Wait, so there's NO thread on the Bob Woodruff special?

**Ryudo** · 02-28-2007, 05:59 AM

Holy crap, with all the politically charged debates on this board, I can't believe that. I hope I missed it.

To be honest, I approached the special with some skepticism. I didn't know what the big deal was. But there was nothing else on, so I started watching it, and got hooked.

The story isn't so much about Woodruff; it seems his personality is such that he would not allow that to happen. In its original airing (with commericals and such) his part of the story is relegated to the first 25 minutes or so. The rest is a focus on the military people who have sustained similar injuries to Mr. Woodruff, their struggles, and the inability and ineptitude of the VA to assist these people.

It's staggering when you hear some of the numbers that come out of the special. It just makes you sad because all these people are over there fighting, and for what? Yeah, freedom, that's all well and good and Saddam's gone, but now it just seems like the guys are over there and are going to be there forever.

It makes me sad to hear the deception coming out of the mouth of the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, but it doesn't surprise me considering the Bush administration's handling of the matter. And you can tell he's fishing for words.

In my opinion, this just shows the true cost of going over there based on what was effectively a lie. The lives that are lost are very tragic, but the lives that are changed, inexplicably and irrevocably, are even more tragic. I hope Bush saw this and has some sort of coherent reaction to all the people whose lives have changed because they were put in a wartime scenario.

To watch the special, you can go to http://abcnews.com and there's a link/ad at the top of the page.

**Gregory** · 02-28-2007, 06:01 AM

I forgot it was on. Is it possible for him to anchor the news again?

**Ryudo** · 02-28-2007, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by Gregory

I forgot it was on. Is it possible for him to anchor the news again?

He seems pretty coherent... I mean, he hosted the special, reports and everything. He seems to be doing well. Now that they've given the World News gig to Charlie Gibson, though, I don't know if he'll do it or stick to reporting.

You should watch it, though... it was good.

**Bill?** · 02-28-2007, 06:31 AM

yeah it was pretty good. the parts about his recovery were crazy. his head was all deflated. it's amazing that he's pretty much back to normal after that.
the stuff about what those veterans and their families are going through was really heartbreaking. it's plain shameful that 4-5 years in they can't get it together to take care of these guys.

**Ryudo** · 02-28-2007, 06:38 AM

Yeah, it was that, and the whole 200,000 injuries thing.

Yowza.

**Gregory** · 02-28-2007, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Ryudo

Yeah, it was that, and the whole 200,000 injuries thing.

The miracles of medical technology have kept our death toll lower for this military action.

**Matt Jay** · 02-28-2007, 07:01 AM

So did he have a near death experience? What was it like? Was the Flying Spaghetti Monster there?

**Bill?** · 02-28-2007, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Jay

So did he have a near death experience? What was it like? Was the Flying Spaghetti Monster there?

juts a horrifying vision of Charlie Gibson stealing his career.

**St.-** · 02-28-2007, 07:11 AM

Isn't this the show that replaced boston legal for the night?

**Ryudo** · 02-28-2007, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by St.-

Isn't this the show that replaced boston legal for the night?

If BL comes on Tuesdays at 10, then I guess so.

It was worth the replacement. Definitely should be watched.

And Gregory, you're right, but lives have been changed by this war, and that's not good.