Michael Savage rails against PTSD sufferers: ‘No wonder ISIS can defeat our military’

[AURaptor 1,125]

Could be but he had ample air time to qualify his remarks. He didnt.

Rarely listen to him, so I don't know. As I said, he's a different cat. He's seen a lot, and like many who get older, they see fears and hysterics in areas which use to be just dealt with, with out the fanfare or donning of yet another colored ribbon.

[AUUSN 823]

Here's a fantastic article from the Washington Post in March:

"Some of their present-day challenges — securing a well-paying career and coping with credit-card debt — mirror travails of American society as a whole, but other needs are unique consequences of this century’s conflicts: diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury, acquiring technical skills to compete in a transforming economy and addressing the stress on families from repeated combat tours. More than 600,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have become partially or totally disabled from physical or psychological wounds are receiving lifelong financial support from the government, a figure that could grow substantially as new ailments are diagnosed and the VA processes a large claims backlog.

“What is different about this generation? We’ve asked them to do a lot more, in a smaller serving force, in some of the longest wars in our history,” VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in an interview. Multiple deployments have created what he calls “a compounding effect” to health problems and combat stress, with an unknown overall cost. “There’s more work to be done in terms of research and understanding of what the full impact is going to be.”

For many vets, their times in Iraq and Afghanistan were searing experiences. One in three think about their deployments daily. Among them is Nicholas Johnson, a former specialist in the Arkansas Army National Guard, who spent a year in Iraq starting in 2006. His platoon was ordered to fill roadside bomb craters, which required him to jackhammer asphalt while wearing 50 pounds of body armor and gear. He returned home with a fractured vertebra, three fused disks in his back, ringing ears and debilitating post-traumatic stress because of the frequent carnage he witnessed on Baghdad’s roads.

“I can’t get a good job now because . . . I have to be upfront and say I have this disability, I have a tore-up back,” he said. “So now, the factories here in Topeka, where I live now, they’re like: ‘Oh, wow, he has military experience. Great. He has managerial experience. Oh, that’s good. Some college — all right. Oh, he tore his back up. Can’t do that, you know.’ ”

Johnson, who is 32 “but going on 60,” confronts the toll of his service on his drive to a just-over-minimum-wage job at Lowe’s, when he has to avoid Interstate 70 because it reminds him of Baghdad’s insurgent-riddled airport road, when he panics at the sight of trash on the street because that’s what Iraqi guerrillas employed to conceal explosives, when he pops painkillers and anti-anxiety pills, when he has to use a cane to walk or ask his fellow clerks for help moving boxes.

"I left the war zone," he said, "but the war zone never left me."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2014/03/29/a-legacy-of-pride-and-pain/

[cooltigger21 0]

War does things to a soldier that most of us civilians just can't understand. I have known men who served in WWII who would not talk about the things they had seen or done. I can't imagine how that affects a person psychologically. I don't have the answer but I do know we have not taken care of our returning veterans like we should.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

AUUSN.....of course I know Davis is a fake. I just was saying that even a fake character is "man" enough to admit he is wrong. You call my service in doubt? Guess that shows what kind of man you really are.The navy must be desperate if they let people like you in who seem to thrive on insults.

But maybe you are out and suffering from PTSD.

Just so you know before hurling further insults, I served a tour on the carrier Lake Champlain (CV-39). My Auburn roomie served on the cruiser Northhampton.

[AUUSN 823]

I'm still in and doing just fine. I would recommend that you go through your old post a take a trip down memory lane. You are the king of insults.

Now where is that ignore button...

[TastesLikeChicken 0]

interesting.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

AUUSN,,,,,,,,and you are the king of hypocracy. I sincerely hope you enjoy your desk job and find the ignore button.

[AUUSN 823]

the most depressing part of coming out of the military is the weak job market. You go from being a hero to a zero in a second, Companies don't value work ethic anymore. Its all whose made it through the cut. What more is an Auburn grad with an MBA, who served from 2006-2012, captain usmc, supposed to do? You go from making $1400 in housing allowance and your $4200 a month paycheck to a scant $60k job. friggin sucks Obama, build the golden private sector Obama, you terrorist.

Keep charging brother and I hope you find something better soon. Have you registered on this site?

https://recruitmilitary.com

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

TastesLikeChicken......I wish you the best. I know it's tough. Wish I could help in some way but FWIW I appreciate your service.

One thought.....apply to GE. They have a priority on hiring vets if you are flexible on location. I had a nephew who came out of USMC

awhile back who got on with them.

[AUFAN78 3,911]

Lots of thoughts, so I will ramble if you'll indulge.....

There is some truth to the Savage rant. Lose the emotion and look objectively.

I resigned due to too many SGM Davis types. Too many with a lack of work ethic. After 25 years I was fed up with the "new military." It ain't a shell of what it once was. Not a shell! Don't get me wrong, there are some good groups, i.e. Navy Seals, Special Forces, Special Ops, etc. I still work with some of them just in a different role.

I've seen PTSD and I've seen drugs and alcohol overtake and become the number one demon. I don't think we do enough in this country for returning vets. Especially those with real issues. Yes, I've seen the fraud alexava mentions and it sickens me. IMO it costs some that have real needs. The program needs to be re-evaluated. We need real leaders with vision to step up and make changes, not just a paycheck. I get pissed just thinking of the problems.

I very much appreciate those here that have served. Thank you! Rant over.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

AUFAN78... I hear you. If you have any suggestions on how an old Navy guy could be of more help I'm open. I give a monthly amount to Wounded Warriors and pray every day that our vets get all the benefits they have earned, Any suggestions on how an individual could help more?

[AUFAN78 3,911]

AUFAN78... I hear you. If you have any suggestions on how an old Navy guy could be of more help I'm open. I give a monthly amount to Wounded Warriors and pray every day that our vets get all the benefits they have earned, Any suggestions on how an individual could help more?

Very admirable contributions PT. Keep up the good work.

Just a thought: I hate to see fellow brothers in verbal combat. Resist the urge.

Carry on.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

Me too 78 but I feel the need to defend myself when even a brother calls me a coward.

[AUFAN78 3,911]

understood

[AUFAN78 3,911]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/23/opinion/veteran-ptsd-ayahuasca/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

[AUFAN78 3,911]

Clarification: I had someone question me on my SGM Davis comment today. While my statement was vague, it was not intended in the literal sense.

[icanthearyou 4,463]

Hey Michael Savage, one who never served, keep your comments on this subject to yourself. Stick to your bats&^t conspiracy theories.

Conservative radio host Michael Savage recently launched into a fiery rant against those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, arguing that the “celebration of weakness and depression” has undermined the United States and its military.

“No wonder we’re being laughed at around the world. No wonder ISIS can defeat our military,” Mr. Savage said about veterans with PTSD during his radio program on Oct. 14, Mediaite reported.

In the clip, first picked up by Right Wing Watch, the former MSNBC host begins by railing against a plan to rename a San Francisco tunnel after actor Robin Williams, who committed suicide in August. He then gets into a heated argument with a caller from Cleveland named Bob, who said he is a veteran with PTSD and supports the San Francisco plan. The conversation devolves into a shouting match until Mr. Savage abruptly ends the call.

“I am so sick and tired of everyone with their complaints about PTSD, depression,” the host began. “Everyone wants their hand held, and a government check. What are you, the only generation that had PTSD? The only generation that’s depressed? I’m sick of it. I can’t take the celebration of weakness and depression.”

“See, I was raised a little differently,” he continued. “I was raised to fight weakness. I was raised to fight pain. I was raised to fight depression. Not to give into it. Not to cave into it and cry like a little baby in bed. ‘Boo-hoo-hoo. Boo-hoo-hoo.’ Everyone has depression in their life. Everyone has sickness and sadness and disease. And loss of relatives. And loss of career. … It’s a weak, sick, nation. A weak, sick, broken nation. And you need men like me to save the country. You need men to stand up and say stop crying like a baby over everything.”

Mr. Savage then shifted his attention to what he perceives is a weakness among American men that is preventing them from creating stable families.

“They don’t even have the guts to raise a child,” he said. “The men are so weak, and so narcissistic. All they want to do is have fun. Bunch of losers. Just go have a brewski and look at the 49ers, you idiot, you. They won’t even get married, won’t have a child, it takes too much of a man to do that. What a country. You’re not a man, you’re a dog. A dog raises babies better than most American men do.”

Read more: http://www.washingto.../#ixzz3GtjiwH5x

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Sorry but, I had to go back to this. At first, I totally dismissed it and, those who expressed any sort of agreement with it. While I still think it is a very broad and incorrect generalization, I wonder if the basic fact that most people now live in urban areas rather than rural areas comes into play. There is a certain toughness built into life in the inner city but, there is another kind of toughness built into living in a rural farm type environment. Also, a certain type of independence. Is it possible to have that sort of toughness and independence without that dynamic? Does it even matter?

[AUUSN 823]

Hey Michael Savage, one who never served, keep your comments on this subject to yourself. Stick to your bats&^t conspiracy theories.

Conservative radio host Michael Savage recently launched into a fiery rant against those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, arguing that the “celebration of weakness and depression” has undermined the United States and its military.

“No wonder we’re being laughed at around the world. No wonder ISIS can defeat our military,” Mr. Savage said about veterans with PTSD during his radio program on Oct. 14, Mediaite reported.

In the clip, first picked up by Right Wing Watch, the former MSNBC host begins by railing against a plan to rename a San Francisco tunnel after actor Robin Williams, who committed suicide in August. He then gets into a heated argument with a caller from Cleveland named Bob, who said he is a veteran with PTSD and supports the San Francisco plan. The conversation devolves into a shouting match until Mr. Savage abruptly ends the call.

“I am so sick and tired of everyone with their complaints about PTSD, depression,” the host began. “Everyone wants their hand held, and a government check. What are you, the only generation that had PTSD? The only generation that’s depressed? I’m sick of it. I can’t take the celebration of weakness and depression.”

“See, I was raised a little differently,” he continued. “I was raised to fight weakness. I was raised to fight pain. I was raised to fight depression. Not to give into it. Not to cave into it and cry like a little baby in bed. ‘Boo-hoo-hoo. Boo-hoo-hoo.’ Everyone has depression in their life. Everyone has sickness and sadness and disease. And loss of relatives. And loss of career. … It’s a weak, sick, nation. A weak, sick, broken nation. And you need men like me to save the country. You need men to stand up and say stop crying like a baby over everything.”

Mr. Savage then shifted his attention to what he perceives is a weakness among American men that is preventing them from creating stable families.

“They don’t even have the guts to raise a child,” he said. “The men are so weak, and so narcissistic. All they want to do is have fun. Bunch of losers. Just go have a brewski and look at the 49ers, you idiot, you. They won’t even get married, won’t have a child, it takes too much of a man to do that. What a country. You’re not a man, you’re a dog. A dog raises babies better than most American men do.”

Read more: http://www.washingto.../#ixzz3GtjiwH5x

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Sorry but, I had to go back to this. At first, I totally dismissed it and, those who expressed any sort of agreement with it. While I still think it is a very broad and incorrect generalization, I wonder if the basic fact that most people now live in urban areas rather than rural areas comes into play. There is a certain toughness built into life in the inner city but, there is another kind of toughness built into living in a rural farm type environment. Also, a certain type of independence. Is it possible to have that sort of toughness and independence without that dynamic? Does it even matter?

It's possible but if you'll go back to my #4 post, the author makes the argument that for as long as we've had war, we've had PTSD. It's just been given more "acceptable" monikers like shell shock.

[icanthearyou 4,463]

Hey Michael Savage, one who never served, keep your comments on this subject to yourself. Stick to your bats&^t conspiracy theories.

Conservative radio host Michael Savage recently launched into a fiery rant against those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, arguing that the “celebration of weakness and depression” has undermined the United States and its military.

“No wonder we’re being laughed at around the world. No wonder ISIS can defeat our military,” Mr. Savage said about veterans with PTSD during his radio program on Oct. 14, Mediaite reported.

In the clip, first picked up by Right Wing Watch, the former MSNBC host begins by railing against a plan to rename a San Francisco tunnel after actor Robin Williams, who committed suicide in August. He then gets into a heated argument with a caller from Cleveland named Bob, who said he is a veteran with PTSD and supports the San Francisco plan. The conversation devolves into a shouting match until Mr. Savage abruptly ends the call.

“I am so sick and tired of everyone with their complaints about PTSD, depression,” the host began. “Everyone wants their hand held, and a government check. What are you, the only generation that had PTSD? The only generation that’s depressed? I’m sick of it. I can’t take the celebration of weakness and depression.”

“See, I was raised a little differently,” he continued. “I was raised to fight weakness. I was raised to fight pain. I was raised to fight depression. Not to give into it. Not to cave into it and cry like a little baby in bed. ‘Boo-hoo-hoo. Boo-hoo-hoo.’ Everyone has depression in their life. Everyone has sickness and sadness and disease. And loss of relatives. And loss of career. … It’s a weak, sick, nation. A weak, sick, broken nation. And you need men like me to save the country. You need men to stand up and say stop crying like a baby over everything.”

Mr. Savage then shifted his attention to what he perceives is a weakness among American men that is preventing them from creating stable families.

“They don’t even have the guts to raise a child,” he said. “The men are so weak, and so narcissistic. All they want to do is have fun. Bunch of losers. Just go have a brewski and look at the 49ers, you idiot, you. They won’t even get married, won’t have a child, it takes too much of a man to do that. What a country. You’re not a man, you’re a dog. A dog raises babies better than most American men do.”

Read more: http://www.washingto.../#ixzz3GtjiwH5x

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Sorry but, I had to go back to this. At first, I totally dismissed it and, those who expressed any sort of agreement with it. While I still think it is a very broad and incorrect generalization, I wonder if the basic fact that most people now live in urban areas rather than rural areas comes into play. There is a certain toughness built into life in the inner city but, there is another kind of toughness built into living in a rural farm type environment. Also, a certain type of independence. Is it possible to have that sort of toughness and independence without that dynamic? Does it even matter?

It's possible but if you'll go back to my #4 post, the author makes the argument that for as long as we've had war, we've had PTSD. It's just been given more "acceptable" monikers like shell shock.

I understand. Do we have more than in the past, though?

[AUUSN 823]

.

I understand. Do we have more than in the past, though?

My quick answer would be yes because we've never asked so much from so little. Five rotations into a combat zone can't be good and is unacceptable in a country with a population of over 300 million.

[icanthearyou 4,463]

.

I understand. Do we have more than in the past, though?

My quick answer would be yes because we've never asked so much from so little. Five rotations into a combat zone can't be good and is unacceptable in a country with a population of over 300 million.

Is there a limit anymore to the number of combat tours one person can do? Are military men/women evaluated psychologically after a combat tour?

[AUUSN 823]

There is no limit. Psychlogically we fill out pre and post deployment health screening forms and take a baseline IQ like test before deployment in the event we experience a TBI event.

The sad thing is people were being deployed even though they had PTSD related issues. I know of a Soldier who couldnt sit and eat in the DFAC because of a SVIED event that happened to him in a DFAC in Iraq. We finally sent him home after he was seen trying to dig under his trailer because he thought we were having a rocket attack.

Did people mislead health care providers? Yes because there's a certain deep desire to return to the battlefield.

Sebastian Junger puts it best:

"Many of you have probably read "The Iliad." Achilles surely would have risked his life or given his life to save his friend Patroclus. In World War II, there were many stories of soldiers who were wounded, were brought to a rear base hospital, who went AWOL, crawled out of windows, slipped out doors, went AWOL, wounded, to make their way back to the front lines to rejoin their brothers out there. So you think about Brendan, you think about all these soldiers having an experience like that, a bond like that, in a small group, where they loved 20 other people in some ways more than they loved themselves, you think about how good that would feel, imagine it, and they are blessed with that experience for a year, and then they come home, and they are just back in society like the rest of us are, not knowing who they can count on, not knowing who loves them, who they can love, not knowing exactly what anyone they know would do for them if it came down to it. That is terrifying. Compared to that, war, psychologically, in some ways, is easy, compared to that kind of alienation. That's why they miss it, and that's what we have to understand and in some ways fix in our society."

[cooltigger21 0]

I've heard of stories like that before. Soldiers tend to fight more for their fellow soldiers than anything else. It will take someone a whole lot smarter than me to come up with the solution but I'm with you, we have to do this. We owe these people that.

[alexava 6,973]

Because of age and time it seems like more cases of ptsd. Now after seeing that question i have known WWII and Vietnam vets that had life long issues and i just never heard it explained as "ptsd". I also know some that seem ok. I am greatful that i only hear and read about it.

[Guest NC1406]

Both of my boys are currently serving. One has come back from a deployment and it took 10 months before I saw him smile the way I thought he should. The second one is still doing s*** he can't tell me about. Gonna take a few scotch nights to get those stories. With that said I will probably be hiring a new employee in the next few months. If you want a new carrier challenge I suggest you reach out. Cheers.