I'm not very good at writing diaries. In fact, every time I attempt one, I criticize it into the cancel bin. But today, I read something that really ticked me off, so I am forcing myself to write this and share this story with everyone here, who I know really cares about others. I tried to follow the diary rules and hope I succeeded. I ask that you forgive my inexperienced diary ability and bear with me as this issue really struck a nerve with me.
When I was a child, a family down the street sold their property to an organization to use as a group home for mentally challenged men. I remember some folks in the neighborhood complaining it would be dangerous to have these men around. My parents didn't seem to be bothered. In fact, my back yard neighbors (who were my mom's best friends) had a daughter who was "mentally retarded" as they used to say and I grew up with her. I saw no difference until I surpassed her intellectual ability while she retained the behavior of a small child.
Anyway, the township approved the sale, 4 men and their caretakers moved in and I can say that in the last 45 years, there were never any problems with the group home or their tenants. It has always been well kept and the people are well cared for. I was very lucky to grow up within a family and neighborhood where we cared about and for each other. Although I grew up working class, there was always food or money available when someone knocked on the door asking for help. Of course, as Italian Catholics, we kept pics of Jesus, the Pope, Cardinal Krol, and President Kennedy in our living room, to remind us what was expected of us - caring for our brothers and sisters and obeying the laws of this great country that gave us so much opportunity.
Which brings me to the article. While enjoying my morning coffee, I was reading one of my favorite blogs (kissmybigbluebuttdotcom) and saw this:
Taylor residents oppose proposed veterans center in their neighborhood
October 11, 2009, Taylor, Texas (Austin American-Statesman) — A California company wants to convert an empty facility formerly used as nursing home into a trauma assistance center for as many as 88 female veterans, including those who have been sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers.
But some Taylor residents say they don't want the facility in their town.
"It would put veterans in a situation where they are going to a town that doesn't want them," said Cherri Wolbrueck, co-owner of a Taylor bookstore.
Wow. A Texas town that "doesn't want" a safe facility for our female heroes? What kind of Conservative Compassion or American Patriotism is that? I'd hate to think the fact they are women could have anything to do with it, but I've seen enough conservatives and religious people here in Texas to know that women's issues aren't exactly high on their priority list.
Wolbrueck lives across the street from the proposed facility where veterans would live. She said she fears that veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder might attack residents in the Buttermilk Hill neighborhood.
"They can have an episode where a flashback transports them back into a combat situation, and they can perceive anyone as a threat: an elderly person taking a walk around the neighborhood, or a child on a bike," she said.
What the hell is that? Paranoia or stereotyping?
Other Taylor residents at the zoning board meeting who said they opposed the facility included Naomi Pasemann and Miles Baska.
Pasemann said the trauma center would not provide an economic boost to the town. "We don't have enough jobs as it is," she said.
The facility would provide counseling and rehabilitation services to female veterans in Central Texas, Rivera said. It would also provide about 40 jobs, he said.
Hmmmmm....the jobs lie. Why does that sound so familiar?
These people claim the VA is enough for the female soldiers who were sexually abused and need help. How dare veterans need more than what we already provide them. They must be damn liberals always wanting more free stuff from the government, eh?
I am simply at a loss for words. Who in the right mind refuses to help our soldiers when they need it the most? I wonder how many Taylor, Texas residents supported Bush's war of choice in Iraq? And the Iraq surge which took troops from Afghanistan and left it the mess it is now. Or who supported mercenaries (Blackwater/Xe) or who work for Halliburton/KBR? I wonder how many showed up at the Teabagging events this summer with their hateful protest signs? And most of all, I wonder how these people were raised. Who taught them that veterans should be feared? Do they attend church? Do they have the history of helping their neighbors? Are they isolationists? Do they watch Faux and listen to Limbaugh?
Why do the people of Taylor, Texas hate our brave American Heroes?
Veterans for Common Sense has the entire article here:
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.or...
Ironically, according the the Taylor Texas website, Taylor is a "progressive" town. Is it?
Thank you for bearing with me and letting me get this off my chest.