my 133rd letter published today...on vets mental health

[w8liftinglady]

please rate up and comment if you have time:)
http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2008/04/18/opinion/doc4808d44540e91975155338.txt
To the Editor,

As our nation enters the fifth year of the quagmire known as the War in Iraq, more disturbing news has been revealed regarding our veterans. The RAND Corporation performed a large-scale study of Iraq war veterans. Some disturbing revelations of this study:

• 320,000 troops have suffered traumatic brain injury due to IED explosions and other attacks.

• 300,000 troops are suffering from PTSD.

• only 43 percent have been evaluated by a physician for brain injury.

• only 53 percent of soldiers with PTSD have sought help due to peer pressure and lack of available resources.

As this study was revealed, the Veterans Administration has closed its psychiatric unit in Dallas after the fourth suicide was reported at this facility. The VA in Dallas has the distinction of being the worst VA in the nation when it comes to psychiatric care. The psychiatric cases are being “farmed out” to Parkland and other facilities. What a stellar way to support our troops.

War should never be waged lightly. When a nation goes to war, it must support the troops when they come home. Until all Americans are affected by this war, there will continue to be troubling statistics like these. Support our troops — insist they receive the proper medical care when they come home.

[antigop]

1. K&R. n/t

[alfredo]

2. Yahoo! Mine got published today too. Come on DU write those letters.

[w8liftinglady]

3. Congrats!!!

:toast:

[alfredo]

6. We need more writers. We need these issues front and center.

[w8liftinglady]

7. you're right..keep speaking out..people ARE listening

[alfredo]

8. The hardest part is to keep it simple.

On Nov. 1, 2004, Osama bin Laden said, "We are continuing this policy in bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy. Allah willing, and nothing is too great for Allah." He also said, "We, alongside the mujahideen, bled Russia for 10 years until it went bankrupt and was forced to withdraw in defeat."

Is our current war and occupation of Iraq playing into bin Laden's hands?

[JohnnyLib2]

4. She's back! "Heartier" than ever!

Congratulations.
This issue is so important that it needs every bit of attention we can give.

[w8liftinglady]

5. lol...pun intended...thanks!

[ismnotwasm]

9. Good for you!!!

Senator Patty Murray, from Washington state, one of the few politicians I like without reservation, works constantly with veteran's issues including mental health. My daughter is a Combat vet (Afghanistan). My son has joined the National Guard, I expect him to go to Iraq, although I haven't heard officially yet. Two of my children will have been directly exposed to this bullshit war. Both of them will come home to inadequate services and support, it's an issue very dear to me.

Thank you for your work, from the bottom of my heart:hug: