VIDEO: Vets group founder Paul Rieckhoff talks soldier suicide rates; I talk Vet daughter's trauma

By GottaLaff

Last week we talked with Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. In part two of the interview, we talked to Paul about Vet head injuries, rising suicide rates among returning soldiers, and how the economic crisis is effecting military families.

Paul is an amazing guy. You may have seen him on the Rachel Maddow Show or Countdown, where he makes numerous appearances and for good reason. I've Tweeted with him on Twitter, and he's one of the few well-knowns who actually Tweeted back.

His web site is here.

Slightly off topic, but some of you may remember my student whose father was in Iraq. I've posted several e-mails from her (unfortunately, only one is available, the others were from our old site and are gone) about the anguish and angst she felt while he was there.

He's back now, has been for several months, but sadly, has lapsed into PTSD, alcoholism, and domestic violence. This is a guy who I've met, who is a sweet, caring man, but who suffers needlessly because of Bush's immoral, illegal invasion. My student came to school with a prominent bruise on her face, at a total loss about how to proceed.

They've tried getting him into a Veteran's program, but that's not easy. They only provide so many meetings and only so much treatment. His depression prevents him from taking any initiative whatsoever, and so he isn't making progress. In fact, he's sinking more deeply into his post-Iraq abyss.

And because he has changed drastically, his family is living in their own private hell.

Thanks for nothing, George Bush.

Conversely, a sincere thank you to Paul Rieckhoff for doing what he does.