OT

I dislike intensely the way I have to log in to this blog. Blogging may get lighter.

One thing I am seeing again and again in my line of work- medical transcription- is how the Vietnam veterans are reacting to the current war. The climate of public opinion being against the Gulf War and the simply shameful way the government is treating the veterans is bringing forth all kinds of flashbacks and nightmares, and the incidences of post-traumatic stress disorder seem to have greatly increased.

I'm so ashamed that anyone who thought this country worth fighting for (an admirable traight!) could be so taken advantage of in this manner.

The Vietnam veterans didn't all volunteer and the public treated them like they were to blame for the war. This is the only way in which I feel we are treating our current veterans better than we treated the soldiers in Vietnam- we have all tried not to blame our current soldiers for the Gulf war. I support our troops, but blame Bush and his cronies for the war and their absymal treatment.

But the Vietnam veterans are being reminded of all the bad things. Their buddies killed in front of them, pinned down by fire, Agent Orange exposure, traplines, and so much more. And we all should know that the folks in the Gulf are having similar experiences right now as you read this and I type this, and it's just so fucking wrong. My heart aches, and I have never been through anything like they have. I don't want to go through that, and I don't want anyone to have to- not for a fistful of dollars, and not for an impossible ideal.

In other news, Sassy fat cat went into the hospital for a dental procedure yesterday. She is obese, diabetic, and elderly, all of which are high risk factors. While inducing anesthesia, she went into respiratory arrest. They managed to save her, but the actual dental cleaning was impossible to perform. She is recovery slowly. Last night, her pupils were so dilated she was blind. This morning, she is less wobbly and can see, and has back her usual appetite. She still sounds congested and hoarse though, but anyone would be after a nasogastric tube. This doesn't bode well for her big picture, but she is still with us. I guesstimate six months before something more horrible happens.  ¶ 12:02 PM