Iraqi Vet speaks out from the grave

[walldude]

Man, this is heartbreaking. They apparently found these interviews and blog entries a year after Army Spc. Doug Barber committed suicide. Barber was suffering from PTSD. There are also letters from his family and some other things on this page. I found this on Newshounds, they said the MSM certainly won't be reporting this so they asked for it to be spread around:
http://groups.google.com/group/Coalitionforfreethoughtinmedia/msg/1d8605c7158e216b

"They say that America will raise their voices and demand a stop to the war, but my question is why should we not show the results of war? For us as a country, we send these soldiers to war and we see their faces while they are alive. I say let their memories live on in every photo, even when they do come home in a flag draped coffin. Let their sacrifice be forever etched in the memory of America. We owe their families this at the very least.

All is not okay or right for those of us who return home alive and supposedly well. What looks like normalcy and readjustment is only an illusion to be revealed by time and torment. Some soldiers come home missing limbs and other parts of their bodies. Still others will live with permanent scars from horrific events that no one other than those who served will ever understand.

We come home from war trying to put our lives back together but some cannot stand the memories and decide that death is better. They kill themselves because they are so haunted by seeing children killed and whole families wiped out.

They ask themselves how you put a price tag on someone else's life? The question goes unanswered as they become another casualty of the war. Hero's become another statistic to America and they are another little article relegated to the back of a newspaper."

[merh]

1. ...

:cry:

[walldude]

2. Move along.. nothing to see here. Back to the Douchbag thread

I swear sometimes I think I will never understand this place... :shrug:

[jgraz]

4. Sounds like you understand this place pretty well

Why deal with real problems when we can invent fake ones and use them to abuse our fellow members?

:eyes:

[walldude]

5. Thanks... I gotta go get my kids from school

I hope when I get back this is still on the first page.. BTW I love the Calvin gif. I got one gift for Christmas, it was the three volume complete Calvin & Hobbes..

[tavalon]

7. Hawzabout the greatest page?

Yes, plenty talk about non-issues but some do not.

[TahitiNut]

9. OK. I gave it the 10th. (I rarely 'R'.)

Some things haven't changed in 40 years. :cry:

[Morgana LaFey]

11. Yeah, sexism is fine -- nevermind that it helps lead to EXACTLY

what this dead serviceman complained about, along with its twin, racism. When you DEVALUE LIFE (thru sexism and racism), you can disrespect, harm and ultimately kill that life -- with impunity. And that's where we are with this whole nation and the military especially.

Here -- read a little Stan Goff on the subject (if you're man enough):

The Weaponized Phallus (and Five Easy-to-Remember Steps)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-goff/the-weaponized-phallus-a_b_34616.html

[walldude]

13. What are you babbling about?

I'm sorry if you disagree that the writings of this soldier who committed suicide are more important than the proper use of the word douchbag. I'm sure you are right, I'm sure the use of the word douchbag is closely related to what this soldier went through however I don't need to participate in that thread, it's a waste of my time. And I'm certainly not going to read something about sexism recommended to me by an apparent sexist who can't seem to comment about a totally different subject without questioning my manhood. Glad you know so much about me. You must have done alot of research since we have never met, spoken, or even debated on DU.
edit for speeling

[democrank]

3. This really got to me....

"What looks like normalcy and readjustment is only an illusion to be revealed by time and torment."

[TahitiNut]

6. As someone who's been there, I can assure you truer words are rarely spoken.

People who're comfortable with their lives - and their pro forma bumper stickers - JUST AREN'T INTERESTED. If a guy speaks of the demons, he's treated like he farted in church and is avoided - like a bad smell - by most. Some others will exploit him - feasting on yet another 'victim' to play out their self-centered role of 'rescuer' - an attempt at casting a melodrama of codependency.

The returning vet learns very quickly to conform to a "fake it until you make it" expectation. Unfortunately, this often just doesn't work. Some things have to be worked through instead of around.

What's most important when dealing with a returning vet is to recognize that (s)he's a CAPABLE and LOVABLE human being. (S)HE'S NOT "BROKEN" and (s)he's NOT helpless. Sometimes all it takes is acceptance - without judgement and without 'using' him or her. Don't impose expectations - other than those involving human safety (yours and his/her).

(I'm probably wasting my breath/fingers. This is tough enough to convey in person - nearly impossible on a forum.)

[peacebaby3]

8. K&R. Thanks for posting this. It's a tragedy. n/t

[scarletwoman]

10. k & r It's good that you posted this.

It's far too easy to look the other way...

sw

[walldude]

12. I can't believe I have to kick this...

[WinkyDink]

14. Nothing will make up ever for this Bush-caused tragedy called Iraq.

And yet, he sleeps well.