DARPA to equip amputee vets with a prosthesis they can feel
Devin Coldewey
NBC News
June 3, 2013
DARPA's prosthetic limb research projects have yielded two advances that will surely be welcomed by the thousands of servicemen with amputated limbs. The new technologies allow limbs to be controlled more naturally, and even endow users with a rudimentary sense of touch.
The research being conducted is intended to create more reliable and long-term implants with which to control prostheses. Using a direct interface with nerves or the brain itself is something many researchers are interested in trying, but the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, part of the Department of Defense, is focusing more on everyday usability and longevity — two things that matter quite a bit to the devices' users.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Vietnam Veterans and the truth reporters ignore
Vietnam Veterans and the truth reporters ignore
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
June 4, 2013
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
The truth on suicides tied to military service and Vietnam are shocking. Suicide Rate Spikes in Vietnam Vets Who Won't Seek Help because they are among the largest percentage and few are aware. "The greatest increases in suicide rates were among people aged 50 to 54 years (48 percent) and 55 to 59 years (49 percent)." While Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seem to be the focus of most of the news reports, what reporters fail to see is that what is happening to these new veterans is only the beginning.
Reporters focus on the backlog of claims but miss the simple fact the majority of the claims waiting to be approved belong to Vietnam veterans.
60% of pending claims are supplemental, 40% are original.
77% of Veterans filing supplemental claims are receiving some level of monetary benefit from VA.
11% of Veterans filing supplemental claims already have a 100% disability rating (receive $2800 or more per month) or qualify for Individual Unemployability (compensated at the 100% disabled rate).
40% of Veterans filing supplemental claims are already rated at 50% disability or higher.
43% of supplemental claims are from Vietnam-era Veterans; 19% are from Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
While OEF and OIF veterans have been granted help instead of jail with the creation of Veterans Courts, Vietnam veterans didn't receive the same justice.
"Vietnam taught us how often soldiers traumatized by conflict overseas can wind up in trouble with the law back home. As of 1988, almost half of all male Vietnam War combat veterans with PTSD had been arrested or jailed at least once, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs."
Reporters focus on veterans committing suicide, horrified that the study placed these deaths at 22 a day but failed to notice the majority of them are Vietnam veterans. That is nothing new considering Vietnam Veterans took their own lives 28 times a day in the 70's.
It is time for them to step away from the grave. There is still much more work for them to do here. Had it not been for Vietnam veterans pushing for the research in PTSD, there would be nothing available for the new generations of war fighters. They would have returned the same way Vietnam veterans did. Back to ambivalence, mistreatment and ignorance. All other generations came back from war with PTSD under different terms but with the same heartbreaking suffering.
Vietnam veterans didn't give up on the rest of us no matter how badly we treated them and because they had a lot more faith in us than we had in them, society has benefited from their efforts. Psychiatrists and psychologists have taken a new look at what happens after trauma. No longer dismissing the symptoms, they treat people. Vietnam veterans were behind every research project done and have contributed more to understanding the workings of the mind than any other group.
Yet still they take their own lives.
Most came home, got jobs and raised families. Now at the age when they should be enjoying retirement, they are discovering that while they left combat, combat never really left them. There is a shock no one prepared them for. When they wake up with no job demanding their time and attention, their warfighter job awakens within them.
Nightmares come back and take over their sleep. Flashbacks no longer last a split second once in a while. They last longer and come back more frequently. Mood swings fueled by anger over what is happening to them feeds the PTSD that had been pushed into the back of their minds and they don't understand it. They didn't see it coming.
Families are shocked by the sudden changes and the veterans get blamed for something that is not their fault.
The other truth is that PTSD hit one out of three Vietnam veterans exposed to traumatic events. When researchers bother to take a look at how many combat Vietnam veterans went to work in law enforcement and as firefighters, they will see an increase in the number of veterans as well as the level of PTSD they are suffering from. As of today, no one seems to be bothering with that research.
Military Veteran?
You’ve served your country, now serve your community!
Military service can be a perfect entrance into a law enforcement career. While military police and security forces may have the most directly applicable skill set, service members from a variety of occupational specialties are also well suited to police service.
Military veterans make good police officers because of the following traits:
Sense of service and commitment
Discipline
Integrity
Firearm skills
Responsibility
Ability to work effectively in teams or individually
Experience dealing with difficult situations
Ability to problem solve
Attention to detail
After law enforcement, Vietnam veterans sought positions in fire departments, emergency services, medical and teaching.
They have given so much to the condition of this country that it is time for the rest of the population rediscover what Vietnam veterans have done and made possible for all of us.
--
Posted By Blogger to Wounded Times at 6/04/2013 10:02:00 AM
Monday, June 3, 2013
Jesse Ventura wants to add widow to suit against Navy SEAL Chris Kyle
Jesse Ventura wants to add widow to suit against Navy SEAL Chris Kyle
By Jean Hopfensperger
Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Published: May 31, 2013
MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is setting his legal sights on the widow of a former Navy SEAL he had sued for defamation.
Lawyers for Ventura have asked a federal court to continue his lawsuit against Chris Kyle — who was killed in February by a young veteran he was mentoring — by substituting Kyle’s wife, Taya, as the defendant. Ventura last year sued Kyle, a decorated former SEAL and author of “American Sniper,” claiming that the book’s description of a California bar fight defamed him.
“Although Kyle is deceased, his ‘American Sniper’ book continues to sell and it is soon to be made into a movie,” said Ventura’s motion, filed last week by Minneapolis attorney David Bradley Olsen.
Ventura’s lawyers said his claims survive Kyle’s death, and “it would be unjust to permit the estate to continue to profit from Kyle’s wrongful conduct and to leave Governor Ventura without redress for ongoing damage to his reputation.”
On Wednesday, Taya Kyle’s attorney filed a response to the motion, writing that Ventura’s move “comes as a disappointment, but no surprise.”
read more here
By Jean Hopfensperger
Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Published: May 31, 2013
MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is setting his legal sights on the widow of a former Navy SEAL he had sued for defamation.
Lawyers for Ventura have asked a federal court to continue his lawsuit against Chris Kyle — who was killed in February by a young veteran he was mentoring — by substituting Kyle’s wife, Taya, as the defendant. Ventura last year sued Kyle, a decorated former SEAL and author of “American Sniper,” claiming that the book’s description of a California bar fight defamed him.
“Although Kyle is deceased, his ‘American Sniper’ book continues to sell and it is soon to be made into a movie,” said Ventura’s motion, filed last week by Minneapolis attorney David Bradley Olsen.
Ventura’s lawyers said his claims survive Kyle’s death, and “it would be unjust to permit the estate to continue to profit from Kyle’s wrongful conduct and to leave Governor Ventura without redress for ongoing damage to his reputation.”
On Wednesday, Taya Kyle’s attorney filed a response to the motion, writing that Ventura’s move “comes as a disappointment, but no surprise.”
read more here
Fort Hood "accused" shooter will question victims?
Fort Hood shooting suspect will use 'defense of others' in own trial
By ANGELA K. BROWN
The Associated Press
Published: June 3, 2013
FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood rampage hinted Monday that he would try to justify the attack, revealing for the first time his defense strategy after a military judge said he could represent himself - and question the soldiers he is accused of shooting - during his upcoming trial.
Maj. Nidal Hasan did not elaborate when announcing he would use a "defense of others" strategy, which requires defendants to prove they were protecting other people from imminent danger. Military experts speculated that Hasan may argue he was protecting fellow Muslims in Afghanistan because soldiers were preparing to deploy from the Texas Army post.
Hasan also asked the military judge, Col. Tara Osborn, for a three-month delay to prepare his defense. The judge said she would decide that issue Tuesday, a day before jury selection was scheduled to begin.
Retired Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who was shot seven times during the rampage in November 2009, said Monday he was upset and angry the judge was allowing Hasan the ability to question the wounded soldiers. Lunsford said he expects Hasan to try to intimidate them through mind games.
"It's a battle of wits, and he's going to lose," said Lunsford, who lost most of the sight in his left eye in the attack. "I was there. I saw what this man did. I'm living proof of what he did, but I survived. ... I'm not going to show any fear."
read more here
By ANGELA K. BROWN
The Associated Press
Published: June 3, 2013
FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood rampage hinted Monday that he would try to justify the attack, revealing for the first time his defense strategy after a military judge said he could represent himself - and question the soldiers he is accused of shooting - during his upcoming trial.
Maj. Nidal Hasan did not elaborate when announcing he would use a "defense of others" strategy, which requires defendants to prove they were protecting other people from imminent danger. Military experts speculated that Hasan may argue he was protecting fellow Muslims in Afghanistan because soldiers were preparing to deploy from the Texas Army post.
Hasan also asked the military judge, Col. Tara Osborn, for a three-month delay to prepare his defense. The judge said she would decide that issue Tuesday, a day before jury selection was scheduled to begin.
Retired Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who was shot seven times during the rampage in November 2009, said Monday he was upset and angry the judge was allowing Hasan the ability to question the wounded soldiers. Lunsford said he expects Hasan to try to intimidate them through mind games.
"It's a battle of wits, and he's going to lose," said Lunsford, who lost most of the sight in his left eye in the attack. "I was there. I saw what this man did. I'm living proof of what he did, but I survived. ... I'm not going to show any fear."
read more here
Woman survives suicide attempt at the US Mint at West Point
Woman survives suicide attempt at the US Mint at West Point
Westchester News Published: May 30, 2013
WEST POINT - Police in Orange County are investigating an apparent suicide attempt at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Police say a woman who was upset over her marriage went to her husband's job at the U.S. Mint at West Point around noon today. Investigators say she then attempted to commit suicide by stabbing herself in the parking lot.
read more here
Westchester News Published: May 30, 2013
WEST POINT - Police in Orange County are investigating an apparent suicide attempt at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Police say a woman who was upset over her marriage went to her husband's job at the U.S. Mint at West Point around noon today. Investigators say she then attempted to commit suicide by stabbing herself in the parking lot.
read more here
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