Like the breeze of late winter, a single word, unspoken, has rippled through the recent funerals of several U.S. service members returned from Iraq. Families and military press officers have different reasons for tight lips on the topic. But suicide among Iraq war soldiers, 29 cases by recent count, says volumes about drooping troop morale and raises further doubts about… return to article
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Reader Comments (20)Page 1 of 1 pagesA new name for PTSD
ěpsychiatric and behavioral health issues.î
Posted by oliveoil4me2 on Mar 3, 2004 at 12:06 PM My neice has a son, their only child, in Iraq. She says he is very sad and disullusioned and she is concerned about him. His best friend was killed shortly after they arrived and he was required to go out and literally sweep his remains off the street where his vehicle was caught in a roadside bombing. This boy is from the sticks in Arkansas; he joined the Guard to help his hard-working parents pay his way through college. My advice to her: When he comes home on leave, if he ever does, is have the car loaded and head for Canada. He has as much right to desert as the man who sent him to kill and to be killed.
Posted by Bobbie Buchanan on Mar 3, 2004 at 3:04 PM Bad policy coming home to roost in a tragic manner.
Posted by Paul and Mina Johnson on Mar 4, 2004 at 11:20 AM “head for Canada”
Unfortunately this is bad advice. The U.S. and Canada have an agreement entered into effect before the Iraq War that defectors will be picked up by Canadian authorities and deported for prosecution. You take a huge risk in running to Canada, Mexico would be a better option. Canada’s government does want a repeat of the sixties.
Posted by david mowers on Mar 4, 2004 at 6:53 PM “head for Canada”
Unfortunately this is bad advice. The U.S. and Canada have an agreement entered into effect before the Iraq War that defectors will be picked up by Canadian authorities and deported for prosecution. You take a huge risk in running to Canada, Mexico would be a better option. Canada’s government does want a repeat of the sixties.
Posted by david mowers on Mar 4, 2004 at 6:53 PM “head for Canada”
Unfortunately this is bad advice. The U.S. and Canada have an agreement entered into effect before the Iraq War that defectors will be picked up by Canadian authorities and deported for prosecution. You take a huge risk in running to Canada, Mexico would be a better option. Canada’s government does want a repeat of the sixties.
Posted by david mowers on Mar 4, 2004 at 6:54 PM “head for Canada”
Unfortunately this is bad advice. The U.S. and Canada have an agreement entered into effect before the Iraq War that defectors will be picked up by Canadian authorities and deported for prosecution. You take a huge risk in running to Canada, Mexico would be a better option. Canada’s government does want a repeat of the sixties.
Posted by david mowers on Mar 4, 2004 at 6:54 PM David is right. Canada does not yet recognize consientious objectors. However, Canada does have nice springs and summers (late May to October 70s to 90s). Who knows by the first Wednesday in November objecting may not be so serious.
Posted by Jack on Mar 4, 2004 at 8:50 PM Suicide is illegal because it is just too easy to commit murder and make it look like a suicide........I am very concerned that some of the suicides in Iraq may actually be murders of those who oppose the war, or have evidence of oppression…
Posted by Holly Berkowitz on Mar 4, 2004 at 8:53 PM I told this to my friend at work that this would happen. Even the Iraqi information ministre said that us soldiers will kill themselves at the gates of Bagdad.
What is happening here is that most of the us soldiers are desent human beings who are asked to kill “innocent human beings”. They also know that these people did not do them anything, and the only way to escape this “guilt” is to kill your self.
May Allah forgive them for they know not what they do.
Posted by Nasser Mahamadeen on Mar 5, 2004 at 4:24 PM I told this to my friend at work that this would happen. Even the Iraqi information ministre said that us soldiers will kill themselves at the gates of Bagdad.
What is happening here is that most of the us soldiers are desent human beings who are asked to kill “innocent human beings”. They also know that these people did not do them anything, and the only way to escape this “guilt” is to kill your self.
May Allah forgive them for they know not what they do.
Posted by Nasser Mahamadeen on Mar 5, 2004 at 4:24 PM I told this to my friend at work that this would happen. Even the Iraqi information ministre said that us soldiers will kill themselves at the gates of Bagdad.
What is happening here is that most of the us soldiers are desent human beings who are asked to kill “innocent human beings”. They also know that these people did not do them anything, and the only way to escape this “guilt” is to kill your self.
May Allah forgive them for they know not what they do.
Posted by Nasser Mahamadeen on Mar 5, 2004 at 4:25 PM This article is pretty loose with its allegations, essentially offering little or no suport for its claims.
By the way, did you know that the US national suicide rate for persons aged 14-25 has been 13.5 per 100,000? It would seem that if such a rate is maintained by the military in an extremely high hazard zone, then they are doing something very right.
Among law enforcement officers in the US, the rate is 18.0 per 100K. Perhaps America should stop enforcing law at home as well?
Posted by Nus on Mar 10, 2004 at 3:09 PM Thank You for the courage to run this article. To question the “war” in Iraq, military management AND the topic of suicide is not a method to find a popular reputation in these times. Thank you for the facts.
Posted by Bill Harding on Mar 11, 2004 at 7:10 PM i’d NEVER go 2 iraqy,4 a billion $. NO-1 mentioned LARIUM the maleria drug i read some r FORCED 2 take. I’VE used it/phillipines NO F-ING GOOD. CRAZY. possible explain some? suicide. anyway ABB.
Posted by nowhere on Mar 13, 2004 at 9:30 AM The Alcoholic George Bush is responsible for the deaths of many american children. Mothers unite to get the p(erv) voted out
Posted by Baba Gabriel on Mar 18, 2004 at 3:52 AM Great story everthing about this war is fucked I know if I was there killing innocent human beings I would go crazy too, also most of those sholdiers know that there are not fighting for a good cause. maybe we should all join together and actually do something about this war all of us bitch but not very many of us act.
Posted by layla adams on Mar 23, 2004 at 12:37 PM I initiated the Freedom Underground for those that cannot bear the possibility of fighting in the illegal war in Iraq.
I am here to help you sisters and brothers when you decide you have had enough of war.
The Freedom Underground has been created to offer an alternative to war. Those troops that need help need simply call me at 317 603-9758. Or Email me at Do not give me your name. A nickname is sufficient. I can arrange to meet you and we can discuss your options.
I would rather you fight it out within the military by claiming CO status. If you visit with your Chaplain and tell him that you have decided that violence is not the answer, than you can start the process. Put it in writing and keep copies. This will be usefull when your file is “lost”.
If all else fails and you do not have the inclination to do some jail time by refusing the orders of your Commanding Officer, then the Freedom Underground is up and running. By the time the Canadian Government could deport you, it would be years and by then other options could be considered.
Good luck and if you are presently in Iraq or some other battle ground, keep you head down, don’t kill and by all means preserve your humanity. It is easy to get caught up in shooting first and asking questions later.
If you leave and have a military haircut, find a baseball cap. Head out during leave and get out of the country before your leave is finished. Apply for a passport now so you can keep your options open. Get a copy of your birth cirtificate, and as much documentation as possible as to your demand for CO status.
The first Underground Railroad was in part set up by the Quakers. There are Quaker families in Ontario that are willing to help. If you visit Quaker Meeting houses anywhere in Canada, they will be no doubt aware of others that are presently being helped by other Quaker Meeting Homes. Canada is not the only country of consideration. Sweeden helped thousands during the Vietnam war. Many Latin American countries would no doubt be sympathetic.
You can be part of making history. If enough troops put down their weapons and refuse to kill, you can help usher in an era of worldwide peace and justice. Truth is your shield. Compassion for others is your option.
Carl Rising-Moore
Posted by Carl Rising-Moore on Mar 25, 2004 at 4:53 PM http://www.duckdaotsu.org is set up with vast information on alternatives to both suicide and flight to Canada: We have been working with Rising-Moore since the beginning of his choice to open what doors he can in the north.
Many alternatives ARE available and are legal. The site will assist you with such options, as well as keeping an eye on the resurgence of the draft, etc. The Center on Conscience and War have a
strong statement about flight to Canada on our site as well. A special memorial page is set up for all who chose suicide to being forced to kill others. A media memorial to all journalists killed in Iraq, and includes Dennis O’Brien, an embedded reporter who chose suicide as well.We are here as an anti war, pro GI site with over 400 pages. Lists of the fallen, a photographic
“wall” of those killed, as well as continuing updates appear on this site (see
www.duckdaotsu.org/gisitemap.html as a starting point) Women in the Military; Coming Home (to many different kinds of life); Memorials; News Pages; Draft Watch; and an invitation to send your thoughts as a memorial to a loved one killed in Iraq are all available for you. We are just beginning this long journey toward peace.My statement appears at this page: http://www.duckdaotsu.org/conscience.html And finally, the duckdaotsu list serve sends out information and news from In These Times and has subscribed to your publication for over ten years!
Posted by lisbeth west on Mar 28, 2004 at 11:03 AM (APOLOGIES FOR DUPLICATION:) http://www.duckdaotsu.org is set up with vast information on alternatives to both suicide and flight to Canada: We have been working with Rising-Moore since the beginning of his choice to open what doors he can in the north. Many alternatives ARE available and are legal. The site will assist you with such options, as well as keeping an eye on the resurgence of the draft, etc. The Center on Conscience and War has issued a very strong statement about flight to Canada on our site as well. A special memorial page is set up for all who chose suicide to being forced to kill others. A media memorial to all journalists killed in Iraq, and includes Dennis O’Brien, an embedded reporter who chose suicide as well. We are here as an anti war, pro GI site with over400 pages. Lists of the fallen, a photographic “wall"of those killed, as well as continuing updates appear on this site (www.duckdaotsu.org/gisitemap.html as a starting point) Women in the Military; Coming Home (to many different kinds of life); Memorials (special one to Joseph Suell); News Pages; Draft Watch; and an invitation to send your thoughts as a memorial to a loved one killed in Iraq are all available for you. We are just beginning this long journey toward peace.
http://www.duckdaotsu.org/conscience.html
And finally, the duckdaotsu list-serve sends out information and news from In These Times.
Posted by lisbeth west on Mar 28, 2004 at 11:45 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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