Patterico's Pontifications

8/7/2007

Quote of the Day

Filed under: General,Humor,Scum,War — Patterico @ 12:05 am



It’s no contest:

This war is so horrible that poor Private Beauchamp started suffering from Pre Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

commenter Peter

(Peter originally made the observation on his own blog, here.)

This unfortunate phenomenon — which tragically manifested itself in Scott Thomas Beauchamp Beauchump mocking a disfigured woman in Kuwait . . . while on his way to Iraq — was first identified by our friends at The Onion:

NORFOLK, VA—Pre-traumatic stress disorder, a future-combat-related psychological condition previously thought to afflict only young soldiers drafted against their will, is now found in growing numbers among National Guard members, Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force reservists, semi-retired officers, and the newly recruited, according to a government study released Monday.

“When soldiers are put in the extreme situation of facing the possibility of large-scale death and shocking violence, many experience sleeplessness and outbursts of anger,” said Walter Reed Army Hospital psychologist Capt. Sidney Mullenthauer. “We’re seeing more victims experience vivid, ultra-realistic flash-forwards of roadside bombings that tear through a group of innocent children, or rocket attacks on their convoys that leave fellow soldiers charred and smoldering.”

“Many of these poor souls are forced to prelive, over and over again, a landmine blowing their legs off, or large pieces of shrapnel becoming lodged in the sides of fellow soldiers’ faces,” he added.

Army Pfc. Henry Gerard, 19, who suffers from acute Pre-TSD, said he blames the federal government for putting him in this mentally debilitating state.

“The government knows exactly what they intend to put me through, and they still haven’t done a damn thing about it, man,” said Gerard, who, nearly three weeks before reporting to Fallujah, suffers from nightmares in which his potential best friend is beheaded. “I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, my hands constantly shake. I’m going to a place where people I don’t even know will try to kill me. What the fuck?”

“I’m not the same man I once was,” Gerard said, adding that he spends every night drinking to drown out the screams and cries for help he expects to hear. “War is going to be hell.”

Scott Thomas Beauchump can relate, brother.


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