Why are so many veterans (many married, with small children) willing to "abandon" their families, and return for their 2nd, 3rd, and sometimes even a fourth tour of combat?
Is it heartfelt patriotism? Or the thrill of bloodlust?
Back in the 1970's, many Vietnam vets would return home, suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and simply could not forget the recurring nightmares of having seen their friends die around them.
But there is also an opposite and more fascinating phenomenon: when a 'Nam vet would return home, and exceed the bounds of all rationality - assaults, drunkenness, reckless driving, rape - even robbery without being needy of money.
Lets call it "PCRS"- post-combat Rambo syndrome; but some experts have instead dubbed it simply as "combat addiction."
Combat addiction results when the body suddenly releases adrenanline in massive amounts - a "high" similar to heroin. You "float" around calmly, laughing - even joking - in the thick of battle, compeltely oblivious of the danger ALL around you.
After baptism in the initial firefight - when you have seen an enemy die - immediately, you seek another "fix"...then another; and another; and you're "hooked." You become addicted to the sights and sounds of combat; that next firefight; the next kill; the sight (and smell) of blood.
And similar to any other addiction (cocaine-alcohol) you'll do it until you eventually get killed.
EXAMPLE: American World War II fighter pilot aces:
After greatly risking their lives completing 100 missions, many veteran American fighter pilots went to war in Korea, to risk it all again.
So again, was it patriotism - or combat addiction? The sheer thrill of lining up an enemy in one's gunsight... then pressing the trigger, and watching the plane in front of you explode into a thousand pieces- and feeling that same adrenaline rush once again.
Or similar to an U.S. Marine sniper in Iraq or Afghanistan: you line up the target through your telescopic rifle sight ...then slowly squeeze the trigger - then watch the enemy's head explode into a hundred fleshy skull fragments.
Again- it's that undying thrill of the kill, and the constantly recurring compulsion to seek it again. Ergo, the Rambo syndrome - a high that cannot be duplicated in any other way.
STATISTIC: Newly-returning combat veterans are 75% more likely to die in motor vehicle accidents than civilians. The rate for motorcycle deaths is an astounding 158% higher!
For one veteran , a two-tour Army scout who'd prowled Iraq for insurgents, the reality of peace and quiet literally drove the soldier to distraction upon arriving home in 2007.
(Quote) “I was looking for that combat rush, but you just couldn’t find it back home. I bought a motorcycle and would be driving 90 all the time, getting stopped by the police, and drawing curses from drivers all around me-- but I couldnt help it. You just can’t flip a switch.’’
STATISTIC #2: The homicide rate of returning armed forces personnel -who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan - is much higher than the rate of those who did not.
Committing homicide is the extreme manifestation of dysfunction for returning veterans; but many just can't let go. And in parallel to the incurable drug addict, they'll spend the rest of their lives trying to recapture that adrenaline rush when they first killed an enemy soldier.
Think about it: a combat-experienced veteran returns home - accustomed to the adrenaline pump they once tasted in battle; drunk on the bloodlust of having wielded an automatic weapon, and "playing God", deciding - by whom they take aim at - who will live, and who will die.
And in an eerie, but chilling parallel - that's what we have now in Congress.
June 26, 2009 - 7:12 pm: When the cap 'n trade votes were counted off in the House of Representatives - and Nancy Pelosi announced victory - a thundering, incredibly raucous cheer could be heard outside the halls of Congress.
The demon democrats had done it.
It was 219 House reps, drunk on "political combat," who may have decided the economic fate of 300 million Americans for the next half century- winning an incredibly hard-fought victory for their general - Barack Obama.
But the drama of "Chicago-style" politics was their real hook: marathon committee meetings. Clandestine, back-room deals; the arm-twisting; the lobbyists in line; that incredible feeling of importance.
And for many, an adrenaline rush of POWER, and the overriding urge to feel it AGAIN.
And make no mistake America; when HR 3200 (healthcare reform) is voted on this fall, those same House democrats- seeking the "bloodlust" of another political victory - will once again take leave of their senses, and blindly vote "yea" again.
So go to those townhall meetings. Yell all you want. Hold up a sign. Wheel in your crippled child. Lead your 75 year-old mother through the door, blinded by her cataracts. These radical leftists do not care.
To them, you are the enemy - because fearless leader Obama has told them so. And like the cap 'n trade vote, the enemy MUST be DEFEATED again!
These left-wing politicians (like the "Rambo" combat veterans) have long ago forsaken their consciences. All these mindless liberals can think of is..."Barack Obama! The President!
"I must vote "yes" for the President!"
"We need to save my President, so he'll have a chance to serve four more years again!"
Let's face it conservatives; these people are beyond reasoning- they are beyond the rational; they are beyond the pale.
But they have to be dealt with seriously, because, like a soldier waving an automatic weapon over us, they have POWER over our own, individual lives.
Hence, to them, HR 3200 is the final battleground.
The sides are clearly drawn: it means saving Obama's presidency, versus preserving American democracy. And given that they are the ones with the power - the ones who vote - they will not be denied!
When you see these democrats, you sense arrogance...utter condescension; the look on their faces belying anything they may verbalize: "Oh, you poor foolish peons, unknowing of what's good for you - the policies of Barack Obama" ..."Yell and shake your fists all you want; I'm voting with my president. WE are the party in power, and nothing you all may do (or say) will EVER change my mind."
Or will it?
This isn't about healthcare, it's ideological warfare-- Obama vs the Constitution. Socialist tyranny versus our constitutional guarantee of liberty.
Hence, the idea is to make an appeal to their deep-seated emotions - a last-ditch attempt to recapture these democrats' fondness of country - the patriotism they may once have had, and hope they may still harbor somewhere deep inside.
Here's the strategy:
Not the spoken protest; not e-mail; not the tea party sign you hold up - but the LETTER you write, because one thing still to be counted on: all Congresspeople will read a personal letter, for the simple reason that nobody writes 'em any more.
Keep in mind: your average Congressperson may receive only 100-150 personal letters a month. So just by writing one, you are sure to make an impression; so make it as emotional - but to the point- as possible:
Scavenge the back of the junk drawer (or your desk in the basement). Take out pen and stationary, and affix the following words; because words on paper MOVE people, if written sincerely enough:
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (name):
Please sir (ma'am) - let's not mince words; forget all the phony baloney.
I know, and you know, and all your fellow congresspeople know, this healthcare reform isn't about health care, it's about Obama and saving his presidency. So don't even dare to deny it.
But where, sir, is your patiotism...your sense of duty?
You cannot tell me that your true loyalty lies with an aloof, leftist president, rather than the regard you have for the people of your own constituency.
I'm also aware that the very healthcare plan you attempt to foist upon us all, is unacceptable to you personally- or the rest of your family. So why impose it upon me, or for that matter, any other American?
And consider the fact that HR 3200 was not drawn up by you, or any other elected legislator - is that what you would call fair representation by those who serve in Congress?
I think not - and are counting on you to be of likewise mind.
And consider carefully sir; think of what will happen if you vote 'yes' on this bill. It will surely end your political career, because I - and 70% of the silent majority out here - shall most certainly oppose you when we all go to the polls next year.
But of course, by falling on your sword, you will have saved the political career of YOUR president -who no longer happens to be mine.
In closing, may I remind you sir, Mr. Barack Obama will one day be gone- but his healthcare bill will enslave the American people forever."