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Walter Reed Bars Baez

Army blames short notice for activist's exclusion from hospital

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted May 2, 2007 3:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were treated to tunes by John Mellencamp last week, but not Joan Baez—hospital officials refused to let the legendary folk singer and antiwar activist join him. A spokesman told Rolling Stone the request to include Baez came too late. Said Mellencamp: "We asked why and they said, 'She can’t fit here, period.' "

In an interview with the Washington Post, which recently reported on substandard living conditions and vermin infestation at the hospital, Baez said, "One of my more cynical friends said, 'They let the rats in, why not you?' " Officials also turned down a request to admit Dan Rather; the longtime CBS newsman now works for HDNet, which aired the concert.

Joan Baez arrives for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Los Angeles. In a letter to the Washington Post published Wednesday, May 2, 2007, Baez says she doesn't know why she was not allowed to perform for recovering soldiers recently at Walter Reed Army Medical...
Joan Baez arrives for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Los Angeles. In a letter to the Washington Post published Wednesday, May 2, 2007, Baez says she doesn't know why she was...   (Associated Press)
Folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez performs on stage, 16 March...
Folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez performs on stage, 16 March...   (Getty Images)
USA. Crawford, Texas. August 27, 2005. Joan BAEZ performing. Hometown of President George W. Bush, (pop. 750), central Texas, near Waco. Cindy Sheehan, mother of a Marine killed in Iraq, st (NYC49278)
USA. Crawford, Texas. August 27, 2005. Joan BAEZ performing. Hometown of President George W. Bush, (pop. 750), central Texas, near Waco. Cindy Sheehan, mother of a Marine killed in Iraq, st (NYC49278)   (Magnum Photos)
BOSTON, MA - Singer John Mellencamp waves to delegates after his performance on the third evening of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, July 28, 2004.
BOSTON, MA - Singer John Mellencamp waves to delegates after his performance on the third evening of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, July 28, 2004.   (KRT Photos)
CBS News anchor Dan Rather will step down from his position of anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening news in March 2005. Rather is shown at the 2003 GQ Men of the Year Awards, held at the Regent W
CBS News anchor Dan Rather will step down from his position of anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening news in March 2005. Rather is shown at the 2003 GQ Men of the Year Awards, held at the Regent W   (KRT Photos)
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