About Us

HK

jps wrote:
On Mon, 11 May 2009 14:34:45 -0400, HK wrote:

wrote:
On Mon, 11 May 2009 12:58:39 -0400, HK wrote:

A sad, sad news story:

May 12, 2009
U.S. Soldier Kills 5 Comrades in Iraq, Military Says
By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS
NY Times

BAGHDAD — The United States military said Monday that five American
soldiers had been shot to death by a fellow soldier who opened fire on
them at one of the biggest American bases in Baghdad, and that the
suspected shooter was in custody.

The killings appeared to be the worst case of lethal non-combat
casualties for the American forces in Iraq since the invasion more than
six years ago.

The shooting took place at around 2 p.m. local time at Camp Liberty, a
sprawling base next to Baghdad airport, the military said in a
statement. The names of the dead soldiers were being withheld pending
family notification, the statement said.

“Anytime we lose one of our own, it affects us all,” Col. John Robinson,
a spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq, said in the statement.

CNN, citing unnamed officials, said that at least three others were
wounded in the attack, which it said had taken place at a clinic for
soldiers suffering from war stress.

- - -

It's still not clear the military establishment is taking seriously the
mental health problems of service personnel serving ever-extended tours
in Iraq and of service personnel not getting the help they need when
they return home. *The military still attaches a stigma to those who
seek help.* That has to stop, and until it does, whatever efforts the
military establishment takes to help these service personnel will not be
as effective as they need to be.

I think I mentioned here a couple of weeks ago the military and the VA
were engaging in a massive recruitment drive to get mental health
professionals to enlist, and to find more civilians with whom contract
arrangements can be established. Both, obviously, are needed.

Maybe we should take their guns away

Despite what the righties here may think, I don't see anything humorous
in this situation, not even "snarkily" humorous. In case you haven't
noticed, the number of service personnel coming home from that war after
extended stays and then getting involved in spouse shootings and
suicides is way up, and this incident surely is part and parcel of that
sort of emotional stress.

It is an issue the military establishment has yet to address properly.

The pentagon doesn't give a ****. These kids are just collateral, gun
carrying, expedible meat.

Well, the attitudes are just part of the military establishment macho
bull****. I think Obama will push the Pentagon in the right direction on
this issue. I also aom convinced Bush and Cheney didn't give a **** and
actually considered military personnel expendible meat.

Eisboch[_4_]

"HK" wrote in message
m...

Well, the attitudes are just part of the military establishment macho
bull****. I think Obama will push the Pentagon in the right direction on
this issue. I also aom convinced Bush and Cheney didn't give a **** and
actually considered military personnel expendible meat.

Unbelievable.

Eisboch

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do you like THIS soldier??	[email protected]	General	4	March 4th 08 06:41 PM
OT Soldier mindset	LaBomba182	General	9	February 4th 05 03:44 PM
I read "The New Soldier" this weekend	Joe	ASA	7	October 29th 04 03:39 AM
The New Soldier	Phil Morris	ASA	2	August 24th 04 12:41 AM
An off topic Letter from a Soldier	John H	General	0	April 23rd 04 01:18 AM

Menu

About Us