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V.V.A. Director Sells Out Strikers

By VVAW

How quickly some vets forget. Take, for instance, Bobby Muller, Executive Director of Vietnam Vets of America. We remember Bobby when he first got back from 'Nam and was languishing in a VA hospital trying to survive. We remember him condemning Nixon for continuing the war in Indochina. We remember him complaining about an insensitive VA, federal government, and rich man's system. Of course that was before a few TV shows and an article or two. Now with vets fighting for their lives, look at what Bobby sends to the vets in California, to Reagan and his other buddies:

"This Communication is to advise you of our hope that you will discontinue your protest at the VA Hospital. The Vietnam Veterans of America does not support your continuing protest at the VA Hospital. The Vietnam Veterans of America does not support your continuing protest for several reasons: we feel the Reagan Administration has acted in a commendable manner... Dr Custis, acting VA administrator has committed the President to the most significant goals Vietnam veterans have been lobbying for over the last several months. The commitment to continue the interagency work group as a moving vehicle to resolve the Agent Orange issue pleases us greatly, as does the expanded budget for Agent Orange research. The additional commitment to honor Congressional intent in continuing to operate the vet centers in their present form, as store front facilities, at the full level that congress appropriated funding for, is a major breakthrough. To continue a positive dialog between Vietnam veterans and the Administration requires Vietnam veterans also to act in good faith, and, to continue protesting, in light of the very significant commitments the hunger strikers were given is unwarranted; any continued action on your part will only serve to give the impression of divisiveness and unreasonableness on the part of the Vietnam veteran community.

"Hopefully, you will reconsider your actions before serious and irreparable damage is done to the Vietnam veteran community."

Bobby Muller
Washington, DC
May, 29, 1981

Gosh, Bobby! We liked you more before you appointed yourself THE LEADER of Vietnam vets. We suppose that hobnobbing with the upper cruise has made you forget about the guys on the bottom.