When it comes to the war in Iraq there is no question that the majority of those serving in the US armed forces are attempting to do their jobs honourably. But when placed in a situation in which confusion and contradiction often convolute even the most determined of minds, it’s not hard to understand why so many Iraq vets face significant problems adjusting to life after the war. Many have served multiple tours, victims of stop-loss, and have become almost strangers to their families and ...More »

Of all those that served in the military in my family, the one common trait shared by all of them is that they did not like to talk about their experiences. My Grandfather and Great Uncles went to lengths to avoid the topic, and as an inquisitive youngster I was sometimes scolded for my curiosity. At the time, of course, I couldn’t understand why, but as a grown man it’s something that I do. Other members of my extended family have also served and seen ...More »

Place a person in a traumatic environment and they will become desensitized to a great many things. The sight of human corpses, dead animals, even the value of life itself. Soldiers returning from conflicts, such as the war in Iraq, have drowned wives in fits of rage and even murdered fellow comrades that they once fought along side of. Spousal abuse is not uncommon, nor is child abuse, self inflicted physical abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicide – all of it the result of post-traumatic ...More »

Today, while the President was referencing freedom and justice as being “written in our hearts by All Mighty God”, The New York Times began a new series entitled War Torn: A series of articles and multimedia about veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have committed killings, or been charged with them, after coming home, which I think is sadly telling. When I wrote The Boy Come Home for Hospital Music it was based on stories of paranoia and disparity felt by a ...More »

Command rape is a subject that rarely comes to light, primarily because of the fear felt by female soldiers of what will happen if they speak out. What is command rape? It’s the sexual coercion of female soldiers by those that have authority over them, especially in combat zones. The story of Suzanne Swift is an example of this crime, and one that should be told repeatedly until this issue is widely exposed. In a recent interview with Truthout, Suzanne’s mother, Sara Rich, spoke about what ...More »

The results of a study released last Friday by a US army mental health advisory team discovered that one in ten US combat soldiers have abused an Iraqi civilian at some point during their deployment. The report also claimed that of those surveyed, less than half would report their fellow soldiers for murdering or injuring an innocent civilian. Further, the report revealed that some 55% of those surveyed, which included 1,320 soldiers and 447 Marines, believe that torture should be permitted if it can result in ...More »

Someone either left a comment today or emailed me and told me that someone is already using my old MySpace url. I had no idea you could use previously used url’s. Oh, a few fantastic reads to get you all riled up before bed. The first, from Sherwood Ross, is entitled Bush "Developing Illegal Bioterror Weapons" for Offensive Use. An excerpt… “In violation of the US Code and international law, the Bush administration is spending more money (in inflation-adjusted dollars) to develop illegal, offensive germ warfare ...More »