Federal lawyers assailed at Fairfax meeting by relatives of developmentally disabled - The Washington Post

“The simple fact is, with the economics what they are, we can’t operate a system like we had and build a community-based system like the lawsuit wants.”

Once again it comes down to finances over people. We need a new world view.

Well, biteySis, I've sure been accused many times in the past for being too aggressive and too conformational at people who simply are the wrenches in the works in the world of mental health care, and I have to admit now is one of those very same times. Unabashedly so as well.

Probably a good thing L'il Bro wasn't at this meeting, both you and RV would most probably have been sitting on L'il Bro's chest to keep him shut him up!

When I see or hear just one lawyer who represents any facet of our government act in, as a first response to our government's people, that being us, with true openness and honesty instead of immediately backpedaling with platitudes of deflection, hyperbole and just plain cover their asses, I'll then be able to sit across a table from any one of them with decorum as my own first response.

Personally, I would love to see that entire meeting aired on prime time, every night. For a week, straight. Absolutely deplorable the positions so many people take, from the government, the DoJ, Hazell (what a piece of work that guy is!) not one is willing to just step up to the line instead of pointing fingers at someone else in the chain of fools they're all part of.

End of rant. For now!

Unfortunately, their actions are nothing new, in Virginia, or anywhere else in this grand country of ours. Personally, DoJ and the people there driving this mess need to be strapped down to wheelchairs with duck tape on their mouths and hands and arms and legs strapped down, then told they can't do anything for themselves without someone else next to them doing it for them, from eating to bathroom to personal hygiene to the simple motions of getting dressed, for a month. And the people next to them need to be their own family members for that month. Every day and every night for that month. Then watch how fast things change.

Priorities. Societal, government, economic. If the state, any state, can float money for some egotists next favorite arena at their whim and will, then there is no reason under this sun the same monies can't be found with the very same will for the kind of adequate care necessary for our very same society's sons and daughters and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers.

Just my pissed off opinion!

GREAT work posting this article up, Big Sis! Kudos to you and RV to keep this issue in the eyes and minds and hearts of as many folks as possible!

Bitey, I'm so grateful to you for keeping everyone informed while I continue to be MIA. I attended that "informal briefing" and thoroughly enjoyed the discomfiture of the DoJ lawyers. Prior to the meeting, rumor had it that they intended to cancel if they got word of press planning to be there. The credibility of this rumor is bolstered not only by their actions on learning that press had in fact infiltrated, but also by the complete absence of the event from the Fairfax County Government calendar. Clearly these guys are very proud of their actions.

Throughout this ongoing side show, the DoJ and the McDonnell administration have deflected onto each other the onus for the plan to close four out of five Training Centers. Tayloe and Zisser did their best to dance around this matter when questioned. but Tayloe was finally backed into a corner by one of our NVTC parents. After asking in several ways who had required the closings and how Virginia's "Plan" related to the settlement agreement, and getting several evasive responses, he asked point blank, "If Virginia did not close the Training Centers, would the DoJ consider it a violation of the agreement?" Tayloe (looking as if his backside were being chewed by red ants): "No." Very interesting, and good ammunition for us.