What is Digg?63 Comments
- muleskinner, on 07/11/2009, -0/+18One of my college professors last semester had a piece of shrapnel enter is skull while in Afghanistan. He'd had multiple surgeries to try to repair the damage, or at least keep it under control. Last semester was his first semester back to teaching and he warned us that he might not be able to finish the semester with us. I felt really badly for him because he was such a sweet guy, and incredibly smart.. but the effects of the damage really took its toll on him. During lecture he would get stuck on words and not be able to finish certain trains of thought quite frequently. It was bad, because he was trying so hard to get the words out fluently, and you could tell that he was frustrated and embarrassed that he couldn't say what he was thinking. He ended up retiring after about a third of the semester was over. He was only 36.
He was honestly one of the best and most memorable professors I've ever had despite his injury. - Devine122, on 07/11/2009, -3/+20War is cruelty. There's no use trying to reform it, the crueler it is the sooner it will be over.
-William Sherman - jrm125, on 07/11/2009, -1/+12It also helps to use critical thinking skills when trolling.
The actual article describes Iraq AND Afghanistan. Combat numbers are higher in Afghanistan.
You also need to consider that people returning tend to do so more often because they've seen combat and been injured...not so much because their tour of duty is up.
It's also curious you'd try to debunk a stat and then provide one of your own lacking any citation. May wanna go back to school on that one.
NPR is amazing. It's probably the best journalism anywhere....so take off your tinfoil hat and shut the ***** up. - AndrewRidgely, on 07/11/2009, -0/+9Yes, how dare the people we underpay to risk their lives for us, our economic interests, our political interests, and our safety dare request care or aid when they return?
The reason the soldiers from WW2 were the greatest generation isn't that they were willing to swarm a beach and die en masse to get a job done. It was because when they got back, the government recognized a responsibility to them and set up the GI Bill. All those soldiers returning home with no jobs, injuries and post-traumatic stress all of a sudden had a hope for a positive future, and they were able to build the middle class up because of their access to education.
You need to remember: we owe a debt to our soldiers, not the other way around. - spudhead, on 07/11/2009, -1/+10It's unfortunate that we don't include these costs when calculating the cost of war. If we calculated the cost of appropriate medical care, the number of returning soldiers that end up homeless, the lost opportunity of these soldiers, perhaps we could have a more honest discussion of justifying war.
Just kidding. We'll never do that. - ProfessorRiffs, on 07/11/2009, -1/+8Yet one more reason to not join the military.
- spriggig, on 07/11/2009, -0/+7We'd have a whole lot fewer wars if the old men who declare war were required to sacrifice their own life in that declaration. Yes, that is what I said.
- KrayzieKyd, on 07/11/2009, -2/+8Let's see how long the VA takes care of them.
Korea/Vietnam vets? - smemily, on 07/11/2009, -0/+6Kind of, but not really when recruitment targets low income high schools full of students who have no other shot at college. I graduated in 2000 and a hell of a lot of my peers signed up because there was no war on and it was their shot at a better future - only to find themselves fighting on the front lines a year later.
- Nintendesert, on 07/11/2009, -1/+798 lb helmet?
- HimThatSpeaks, on 07/11/2009, -0/+5Did you consider to ask yourself how was combat defined? Did you consider the fact that 1 in 5 returning means something different than 1 in 5 serving? Did you think at all before you ran off your stupid mouth. And putting down schools and a whole generation as some kind of generalization to back your idiotic half thought out Fox driven opinions. Your head is so warped I don't think we could reach a point of agreement on this.
- doctordbx, on 07/11/2009, -0/+5@ NeptuneZen - show me the WMDs. Because otherwise, a lot of people (Iraqis and US) are getting ***** in the ass for nothing.
- jrm125, on 07/11/2009, -2/+7This is sad.
We as a nation owe it to our combat vets to give them every bit of medical care they need...every bill, every surgery, every doctor available. These guys risk more and lose more than most of us ever will and we should pay them back as best we can. - HimThatSpeaks, on 07/11/2009, -2/+7***** YOU! I bet you are the type of person that believes no symptoms exist but people lie about it just to get money. Do you have any idea what kind of forces are applied internally to your body when you are next to a bomb that goes off? ANY DAMN ***** IDEA?
- zeth006, on 07/11/2009, -0/+5@poprocksandsoda
What you have just said was insensitive if not borderline despicable and ungrateful.
How could you conclude (perhaps assume without evidence?) that our soldiers today aren't braver or even as brave than the ones of yesterday? Did you just look solely at the casualty numbers of that documentary and use them as the basis of your conception of today's soldiers' being weak?
Let me spell it out for you. In case you've been living in a cave for more than a few years, technology and medicine have advanced dramatically since the 1940's. Our ability to combat diseases and lower casualties has resulted form these advanced. Now, American troops can go into battle and we can expect to incur few casualties in comparison to the wars we fought decades ago.
Our soldiers are not whining or "complaining" as you put it. The Vietnam/Korea/Afghanistan/Iraq vets are simply trying to get what they're entitled to, which is treatment for mental/physical ailments. Scroll down and read muleskinner's story. Read it and please try telling me that this student's professor wasn't deserving of medical treatment which would *probably* cost thousands of dollars out of his own pocket if he were forced to foot it. Please tell me that this professor was a pansy coward and that he would've been unwilling to protect his country in the post-Pearl Harbor period. Until you can come up with a response to my comment, please don't post on topics of war and veteran treatment until you do.
I am willing to bet the $100 bill I have in my wallet at the moment that you've never been to the front lines--or even to a 2-week boot camp training stint.
You're probably some teeny bopper who's failing in freshman history and thus failing at life. Grow a brain and learn to research on your own before jumping to your own unsupported assumptions.
Word of advice: You'll need this basic skill for doing well at an upper-tier university or college. - joculator, on 07/11/2009, -2/+7Thanks W for all the good times.
- ErickStevenson, on 07/11/2009, -1/+6The bag goes on your back not your head...
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -0/+5I'm not embarrassed to say that I am now weeping.
- smemily, on 07/11/2009, -0/+3The lost productivity of thousand of injured and killed soldiers, strong, smart, and usually young people with decades of "contributing to society" ahead of them. The cost to their families who lose fathers, husbands, sons, mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, brothers. You can't put a price on that but if you did it would be trillions.
- CrispixKingdom, on 07/11/2009, -5/+8The best part is, the administration that lied to get him over there is now gone, as is any vestige of the public's support for the conflict he gave his health for. It is truly tragic to see this happening on an individual level, and it simply boggles the mind when you think about the countless masses of men and women just like him whose lives are now ruined or irreparably altered.
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -1/+4Looks like someone has no idea what he is talking about. The current kevlar helmets weigh around three pounds, not 98 pounds, dumbass.
- doctordbx, on 07/11/2009, -2/+5Especially a war that was unjustifiable to begin with!
- HimThatSpeaks, on 07/11/2009, -3/+6The VA does a fair enough job. They take good care of my dad and uncles, and cousins. The real question is how long will we support it and how long before the republicans start complaining it is a drain on their tax dollars and demand "reform."
- AngustheCat, on 07/11/2009, -0/+3FTA: "More than three-quarters of patients leave Fort Campbell's TBI clinic symptom-free. Many of those without additional injuries return to their combat jobs. But before being cleared for duty, they must take a turn in a convoy simulator."
"Six months ago, after a Humvee rollover in Iraq, Staff Sgt. Clifford Lee forgot that he was married and that he had kids. Now he has been cleared to return to duty." - monodelasno, on 07/11/2009, -1/+4Worlds largest midget
- mksmothers, on 07/11/2009, -0/+3No, they don't. If Mexico or Canada invaded my home town I'd be in the military tommorow but Iraq and Afghanistan is imperialism pure and simple.
- monodelasno, on 07/11/2009, -0/+2The armed forces are strictly voluntary.
- Swivelstick, on 07/11/2009, -0/+2Send'em a white feather then shoot them, hey Nintendesert.. Like back in the good old days
- smemily, on 07/11/2009, -0/+2Even if you don't give a ***** about human beings, how do you put a price on this aspect of war? There must be a huge economic cost to so many productive, smart young people either killed, maimed, or given brain injury. They never seem to account for this when talking about costs of war, though surely the impact is billions of dollars over the lifetimes (or what could have been the lifetimes) of these soldiers.
- zeth006, on 07/12/2009, -0/+2Half-assed insults?! My goodness! You just skimmed over my entire comment without reading it in its entirety!
1. I never said you have to have fought in Vietnam or in some other way. Don't extract your own concoctions from my statements.
2. I'm not saying we should all be pro-war and support every single veteran cradle to the grave. But when you look at the ***** salaries these guys receive and the stories I hear/read about servicemen's children living off of welfare checks and having a hard time receiving treatment for illnesses that people like you and me could receive at the doctor's office...well....you get the idea.
3. Insults? Please. I just destroyed your original comment. The insults were simply the icing on the cake. Do some research. Yes, you did have an argument. But...it was weak to begin with and it didn't take me very long to break it down and illuminate its incoherence. Do learn to read someone else's comment when they're ripping yours apart point for point. You might actually learn something.
I get the feeling that most people here aren't reading past the part where you question why/how today's soldiers aren't "as brave" as those we've seen in past history. I wonder why. It's probably because that's the part that's truly telling about the substance behind your argumentation!
Stop making your own unsupported assumptions about servicemen and veterans. Until you actually learn to understand at least to a limited extent where both stand in today's society, you really don't have much clout in making ***** assumptions about them based on a little documentary.
The average digger here is politically liberal or moderate and is most likely supportive of wars when they're justified. You'll notice that despite the strong liberal tilt, comments that at least display well-researched points of views still get a significantly high number of diggs up. Your last couple of comments here, however, fail to fall within this category.
For goodness sakes, please do some research before going off on another rant. You're just going to get dugg down like you were earlier.
P.S. - I'm not a military vet. But I think I can say with a high level of certainty that I've done my own research. Go do yours and don't come back and try to reply to my future comments because I won't read them. - Amlethus, on 07/11/2009, -1/+3Mild traumatic brain injury? Is that like having a small big dog?
- mksmothers, on 07/11/2009, -0/+2What do you think might happen when you join the Army? Your first clue should be during target practice. See that silhouet? That ain't a deer, that's a person.
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -0/+2I was just pointing out that your quote didn't make any sense as an argument to doctordbx's comment. I called you a ***** because anyone who would post an unfitting MLK Jr. quote to try to argue *for* a war is, obviously, a *****.
- BotchaMcCoola, on 07/12/2009, -0/+1Not to minimize wasted human suffering but how about all the lives being damaged by these economic and financial effects. We don't know which terrorists to hate more, the 911 Suicide criminals or our own MIC.
- Fallout911, on 07/11/2009, -0/+1When will the military finally use those bad ass metal gear looking super soldier suits?
I am so sick and tired of them showing all these gadgets on the discovery channel that's supposedly going to save hundreds of soldiers but they never get used. - asaone, on 07/12/2009, -1/+2God Bless everyone of our troops who have served and serving today. They stand out there in your name and in your place protecting you and your loved ones, because you don't have the balls to do so or you find some other lame ass excuse not too, If you don't have the guts to stand a post then shut the ***** up when someone who does and gets hurt and then has to beg in some cases for what little money we get to help take care of our families, and the end less hospital and doctor appointments we have to go to that take all damn day in most cases for the rest of our shortened life not to mention the endless pain that never ends and the ***** up nightmares that keep us from sleeping to the point of self medicating with alcohol or drugs. You have not earned the right to complain about us, you ***** waste of air. If you do not want to serve that's fine just keep your fly trap shut and go on your way IMHO.
- Presbyterian, on 07/11/2009, -1/+2Well the Japanese also used Kamikazes and had a strict policy of never surrendering.I mean they may have been the "bad guys", but still...
- Dorian822, on 07/12/2009, -0/+1Living with a TBI, be it from a serious fall, vehicle accident, or serving your country is a very hard thing to do. Imagine living in a world where everything you left seems the same but isn't, including yourself. It's a constant struggle to recapture a normalcy that you truly can't recapture. I really feel for these veterans and their families.
- Fitbrains, on 07/29/2009, -0/+1According to a new study veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to those veterans without PTSD. Again, If they do not have enough to worry about.
http://blog.fitbrains.com/2009/07/20/ptsd-increase ... - NeptuneZen, on 07/11/2009, -1/+2Yes name calling, because that is such a great way to prove your point. Freeing the Iraq people is something I, and a lot of the people in the military believe was worthwhile.
- BotchaMcCoola, on 07/12/2009, -0/+1When China gives them bigger loans and we give them more power and financial security. Let's be real Country First Not MIC First patriots.
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -1/+1Nope, no one has to do it. Maybe if recruitment rates get low enough the government will get the message, but more likely will start drafting, which still gives us the benefit of increased civil unrest towards the authority.
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -3/+3Unless you rather get shot at, end up homeless or have any more urges to kill yourself, rip up your ***** ***** military contract now. The US government and military don't give a flying F about you. They have no problem sending you into an obvious suicide mission. You can get out now, and live, or you can keep on plugging away at it and play the Russian Roulette probabilities over and over, but eventually you're going to catch a bullet. I'm not going to give an F about you if you do, my neighbor's
not, the man on the street is not, and the VAH isn't going to do a hell of a lot for you. You're just going to be another cripple in a wheelchair on the sideline of life, GAME OVER. For what? A ***** medal? You find that crap at gunshows, tons of them, for a couple of dollars, they are worthless ribbon and metal trinkets.
Somebody comes up to me and tells me they deserted, I'm like, holy ***** *****, you are the bravest ***** I know... and someone who got some sense.... finally. Someone sticking in taking the crap and slaving away because they are afraid of the ***** above them yelling at them... no... I have no respect for them... just another spineless peon in the military... and its full of those enlisted jokers. - monodelasno, on 07/11/2009, -2/+2When you join you run the risk.
- inactive, on 07/11/2009, -1/+1@NeptuneZen: Dieing for something is not the same as dieing for anything, you *****.
- Invader001, on 07/11/2009, -2/+2Accidental the whole school?
- BotchaMcCoola, on 07/11/2009, -1/+1Bring on those $40K patriots then. Keep it up till China stops giving us credit. Wasting our wealth on foolish wars on backward countries is not my idea of "service to our country".
- poprocksandsoda, on 07/12/2009, -1/+1Zeth, you're such a c---meat. Do you really have an argument or do you just want to polish GI --- and throw out some weak assed insults at me? You don't know me so please ... stop pretending to think I have to fight in 'Nam or some other god-forsaken country to realize that WAR IS HELL. Let me help you with history little boy: Bonus March. That's exactly how these people should be handled. The military is for men, not slip and fall artists looking to cash in on their service. As for basic skills, let me help you with one: bring a man's game to an argument with me next time and you may actually counter some of my arguments.
- BotchaMcCoola, on 07/11/2009, -3/+2Fine as long as you pay for it .
- jmresq, on 07/11/2009, -2/+1I don't know if it's money when you get out but it is a good excuse to get out in the first place. This article curiously reminds me of the issue the military is having with soldiers claiming to have ptsd. Because post-traumatic stress has such "tricky symptoms", it's difficult to prove whether or not a soldier actually has it. I wouldn't be surprised if no more than one in five of the "one in five soldiers" have a real brain injury. That's right, I'm a cynical prick
-
Show 51 - 64 of 64 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is