Double amputations, lost limbs and genital mutilation rise drastically for Afghan war vets

If readers haven't seen "The Ground Truth" you should see it.  You can get it off the net or from Iraq Veterans Against the War.  It is a powerful film about the young veterans of US capitalism's predatory war in Iraq. It can make you cry when you hear the stories and see the physical injuries but I know I was humbled by these young people and their courage in the face of all that has happened to them.

I read today that the number of US troops in Afghanistan receiving catastrophic injuries last year has increased drastically with the number of double amputations tripling.  A study by doctors at the German hospital where injured American troops go before they are sent home physically wrecked found that in 2010, 171 servicemen, 11% of all casualties brought to the hospital, had "undergone amputations nearly double the figure for past wars." 65 of them had lost more than one limb compared to 21 of the 75 that were treated at the hospital in 2009.

The study also found a huge increase of injuries to the genitals and urinary tract as well from 52 in 2009 to 142 in 2010. "Everybody was taken aback by the frequency of these injuries to the penis and testicles" said one army doctor adding that they were "unbelievable."  The reason for the increase, doctors claim is the Taliban's use of improvised explosive devices that go off when foot patrols step on them, but I am sure it is also due to the increased ability of military armor that means there are less soldiers killed outright.  In the past, a mine blowing up between your legs would most likely kill you, now you lose a leg, your penis and testicles. This is what real war does to people and it's not included in the adds for the Marine Corp on TV.

Last year, 499 Americans were killed in Afghanistan.  Then there are the suicides that occur in combat and when they return like the young man in Wisconsin who killed his pregnant wife of 8 months, his three year old, the dog and himself.

What horrible characters these people are

It sickens me to listen to the politicians and the neo cons who are all gung ho when it comes to sending working class youth they refuse to provide decent jobs for to fight for the corporations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  Look at the smug draft dodger Bush in the photo left, it's enough to make you sick.

We should not forget that Reagan once likened the Taliban to the US founding fathers and up until 1999 every Taliban official was on the payroll of the US government.  The US capitalist class has no qualms about unity with any group that furthers its ability to make profit, even Bin Laden, Hussein, 7th century Mullahs.  But it is the young workers that pay the price in real terms.  What a terrible waste.  Imagine how a young man feels at 23 with no legs or genitals; and for what?

The burden of US capitalism's predatory wars around the world is being born by a small percentage of the American population.  If there was a draft it would be different.  But we do not yet know the level of despair and demoralization among the troops; this will become apparent at some point once it bursts in to the open as it did in Vietnam.

Make sure you watch The Ground Truth, and Sir No Sir, both can be found at the IVAW site.  Also, if you are solider or a veteran reading this and having second thoughts or just need help, contact IVAW or  Courage to Resist.