Homeless Vietnam Vets

pipelineaudio · 16th September 2007, 06:11 PM

I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets.

It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general.

Does anyone have any good links to solid info?

The Fool · 16th September 2007, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets.

It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general.

Does anyone have any good links to solid info?

what?? The signs beggers hold up may not be true? Say it isn't so.

timhau · 16th September 2007, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general.

Aren't even the youngest Vietnam vets closing in on their 60th birthday pretty soon? If they only took into account the vets that are still with us, then maybe all of those whose life was really messed up in/by the war weren't there to be counted.

rjh01 · 17th September 2007, 02:07 AM

Let us do the Maths. The last vets came home around 1973. That was 34 years ago. If they were 20 years old at the time, they would be 54 years old now.

timhau · 17th September 2007, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by rjh01

Let us do the Maths. The last vets came home around 1973. That was 34 years ago. If they were 20 years old at the time, they would be 54 years old now.

Paul Hardcastle tells us that their average age was n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen.

pipelineaudio · 17th September 2007, 04:38 AM

I seem to recall that the success study took names from ranks at random. I wish i could remember more.

timhau · 17th September 2007, 04:47 AM

What demographic were they compared to? Everyone, or random males of the same age?

kerikiwi · 17th September 2007, 12:13 PM

If the average age was nineteen, there must have been very large numbers of younger ones.

Ziggurat · 17th September 2007, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets.

It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general.

Does anyone have any good links to solid info?

The source I remember hearing about along those lines was a book titled "Stolen Valor".

timhau · 17th September 2007, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by kerikiwi

If the average age was nineteen, there must have been very large numbers of younger ones.

Or maybe the song is just full of c-c-c-c-crap.

The Fool · 18th September 2007, 12:07 AM

I doubt an average of 19.....but 19 was a very common age.

Bob Klase · 18th September 2007, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by timhau

Paul Hardcastle tells us that their average age was n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen.

Not true:

http://www.tommyduggan.com/VP070605nam.html

Quote:

Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22.8. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20.

http://www.vvof.org/factsvnv.htm

Quote:

Another common assumption: The war in Vietnam was fought by youngsters wet behind the ears, who died as teenagers barely old enough to shave. In fact, more 52-year-olds (22) died in Vietnam than 17-year-olds (12). An analysis of data from the Department of Defense shows the average age of men killed in Vietnam was 22.8 years, or almost 23 years old.

http://www.uswings.com/vietnamfacts.asp

Quote:

Average age of men killed: 23.1 years.

I doubt that anyone has ever calculated the average age of all who served in Vietnam. But I think it's safe to assume that the average age of those killed is at least slightly lower than the over all average age.

Dancing David · 18th September 2007, 10:00 AM

I know for a fact that our local 'homeless vet' wasn never in the army or services. But he dure twists the kitties tail to get people to give him money.

Give them a sandwich or coffee, never give them money.

geni · 18th September 2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

I doubt that anyone has ever calculated the average age of all who served in Vietnam. But I think it's safe to assume that the average age of those killed is at least slightly lower than the over all average age.

Depends on the value of average you are useing. The mean will be draged upwards a lot by the older memebers of the militry (For every 50 year old you would need 8 16 (or 12 17) year olds to bring the mean age down to 19). The midpoint would not be.

SpaceMonkeyZero · 18th September 2007, 10:58 AM

The newer ones hold up signs saying they're homeless Iraq war vets.

I'm more likely to believe this guy.

IMST · 18th September 2007, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkeyZero

I'm more likely to believe this guy.

Interesting. I wonder who was first, that guy or this guy
ETA: or this one

16th September 2007, 06:11 PM	#1
pipelineaudio Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wickenburg, AZ Posts: 3,669	Homeless Vietnam Vets I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets. It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general. Does anyone have any good links to solid info?
	__________________ Can someone give me a better name for SLAG FAIRY?

16th September 2007, 07:54 PM	#2
The Fool Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 11,558	Originally Posted by pipelineaudio I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets. It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general. Does anyone have any good links to solid info? what?? The signs beggers hold up may not be true? Say it isn't so.
	__________________ And what is good, Phaedrus,and what is not good. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? R. M. Pirsig. (Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance) Lose half your IQ....Ask me how.

16th September 2007, 10:50 PM	#3
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 9,659	Originally Posted by pipelineaudio It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general. Aren't even the youngest Vietnam vets closing in on their 60th birthday pretty soon? If they only took into account the vets that are still with us, then maybe all of those whose life was really messed up in/by the war weren't there to be counted.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

17th September 2007, 02:07 AM	#4
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,178	Let us do the Maths. The last vets came home around 1973. That was 34 years ago. If they were 20 years old at the time, they would be 54 years old now.
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17th September 2007, 04:35 AM	#5
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 9,659	Originally Posted by rjh01 Let us do the Maths. The last vets came home around 1973. That was 34 years ago. If they were 20 years old at the time, they would be 54 years old now. Paul Hardcastle tells us that their average age was n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

17th September 2007, 04:38 AM	#6
pipelineaudio Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wickenburg, AZ Posts: 3,669	I seem to recall that the success study took names from ranks at random. I wish i could remember more.
	__________________ Can someone give me a better name for SLAG FAIRY?

17th September 2007, 04:47 AM	#7
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 9,659	What demographic were they compared to? Everyone, or random males of the same age?
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

17th September 2007, 12:13 PM	#8
kerikiwi Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay of Islands NZ Posts: 5,844	If the average age was nineteen, there must have been very large numbers of younger ones.

17th September 2007, 02:51 PM	#9
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,187	Originally Posted by pipelineaudio I thought I remembered a study spoken of on NPR (though with these results, I may have been mistaken) about homeless vets. It said almost none of the panhandlers claiming to be vets on their signs actually were, and that vietnam vets were actually more successful than the population in general. Does anyone have any good links to solid info? The source I remember hearing about along those lines was a book titled "Stolen Valor".
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

17th September 2007, 10:08 PM	#10
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 9,659	Originally Posted by kerikiwi If the average age was nineteen, there must have been very large numbers of younger ones. Or maybe the song is just full of c-c-c-c-crap.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

18th September 2007, 12:07 AM	#11
The Fool Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 11,558	I doubt an average of 19.....but 19 was a very common age.
	__________________ And what is good, Phaedrus,and what is not good. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? R. M. Pirsig. (Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance) Lose half your IQ....Ask me how.

18th September 2007, 06:42 AM	#12
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,833	Originally Posted by timhau Paul Hardcastle tells us that their average age was n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen. Not true: http://www.tommyduggan.com/VP070605nam.html Quote: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22.8. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. http://www.vvof.org/factsvnv.htm Quote: Another common assumption: The war in Vietnam was fought by youngsters wet behind the ears, who died as teenagers barely old enough to shave. In fact, more 52-year-olds (22) died in Vietnam than 17-year-olds (12). An analysis of data from the Department of Defense shows the average age of men killed in Vietnam was 22.8 years, or almost 23 years old. http://www.uswings.com/vietnamfacts.asp Quote: Average age of men killed: 23.1 years. I doubt that anyone has ever calculated the average age of all who served in Vietnam. But I think it's safe to assume that the average age of those killed is at least slightly lower than the over all average age.

18th September 2007, 10:00 AM	#13
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,705	I know for a fact that our local 'homeless vet' wasn never in the army or services. But he dure twists the kitties tail to get people to give him money. Give them a sandwich or coffee, never give them money.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

18th September 2007, 10:20 AM	#14
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,557	Originally Posted by Bob Klase I doubt that anyone has ever calculated the average age of all who served in Vietnam. But I think it's safe to assume that the average age of those killed is at least slightly lower than the over all average age. Depends on the value of average you are useing. The mean will be draged upwards a lot by the older memebers of the militry (For every 50 year old you would need 8 16 (or 12 17) year olds to bring the mean age down to 19). The midpoint would not be.

18th September 2007, 10:58 AM	#15
SpaceMonkeyZero Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hi Barb!!!!! Posts: 1,287	The newer ones hold up signs saying they're homeless Iraq war vets. I'm more likely to believe this guy.
	__________________ "NOBODY expects the Truther Movement! Our chief weapon is speculation, speculation and conjecture, conjecture and speculation. Our two weapons are conjecture and speculation, and youtube videos. Our three weapons are conjecture, speculation, and youtube videos, and an almost fanatical devotion to the "Truth". Our four. No. Amongst our weapons. Amongst our weaponry, are such elements as conjecture, speculation."

18th September 2007, 12:52 PM	#16
IMST If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,128	Originally Posted by SpaceMonkeyZero I'm more likely to believe this guy. Interesting. I wonder who was first, that guy or this guy ETA: or this one