PTSD and Politics

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...the Nuclear Option and McCain

March 2nd 2008 22:01

We have a presidential candidate, John McCain who is earnestly seeking the highest office in the land (the USA, its that little country south of Alaska and Canada) and he now has quite the following of hopeful supporters cheering him on towards the Whitehouse. He is a veteran, a former POW and an honorable man for the most part. I admire him as perhaps only a fellow service man is able; he survived harrowing conditions to become a US Senator with a long career, and that is truly inspiring. While listed as a Republican, his political leaning is towards the left of the more liberal Democrats, and that’s OK with me. Because he has consistently stood his ground when he’s made a decision about any matter, and appears to consider most things carefully before making up his mind. And many, many veterans willingly gave their lives in support of the office he's competing so hard to obtain.

So, what’s my major malfunction? His temper is a minor concern to me. I have PTSD and displays of uncontrollable temper is an occasional issue for me, and yes, I have had years of counseling and psychotherapy learning to deal with the matter. Evidently, so has he.

PTSD can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which physical harm occurred or was threatened. U.S. government studies have concluded that former POWs "may remain embroiled in a harsh psychological battle with themselves for decades after returning home."

This information from the US Veteran Dispatch

What is a major concern to me are politicians who pass and enable laws that they feel they are exempted from following. As a youngster I learned that you can’t trust a guy who has spent 10 million USD to get a job that pays a mere million dollars over the life of the job-anecdotal wisdom suggests that repayment in the form of favors will be remitted to someone or some group. Why do they need to be exempt from the very laws that they use to govern us, the "...we the people," the faceless masses who put them into office.

It is my understanding that Congress recently passed a bill requiring individuals that are mentally ill (such as Veterans diagnosed with PTSD) or drug addicts to be banned from owning firearms. John McCain was tortured for over 5 years by the North Vietnamese during his period of captivity, and it’s been reported that he tried to commit suicide; all very understandable due to his physical and mental duress during that time period. Wouldn't that suggest that he may have underlying issues?

Just what is his current state of mind? If in fact legally, he can’t own arms now, because of the new law he helped put in place; why are we going to put him in charge of the world’s deadliest standing army and hand him the controls to our nuclear weapons? The stresses of office are huge!

The fact that he is still in the running suggests that he is grandfathered in or is exempt from the very law(s) he helped put in place. I find it difficult to trust him under these circumstances and would like a qualified professional to address possible psychiatric issues he will be facing. Then, I’d like to hear what he has to say about the matter; he displays classic PTSD symptoms. I understand that military psychiatrists have evaluated John McCain for PTSD several time, the results of which are locked by privacy laws (as is mine). What was/is his GAF score history? Link to story.

Mine is a GAF score of 15, and I know better than to put myself in a similar role, because I would use the nukes and military to make a few world adjustments. What's your take on this matter?

As for me, I'm going to rub Budhha's belly and hope for the best; then I am going to vote after writing myself in for president, because we don't have a "none of the above" option in the voting booths.

Raven

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Posted By: tlcorbin - Category: On the Political Front

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Comments

6 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Damo

March 3rd 2008 00:29

Raven

Thoughtful post.
I am rather neutral about McCain or Obama, not too keen on Clinton. My view point is that a: I don't a vote so my opinion may not count anyway. b: How will it really affect my world. (USA fallout on the world).

However from an historic viewpoint illness in leaders has been unavoidable.

Churchill suffered from depression. Calling it is Black Dog.
Alexander the Great suffered from Epilepsy.
Hitler was show all the signs of Parkinson's.
Wasn't General Grant fond of the bottle?

This probably means that any illness is not a major factor in whether the person do their job effectively. The real question is whether they have good policies.

Comment by tlcorbin

March 3rd 2008 05:17

Oh, I agree with that Damo, but those folks didn't have the potential to place their fingers on the controls of nuclear weapons; not that McCain is guaranteed to win anything as capricious and fluid as an election. But, I do believe that it is a questions that should be considered.

I really would like to see a none of the above option on the ballots. Raven

Comment by Kleonaptra

March 4th 2008 03:37

Kalikapsychosis

Liked that 'none of the above' bit.

You raise some VERY interesting points. I wouldnt trust him either. Once I met a cop with the same diseases as me that had recently been given his gun back after therapy. I still said he shouldnt have it.

And yep, if I ever got control of something like that, I know a few places Id like to obliterate.

But the universe works in mysterious ways.....Who knows what the plan is?