tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post6821645468001522769..comments2024-02-18T13:53:30.168-08:00Comments on Surgeonsblog: War StorySid Schwabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14182853083503404098noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-18889703581960419072007-10-17T14:36:00.000-07:002007-10-17T14:36:00.000-07:00Right. A draft is what is needed. That way everyon...Right. A draft is what is needed. That way everyone is in it and so everyone will be part of the solution too, which may be continuing or shutting it down. More then will ask what is really going on because the stakes are higher. But no politician will stick his neck out on that one except Charles Rangel of NY.<BR/>Supporting the troops is asking if they are dying for a just cause for which there is no other solution. <BR/>I wish there was a better way to help the returning soldiers. Can yougive some info or links on how to help?<BR/>Thanks for a compelling post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-79490847540143724852007-10-10T08:07:00.000-07:002007-10-10T08:07:00.000-07:00Thanks for a great post. I have a dear friend, ret...Thanks for a great post. I have a dear friend, retired Navy, who was a young Army nurse in Vietnam. She can also tell some tales!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-73863884345507426522007-10-09T09:44:00.000-07:002007-10-09T09:44:00.000-07:00Trying again. Very nicely said.Trying again. Very nicely said.rlbateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15236331355857884458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-85634847720569793442007-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:002007-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:00thank you thank you for sharing this and thank you...thank you <BR/>thank you for sharing this and thank you for making me thinkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-32348309597260695882007-05-11T19:14:00.000-07:002007-05-11T19:14:00.000-07:00i think one of the biggest disappointments i have ...i think one of the biggest disappointments i have in my generation is that we did not learn from viet-nam.<BR/>and now the old men of our generation are the ones sending young men off to be maimed and killed in a warmary bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128424031743083242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-85206745287208852922007-05-11T14:48:00.000-07:002007-05-11T14:48:00.000-07:00A simply beautiful post! And a great reminder tha...A simply beautiful post! And a great reminder that there's no shared sacrifice in this war. People who have never been closer to a war than a movie theater showing Saving Private Ryan call the shots, asking our soldiers to kill and die for a dubious cause. Thank you for your eloquence and your compassion.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14340315090793740760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-52247632198426211942007-05-10T19:29:00.001-07:002007-05-10T19:29:00.001-07:00Sid: In your superb essay on Iraq you state "My fe...Sid: In your superb essay on Iraq you state "My fellow Americans, the president should say, in declaring war"....well, unfortunately, we did NOT declare war in VietNam (17 years), Bosnia, Somalia, Gulf I, Afghanistan or Iraq (now over 4 years).The Constitution clearly gives Congress the power to DECLARE War, but no, we do this Commander-in-Chief baloney and that has made all the difference. A declaration puts everybody on the line..stand up and vote, up or down. Go or don't go. Believe intelligence or reject it. But no Commander wars any more, please. A declaration enables us to censor, draft, appropriate, execute for treason and WIN rather than fight with hands tied behind our backs. As a former Army major, Surgeon in VietNam, I can, as can you, testify to the waste and suffering of a prolonged, dragged out stalemate as the home-front cheering section becomes hostile. Thanks for the essay, the great site and for Cutting Remarks, my very favorite doctor book of all time.Dr. John Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10391003636487407853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-85197549632585513732007-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:002007-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:00Sid, this blog should be required reading for all ...Sid, this blog should be required reading for all our elected officials in Washington, starting, as you said, "at the top." It should be done immediately after taking the oath of office. Every non-vet should read it, too. (I don't think any vets need to.) Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-38324268968754372462007-05-09T17:05:00.000-07:002007-05-09T17:05:00.000-07:00Thanks for a great post.Thanks for a great post.Batocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02193752396025012825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-91975831256947727372007-05-09T07:26:00.000-07:002007-05-09T07:26:00.000-07:00I'm not a pacifist, either. I tried to enlist for ...I'm not a pacifist, either. I tried to enlist for this war - too old!<BR/><BR/>But...I don't understand how this particular war works. We send the guys over there to fight an enemy they can't see, that blends into the countryside, tell them they can't do what they need to do and then wonder why things seem so disorganized.<BR/><BR/>So, young people - go to war and risk your life but....you can't go here, can't go there, can't shoot here, respect every single mosque even if they are shooting at you from the windows....these are the weirdest rules of engagement. I've ever seen.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I'm getting off track. This was a wonderful post - I hope we do a better job with supporting our Iraq War veterans at home AFTER the war than we did with our Vietnam vets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-17588895715780597372007-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:002007-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:00Dr. Schwab,SSG in the Army Reserves, medic, MS1 st...Dr. Schwab,<BR/><BR/>SSG in the Army Reserves, medic, MS1 student right now. Thank you for showing me that I am not the only one who feels this way.<BR/><BR/>-SSG J-jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17780181682733636818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-61383128555947628392007-05-02T19:55:00.000-07:002007-05-02T19:55:00.000-07:00IM HM2(FMF) Heidrich... ive been over twice, and i...IM HM2(FMF) Heidrich... ive been over twice, and im looking at an eventual third tour.. ive seen a lot of friends around me broken, both physically and mentally.. I dont have the same problems they do, but i wonder what this third time will be. I am extremely respectful and appreciative of the exampls Doctors like you have set for Corpsman like me. Thanks for still caring about us all these years later.... And to all the marine moms, I swear I wish we could save them all, I hope they can find the healing they need. God Bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-61791213069068368322007-05-01T15:01:00.000-07:002007-05-01T15:01:00.000-07:00Sid,Your story touched me so (Al is applauding you...Sid,<BR/>Your story touched me so (Al is applauding you from heaven). <BR/>I am so proud that you are a part of my family. I love you,<BR/>JaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-6188554629853904002007-05-01T13:46:00.000-07:002007-05-01T13:46:00.000-07:00Great post Dr. Schwab. My son is 101st Airborne a...Great post Dr. Schwab. My son is 101st Airborne and will be soon returning to Iraq for his third tour. We were talking shortly after his return from his first tour and he told me that the most awful thing was the loss of himself there. He said that when he had to kill others, a part of his soul died in the exchange. Not that I disagree, or am trying to challenge you, but I do wonder if we as a nation were so inclined to pursue the recommendation that you set forth, what would that support for our troops look like. I look at the magnets on the back of cars and think to myself that it means so little. I hear congress speak about witholding funding for the war, and I wonder if they don't know that what it boils down to is that a soldier won't have proper weapons, equipment or provisions. I wonder if they don't realize that it will mean that the soldiers won't get a raise or a promotion and the family that relies on the income will struggle. If you cut funding then there won't be money for proper medical and psychological care. My son left in 2003 saying "We'll be home in six weeks Ma." I am as exasperated that he is going back as anyone could be. But I can't support a lack of support for the troops. Thank you that you have made this statement of support for them.Lisa https://www.blogger.com/profile/09324961653370110887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-12227059493795620512007-05-01T11:56:00.000-07:002007-05-01T11:56:00.000-07:00Wow, Dr. Sid...A fantastic post! ThaksWow, Dr. Sid...<BR/><BR/>A fantastic post! ThaksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-35280571135453395852007-05-01T08:21:00.000-07:002007-05-01T08:21:00.000-07:00Well said. A consideration always lost in the pol...Well said. A consideration always lost in the political rhetoric of the day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-55139602577124865602007-05-01T06:36:00.000-07:002007-05-01T06:36:00.000-07:00Dr Schwab,This is one of the most moving posts I'v...Dr Schwab,<BR/>This is one of the most moving posts I've read. I know I will probably never fully understand what those who have experience war have dealt with. And honestly, I hope I never do. But I know that, at 19, I'm not even close to equipt to deal with these kinds of things. <BR/>And yet, so many people my age have been, and still are expected to cope, and I have no idea how they do, because no matter how tough I think I am, I'm not sure I could step up and do what is expected of them. So my respect and admiration goes out to anyone who can.katherinejhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830812213278526924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-35626191698155945122007-04-30T21:33:00.000-07:002007-04-30T21:33:00.000-07:00Yes, Dr. Schwab, the loss of limbs is terrible but...Yes, Dr. Schwab, the loss of limbs is terrible but when they lose their peace of mind also, that is heartbreaking. I, too, am the mother of a Marine. By the grace of God he lost no body parts though he did receive two Purple Hearts. What he left of himself over in Iraq is irreplacible. When he was buried under a three story building he left more than half of his lifetime's memories and healthy kidneys. <BR/><BR/>We ask so much of these boys and girls. A speech and plan such as you suggest is just and fair. In fact, it is very little to ask of a caring and competent head of state. Thank you for stating it so well. I wish my son could talk to you. Perhaps his mind would then begin to ease. Again, thank you for the words I couldn't find.<BR/><BR/>A Marine's momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-1805340623204803802007-04-30T21:31:00.000-07:002007-04-30T21:31:00.000-07:00Dr. Schwab,I'm a US Marine who was wounded in Iraq...Dr. Schwab,<BR/>I'm a US Marine who was wounded in Iraq. I also have PTSD. For three years now, I've been turned away by doctors who tell me there's nothing wrong with me, that I just have to deal with it. I can't tell you how much it means to me that someone in your position can actually understand what we go through. Thank you.<BR/> Michael Sahling<BR/> Lance Corporal<BR/> United States Marine CorpsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-63405705703743576732007-04-30T17:35:00.000-07:002007-04-30T17:35:00.000-07:00Sid, you brought tears to my eyes. Again. Beautifu...Sid, you brought tears to my eyes. Again. Beautiful. I have no other words.Lynn Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02958402288888144904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-52166258225717732142007-04-30T17:07:00.000-07:002007-04-30T17:07:00.000-07:00*standing on chair, applauding**standing on chair, applauding*Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520599099436383317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-47009766329072486952007-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:002007-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:00Thank you, Dr. Schwab, from the mother of a US Mar...Thank you, Dr. Schwab, from the mother of a US Marine now in Iraq. His birthday is tomorrow.Machahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01134507879758968527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-627333054731364822007-04-30T15:55:00.000-07:002007-04-30T15:55:00.000-07:00bless ya, dr schwab, i couldn't have said it bette...bless ya, dr schwab, i couldn't have said it better myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-36783608613118227332007-04-30T13:18:00.000-07:002007-04-30T13:18:00.000-07:00Sid,A deeply moving post, for this Antipodean dork...Sid,<BR/><BR/>A deeply moving post, for this Antipodean dork.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHbR_W0eIpA" REL="nofollow">This says more than I ever could.</A><BR/><BR/>TomDr Dorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038767903911860667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30499448.post-49343088101257116252007-04-30T09:42:00.000-07:002007-04-30T09:42:00.000-07:00Dr. Schwab,Is post traumatic stress syndrome somet...Dr. Schwab,<BR/>Is post traumatic stress syndrome something that a person can ever really recover from? Or do you just have to learn to live with it constructively?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com