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News & Issues > Body of War

  Body of War

I just heard about Phil Donahue's film, Body of War about a week ago on the Charlie Rose Program. Phil has apparently been working on this for years. It's about one disabled veteran that he met in a hospital. He kept in touch with him and decided to make a film with him. At exactly the right time he met a film maker, Ellen Spiro. They found they thought alike and got along perfectly. The film is being released now, which is why, I suppose it's getting press now. This was sent to me by email from the Real News yesterday. I can't remember how I got on their list. I probably voted in one of their polls.

The veteran involved is Tomas Young, who is paralyzed from the chest down. He has mobility of his face neck and arms. The rest of his body is paralyzed. He can do very little for himself. This is the clip with Phil talking about the film.



As Phil says, this is just one soldier's tale. There are thousands, who have come back damaged, physically or mentally. Many, like Tomas, will have to live out their lives in the conditions which the war created in their lives.

Based on comments, I am adding two links:

AP: Staggering Number of Wounded Vets

Suicides Among Active Duty Soldiers

posted on Mar 29, 2008 2:03 AM ()

Comments:

When we invaded Iraq, I had this sinking feeling that we were setting up another scenario just like Vietnam. And that is exactly what has happened. We are fighting an enemy that hides underground when things get hot; then sneaks out, blows up himself and others or detonates from a distance. Not only are Americans dying; so are Iraqis, in huge numbers. This war MUST STOP!
comment by redimpala on Apr 3, 2008 6:34 AM ()
The suicide rates were humongous for returning Viet Nam Vets as well. Sensitive human beings literally have to step outside their humanity to survive, and the guilt never goes away. I had a friend once, Korean War Vet, who drank himself to death so he could block out the memories of them killing children who would not show their hands on command, because sometimes the children were booby-trapped with bombs, and orders were to shoot them. This they don't teach in history classes.
comment by thestephymore on Apr 2, 2008 2:26 PM ()
Yes, and the Viet Nam vets didn't have the support of the people until really much later... what a shame to our country. We really dropped the ball on that one!
reply by sunlight on Apr 3, 2008 1:54 AM ()
It is so sad and the V. A. is using every ruse to disqualify veterans from getting benefits for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This war is a disgrace and why did we not impeach GWB.
comment by elderjane on Apr 1, 2008 7:12 AM ()
The Veterans' Administration is so wrong!! And, Bush and Cheney should be impeached and convicted! They are indeed a disgrace!
reply by sunlight on Apr 3, 2008 1:56 AM ()
Yes, but then how can others understand without the hard reality of it in your face. Thanks again.
comment by whereabouts on Mar 31, 2008 10:38 AM ()
I guess so, Laura.
reply by sunlight on Apr 3, 2008 1:57 AM ()
The suicide rate is one of the worst aspects of this terrible war! I think that some of them that committed suicide after they got out of the service, are not being counted as service connected and thus, depriving their families of benefits... It is just so unbelievably evil... the way they are being treated is just plain cruel. We will continue to pray for all our troops.
comment by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:00 PM ()
This is Angie's answer!
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:05 PM ()
The sad thing is that there are so many that have, or will, come home damaged in some way by the war. As veterans, they deserve the best care our government can give them, which from what I understand isn't the case right now. The deserve better.
comment by hopefields on Mar 30, 2008 2:05 AM ()
They were the ones who volunteered to defend all of us and it seems they are not being treated right at all. They are being abandoned, ignored, essentially told to go away and don't bother anyone ... What has the bureaucracy wrought?
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:30 PM ()
Good post. Thanks for sharing!
comment by whereabouts on Mar 29, 2008 10:51 AM ()
It would have been better if it had been unnecessary to post such a sad article...
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:25 PM ()
He fight for USA in Afghanistan.. Hope US President and Ministry of Defence give him a royalty along his and his wife life!!!
comment by mustakim on Mar 29, 2008 10:12 AM ()
Ah, Must... he thought he was going to Afghanistan. He was shipped to Iraq. He joined to fight in Afghanistan. We need to make sure that he and all of his brother warriors are taken care of when they return.
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:23 PM ()
What is so sad, is that he is just one of thousands...
comment by elfie33 on Mar 29, 2008 10:07 AM ()
Yes, one of so many thousands... more than we can imagine...
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:21 PM ()
Dick Cheney says, "So? They volunteered." Without the draft, many Americans couldn't care less what we do overseas. We had the DUTY to prosecute and execute the traitors who indulged in preemptive war [violated our Constitution]. When we failed to honor our Constitution, the leadership dissolved it.
Shame on us for so failing our children.
comment by bumpedoff on Mar 29, 2008 7:27 AM ()
Cheney is truly evil. He HAS the capacity to think and to devise plans that are detrimental to our kids and our citizenry and our country and our world. The Constitution has been abandoned... Alas! We have all lost.
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:19 PM ()
Any war is hell, but this unnecessary one tops them all. GW should be tied down in a chair for the rest of his term. Let's see how he likes it.
comment by solitaire on Mar 29, 2008 6:09 AM ()
Maybe a little water-boarding would help him wake up and face the truth. Said, of course, tongue in cheek, because I don't wanna go to jail forever. Please god, let bush live until someone replaces him. Cheney would be far, far worse.
reply by thestephymore on Apr 2, 2008 2:21 PM ()
Completely unnecessary... Our president doesn't seem to have the capacity for sympathy/empathy... Perhaps we should feel sorry for someone so devoid of feelings... except he is so responsible for so much catastrophe.
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:12 PM ()
I saw a trailer for this film. It should do much to bring attention to the plight of our disabled veterens. Phil gets a Bugg "two antennas up" for his efforts.

reguards
yer we should do more for our fallen heros pal
bugg
comment by honeybugg on Mar 29, 2008 3:06 AM ()
Phil is a good man! We all need to do something for all our heroes in and some now out of the military.
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:08 PM ()
So very sad! You are right; there are so very many. Have you noticed the suicide rate of returning vets? They serve, face so many atrocities then come home to be forgotten.My heart breaks for all of them and their families.
comment by angiedw on Mar 29, 2008 2:32 AM ()
Angie, your answer is somehow way on top! Sorry...
reply by sunlight on Mar 30, 2008 8:04 PM ()

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