One More Heartbreaking Effect of War

This is an exceedingly sad article, from Truth Out, about domestic violence among military families and the Pentagon's failure to deal with it. It highlights how troops with pending domestic abuse cases against them are being shipped off to Iraq and Afghanistan for multiple tours of duty, then come back to a slap on the wrist, minimal treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and -- in a shocking number of cases -- go on to commit violent abuse, or murder, against estranged spouses and young children.

This last paragraph makes my blood boil:

The Army examined Erin Edwards's death as part of a fatality review program recommended by the Pentagon task force "to ensure no victim dies in vain."

A one-paragraph summary of the review seemed to discount the findings of the civilian police investigation. The summary noted that Erin Edwards had refused the assistance of the base's family advocacy program, while William Edwards had enrolled in it. It added that William Edwards had "appeared to comply" with his restrictions. Until the day he "eluded his military escort" and killed his wife.

Don't you just love how the report appears to blame the wife for her refusal of "the assistance of the base's family advocacy program" while the husband "had enrolled in it." Clearly then, she is to blame for her own death at her husband's hands.

And what the hell does that statement mean, "to ensure that no victim dies in vain." In vain?

It is such a travesty.

Maybe we do need a woman for president ... Just a thought.