126. The Baby Heaven (Camp Lejeune)

Also, this is one of the worst thing I have ever heard about our military 🤦🏽‍♀️😭

Ooof I’m from Massachusetts and I remember hearing about this 😭

Are you saying whales or wells? Feel like I heard both

This was such a difficult listen.

Tce is insane it killed so many in dowagiac thanks to Sun Corp. My grandmother was one. Of course no one would admit the fact everyone living on the lake they dumped it in that got the same leukemia could possibly be anything but a coincidence.

Let there be no confusion, Camp Lejeune is not isolated. It is not the only time and place the DOD has lied, hushed, denied, delayed, and avoided taking responsibility and care of those who served (and continue to serve). Asbestos was linked to cancer in the 1950s. US Navy ships continued to be built using asbestos materials until 1985. There are still ships in service that contain asbestos. So while asbestos exposure is included in the PACT Act, that doesn't help the sailors who are literally living in asbestos exposure RIGHT NOW. I am a retired, disabled veteran, but I am one of the lucky ones- my claims were partially completed after about 2 years. 18 months later, the VA decided to look at the completed claims again, to see if I had "gotten better". Apparently, evaluating the never-ending backlog of new claims was less important. I haven't "gotten better". In fact, things have gotten worse. The VA had to increase my benefits for the claims already completed, and I still have 1 initial claim pending.

Honestly, if you've spent any time on any military installation you've probably been exposed to PFAS at least. We lived on Hill AFB. And they had town hall meetings about exposure to chemicals. Funnily enough, we live in Michigan now, and we just got word that our personal well tested positive for PFOA. Thankfully, the state is providing a filtration system and replacement filters free for life. These forever chemicals have probably screwed up so many ecosystems. If other states tested as vigorously as Michigan does, the numbers would likely explode.

The way I recoiled like id been gut punched was witnessed by my co-worker. She thought I hurt myself. Damnnnnn

But MAGA I guess 🙄. I’m not even done with the episode. This is horrific

This is the same bullshit they are pulling with Agent Orange(and much less known about- pink, purple and white). My dad was my best friend and was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema at the age of 35. I miss him everyday. Thank you AOC🧡

G-d bless you and the ONS and other oncology nurses. I have done a number of satellite symposia with the ONS. Please never fall down the medically illiterate rabbit hole about vaccines, though.

Thanks for periodically reminding me what I'm angry about.

Mind blown again….what an episode! Although I never knew the actual story, I’ve heard the bad daytime TV commercials “Call this number, you may be entitled to significant compensation….”. Part of me is disgusted that there are still people trying to profit from this tragedy…lawyers, of course. And part of me wonders if that is simply the ransom to be paid for some semblance of justice for those poor families. I literally had to stop what I was doing and sit down listening to the heart wrenching words of that poor father. I think I must say this every episode, but Swindled just keeps getting better, and more poignant… and then better again. I wonder who will be around in 80 years to tell the story of what they are putting in us now?

This was a tough listen. Those poor kids - born just to suffer and die so young :(

Jesus fucking Christ.

The first thing you learn in the military is that you have given up your civil rights in exchange for the rights of our citizens. By the time we get out, that is so ingrained that it can take a lifetime to change our thinking. We are disposable cannon fodder, trotted out by politicians when they need to make a point and then put back away until were needed again. The VA benefits I've received have saved my life but that because of those in the hospitals fighting for their patients, not the politicians or political appointees who treat our lives as playing cards in their game.

All those wars and lives sacrificed, as ACC put it, “to bring democracy to foreign lands” and now we have a president who is trying to destroy democracy. So many ironies. . . .

It almost makes you think that governments send citizens off to war to ensure their power is retained, and then throw veterans to the wolves once they return because well, cannon fodder. Infuriating episode.

I used to work with a vet who often talked about this, great episode!!

Fucking bullshit!!! Our government is such a fucking embarrassment. They don’t give a fuck about anything other than money, power, and getting reelected so they can continue to prop up their rich donors and their interests. They are all terrible. The US is the 132nd safest country in the world and we have the 69th best healthcare globally. I don’t know why these fuckers boast with pride about how great the US democracy is. Fucking pathetic!!! Zero accountability!!! Those people have children dying and the ones responsible pay no penalty, no punishment… Thank you Swindle guy for doing what you do. This is my favorite podcast and I also love the merch bro.

As a veteran, you always see the mention of Camp LeJeun but after listening to this episode.. wow. Just.. wow. Thank you, ACC for another amazing, insightful episode in the horrors of humankind.

Wow. Another well done, yet sickening episode. Thank you, ACC!

This is fucking horrific, and the new administration has been no help greed is the game and killing off your own people is the collateral damage. So Christian of these people. Yes the USA is fucked!

Thank you for this. I knew the tiniest bit about it and I should have known more long ago. ACC, I wonder whether you know the importance of your work. I hope you do. I mean this in the nicest way possible : this episode nauseated me and angered me. Thank you.

I don't think I've ever been more pissed off by one of these episodes, and I'm not even American. It's the fact that over and over again, there were people saying this was a problem, with the evidence, recognising it was a problem, pushing for change, making progress, but because of pride, maybe, an unwillingness to admit they made a mistake, the Navy and associated government departments repeatedly and have continued to dig in their heels.

The only thing better than an extra day off work- a new Swindled episode! Thanks for all you do🧡

Oh shit. I was at camp Lejeune.

Perfect for the train ride!