Does politicizing PTSD help the veteran community or hurt it?

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:02:22 -0500

There has been a recent news story of a veteran running for Mayor in Odessa Texas who hands out "PTSD Cards" to protest his disagreement with open carry. I personally don't feel that one vet should speak for everyone as to what they should do with their constitutional rights.

I would also argue that this causes misunderstanding among non-military about what PTSD is and promotes fear and discrimination.

What do you think?
http://www.yourbasin.com/news/veteran-warns-open-carry-could-trigger-ptsd

http://americanmilitarynews.com/2016/01/tx-man-handing-out-cards-warning-that-guns-will-trigger-veterans-ptsd/

Veteran Warns Open Carry Could Trigger PTSD

One veteran asking local businesses to rethink open carry in their establishments.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Jan 12 at 2016 7:08 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:08:53 -0500

I have not seen this, but will ask family members; I have helped vets and received this.
I have always tried to soldiers of all types.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jan 12 at 2016 7:21 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:21:18 -0500

All I can say is what I have heard about and experienced.. As An American Legion Post Commander I've been to many (Too many) veterans funerals. 2 members of our rifle squad have been diagnosed with PTSD (one of them from the battle of the bulge). Yet they never miss a funeral.Maybe i don't understand.....

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jan 12 at 2016 7:27 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:27:14 -0500

Not my idea of a leader i would want,not even a mayor .

Response by SFC James Barnes made Jan 12 at 2016 8:27 PM

SFC James Barnes — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:27:53 -0500

Well that's a random position to take. I think the card is over the top and gives the wrong view of PTSD.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 12 at 2016 8:54 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:54:18 -0500

The medical responder part of me says if he's that "disabled by PTSD", he should be in an in-patient treatment facility before he hurts himself or someone else.

As a PTSD patient myself,.... Dude get over yourself already. It's jackwagons like you that make it harder for people like me to combat the stigma and stereotyping of PTSD sufferers as it is.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 12 at 2016 9:06 PM

SSG Michael Scott — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:06:42 -0500

This is not a good idea to be handing cards and advertising PTSD triggers. This issue is a case by case with each Veteran who has PTSD. The person who is running for mayor, needs some coping skills, recovery toolbox, and a WRAP-WELLNESS plan.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 12 at 2016 9:10 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:10:11 -0500

This is IMO one dumbass. It further stigmatizes those who suffer from it. Stupidity like this gives those who wish to limit our Constitutional Rights more ammo with which to deny us...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 12 at 2016 10:51 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:51:25 -0500

I don't get it. Loud noises, OK. The potential presence of a weapon, not buying it... Just another anti gun attempt to smear veterans and gun owners

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 11:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:23:09 -0500

I seen this when US Army WTF moments posted it. I was pretty pissed when I watched the interview. Very politically loaded and just plain stupid. Thanks for making vets look like weak idiots. Someone revoke this guys Man Card.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jan 12 at 2016 11:25 PM

SFC William Farrell — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:25:06 -0500

There is nothing wrong with publicizing PTSD as it helps people to understand. After Vietnam, they all thought we were crazy killers ready to snap at a moment's notice and PTSD wasn't even a diagnosis then! If someone is passing out cards depicted in picture that is extreme.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jan 13 at 2016 2:50 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 02:50:05 -0500

Just when we were starting to make an iota of progress in addressing psychological issues including PTSD and lessening the stigma in getting help... And this, along with the tightening of gun ownership and psychological background checks... time to hide your weapons or take a stand and let people know that these mass shootings are not a result of PTSD. Let's just go hide everything back in the closet while we're at it. Perhaps I should carry cards stating I might be triggered by idiots.

Response by MSgt John Grollimund made Jan 13 at 2016 8:56 AM

MSgt John Grollimund — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 08:56:22 -0500

WTF is this crap? How can this help the stigma?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 9:37 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:37:05 -0500

It's people such as this who merely add fuel to the fire.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 9:37 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:37:49 -0500

This guy is an idiot and if the responses he's getting on his social sites is any indication of the constituencies of the area, he will lose his mayoral bid and he will lose it badly.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jan 13 at 2016 10:04 AM

SSG Keith Cashion — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:04:02 -0500

I saw a guy with a gun in a restaurant.....oh wait that was me. So if he gives them a card and it says he will never return...is some cases that may be his loss. Like someone else said, we all have different triggers, but to do this is not helping anyone. If this is part of his platform, he may run into more problems since Texas just started to allow open carry.

IMO, to put something like this out as someone seeking office is already giving indication of how they will be in office, and I think this will hurt his chances, especially, if he is trying to get the small business' on his side for votes. And yes, this will give a lot of people the wrong impression of Military with PTSD.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 13 at 2016 11:27 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:27:08 -0500

None of the above. If one has a problem with this, leave the facility. There is way too many that would abuse this system, even though not really a vet or suffering from PTSD. Who do you pass the card to when you see thousands of rifles and shotguns in the gun racks of the many pick-ups in TX. It is the law, do what ever is necessary to get it changed, but for now it is the law.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 12:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:00:08 -0500

It always helps to politicize things. Making camps and divisions is always so useful, more so when you deal with PTSD and an ignorant population.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 13 at 2016 10:55 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:55:03 -0500

It HURTS. I wonder how my motorcycle riding brothers, some of whom have PTSD, and most of us also open or concealed carry, would feel about this guy trying to speak for all of us.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Jan 14 at 2016 9:11 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 21:11:51 -0500

Private agenda's set the world back more steps then can be imagined. If he is that fragile with his condition, he needs to be in hospital treatment where the environment can be controlled. His grandstanding is hurting every veteran with said diagnosis!

Response by SGT Benjamin Lindsey made Jan 16 at 2016 8:49 AM

SGT Benjamin Lindsey — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 08:49:10 -0500

Completely hurts us, PTSD has a stigma with it already without someone using it a a political platform.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 10:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 10:32:12 -0500

If your PTSD is so severe that the mere sight of a weapon is a disabling, major psychological trigger, you probably shouldn't be running for public office.