Apr 11 2009
So asks the two Salon writers, Mark Benjamin and Michael de Yoanna, following their recent series starting with the incriminating evidence, an audio recording by a Veteran suffering from PTS. Recording his visit because his wife couldn’t be there so he needed a way to remember what took place in his session with his army psychologist.
A reluctance to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder could be about the money, and about the need for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Apr 08 2009
Let me start out with some Good News, but that still have many of us puzzled as to why it took so long to get to the ‘Good’ and much needed, no answers.
On ‘Obstructionism’ and the VA, Plus:
I’m saving this cut of the Rachel Maddow show, on the evening of 4.07.09, to show how those we hire to represent us don’t.
Mar 05 2009
We’ve seen this before, especially us “Nam Vets as we returned, tens of thousands, and those needing and seeking the care from their service in a war became backlogged, or just plain denied. Many of us veterans were trying to be heard, over the rising drum beat of war, of what was coming especially if invading a country that did absolutely nothing to deserve that invasion and occupation. We were one of those groups politically labeled, by our hired administration, as a ‘focus group’ that they didn’t listen to. But it wasn’t only the administration not listening it was the greater majority of this country, they don’t mind spending billions upon billions upon billions……….. on the war machine and waging war with same, but when the soldiers start returning and the system gets overwhelmed the country doesn’t want to hear anything about that, or if they hear they most certainly don’t want to pay..
Sep 17 2008
I want to point you to a friends website PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within if you hadn’t know about Ilona’s work and research, or if you’ve visited but not in awhile.
And point you to her recent post OEF/OIF Veteran Suicide Toll: Nearly 15% of Overall U.S. Military Casualties Result from Suicide
I’m only going to give you a small snippet of her post, visit and read the rest, for there are a number of link backs giving one an open window in the problems that war and occupation theaters inflict on those who serve in them, as well as the people of the occupied and destroyed countries.
Sep 09 2008
Just prior to the Republican Convention Veterans For Peace held their annual convention, it to took place in the twin cities area, Minneapolis-St Paul. For those who might be interested you can take a look at some photo’s of the VFP Convention Here and Here
But this isn’t about the VFP Convention, it’s about what came out of.
Veterans For Peace adopted two resolutions last week effectively firing signal flares into the path of whoever wins this November’s election, regardless of party.
May 25 2008
Teen PTSD researcher Ilana Rice
Why do I get the feeling you two are destined to meet? And by all means don’t change your first names!
May 08 2008
5-07-08, NPR’s Talk of the Nation had a followup to a previous NPR Report on this, a Veterans Court setup in Buffalo NY. I previously did a post on the first report, and that report can also be found at todays Talk of the Nation site page, in the link below.
Vets in Legal Trouble Find Help in Buffalo Court
Talk of the Nation, May 7, 2008 ยท Earlier this year, Robert Russell, a judge in Buffalo New York, decided to address the increasing number of veterans he saw entering the criminal justice system. Russell established a special court that considers the experience of war before sentencing and helps former soldiers find treatment.
Guests:
Hank Parowski, project director for Buffalo City Court
Libby Lewis, NPR’s national desk correspondent {who put together the first report}
Tom Berger, national chair of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse for Vietnam Veterans of America
This link brings up the NPR Player to listen to report
And an Update to the Conditions found at the Fort Bragg Army barracks that returning Afganistan and Iraq Military personal were living in:
Army Secretary: barracks repairs to cost $248 million
Army Secretary Pete Geren said today that the military will commit $248 million to repair dilapidated barracks around the world.
Apr 30 2008
Back in January Ilona Meagher, of PTSD Combat-Winning The War Within posted about a Justice Court being set up in Buffalo NY to help Veterans who get into legal trouble you can read her post Here
This Court came together with the help of the local Buffalo chapter membership of Vietnam Veterans of America: