1. More US Soldiers Committed Suicide Than Died in Combat

For the second year (2010) in a row, more US soldiers killed themselves (468) than died in combat (462). “If you… know the one thing that causes people to commit suicide, please let us know,” General Peter Chiarelli told the Army Times, “because we don’t know.” Suicide is a tragic but predictable human reaction to being asked to kill – and watch your friends be killed – particularly when it’s for a war based on lies. Perhaps being required to bag the mangled flesh of fellow soldiers could be another reason that some are committing suicide.

Body Bagging… ever heard the term? Marines in the Corps’s Mortuary Affairs unit at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, are assigned the job of collecting and cataloging the bodies of dead Marines. They sift through the remains and effects, from prom photos to suicide notes and love letters, and put them into a bag, then into a metal box and then into a refrigerator to await the flight home. One soldier, Jess Goodell, recounts a Marine brought into the unit still breathing. She frantically called to her superiors, who replied simply, “Wait.” She watched while he died. When she returned to the US, Goodell, like many others, was diagnosed with deep depression, substance abuse, PTSD and anxiety.

Sources:

“Death and After in Iraq”, Chris Hedges, Truthdig, March 21, 2011. http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_body_baggers_of_iraq_20110321

“More US Soldiers Killed Themselves Than Died in Combat in 2010,” Cord Jefferson, Good, January 27, 2011. http://www.good.is/post/more-us-soldiers-killed-themselves-than-died-in-combat-in-2010

“Can You Face the True Consequences of War? The Horror of Bagging Soldiers’ Bodies in Iraq,” Chris Hedges, Alternet, March 21, 2011. http://www.alternet.org/world/150322/can_you_face_the_true_consequences_of_war_the_horrors_of_bagging_soldiers%27_bodies_in_iraq/?page=1

“Ten Reasons the Iraq War Was No Cakewalk,” Medea Benjamin and Charles Davis, Alternet, March 18, 2011. http://www.alternet.org/world/150297/ten_reasons_the_iraq_war_was_no_cakewalk

Student Researcher: Bay Ewald, San Francisco State University

Faculty Evaluator: Kenn Burrows, San Francisco State University

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Guest

While elegant, the elves have a hard time playing the harp. The primary reason being that they’re stoned.
Guest

James Bond did pretty well.
Guest

Transformers. That is all.
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http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ONTXJOTXNEEXCCH6WWFEFEH7NM J

Suicide is a tragic but predictable human reaction to being asked to kill —

well that explains all the suicides in high schools, murder suicides of hubands / wives and vice versa, bully victims,…. oh wait – no it doesn’t! that was the stupidiest thing I read on the internet in the past 35 seconds….

when will blogs be congressionally controlled.
JP

Thank you for a perspective I have always suspected was true. We have certain assumptions about enlisted men and women and those are just that: assumptions.
HerosOrZeros

We know elections are bought. (aka – Representative government is an illusion at best, more likely, illegitimate and fraudulent)

We know laws are bought. (aka – US “justice” is all but meaningless – fraud)

Because the US has become a blatantly fraudulent and closed society… can we honestly consider, our military, to be honorable or heroic, in any way, by serving under these conditions?

I have no problem with military following good leadership. (aka – WWII, for example)

Military that willfully choses to follow bad leadership, is bad military.

Suicide is one result of this reality.
It is the responsibility of every soldier to NOT follow usurped powers.

In this environment, heros will step down from assignments administered by those who have usurped their power.

In this environment, citizens must help prevent our good sons and daughters from being recruited by such evil powers.
Jakegschn0826

JP you are a seriously sick person to degrade and insult enlisted men that risk their lives for you. The only reason you say things like this is to make yourself feel better about letting men die while they fight for one main purpose, the United States of America and its inhabitants. Go USA!
Falli

Well, just keep in mind that 51% of the Nation’s taxes go towards war whereas less than 3% goes towards maintaining peace. Now why is that? American leaders know that they can achieve peace on this Earth however the problem is that they are too greedy. They want all the World resources for themselves and that is why war continues. Just search to see where wars have been happening and see if there is anything that might keep America there-such as oil, water, or other natural resources. Also, look at where all of the American bases are set up around the world. I dont think youll see any in Africa. Do the research and accept the facts. You will not benefit from lying to yourself, rather you will only see yourself losing your rights as a citizen. That is because Americans that work behind the senes want to continue to do what they are doing, and in order to do so, they must strip the rights of their citizens. Recently, US Congress has passed a bill for internet censorship, restrictions on the right to vote, and for the first time ever, they have made it permissable for the US government to imprision someone without trial. What is their excuse for these actions? “For the protection of the American citizens”. And people fall for it. Dont be one of them!
Falli

Well, just keep in mind that 51% of the Nation’s taxes go towards war whereas less than 3% goes towards maintaining peace. Now why is that? American leaders know that they can achieve peace on this Earth however the problem is that they are too greedy. They want all the World resources for themselves and that is why war continues. Just search to see where wars have been happening and see if there is anything that might keep America there-such as oil, water, or other natural resources. Also, look at where all of the American bases are set up around the world. I dont think youll see any in Africa. Do the research and accept the facts. You will not benefit from lying to yourself, rather you will only see yourself losing your rights as a citizen. That is because Americans that work behind the senes want to continue to do what they are doing, and in order to do so, they must strip the rights of their citizens. Recently, US Congress has passed a bill for internet censorship, restrictions on the right to vote, and for the first time ever, they have made it permissable for the US government to imprision someone without trial. What is their excuse for these actions? “For the protection of the American citizens”. And people fall for it. Dont be one of them!
antibeast

“I served. I am not crazy. I am happy”

You can only be two of the above.
antibeast

“I served. I am not crazy. I am happy”

You can only be two of the above.
Asdfasdf

Many doubted it, it’s just that as the USA is such a military (though no longer economic) powerhouse, many western nations were too scared not to join their allies.
http://custom-writing.org/ paper writing services

me too!! absolutely right feeling, isn’t it?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Jennings/1128614586 Terry Jennings

As a former police officer having taken these type of calls,
and as a military dependent of a retired military nco, my heart goes out to
servicemen and their family facing this issue. If you are contemplating this final act ~ please dismiss those thoughts. The ripple it leaves on those you leave behind that love you ~ is catastrophic. And your demise cannot be reversed. It’s ok to seek help. Talk to someone. No one will judge you. I beg you to hang in there. I thank you for your service to our nation.
http://www.stungunmikes.com/ Mike Braddock

Kind of shocking, I had no idea that moral was this bad. They say they don’t know why, but perhaps there was a common theme among the suicide notes?
greenspider

Strawman arguement crisco.
The Saud’s are murdering THEIR own people.

Let’s hear you talk about that.
guest

does the truth hurt?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M6F3RJVEWJ24QKMCHFNVK7ADVE Winston Smith

anyone who swore to uphold and defend the Constitution was obligated (literally you are not allowed to follow and illegal or immoral order) to refuse to deploying in either of these manufactured, illegal, and immoral wars. See Ehren Watada for what a proper soldier should be.

You’re reasoning is the clueless result of years of brainwashing and indoctrination. Study a little history. For example, that Congress gave the North Vietnamese billions in US taxpayer ‘reconstruction aid money with in weeks of that war’s ‘end.’ And you might wonder, ‘duhh’why would they do that???
They just killed almost 60k of our soldiers (invading and bombing their lands) and are still holding countless more. We killed apprx 2-3mn Vietnamese in the same period.

It was was never about fighting communism or the idiotic ‘domino theory’ It was about military expenditures. AKA enriching the rich who’s kids got deferments.

Now we have moved a much more extreme position with the 9-11 and wmd’s in Iraq BS,state sanctioned torture and renditions, drones,,, and the dramatic change of our liberates at home. You can be sure some worse is coming down the pike someday as the real power brokers continually rape the treasury (just look at the value of the dollar since the inception of the fed) and enslave the workers of the planet. Obama has already surpassed Bush in raising the national debt -or so I read. best. -you’ll need it

if you have questions about 9-11 this is a good starting point
ajl.smugmug . com/911
CPL. Smith

As a 25 year old COMBAT veteran, I have seen my friends and enemies die, yes I suffer from PTSD, and yes I do have problems but all of those who say its not a big deal, or that I need to ‘compartmentalize’ the traumas, you can kiss my ass. It’s not that easy, believe me, I know, so Mr Robert McLaughlin, as an Active army member, have you ever seen even the sand of a foreign country? Or seen friends, guys you would call family, die? I assume not based on your ignorance on the subject matter. I have contemplated suicide, but there are programs that a lot of young vets don’t know about. And as far as depersonifying the enemy, its not that easy when you see the people and interact with them(spent 2 years in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan) I think that people who think like Robert, and believe the same things need to go let the enemy shoot at them and blow them up, see how much you like it… These guys need our support not our criticism, so please, if you sound like Robert please just go kill yourself and save a troop!!!
Iraq Vet

LOL! Be too tired to commit suicide.
Iraq Vet

Relax dude. We don’t talk truth until we’re civvies… then we can take up ridiculous conspiracy theories, and talk tough bs about conflicts we’ve neither properly researched nor ever experienced first-hand. Maybe spout some misguided political theories, you know, really fight fear with more fear. The real non-sense generality bs. The war hawks are after the oil! The poor want wealth distribution! Kids of my era were tougher! Nineteen people shot Kennedy, and then blew up the world trade center. Personally, I plan to go to a VFW with Vietnam Vets so we can drink beers, eat brats, and call each other pusses for hours on end. Maybe they’ll make brownies. Then we can talk truth, and you’re already quite aware of what that is…
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Tizzrizza

Conscience.
Tizzrizza

The man asked a question! And no one here has provided an answer! Conscience! You know the thing that apparently 99% of humanity lacks anymore!
Lembray

To answer the general — TBI’s percipitive — subtle anosognosia the diagnosis — miss treatment and diagnosis the precipitave.

Lemuel C Bray
lembray@gmail.com
307 316 8568
Nick

Like the WWI vets at the white house?
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M_busija

Orthodox Jews are a drain on society in Israel. They don’t work, have tons of children and are kept by the state. Soldiers, on the other hand serve and are to be caste aside like so much dirt when they are traumatized?
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http://profile.yahoo.com/SWEW2AOBIL6ODOXPVSOMUHYVMA Todd

if you’re 13, there IS hope, because my generation is too stupid to realize everything you just said is so true. Keep learning, the world is going to need you. Read Chomsky.
Anonymous

I think you might be a possible threat to society. :P Hmmmm… Perhaps we should eliminate all possible threats to everything.
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Spartacus-Jones/598323481 Spartacus Jones

“If you… know the one thing that causes people to commit suicide, please let us know,” General Peter Chiarelli told the Army Times, “because we don’t know.”

Don’t know, General Disingenuous?
I’ll fill you in.
It’s when you’ve done something you can’t live with.
When you find out you’ve been the redcoat in somebody else’s revolution.
When you discover you’ve been the invader, oppressor, the brute, the nazi.
When you figure out that everything you’ve been taught about the US being good, and decent, with “liberty and justice for all” is complete bullshit.
You dream of being the good guy, the hero.
But you’re not.
Your the opposite.
Or worse.
You’ve become the very thing you despise.

Physical pain is easy.
It’s moral pain that’s devastating.

sj
http://www.facebook.com/people/Spartacus-Jones/598323481 Spartacus Jones

”True warriors?
Iron will?
What a crock!

When did these “true warriors” ever get “held back?” THIS is being “held back?” Jesus. What do you want to do, nuke the whole planet?

You don’t seem to get it, Pal. War isn’t just a license to murder — at least it ought not to be, and the law of land warfare spells out the boundaries. Frankly, the kind of macho bullshit you’re spewing is typical of someone who either a) has never seen any combat (what was your MOS? Pastry Chef??) , or b) has no moral compass to start with. The typical psychopath would heartily agree with you. No decent human being would,
And it’s possible to be both a “warrior,” when a warrior is needed, AND a decent human being at the same time. And THAT means you kill when you HAVE to, and only when you have to — and that’s combatants ONLY. And no torture. No rape.
That’s what we mean by serving with honor.
Probably that’s too sissified for a he-man like you. eh?

sj
Surfexplorer13

I believe your 13 as much as I believe obama’s a great president.. Not at all.
Mike

Fixed:

” The bravest people in a war zone are the men, women and kids trying to survive as both sides”.
http://twitter.com/MattWilliams06 Matt4RonPaul

The simple answer: Those who profit from war, do. The 6 corporate mega-banks (JP Morgan Chase, The Federal Reserve, Citibank, et al) are the war profiteers. They will send anyone to their death in order to profit. They control the government, they pull the strings. They are the puppet masters. Our government has been hijacked.

The end.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick-Nadhob/637024044 Nick Nadhob

911missinglinksdotcom
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick-Nadhob/637024044 Nick Nadhob

bollyndotcom
Anonymous

As most people know, we started this war back in 1953. Bush did not start this war so you need to get your facts straight. We are in 190 countries for what?? Promoting democracy when we dont even have it here, trying to free people when everyday the government is writing laws and going against the constitution. The british came to us in the 50′s asking for help with Iran because for the past 50 years the british were stealing Iran’s oil supply. So the American government sent the cia to over throw the newly elected Iran president because he took back what the Iranians owned. This new Iranian government was pushing for a white modern society in a country that was 90 percent islam. So the Iranian pres that was over threw in 1953 was in jail for 14 years, he was teaching the people of Iran about what the us did. This made them HATE Americans. So we put Saddam in power because saddam hated Iran. America supplied Iraq with intelligence and information to help Iraq. We KNEW that they were using chemical weapons against Iran but didnt do anything. Reagan went though Israel to supply Iran with weapons since we were playing both sides of the isle. On one side we were helping Iran, and on the other we were helping Iraq because we didnt wont either of them getting the oil. After we saw that Iraq was about to evade kuwait America then stationed troops in Saudia because we were worried that Saddam was going to take over the largest oil reserve in the world. This made bin laden pissed. he stated “I resent the government of Sadia for letting American’s station in Sadia. So now it was time for America to make a move to over throw Saddam. So what do we do? Fool American’s in thinking they did 911 because we were free and prosperous.

All of this fighting for my country bullshit is a load of crap. I have much respect for our army me and women but for someone that has been there for 30 years and doesnt even know the facts, has issues. WE are the reason people hate us in the world. What if a super power came to america uninvited with out a declaration of war to steal our oil? And overthrow our government. Not to mention, install islamic law in a country that is 90 percent christian.

I have respect for that 13 year old boy for know that much. Give me hops about my country.
alex

Robert you are correct and the comments underneath you show how the future of the world is going to be run straight into the ground by men who have accepted the pusification of their gender. It is no longer right or glorious or good to stand up for anything especially not something that is necessary and no one is responsible for their own actions anymore. It is unbearable for responsible people who know what need to be done to live here because they are constantly being told what they can’t do in order to further the spiral of destruction of the human race and deprive people of their right to stand up for themselves and their people to the great pleasure of the ruling class. The sad part is that everyone is more than happy to accept their role as slaves and ignorants in all of this.
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Tony Pasta

Something stinks! Silence the potential whistlblowers! Nobody wants to be accused of war crimes… let alone be convicted.
Guest

you engage in illegal immoral wars based on lies, against people who were never a threat to you or anyone, that results in the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent men women and children.. and you want sympathy?

kiss my arse, and then kill yourself
Paul Panza

The military is made up of murderers period. Put them on trial and put them in jail were they belong. The military has no social redeeming value regardless of the perceived righteousness of the aggressor, like the USA, NATO and the UN.
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Lady

People commit suicide because they feel there is no hope.
Seamanstorm

I have never been to war. I am 46 and graduated from Army Academy and I left the army after having been a pro soldier for only more than a year.

I am someone who evolved more than I had ever wished for and more than most of human beings would ever dream of. According to Gallup poll (1996) only 4% of American population come to the 5th level (fulcrum) – out of 10 – of consciousness development.

(Look up Ken Wilber) In other words.. It is too complex thing to put it in short words how bad it is. Genetic manipulation, human role in complex socio-technical systems, codex alimentarius, Terrence McKenna, DMT, … C. Castaneda. You remember.. this world was created in first place for artificial life, for programs not for Real Beings. Another mind boggling simulation scenario not easy to comprehend right? Dr. Rick Strassman Spirit Molecule – Look it up DMT on You Tube. What do you all think those Architects do on the other side of the mirror? Think. And Think Again. The Sims game. Exorcisms.Last year the Vatican received over half a million reports of demonic possession (The Times).MKUltra is also well known term for mind hacking experiments. This playground is a real Zoo farm.I admire The Schneit,
ScrewUncleSam and all folks thinking the same. Why soldiers commit suicides? 5 Reasons:
1. Real Beings (lets say humans) have empathy (something more than mirroring neurons) ergo whatever wrong they do eventually they do for themselves and in the end the Moment they Wake Up.. they fall. = False Identity Architecture
2. Programs (NPCs – wiki call them non-player characters) only executive beings emulating even empathy.. or even .. love.. whatever they do wrong their actions are terminated by the system or themselves in two cases:
- looping (far too many contradictory instructions
- freezing (psychosis, personality disorder, MPD, schizophrenia and so on…) fragmentation and lack of continuum (trauma) = False Representation Architecture.
3. Real Beings control entrapped by the system. Outcasts, artists, philosophers, philanthropic system thinkers, hackers, misled missionaries, Utopian Anarchists, Believers, Christians, everyone whose life was redesigned, restyled towards a.. caricature. Conformism. = False Emulated Identity Architecture.
4. Programs (NPCs) with Real Beings Architecture Overwritten. It happens all the time. System based on Artificial Intelligence learns by interacting with Real Beings. That is why most Real Beings although not many in numbers nowadays – are born in mixed families parents (Bot and Real Being .. or human-like bot). Or bots being born in Human-like families or Real Beings couples = False Emulated Representation Architecture (similar to no. 1) .. Well, they have some remorse. self-reproach.
5. Real Beings (on a very early stage of mind development), Programs (NPCs, shells, all kind of beings can be hacked and played either by Architects from outside (upper reality), from different simulation, another dimension as some say, or by system controllers inside this simulation using sophisticated technology. (by implementing ideas directly to beings’ minds) Have you ever heard about technology that enables playback bounced human voice against a rock week after?
Anyway .. result of no5 is .. Reverse Engineered Re-Impersonalization. Father ‘stabbed his children 29 times before killing wife and three others because his marriage was falling apart’ _______________________________CONCLUSION:Open Your Eyes.. Right now you have your Eyes Wide Shut…..Regards,Seaman Storm