Has everyone seen this video??

[whometense]

http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/iop/events_forum_video.asp?ID=2973

Kerry on PTSD in veterans, Kennedy School at Harvard, March 10, 2006.

[kerrygoddess]

1. Yes!

It's awesome. I posted about it.

[karynnj]

2. It's fantastic

I've posted the link on DU-P a few times when either PTSD or Cleland were the topic. Cleland is fantastic on this. Del's painful description of his life was searing - especially when considered with Kerry's comment on his abilities and skills as second in charge. It's clear Vietnam essentially destroyed his life. (It really says something that in spite of that he loves and trusts Kerry - rather than lumping him with the whole Vietnam nightmare.)

[ProSense]

3. Excellent video! n/t

[whometense]

7. I was fascinated by the stats quoted at

the beginning about the enormous increase in the number of hours the average soldier has spent in actual combat over each of the last wars. It was pretty shocking - I'd never heard those before, and it made me think about PTSD in a very different way.

The other thing that really struck me was the vulnerabgility of all those tough guys. As the mother of two boys I'm fascinated by the tough/tender dichotomy that exists for American men. The story of the young man who killed himself was brutal. It was impossible to watch that and not share his family's heartbreak and frustration.

[karynnj]

8. That really surprised me too.

What's scary is that as we don't have enough troops, the Iraqi hours are likely worse than the Vietnamese ones. When Del was talking of the worst period that Kerry and he were through, I can't imagine how anyone got through that time period. Aside from the effort being counterproductive, the guys at a higher level who planned that are without redeeming characteristics.

Although I had read bits and pieces on PTSD, I realized watching this that I had no idea of the enormity of its effects.

[Island Blue]

4. It was posted here a few weeks ago.

Listen carefully to the off-stage exchange between JK & Cleland. (It's after Max speech - when he leaves the stage and JK follows him out.) They are truly brothers.

[whometense]

5. I heard that!!

It was so sweet. :loveya:

I also loved watching Kerry's face while Max was talking.

[karynnj]

6. That was cool

because they clearly didn't realize a mike was on - it was just really nice. Not really surprising as it was clear during the campaign that there was a very strong friendship rather than just a political alliance.