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Allen Jackson: Veterans Backlog | Allen Jackson Now

October 7, 2025 | 21:52

Doug Collins joins Allen Jackson to discuss current events.

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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Veterans Backlog | Allen Jackson Now | October 7, 2025

Good evening and welcome to nashville.
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I'm alan jackson.
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Well, it's often forgotten in the talk about settling wars
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Across the globe.
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Are the men and women
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Who've already been down that road before?
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I'm talking about our veterans.
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Millions of them welcomed home by their families,
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But not always taken care of
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By those who sent them into battle.
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Well, president trump was determined to change that
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When he appointed the distinguished former
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Congressman doug collins as secretary of veterans affairs.
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And he's joining us now,
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Secretary collins, welcome back to our show.
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I'm glad to be back. it's good to see you.
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You know, as long as i can
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Remember, the people in government
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Talk about the need to take care of our veterans,
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But very little seems to get done.
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And what does get done happens very slowly.
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But this is trump time, as they say,
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And things have changed in a big way.
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Maybe we start by you telling us what you've done to shorten
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This backlog of veterans who've been waiting for benefits.
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Well, it's it is that issues where they see us finding out
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What trump time looks like and then finding out
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What we can do when we put our minds to it.
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You're right,
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Alan, too many times we have give
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Lip service to veterans
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And we talk about what we're going to do.
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But yet at the same time, we don't really want to,
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Mess with the system or we just throw money and people at it
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And call that a victory.
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Well, i don't call that a victory
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Unless we're actually doing
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The one thing that i told this department
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We were going to do the minute i stepped
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In, and i put the veteran first at the va,
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Not our organization, but the veteran.
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And when i got here, we had over 264,000,
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What we call backlog or
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The claims
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There were over 125 days old.
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And we said, look, that's not acceptable.
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Our veterans aren't getting the help that they need.
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And so what we did was actually,
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Looked at that and said, let's put some time, energy, overtime,
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Whatever we need to, to get it down.
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And i'm proud to report that about four
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And a half months of continuous work this past,
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Time, we have lowered that down to 132,000,
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As of this, as of today.
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And that's, you know, close to a 50%, drop
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In just a little over four and a half, five months.
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But also, one of the things i'm very proud of
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Is not only do we drop the backlog,
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But when i first got here, we had over a million
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Pending claims and they're down to 600,000,
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Which is the normal course of doing business.
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So not only would you take care of the backlog,
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We're making sure that we're continuing
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To catch up on the daily activities as well.
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And that's just what the veterans deserve.
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Amen.
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Well, i'm told that you've also managed to deliver an all time
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High number of disability claims.
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What did you do to turn things around so quickly?
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Again, it's why is this at all saying
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What gets measured gets done.
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And so we just started measuring,
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You know, we had measures the metrics here before we said,
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But why are we doing, you know, more while we put in
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A census had over 3 million.
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We closed out the year with over 3 million claims process.
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That's 2.4 million was the previous record.
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We shattered that by 600,000.
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And but again, it goes to the what?
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Lowering the backlog.
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It goes to it goes to taking care of the,
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Playing claims, coming in
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And making sure that we're doing something
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That is should seem like
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Common sense, but many times in common.
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And that is simply saying, what would the veteran need?
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What does the veteran need from the va?
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If the va did not have a veteran to take care of?
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We have no va, and i think for too many times
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It's been used as a political pawn
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Or political toy or political back and forth.
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But we're taking it very seriously
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The charge to take care of our veterans.
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And i think it's showing in our workforce and showing in,
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Their commitment to making these happen.
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We had
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Frank siller on recently who heads up tunnel to towers,
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And he said that he was working with your department
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On housing for homeless veterans.
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How's that going?
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And do you have any other
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Such public private partnerships in the works?
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We do. we i mean, we're working.
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Frank frank's a great guy.
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We've met several times
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And we've opened back up the va there for a while,
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Especially in the previous administration.
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They chose not to want to deal with any nonprofits and others,
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You know, out there that were helping veterans
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Because they somehow saw it as in competition with the va.
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I don't see anything as in competition with the va.
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We're the standard
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For taking care of veterans and helping veterans.
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But i'm always, always looking for folks
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Who are willing to help me do that.
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And antonio style is a great organization.
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They do it self-sufficient, which is,
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Something government has never heard of.
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And so we're looking forward to doing more.
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And there are other groups out there helping us with ptsd,
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With traumatic brain injury, those kind of things
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That bring our combined efforts to the point of saying,
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How are we helping veterans, whether it be homelessness,
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Whether it be, suicide prevention,
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Whether it be, addiction and and all those kind of things.
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Those are the partnerships we're looking for.
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Frank and him have been, wonderful stepping up to help.
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And we look forward to more, in the future.
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Well, your department has made another important change,
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Making it much easier for veterans to access doctors
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Other than those who are already va approved providers.
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Give any idea what percentage of vets are not within range
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Of current va providers who could use your new system?
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Yeah, well, the good part about it is
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We actually change the system.
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So this old idea that they had to be
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A certain mileage away or certain time, this is way
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Or there was a delay in the scheduling
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Is still applicable as part of law and we follow that.
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But we also added best medical interest,
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Which means that the doctor and the patient can see
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What is in their best medical interest,
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Not only for what their care is, but their caregivers,
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Their others who can take care of them.
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So if it's better to get in the community, they can do that,
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A much quicker way.
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And also, we've just taken away the secondary sign off,
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Which was a part of the system for some unknown reason.
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That was delaying stuff.
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So we're we're making sure that they have that choice.
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Now we're going to have a best direct care in the va.
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We can.
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And many times it's going to be quicker
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And more effective to get it helping the va.
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But if they have a need and they want to be in, work
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With our community doctors, we're going to make
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That opportunity available for them.
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It's what the law says, and it's what
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President trump talks about all the time.
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So we're going to make it happen.
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Well, you know, i'm quite sure the problems
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You're dealing with didn't develop overnight.
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But do you have any idea why things got so bad before
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You and the president took over?
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I think, i try not to ever get down.
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I think in our life and our,
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You know, both of us
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Dealing in the ministry and life that we've had, you
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Try not to assign malice, to stuff you just say.
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I think sometimes it's just,
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Misdirected. got to make. right.
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And the ignorance, i guess, is the best way to put it.
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Because what they did is i think they got
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Focused on the wrong things.
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And it sounded good when it came out, it said, well,
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You know, let's build up our workforce.
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Let's, you know, put money here.
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You know, let's try to make everybody happy.
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And at the end of the day, you're
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Not going to make anybody happy.
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But the biggest thing was, is we were
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We're still our own worst enemy.
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We still have rules and regulations and policies
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That stop us from doing what we need to be doing.
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And so that's the biggest thing that if somebody asked me,
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What did you find out when you first, you know,
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Got there
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And now about nine months in, i'll say, it's
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Not that we have bad people or we have bad is it
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Is that we have bad processes.
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And so we're working right now on reorganization of our,
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Especially our healthcare side and others to get it
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More focused on the target of helping veterans
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And making sure our employees have the best that they can
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To make sure that happens.
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Well, you've made tremendous progress
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In a short amount of time.
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One of the statistics
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We've all heard a lot about was the mental health,
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The suicide rates among our veterans.
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Are you making progress with that as well?
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Yeah, we're starting.
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And i think the biggest issue there is dealing
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With the mental health getting them in quicker.
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We've we've put a lot more effort and energy into,
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Making sure that those into the
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Crisis mode,
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They get the,
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Immediate attention and they get them into
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Residential, get them into a treatment
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So that they're, they're taking,
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All for that critical moment in which they're contemplating
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Taking their life.
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We're working with, outside agencies as well to do that.
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And then in the long term,
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We're actually redoing our entire suicide prevention,
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Programing to meet those that we're not getting.
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And and what i mean by that is 60% of those
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Who are death by suicide among veterans are non-touch
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By the va.
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In other words,
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They've not been a part of the va in any way, 60%.
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So we're we're refocusing to get a message out
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To people who may or may not fit the profile of a va,
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Patient or a va subscriber.
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And we're saying, look, this this is out there for you.
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We can we can help you or we can get you to help.
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We just got to find you
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And get you a part of the system,
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Because i think the quicker we can get them help and knowing
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They're not alone, better will be. amen.
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Well, doug collins, please stay with us for another segment.
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And during the break you can hop over to aj now.com
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And send us your thoughts on the issues for our veterans.
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We'd love to incorporate your thoughts
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Into our next program on the subject.
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We'll be right back with secretary collins
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Right after this break.
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Right after this break.
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We're back now with the secretary of veterans
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Affairs, doug collins.
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I'd like to ask about a few other current issues,
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Including the government shutdown.
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You know, i remember all the noise
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Around the shutdown in 2013 when obama was the president.
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The media made it sound like
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Thousands of people would be losing their jobs.
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It lasted 16 days and no one lost their job.
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How was it
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That so much of the public posturing is truly dishonest?
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But the democrats are able to win the media
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Up into a frenzy to try to get their way.
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It seems odd to me.
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Well, it's not odd if you believe that
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Government is the sole source of your, ideology.
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And i think that's one of the things
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That we have to understand this many times is that,
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When you get inside the bubble of the perimeter
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Up here in washington, d.c., they believe
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That the world operates around government.
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And look, i believe the government has a place.
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I believe it is biblical.
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I think there's a reason and role for government,
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But it's not all encompassing.
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It's not the only reason we exist.
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We exist is our founders said to protect the populace,
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To protect the freedoms
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And the abilities that we have as individuals.
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Not to become the center.
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So when you get into a time like this, remember,
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If there's a, people who've been in politics
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For a long time, they got elected office,
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You know, they have focused around government.
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And so it's easy to, begin to think that's all that matters.
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I was here in 2013.
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I was in congress during that time.
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I remember going into it,
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And just in all fairness, shutdowns typically
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Will not work for the result of that.
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You're trying to get,
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And the and,
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The democrats on this one have decided
00:10:26.078 --> 00:10:27.746
That they wanted to do something
00:10:27.746 --> 00:10:29.347
That is not really going to fit, going forward with those,
00:10:29.347 --> 00:10:33.151
Republican ideals that have put forward.
00:10:33.151 --> 00:10:35.187
And so he's really made it a pawn, if you would.
00:10:35.187 --> 00:10:38.623
They say, oh, look at the,
00:10:38.623 --> 00:10:39.825
Poor government employees or the veterans who have been,
00:10:39.825 --> 00:10:43.061
You know, who are unemployed.
00:10:43.061 --> 00:10:44.162
And the reality is, is, look,
00:10:44.162 --> 00:10:45.864
We're going to go through this time,
00:10:45.864 --> 00:10:47.799
There's never been a shutdown in the last, you know, 20 years
00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:51.103
That they've not been paid, and backpay and everything.
00:10:51.103 --> 00:10:54.005
Once they come in, does it cause some disruption? yes.
00:10:54.005 --> 00:10:56.475
I look, i want them to get it right.
00:10:56.475 --> 00:10:58.043
I want them to get it,
00:10:58.043 --> 00:10:59.111
You know, get it back open, and then they can have
00:10:59.111 --> 00:11:01.213
All the policy discussions they want.
00:11:01.213 --> 00:11:02.914
But it is bad that many times the shutdown is affecting,
00:11:02.914 --> 00:11:05.517
Like some of the things that we do, like we're
00:11:05.517 --> 00:11:07.953
We're not able to do our outreach
00:11:07.953 --> 00:11:09.387
Like we're not normally or we're not able to do,
00:11:09.387 --> 00:11:11.123
Our, our regional offices for benefits are closed.
00:11:11.123 --> 00:11:14.059
You know, we're not able to do even, like, ground maintenance
00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:16.895
And stuff on our permanent headstones,
00:11:16.895 --> 00:11:19.097
In our cemeteries and pre need.
00:11:19.097 --> 00:11:20.665
So there's things that there's this effect
00:11:20.665 --> 00:11:22.701
And if it goes on longer, frankly, it will cut into more
00:11:22.701 --> 00:11:25.103
Of the services that we provide to the veterans.
00:11:25.103 --> 00:11:26.838
So for these same people who many times
00:11:26.838 --> 00:11:29.074
Want to complain about what happens to veterans,
00:11:29.074 --> 00:11:31.209
They need to get the government back open.
00:11:31.209 --> 00:11:32.644
So this doesn't happen in the va.
00:11:32.644 --> 00:11:34.713
Well, chuck schumer claims
00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.448
That republicans don't listen to him.
00:11:36.448 --> 00:11:38.683
I think they hear him quite well.
00:11:38.683 --> 00:11:40.118
But he's talking out of both sides of his mouth
00:11:40.118 --> 00:11:42.154
When it comes to using the money we pay in taxes
00:11:42.154 --> 00:11:44.656
To pay for health care of people who are here illegally.
00:11:44.656 --> 00:11:47.526
Don't families have enough trouble
00:11:47.526 --> 00:11:48.827
Already paying for their health care?
00:11:48.827 --> 00:11:51.096
Yeah. that's it. look, that's the interesting part.
00:11:51.096 --> 00:11:53.031
They they've hit on an issue
00:11:53.031 --> 00:11:54.132
That i think that
00:11:54.132 --> 00:11:55.267
Both republicans and democrats have talked about, even,
00:11:55.267 --> 00:11:57.068
You know, the white house to discuss,
00:11:57.068 --> 00:11:58.570
You know, what is going on with the,
00:11:58.570 --> 00:12:00.906
You know, the benefit subsidy issue
00:12:00.906 --> 00:12:02.707
That's coming up in our and health care plans.
00:12:02.707 --> 00:12:04.943
But this is not the time to have that.
00:12:04.943 --> 00:12:06.778
I mean, this is the same bill that was voted on by these,
00:12:06.778 --> 00:12:09.681
Same members in march of this year.
00:12:09.681 --> 00:12:12.384
It's up adjusted for inflation,
00:12:12.384 --> 00:12:13.952
And the same members are now voting against it.
00:12:13.952 --> 00:12:16.555
People are seeing through that, i hope.
00:12:16.555 --> 00:12:18.523
And to say this is, become more of a,
00:12:18.523 --> 00:12:21.459
You know, more of a tribal stance,
00:12:21.459 --> 00:12:22.794
If you would, and saying, look, i'm just standing with my tribe
00:12:22.794 --> 00:12:25.497
And instead of standing with the american people.
00:12:25.497 --> 00:12:27.833
Well, i've heard some people suggest
00:12:27.833 --> 00:12:29.134
There's a silver lining to this cloud.
00:12:29.134 --> 00:12:31.403
Do you think the shutdown is a good time to trim
00:12:31.403 --> 00:12:33.705
The size of the government even more,
00:12:33.705 --> 00:12:35.207
Especially with $37 trillion of debt?
00:12:35.207 --> 00:12:38.210
I think it makes it, you know, a very,
00:12:38.210 --> 00:12:40.445
Something that the president and the omb
00:12:40.445 --> 00:12:42.547
Team are looking at right now because,
00:12:42.547 --> 00:12:44.249
I mean, this is a time in which you
00:12:44.249 --> 00:12:45.684
We go into that
00:12:45.684 --> 00:12:46.785
Essential non-essential mode, and we look at what
00:12:46.785 --> 00:12:49.054
You know, government ought to be doing.
00:12:49.054 --> 00:12:50.722
I think that the democrats, by shutting it down right now,
00:12:50.722 --> 00:12:54.192
If they've open up that possibility.
00:12:54.192 --> 00:12:56.161
So we'll see what,
00:12:56.161 --> 00:12:57.629
Russ and the rest of them,
00:12:57.629 --> 00:12:58.797
You know, look at as we try to make sure
00:12:58.797 --> 00:13:00.332
That we're being good stewards of the monies that we have.
00:13:00.332 --> 00:13:03.034
Well, before we run out of time, it occurred to me
00:13:04.035 --> 00:13:06.171
That you might be the one cabinet secretary
00:13:06.171 --> 00:13:08.540
Who has a mission that maybe early should be bipartisan.
00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:12.077
Protecting our veterans
00:13:12.077 --> 00:13:13.311
Can't be a left right issue unless you tell me differently.
00:13:13.311 --> 00:13:16.214
Are you finding support in such a way
00:13:16.214 --> 00:13:17.716
That it could gravitate to other big issues
00:13:17.716 --> 00:13:19.751
That washington tries to solve this year?
00:13:19.751 --> 00:13:22.187
I wish it would.
00:13:22.187 --> 00:13:23.288
I mean, i wish that we were nonpartisan in our way.
00:13:23.288 --> 00:13:25.624
Unfortunately, we get drawn into it
00:13:25.624 --> 00:13:27.425
Because, again,
00:13:27.425 --> 00:13:28.059
It goes back to the i think an
00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:29.895
Ideological difference is the va government health care
00:13:29.895 --> 00:13:32.530
And is the va government this and it.
00:13:32.530 --> 00:13:34.566
Look, the va is about helping veterans.
00:13:34.566 --> 00:13:37.235
When i was in congress, we found ways
00:13:37.235 --> 00:13:38.670
To get across the border many times working bipartisan.
00:13:38.670 --> 00:13:41.206
I never gave up being a staunch conservative.
00:13:41.206 --> 00:13:43.275
They never gave up being, you know, liberal minded.
00:13:43.275 --> 00:13:46.011
But yet we found common ground for our people,
00:13:46.011 --> 00:13:49.014
To, to know that there are things
00:13:49.014 --> 00:13:50.682
That we can do for the american people that can work.
00:13:50.682 --> 00:13:52.784
I do hope we get back to to that phase.
00:13:52.784 --> 00:13:54.920
But i also i don't think either side
00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:56.621
Is going to back down from who they are.
00:13:56.621 --> 00:13:58.023
The question is, will they open their eyes
00:13:58.023 --> 00:13:59.457
Long enough to say that veterans and others
00:13:59.457 --> 00:14:01.693
Will be something that i could work on together?
00:14:01.693 --> 00:14:03.962
Well, we can pray.
00:14:04.396 --> 00:14:05.864
Secretary garland's
00:14:05.864 --> 00:14:07.098
Veterans day is just about a month from
00:14:07.098 --> 00:14:08.566
Now, november the 11th, and we will continue to remember.
00:14:08.566 --> 00:14:11.636
You pray for you in the vets.
00:14:11.636 --> 00:14:13.138
It's been great to see you again.
00:14:13.138 --> 00:14:14.506
We're delighted that the president chose you
00:14:14.506 --> 00:14:15.974
To lead the charge. i hope you'll stay in touch.
00:14:15.974 --> 00:14:18.743
I look forward to it of you. i'll take care.
00:14:18.743 --> 00:14:20.111
Thanks for the prayers in a moment.
00:14:20.111 --> 00:14:21.746
Real hope for a better day for the vets and their families.
00:14:21.746 --> 00:14:25.050
I'll be right back.
00:14:25.050 --> 00:14:32.995
I'll be right back.
00:14:32.995 --> 00:14:36.966
If you're a veteran, we salute you.
00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:40.069
We offer you our heartfelt gratitude
00:14:40.069 --> 00:14:42.304
For defending our freedoms and liberties.
00:14:42.304 --> 00:14:44.840
Your discipline and obedience change the destinies of others
00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:48.110
People's lives.
00:14:48.110 --> 00:14:49.378
And for that reason, i call you a hero
00:14:49.378 --> 00:14:52.314
Because of their skill set and their character.
00:14:52.314 --> 00:14:54.717
U.s. immigration and customs enforcement
00:14:54.717 --> 00:14:56.952
They actively recruit our military veterans.
00:14:56.952 --> 00:14:59.488
So some of our veterans
00:14:59.488 --> 00:15:00.622
Are on the streets right now making our cities safer.
00:15:00.622 --> 00:15:03.692
They're busting up violent cartels, gangs combating
00:15:03.692 --> 00:15:06.328
Human trafficking and drug trafficking.
00:15:06.328 --> 00:15:08.697
You know, i can only imagine the burden
00:15:08.697 --> 00:15:10.466
They carry from what they experience
00:15:10.466 --> 00:15:11.967
On their assignments, the ones domestically and abroad.
00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:15.270
You know, i recently heard
00:15:15.838 --> 00:15:17.039
The mayor of chicago just raging because ice was arresting
00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:20.876
Venezuelan gang members in his city.
00:15:20.876 --> 00:15:24.013
I'm listening to him,
00:15:24.013 --> 00:15:25.080
And i'm thinking to myself, you know, thank you
00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:26.915
Might have been a more appropriate response.
00:15:26.915 --> 00:15:28.751
A few months ago, the vice presidential pick
00:15:29.651 --> 00:15:31.453
In the last election, tim waltz,
00:15:31.453 --> 00:15:33.555
He put the lives of ice staff in danger
00:15:33.555 --> 00:15:36.692
By blatantly associating them with nazi germany.
00:15:36.692 --> 00:15:39.928
These brave men and women of ice were simply enforcing the laws
00:15:39.928 --> 00:15:42.898
That already existed
00:15:42.898 --> 00:15:44.299
To keep our streets and our communities safer.
00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:47.269
Veterans.
00:15:47.269 --> 00:15:47.903
They're our friends,
00:15:47.903 --> 00:15:48.837
Our relatives, our neighbors, our coworkers.
00:15:48.837 --> 00:15:51.273
They're our church members.
00:15:51.273 --> 00:15:53.575
Many of our veterans
00:15:53.575 --> 00:15:54.476
Are rightfully proud of their service.
00:15:54.476 --> 00:15:56.912
Others have been told that their service for
00:15:56.912 --> 00:15:58.514
Our nation was not given in an honorable cause,
00:15:58.514 --> 00:16:01.617
And they're conflicted by the responses they received.
00:16:01.617 --> 00:16:04.586
Some of them were wounded physically
00:16:04.586 --> 00:16:06.021
And bear their own physical scars.
00:16:06.021 --> 00:16:07.556
Others bear psychological scars that are invisible,
00:16:07.556 --> 00:16:10.292
But they're just as real.
00:16:10.292 --> 00:16:12.327
Well, my plea to all christ followers
00:16:12.327 --> 00:16:14.396
Is to think about others and not just about yourself.
00:16:14.396 --> 00:16:17.433
Be aware.
00:16:17.433 --> 00:16:18.500
Listen to those around you, see if they need help.
00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.803
And if you meet a veteran, say thank you.
00:16:20.803 --> 00:16:23.739
Let's break the hold of our own self-interest.
00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:26.408
Let's look for opportunities to reach out and show
00:16:26.408 --> 00:16:29.078
Genuine concern for the people around us.
00:16:29.078 --> 00:16:32.147
Let's become world class encouragers.
00:16:32.147 --> 00:16:35.384
As christ followers, we have the assignment
00:16:35.384 --> 00:16:37.352
To be his ambassadors in this world.
00:16:37.352 --> 00:16:39.855
So let's be bright lights in this darkness.
00:16:39.855 --> 00:16:42.057
If we'll do that, i promise you there's more reasons for hope
00:16:42.057 --> 00:16:45.027
Than despair.
00:16:45.027 --> 00:16:46.662
We'll be right back with your emails.
00:16:46.662 --> 00:16:51.998
We'll be right back with your emails.
00:16:51.998 --> 00:16:56.299
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with us.
00:16:57.400 --> 00:17:00.136
Just a reminder, if you ever miss a live episode,
00:17:00.136 --> 00:17:02.171
You could always go to aj. now, dot com.
00:17:02.171 --> 00:17:04.807
There's a full archive of our programs there.
00:17:04.807 --> 00:17:07.443
You can watch them at your leisure.
00:17:07.443 --> 00:17:08.478
You can share them with a friend.
00:17:08.478 --> 00:17:10.246
The more the merrier.
00:17:10.246 --> 00:17:12.248
Thank you for your emails.
00:17:12.248 --> 00:17:13.316
They're always a highlight.
00:17:13.316 --> 00:17:14.750
Rick from murfreesboro.
00:17:14.750 --> 00:17:16.719
That sounds familiar. he emailed.
00:17:16.719 --> 00:17:18.421
I'd really like to see an episode
00:17:18.421 --> 00:17:19.889
Every week highlighting how and where
00:17:19.889 --> 00:17:21.591
God is moving in the earth.
00:17:21.591 --> 00:17:23.326
We hear it every day from pastor.
00:17:23.326 --> 00:17:24.961
I think it would be great to see the examples.
00:17:24.961 --> 00:17:27.563
Rick. it's a good idea.
00:17:27.563 --> 00:17:28.531
I think we can have like a god news show
00:17:28.531 --> 00:17:30.967
And celebrate some of the things that
00:17:30.967 --> 00:17:32.301
God is doing in the earth. we'll work on that.
00:17:32.301 --> 00:17:35.271
Jay barth from palmdale wrote.
00:17:35.271 --> 00:17:37.640
Thank you so much for having gordon chang on.
00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.542
He's such a wise man.
00:17:39.542 --> 00:17:40.977
I hope president trump will take his advice.
00:17:40.977 --> 00:17:43.379
Pastor, i'll share you with everyone
00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:45.014
On my facebook page with friends, even the plumber.
00:17:45.014 --> 00:17:48.217
Well, i had your sermon on when he was here.
00:17:49.118 --> 00:17:51.554
He was very interested. many blessings.
00:17:51.554 --> 00:17:54.290
Well, i'm always grateful for someone that likes the god
00:17:54.290 --> 00:17:57.894
To it.
00:17:57.894 --> 00:17:59.061
And i'm grateful that plumbers think it's worthwhile. i'm
00:17:59.061 --> 00:18:01.464
Sure there's a joke in there, but i'm going to keep moving.
00:18:01.464 --> 00:18:04.567
A viewer comment on an episode with seamus bruner.
00:18:04.567 --> 00:18:07.803
I love this program.
00:18:07.803 --> 00:18:08.905
It's wonderful that we can learn the truth
00:18:08.905 --> 00:18:10.773
Behind the curtain and know it's honest to goodness truth.
00:18:10.773 --> 00:18:14.577
Well, seamus bruner is a truth teller,
00:18:14.577 --> 00:18:16.412
And he's a strength to all of us.
00:18:16.412 --> 00:18:18.614
I'm grateful we could share a bit of the program with him.
00:18:18.614 --> 00:18:22.251
Gladys hicks emailed, i want to thank you so much
00:18:22.251 --> 00:18:24.620
For your culture and christianity ministry.
00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:26.923
Even in your sermon,
00:18:26.923 --> 00:18:27.890
Sometimes you'll address cultural situations
00:18:27.890 --> 00:18:29.892
Regarding the impact it has on christianity.
00:18:29.892 --> 00:18:32.361
Bless your heart.
00:18:32.361 --> 00:18:33.262
Farm boy, a farm boy i am.
00:18:33.262 --> 00:18:36.499
In fact, i'll give you an invitation
00:18:36.499 --> 00:18:37.800
I've been giving to our congregation recently.
00:18:37.800 --> 00:18:40.036
We actually put a kitchen table in the midst of our lobby,
00:18:40.036 --> 00:18:43.472
And i've been inviting everybody
00:18:43.472 --> 00:18:45.241
To have a meal
00:18:45.241 --> 00:18:46.375
Once a week with their family at the kitchen table.
00:18:46.375 --> 00:18:49.312
We're going back to the kitchen table.
00:18:49.312 --> 00:18:51.013
It's really not about home cooking.
00:18:51.013 --> 00:18:53.182
It's about a check in with our family.
00:18:53.182 --> 00:18:55.184
How have you been since we were together last?
00:18:55.184 --> 00:18:57.220
What are you celebrating? what are you weeping about?
00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:59.288
What's happening in your world?
00:18:59.288 --> 00:19:01.224
We've allowed too many things
00:19:01.224 --> 00:19:02.558
To intrude in our lives and rob us
00:19:02.558 --> 00:19:05.895
Of the most essential part
00:19:05.895 --> 00:19:07.230
Of who we are, and that is as a family.
00:19:07.230 --> 00:19:09.432
If your kids are grown and they're gone from home,
00:19:09.432 --> 00:19:11.534
Use that kitchen table as an expression of hospitality.
00:19:11.534 --> 00:19:14.637
It's a biblical principle, just a bit of hospitality
00:19:14.637 --> 00:19:18.207
And a word of faith in the lives of people will change the tone
00:19:18.207 --> 00:19:22.311
Of our lives, our relationships, and our communities.
00:19:22.311 --> 00:19:25.881
Folks, the solutions to our problems
00:19:25.881 --> 00:19:27.350
Are going to be discovered in washington, d.c.
00:19:27.350 --> 00:19:29.719
They may be reflected there,
00:19:29.719 --> 00:19:31.020
But they're going to begin in our homes.
00:19:31.020 --> 00:19:32.955
And i believe, significantly around our kitchen tables.
00:19:32.955 --> 00:19:36.025
I know it's a lot of work.
00:19:36.592 --> 00:19:37.727
I know there's a lot of challenges to it.
00:19:37.727 --> 00:19:39.262
It will mean a
00:19:39.262 --> 00:19:40.363
Redrafting of our calendars, but i believe it's worth
00:19:40.363 --> 00:19:43.733
The effort.
00:19:43.733 --> 00:19:44.767
So gather your family around the kitchen table
00:19:44.767 --> 00:19:46.936
Once a week for a meal. no devices.
00:19:46.936 --> 00:19:49.639
We're actually going to have to deal with one another
00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:51.741
And let's just see what god will do.
00:19:51.741 --> 00:19:54.477
We're walking through an unprecedented time of change.
00:19:54.477 --> 00:19:57.079
There's a lot of turmoil.
00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.614
There's a lot of voices speaking to us,
00:19:58.614 --> 00:20:00.449
Many of them shouting at us.
00:20:00.449 --> 00:20:02.351
We need the grounding that comes from the word of god
00:20:02.351 --> 00:20:04.487
And from people of faith.
00:20:04.487 --> 00:20:05.888
Your voices in your spheres of influence
00:20:05.888 --> 00:20:08.557
Will make a difference and bring us to a better place.
00:20:08.557 --> 00:20:11.327
There are reasons to celebrate god's moving in the earth,
00:20:11.327 --> 00:20:14.230
And we get to be a part of that.
00:20:14.230 --> 00:20:16.299
Thank you again for spending a few minutes with us.
00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:18.668
I'm alan jackson and you have a wonderful evening.
00:20:18.668 --> 00:20:18.668

Allen Jackson: Veterans Backlog | Allen Jackson Now

October 7, 2025 | 21:52

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