Exclusive: Dying Iraq War Veteran Tomas Young Explains Decision to End His Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- In the week marking the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, we spend the hour looking at the remarkable life and imminent death of Iraq War veteran Tomas Young. Citing his overwhelming physical pain from wounds that left him paralyzed in Iraq, Young recently announced he has decided to end his life by discontinuing his medicine and nourishment, which comes in the form of liquid through a feeding tube. Young joins to explain his decision from his home in Kansas City, along with his wife Claudia Cuellar. We're also joined by Phil Donahue, the legendary TV talk show host, whose 2007 documentary, "Body of War," follows Tomas' rehabilitation and his political awakening to become one of the most prominent antiwar U.S. veterans speaking out against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. "On one hand, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired," Young says. "And on the other, I don't want to watch my body waste away." Donahue calls Tomas' announcement "a very unusual act of moral courage. He wants people to see this because he came home from the most sanitized war of my lifetime. We don't see this. Less than 5 percent of us have made a personal sacrifice for this war. And Tomas is one of them."
Take a moment to view our interactive Iraq War timeline at owl.li/jd2ur.
Visit the Democracy Now! news archive to see 10 years of reports on the Iraq War at
www.democracynow.org/topics/iraq.
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Almost a decade later and this story still resonates so profoundly. I never met this man but love him. Hope he rests well.
As an Australian visiting the US, I saw people collecting money for vets. I was shocked that the US government has failed these men and women so appallingly.
So proud of my cousin he struggled daily ... I miss up I Tomas 😥❤
Do you think the VA put him through so much because of the negative comments he made about Iraq and being so against the war? Did your uncle ever describe any corruption within the army? Man god bless you and your family I’m sorry he was treated that way
I will never forget this man.
*forgets*
What did he do? Get injured only to be remembered? He's not even feel sorry for the Iraqis he helped to destroy. In the letter he only cares about himself and other mercenaries.
@@sareeyemanusqaame8723 selfish does as selfish is. Respect for seeing the issue in the narrative. It was all about "me me me me me me me me me me me my country my family blah blah blah" and even after the fact it's all about the same. If these people had genuine compassion they would have never joined the terrorist org that is the usa military in the first place.
No one wants to be shot..... But to be shot in an unjust war..... That is shameful.
The innocent soldiers suffer while the criminal decision makers go free.... With no wounds and with no accountability for their actions.
Johnny Dupont innocent soldiers. Are you fuckin kidding me. These cunts are murdering scumbags. There's a special place in hell set aside for american soldiers.
@@gavinmcinally8442 Not all American solders are murdering scumbags, listen to the testimony's of many many American soldiers, Good honest moral human beings that thought they were bringing peace and democracy, but soon found out their mission was one of evil, death and destruction. Don't blame young men that thought they were fighting a just war, blame the warmongering bastards, that used young men and women, and could not care less if they lived or died. Not one of those warmongering bastards would allow their kids to become cannon fodder, which is what they did to thousands of young men and women from poorer backgrounds, promising college education and all sorts of benefits, which never materialized for those innocent young men and women that put their lives on the line for these warmongering bastards.
Weapons of mass destruction, Halliburton ,war for profit. Over a million died for an American lie. Men woman and kids.Cant you lot find something else to export other that death. 42 countries you have invaded since the second world war .
@TerrorWestTalibans make women and children as human shields to protect themselves from getting shot during firefight with foreign troops. That is horrible too. Isn't it
@@pm6822 it's simple if US DIDN'T INVADED THEN NO ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN MURDERED.
BEFORE YOU MAKE STUPID COMMENTS JUST REFLECT A LITTLE. THE US LOVES WAR'S & THE GULABLE FOOLS ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE - TRAGIC.
This broke my fucking heart
Watrutalkinabeet you druggo?
Scythe-Master Inc. nah just human
After 11 years I have no idea why anyone continues to enlist or re-enlist in the military.
quote "plenty of us like myself did it for college benefits and a guaranteed paycheck"
according to +TheBamm1979
***** Wrong is wrong dude, you don't do the wrong thing just so you can make some money. Live your life with principles; be a man.
Makes a lot of sense for some people's psychology its just the wars are unjust. Sense of purpose, order and sacrifice appeal to people. It's sad that such idealism is then exploited.
I can't STOP to crying , my son was 8 ears in the Arm, now he is PTSD.. he is only 29 /o..GOD BLESS ALL OUR TROOPS
God give mind to the presidents to nor kill anymore our kids.
how about the millions of people you guys killed there for zionists money? for accusing them with 11\9 ?eeeh do you know how many mothers in iraq feel the same way ? all this for Bush N his zionists mafia .. shame on you all.
stay away
There is a time for this kind of talk, saying that to his mother makes you no better than those doing the killing.
Vebinz
You are over simplifying the entire "war"
He may have been misguided but he did believe in what he was doing.
IT is easy to armchair quarterback on this one, again, there is a time and place, leave this one alone and have some class.
SlayerofFiction i don't know what do you mean SIR, !
naomi toma people should realize. otherwise, nothing will change. Presidents need money for the campaign. they get the money from someone and obey their masters.
I FEEL VERY SORRY FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SAME AS I DID IN MY DAY I HEARD IT ONCE SAID OLD MEN SIT AROUND PLANNING WARS THAT YOUNG MEN DIE FOR I TELL ALL YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR FIGHTING FOR
Nerya Avraham Mofaz seriously? Go fuck yourself. Some people have to type in capitals to see the words, others use it to express emotion. Was it really necessary to bring that up? It is irrelevant to what was said. No fucking respect. Sorry @political prisoner for commenting with such anger, but I felt the need to attack the asshole that had the audacity to bring up something superficial.
they are fighting to make the super rich even richer that is all. that is all it ever is. ever
In my opinion this man is a TRUE HERO Rest in peace
What an amazing woman his wife is , lots of wives cant deal with shit like that and walk away , i hope thay get the help they deserve.
We have the very same problems in the UK ,and have to fight for everything that we bloody deserve ,just to be treated with honesty and repect would be a start
you don't deserve respect after showing none to your fellow humans.
@@ThinkingFreedom I served in Sarajevo Bosnia 1996 and Kosovo 2000 we saved a lot of people in Sarajevo from getting bombed , mortared , shot ...we restored power , electricity , water supply ..we set up medical centres and food convoys ....the people in Sarajevo had been under siege for four years with no electricity, water , no hospitals,
supplies etc....
Two of my regiment lost their lives there and one wounded shot in the face driving down sniper alley to pick up an interpreter......
In Kosovo I was involved in the exhumation of the bodies of the old men , women and children massacred and in mass graves ......we did this so the relatives could perhaps find closure and properly bury their loved ones and to use the bodies as evidence of war crimes .......
As soldiers we don't get to choose where we are sent to serve , most young lads join the army to escape poverty , most British soldiers are the working class from sink estates with no jobs or prosperity....I joined up so I could learn a trade which I did , as an electrician ......
In all my experience we treated everyone with compassion and respect and helped a lot of people in dire circumstances ......we are often sent to places were our role is to provide humanitarian aid after natural disasters or civil wars many times we served as UN peacekeepers such as in Cyprus .
That's so painful to watch. Yet I'm so grateful for these people to speak up and show us the true side of the story.
My co-worker is Thomas' mother. She's a though woman. And a hard worker at that. Crazy how the VA hasn't changed, all these years later. Our politicians say they "love our troops" but all I ever see, is the VA being borderline useless to those in need.
Or outright hurting vets.
I know from personal experience
this man is a voice of the true American principals. He went to Iraq to protect what he thought was America's freedom but instead, by accident, helped corrupt that which America is. Im not saying it's his fault. Im saying that it's a shame that good men and women like him become crippled or worse to fight over a cause that is selfish and an extension of personal greed via politicians. Its times like this when I am ashamed of being an American. I hope one day things will be better.
Tomas Young, you are a true American hero, God bless you for your courage and honesty. A young man sacrificed for what?
For George Fhucking Buss
Our whole gov is criminal
Skull n bones
I salute tomas young's wife, claudia. She really stands by him. God Bless You.
Poor guy, may he rest in peace.
Yorick G rest in the Hell bastard fucking rate war
Blood on our Leaders hands.
Art Gardner and everyone who voted
What can I say apart from my heart goes out to this man and his family.
A patriot who was deceived by clown!
I'm ashamed to call myself an American. This is truly sad
Today is the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and can’t stop thinking of his final letter rest in peace Tomas young.
Those politicians sent thousands of young working class men to these pointless wars where did they send their own children?
It is so weird, I joined the Norwegian Army at age 21, and at age 22 I was in Afghanistan as part of ISAF serving Americas war.
At the time I thought it was exciting, I was lucky enough to not get wounded.
Being 32 years now I honestly do not know if I would have done it again. I really do not know exactly what I was doing down there.
Protecting the new world order that’s why you were there
The west and all the allies was promoting expansion and corrupt politicians benefiting from stocks in weapon manufacturers sadly more people need to speak up especially in mainstream media until this is stop in America they pretend and I'm sure other Western nations they bait these kids into these wars yet we calling out Russia promoting the same propaganda about a special military operation liberating the people and the people will be happy to see them. Funny we criticize Putin while also pretending to be democratic but underneath it's the same oligarchy kleptomaniacs.
An effing literal robot, idk how human can be that ignorant
“I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.”? GENERAL Smedley Butler
The media is unfortunately not letting the younger generation connect to the older ones by telling these stories and not enough have first hand accounts from there parents perspective because only 1 percent went to war and all those damn military bases across the globe most people don't know anything about them.
Thank you for your service NOT.
Tomas Young, I cannot understand the lack of respect and compassion that some people show you. It must be so difficult for you to continue on with your condition and with your pain. I truly pray for you to find peace and live in comfort. I know what it is like to have a bad decision haunt you for the rest of your life, and I have nothing but the deepest compassion for you. You must remember, we all make mistakes, and that you made the best decision you could at the time. Your intentions were good, and that counts for a lot. At least you have your wife to help make your life a little easier, at least you have someone to love and who loves you. In the darkest hour, all you can do is hold her and pray for better days ahead. I truly hope you find them. God bless you.
can you understand the lack of respect and lack of compassion he showed to people he butchered or supported the butchering of by joining a terrorist organization? There is a level of hypocrisy in your post. Maybe this will help bridge the gap of understanding - It is a phenomena where you have a natural inclination to value the life of someone in your close proximity - whether geographically, racially or ideologically - over someone who is not. He wasn't shooting at targets over there, he was shooting at other humans, with their own families and loved ones.
This is a definite tear jerker, and I am not known to be an easy crier..
This brave man expressed the truth to the best of his ability in regard to his care and treatment at the VA. His words parallel exactly what I witnessed while caring for several vets as a nurse at the VA hospital I was at. It was the only time I came home after advocating for my patients, watching 5 physicians standing around a man with esophageal cancer and unanimously chose not to PEG tube him so he could receive nurishment. I cried so hard I could no longer be at that facility. I believe him.
I served for a total of 7 years and have contented with a disability that has driven me to the point this young man is now at. I have been listed as an addict just looking for drugs to get high on. Tell me please is it wrong to have the desire to live without the mind numbing pain I am forced to suffer with every day of my life? When you try and explaine the problems that you suffer with the doctors will interrupt you or talk over you and prescribe an anti inflammatory or aspirin and tell you that your pain is in your head. Well people of this great country you all are about to find out what type of health care we veterans live with thanks to Obamacare your suffering has just began. Welcome to the don't care health care most of you voted for. You deserve what you get. Oh yes we were drafted in my day. Our choice- war or 20 years in prison. Thank you America for making our choices so easy.
This is heartbreaking. I wish the best for this young man. He deserves better in life. No matter your stance on people joining the armed forces, he's human.
were the people his organization tortured not human? People like him acted like they weren't in the organization they supported.
It's fucked,war is a terrible thing,I could imagine how helpless he feels...R.I.P
NOBODY SHOULD FIGHT FOR THIS BULLSHIT MARKET PLACE.
A vote for Clinton is a vote for Bush.
Joni D a vote for trump is a vote for bush... you have it backwards
Handy Andy trump wanted to fight isis. Clinton wanted war with russia, do you have any fucking ideas what would happen if U.S and Russia went head to head.
Gilbert Liscano Yeah I know that, but the US and Russia are two of the biggest, scariest countries, other people would get involved, but it would mainly be the US and Russia.
And you're special kind of corporative-media troll! Joni D is right,Bush,Hillary and similar assholes belongs to the same cult-oil-money-mafia is their name,you should join them as their troll
Joni D very true
My heart is breaking for you, sweet boy. I remember that time. My brother, his friends, my friends . . . everyone wanted to go fight for this land. We'll see you on the other side. Rock on.
This is a perfect example of how our Government treats our soldiers after they've served their purpose. It's indicative of how their lack of respect for all of us.
I am a Veteran and this is extremely sad. I am just learning of his story now. I have personally witnessed the terrible VA treatment they provide by some providers. Don't get me wrong...there are some good people that work there. But God help you if you get the wrong doctor/staff.
have you considered the idea that you deserve to suffer after the suffering you directly unjustly caused? Why do you think you deserve a get out of jail free card?
I can't speak from medical experience but he said he was having a hard time regulating his body temp & got light headed. This happens to people who are paraplegics. He got through the speech though. Heartbreaking.
I have to disagree brother. I am in a identical situation and go to the same VA hospital. In 2002 I incurred a SCI at C4 that left me paralyzed from my chest down, in constant pain, without bladder or bowel function, now dependent on an power wheelchair.
Life is hard but I pray he changes his mind. I made a video message to him and I hope he will somehow see it. I don't want him to become another statistic.
I admire his wife for sticking by his side. I think I would kick a woman out of my life if that happened to me. I wouldn't want to subject another to my problem. I'm not being judgemental in any way. I just know myself.
Much respect, Mr. Young.
Incredibly sad. I wish we could help this person more. I hope his words aren't neglected.
"Some cultures recognize only force." animals think like that.
And he joined the anti-war effort despite his challenges. More like a hero than a coward.
this opened my eyes and broke my heart
I think we can all agree that he's a war hero even if the war was unjust. Also, his wife is a hell of a good woman.
Oxymoron
I can never understand why the only answer to terrorist attacks is war. Nothing destroys a person more than killing a man and not expected to feel remorse. I may not lose rest over dead Nazis, but soldiers are not robots, they are people that have just as many emotions as any human.
Bless this beautiful soul.
my heart breaks so much for him. first person who ive seen actually talk about what hes going through that made me cry. its such a damn shame what happened to him and its even more heart wrenching what he has to go through just to end his pain... not fucking FAIR
Very strong man, words don't express the respect I have for not only him but his partner Claudia she is a very strong woman! On behalf of me and the rest of this country thank you for your courage and sacrifice
very very strong man, he has now chosen to keep fighting, something i think i could not do
Какая трагедия...Такая красивая пара молодых людей...Какие красивые дети могли бы у них родиться...Бедная девушка - верная жена...Пропади пропадом Nato и те, кто наживается на людской боли , калеча целые поколения...Мне очень жаль...Столь молодой парень, красавец... Прости...дружище...что мы живём в таком мире...
This wont make it on CNN. Has too much honesty
This is insane the hurt i feel for this man burns my soul. Unfuckingbelievable what this country has done to its people and the world. The lie is bigger than we will ever know
Please share this video and listen to it. It is time to stop all wars in the world,
Mr. Young's decision to end his life has to do with ending his pain, both emotional and physical. He does not have to defend his actions to anyone. The fact that his death wouldn't mean anything to the useless bastards that, in effect, killed him, shows that he is a much better person. Why not batter those killers instead of the victim?
I really owe Phil Donahue an apology.
I was very irritated by his show when it aired, with all the "anti-war rhetoric" as I called it then.
I was "mad at the terrorists" and thought I wanted the war..I was a blind brainwashed idiotic fool.
I regret painfully that I was sucked into the propaganda, looking back I don't see how, it all seems so obvious now..now that it's too late.
Phil, you're a good man my friend, I'm sorry I doubted you.
Shalom
Find peace my brother.
Thank you🌎✊🗽🌹
Tomas is not giving up, he is exiting through a method called 'Fighting Withdrawl'. I admire his strength to take his fight to the next level. Thank you for your service. Your fight has been admirable and memorable. I am sad that you will not be here to keep leading and I hope you find your next LZ safely.
he should have used "fighting withdrawal" when he signed up.
George Bush and Cheney there is a volcanic river for you.
R.I.P bud... :(
Wow, I think this guy fulfilled his wish to do something for his country. What a hero. Not much these days fills me with much hope, but sometimes I'm reminded of how strong the human spirit is. Keep on rockin in the free world.
I agree ... Maybe we ALL should take better care of each other because this is all there is.
Hero true story....
You will never disappoint.
A good man. Thats what this guy is. His message should be spread. This war has lasted long enough. Before the war, people from all over the world looked up to America. Today its just different. I hope this man survives to spread his message of peace. Peace be upon him.
The UPMOST Respect❤❤❤
It's heartbreaking to see how wars destroys young good men who surely were the pride of their families.
With today's technology; it's better to do farming and no wars.
My heart is broken..
It takes a strong person to accept he is wrong, I admire you for seeing the light and realising these wars are criminal and immoral, as have I. God bless and respect!
why did you join? Please be brutally honest with yourself and with me.
well said!
Huge respect to Thomas young and all the other who are now suffering after the lies and deceit of their government.
Iraq vet here. And he is one of the many reason I will be majoring in law to fight the system!
another hero, thank you Tomas Young.
his wife is such a beautiful woman with intelligent, meek eyes
I won't dignify that comment with an answer. But in support of Tomas Young and the thousands who encourage his spirit and bravery, I say,"Well done!!"
Good... response. My congratulations to you!
Mr Young. Please go to Not Dead Yet and read your way into our disability culture. Do not let the media use you as a tool to justify the ongoing pressure against those of us with disabilities to end their lives. You are a brilliant man who can add much to our nation and the world.
I remember watching the brilliant Body of War documentary many years ago. It is very courageous for Tomas Young to use his story to show the true cost of going to war. A lot of politicians don't give a fuck about the lives of people. They are mere fodder to make them richer and more successful. To them war it is just a business model that makes ordinary everyday people pay ridiculous amounts of money in tax and human suffering while they continue to make ridiculous amounts of money and gain ultimate control. To them money and success is more important than human life, and it is high time everyone wakes up to this reality. I wish Tomas and his wife some peace before he meets the end, and I wish the elite burn in hell!
As of 3-22-13 i have lose two brothers an i see how they are treatment of vets work i saw the way the vet hospital just let my brother die the pain place on the family is just take care every one an. Care for each other!
Actually America killed 700.000 Iraqis by sanctions on medicine and food even before the invasion, 500.000 thousands of them are under 5 years old 😭 total victims can reach up to 4.9 millions.
This is our Corrupt politicians and Bankers fault!
Darryl Jackson Its your own fault...
Really how so
Darryl Jackson omg man how can dat person above say tis ur fault, n thn wen u ask y thy dont say shit, dat guys an idiot. big up to u, i totally agree wid wot u said ✌
I like talking to smart people like you who get it God Bless you man.
I feel really bad for tomas young.
This man doesn't deserve this.
Where are these war Criminals, and y are they walking around this earth ?
Phil Donahue was the last TRUE talk show.
i will be dambed if i go fight any war against another country however i will stand and fight with my brothers at arms within our own land to protect our sovereignty, horah!!
I’m the meantime, GW Bush and Toni Blair with all the former members of that administration can spend time with their families, walk gently, and been paid to to talk about leadership etc...Obama saw the impacts war can have on people but he decided to be part of the very exclusive club of war criminals walking free😪!
Rest in power Young man! The wind has carried your voice, the soil has collected your tears, and fire has saved your emotions...🙏🏿
he did volunteer. yes. he was not forced but tricked,just like the rest of us were; by our polluted government driven by greed and corruption. god bless all our veterans. i no one can ever say anything about his decision until they lay there to die in torturing pain. with death comes peace and quiet. rest in peace brothers and sisters of america
MR THOMAS YOUNG I DONT KNOW YOU AND IM NOT AMERICAN BUT I HAVE WATCHED UR VIDEOS A LOT AND EVERY TIME I COMMENT ON ANY PAGE IM EVER ON I TELL PEOPLE TO WATCH UR VIDEOS AND HOW AMERICA HAS TREATED YOU I PROBABLY WILL NEVER MEET YOU THOMAS BUT I THINKK OF U EVERY DAY AND I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO WAKE UP AND SEE HOW SOLDERS LIKE U HAVE BEEN TREATED I HOPE AND PRAY YOU ARE NOT IN TO MUCH PAIN BUDDY I WILL NEVER FOGET YOU AND I WILL DO MY BEST IN MY LIFE WITH YOU IN MY THOUGHTS
My heart goes out to this man and his story. I will say that the VA does a lot of great things, and hardly are given the opportunity to defend themselves. I appreciate this man’s story and will pray for the family.
My heart goes to the people he helped murder
@@sareeyemanusqaame8723 A lot of Americans volunteered to go to war in Afghanistan to defend the 911 attacks, including this man, only to get sent to Iraq unwillingly instead. If you want to criticize Bush for that, he surely should face accountability. But this man was protecting his country. If he had refused to fight in Iraq, after volunteering to go to Afghanistan, he would have faced prison. In a very real sense he was victimized. He spoke out against the Iraq war, if you actually watched the video. My heart goes out to the soldiers of this war as well as the innocent civilians. My heart goes out to all who were impacted.
@@markcollins1012 so you believe the BS 9/11 commission? You think they found the alleged high jackers passport in tacked in the rubble? You think Afghanistan of alqaida was responsible 9/11 but not Israel and their sleeper cells in the US? You think Larry Silverstein was not part of 9/11 planners?
@@markcollins1012 prison is a lot more honourable than treating people worse than prisoners like the usa military did to the country of Iraq. Most people with an iota of common sense should have been able to see you don't need thousands of people to wage war on a country to "defend an attack" that is in the past with the perpetrators dead. Most people who join are inherently selfish/evil/hateful/racist people who want to carry out their fantasies and only end up with a dose of ptsd. It's very difficult to feel compassion for people who displayed none in their decision making
Thomas Young
Is an open book for any young Thomas decisions.
اه يا حسراتاه على العراق
دخلها امريكان قتلوا و نهبوا و اغتصبوا
و في اخير خرجو كأن لم يحصل شيء الا بعض الناس الشرفاء اعترفو بذنوبهم
غفر الله لهم
A true fighter for peace . RIP
Don't be ashamed of things you didn't do, CHANGE the future, OWN the future!
if he lives in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and other states then he could, and he also has a social security net. They're much better for soldiers than for average citizens.
This is an atrocity and disgraceful. The very people, men and women that stand up for the greatest country in the world, get treated worse than dirt. Times are changing and so will things like this. Thank you to all who fight to defend our country. RIP.
Greatest country? Maybe you are trying to say source of all evil?
The fucking health system blew it by not finding that blood clot this is a true hero god bless him
this is so sad..
I was going to sign up when I was 19 before 911. After that happened, I decided now is not that best time
So sad but true
anyone who has lost someone to suicide will hate this any one who has ever suffered like him will be in total favor. it all depends on where you stand