We have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops

I am still working on the full speech President Obama gave yesterday. He talked for about half an hour and since every part of it deals with the troops and veterans, I don't want to leave any of it out. I think it will turn into several videos so that I can do a live fact check on what he said.

A couple of reporters asked me what I thought of his speech. I told the that since I track all these reports, what he said is true however the only issue I have with President Obama is that he is not holding anyone accountable for the rise in suicides. After all, he's been working on saving lives since 2008 when as still a Senator Obama traveled to the Montana National Guard because of a suicide that left many in shock.

Anyway you can read more of that later but here's part of the speech at the DAV Convention yesterday.

Obama says backlog reduced in veterans' disability claims
CNN
By Michael Martinez
August 10, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
"We have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops," Obama says
Veterans must have "the opportunity to pursue the American dream," he adds
Obama announces $100 million to research PTSD and traumatic brain injury
One attendee criticizes Obama on accountability for skyrocketing suicides

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama unveiled initiatives Saturday in education and health for war veterans and highlighted how his administration has reduced by 20% the government's woeful backlog of veterans' disability claims.

"We're turning the tide. We're not going to let up until we eliminate the backlog once and for all," Obama told a gathering of disabled veterans in Florida.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have overwhelmed the Department of Veterans Affairs with disability applications.

"It results in longer waits. That's been unacceptable to me," Obama said.

He acknowledged that the 20% dent isn't enough.

"I'm going to be honest with you. It has not moved as fast as I wanted," Obama said.

Obama also put attention on the growing suicide rate among veterans. His administration increased spending for VA mental heath services by 7.2%, and the veterans agency has increased the capacity of its crisis line by 50%.

"We also need to keep improving mental health services because we have to end this epidemic of suicide among our veterans and troops," Obama said.

The White House announced Saturday a National Research Action Plan to reduce soldier suicides and treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Under the initiative, the VA, Pentagon and other federal agencies will share data to advance research. The University of Texas and Virginia Commonwealth University will receive $100 million from the VA and Defense Departments to research PTSD and the links between traumatic brain injury and mental health issues.

Obama also rolled out another initiative with 250 higher-education institutions to help war veterans complete their degrees.

Obama made his remarks in Orlando, Florida, before more than 3,000 people attending the annual convention of Disabled American Veterans, an advocacy group deploring the one- or even two-year delays of processing disability claims and urging more mental health care for returning servicemen.

When Obama announced the $100 million in research, many in the crowd of seniors wearing military caps shouted, "Yeah, let's go!"
read more here