President George W. Bush announced during his weekly radio address that he will be appointing a “bipartisan Presidential Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the care America is providing our wounded servicemen and women.”

The Western Word thinks this is a good idea, especially if the commission is given full authority and time to really investigate the problems.

First, I am worried about who will be the members of this commission. Supposedly, the commission will be announced in the next few days. I would highly suggest that this commission have a majority of former enlisted people. There are many highly qualified former enlisted people who can cut through the red tape and talk the talk. Another reason to have former enlisted people is because the majority of injured military personnel coming back from the war are enlisted.

If the President selects too many high-ranking officers for this commission, this will discredit the commission completely in my eyes. There are probably more enlisted people who use the VA and military hospitals than officers.

Secondly, the commission needs to be made up of people from different geographic locations across the United States, just not from the Washington, DC area. Montana has one of the highest percentages of veterans per population. I would like to see someone from Montana on this commission.

This commission, if given the authority and the right personnel, can investigate and make recommendations to ensure all military personnel are treated fairly and compassionately by their government.

Where does Jack the Blogger sign up?