Back from Iraq - and suddenly out on the streets

[Amaya]

Social service agencies say the number of homeless vets is rising, in part because of high housing costs and gaps in pay.


NEW YORK – Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are now showing up in the nation's homeless shelters.
While the numbers are still small, they're steadily rising, and raising alarms in both the homeless and veterans' communities. The concern is that these returning veterans - some of whom can't find jobs after leaving the military, others of whom are still struggling psychologically with the war - may be just the beginning of an influx of new veterans in need. Currently, there are 150,000 troops in Iraq and 16,000 in Afghanistan. More than 130,000 have already served and returned home.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0208/p02s01-ussc.html

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. bush is slashing the "vets assistance" program in this budget too....,.

bush considers it a wasteful social program

[mopaul]

2. compassion for soldiers is so 20th century

the volken must steel their emotions and not become sentimental.

[GetTheRightVote]

4. This is a very sad day for our country

:kick:

[Jacobin]

3. No Problem!!!

They can re-enlist for Operation Bomb Iran!!!!!

[LynnTheDem]

5. PURPLE HOME BANDAIDS! PURPLE HOME BANDAIDS!

Maybe the rightwingnuts can start a "Purple Home bandaids" for those whining cry-baby they-knew-what-they-signed-up-for "voluntary" troops who do nothing but whine whine whine about being homeless.

Only rightwingnuts truly "support our troops". We libruls just hate hate hate America and our troops.

[Bridget Burke]

6. I heard there was a Superbowl commercial thanking the troops....

As they headed off to Iraq. From a beer company?

Perhaps the brewer will dedicate some funds to thanking those who've returned. However, films of the homeless, poor and/or disabled wouldn't be nearly as inspiring.

Edited to add: Cute chicks are often featured in beer ads. How about the mud wrestlers? I believe some of them may be looking for work.

[MaggieSwanson]

7. That would be Budweiser.

Something to keep in mind.

CNN speculates that airport patrons around the country will begin giving standing ovations to the returning troops as a result of the commercial.

I was not around for Vietnam, but I understand a little better now some of the emotions the anti-war crowd felt then.

[LynnTheDem]

8. That kid in your pic understands democracy and English better than bush

Rethugs are such stupid, ignorant little morans.

[Bridget Burke]

9. Oh, the "spitting on soldiers"?

Apparently this did actually occur, but far less often than right wing folklore indicates.

I was around for Vietnam. Most of my associates were against the war, but I didn't witness one episode of disrespect to veterans. And many of the veterans were against the war, as well.

[ChickMagic]

10. I'm with you on that

I was heavily involved in protests and never once saw a vet disrespected.

[Amaya]

11. kick

[Amaya]

12. .