War Torn: The Bottle Or The Bullet
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/us/08vets.html?th&emc=th
The New York Times restarted their War Torn series, and I am glad they are. So much of life after a soldier's return is never told, and the New York Times is bold and courageous to tell it, especially now.
I know with my previous posts, I have been reiterating the need for universal health care for our troops and that the government should recognize that just because a soldier is home doesn't mean they shouldn't be forgotten. And, I still believe that.
I think the government should have a Welcome Back program to help our troops and their families that will help the families during the soldier's tour of duty economically and psychologically as well as after when the soldier comes home. For the soldier, this program would offer the best of care upon her/his return from their tour of duty, complete with physical and psychological care.
I believe our current system of handling veterans is disgraceful to our troops and negligent to their families. The system is so bad in that regard, it just ends up being the bottle or the bullet for our brave women and men who sacrifice so much so we can continue practicing democracy as we please right now. The bottle connotates alcohol, which the article is about, but it can also mean the painkillers that a soldier can become addicted to and can't get better treatment because her/his health care plan doesn't cover it, even though she/he is currently without a limb. It could also mean other psychiatric medications that the soldier could need along with psychological treatment that she/he cannot get because her/his health care plan doesn't cover it or only covers it to the least extent. One thing I would like to change is the perception that just because we throw a paper-taper parade when a soldier returns, doesn't mean we should be done with that soldier yet in reaping praise for the soldier. It is that perception that is hurting our troops, even now more than ever.
Of course, the other alternative given our current system regarding our troops and their return is the bullet. The series of articles I have been posting dealt with veterans committing violent crimes because no one would help them, isn't it time they were helped? Also, there is the "option" of going to Iraq or Afghanistan and just dying there. I mean no ill will by pointing out this reality that has become more probable than just "possible."
America needs a Welcome Back program for our troops and their families so this continual Bottle vs. Bullet thing ends. I'm hoping that if by chance someone from the Obama campaign reads this, or even the office staff of good Democrats who speak out for the health care of our troops will read this. If anyone does, please contact me, I would love to help out in achieving what needs to be achieved.
The New York Times restarted their War Torn series, and I am glad they are. So much of life after a soldier's return is never told, and the New York Times is bold and courageous to tell it, especially now.
I know with my previous posts, I have been reiterating the need for universal health care for our troops and that the government should recognize that just because a soldier is home doesn't mean they shouldn't be forgotten. And, I still believe that.
I think the government should have a Welcome Back program to help our troops and their families that will help the families during the soldier's tour of duty economically and psychologically as well as after when the soldier comes home. For the soldier, this program would offer the best of care upon her/his return from their tour of duty, complete with physical and psychological care.
I believe our current system of handling veterans is disgraceful to our troops and negligent to their families. The system is so bad in that regard, it just ends up being the bottle or the bullet for our brave women and men who sacrifice so much so we can continue practicing democracy as we please right now. The bottle connotates alcohol, which the article is about, but it can also mean the painkillers that a soldier can become addicted to and can't get better treatment because her/his health care plan doesn't cover it, even though she/he is currently without a limb. It could also mean other psychiatric medications that the soldier could need along with psychological treatment that she/he cannot get because her/his health care plan doesn't cover it or only covers it to the least extent. One thing I would like to change is the perception that just because we throw a paper-taper parade when a soldier returns, doesn't mean we should be done with that soldier yet in reaping praise for the soldier. It is that perception that is hurting our troops, even now more than ever.
Of course, the other alternative given our current system regarding our troops and their return is the bullet. The series of articles I have been posting dealt with veterans committing violent crimes because no one would help them, isn't it time they were helped? Also, there is the "option" of going to Iraq or Afghanistan and just dying there. I mean no ill will by pointing out this reality that has become more probable than just "possible."
America needs a Welcome Back program for our troops and their families so this continual Bottle vs. Bullet thing ends. I'm hoping that if by chance someone from the Obama campaign reads this, or even the office staff of good Democrats who speak out for the health care of our troops will read this. If anyone does, please contact me, I would love to help out in achieving what needs to be achieved.
As for violent crimes, I don't have any stats on that off the top of my head, but my general feeling about these people was that they are more likely to return depressed and are more likely to harm themselves than others.
Either way we need to help these Americans.