State Gov'ts want to Discriminate Against Vets with PTSD

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - State Gov'ts want to Discriminate Against Vets with PTSD

Posted: 9/10/2010 3:31:24 PM EDT

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/12/law-label-veterans-damaged-license/

Veterans Blast Georgia Bill to Put PTSD Diagnosis on Driver's Licenses

By Joshua Rhett Miller

Published May 12, 2010

| FOXNews.com

Veterans groups are blasting Georgia lawmakers for passing legislation that would allow a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder to appear on driver's licenses.

The legislation, which awaits Gov. Sonny Purdue's signature, would permit servicemembers and veterans to request a PTSD denotation, which would appear on their driver's licenses as a specific health problem, much like poor eyesight.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a traumatic event, including sexual assault, physical assault and military combat. Symptoms include vivid flashbacks to the traumatic event, depression and substance abuse, among others. Up to 20 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from PTSD, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The bill would require a sworn statement from a physician verifying a diagnosis of PTSD and a waiver of liability for the release of the driver's medical information.

State Sen. Ron Ramsey, who co-sponsored the bill, says he sees no downside to the measure. In a statement to FoxNews.com, Ramsey, a Democrat, said the "completely voluntary" legislation may protect law enforcement officers and veterans from potentially dangerous situations.

"For example if a veteran suffering from PTSD was pulled over for a simple traffic violation, a designation on the license explaining the circumstances could inform an officer that the situation should be handled cautiously," the statement read. "If a veteran does not feel it is necessary to designate this on their license, then they do not have to. Again, it is entirely voluntary."

The bill's co-sponsor, State Sen. John Douglas, a Republican is an Army veteran who has also said the bill might encourage safer encounters between people with PTSD and law enforcement officials.

But veterans organizations contacted by FoxNews.com described the legislation as a "terrible idea."

Ryan Gallucci, a spokesman for AMVETS, a national organization representing 200,000 veterans, said the legislation puts veterans at risk of discrimination, even though the PTSD denotation would be voluntary.

He pointed out that driver's licenses are used for identification purposes that go far beyond encounters with police officers.

"Bar owners, liquor store owners could easily refuse service if they saw in black and white that a customer suffered from a mental illness –– even if it's service related," Gallucci wrote in an e-mail to FoxNews.com. "We already see enough negatives in how the public perceives today's veterans when it comes to mental health."

And he noted that all citizens –– veterans or otherwise –– have the opportunity to explain any medical condition to a judge when fighting a ticket.

"The police have an obligation to maintain order –– it doesn't matter why someone's breaking the law," Gallucci wrote. "Even with traffic tickets, you are entitled to your day in court. What AMVETS prefers to see are the veterans' courts we've seen spring up around the country designated to handle veterans' cases within the unique context of their experiences."

Marvin Myers, president of the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance Inc., said he could think of no situation where a veteran would want to disclose his or her medical condition, including traffic stops.

"I don't understand the logic behind it whatsoever," he told FoxNews.com. "Why someone would voluntarily put this out there, I'm not sure."

He said he, too, was concerned of potential discrimination against veterans with PTSD.

"What happens if Jerry Smith has PTSD on his driver's license and he goes into a gun store? The clerk is going to say, 'Oh no, I'm not selling you that gun,'" Myers said. "I just think you open up Pandora's box. You're disclosing too much of yourself."

Myers acknowledged that the PTSD designation on a license could garner sympathy from law enforcement officials in some instances, but he said other members of his organization agreed that the legislation was misguided.

The Department of Veterans Affairs declined to comment when asked if it endorsed the legislation. Brian Zeringue, a spokesman for Georgia's Department of Veterans Service, said the agency had no objection to the law as long as the decision to include personal medical information on a driver's license is "left entirely up to" the veteran.

Chris Schrimpf, a spokesman for Purdue, said the Republican governor has not decided whether to sign the bill. A final decision will be made by June 8, he said.

Gordy Wright, a spokesman for Georgia State Patrol, said the PTSD designation, if signed into law, would give officers a visible alert to "be on guard" and more aware of potentially threatening actions.

"There would be an explanation to account for it," he said. "It can be a positive step for a positive outcome."

Wright insisted that drivers with the PTSD designation would not receive leniency.

"More or less, it's so the officer is aware of the condition and be alert for any sudden actions or movements," he said. "Never say never, but we would expect Georgia state troopers to conduct the traffic stop in a professional manner."

Posted: 9/10/2010 4:51:11 PM EDT

[#1]

Oh just handy!

Posted: 9/10/2010 5:05:11 PM EDT

[#2]

Some people have no shame. It's bad enough that these vets have been traumatized for our sake. A lot of them are able to be useful members of society after the fact.

Posted: 9/10/2010 6:40:38 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Some people have no shame. It's bad enough that these vets have been traumatized for our sake. A lot of them are able to be useful members of society after the fact.

Me and patkrysbold are proof of this. Got steady employment and obey the law. This bill sounds super shady

Posted: 9/11/2010 7:00:09 AM EDT

[#4]

Putting anything about PTSD on a drivers license is a ready-made excuse for a contact that goes wrong.

Gordy Wright, a spokesman for Georgia State Patrol, said the PTSD designation, if signed into law, would give officers a visible alert to "be on guard" and more aware of potentially threatening actions.

"There would be an explanation to account for it," he said. "It can be a positive step for a positive outcome."

Conversely, it can be a negative step justifying a negative outcome. The officer, during a contact, now operates on an exaggerated and baseless presumption that the individual is violent and likely dangerous.

Posted: 9/11/2010 7:23:22 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Putting anything about PTSD on a drivers license is a ready-made excuse for a contact that goes wrong.

Gordy Wright, a spokesman for Georgia State Patrol, said the PTSD designation, if signed into law, would give officers a visible alert to "be on guard" and more aware of potentially threatening actions.

"There would be an explanation to account for it," he said. "It can be a positive step for a positive outcome."

Conversely, it can be a negative step justifying a negative outcome. The officer, during a contact, now operates on an exaggerated and baseless presumption that the individual is violent and likely dangerous.

It fits the stereotype of the "crazy vet" that seems so prominent in society.
Most of the stupid f*cks that make that conclusion wouldn't know crazy from pissed off and are flat ass ignorant.

Posted: 9/11/2010 8:28:47 AM EDT

[#6]

Does that mean if you have a veterans license plate you are considered violent and likely dangerous? By the way it does!!

Posted: 9/11/2010 9:24:19 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Does that mean if you have a veterans license plate you are considered violent and likely dangerous? By the way it does!!

All that says to me is that it's likely some old fart behind the wheel that I'd like to pass before he decides he wants to drive 15 mph under the speed limit.

Posted: 9/11/2010 9:30:21 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Does that mean if you have a veterans license plate you are considered violent and likely dangerous? By the way it does!!

All that says to me is that it's likely some old fart behind the wheel that I'd like to pass before he decides he wants to drive 15 mph under the speed limit.

Did someone mention old fart?????

Speaking of old fart's, where's Chuck?

Posted: 9/11/2010 10:56:28 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Does that mean if you have a veterans license plate you are considered violent and likely dangerous? By the way it does!!

All that says to me is that it's likely some old fart behind the wheel that I'd like to pass before he decides he wants to drive 15 mph under the speed limit.

Didn't know at forty I'd be an old fart.

And if you think you can beat my diesel, have at it.

Posted: 9/11/2010 6:29:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Bad, bad idea. Some people need tarred and feathered

Posted: 9/11/2010 6:40:51 PM EDT

[#11]

So what was the outcome on this bill Dan. Gov. Purdue had until 8 June 2010 to sign it. I am guessing he didn't? Steve

Posted: 9/11/2010 6:46:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
So what was the outcome on this bill Dan. Gov. Purdue had until 8 June 2010 to sign it. I am guessing he didn't? Steve

He did.

http://gapolitico.com/?p=11944

Posted: 9/11/2010 6:52:01 PM EDT

[#13]

Unbelievable. Given that less than half of 1% of our nation even defends it, it is an indicator of just how far our society is removed from those that preserve it. Steve

Posted: 9/11/2010 8:53:17 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
So what was the outcome on this bill Dan. Gov. Purdue had until 8 June 2010 to sign it. I am guessing he didn't? Steve

He did.

http://gapolitico.com/?p=11944

Well isnt this just a fine howdy-do...

Posted: 9/12/2010 8:48:56 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Unbelievable. Given that less than half of 1% of our nation even defends it, it is an indicator of just how far our society is removed from those that preserve it. Steve

My dad was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. I will never forget his comments about the issue you just mentioned.
He remembered the support during WWII, the Red Cross rolling up it's donuts and coffee wagons for the returning Korean vets as soon as the cameras quit rolling, and being spit on at O'hare Airport in Chicago while in uniform during Viet Nam.
I remember the treatment as a child in school being less than spectacular because my father was military.
I do think things are a bit better now as far as many citizens supporting the troops.
But not from public officials.

Posted: 9/12/2010 10:17:35 AM EDT

[#16]

My God

. I'm just about speechless on this travesty. I cannot see how any veteran's organization could support this.

In GA too. Home of the new" Maneuver Center of Excellence".

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - State Gov'ts want to Discriminate Against Vets with PTSD

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