Number of Homeless Iraq, Afghan Veterans Doubles...

[Indi Guy]

Source: Firedoglake

One of the Vietnam War’s legacies was a generation of homeless veterans – traumatized by war and uncared for by the system that happily used them for its own ends before leaving them to the streets. Now, despite constant crowing about reforms at the Veterans Administration and treatment for mental illness in the military, it seems America will have another generation of homeless veterans thanks to our adventures and misadventures overseas:

"The number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing a roof over their heads has more than doubled in the past two years, according to government data.

Through the end of September, 26,531 of them were living on the streets, at risk of losing their homes, staying in temporary housing or receiving federal vouchers to pay rent, the Department of Veterans Affairs reports.

That’s up from 10,500 in 2010. The VA says the numbers could be higher because they include only the homeless the department is aware of."...

Read more: http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/12/28/number-of-homeless-iraq-afghan-veterans-doubles/

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Worse still, "The issue is particularly acute as the military continues to draw down its ranks. About 307,000 are likely to leave the military each of the next four years."

[SunSeeker]

1. I think they should all be allowed to live on George Bush's ranch.

So sad. And with a 12+ month backlog at the VA, these folks aren't getting any help.

[Indi Guy]

2. The way we treat our vets is an international disgrace...

We ask the most of them & repay them with a neglect which is nothing short of criminal. Why don't "great Americans" like Hannity & Rush take up this issue? ...their listeners shoul ask themselves this question.

[SunSeeker]

3. Their listeners aren't capable of an independent thought. nt

[Indi Guy]

5. I disagree...

I think that most people are willing to question group think, once they begin to see that they are being snowed.

The problem with exposing the extreme right-wing media outlets for what they are (shills for the Wall St. elite) is that they are very clever in shaping their talking points in such a way that rewards their viewers & listeners with the idea that they are "smarter than the average bear" for being plugged into the real facts behind the politics.

I know many people who used to trust Hannity, Rush & the like -- who now see that they were being manipulated by The Koch brothers and their ilk.

[SunSeeker]

6. God, I hope you're right. nt

[DollarBillHines]

9. It's on the market.

He hasn't been to The Hog Farm since he left DC.

It went on the soft market the next day and there have been no takers.

[DeSwiss]

4. Support the Troops!

- As long as they can still pull a trigger.......

K&R

[center][/center]

[xtraxritical]

7. I don't want to "support" anyone whom is dumb enough to enlist.

Stop the war machine DON'T ENLIST.

[Indi Guy]

8. Do NOT blame the troops!!

The military is a necessity and an honerable calling.

It's not their fault that they were manipulated by the chickenhawks.

[xtraxritical]

11. yes it is

[Indi Guy]

12. Our troops agree to...

...adhere to the chain of command. That's how the military works -- there's no other way for it to function.

Are you suggesting that we have no military?

[Larrymoe Curlyshemp]

13. DO explain!

xtraxritical, eh? I guess that makes you hip, huh?

[Indi Guy]

10. Well said...

...and thank you for the graph. It sure puts our priorities in perspective.