PTSD: Marijuana is reducing suicide among Vets with PTSD

"Using state-level data for the period 1990 through 2007, we estimate the effect of legalizing medical marijuana on suicide rates. Our results suggest that the passage of a medical marijuana law is associated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 30- through 39-year-old males.
We conclude that the legalization of medical marijuana leads to an improvement in the psychological wellbeing of young adult males, an improvement that is reflected in fewer suicides." 

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/medical-marijuana-can-be-much-needed-miracle-vets-ptsd?akid=11153.294211.upez3N&rd=

Veterans: The mistreatment is staggering. Fight and quietly disappear please, even the injured.

Ann Jones has a low-key, first-hand account of how we treat our soldiers, from battlefield through hospital to home and -- sometimes -- death at their own hand. Sometimes they just slip away from lack of medical care.
I defy you to read what she has to say without weeping.  Here's an excerpt:


http://prairieweather.typepad.com/big_blue_stem/2013/11/oh-right-the-glories-of-war.html

Americas Greatest Shame: Child Poverty and cutting food assistance. 900 Million vets have food stamps cut

Here's the best of all. After getting $480 billion in bailout cash, the top financiers in the country paid themselves more than $150 billion in bonus money for a job well done. Is this a great country or what?

We are constantly told that the recovery is just around the corner. Liberals say we need more stimulus. Conservatives call for more austerity and cuts in regulations. But all agree that sooner or later more growth will benefit the 99 percent. Unfortunately, it's not happening and it won't happen. Here's why.

First of all, they assume that trickledown actually works, that there is something mechanical within our heavily financialized economy that will bring renewed prosperity to the 99 percent. They look back at previous recessions and recoveries and continue to believe that slumps are followed by renewed growth and income gains for all.

http://www.alternet.org/hard-times-usa/americas-greatest-shame-child-poverty-rises-and-food-stamps-cut-while-billionaires?page=0%2C1&akid=11103.294211.eIKrgP&rd=1&src=newsletter918440&t=3