Troops need mental health support too

9/25/2007

Many of our military men and women are returning from the war in Iraq badly affected by the events they were either involved in or have witnessed. Many Americans have "Support Our Troops" items proudly displayed but what exactly does that mean to them? What type of support is available to our servicemen and women when they return home and have to learn to fit into society again after being at war? I believe our servicemen and women need this country's support as much if not more after they return home.

My son is one of many returning veterans who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. After serving our country for six months in Iraq, he now faces a type of discharge from the Marine Corps that will leave him without VA benefits or the ability to use the GI bill he enlisted for.

PTSD has many different symptoms and can go undiagnosed until something traumatic happens involving the sufferer. Unfortunately, by the time an official diagnosis is obtained, situations have occurred that really create problems for the sufferer and can end in death. The military is aware of these issues but lacks the funding and personnel to offer the services needed to help the situation.

Something needs to be done to show our military personnel that this country is behind them, whether we agree with the war or not. PTSD and the consequences of this disorder need to be brought to the public's attention.

Sandy Schlachter

Sylvania

In the Sept. 11 letter in the Readers' Forum headlined "Offer proof, not faith in divine being," the author essentially stated that there is no proof of a God, and it is illogical to be a monotheist.

As a professor of philosophy at Owens Community College, I found his argument quite amusing. He claimed to be a "strong atheist." This is fascinating to me considering the title of his article and his demand for "proof" and "not faith." This argument is bizarre to me, since the word "atheist" literally means, "no God." This title is much like saying, "I know that rocks with green dots on them do not exist anywhere in the universe."

Of course, one must have knowledge of the entire universe to make such a claim. This is why when someone claims to be an atheist, they are saying, "I know there is no God anywhere in the universe."

The irony is that they make this claim indeed by faith, since they do not have knowledge of the entire universe, and therefore they must hope or believe they are right without any proof to back up such a universal statement.

It is because of the illogical nature of atheism that many philosophers such as Bertrand Russell and Anthony Flew turned to agnosticism or deism respectively.

I do appreciate the writer's use of logic; however, logicians will claim that logic is meant only to determine consistency, not what is true about the world.

I assume truth is what we all really want.

So, although our atheistic friend is passionate, he too must have tremendous faith to believe so strongly in his position, which lacks in both proof and logic.

Renton Rathbun

Pershing Drive

I would like to comment on the Sept. 16 article on Arabic schools. Why do people come to the United States and feel they must have their own schools? I am proud of my Lebanese heritage but when my grandparents came to the United States in the early 1900s they learned English, spoke it in the home, and required their children to do the same. My mother was told that they were in America now and that they should learn the language and culture of this country.

My other grandparents came from Germany in the 1800s and the philosophy was the same.

I have no problem with teaching the ways of the old country as a secondary class, but to speak a language not spoken here at home, school, or anywhere else first is absurd. If you want to live here, learn to speak our language first. If you wish to continue to be a foreign person with foreign ways of life, then go back. We do not need or want you in our country.

There should be no "press No. 2 if you cannot speak our language." If you want to live here, adapt to it and like it.

Nick Pulver

Deerfield, Mich.

In regard to your Sept. 13 editorial "Fix gun-records law," your position regarding guns has always been skewed. Your disregard for personal privacy is well known. You have no right to know my personal property or thoughts unless I reveal them to you voluntarily.

Isn't it ironic you mention "freedom's safeguards" in the same breath in which you remember the tyranny of the use of "home rule." There is a limit to the public's right to know. You use it when refusing to reveal sources of information that you don't want the public to know. But you don't allow the public the same right.

Obviously, you don't have the slightest idea of handling a fight or a war. Revealing your means of protecting yourself provides all the advantage to the attacker.

Having to register guns in the first place is unconstitutional. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is unconstitutional. The way home rule was being used was unconstitutional. Their right to know may be used when laws are being broken. Then we have the Constitution to guide us in obtaining the evidence to use against the alleged perpetrator. Probable cause must exist to obtain evidence. We are innocent until proven guilty yet.

Once I lose my right of personal privacy, I live in a tyrannical state. I fought against this tyranny when I fought in the Second World War. The media is on a tyrannical spin in our time. Your estate is supposed to be protecting us from this kind of tyranny.

Milton C. Mann

Luckey, Ohio

To the Seneca County commissioners: Stop being bullheaded. Follow the experts' advice and the wishes of your fellow citizens. Halt the destruction of the Tiffin courthouse.

Would you like to know how old the buildings at Yale University are? One is 133 years old and is soon to be renovated at a cost of $13 million plus. The citizens of New Haven, Conn., would scream from their rooftops at the thought of tearing down their old buildings. A little effort and the assistance of grant writers would secure the funds to do the same for your courthouse.

Genoa has a beautiful town hall that was renovated and hosts village offices as well as the opera house. I can't imagine driving through Genoa and not seeing that invaluable piece of history. Open your eyes to the beauty of this precious landmark.

Katie Wrightington

Genoa

Regarding the Sept. 19 editorial concerning public schools and why students are leaving them in droves: It's the parents. They are all looking for something better for their children. They want their children to be safe academically and to be able to be involved in the decision-making for their children. Until the Toledo Public School district realizes that it has to be loyal to and cater to the parents, the exodus will continue.

Charter schools are not able to control whom they admit. They are public schools and must admit anyone who applies. They mainly admit the students from TPS who have disciplinary issues and whose parents are tired of dealing with those teacher-driven policies.

This school year has just started and already parents are pulling their students out of TPS, charter schools are still opening up in Toledo, and more parents are turning to homeschooling.

Twila Page

Kimball Avenue

Plain and simple for the red-light camera case of Kelly Mendenhall:

You were speeding in a school zone, you were caught, now why do you think you are above the law to dispute it?

These people never cease to amaze me anymore.

When will adults simply take full responsibility for their own actions and quit whining?

JENNIFER EDGAR

Hannaford Drive