Despite the Bush administration's purporting to support the troops, it does not support them in deeds. Mounting evidence shows that the Bush administration neglects our returning vets. Indeed, the administration uses the troops to staff its adventures and photo-ops. When it comes time to take care of their injuries, to do the human and the right thing, the administration is AWOL. IT leaves our men and women behind.
Earlier stories revealed that the wounded were warehoused on bases around the country, many deprived of first class medical care. Last Sunday's powerful Washington Post story by Dana Priest, already reported here on RK, told of neglect at Walter Reed. We have assurances that shortcomings at Walter Reed will be remedied. However, this story is just the tip of the iceberg. Just this week, Amy Goodman's Democracy Now aired extended coverage of the issue of the US refusal to pay for the care of many returning with PTSD. The federal budget will show another drop-off in support for Veterans programs two years out.
The film I saw Wednesday, The Ground Truth,gives first-hand accounts of even deeper tragedies. The documentary portrays soldiers' experiences from combat, their wounds (both physical and psychological), and the neglect they face afterward. Overwhelmed by lost limbs, head trauma, and acute psychological distress, they find a government not only unappreciative, but also actively working to deny them medical benefits.
The movie is powerful. I recommend to everyone, but the very squeamish or the young. Certainly, anyone contemplating signing on to fight Haliburton's war should see this film.
Currently in Iraq, our troops are embedded within Iraqi units, riding in trucks not necessarily armored. Some spend their nights locked down in Iraqi police departments. This will surely result in more injuries and deaths. Today, Dan Radmacher of the Roanoke Times lamented the new lax recruitment rules also which mean our troops will now have to bunk with and work with convicted felons. The assault on them by the government they serve continues...
Here's what we should do this week to really support the troops.
First, don't be intimidated. The new round of attack-the-messenger can't dissuade us. We all know that supporting the troops is not having a cliched yellow ribbon on our vehicle, or rubber-stamping the US CEO.
Second, go to Congress.org [here http:// www.congress.org]. Tell your US representative and Senators you want an end to this misuse of our troops in the Middle East. Tell them to never needlessly put the troops in harm's way. Also tell your representatives we must properly train equip the troops when they deploy and provide medical and psychological care when they return.
Third, see the movie. It's available where DVDs are sold, or at the above website. Tell everyone you know about this film.
Fourth, host a party to screen the film. Here's the link.
We owe the men and women who serve no less than our sustained effort to really help them.
I suggest the AS committee rather than the VA committee since one of the major issues for me is the fair assessment of their disabilities--
BTW here is my list of what it means to support out troops--I am sure you could add to it.
Supporting our troops means ensuring that our servicemen and service women are only put in harm's way
1. if and only if all other options, to include diplomatic, have been tried in good faith, and based on solid uncaveated intelligence
2. if and only if the reasons for doing do *directly* protect the US and her citizens
3. if and only if a well thought out and articulated mission and a well thought out and articulated exit strategy have been presented
4. if and only if they have had the appropriate training for the military operation
5. if and only if they have adequate and appropriate equipment to accomplish their mission with a minimum of risk to their life and limb
6. if and only if they have had at least one-year of rest time between tours of duty
7. if and only if in the event of their deaths, their family members are supported financially as well as emotionally
8. if and only if the wounded receive appropriate medical care and appropriate after care
9. if and only if the wounded receive a just assessment of their disability by means of a transparent process and means of redress
10. if and only if they have not been recruited into the service through any deceptive practices by the recruiter
Ruth