Horrifying Figures on the Cost of War:Mental Disease and Suicide

According to the May 5, 2008, issue of Time Magazine, the military established a suicide hotline for vets in August. An amazing 37,000 calls have been received so far.

Figures that support the need for this kind of service are also included in that issue of Time. An independent study (Rand) shows that "as many as 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from symptoms of depression por post-tramatic stress disorder." That about 20%! And an additional 320,000 soldiers are are on the rolls as having experienced traumatic brain injury.

In former posts I've talked about the post active duty care our soldiers are getting. The picture does not look good.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

A New True Story Book on WWII's Greatest Submariner

I thought visitors to War. Peace. Tolerance. might be interested in this new book by James W. MacMeekin. Here is the information on it:


Book title: Richard O'Kane and the Sinking of the Forty-Nine.
Subtitle: The True Story of WWII's Greatest Submariner"
349 pages
$18.95
Author: James W MacMeekin
Publisher: Three Rivers Books (863) 294-1323

Synopsis: Commander O'Kane revolutionized the offensive use of WWII submarines from that of a reconnaissance and underwater attack vehicle of opportunity, to that of a speedy surface vessel, capable of massive destruction, and the ability to outrun pursuing Japanese destroyer escorts. His wartime record proves the efficacy of his actions: 49 enemy ships rusting on the bottom of the might Pacific.

Cover art can be viewed at www.militarywriters.com. Go to the Book Store link, then look under Authors, under M for MacMeekin. The book will be available later this week at www.macmeekinbooks.com, or immediately by calling publisher.


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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

Appalling Suicide Figures for Vets

I'm just passing this on. It's sort of a quote without comment. It's so appalling that it hardly needs comment! http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_jason_le_080421_va_confirms_18_vets_.htm
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

"Willing to Die But Not This Way"

Some are trying to fix the problem.

That is, military hospitals and clinics--like hospitals everywhere--occasionally get it wrong and somebody dies. The thing is, families have no recourse with military hospitals, even when against the complaints of the military patient, they insist that what turns out to be melanoma is just a wart; when they bungle what appears to be a routine appendectomy; and something as simple as pneumonia goes undiagnosed and, therefore, treated not only in ways that will not help, but ways that will hurt.

The other side of the story is that the military's funds are limited. To allow soldiers and their families to sue could raise the already astronomical costs of keeping our military viable.

So, in the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Isn't there a compromise out there that would allow military courts, as an example, to adjucate such cases with a liberal attitude (and pocketbook) to soldiers and the families of soldiers who are as the LA Times titles their article on the subject, "Willing to die but not this way." Wouldn't having some kind of malpractice model in place help the military to spot problems better and keep their system running well?

To read the full story go to the LA Times, Page A1 and A22, April 20, 2008. It was reported by Times Staff Writer, Walter F. Roche Jr.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

Remembering Dachau and Other Things We'd Sooner Forget

Note from Carolyn: This is published anonymously from those missives sent around on the web with no attribution. I feel the author will forgive me. I also must note that most of us would rather deny that which offends us or reflects poorly on us. That is part of the human condition. Only those with courage own up to the reality of whatever they dislike most about their own past. That might include horrors perpetrated by our own government during this war. Tolerance is born of remembering.

The photo is of Eisenhower in Dachau.

It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.

    He did this because he said in words to this effect:  'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened.  All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing'.

    This week, the University of Kentucky removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred.

    This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

    It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended.

    This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way!

    Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.  This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide!

    Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.  Don't just delete this.  It will only take a minute to pass this along.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

Any Military Writers Out There?

Just a quick post out there for any military poets who may subscribe to this blog. (-: Here's something you'll want to know about. Others may want to visit the Winning Writers site to read war poetry.

WAR POETRY CONTEST
Seventh year. Fifteen cash prizes totaling $5,000. Top prize $2,000. Submit 1-3 unpublished poems on the theme of war, up to 500 lines in all. Winning entries published online. Sponsored by Winning Writers. $15 entry fee, payable to Winning Writers. Postmark deadline: May 31. Judge: Jendi Reiter. Include cover sheet with contact information. No name on poems. Submit online or mail to Winning Writers, Attn: War Poetry Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060.
Winning Writers is proud to be one of "101 Best Websites for Writers"
(Writer's Digest, 2005-2007). More information: www.winningwriters.com/war

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

New Book Covers Tolerance, Race, Religion and Our Presidential Election

Author Earl Ofari Hutchinson has released THE ETHNIC PRESIDENCY HOW RACE DECIDES THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE It is an explosive look at how racial and ethnic conflict (even religion) has openly and covertly played a crucial role the past three decades in influencing, shaping and ultimately deciding who bags the world’s biggest political prize, the White House. It tells how racial politics will play an even bigger role in the 2008 presidential election and future elections.

It examines Obamamania, the Hillary and Bill factor, the soaring Latino vote, the silent but potent Asian-American vote, the immigration wars, the GOP’s love-hate relationship with black and Latino America, and Bush’s effort to recast the GOP from a clubby, ole white guys party to a party of racial diversity.

Here is a sampling of questions The Ethnic Presidency asks and answers:

Will America accept a black president? Can Obama be that president?

Will America accept a woman president? Can Hillary be that president?

Will America accept a Latino president? Can Bill Richardson be that president?

Will America accept a Mormon anything? It covers some of the reasons people are saying he can't be McClain's running mate.

How the GOP played the Southern Strategy through Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. to repeatedly win the White House. Can and will they abandon it in 2008?

Did blacks and Latinos elect Bush?

Have the Democrats taken the black and Latino vote for granted?

Why have Presidential candidates other than John Edwards avoided making poverty an issue?

Why immigration will be a stealth factor in the 2008 campaign. And did it help or hurt John McCain?

Did Rudolph Giuliani’s contentious relations with blacks as New York mayor hurt or help his White House bid?

Earl Ofari Hutchinson's will be touring blogs this week. Learn more at:
http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Ethnic+Presidency+Blitz+Schedule

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.

Jamie Dodson Releases Flying Boats and Spies

Flying Boats and Spies: A Nick Grant Adventure
By Jamie Dodson
Publisher: OnStage Publications,
190 Lime Quarry Road, Suite 106J
Madison, AL 35758
Phone: 256.461.0661

Jamie Dodson, Intelligence Officer with Redstone Arsenal’s Aviation and Missiles Lab, released his first historical fiction novel, Flying Boats & Spies, A Nick Grant Adventure., a story about building Pan American Airways flying boat bases across the Pacific during a vicious cold war that existed between Japan and America.

Dodson said. “The animosity between the two nations was very similar to the recent cold war between the former Soviet Union and the Unites States. However, it’s less well known."

He also says, “In the 1930s, Pan American’s flying boats represented the pinnacle of aerospace technology. Like today’s NASA space shuttles. The Japanese not only wanted to wreck a planned route between China and the west coast, they wanted to steal the technology.”

Dodson knows a great deal about technology and protection. He's been involved in most facets of intelligence work. After he retired from the Army, he worked in industry for three years as a system engineer. Then the Army approached him with an offer to help them protecting U.S. technology from other nation’s spies.

The new author has received praise from well known masters of the techno-thriller and historical fiction genre. Ralph Peters, author of best seller, Wars Of Blood And Faith said, “Delightful! ... this well-told tale of international intrigue should appeal to every generation in a family.” Michael Dobson (no relation) co-author of Fox on the Rhine said, “Flying Boats and Spies... (delivers) depth, realism, and charm in liberal measure.”

Jamie Dodson started writing novels in 2001. He has over 25 years of experience in counter intelligence, special intelligence, signals intelligence and Intelligence Analysis for the US Military. He's served with Special Operations, Army Aviation, Airborne Infantry, and Military Police.

Jamie F. Dodson
Madison, Alabama
www.nickgrantadventures.com
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.