So it is Monday and most people are getting ready for Thanksgiving. I have a series below that is mostly about VET Issues, for all of us to learn more about PTSD and Suicide prevention, I know it is not a nice subject, but the stats and the Seriousness of this Epidemic tugged at my heart, and since MSM is giving it rather shortshrift I am even more driven to blog on it. I am sorry if this offends anyone, but it needed to be done, and hopefully it will help all of care for VETS, not just their families. The three posts below are on the PTSD/Suicide issue. There are other posts that are more soothing of the soul and provide solace.I did update the Blogroll and there are some wonderful new links, and I will do a bloground up tomorrow, please email me if you think I missed your blog or have news for the Round Up. enigma4ever@earthlink.net
*{Click the Title:The Music is Tracy Chapman "Talking about Revolution."}*
18 comments:
you are so accurate - we must know more about ptsd. while it's original concepts came from vets, i find it has also been applicable to many human miseries - the plight of the abused child, the battered woman. But VETS are the population where we see it the most concentrated - and the issue of PTSD and the "returned" soldier is particularly dangerous. the primary piece of the man or woman returned to combat with PTSD is the reactor.
as PTSD encompasses depression and substance abuse, issues related to suicide are sky-high. i just saw there was an 80% increase in the # of military AWOLS - hopefully, that will affect the PTSD most of these soldiers are sure to have - making a solid, assertive effort that works (safely) is a huge step towards emotional integration.
great series -
As a non-american, I am more worried about the 4 million Iraquis who are now homeless and also suffering.
Suffering because of the same war, suffering because of the greed of the "military industrial complex".
So, in some convoluted way, both the soldiers and the Iraquis are victims of the same group of thugs and liars.
It will only stop when there are no more americans willing to enforce the will of the Pentagon.
It is the will of the Pentagon that causes the suffering.
Between the suicides (120 per week), and the desertions (200 per week), and the dead and wounded (numbers unknown, but under-reported), the American military is shrinking.
Which ultimately must be a good thing.
Maybe however, after being treated with such contempt, it is time for the veterans to examine their position within the state, as many are already doing.
Peace¬
Lanskr: I so understand what you are saying- I have an iraqi post I am also doing this week, about PTSD / depression of Iraq's, and also the MISSING in Iraq- more than 800,000 are missing and mass graves are appearing....we need to really examine all of the issues attached to the Iraq mess...and the Pentagon mess..as well as the VET situation...I am focusing on the VET issue this week- since the MSM isn't doing enough...it is my humble one woman, one nurse, one mom effort...Most of the VETS I know are horrifried wiht the situation and NONE I know wanted to go to iraq...or support it ..NONE...
Weezie: Thank you, you are right I should have explained more that many can suffer from it- it is about trauma...although studies are showing it might be different in patterns and symptoms in vets...thanks..and when I set up the PTSD blog- please be sure to contribute...thanks again..keep me on my toes....I have to get it right...
Another wise column from Enigma.
I understand your hesitance in posting downer news. Like you, I want to uplift rather than add more to the depressive load we are all carrying. But the massive problems in front of us must be addressed. Thank you for adding to our understanding.
PTSD ultimately can not be ignored. It will rear it's ugly head, even if we try to ignore it- or more importantly the military/VA try to dismiss it.
I posted a blog today about a new form of military recruiting- through e mail. Oh! If only the military had to adhere to *truth in advertising* in their recruitment tactics.
Having prolonged exposure to inhumanity, and massive death and destruction takes it's toll. As far as I am concerned, EVERY soldier returning from Iraq has been traumatized.
Good series enigma. Only lately now has it been on the airwaves and I hope we still see it for every day until the points driven home.
Der Fuhrer cares nothing of the troops except they stay on the battle lines until their killed or wounded so severly that they can no longer fight.
Then kick them out and forget about them. And yes the Democrats are just as bad by their turning a blind eye to this problem and trying to change it. They are no better than the RFN's.
One day they will be held accountable. Either in this life or the next.
God Bless.
hi Enigma
check out VAWatchdog.org:
"It is illogical to put a cap on VA funding when it is
impossible to put a cap on the number of those
wounded and injured in service to their country."
enigma
As you know PTSD and our veterans cannot get enough attention. It is sick how underfunded bush's so called loved veterans recieve.
It isn't just him though he is the most two faced about it. It has gone on since day one.
I have a friend that suffered from it after 2 combat tours in Nam. He went on to work for 30 years in the defense industry then succumbed to it and now resides at the VA.
He wrote the other day and asked if I could help him find help for a friend that also suffers from it. He also did 2 tours then got out and worked here for 35 years but can not get belifits because he is a Canadian.
I am concerned for my sons who so far seem fine but? Keep up the good work enigma1
Hey enigma...
Here is what I think is the best paragraph in my newest post. Tell me what you think of this.
"We must for the sake of our Democracy take our country back or continue to live in fear. And the fear will not be of Terrorists who may want to kill you, but your Government who will Kill You."
God Bless.
Well Anon..I don't know about this paragraph...But I will come and read your post...
THIS I do KNOW....
(1) I "fear" NO ONE...that is What this Criminal Regime of a WH wants- us all "fearful' All the time...and
(2) I don't think OUR Governement or the Current Regime is out to "kill" us, they are indeed Criminally Negligent, and imcompetent, and definently have risked Many lives - and caused them harm- and death - the troops atleast...Negligence can indeed kill...and bad decisions and lies...but I don't think anyone is out to kill us ? that is not how you meant it right?
I guess I dont understand what you are trying to say...but if I come and read your new post maybe it will make sense....
Must we take back our Democracy- shredded mess that it is ...YES...Absolutely....
More Replies:
PATRIOT: I am sorry about your friend...and yes, I would worry about your sons too ( and I do)...I am trying to help educate as many as I can...it s a huge issue......an Epidemic...
Polshifter: Thank you for the great link- wonderful...
Anon: thank you for supporting this series...
Mirth : thanks for understanding that this timely- esp as VETS come home on leave for the holidays..
Fran: you are right every soldier has indeed been traumatized....just like the poor Iraqis...
Larry : hmm wise ? I don't know about that ....worried...yes..very ...all the time...
I have a suggestion Enigma. Since Bush is a lame duck, why dont we allow him and his administration to replace a few service members this holiday and the remainder of his Presidency.
Since he never fulfilled his obligations to the Military, why dont his last year be spent in Iraq, showing how brave he actual is , by sending and extending their stay there.
Also, lets include Cheney, but only for an office job, since his heart is so bad. He can then brag that he was in the military and we can no longer hold his deferments over his head.
Let's : can we send him now....right now...please...
I know in reading over the PTSD symptoms you've posted, I will be more cognizant when I'm talking to returned vets. The holidays are very tough for them.
BTW, is that YOUR bike in the photo? The garage sale bike? If so, great paint job!
DK....thanks...and hopefully we can help people to learn more....for the sake of the VETS...and their families...
( nope not my bike...although this winter I am going to paint my bike...and I am thinking yellow...and purple ;-)
Enigma, what a great series. I had no idea it was so bad. I had a friend who was a vet from the Vietnam war. He was from Redondo Beach, California, and he didn't want to go back to the States again because of the way he was treated.
Is history repeating itself?
Josie: it is indeed that bad...worse...this is just the tip of the iceberg....I have more posts to come on this...
sadly....and also posts on the Iraqis...
CeeJay: I wish there were more ways to for us to look at any of this, and I wish that the Running DEMS would get IT, that we are so concerned about how and where this is going...and NO ONE In DC is listening to US, the People...
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