Dear Paul B,
I feel compelled to discuss the soldier in Afghanistan that killed those 16 people. It is both horrible, sad and a blemish on our country and our army. I am embarrassed for us and don’t know what to say. How could this happen? This is so tragic, and yet we are supposed to be helping these people. What do you think about this?
J J C
++++++++++++++++
Dear JJC,
What could I possible think? I am disheartened and horrified, as is everyone both here and in Afghanistan, but equally shocked to the possibility of this occurrence. In Vietnam, we too were “the ugly Americans,” and treated as such. We were spat at, disrespected, unappreciated, as well as being brutally murdered by those who we were there to protect from the enemy. Vietnam was an unpopular war because we were there to stop the “spread of communism,” or so we were told by our beaurocrat leadership. These two “conflicts” that have consumed our people are unpopular, un-winnable, and totally unnecessary. We are dying, our young American boys and girls for a cause that is “indecipherable.” Do any of us really expect to accomplish our goals, or any goals for that matter? The people suffer with our help, and they will suffer even more when we leave. The devil you know…. as the saying goes, will leave us with both feet planted securely in our collective mouths. I ask myself how I would feel watching my buddies die protecting these people who do not want our help? I can only tell you that I would have a very difficult time coping with such a sad state of affairs. I would not nor could not allow myself to take out my wrath on innocents, never ever. But this soldier had many issues, the least of which was his involvement as a U.S. soldier. It has been discovered that he owed millions, and could not get squared away financially. This is so sad, that he was so lost that he took out his problems on these 16 innocent civilians, and has no recollection of his actions.
So many angry and troubled individuals are caught up in these wars, and they are lost souls, trying to do the right thing. This poor man lost his way and could not find any resolution to his predicament. His cross to bear beat him into submission. It is suggested that Sgt. Bales suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD affected some 830,000 Vietnam vets in their lives I have discovered. Our leaders must attempt to help our troops to deal with such an enormous burden in these far off lands, anyway that is humanly possible.
Paul B
ABOUT ASK PAUL B! … WRITE PAUL B! …
ASK PAUL B! usually appears on Thursday evenings, but occasionally appears on other days or times so the article might be introduced to new readers.
IMPORTANT LEGAL STUFF:
Advice is offered for general discussion. Any advice from a columnist or someone who has never actually met you is not guaranteed to be fit for your particular situation. While the advice might help send you in the right direction to find a solution to your problem, missing information or lack of specific dialogue might cause you harm, or delay a solution to your problem. Never use this advice as the sole replacement for advice from a physician, psychologist or other health professional or other professional. The information provided through any Arlingtoncardinal.com post or Ask Paul B! post is not a substitute for health, legal and other professional advice where specific facts and circumstances warrant additional personal attention. If any reader requires legal advice, health advice or other professional assistance, each reader should always consult his or her own legal, health professional, or other professional advisors and discuss the facts and circumstances that specifically apply to the user. Consider the topics discussed as a part of your overall experience for your pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Don’t hesitate to get help when you might need professional help.
The views of Ask Paul B! are not necessarily the views of The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com.