the trauma facing returning soldiers & the killing of innocent Iraqis .

[G_j]

"WAR IS NOT A NOBLE ENTERPRISE"

Sarah Ruth van Gelder, YES! Magazine

An interview with New York Times war correspondent Chris
Hedges on the Iraq war, the trauma facing returning
soldiers and the killing of innocent Iraqis.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20725/

<snip>
That’s what we’re seeing in Iraq. The psychological cost — the emotional cost — that we’re inflicting on our soldiers and Marines is devastating.

One of the disturbing things about this war is that, because they are so short on numbers, they are treating people for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and then sending them back into combat situations.

So I’m worried about what we’re going to see over the long term as these young men and women are re-integrated into the society.

<snip>

When you are in a combat situation like that, you realize how easy it is to commit murder, how easy it is to commit atrocity, because you are so deathly afraid — and with good reason. But the consequences are devastating, because what you have done is to shed innocent blood, and often the blood of children. So you bring back not only the trauma of the violence, but that deep darkness that you must carry within you for the rest of your life — that you have been responsible for the death of innocents.

So it isn’t just an issue of trauma; it is, as well, an issue of morality. This is a horrible burden to inflict, especially on a young life. It’s why war should always be waged as a last resort, because the costs are so tremendous, not only to families who lose loved ones and will spend the rest of their lives grieving, but for those who return and for the rest of their lives bear these emotional and psychological burdens.

..more..

[salin]

1. Have heard these laments from Vietnam vets

the human toll keeps ticking - both in the old arena of the conflict, and in the homes and hearts of those originally sent into the conflict. :(

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. And from what I hear

returning wounded soldiers are treated shamefully. They have to wait months and months for disability pay, even if they are so shot up they are permenently disabled. If this is how we are treating vets with obvious wounds, I wouldn't be surprised if those with psychological wounds aren't given much help, if any, when they return home. Of course, with the way things are going, are any of these soldiers going to be allowed to come home, or will they just spend their lives in Iraq?

[GetTheRightVote]

3. * Admin has decrease bennies and pay as well when return

It is a disgrace that we allow these situations to come into play when it comes to the soldiers who answering the call of duty though I believe the war to be unjustified and evil. These soldiers should return with honors but they return to us and treated very poorly.

[G_j]

4. I met someone who had to get a lawyer

to get discharged for PTSD he got in the Iraq war.

Another aspect of this is that there are also countless friends and family members who are effected.
The trauma from Bush's war will be around for our lifetimes and beyond. ..just criminal!