March 6, 2007

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Given the recent Washington Post articles on problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and injured ABC newsman’s Bob Woodruff’s book and TV interviews regarding the treatment of veterans, do you think the U.S. government is doing enough for wounded Iraq war veterans?
(Asked at Nob Hill on Campbell Avenue)

“No, I don’t think they are getting the treatment they deserve. This war is starting to go the way of Vietnam. The president got us into it, and he’s too proud to change its course. I think the benefits the injured veterans receive are too short. They are not getting enough attention. All of the attention is focused on the negative factors against the war.”

Dick Smith, 62
Campbell
Musician


“I certainly hope so. I don’t have firsthand knowledge, but I know there are a lot of men and women who have come home with terrible injuries.”

Carol Alexander
Campbell
Travel consultant


"No they are not. My son is in the military too. I see reports. The care is short term. They are not helping long term. These men and women deserve everything—plus more. Some guys are injured and having difficulties with their families and the government is not giving them everything they should. I feel bad for the families.”

Peggy O’Brien, 40-plus
Campbell
Nurse and nurse educator


“From what I’ve seen and heard, no. On T.V. it doesn’t seem that they are being treated well when they come home. We need to close Guantanamo Bay and get our soldiers out of Iraq. We shouldn’t be involved in a Civil War; we’re wasting our money."

Frank Reed
Campbell
Engineer


“Actually, I’m not in a position to judge. I don’t know as much about the situation as I should. I’ve heard more about the people who’ve been killed instead of injured.”

Yvonne Burge, 32
Campbell
Homemaker


"No, they’re not giving them the benefits they should. The government is dropping the ball. It’s not right. They should pull all the troops out."

Steve Larson, 47
Campbell
Truck driver


“I don’t think so. In the news and from the pictures, it doesn’t look like it. Knowing the government, I think they could do more.”

Margie Pritchett, 40+
Campbell
Homemaker


“The question is what is the level of ‘not enough?’” I tend to think if you have to ask the question then there’s something wrong; the fact that we have to ask means we’re not treating them well enough.”

Peter Michael, 49
Campbell/San Jose border