<p>If you have not read (and gagged on) the NY Times piece, here is a link. You will probably need to register (free) if you really want to read it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/13vets.html?scp=2&sq=murder+veteran[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/13vets.html?scp=2&sq=murder+veteran</a></p>
<p>If this “article” had been written in a way to show that we need to support our vets who suffer from PTSD, I would have no problem with it. But to imply that our Iraq/Afghanistan vets are now suddenly murderers is unconscionable. As of August 2005, we had deployed over 1 million troops, about 35% having served multiple tours. Note that the NY Times numbers were for 121 violent crimes committed by vets nationwide, of which 79 were homicides. To put that into perspective, Louisville, KY, with a metropolitan population of ~700,000, has had 69, 64, and 70 homicides in the past three years. Count me as one planning to write a complaint to the NY Times. It won’t change their editorial slant, but it will allow me to let off steam.</p>