The Sinatra Version

So, the Manchurian Candidate movies were apparently based on reality! According to a recent report and corresponding law-suit

…The [victims/plaintiffs] allege that the government tested various drugs, biological and chemical agents, and gases during the fifties, sixties, and seventies without their informed consent (some poison gas shells and grenades from the Chemical Warfare Service laboratory at Edgewood are pictured above). The plaintiffs want the defendants to notify all affected veterans and tell them what chemicals they were given, release them from their secrecy oaths, and provide them with health care and disability compensation.

The government has also admitted some of it:

For its part, the government has acknowledged the existence of the tests and claims that it is actively trying to help the affected veterans.

In an expected move:

… the government maintains that the Edgewood veterans do not have a case because, among other things, the statute of limitations has expired, the veterans have not exhausted all administrative remedies, and sovereign immunity bars this suit. “Dismissal of this lawsuit will not deprive plaintiffs or other veterans of redress for any injuries that they suffered as a result of testing at Edgewood Arsenal,” said the government in its response. “Congress and the executive branch continue to investigate, compile relevant documents and other information, and develop and implement appropriate responses and remedies for veterans who participated in the tests….These provisions, rather than litigation, are proper avenues for relief.”

Even if the government did conduct these experiments, the best way to bring an end to this saga, and provide justice to all involved, would be to provide any compensation desired by the plaintiffs without admitting liability.

Heck, the government’s job description involves protecting its citizens. When it doesn’t, it is responsible even when the statute of limitation has expired.