CBS Discovers Problem of Iraq War Veterans Homeless in America

MRC ^ | Monday April 26, 2004 | BrentBaker

[fight_truth_decay]

Just in time for the fall campaign, CBS News has rediscovered homelessness in America, pairing it with the plight of veterans returning from Iraq. Saturday CBS Evening News anchor Mika Brzezinski connected the case of Pat Tillman, the NFL star turned Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan, with a woman who couldn't get along with her mother and so had to live elsewhere, as she teased the broadcast, "A tale of two soldiers: One honored in death, the other homeless in life."

Reporter Kelly Cobiella recounted the predicament of the not really homeless woman as she relayed, without any doubt, the claims of a self-interested advocate: "There is no federal shelter to care for veterans. The burden falls on cash-strapped cities like New York which struggles to provide shelter for hundreds of veterans from World War II to Iraq. It is a growing problem, says Mary Brosnahan Sullivan with the Coalition for the Homeless."

Sullivan helpfully explained: "Across the country, we have record homelessness and so veterans who are coming home are trying to compete in brutally tough housing markets."

Do reporters ever see any government agency as anything but "cash-strapped"?

Immediately after a story on reaction to Tillman's death, Brzezinski set up the next story on the April 24 CBS Evening News:

"The men and women fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq put their lives on hold to serve the country. Their families wait for months simply for word of when they may come home. But what if a soldier has no home to return to?"

Over video of soldiers being greeted by hugs, reporter Kelly Cobiella asserted: "It is a soldier's dream, coming home to the comfort of family. But for some the reality is very different."

Nicole Goodwin, Army veteran, on a park bench holding a small child: "I had to prepare myself for the heartbreak of homecoming."

Cobiella: "Twenty-three year old Nicole Goodwin came home to be a single mom. After three years with the Army, four months of it spent in Baghdad, she felt she had given to her country and needed to give to her daughter. But when her relationship with her own mother soured, Goodwin left home and landed on the streets."

Cobiella, over video of homeless lying on the streets: "There is no federal shelter to care for veterans. The burden falls on cash-strapped cities like New York which struggles to provide shelter for hundreds of veterans from World War II to Iraq. It is a growing problem, says Mary Brosnahan Sullivan with the Coalition for the Homeless."

Sullivan: "Across the country, we have record homelessness and so veterans who are coming home are trying to compete in brutally tough housing markets."

Cobiella basically acknowledged that Goodwin really isn't homeless: "Goodwin doesn't qualify for the city program because she has what the city calls 'a safe alternative' -- living with her mother. For now, her military family has stepped in to help. The Veterans affairs office has found a place for her to live with her daughter and will help her find a job."

Cobiella concluded: "The military does have a program for all soldiers leaving the service, telling them what help is available, from jobs to housing. But it is voluntary and soldiers like Goodwin, who are not aware of their options, still fall through the cracks."

And fall right into a tale of woe the media cannot resist.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>I don't think from reading these quotes she is homeless by choice.

In this day and age, the only reason people are homeless is by their own choice. The people "helping" this woman didn't go far enough. I'd venture to guess that they could have called a few churches, and in an hour or two, could have found someone willing to give this woman & child a place to stay until she got a job, and could take care of herself.

[Rebelbase]

"$250 a week she was receiving in unemployment benefits"

Good grief. That's more than minimum wage, especially if it was all "take home" pay. There is no incentive to work, especially when 'food stamps' advertise on the radio for clients.

[fight_truth_decay]

In this day and age, the only reason people are homeless is by their own choice.

Keith In Iowa: I wish I believed as you.

Regards,
fight_truth_decay

[SZonian]

I look at my comment and realize it may be easy to take it out of context. What I should have said is "...she could have stayed in the military and they would have provided housing for her and her dependent."

Thanks for the catch.

Cheers!