For Every U.S. Soldier Killed On Battlefield This Year, 25 Veterans Die By Own Hands, page 1


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Topic started on 16-4-2012 @ 08:10 AM by kn0wh0w


Let me state that i´m not American.

But after reading this article my heart almost broke.

A sickening quote from Kissinger instantly sprang to mind.


“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” – Henry Kissinger


How true this quote seems after reading this article.

Used and then discarded.

So many of these men have seen such horrifying things, so horrifying they´re willing to take their own lives.

*i'd like to pause here and ask you guys to really think about this concept. the concept of taking your own life.*

Here’s a window into a tragedy within the American military: For every soldier killed on the battlefield this year, about 25 veterans are dying by their own hands


An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average, in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans kill themselves at a rate of one every 80 minutes. More than 6,500 veteran suicides are logged every year — more than the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq combined since those wars began.


I'm as anti-war as it gets but nobody deserves any of this.
Some might say they've chosen to join the army and got what was coming to them. (i often was one of those people)

But this article is just sad and a reminder the 'war' doesn't stop when the troops get home.

They, themselves, have to fight another battle.

The battle to stay sane that is.

I wish all the veterans out there the best and i pray for the safe return of you all.

May these senseless war end as soon as possible.

source

NY Times source


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 08:38 AM by Salamandy
I agree that the way we promote killing over simple self defense through propaganda in my country (US) is pathetically sad.

I agree with the Kissinger quote, except that I don't believe military men are dumb. They are at least intelligent enough to realize that they have an opportunity to make paycheck and "see the world" at an early age. Propaganda, especially when carried out by large groups of highly conditioned BS artists (i.e. higher ups in the military), can make even then smartest man think that murdering can somehow be justified.
Notice how once the serviceman is at his home and the barbaric drill instructor is not in their faces, he begins to become human again and show signs of remorse? Sometimes though it is too late. The serviceman is so upset that they "bought the BS" their drill instructor fed them, they feel so helpless that they take their own lives.

The USA's current military has proven that they are not for just self defense (Libya, stoking the fires with Iran, etc...)

If I can stop just one kid from joining the military or get one person to leave the military, it would be a blessing. Hopefully I can convince the entire country and restore some respect for human live in this country.

Kids, if you are thinking of joining the military consider this...

You will be lied to at first - plain and simply lied to by recruits that will promise you your experince with the military will be rewarding and itll be just like your playing a realistic video game.. NOTHING could be further from the truth.

Also consider this... Why would an employer (the military) hire you only to force you to stay (under the penalty of imprisonment) if you decide the military is not for you and you want to leave? Just think about this for a second. Is it possible that MOST people who join dont like it and want to get out and the military then feels the need to FORCE you to stay. Kids, think about this.. There are plenty of other, much more lucrative options available for you. STAY OUT OF THE ARMED FORCES!

You are loved and can be so productive through a POSITIVE occupation. DONT LET ANYONE TRY TO CONVINCE YOU that "sometimes murder is justified" or that without a massive army "we would all be wearing turbans". High ranking military men make lots of money and need YOU as a pawn in their game to remain rich and live a cushy lifestyle while YOU GO TO DIE.

Please be better than that!


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 08:42 AM by RandomEsotericScreenname
reply to post by kn0wh0w



Damn, 25 times more deaths by suicide? That is shocking to say the least, I had no idea it was this bad.

I guess the government doesn´t care at all, I´ll even say that they feel it is less of a potential threat to them if all these veterans kill themselves.

Sad, very very sad indeed.


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 09:08 AM by Snoopy1978
reply to post by Salamandy



The newest push is about taking social services away from the working and incapacitated poor. The war machine is too profitable. Many ats shills are on a crusade right now to deviate attention from things like these and try to turn the tide of anger towards the poor and the meager help they get. I wonder if the socialist VA system was in danger of being terminated, would the vociferous ayn rand types be screaming for or against it?

Hmmm...


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 12:54 PM by kn0wh0w
reply to post by Salamandy



this post is a clear example of ´nuff said´.

you have said it all brother.



reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 01:05 PM by neo96
Right

"First off i am not an American"

" I am anti war"

Here are some statistics from the CDC

www.cdc.gov...

All suicides in the US 36,909 out of a country of 330 million

Fire Arm suicides 18,735 out over over 300 million guns in the US.

Suffocation suicides 9,000

Poisoning suicides 6,398

Condsidering i have had 1 aunt and 1 uncle from both sides of the family commit suicide who were not military civilian suicide rate is more than what was it?

6500 out of active force of 1 million and 3 or 4 millioon veterans?

Twist the facts to suit political ideology the article coming for a site named "disinformation" and the NYtimes is all anyone needs .

edit on 16-4-2012 by neo96 because: (no reason given)



reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 01:29 PM by kn0wh0w
reply to post by neo96





Right
"First off i am not an American"
" I am anti war"


and...?

Because i'm not an american i can't feel for the service men and women out there?

I have family members who are in the military they just don't happen to be from the US.

boo-hoo.

That's the reason i stated these things up front.

The report concludes that suicide among service members and veterans challenges the health of America’s all-volunteer force. From 2005 to 2010, service members took their own lives at a rate of about one every 36 hours, according to the report. It also states that while only 1 percent of Americans have served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, former service members represent 20 percent of suicides in the United States. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 18 veterans die by suicide each day.


maybe this is a better source for you?

www.defense.gov...


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 01:36 PM by kn0wh0w
reply to post by neo96




6500 out of active force of 1 million and 3 or 4 millioon veterans?


and what are you trying to say exactly?

because it's only a small percentages it doesn't matter?

i can pull up hundreds of sources all stating suicide rate among veterans has been on an increase.


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 01:46 PM by daynight42
Well, what do they expect? I sure wouldn't get myself into any war or part of a battlefield. I see these ignorant signs all around where I live "Pray for our troops." Why not give them some useful advice and tell them to keep their butts out of the Army or Navy in the first place. Now, see, in my eyes, that would be actually helpful to these poor guys. But, noo, it's all about the lies the politicians served to them: "for your country" or "as a patriot." Fine! Then, as President or Senator or congressman, you should take the highest honor and get yourself on the front line ASAP with a gun and a Depends adult diaper for your protection when the bullets start flying. Of course, they're smarter than to do that. As rude as it sounds, Henry was right and will continue to be right. Too many stupid, proud people convinced by others (including their own sick family!!) that risking their lives is the way to go. When you play with fire, don't play dumb and say "I didn't know!" when you get burned. The service was playing you from the beginning, and now you wait until it's rough later to see it as it is?

These guys, I almost feel bad for them, but then I think of all the guys entering today, and I hold them responsible for their decision to enter a war for all the wrong reasons wrapped up in "Holiness" and "patriotism." What really bothers me is that if I or you tried to convince these guys and their families that they are being used, we would be seen as the bad guys. I would be reminded of all of "valid reasons" they are going out there to fight. So, in this light, no, I feel they knowingly brought it upon themselves for reasons that help them feel superior to the guy who stays here and doesn't fight. To really help the troops, you must convince them to see through the lies, but they won't do that because it's tied to their religious and value systems.

So, as mean as it sounds, you get what you have coming to you when you subscribe to the lies that are fed to you and reject the truth when it is offered to you.


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 01:51 PM by yoyoyoyo
reply to post by daynight42



Thank you to all the veterans, You weren't meant to be in war, but only placed their for a few to benefit.

Don't give up my friends you we're made strong, Now show your strength out of the military!

If anyone veteran or not need's a shoulder to lean on send me a PM.

Love all and Peace to all! Support your brothers and sisters!!


reply posted on 16-4-2012 @ 03:04 PM by DINSTAAR
reply to post by neo96




A veterans death has no more meaning by suicide than anyone else to sit there and again create a thread about it says just how effed up some people are.


In your post you have proven the OP's point. Veteran's are killing themselves in higher proportion than the regular population. The facts you said state this.

Don't get so personal. The fact is, it is always a tragedy when someone ends their own life and veterans take their own life at a greater rate than the population as a whole. What this thread is trying to do is to point out that the wars we fight take a psychological tole on the individuals fighting them, and the politicians that are responsible for the war are not taking any responsibility.


To reitterate i have lost 2 family members to suicide didn't sit there and make threads about it but of course since they weren't military or veterans


No one is making threads in expense of your lost loved ones.
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