No Finger Pointing Over Army Suicides, But Solutions

"Army suicides highest in 26 years" from the AP reports that there has been an increase in suicides and attempted suicides by members of the Army - with a correlation between the attempts and suicides and the amount of time deployed.  The reasons for the suicides include failed relationships, financial and legal troubles and the obvious strain of the deployments.  The Army has put in place some interventions and there are some indications that there may be a decline this year. 

The report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Thursday, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War.

It would seem that this is a concern for all Americans and is an issue that shouldn't be politicized but worked on to offer the ultimate support possible for the troops - and that there should be every effort made for an increased Army and more shared sacrifice from the government and public at large.  There needs to be no excuse making or finger pointing - just solutions and comfort.  In short, this shouldn't be a political opportunity for cheesy politicians, the majority of whom haven't served in uniform, to make political points in any way, shape or form - on either side of the aisle.