Having been born in a country where national security is at constant peril, it is easy for me to appreciate the sacrifices that U.S. soldiers are making around the world.
They deserve more than medals. They deserve our respect, a dignified welcome, and at the very least fair compensation and healthcare -- they are not getting that.
Yeah, that sounds corny, but this past couple of months I have experienced and followed some stories that have lead me to the sad conclusion that people really don't care about them.
Take some air, this is a long sentence: This past few months, I got a tour of the U.S. Navy ship The Gridley and met some of the members of their crew, I met Iraq's ambassador to the U.N., and briefly met one of the men who helped to kill El Che Guevara in Bolivia -- not that I think that's heroic. I also, met a mysterious blue-eyed gorgeous former Israeli soldier, who couldn't stop talking about his experience while fighting Hamas late last year; got to help Edna Buchanan with research; changed a diaper, and helped to host a tea party at a place that reminded me of a southern house, where I think nearby the spirits of slave owners may still roam.
Still, this story recently published by the Star Tribune hunts me more than them.
A man, who recently returned from serving in Iraq, was not feeling quite himself, so he went to a military facility with his family to request a psychiatric evaluation.
He told a nurse, he had been contemplating suicide, and was in desperate need of attention. The nurse asked him to return the next day, so he did. A nurse gave him #28 in the waiting list.
He couldn't wait and hung himself.
His services are this week.
The Washington Post has too reported stories about veterans, who are returning from Iraq to be denied healthcare. Some servicemen and women are even homeless.
It is a sad day for the American people, who probably prefer theatric headlines with details about Britney's postpartum depression, Anna Nicole Smith's tragedies, and Kanye West's eccentric $3,900 meal for eight -- flown from England.
Oh yeah, and that girl that sings "My milk shake brings all the boys to the yard..." getting arrested in South Beach for cursing at an undercover cop during one of those operations to catch idiots hiring prostitutes on Washington Ave.
Spare me.
However, there are worst forms of denial -- trust me. Hamad al-Bayati, Iraq’s ambassador to the U.N. embodies the term.
Rather, some of the comments he made during his visit to Miami could have implied that he is either flaunting a possible addiction to opium or that during his stay he has been partying with some latin veterans of war, who are desperately running from their memories in Iraq by abusing drugs and alcohol, while they wait for a psychiatric evaluation.
In other words, the gentleman from Iraq is probably smoking some too. Statements like "the situation is improving," and my favorite the Sunnis and the Shiites "can govern Iraq together," made him sound like he is one of the Care Bears.
He did say something that made some sense. Iraq is asking neighboring countries, including Syria and Iran, to help with the security of Iraq. The leaders of these countries will meet March 10th in Baghdad.
Yes, at the same city where dozens are killed daily.
La, la, la, -- no one cares. People are more preocupied with their next waxing appointment than that meeting on March 10th.
I don't know why we are all so in love with denial martinis.This week, if my anemia doesn't kill me, I plan on enjoying the Miami International Film festival, seeing Mirta Ojito discuss her new book and possibly go out with that Israeli again -- even though there is something about his sharp biceps that scares me.
May be they reflect the reality that he is a strong trained killer, who once wore a uniform with pride.
Thank you for writing this. My friend is going through this. It's scary but true.
I am in the service, saw hell, and now have to go back.
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Anonymous |
8:54 PM