If Bush loves the military so much, why are US soldiers committing suicide in record numbers?

Question

"There were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest number since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_suicides

1991? Geee... Wasn't that when the Bush Sr. was the prez? They both sure have a knack for killing the US army personnel!

Haha, my question is like turning on the light in a basement infested by cockroaches! You Bushie apologists make me SICK!

Answer 1

THEY ARE NOT SUICIDES, MURDERS BECAUSE THEY FIGURED OUT ITS A BUNCH OF BS JUST LIKE PAT TILLMAN DID

Answer 2

No, not exactly. This is what it really all about and what can be done about it as well. When men and women go to war their adrenalin is flowing in unprecedentedly high amounts, constantly. Adrenalin affects cortisol, and cortisol affects the way the neurotransmitters work. Neurotransmitters are responsible for the transport of a feeling of well being that's supplied by dopamine, a natural sedative for the brain. When all that is going on Serotonin is depleted. Serotonin is necessary for dopamine to be produced and for the neurotransmitters to carry it throughout the brain. When Serotonin is not present, sleep does not happen at the restful level necessary for mental health. When Serotonin is not present, the senses are on high alert and stress levels are extremely high. When stress levels are extremely high, the blood leaves the thinking part of the brain and goes to the reactive part of the brain, which is VERY necessary in wartime to keep oneself safe, as are all the points above. However, when a soldier returns, there is suddenly nothing to keep the adrenalin high, but the cortisol has taken over and the Serotonin is depleted, sleep deprivation is occuring. The ones who were the most active, in harms way the most, and who were hyper vigilant to keep themselves and their buddies alive, are the ones who suffer the most when they return. Add more than one and often 2 to 4 tours added to their lives, they seldom if ever have a chance to wind down and normalize their lives and therefore their body's responses to life outside of extreme danger. The result is severe depression and then, sadly, often suicide. One very important aspect to them recovering more easily once they're home is nutrition and nutritional supplementation. 5-HTP and L-Triptophan are two natural supplementations that create the base for the body to produce Serotonin Once Seratonin is in place, the brain begins so wind down, stress is relieved because sleep is now possible. The stress is relieved because cortisol cannot be as active once Serotonin is allowing sleep to occur, and adrenalin slows down to become natural instead of hyper because the cortisol is not there to drive it. If you know anyone returning, regardless of their apparent state of mind, supplementing with L-Triptophan or 5HTP would be very beneficial. I am aquainted with a company that allows access to labs that test for these kinds of things in order that an individual is not "self" medicating, but is getting the correct doses based on lab results. They will also recommend doctors in areas near the patient who can help monitor and treat the returned soldier. There are few medical doctors who even consider this as they are trained to use pharmaceuticals only. But we can see by the negative outcomes that pharmaceuticals are not answering the problems. The company I speak of is made up of medical doctors, natureopathic doctors, and scientific researchers.

Answer 3

Total Self Inflicted deaths
1980 231 1st year of data
81-1988 2027
89-1992 950
93-2000 1521
01-to date 978

The annual number did not dip below 200 until 1996 under President Clinton. Under President Bush the numbers have not changed much even though his term has had major combat operations.
The end of the Cold War seems to have been the highest under President Reagan.

Answer 4

different people.. different jobs... different environment. You can't blame it on the president. He doesnt tell people to do it. That's why the number changes every year. And we were in a briefing the other day that showed 67% of all suicides in the army are white males... so please enlighten me with an answer to that one.. I'm in aviation.. how many aviation people commit suicide every year? And then Infantry guys.. how many infantry guys commit suicide every year. It's just like watching the pregnancy rate of females in the military... both have a deep impact on the world.. You can't really judge that by the president though. And look at the times of war. In 1991 we were in Desert Storm, and now we're back in iraq again. No explanation for it.. wish there was.

Answer 5

From the article-
"The suicide rate for the Army has fluctuated over the past 26 years, from last year's high of 17.3 per 100,000 to a low of 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001."
If I am reading that right it was at it's low when GWB took office. So what is your point here?

Answer 6

Bush (or any other president) has nothing to do with a soldier committing suicide. Suicide is a choice the person makes. You are spinning your wheels when you try to pin every ill in the country on a person you dislike. Don't waste your points on foolish questions.

Answer 7

You are typical of revisionist historians. Check your facts against the total number of suicides in the military across a long period of time. You will find that it is constant and not related to the current conflict.

Answer 8

Read the whole article. 28 of those suicides were personnel who were in both combat theaters of operations. 71 were not. And it amounts to 99 suicides in a population of 500,000.

Answer 9

Everything is the President's fault. Your question makes no sense. Read it yourself and you'll see just how stupid the question is.

Try my question and maybe you'll understand. My jeep's brake lights are out and I have to take it to the shop tomorrow. Probably went out when I was getting gas yesterday at the discount place downtown. Oh, the President is the cause of high gas prices (according to you libs). Therefore, is it his fault because my lights are out? Makes about as much sense as your question.

Answer 10

Thats sad.. its bad enough our people are being killed by insurgents but committing suicides because of the war.. thats messed up. I am saddened by this.. I hope they get the proper psych help and care they need.

The politicians who voted for the war should send their own kids to war so they know what its like and then maybe they'll think twice about everything.

I know this sounds lame but why cant we all just get along?!

Answer 11

Irregardless of the when or who, suicide is very sad for those left behind to wonder what if....