About Iraq

Pat Carpenter asked:


General David Patraeus, the U.S.’s top military commander in Iraq, stated he was “very concerned” about the trend of ethical behavior displayed by troops in the region. Perhaps this admittance was influenced by reports that as many as one-third of troops employed torture techniques, and that the majority of military surveyed would not turn in a colleague for doing so.

This, amid heated controversy over an increasingly unpopular war, military returning home with psychological impairments, stories of U.S. soldiers torturing detainees at Abu Graib, and President Bush’s plan to add more to the roughly 20,000 additional troops he sent to Iraq earlier this year.

Six thousand National Guard troops from Texas (not including those on active duty) have been deployed since 2004, originally from all areas of the state — from the larger cities of Dallas, Houston, and Austin, to the smaller towns on the plains.

The uncontrollable elements of guerrilla warfare, like roadside bombings and mortar attacks, impose great stress. It’s no wonder that so many soldiers are influenced by, and are returning home with, psychological problems and neuropsychological impairments.

While it may be easy to blame troops for unscrupulous actions, it should also be recognized that they are dealing with conditions of “lack of control” and “limited progress,” elements that most psychologists admit will drive many to uncharacteristic behavior, particularly when faced with life or death situations.
According to even the military’s own psychologists, Colonel Carl Castro and Major Dennis McGurk, troops may be under more stress than those who served in either World War II or Vietnam. Many are working twelve to eighteen hours a day, seven days a week, for months on end, with no “safe zone” to return to unless it’s on a large, heavily guarded base — to which many of the troops do not have immediate access.

At no other time in U.S. history have so many served under such conditions. The impact of their psychological impairments could be significant for the health care and health insurance industries in years to come.

The longer one is deployed, and the faster he or she has to return to active duty, the higher the risk of mental health issues, reports also indicated. These problems are highest among those who experienced close combat, at 30%. And though health care professionals recommend eighteen to thirty-six months at home before returning to the war-zone, troops get an average of twelve months, with rumors that tours will extend to fifteen months, up from the previous twelve.

Jennifer J. Vasterling, Ph.D., of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, evaluated 961 troops before deployment to, and within 73 days after returning home from, Iraq. After comparing to a control group of similarly-profiled military who did not deploy, her team concluded that these returning veterans, overall, experienced mild verbal learning, sustained attention, and visual-spatial memory impairments, as well as “negative effects on measures of confusion and tension.” Findings were relevant even after accounting for head injuries, stress, and depression. Such impairments, even if mild, reflect neural dysfunction and may have marked effects on day-to-day life and future occupations, including military positions. These impairments have a “negative (effect on) performance in high-pressure contexts, such as subsequent war-zone participation.”

Reports vary on the precise number of troops returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan with psychological issues. Some statistics state that only 13% suffer from mental health problems, while others say 17% are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) alone. That’s already 2% higher than Vietnam veterans, and as many as 80% of those with PTSD from the Vietnam War also suffer from alcohol dependence. This doesn’t bode well for current military, though researchers in the mental health community are hoping to deal with these issues before substance abuse problems occur.

That’s tough when only one in five who screen positive for PTSD by the military are actually referred for follow-up evaluations. It is believed many more slip through screening altogether. Unfortunately for many veterans, such disorders are often only recognized after destructive behavior (like Driving Under the Influence charges), demotions, and relationship problems manifest. Analysts believe that part of the problem is due to poor psychological evaluations before deployment, and waiting too long after war-zone exposure before conducting psychological screenings.

Thankfully, there is some hope to improve conditions. Michael J. O’Rourke, the Assistant Director of Healthcare Policy for Veterans of Foreign Wars, says that shortening the length of tours may help, even if their frequency increases. Making a concerted effort to supply “safe zones,” as well as reducing the number of hours per week, may also relieve some of the stress.

No one in his or her right mind would claim war is the healthiest thing to do psychologically. Whatever one’s opinion on the current state of political events, however, most would agree that safeguarding the permanent health and welfare of these individuals should be at the forefront of government strategy, ensuring that not only as many troops as possible return home, but also that they return home with all their faculties.

Watching out for your mental health is paramount to overall physical well-being. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well.

Loretta

Dan Mangru asked:


Recently, Syria’s President, Bashar Al-Assad, told ABC’s Good Morning America that he and Syria could help mediate in Iraq with support from the US and other states in the region.

“I have spoken on the subject of our administration and the strategy that should have taken pertaining to the fine young president of Syria Bashar al-Assad.,” Imperato stated.

Going back as early as October of 2005, Imperato stated that Bashar Al-Assad has the key to Middle East Peace (See “Imperato Comments on CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Syria…” October 2005. www.daniel2008.com).

At the time the US administration, and most recognized politicians, had turned their backs on Al-Assad , due to the pending UN investigation on the previous administration in Syria.

“I have been silent on the issues and the “Polished-ticians” viewpoints , especially on the presidential candidates, because, I am concerned the majority of the candidates cannot hold the weight of the US on their shoulders , for the people of our country,” stated Imperato.

“With the exception of a potential few, my feeling is that my knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of the Middle East region is far ahead of anyone else, specifically pertaining to peace in the Middle East.”

In addition to Syria being the key to the Middle East peace process, Imperato also called for the US to embrace Al-Assad, who came into power with no political experience, and who called for US support.

“Back some time ago I called on our president to embrace Bashar Al Assad; as you can see in my previous press releases. I once again have been silent , because I am not receiving the credit or the recognition from the press that I should have, because I am an independent candidate. History proves itself again, and documented facts of statements solidify that my intelligence in the Middle East is excellent. The information that I provided to the people of the USA, and our administration, has proven itself once again.”

Also, Imperato reiterated his call for cease-fire in Iraq, as well as his repayment plan for US taxpayer’s by Iraq.

“I also called on our administration to implement a cease-fire immediately to stop the bloodshed. Then I called them to come up with a formula for the repayment of billions of dollars of US taxpayers’ money by way of an “Oil for US Help” program. I will be traveling to meet with political leaders , pertaining to the subject at hand, and will continue my endeavors to provide the people of the US a professional strategy in diplomacy , as seen with my previous requests.”

Recently, Imperato has been less active on issuing press releases, because he would like the opportunity to debate the 2008 presidential candidates , who are not recognizing the solutions to the world’s problems, and, who are trying take credit for ideas that are not their own.”

“My silence has been purposely kept until such time that we have the ability to debate the “polished-ticians” face-to-face , in a public forum. They believe that they can run the US as the next president in 2008, the leader of the free world, which I highly question and would like the opportunity to go toe-to-toe on the issues and the solutions.”

“I look forward to the support of the people of the USA, and hope and pray that our President George W. Bush , and our people, realize that they should call on my help to make progress in the Middle East and the rest of the world.”

Jon