To the Point
Military Suicides on the Rise
Suicides among America's soldiers and veterans are outpacing combat casualties -- and are increasing. Family survivors, the Pentagon and others are searching for answers.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenSuicides among America's active soldiers and veterans are outpacing combat casualties -- and the numbers are increasing — even as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are winding down. We hear how family survivors, the Pentagon and others are searching for answers. Also, anti-Putin protest gathers despite pressure, and New York Times columnist Gail Collins and her claim that Texas has "hijacked the American agenda."
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In this episode
3 storiesAnti-Putin Protest Gathers Despite Pressure
Large crowds opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin turned out in Moscow today, despite yesterday's police raids on the homes of ten leading opponents. Fred Weir is Moscow correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor .
Read the story7 minThe Suicide Epidemic in America's Armed Forces
Last week, the Associated Press reported some daunting statistics : In the first 155 days of this year, there were 154 suicides among active troops in the US military. Veterans are killing themselves at the rate of one every 80 minutes, for a total greater than the combat deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
Read the story32 minConversation with Gail Collins
Gail Collins is a regular columnist for the New York Times. She often writes about politics, and she never lets us forget that Mitt Romney drove to Canada with his dog strapped to the top of the car.
Read the story11 min
