Bush does something right . . . film at 11

Somehow there's got to be a catch to this:

A $3.2 billion omnibus veterans’ bill that includes a cultural change in benefits claims process was signed into law Friday by President Bush.

The Veterans Benefits, Healthcare and Information Technology Act includes creation of a rural health care office in the Department of Veterans Affairs, increases spending on post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rehabilitation for blinded veterans.

Also included in the new law is an attempt to expand job opportunities for veterans by raising the goal for government contracting with veteran-owned small businesses and wider mental health coverage to include family care and bereavement counseling.

The rest of the story is here.

To read the full text of the bill, go to THOMAS at the Library of Congress, then enter S.3421.ENR in the "Search Bill Text" box. Change the radio button below that from Word/Phrase to Bill Number, then click on Search.

Or you can test the limits of your browser by accessing the 66-page .pdf version here.

I haven't read the full text of this bill, but on the surface at least, it seems like an overall plus for veterans. Perhaps bram will weigh in with her opinion when she gets a chance to look it over.

more about Fort Carson charges

The Denver Post has a followup on the recent allegations that Army veterans at Fort Carson are being ostracized and drummed out of the corps after being diagnosed with PTSD.

post-traumatic futility disorder

Disillusionment with war is an overlooked psychological liability on the battlefield, experts say -- and could lead to higher rates of PTSD among U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

From today's Salon.com (you might need to watch a brief ad to get the Salon day pass, but do it).

There's certainly a lot to be disillusioned about in this catastrophic fuckup of a war. But hey, even though the head of U.S. Central Command is against the idea, The Decider is considering sending more troops to Iraq. And why not? No one he cares about will ever need to go over there to fight.

more tours of duty = more PTSD

I mean, that sort of stands to reason, but unfortunately it's being confirmed by empirical data. From Wednesday's Washington Post:

U.S. soldiers serving repeated Iraq deployments are 50 percent more likely than those with one tour to suffer from acute combat stress, raising their risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Army's first survey exploring how today's multiple war-zone rotations affect soldiers' mental health.

More than 650,000 soldiers have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001 -- including more than 170,000 now in the Army who have served multiple tours -- so the survey's finding of increased risk from repeated exposure to combat has potentially widespread implications for the all-volunteer force. Earlier Army studies have shown that up to 30 percent of troops deployed to Iraq suffer from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the latter accounting for about 10 percent.

The entire article, which is worth reading, can be found here.

Only two out of five soldiers with mental disorders seek care. The rest will suffer, not in silence, but in the unwelcome solitude of their unquiet minds. Some will drink or use drugs to deaden the pain. Some will smack their wives and husbands and children around, or worse. More than a few will take their own lives.

I wonder how many military families who were all gung-ho for Bush's re-election in 2004 still support him now. I wonder how many of them still think this war is worth the toll it is taking on our soldiers.

Fort Carson allegations

Three senators have asked the Pentagon to open an investigation into allegations of inadequate treatment — and even punishment — of soldiers at Fort Carson who seek help or treatment for mental health problems after returning from Iraq.

The allegations were made by soldiers who said their superiors refused to allow them to seek treatment for mental health problems. One was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

So begins a story in Army Times. The whole thing is here. For some context, see my earlier post about this.

One of the three senators is Barack Obama, who might well be the next president.

at least one out of five

Army studies show that at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the soldiers who have served in Iraq display symptoms of serious mental-health problems, including depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Administration officials say there are extensive programs to heal soldiers both at home and in Iraq.

But an NPR investigation at Colorado's Fort Carson has found that even those who feel desperate can have trouble getting the help they need. In fact, evidence suggests that officers at Fort Carson punish soldiers who need help, and even kick them out of the Army.

So begins a recent report on NPR's All Things Considered, which has both the audio and a transcript at the link.

Obviously punishing people who need help is about the stupidest thing you can do. Not only does it do a disservice to the soldier who needs help, but it sends a clear message to the rest of the platoon: if you think you're having mental health issues, keep your fucking mouth shut, or else.

It's quite a sordid little story, but one which sadly comes as no surprise to anyone who has been following the way that soldiers have been treated during this shabby war. There's money for victory celebrations (never mind that there hasn't even been a victory yet, and that there won't be), but not enough money for body armor. There's money for Bush to prance around on an aircraft carrier, but not enough money for adequate mental health care. What a mess. What a disgrace.

A tip of the hat to Shakespeare's Sister.