Questioning Walz's Military Service is Just Plain Stupid

[Jarqui]

48. I'm still bothered by what they did to Walz

Generations of my family served. By far, my brother and I did the least - it's something I NEVER tell people because it was so close to nothing compared to others. My family members paid a heavy price. It was tough and still is to this day. Wounds that will never heal. So maybe I'm more sensitive to what they did to Walz.

In 2002, Walz was reviewed because he had hearing problems. Ultimately, they let him continue in the service.
Combat can be more dangerous with hearing problems. You sometimes can't tell where the gunfire or tank sound is coming from for example or someone sneaking up behind you.
In 2003-4, Walz went to Italy in Operation Enduring Freedom - part of what he did was train soldiers in the use of weapons including heavy artillery (which is apparently how he hurt his ears over the years). His unit guarded air bases with nuclear weapons against terrorist attack .. but he "never carried a weapon of war" ...
In 2005, after he retired, he had stapedectomy surgery, a procedure in which damaged bones inside the ear are replaced with a prosthesis. It improved his hearing but does not cure it. And he still has tinnitus.

If your ears are that bad that you had to have that kind of surgery, how does it make sense to deploy that person to combat? His safety is in question with poor hearing. If his hearing gets more damage from combat, how will he be able to hear his students questions? Or debate in the House of Representatives? Or hear his grandchildren?

Part of my own hearing problems is related to discharging weapons. I often have to have people repeat themselves. etc. I have tinnitus - sometimes bilateral, sometimes unilateral. Tinnitus can be really loud at times. So I can relate.

I find it repugnant that they would smear Walz for saying "I've had enough." under those circumstances especially when he suffered this damage in the line of duty.