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2008-06-17 Home Front: Politix

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Posted by Bobby 2008-06-17 05:59|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 No surprise there, the VA has been a disgrace for decades. But usually their modus operandus is neglect, not ethical lapses.

Posted by gromky 2008-06-17 06:27|| 2008-06-17 06:27|| Front Page Top

#2 This is not just the VA, so it is not fair to single them out. Chantix, an anti-smoking drug, has been found to have marked neurological effects in civilian use as well. It is not an example of the VA testing "experimental" drugs.

HOWEVER, these side effects are not all bad.

I know a man who suffered substantial lifelong neurological tremors who after he started taking Chantix, suddenly normalized. His doctor contacted the drug maker, and they have been very carefully documenting and video recording this effect.

The bottom line is that Chantix may cause problems in some people, but may be a godsend to many afflicted with this severe neurological condition.

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-06-17 07:52|| 2008-06-17 07:52|| Front Page Top

#3 Smoking is generally bad for you health, but in a combat environment that extra edge of nicotine alertness can definitely be good for your health (same thing with amphetemines.) It's hard enough qo quit smoking under normal conditions - even harder when you are abandoning an old friend who saved your life. Compound that with PTSD and I can see why the VA might be interested in testing new drug therapies - but it looks like they pushed it too far, either on purpose or through neglect.

Posted by Glenmore 2008-06-17 08:00|| 2008-06-17 08:00|| Front Page Top

#4 Took me a while back in the states in the 90's before I finally quit for good.

Combat and sex still go good with smokes afterward.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-06-17 09:06|| 2008-06-17 09:06|| Front Page Top

#5 I'd fly 2000 miles to smoke a camel.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-06-17 09:28|| 2008-06-17 09:28|| Front Page Top

#6 We have too many that consider smoking to be worse than the PTSD. I personally had to quit smoking a pipe as I was burning my gums from smoking too much however I find that there are many that are acting worse than a religious zealot w/r smoking. Their righteousness and bigotry are amazing to see and like a jihadi they can't leave others to make their own decisions or use persuasion to make their point.

It can be an interesting insight into the human mind. Zealotry takes many forms.

Posted by tipover 2008-06-17 12:17|| 2008-06-17 12:17|| Front Page Top

#7 I remember these kinds of allegations against the military and the VA during the Viet Nam era.

These birdbrains in the media are dusting off every old story and old thinking they can find to defame the military and impune the president.

Posted by James Carville 2008-06-17 15:30|| 2008-06-17 15:30|| Front Page Top

#8 You gotta wonder what the hell were these idiots at the VA thinking in giving an insufficiently tested drug to PTSD people, especially one that ends up causing psychosis, suicidal thoughts, and hallucinations.

Odd thing is that most on the left who want to use this as a cudgel against Bush really do not care at all for the troops (except how to use them politically and discard them). And they are the same crew that wants to foist government controlled medicine LIKE THIS on the entire population.

Idiots. Hypocrites.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-06-17 15:50|| 2008-06-17 15:50|| Front Page Top

#9 And note that all this nasty crap they were doing was to stop TOBACCO use. Not heroin, alcohol or prescription abuse, but tobacco.

A favortie target of the left - evil tobacco deemed to be far more harmful than an unproven psychotropic drug.

Political morons.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-06-17 15:52|| 2008-06-17 15:52|| Front Page Top

#10 And they are the same crew that wants to foist government controlled medicine LIKE THIS on the entire population.

Polite golf clap increasing to a resounding cheer. Thanks for making this VERY imporant point OS. You want government healthcare, go check out the VA. What frickin maroons liberals are.

Posted by remoteman 2008-06-17 16:03|| 2008-06-17 16:03|| Front Page Top

23:52 Old Patriot
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