "weenie" tells one of you to "get tough" tell that jerk to go out there himself if he wants any "dirty work" done. 

There is nothing worse than a veteran and police officer to have to run errands for petty Napoleon types.  I know all of this very well.  Even in these rough times when a paycheck stands between eating and not eating, a man can only take just so much.

SHERIFF DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSE TO VA POLICE CLAIM PARADE PERMIT IS REQUIRED

Please note:  Examination of VA documents reveals directions from DVA Regional Director given to VA police to operate outside federal reservation without authorization and issue illegal citations.  This is the definition of carelessness.

Dear Robert,  

The sidewalk you are referring to is county property. However, you do not need a permit to demonstrate, only if you were to conduct a march that would impede traffic.

As they have in the past, West Hollywood deputy personnel  will monitor the area, to ensure your safety and others, but cannot dedicate  their complete time to just that specific intersection.  

If you need our services feel free to call the station at any time, and you will have a very timely response.  

If in the interim you have any questions,  regarding the area of your demonstration,  please call Captain Buddy Goldman at XXXXXXXXXX 

Sincerely, 

Tom Laing,

CommanderExecutive Assistant to Sheriff Lee Baca

Veterans Today Senior Editor Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran and regular contributor on political and social issues.