Kitchen Commandos Debate War Again Ignoring Cost

War Computer Games vs Real Call of Duty
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 20, 2014

The debates about sending troops back into Iraq, keeping them in Afghanistan and spreading them out into other countries leaves most of us sick because they never manage to consider the cost. Hell, they never really do while they show their knowledge, or lack of it, defending their opinions on the options never thinking beyond their limited view. Kitchen Commandos think they understand because more Americans play computer war games than actually go to do it for real.

The New Yorker has an article about "Isis's Call of Duty" computer game "In a recruitment video for the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS (also known as ISIL or I.S.), that has been making the rounds of some uglier parts of the Internet"

The real Call of Duty on Google Plus has this many followers

3,522,318 followers 57,054,760 views

More people are paying attention to computer war games than the real battles being fought as the politicians push for more. The real price paid is what they ignore the most.

ICYMI: WITH A VETERAN COMMITTING SUICIDE EVERY HOUR
U.S. REP. RON BARBER SAYS THEY MUST NOT ‘FACE THE GHOSTS OF WAR ALONE’
Sep 18, 2014

Press Release

Congressman calls for ‘well-funded, well-planned campaign’ to halt epidemic WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, noting that a veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes, called for increased attention to the issue, saying that soldiers and veterans “are left to face the ghosts of war alone.”

“The suicide rate among our country’s brave service men and women and veterans is at a frightening level,” Barber said yesterday on the floor of the House. “Some estimates have shown that as many as 22 veterans take their own lives every day.”

Barber, who represents 85,000 veterans in Southern Arizona, called for an increased focus on identifying members of the armed forces and veterans who may be at risk of taking their own lives and increased attention to preventing that from happening.

“We must combat military and veteran suicide with the same conviction that we take on an enemy of war – because it is killing our men and women in and out of uniform,” Barber said. “We must wage a well-funded, well-planned campaign to fight this heartbreaking epidemic.”

Video of Barber’s entire remarks can be seen by clicking on the photo below:
Published on Sep 18, 2014
Rep. Ron Barber spoke on the floor of the House on veterans suicide prevention. "The suicide rate among our country’s brave service members and veterans is at a frightening level. Some estimates have shown that as many as 22 veterans take their own lives every day.

“We must combat military and veteran suicide with the same conviction that we take on an enemy of war. Because it is killing our men and women in and out of uniform. We must wage a well-funded, well planned campaign to fight this heartbreaking epidemic. we must do more for those who have borne the brunt of war. We must come together, Congress, the administration, the health care community, mental health experts and build upon a plan to help the veterans who served this nation proudly, yet may be suffering." September 17, 2014.

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Kathie Costos DiCesare
Being appalled is one thing, knowing how long it has been going on is inexcusable. By 1978 there were 500,000 Vietnam veterans with PTSD. Their suicides were 200,000 many years ago and today, today veterans over 50 are 78% of the suicides no one talks about. How many more years does it take to stop being home more deadly than being in combat?

Man claims Call of Duty Caused PTSD

Don't even get me started on this one!

Man Suffers PTSD After Playing Call Of Duty: Ghosts, VA Denies Treatment
National Report
Posted about 8 hours ago

In a whirlwind of being denied treatment, fraught with crippling anxiety attacks, a 43 year old San Diego man says he has developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after months of playing the popular game, Call of Duty: Ghosts and complains of being neglected by the one group who could help — his government.

Peter Turk, who has reached the highest of ranks in the game, made the following statement on Myspace, last Friday evening: I leveled up to 10th Prestige, which is about equal to a Sergeant Major in the non-electric Army. I can barely function in my day-to-day life.

Speaking to the National Report, last Wednesday, Turk remarked, “I can’t focus on anything. If I hear a car backfire, I jump outta my skin.”

During a phone conversation with his cousin, Major Jim French, a double amputee, recipient of the Silver Star and inspiration for the Lifetime Movie, “I Wish I Had More Arms to Give to My Country,” Turk was shocked to learn he had been exhibiting many of the same traits as his comrade in the non-electric Army. “Jim also suffers from PTSD. He and I had the same experience, fought just as many belligerents, we’re both injured and were decorated by our respective leaders. Just because his leader is Barack Obama, and mine is Xbox Live, shouldn’t matter. We’re both heroes, yet he gets disability and I don’t.”

The game, which brings the horrors of war to average people in vibrant, nail-biting reality, matches up players in teams to fight against each other. Teammates and opponents can communicate through headsets, giving way to a myriad of shit talking and clowning. “There I was, hunkered down behind a tree in Prison Break, waiting for my relief and what happens? I get the shit blown out of me from a guy running around with a Kastet. He was on my team. He laughed and told me he tag-teamed my mom with Obama.” Turk believes friendly fire from shit talking teammates is the worst aspect and the hardest to overcome. “You know, these guys are there in the shiggy with you and they’ll blow you up for fun.”
read more here

All games for wounded are not the same

This may be a good idea for some wounded however, not a wise thing to give to traumatically wounded veterans. They may like to play these games just like the rest of their peers but that does not mean these games are good for them.

Older games are better because they sit together and spend time with each other.

Veterans form Gaming Clan group to reach out to military
Gadsdey Times
By John Davidson
Times Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, October 26, 2013

Recruiting commercials may say otherwise, but life sometimes can be a bit dull for the average service member on an average day. The motto “hurry up and wait” permeates daily military life. There’s a lot of downtime, whether it’s standing by at the barracks for official word from higher-ups, or being caught between shifts on deployment.

One of the ways service members kill time is by playing video games. Taking part in that activity while waiting to officially get off work is almost a daily routine, and the natural competitiveness between soldiers, Marines, sailors or airmen has spread the hobby throughout the military.

Now, two Alabama veterans are creating a gaming community specifically for former service members.

The group, known as the Veterans Gaming Clan, combines that love of games with a community of like-minded people who can provide support for each other that most outsiders cannot.

The group began as a few beta testers of the Xbox 360 version of a game called “World of Tanks.”

As some of the testers got to know each other, they learned about their respective military backgrounds and a bond was formed. Eventually, a community designed to serve veterans was formed.
read more here

A few years ago I went to Walter Reed and brought some of the Cracker Barrel Peg Board games with me. Many of the wounded soldiers were happy with them and talked to their roommate about being challenged. They were able to spend time together instead of isolating with a remote control in their hands. These games are fine for others but not advisable for everyone.

This game is a brain teaser. No big shocker but I usually leave three pegs in with no way to get them out. While this video shows how it can be done, it isn't as easy as you think it is.


It feeds the mind in a good way but does not increase adrenaline the same way video games do. There are many games better suited for combat wounded soldiers recovering from wounds.

Video games like Call of Duty can cause problems for some wounded with PTSD and the reports go back a while after veterans were experiencing issues with this type of game.

Veteran's Group Warns Of The Post-Traumatic Stress Dangers Of Call Of Duty

"The scariest part of PTS is when a veteran experiences symptoms such as flashbacks, or feelings of panic and depression, yet unknowingly brushes it under a blanket of machismo," said Gresford Lewishall, vice president of the organization. "Veterans either play or have exposure to the games and subsequently feel like they're back in Afghanistan or Iraq in life or death situations.

Their heart beat accelerates and they feel a sense of unease come over them."

Stay Strong Nation's goal is to make veterans aware of the potential danger of games like Call of Duty as potential PTSD triggers, while educating civilians on the potential problems so that they can avoid unknowingly exposing their soldier friends and family.

There are also issues with virtual reality that needs to be exposed.

Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of PTSD

In this sense, virtual reality has been used as a tool for exposure and has achieved positive results in the treatment of various anxiety disorders including specific phobias, social phobia, panic disorder and PTSD. Even though this resource has encountered some difficulties because it raises questions about affecting the therapeutic relationship and struggles with personalizing exposure for individuals with different traumas, its use has yielded many benefits.

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) facilitates the emotional engagement of patients with PTSD during exposures to the multiple sensory stimuli made possible by the virtual environment, bypassing symptoms of avoidance and facilitating control on the part of the therapist. The sense of presence provided by a virtual environment that is rich in sensory stimuli facilitates the emotional processing of memories related to the trauma.

This technological apparatus allows gradual exposure to the feared environment according to the needs of each patient. In addition, it can be used in situations where time is limited, as well as in situations that are difficult to control or unpredictable or that could put the patient at risk if the exposure were performed in a real situation.

Finally, exposure in a virtual reality environment allows for greater methodological rigor in clinical studies as it allows for the standardization of the duration and type of exposure for all patients.

The objective of this article is to conduct a systematic review of studies that have used virtual reality in the treatment of PTSD. We aim to verify the efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for patients diagnosed with PTSD.

Microsoft tells troops just use old Xbox instead of new one?

Take a look at how real looking this game is. Call of Duty Game Play then think about something. While this game may be played by a lot of kids and young adults, few of them are willing to do for real what they pretend to do in a game. For others, they think real combat is like the game but when they face real training, they awaken to something they never expected. This game is not recommended to be played by anyone dealing with PTSD. It doesn't help.

New Xbox 'a sin against all service members'
Microsoft says troops should use old gear instead
Army Times
By Jon R. Anderson
Staff writer
Jun. 14, 2013

Navy Lt. Scott Metcalf was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Xbox One. Now he’s not even sure if he’ll buy one.

Indeed, for many in the military, the next-gen Xbox console may offer more endemic frustration than grand epic gaming, particularly for those deployed downrange, aboard ships and stationed overseas.

Xbox One, Microsoft’s much-anticipated new console, got its big reveal at the Electronic Entertainment Expo gamers’ convention in Los Angeles. Company honchos are confident it will come to dominate living rooms over the next decade not only as the gaming delivery vehicle of choice, but also with a barrage of other content, including a suite of apps, streaming video and music.

There’s one big but, however: To get all this entertainment awesomeness, the console will have to check in online with the Microsoft mothership at least once a day.

“With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection,” an Xbox spokesperson tell Military Times.
read more here

Fighting PTSD And Bolstering Troop Morale with video care packges

Call of Duty to fight PTSD? I don't think so!

Operation: Supply Drop: Fighting PTSD And Bolstering Troop Morale, One Video Game Care Package At A Time
Forbes
Michael Venables, Contributor
March 1, 2013

My Forbes colleague, John Gaudiosi, recently wrote an excellent post on the Matheson bill introduced Jan. 15 in the House. H.R. 287 proposes to make it unlawful to sell or rent violent or Mature-rated video games to minors, making it punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. With the culture war over video games evident in full force, it’s a distinct pleasure to highlight the inspiring story of Operation Supply Drop’s Captain Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga. Now retired from active military service, Machuga is a former airborne Army Ranger who created Front Towards Gamer, a site that provides video game reviews, editorials, geek content and the Claymore Podcast Network. Operation Supply Drop is the charity wing of the site, a military-themed charity organization that raises money to build video game care packages for soldiers deployed to high-threat provinces in Afghanistan and hospitalized veterans in Army hospitals in the U.S. Machuga got the nickname “Shanghai Six” after having been “stop-lossed” in the Army following 9/11. Originally only supposed to do four years in the Army, he ended up doing a total of eight years instead, thus the “Shanghai-ed” moniker. The “Six” is used in military radio chatter to designate the unit’s leader. In two and a half years, Operation Supply Drop has raised over $150,000 in support of getting video games and gear to troops deployed overseas to combat zones.
read more here

Man in wheelchair shot while buying Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Man in wheelchair shot, wounded outside LA store
Published 9:46 a.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police are hunting for a gunman who shot a man in a wheelchair as he waited to buy a new video game.

City News Service says it happened at about 1 a.m. Tuesday as the disabled man waited in a line outside a Koreatown store to buy the game "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2."
read more here

Fox tries to blame Call of Duty video game on Eric Hall's disappearance

How did NewsHounds miss this one?

From Destructoid
www.destructoid.com

Call of Duty 4 linked to ex-Marine's disappearance: Thankfully FOX has the scoop
by Jim Sterling on

FOX, America's agenda-free and unbiased source for well-researched news, has a new videogame related story up that links Call of Duty 4 with the disappearance of former Marine Eric Hall. Hall, who was wounded in Iraq, had been playing the game before he apparently got up, said he had to go, and then left, never to return. FOX would like to remind you again -- it was a videogame that caused this.

Hall's time in Iraq was traumatic, to say the least. He was injured by a bomb that caused damage to his right arm, left leg, hip and abdomen, and also had to witness his best friend's decapitation during the conflict. Prior to his disappearance, Hall had been suffering from flashbacks and hallucinations. It is believed he fled his home on a motorcycle, which was later abandoned.

Not to be mean spirited or anything, but who decided that playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is a good idea after you've been traumatized in the Iraq conflict? Do people who have been savaged in a shark attack watch Jaws as soon as they're released from hospital? Perhaps he thought it would be cathartic, but obviously that's not how it turned out. A worrying story, and testament to what war can do to one's mind. Honestly though, I wouldn't recommend anybody who went through what Hall did playing CoD4. A negative reaction to the gritty and grounded war title should have been seen a mile away.

http://www.destructoid.com/call-of-duty-4-linked-
to-ex-marine-s-disappearance-thankfully-fox-has-the-scoop-69583.phtml

The question is, did the game have anything to do with this or not?

From FOX

Missing Ex-Marine's Family Says Video Game May Have Sparked Disappearance
Sunday, February 10, 2008

Relatives of a missing ex-Marine wounded in Iraq fear a video game that simulates combat may have triggered war memories that led to his disappearance, Florida's Herald Tribune reported.

After playing "Call of Duty," Eric Hall "just got up and said he had to go," Courtney Birge, a family friend, told the newspaper.

The 24-year-old Hall left the home of a relative in Deep Creek, Fla., where he was staying, on Feb. 3, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He rode away on a motorcycle that was later found on a roadside, still running.

Hall had been hallucinating and having flashbacks, the sheriff's office said.
Hall's father, Kevin, remained in their native Indiana in case his son returned.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330225,00.html

Even though they gave the game this review less than two months ago.

Review: 'Call of Duty 4' One of Best Games of Year
Friday, December 21, 2007

By Dan Scheraga

NEW YORK — "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare," the latest in the celebrated series of first-person shooters, has some pretty big shoes to fill.

The fact that it must compete with the much-hyped "Halo 3" and "BioShock" doesn't make things any easier.

But "Call of Duty 4" ($59.99 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC) has one major advantage: It does everything right.

• Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Video Gaming Center.

First, the graphics are awesome. As in, my jaw hung open in awe when I first saw the beautifully rendered images on a high-definition TV. It still looks like a video game, but sometimes not by much.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317705,00.html

The other question that needs to be answered is, what point did FOX have of reporting on this game when all the other reports did not? What do they have to gain by trying to tie Call Of Duty to this Marine suffering PTSD? Are they trying to say this wouldn't have happened if he didn't play the game? Well then, that explains why VIETNAM VETERANS WENT MISSING BECAUSE OF PTSD BEFORE THESE VIDEO GAMES WERE EVEN INVENTED! ARE THEY (FOX) INSANE? We had over 300,000 homeless Vietnam veterans and Lord knows how many more were missing from their families and never reported to the point where they were linked to Vietnam. PTSD is documented all the way back to ancient Greeks and Romans and yes, even in the Bible. So what the hell are they trying to say?