Sick Iraq War Veteran Has to Fight for Medical Treatment

[Mr. McD]

She sought help from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and eventually got an appointment scheduled this week, but the experience was frustrating for Turner and her family. They look at the hero's welcome given to former prisoner of war Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was in one of Turner's rehabilitation sessions, and see a double standard.

''Some people are getting scholarships, my sister can't get a doctor's appointment,'' said her sister Nicole. ''To me, they threw her away like a piece of trash. She served her country and now nothing is being done for her.''


http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0812-08.htm

[Sequoia]

1. She's not blonde I guess.

There's clearly a double standard here. Why only Jessica, the scapegoat hero? Jessica needs to come out and speak for the rest of them who are just as worthy.

[gratuitous]

2. A very sad, rueful smile

The words "I told you so" bubble up unbidden in minds all across the country. Young folks going off to war! How exciting! Defending the good old USA! USA! USA! They signed up to do a job, and now they're going to do it, by the grace of God!

But look at that: A bunch of people carrying signs that say "No War with Iraq" and "Don't Attack Iraq." Don't they know our country is in danger? That Saddam Hussein is just minutes away from launching a devastating and deadly attack? "No War for Oil" says one of the signs. But that's not right -- Saddam has been conniving with Al Qaeda to unleash terrible weapons of mass destruction. Are they saying that the government is lying?

No time for that now. The troops are getting on their transports. Gotta go over the plan of attack. The flyboys are doing their job, softening up the resistance, and soon it'll be our turn. Glory and honor in battle, and the thanks of a grateful nation when we return. Let's do it, troops!

"To me, they threw her away like a piece of trash. She served her country and now nothing is being done for her."

Meanwhile, a bunch of Americans put down their protest signs, put on their hospital greens and whites, roll up their sleeves, and begin treating the returning soldiers for their wounds, both seen and unseen.

[LosinIt]

3. Sick Vietnam War Veteran Has to Fight for Medical Treatment

No surprise here. My husband has been trying to get treatment for his PTSD for about 8 months now. Now they are proposing closing a VA hospital near here. He'll probably have to wait another year now.