We need a better plan!
| Liberty Pal |
| A fresh look at solutions for PTSD. |
Do our current laws and court opinions support our current knowledge regarding PTSD, its
effects on people, and, their potential for recovery from this illness? If the intention is to
preserve the peace and public security: are these being met? It depends, I suppose, on
who, exactly, qualifies as "public" and what, precise, definition of "security" you choose.
effects on people, and, their potential for recovery from this illness? If the intention is to
preserve the peace and public security: are these being met? It depends, I suppose, on
who, exactly, qualifies as "public" and what, precise, definition of "security" you choose.
This is NOT a ploy to legitimize DUI. On the contrary! It is a PLAN to PREVENT DWI and
hundreds, if not thousands, of needless suicides. I may not be a genius... but I don't think
you need a degree in rocket science to recognize this truth: If you're standing in the train
The argument can be made to transfer our cargo in another fashion - but in this case the
train has left the station, the cargo is non-transferable, and our options are limited!
hundreds, if not thousands, of needless suicides. I may not be a genius... but I don't think
you need a degree in rocket science to recognize this truth: If you're standing in the train
The argument can be made to transfer our cargo in another fashion - but in this case the
train has left the station, the cargo is non-transferable, and our options are limited!
Of those that develop PTSD: there is an 80% chance that they will develop one, or more,
comorbid disorder including severe depression, anxiety disorders, chemical abuse and/or
dependency, and more. Some doctors have cited hope as the single most important element
required of recovery from PTSD.
Our representatives have not failed us - they brought us hope... in the form of shiny new laws
that left us saying " I hope I can keep my car, I hope I can keep my right to vote, and, I hope I
find a reasonable explanation for my inability to drive my daughter to the zoo, musuem, or even
to the grocery store".
comorbid disorder including severe depression, anxiety disorders, chemical abuse and/or
dependency, and more. Some doctors have cited hope as the single most important element
required of recovery from PTSD.
Our representatives have not failed us - they brought us hope... in the form of shiny new laws
that left us saying " I hope I can keep my car, I hope I can keep my right to vote, and, I hope I
find a reasonable explanation for my inability to drive my daughter to the zoo, musuem, or even
to the grocery store".
Statistically speaking about 50% of those exposed to a "high risk environment" (e.g. combat,
natural disaster, victim of violence or terrorism, etc) will develop "cliniclally significant"
symptoms of PTSD at some point in their lives.
natural disaster, victim of violence or terrorism, etc) will develop "cliniclally significant"
symptoms of PTSD at some point in their lives.
Again, I say, I am NOT trying to legitimize DWI. When smokeless gunpowder brought about repeating firearms we didn't
rewrite the laws about murder. Neither did we rush out to get rid of all of the guns. At the time of this invention the mere
suggestion would have seemed outrageous! We recognized the need for a mechanical safety to reduce the chance of
accidental discharge, and over time, improved our training about the use of a firearm. Then we moved forward. Sometimes,
still today, the occasional Vice President will shoot a hunting buddy - but we still let them own firearms - even hunt!
rewrite the laws about murder. Neither did we rush out to get rid of all of the guns. At the time of this invention the mere
suggestion would have seemed outrageous! We recognized the need for a mechanical safety to reduce the chance of
accidental discharge, and over time, improved our training about the use of a firearm. Then we moved forward. Sometimes,
still today, the occasional Vice President will shoot a hunting buddy - but we still let them own firearms - even hunt!
At this point, I hope, I've made fair elaboration about the problem. The statistics are there in black and white; whether we, as
nation-wide... the reason we've developed stringent laws pertaining to driving under the influence.
Do we choose to create laws based ONLY on the statistics that support our current agenda? If so, then, what is our
agenda? Public safety? According to the World Health Organization suicide ranks among the top three causes of death,
globally, in people ages 15 - 44 of both sexes! According to their statistics the global suicide rate is at one death every 40
seconds.
1999 Mothers Against Drunk Driving president Karolyn Nunnallee pointed to the national statistic of 15,935 dwi related
deaths - a rate of 1 death every 33 minutes for support of tougher legislation. She put the total in perspective with this
statement: "When one person is killed every 33 minutes in this country -- that's the equivalent of two jumbo jets crashing
and all the occupants perishing each week."
To compare "apples to apples", here, let's isolate a single state in the United Staes. I'll choose Minnesota as it is the state
of my current residence. In the year 2004, in the State of Minnesota, there were 177 alcohol related traffic deaths. For the
same time frame, same State, there were 524 suicides. That's nearly three times as many Minnesotans!
nation-wide... the reason we've developed stringent laws pertaining to driving under the influence.
Do we choose to create laws based ONLY on the statistics that support our current agenda? If so, then, what is our
agenda? Public safety? According to the World Health Organization suicide ranks among the top three causes of death,
globally, in people ages 15 - 44 of both sexes! According to their statistics the global suicide rate is at one death every 40
seconds.
1999 Mothers Against Drunk Driving president Karolyn Nunnallee pointed to the national statistic of 15,935 dwi related
deaths - a rate of 1 death every 33 minutes for support of tougher legislation. She put the total in perspective with this
statement: "When one person is killed every 33 minutes in this country -- that's the equivalent of two jumbo jets crashing
and all the occupants perishing each week."
To compare "apples to apples", here, let's isolate a single state in the United Staes. I'll choose Minnesota as it is the state
of my current residence. In the year 2004, in the State of Minnesota, there were 177 alcohol related traffic deaths. For the
same time frame, same State, there were 524 suicides. That's nearly three times as many Minnesotans!
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