Tuesday 1-12-10 at 7:45 am C-Span Tv Gen.Eric Shinseki spoke to veterans about suicide pervention, at no time did he ask why and howcome,whythe army teaches us to kill people and they do, now ask howcome after they leave they still have mind games war or relationships or job issues, the answer to the problem is this, give veterans medical marijuana as this would put 90% end of suicides I guarantee this. Stop the pills and bullshit give the men and woman GOD'S PLANT. THANK YOU! Pounder VET

Our military should only be used in defense of this country after a formal declaration of war by Congress. IMHO this doesn't describe the way it is being used now.

bring our troops home...now.
Let's focus on making fewer veterans first.


as for pot helping with suicide among veterans...okay, if it really helps, do it. Anything to ease suffering.


Dawn

Suicide is a sign of desperation by the person afflicted.

The consideration of suicide is a condition where the afflicted individual perceives that there is no other way to resolve a dilemma, that dying is the only possible way to stop mental pain.

This is where the reasoning is faulty.

First, the man/woman needs to understand several things about the military when considering employment:

(1) The very nature of its business is to either intimidate a potential foe, or to take life. If one is not willing to do the latter, then one shouldn't join.

(2) The act of killing another person is something which will strain moral reconciliation between what is considered "wrong" in one's own society (perhaps enhanced by religious principles) and the necessity to impose national will upon another country (assuming for the protection of national interests).

One is primarily responsible to one's religious principles and moral values. If one cannot accept taking another individual's life, then either request non-combatant duty or leave the service. If a leader orders an immoral action, then the subordinate is NOT morally bound to follow that order (there are laws about legality in non-extremis situations). There will be consequences for refusal. One cannot expect status quo to continue in the face of defiance.

Conditioning can occur to dangerous situations (such as anxiety or fear), and the service member should be able to compartmentalize the danger inherent in combat from the civilian pace of life. Nightmares will persist as the mind attempts to resolve uncomfortable incidents. This is normal, but not insurmountable.

If the service member is religiously based, then there are methods to derive comfort and lessen the concern over these experiences. The commandment relating to taking another's life is properly translated: "Thou shalt not commit murder."
Murder is the premeditated planning and execution of taking a life. Murder is killing, but killing is not necessarily murder. The Hebrews who cleansed Israel of other pagan inhabitants to their promised homeland did so at God's command. These soldiers were not condemned, because they executed God's will. Those who take the lives of others (for personal reasons) are NOT doing God's will, and are therefore condemned.

But, the uncomfortable memories must be faced in order to resolve them. Running away (escapism) will not resolve them, only delay resolution.