Vet Org. wants POTUS apology regarding TBI ASAP

Trump discusses Adam Schiff's manliness

A veterans organization is asking President Trump to apologize for one of his recent "Trumpianisms" in which he said that traumatic brain injuries are "not very serious." It is possible that he's confusing the symptoms of the Democratic Party with TBI, but that is not the case here.

Trump spoke at the Davos World Economic Forum on Wednesday and was asked a question by a reporter about the TBIs reportedly suffered by some Americans at the Ain al-Asad airbase recently hit by an Iranian retaliatory strike after the United States killed Cassem Soleimani, the terrorist leader of Iran's Quds force. 

The reporter asked, "Mr. President, a question on Iran. Initially, you said repeatedly to Americans that after Iran retaliated for the Soleimani strike, no Americans were injured. We now know at least 11 US servicemen were airlifted from Iraq. Can you explain the discrepancy?"

The President responded, "No. I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things, but I would say, and I can report it is not very serious, not very serious."

The reporter then asked: "So you don’t think that [their] potential traumatic brain injury is serious?"

President Trump answered, "They told me about it numerous days later. You’d have to ask Department of Defense. No, I don’t consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I’ve seen. I’ve seen what Iran has done with their roadside bombs to our troops. I’ve seen people with no legs and with no arms. I’ve seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, that war. In fact, many cases – put those bombs, put there by Soleimani, who’s no longer with us. I consider them to be really bad injuries. No, I do not consider that to be bad injuries, no."

In response to the president’s comments, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander William Schmitz issued the following statement on Friday:

In light of today’s announcement from the defense department that 34 U.S. service members suffered traumatic brain injuries as a result of Iran’s retaliatory strike and President Trump’s remarks which minimized these troops’ injuries, the Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot stand idle on this matter. 

TBI is a serious injury and one that cannot be taken lightly. TBI is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue – all injuries that come with both short- and long-term effects. 

The VFW expects an apology from the president to our service men and women for his misguided remarks. And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment.

In a Reuters report, that according the Pentagon said that, “on Friday … 34 service members had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury following missile strikes by Iran” on the Iraqi airbase.

This recent number of injured surpasses what was previously announced to have been the total number of traumatic brain injuries following the strike.

According to the Pentagon, 17 of the injured are already back in Iraq and on duty. Eight are back in the United States who had been taken to Germany. Some of these personnel are at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, while nine remain in Germany "undergoing evaluations and treatment."

So President Trump evidently doesn't understand the gravity of TBI as evidenced by his minimizing its severity. It has also been known to cause severe depression and in some cases, has led to suicide, as evidenced by several NFL players in the past.

President Trump has, thus far, not responded to the apology request from the VFW, but knowing his history, it's unlikely that an apology will be forthcoming until it snows in Hades. President Trump doesn't play that.

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Family of suicidal plane thief 'shocked' but I have a theory

The family of the man who authorities say stole a Horizon Air turboprop aircraft from Sea-Tac International Airport and apparently committed suicide with it told the media they were in "complete shock." His friends say he was a "friendly guy" and nobody seems to know why he did it.

Richard Russell, 29, the man in question who liked to be called Beebo, is presumed dead.

He was a ground service agent for Horizon Airlines, a sister carrier of Alaska Airlines, and once ran a bakery with his wife. His social media showed his love for travel and his airline job was a perk that allowed him to travel often.

Russell was born in Key West, Florida and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when he was 7 years old. He was currently living in Sumner, Washington, according to a Web page he set up for a college communication class.

While he never mentioned of studying for his pilot's license, he did mention in some of his online posts of his Christian faith and the possibility of joining the military.

According to authorities, Russell commandeered an empty Bombardier Q400. It's a 107 feet long turboprop. He flew it for about an hour and was often erratic in his handling of the plane and attempted doing aerial stunts before crashing on Ketron Island in Puget Sound. Authorities say that he appeared to have acted alone and was suicidal, the local sheriff said.

His family said in a statement: "It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man."

On radio communication during his deadly flight, Russell was heard saying, "Got a few screws loose, I guess. Never really knew it until now."

Everyone seemed to like him and described him as outgoing and friendly. He was a star athlete at Wasilla High School where he ran track and was also on the wrestling team.

Gary Howell, a Wasilla High track and field coach, remembers Russell as a funny guy who always had a smile and a joke and was a great team player.

"Absolutely the kind of kid you want on your team," Howell told the Anchorage Daily News.

The wrestling coach said similar things about him.

He reminds one of Robin Williams--everyone liked him and he seemed happy.

I wonder if he suffered a concussion or some kind of brain injury that went unnoticed or unreported in his wrestling career.

It's also possible that he actually hoped to land the plane because he said, "Do you think if I land this plane successfully they'll give me a job as a pilot?"

But I'd go with the first possibility.

Very sad.

Rest in peace, Richard.


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