Why Are We Throwing Traumatized Vets in Jail for Calling 911?

[upstatecajun]

On March 4, 2011, the Honorable J. Thomas Kirkman, addressed the defendant in Barnstable Massachusetts' Second District Court: "Mr. Bangert, I see that you served your country honorably. It's time to do that again. I'm asking you to serve your country honorably again by (spending) nine months in the house of correction." And the gavel came down.

Joe's crime? Calling 911.

Joe Bangert is being punished for doing exactly what he was trained to do: calling for backup when he feels threatened. The problem is that, since September 11, it's not always clear to him whether the threat is coming from outside or inside. His PTSD keeps him constantly on full alert, trying to keep everything and everyone out beyond what vets call the "kiss me/kill me" range.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/150663/why_are_we_throwing_traumatized_vets_in_jail_for_calling_911/

[xchrom]

1. Jail should work wonders for his PTSD.

Not.

[msedano]

2. despicable judge

the robe's remarks sentencing the veteran to jail time are intended to ridicule the veteran and his service by reductio ad absurdum. i imagine there's a u.s. flag hanging in judge kirkman's courtroom. that flag needs to be replaced with the flag of freedonia, or another country where government officials ridicule the time and service a veteran gave.

mvs

[Generic Other]

3. And there are no vet services to help him?

The judge sucks. Is his job an elected position? The vets in his county need to remove him.

[AsahinaKimi]

4. The Veterans Administration should be involved with this

or at least some Vets group. These guys need help and should get it!

[HereSince1628]

5. the VA's PTSD website and mental health hotline

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/PTSD.asp

PTSD is taken seriously by the VA, Trauma Psych Units are a big part of VA out-patient mental health care.

VA doesn't always do a lot of outreach--the VA services should get much more PS time during prime time television.
Vets are often left to find their own way into care.

If you know a vet who you suspect is having trouble with PTSD or other mental health trouble, help them make the decision to reach the VA.

VA

[frylock]

6. there is nothing honorable about this piece of shit kirkman..

i hope karma gives him a good ol fashion skullfucking.