With Trump drawing America closer to another unwinnable war in the Middle East, and because this is Memorial Day weekend, it seems appropriate that someone in the United States Army had the idea to send out a tweet. The question asked, “how serving in the military has affected their lives.” I’m certain that they’re sorry they asked. The army received more than 10,000 responses; some good, and some very sad an unnerving.
“I am a Navy vet, I was a happy person before I served, now I am broke apart, can’t even work a full 30 days due to anxiety and depression,” one tweet read. “I am in constant pain every day.”“My cousin committed suicide while on duty at the armory after coming home from a tour abroad.” Lacy M. Johnson
“My dad had lifelong medical complications from exposure to Agent Orange and he spent the last few years of his short life fighting for the VA to acknowledge his condition.” Archie Danger
“Depression, anxiety, still can’t deal well with loud noises. I was assaulted by one of my superiors. When I reported him, with witnesses to corroborate my story, nothing happened to him. Nothing. A year later, he stole a laptop and was then demoted. I’m worth less than a laptop.” Twitter name “schmox”
“The VA claims that 30% of Vietnam veterans, 12% of Gulf War veterans and 11% to 20% of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans are living with post-traumatic stress disorder;” Having talked to many veterans during my nearly 73 years I believe those estimates are on the low side. I also believe that statistics of divorce, acts prompted by rage, alcoholism, and domestic violence post WWII indicate that most men who returned from the battlefields had PTSD.
The fact is that America has lost every war since WWII. Korea is divided into two countries. The North Vietnamese army forced U.S. forces into an embarrassing retreat. Iraq remains in shambles and America’s invasion helped create ISIS. Our military remains in Afghanistan after 18 years with no plan for an end.
Wars aren’t won, they just end; but not for those who fight them. Regardless of the reasons given by politicians and military brass, risking your life, while attempting to take another’s is not natural, and it can’t become easier for any human being; for most it becomes more difficult.
Trump is a draft dodger but he is willing to send our young men and women to their death in a desperate effort to win reelection. He cannot be so ignorant that he believes his own lies about the nuclear agreement between Iran and the U.S. negotiated by President Obama and John Kerry are true. The chief negotiator for Ronald Reagan when an agreement was established between Russia and the United States called it “very favorable to America.”
Trump and his administration claim that Iran is “taking aggressive action,” but have no solid evidence and no explanation for their claims.
Meanwhile, he continues to allow North Korea to test missiles which can carry nuclear warheads without repercussions. The truth is that he recently removed additional sanctions placed on Kim Jong-un’s regime by his own administration.
Trump claims that he “has a very good brain,” and is a “stable genius.” We know the truth, his intellect is below average, and stable cannot be attached to Trump in any way possible. Reports of temper tantrums from the White House are constant.
Even voters who cast their ballots for Trump knew that he was unqualified to lead our America. Everyone is suffering for their mistake.
Tell everyone; “The Truth Lives Here.”
Op-ed by James Turnage
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