| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Fluffy |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 5:11:58 PM
I was informed that TR was spotted on Nightline a few days ago. Apparently after Dave's words at UMASS and RCMH(which you can read below) the press picked up on the story and Nightline had Dave on talking about the issue. All or most of the footage seems to be from RCMH and TR is all the way thru it. In fact, the story ends on a TR solo and note! To see the interview click on the link below.
Dave Matthews Defends U.S. Soldiers:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3372745
Here is what Dave said at the RCMH show that apparently got attention of someone in the media and got the ball rolling on this:
quote:
"this young man named jon town...there's an article written about him i read in the feb 9 issue of a magazine, i won't mention right away, cause it will make you...it will give you an opinion before i finish what i am saying.
Anyway, this young fellow went off - brave as brave can be- the best that best can be because he believed in something or he wanted to pay for college, i'm not sure exactly what it was anyway he went off, and he fought in iraq and gave his life over to people say 'here's my body and here's my soul - do with it as you please because i believe in you'. Anyway he went over there brave, with many other brave young and women like him and his vehicle was hit by a rocket, i think it was a rocket... anyway, so he's deaf now and he's kind of messed up as you can imagine and he's got brain damage.
As it turns out when they got back, i guess the doctors checked him out and although all these things had happened to him in iraq, they concluded that before he joined the army, he was depressive and so he had a pre-existing condition, and that means that means he does not get any benefits for his time...not only did he get discharged from the army...the military at least...but he also lost his bonus, so he ended up owing the military, or the government $3000...anyway, you know its just those kind of stories....in my heart it kinda feels like when you hear of somebody being on death row and being put to death and then you find out they didnt do it....it has that same kind of sickening feeling inside..."
Dave Matthews--4.22.07
Dave has taken up this cause and has even gone as far as posting a petition for anyone interested to sign. Here is the link to the petition:
http://web.davematthewsband.com/petition/
The same article that sparked Dave's comments and subsequent petition drive also prompted the House Veteran Affairs Committee to hold hearings that commenced on July 25th. Guessing this is what led to Dave being asked to do the Nightline piece. Nice to see all the footage as backdrop for the story. Way to go DAVE! To see Joshua Kors article that sparked all of this click on the following link:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070409/kors |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Robin |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 10:46:16 PM
This was really Kewl,nicely done with intelligence and grace. Good to see TR in the footage as well. Thanks for passing to on, Peace, Robin |
| Fluffy |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 5:34:20 PM
Ahhhh, there seem to be 2 versions of the video, one shorter(1 min 14 secs):
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3379254
and one longer(5 min 35 secs):
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3372745
Wonder if the 5 minute one is the "extended" interview or if there is even a longer one. You can see TR in both of these versions.
I actually found a 3rd version but it looks like it may be the same as the earlier 5 min one:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3379289
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| Fluffy |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 5:25:21 PM
From the official DMB website:
Dave Matthews Featured Tonight on ABC
07/12/2007
Be sure to check out Dave Matthews this evening on ABC News. ABC News’ Bob Woodruff recently interviewed Dave for a report about questionable personality disorder discharges of Iraq War veterans. Woodruff's report will air tonight on "World News with Charles Gibson" and "Nightline." An extended version of Dave Matthews’ interview will appear on ABCNews.com later tonight and on ABC News NOW at 11:35 a.m. ET on Friday, July 13, 2007 and continuing throughout the day.
http://www.dmband.com/news/view/f194e0ff3d3e1170d0d5374e1195f192
Did anyone catch the EXTENDED VERSION?
Also for more info on the Jonathan Town story click here:
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/WoodruffReports/story?id=3368726&page=1
Once again, to sign DMB's petition, click here:
http://web.davematthewsband.com/petition/ |
| Fluffy |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 5:21:02 PM
Another link to the video footage and story on the ABC News website:
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Voices/story?id=3378402
Dave Matthews Fights for Traumatized Troops
Voices: Pushes to Ensure Those Who Served Aren't Denied Disability Benefits
July 15th, 2007 from This Week
Grammy-award winning rock star Dave Matthews is pushing Congress to protect Iraq veterans traumatized by combat and who have been misdiagnosed with personality disorders, trying to make sure that those who served are not denied the disability benefits they need. This week, six senators introduced legislation that would temporarily suspend personality disorder discharges for combat veterans until there is a comprehensive review of current procedures.
Dave Matthews: It just struck me as a profound injustice that someone who had given so much of themselves and clearly showed such a quality of personality … that the gratitude that was shown them was basically a dishonorable discharge.
It made me think, "What can I do? What can we do?" So we wrote a letter requesting an investigation in Congress, and now we have 23,000 signatures.
It's not partisan. It's not about whether it's a Republican or a Democratic administration. It's only about how we treat people who have given, essentially, their lives, put their lives in the hands of our country.
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| Fluffy |
Posted - 07/26/2007 : 5:13:55 PM
Dave Matthews Band petition drive urges better mental health care for troops
Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007 | 4:30 PM ET
Canadian Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Dave Matthews Band is urging fans to push Congress to do more to ensure that U.S. troops coming home traumatized by combat get the help they need.
A petition on the band's website has 23,000 signatures so far, singer Dave Matthews said in an interview aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
The Pentagon and Congress are reviewing possible changes to the military's much-criticized mental health system. A task force last month found that more than one-third of troops and veterans suffer from problems such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and it urged stronger leadership, more money and greater focus on prevention and screening.
"It just struck me as a profound injustice that someone who had given so much of themselves and clearly showed such a quality of personality that the gratitude we're showing them was basically a dishonourable discharge," Matthews said.
The petition asks Congress to investigate reports that some troops' service-related mental health problems have been misdiagnosed by the military as pre-existing personality disorders.
The effort is nonpartisan, the Grammy-winning musician said. "It's only about how we treat people who have given their, essentially, their lives, put their lives in the hands of our country."
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/entertainment/070715/e071519A.html |
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