No one needs to be reminded that suicide is a serious matter, whether among soldiers or civilians. But the media have managed to create the impression that it is military service overseas which is the cause of suicides among American troops, when civilians of the same ages and other demographic characteristics are committing suicide at an even higher rate at home. — Walter Williams
Not surprisingly, the fools at Time think they’re in a position to play doctor with soldiers on the other side of the planet.
A letter to the pseudo-psychiatrists at Time:
Dear Editors:
Mark Thompson’s June 5th cover story, “America’s Medicated Army,” reflected the general sense of unease and lack of understanding that persists around mental illness and treatment. Even while Thompson observed the efficacy of anti-depressants, the story insisted on questioning the military’s response.
A reader might be left with the impression that if a soldier is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, they’re best left unmedicated. Certainly Time would not express the same doubts if a soldier experienced a physical injury.
For decades, the American media has either portrayed the U.S. soldier as a criminal or a victim. It would be refreshing for once if journalists like Thompson would treat our soldiers as the devoted heros they are.
Filed under: The War on Terror, What Liberal Media? , military, soldiers, suicide, The War on Terror, What Liberal Media?
Sir –
As a deployed soldier myself I thank you for finally saying what we’ve been thinking. For a generation that is carrying on its shoulders the mantle of freedom, they are doing quite well at it. I can testify that our resolve is strong, we care for one another, and no one gets left behind. The media in my opinion are finally realizing that things are changing for the better in Iraq and desparately need a “new” angle on which to attack the war, so now they are going for the individual soldier and his mental status. Thanks for advocating on our behalf and offering a different point of view.
http://sandboxadventures.wordpress.com
Joep72:
First, my sincere appreciation and respect to you for your service.
Your observation that the media has consciously shifted gears is indeed correct.
Part of the reason why I posted this Walter Williams quote was because of a recent Time cover story by Mark Thompson. The focus of the story was not only the mental condition of soldiers, but the prescription of anti-depressants. The armchair generals at Time asked, “Is this any way to fight a war?”
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101080616,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1811858,00.html
Apart from the arrogance of such a question, it reflects a general sense of unease around mental illness and treatment.
Apparently for Time, if a soldier is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, it’s best left unmedicated. Would Time express the same doubt if a soldier experienced a physical injury instead?
The story successfully casts the U.S. soldier is a victim. The media is either smearing the U.S. soldier or it is portraying him as a victim. It would be refreshing for once if they would treat him as a devoted hero.
The best of luck and success to you and the U.S. military.