What Caught My Eye This Week - Magazine Edition

Newsweek

Veterans - These are the top 5 medical issues that the more than 205,000 Afghanistan and Iraq veterans are suffering from:
- Bone and muscle injuries: 42.7%
- Mental disorders: 35.7%
- Digestive diseases: 30.7%
- Nervous system disorders: 30.0%
- Endorcrine/metabolic diseases: 17.8%

Of the 73,000 vets suffering from mental disorders here are the top 5 based on number of cases:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Nondependent drug abuse
- Depressive disorders
- Neurotic disorders
- Psychoses

We usually hear about the soldiers who die, but not the ones who survive. Hopefully this deal with Walter Reed Hospital will spur our nation's leaders into making sure they look after the brave men and women who do make it home alive.

The Week

Vanity - A sorority at DePauw University (not Depaul, I checked) in Indiana decided to improve its image by ejecting 23 of its members, including those it deemed to be overweight. "Everyone who did not fit a certain sorority stereotype was told to leave," remarked a former member who was allowed to stay but quit in disgust. Is it just me or does the definition of 'popular' or 'in-crowd' exclude pretty much everybody?

Outsourcing - A Chinese man advertised for a woman to serve as a stand-in for his mistress, so his angry wife could beat her up. The man is offering 3000 yuan (about $400) for 10 minutes of being pummeled. Allegedly, ten women have applied. They say they're women, but for my money, its a bunch of guys dressed up in drag looking to make a quick buck.

Retirement - Former President Bill Clinton, who came to the White House with modest means adn left deeply in debt due to legal bills, has collected nearly $40 million in speaking fees over the past six years. On one particular day, he earned $475,000 for two speeches, more than double his annual salary as President. I'm guessing that old adage, "don't quit your day job" doesn't really apply here, does it?

Venezuela - Over the last 2 years, Venezuela has spent more than $4 billion on fighter jets, attack helicopters, rifles and other arms, more than both Pakistan and Iran. Hey, Chavez. Better watch you back, bro'. When we finish up with Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, and those friggin' Al Qaeda jerks (did I miss anyone?), we're coming after you.