Bush Whore Psychologist on NPR Warns War Protesters:

[qb]

You may be inflicting psychological damage on returning GIs!!! I heard it this morning on NPR. I didn't catch any names, but here is a link: http://www.npr.org/display_pages/features/feature_1802199.html

The program was about the trauma GIs endure after killing people. Those who come through unscathed have strong support from several sources - superiors, peers, family, the public... If that support is missing, the GI suffers guilt and self-loathing. The moral of this story: If you can't say anything nice about the war in Iraq, then KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT!!!

This so-called psychologist is obviously cluesless to the concept of supporting our troops while opposing an illegal war.

[bif]

1. Try telling that to the vetrans for peace.

Sod off!

[Medical Speaking]

7. Veterans for Peace

I am one of those veterans. At least there not getting spit on and called a baby killer like I was when I came home from Viet-Nam.

Kerry 2004

[Kolesar]

8. I would like for you to document that spitting incident

The author of this essay contends that it was all a fabrication.

==0==

http://freetimes.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1195

Guest Column : Myth Making and Spitting Images from Viet Nam

What Vietnam tells us about how we wage the propaganda war at home during the current occupation of Iraq

By Patrick G. Coy Wednesday, March 17, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With MORE THAN 550 US soldiers killed — so far — in the invasion and occupation of Iraq, our country is revisiting many of the images and issues of the Vietnam War. Thus we hear much about a quagmire in Iraq, about search-and-destroy missions that alienate the local populace, about soldiers depressed over their service as an invading and occupying power, and about the administration's controversial news blackout on filming the returning dead soldiers at Dover Air Force base, unlike during Vietnam.

The Vietnam legacy has become a pivotal issue in the presidential race too. George W. Bush's cavalier approach to meeting his privileged Air National Guard duties stands in stark relief next to John Kerry's heroic command of a Navy Swift boat patrolling the coastal canals of Vietnam. In response, even veteran groups have squared off. Some hit the campaign trail with Kerry, while others launch attacks on Kerry because when he returned from Vietnam he opposed the war, as a decorated veteran.

But in the rush to inflict damage on John Kerry for his peace activism, historical truth is sacrificed. The February 17, 2004, story by Plain Dealer reporter Sabrina Eaton, “Kerry's Bid Ignites Vet's Interest,” is a case in point.

The story quotes Ted Sampley, a Green Beret in Vietnam whose website has led the charge for some veterans against Kerry. Sampley says, “I truly believe that John Kerry's testimony before Congress had a big role in people who were supposedly peaceniks spitting on vets and calling them baby-killers when they got home.”

There are two problems with Sampley's “belief,” as reported by the Plain Dealer . First, guilt by association is always a weak argument and more likely a smear tactic that is unfair to the subject. America has learned this before, during the Palmer Raids of WWI, the McCarthyism of the Cold War, and now during the Ashcroft era of the War on Terror and the Patriot Act.

More important, however, is that the charge is simply not rooted in reality. It is both unfair to Senator Kerry and to the Vietnam-era peace movement. The fact is, there is absolutely no record of any peace activist taunting or spitting upon returning veterans. It is myth, and like most myths, it is hard to dislodge.

...truncated for copyright reasons, I urge you to follow the link and finish the essay.....

[mhr]

10. Those Spitting On Veteran Stories Have Been Thoroughly Debunked!

Peddle that propaganda somewhere else!

[MidwestTransplant]

13. Spit on or otherwise

you didn't receive the recognition and thanks that you deserved.

Welcome to DU by the way!

[tjwash]

16. Don't feed the troll

He is just a lurking freeper

[newyawker99]

32. Hi Medical Speaking!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AP]

2. NPR has been REALLY desperate lately. Normally, I'd be posting every...

...outrageous thing I've heard on NPR, but there's been such a flood in the last two weeks, I was overwhelmed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. they are trying to survive

as they have had radicals appointed to the PBS Board

[sendero]

4. In their current state...

... I frankly don't care if they survive or not.

[MetaTrope]

5. Damn liberal media

:silly:

[Jacobin]

6. Jeeze, how about the 24 million Iraqis who lived through

"shock and awe" and had tens of thousands of their relatives killed and who are living under an armed occupation, and have 70% unemployment?

I guess they're all just peachy keen and we shouldn't worry about them since they've been liberated.

Hey dude, get a grip. Its a fucking war and the worst end of this deal was inflicted on Iraqi citizens (who have no support for their physical and mental damage). Those who went over there may not have been in favor of the war and for that, I have sympathy. But those who were gung ho to "avenge 9/11" and so so misinformed and intentionally ignorant to believe that, then, get a grip. The war was illegal, immoral, wrong and 90% of the world is against it and a large percentage of this country is against it.

[Malva Zebrina]

12. I must agree with you

and the notion of supporting the troops and not the mission at times throws off my sense of logic. I cope with that by imagining the troops as helpless pawns being used by Bush. I am conflicted when I read of the killings of more Iraqi people and the fact that this whole war was unnecessary and the loss of the llives of all people, but especially those innocent people NOT military that is wrenching.

It should be obvious to any one, parent or parent of the future, that any war the US involves itself in, will NOT be for the "defense" of this country or our freedoms or any of the crap they feed these bushy tailed youngsters who sign up. Military is for defense of the country--it is NOT for empire seeking and it is NOT used for pre-ventive reasons--it should be obvious that is what our military is being used for and has been used for since the end of WW II. We have a military that is used to conquor other small nations at the whims of presidents who are , possible, insane.

So, in the future, those who encourage their children to join this millitary certainly must be aware of the role--no nation can ever invade the US. No nation, certainly, can ever destroy this country -I am for a military used for defense, but I cannot support any military in the future because it should be obvious to all and to the parents, to NOT encourage their children to join the military. If they do, they can expect to be used for invasions for empire and conquoring at the whims of men--I will not have any pity and will NOT support any troops in the future who willing join , surely knowing the functions to which they will be assigend and used.

[G_j]

14. that was incredibly disturbing!

he basically said denial was healthy and represents healing and recovery. What an 'evil' concept. He would have made a perfect Nazi. The only way to healing and recovery for the human race is to STOP justifying war! To have this sicko counseling vets is a crime in itself.

[kskiska]

24. Kind of goes along with the other theory

posted here the other day – sending PTS syndrome battle-fatigued soldiers back to Iraq because it's good for them to face their fears.

[G_j]

26. yea, and if we're lucky

they may actually begin to ENJOY killing! <obvious sarcasm>

[prolesunited]

31. I think that's what happened

to McVeigh and Muhammad after poppy's war. :-(

[MisterP]

30. I lost the link for that,

do you know where it is?

[phantom power]

9. standard operating procedure

More of the same from the Bush apologists. They made this disaster and now we're supposed to bend over backwards so nobody feels bad about it.

Nobody is protesting against the military. The soldiers are just doing their job. It's Bush who failed them, not us. And Congress, for giving Bush approval.

Reminds me of a column from Molly Ivins from last year. Paraphrased: During the run-up to the war, we were all told that protesting was inappropriate. Now that the war has started, we're told it's inappropriate. Well, when *is* is it going to be "appropriate"?

[yardwork]

It is never appropriate to criticize anything * tells us to do.

Simple. * is daddy-god. If you criticize daddy-god, you are a bad person who will go to hell.

NPR was also advertising a puff piece on * in Alabama in 1972 today. I almost barfed in the car.

[ParanoidPat]

11. Yup, more PSYOPS used against the American people......

.....For more on this subject please see this thread and help keep it kicked until we can come up with an effective strategy to combat it. :)

Aside from BBV, this is the biggest problem we face. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. They're using PSYOPS to give plausibility to the Administrations claims of public support.

We need to let people know that they have been had! :evilgrin:

Question: When is a 'conspiracy theory' NOT a 'conspiracy theory'? :shrug:

Answer: When they ADMIT they're actually DOING IT! :wow:

Please click the link above! Thanks.

[Options Remain]

15. Unfortunately they happen to be right.

That doesn't make it any less wrong or right for us to be against the war.

Its just another unfortunate fact about the lives of the people who have to fight the war and how they are affected.

TearForger

[Gin]

18. Just more bull shit...up is down...black is white....

good is bad...bad is good....the only truth is theirs....the only god is theirs...wonder where the Psychologist got the degree? Bob Jones, CBN or Liberty U?

To the psychologist....Go Take a long walk off a short pier.

[G_j]

19. the truth can hurt, but it MUST be faced

otherwise even mass genocide can be rationalized.
The despair and guilt could be constructively focused on working to put war criminals like Bush behind bars.

[demnan]

17. What inflicts the psychological damage

is when the soldiers realize that the protesters are right.

So who inflicts the pyschological damage, the liars or the truth tellers?

Of course conservatives never accept any blame for their actions.

[BeHereNow]

20. Let's apply logical reasoning to this:

If this "psychologists'" argument is to stand then
we are assume that people who protest rape
are harming the victims of rape?
Our soldiers are victims and we should not protest
the crime perpetuated against them and the
civilians of Iraq?
Argument over.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

21. NPR is rapdily revealing its self to be-

An x-tian wolf in "librul" sheep's clothing.
DO NOT give them money!
BHN

[VOX]

22. This phony "message" only serves to feed the right wing...

As in, "If you really support our troops, you wouldn't traumatize them with your liberal activism."

Bah.

[peace4all]

23. anyone know the background on this guy? n-t

[Snivi Yllom]

25. it's a sad day when NPR becomes assimilated by Clear Channel.

[BiggJawn]

27. They'll have to learn the Truth sometime.

What would be worse? To tell them when they come back, or be "supportive" and gush all over them for "defending our FREEDOMS", to let them figure it out for themselves, then wonder "why didn't they tell me when I got back?"?

Bushco must think hey're gonna be able to keep the lie alive for lots of years.

It's heart-breaking to see (finally!) maimed soldiers in the Media, realizing that they got their legs and faces blown off because some tin-horn "tried to kill mah daddy!"

That's the hardest thing. How do you tell a 22-y-o "Sorry you lost your legs so Halliburton could make a few billion feeding you crappy grub and sucking the OIL out of the place..."?

[Triple H]

28. That's too bad.

They have to know how the American public feels about the war and the lies that led up to the war.

I'll support the troops...but I'll spit on the war and the administration.

[DinahMoeHum]

29. They'll have to know . . . and they'll have to be given the tools

by us to deal with this; so that they'll know they're not alone in their feelings/misgivings about the war. Somehow, I severely doubt they like the bullshit and lies anymore than we do.

But they will need our help. And that's where groups like Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Common Sense, etc. come in.

:kick: