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Republicans either don't give a damn or they are just brainless boobs. We all know the story of our homeless veterans. Mr. O'Reilly all you have to do is Google 'homeless veterans' and thousands of sites will come up. Maybe you can apologize and then do a program on how you can help out a homeless vet in your area!
Who are homeless veterans?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says the nation's homeless veterans are mostly males (four percent are females). The vast majority are single, most come from poor, disadvantaged communities, 45 percent suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems. America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, or the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. 47 percent of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era. More than 67 percent served our country for at least three years and 33 percent were stationed in a war zone.
How many homeless veterans are there?
Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by -- no one keeps national records on homeless veterans -- the VA estimates that 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And approximately twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23 percent of all homeless people in America.welcome to the greatest country on the face of the earth, USA!! we can send our men and women into harms way but we can't seem to take care of them when they are lucky enough to return home alive?? we need to do a BETTER JOB!
5 comments:
Homelessness started under Ronnie Raygunz.. therefore no Rethuglican will ever admit that it exists, because then they have to admit it was started by their hero.
To admit there are homeless Veterans, would be to admit 2 problems. One see above, 2 that they aren't taking care of the Veterans and the military they claim to support 150% and that would make them (Oh Noes...) Hypocrites... And we just couldn't have that now could we... we know that there is no such thing as a Rethuglican hypocrite. Now is there.
thanks for your expert comment Annette! Hypocrites and god-reagan worshippers, shameless pigs!!
And we're making more of them everyday. This country functions and that's about it. When it comes to really doing what is right and the best for us and our country we strike out because the relatively few crazy fuckers are given a mouthpiece from the media.
And few, if any, have access to health insurance (if it is not service-related). What does that say about us?
Ask Senator Coburn.
I am at a disadvantage as I’m on dial-up connecton, cannot play videos and do not know what O’Reilly said. I’ll try to locate his remarks on Media Matters.
As for the information you relate, it breaks my heart.
It also raises the question: Why?
What has made the difference between Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” - soldiers who returned with pride from WWII and helped build this nation – and these poor homeless individuals?
Was it Vietnam? I believe Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” gives us an answer there.
On the other hand, many Vietnam vets have made equal contributions to our country. Read “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young” by Joseph L. Galloway and Lt. Gen. Hal Moore.
Has it been an increased use of drugs?
Is it the poor economy?
Perhaps a combination of all these factors? If it’s this last, then the homeless figures are only going to rise in the wake of our present wars.
Our nation does have a system of assistance in place. What drives these veterans to such destitution that they have slipped through the cracks and cannot find such relief?
So many questions. Not enough answers.
BJ
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