Homeless Iraq war veterans
By on May 19th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Homeless Iraq war veterans
are a “growing trend.” Homeless veterans have remained in the shadows of the national debate about Iraq, although the issue may gain traction from the film “When I Came Home,” which won an award this month for best New York-made documentary at the city’s Tribeca Film Festival.
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They’re living on the street in honor of the 3000 Americans who died on 911. Along with hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.
May 19th, 2006 at 3:23 pmBush does not care about Veterans > soldiers to him are just cannon fodder and nothing more > sad but true!
May 19th, 2006 at 3:37 pmAt one point, after 130,000 soldiers has rotated out of Iraq, 18,000 of them were living on the streets.
Heck of a job, Bushy! Heck of a job.
May 19th, 2006 at 3:40 pmEach homeless soldier is an army of one who would gladly trade their honorable discharge for comfort.
May 19th, 2006 at 3:43 pmSometimes we equate living on the streets with not having money. Could it be that with veterans from Iraq that there is a strong component of Post Traumatic Stress disorder?
May 19th, 2006 at 3:49 pmIt reminds me of the Metallica song “Disposable Heroes”
This admin has used them up and thrown them away time and time again
May 19th, 2006 at 4:01 pmsoldier boy made of clay
May 19th, 2006 at 4:17 pmTime to make Congress put on their Vests and take their happy ass to the frontlines.
Then and only then will we see changes in the heartless, self-serving greedy war mongering pigs we call our leaders.
Nay, they are not leaders for a leader would take his men into battle, these are Liars. For only a Liar would speak proudly of the necessity of War that they never intended to fight themselves.
I sepak of the Pundits whom caterwaul for death and war, then refuse to jooin in the battle. The traitors are not the ones who said no to war. The Traitors to America are the ones whom asked for war, then refused to fight amongside their Brethren.
True Traitors are in Studios, Behind screens, In Meetings, in Congress, Journalists…All of them.
Now just sit and watch the War the Want, but will not fight it, O’ Ye Traitors!
Ye Damn traitors of Lie House TV, may the souls of the dead haunt you, and they will, for the rest of your miserable material lives.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:24 pmIt’s very sad. Seems like we were just beginning to get a handle on the thousands of traumatized Vietnam vets, and now we have a new crop. Shameful that these soldiers will never get the support they deserve from this criminal administration.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:26 pmHomeless Iraq vets have been on the streets since bushco invaded Iraq and these men/women came home . Something has to be done to help intergrate these men/women back into mainstream society and,,,, the pent a dragon needs to cough up the dollars to do it with.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:28 pmIn the eyes of GWB and his band of chickhawk supporters, the soldiers and veterans of the Iraq war are simply disposable tools in their quest to remake the world in their own image.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:30 pmI think the military recruitment ads are somewhat disceitful. A lot of the kids signup for job training and educations dollars (something the rich don’t even have to consider), but even Cheney said the military is not a job trainings program. Then stop advertising it as one. The military is about one thing, killing people. If one signs up for the service because they have limited resources to begin with, it is no wonder they’ll have problems when they come home.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:40 pmSupport the Troops! Unless they need support, that is.
May 19th, 2006 at 4:52 pm/sarcasm off
What is really messed up is that soldiers disabled in battle are actually getting medical bills for their injuries sustained in battle. Also they are being charged for meals while in the hospital.
All you trolls, explain to me how the president and republicans are honoring out military men and women, again?
May 19th, 2006 at 4:56 pm#14 – Wayne, I’m pretty sure the trolls won’t touch this thread with a 10 foot “Cheney.”
May 19th, 2006 at 5:07 pm#14 – Wayne, I’m pretty sure the trolls won’t touch this thread with a 10 foot “Cheney.â€
Comment by Zookeeper
hahaha
Yeah, they are cowards. And is is indefensable.
May 19th, 2006 at 5:11 pmEach homeless soldier is an army of one who would gladly trade their honorable discharge for comfort.
Comment by TankWash — May 19, 2006 @ 3:43 pm
While I am appaled by us having homeless vets (From any timepreiod)and activly working to correct it, that statement is pretty bold. While your time may have meant nothing to you, not everyone would throw away something they are proud of for comfort.
May 19th, 2006 at 5:28 pmBut Tundsra how many of the vets would ask the government to KEEP the promises that it made
like fully funding the VA
Making the increases based on actual required number of vets to be treated,
link increases to inflation and vet population not congressional wim,
and fund the VA cut the gongressional pay and perks…along with pentagon pay and perks if the budget needs cutting
May 19th, 2006 at 5:39 pmBut Tundsra how many of the vets would ask the government to KEEP the promises that it made
I would say Most strictly based on my experiences
like fully funding the VA
I would say Most strictly based on my experiences
Making the increases based on actual required number of vets to be treated,
I would say Most strictly based on my experiences
link increases to inflation and vet population not congressional wim,
I would say Most strictly based on my experiences
and fund the VA cut the gongressional pay and perks…along with pentagon pay and perks if the budget needs cutting
I would say Most strictly based on my experiences
Now allow me to ask you a question
May 19th, 2006 at 5:53 pmHow many would throw their honorable discharge out for an apartment, $50,000, free passes to a show, or comfort like was stated in number 4?
I was not arguing that but how many would stand in line to kick Rummy in the balls?
May 19th, 2006 at 5:56 pmThey’re not really homeless, they have America for their home. They should feel lucky that they’re still alive. They’ll get by, and they can fend for themselves. A 500 billion dollar defense budget isn’t a welfare program too. After your car is worn out, you haul it to the junk yard don’t you? They volunteered for the job, so they have to take their lumps too. Hey, all is fair in love and war.
Donald Rumsfeld was on tv earlier today and stated that the American people support this war. He didn’t say anything about supporting the troops, that’s a luxury. Just buy one of those stickers that are made in China along with the American flag and say that you support the troops. You don’t have to support them when they’re back home in America. They’re on their own then.
It’s mega-death time. Killing is good, no matter what.
Must support the Bush Cabal. Must support the Bush Cabal.
May 19th, 2006 at 6:00 pmOK ron since America is their home how about a few (18,000) crash in your part of America, since it is all their home…..
May 19th, 2006 at 6:03 pmMy sarcasm mode was on.
May 19th, 2006 at 6:06 pmThink Ron was being sarcastic Clif =)
May 19th, 2006 at 6:15 pmCliff,
One of the boards I spend time on is a military/vet site (I am sure you are familiar with it). They have to have over a hundred thousand members. One of the standing rules on it is as follows:
- Respect for the Commander In Chief. Argue against administration policies all you want. Present your case, and have your facts lined up. But you’d better be respectful of the position. “President-bashing†of a disrespectful nature is not tolerated, and will quickly earn you the disdain and outright mockery of the membership. This especially includes derogatory nicknames.
NOTE: Same policy as when Clinton was in office.
While I am sure that this mentality is going to be slammed all ways till sunday on this board, I figured perhaps a couple may understand. I have been guilty of breaking that rule on this board myself. I have a personal policy against trying not to bash those that were/are in my chain of command/where it would be now. I typically only do it when whoever I am talking against is not discussing, but simply calling me a Bush supporter and believing I stand for everything he does. You will notice I don’t Clinton bash either. I don’t complain about the Honorable Hugo West Jr.
So honestly it is a little difficult for me to answer your question (read that how you will).
May 19th, 2006 at 6:30 pm—Comment by Ron — May 19, 2006 @ 6:00 pm
Rumsfeld said a lot of things. He also told us that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The only weapon of mass destruction in Iraq is the American military. Do not sit in front of the idiot box for too long.
May 19th, 2006 at 6:37 pm25,
Correction: Honorable Togo West Jr
May 19th, 2006 at 6:41 pmTundra when I was medically discharged I stopped having to follow stupid rules that keep the reality from those who do not really want to hear it…I for one think the line of vets who were in Iraq and now walk the street to kick Rummy in the balls would be quite long, even to the effect to have rummy come back a second day to fit every kick in….
And there is no do not critise an Idiot when he is killing people needlessly with policies of stupidity and arrogance. that is a form of treason..causing deaths just to be polite
May 19th, 2006 at 6:52 pmThis is a sin. Here we have about a dozen people profiteering at the expense of about 20 thousand. At no point in our nation’s history has such an autocracy occurred previously. This corrupt administration has to be called into account.
May 19th, 2006 at 7:05 pmSorry, 20 thousand should be 200 thousand. Too much pizza in the keyboard.
May 19th, 2006 at 7:10 pmHerman Goering, April 1946 (from Gustave Gilbert’s “Nuremberg Diary”):
We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.
“Why, of course, the people don’t want war,” Goering shrugged. “Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.”
“There is one difference,” I pointed out. “In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.”
“Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.”
May 19th, 2006 at 7:39 pmBut can these Vets still vote?
May 19th, 2006 at 7:48 pmI know this could be taken as a sarcastic and callous remark. And probably when it popped into my head, it was. But after I thought about it, I really have to wonder. If you’re homeless, you wouldn’t technically be a resident of any state. So have these people essentially been disenfranchized?
Come on guys, we all know that banning gay marriage is a much more important issue than supporting those who fight for our rights.
May 19th, 2006 at 7:55 pmJames Spader on an episode of “Boston Legal” asked the question,
What would happen if the millions of homeless people organized and took it to the streets? Anarchy?
Add our trained homeless soldiers to the mix and I’d say “now thats taking back America”.
Anarchy people. Join.
May 19th, 2006 at 8:00 pmAlas, now there are guards being attacked by Gitmo detainees. The detainees would rather kill themselves than endure the hardship at their living hell.
It is analgous to the Bhuddists monks committing suicide during the Vietnam War.
18,000 homeless vets are testimony to the failed policies of the Bush Administration. The war in Iraq is as hopeless a cause that has ever been contrived by other than honest ‘men;’ they being knaves and fools who don’t mind ruling you rather than governing decent citizens.
Chaos is their forte. There may come a day that it will be there to haunt them.
Not the actions of a wise person. It is too bad. George Bush could have done more for mankind than he really thought he could. He must be disappointed in himself, behind the facade he pretends he is something other than what he really can be. It’s too late though, the damage is done.
Can he redeem himself? George should fire every member of his administration, sit alone in the Oval Office for the rest of his term, and do some serious soul searching. Feeling sorry for him won’t help much, he has made his own bed. He can sleep in it.
I was taught to respect all life. I can express some hope, what little I have for George.
His first hope is redemption. However, that might be something that can’t be done from here on out.
It’s all become quite pathetic, really. Pity the Gitmo detainees, not George. He’s pitiful. Pity the 18 000 homeless Iraq vets. Glad they’re back. It is the responsibility of the US government to come to their aid in some way. Plenty of money to wage war, they had better do something to help those who really need it.
It’s not going too good for the US government these days. Is it any wonder?
War ain’t peace, war is hell. Over 2600 dead soldiers found out the hard way. Feel sorry for their loved ones. I also feel sorry for Barbara Bush. She believes she has beautiful mind.
It’s all very sad.
May 19th, 2006 at 8:02 pm#35 Ron
May 19th, 2006 at 9:24 pmYour comments are very charitable for the undeserving Bush. You have taken the high ground, and I admire that. On occasion I feel as you do, but unfortunately most of the time, I find myself longing to see Bush publicly humiliated and punished. Restoration of the damage he has done will never be complete — lives have been lost and others changed forever.
Keep talking, Ron; I, for one, appreciate it.
In my circle of vets, 12 are black and two are latino. 6 of that group were denied access to the vote in 2004. None have a criminal record. I live in F lorida – need I say more?
May 19th, 2006 at 10:28 pmThe campaign for progressive legislation
political forums, links, products
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May 19th, 2006 at 10:57 pmWalt, I live in Florida too. Didn’t Katherine Harris have something to do with that?
May 19th, 2006 at 11:24 pmExactly how much babysitting do ADULTS need? Yes, you served your country but that doesn’t mean that you get to ride for free forever. All I got from that guy in the trailers was: “Gimme gimme gimme.†There are HUNDREDS of programs to help vets get a job, train for a new career, or transition back to the one they left before the service. I work with Veterans groups in California and the only vets that have problems are those that don’t want to take advantage of services. The guy looked like he had two each functioning legs and arms, how did he employ them prior to the military? Quit standing around telling war stories and get on with life, get a job, and stop feel like you are something special (because you aint). P.S. I am almost positive that Bush should have personally greeted him when he returned and provided suitable employment/housing upon his discharge.
May 20th, 2006 at 12:11 amRRV in this case as much as they need obviously you leap ,over buildings with a single bound eat steel and were made without a brain but continue as a simpoleton idiot propoganda spout for the idiot in chief other people will understand the veterans sometimes come home with new problems they did not have predeployment thus the government formed the VA and promised to aid those vets…
May 20th, 2006 at 12:43 amThey are also charged for any equipment they had on them which broke when they got shot.
May 20th, 2006 at 7:48 am#39 – Lily,
May 20th, 2006 at 10:17 amHarris was out of the picture in 2004. They used many of the same methods though.
What do you want from a government that calls coffins containing dead US soldiers heading back to the states ,”Transportation Tubes”. YES! unbelievably true.
May 20th, 2006 at 11:35 amGosh my HARSH comments were echoed by other BLACK vets that attempted to get Herold some help. Bottom line is that he would rather bitch about “the system” than join the system. Watch the whole trailer here. But I guess those other vets that were homeless are cruel and uncaring for telling Herold to get his shit together. FYI very few of these organizations get federal funding and they never did. They like to work in conjunction with VA programs biut when people (like Herold) outright refuse to join the system then there isn’t much they can do.
May 20th, 2006 at 4:49 pmhey guys..
September 8th, 2006 at 12:59 pmAll I want to know is how to help my Homeless (veteran) Dad and no one can give me a straight answer. I have called the Va and everytime I talk to someone they give me another number.
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