From Bellavia via Fox News:
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.
Here is another article from a local Georgia news site on the bill.
State Senator John Douglas (R), one of the bill’s cosponsors, has nothing but good intentions:
“I thought it was something that could help sick veterans and police officers. It would be beneficial to both sides,” Douglas said. “If a law enforcement officer saw a certain move or something like that he may could attribute it to something along the lines of PTSD. Many police officers and deputies are former military themselves and it would help garner some understanding and recognition of something they themselves might well be familiar with.”
Riiiigggghhhhttttt. Douglas apparently served in the Army as an officer for 17 years but was forced out because “of the Gulf War drawdown” according to his website. He never served in combat. Even better, this is a bipartisan assault on veterans’ rights. The bill’s other cosponsor, Sen. Ron Ramsey(D), says it is “completely voluntary”. Here is his genius logic on this:
“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.”
Let me say that any veteran that voluntary puts this on his drivers would be akin to a Jew “voluntarily” putting a gold star on their clothing in Nazi Germany. There is a negative stigma attached to PTSD and when most people hear those four letters they usually think of Rambo or Travis Bickle thanks to our enlightened Hollywood friends. I can also see many vets being tricked or “voluntold” into putting this on their license. Want to get a veteran or purple heart license plate? Oh just check this box right here sir and they will put a special sticker on your new license. Might be a stretch, but still this is a DMV we are talking about it. Marvin Myers, president of the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance Inc, brings up some other issues as well:
“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.”
Not to mention applying for a job, credit card, home loan, or even buying beer (for us young bucks), all of which require a drivers license these days….
A shitty idea and a shitty bill. The bill is currenting awaiting a signature from Gov. Perdue. Here is his office’s contact info.
Please kindly let him know that this is offensive to veterans.
