Up to 5 US soldiers in Iraq have died due to heat

[greyl]

"In Baghdad, peak temperatures have exceeded 115 degrees for 10 of the past 11 days. "It's like standing in a blow dryer," Sgt. David Harris of the 1st Armored Division said between sips from a water bottle as he guarded the Health Ministry.

The relentless heat has become more than a nuisance to the tens of thousands of U.S. troops posted in Iraq. Of the 79 Americans who have died in Iraq of causes unrelated to combat since May 1, at least two -- and perhaps as many as five -- have succumbed to the heat, according to defense officials."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A56016-2003Aug13?language=printer

[SodoffBush]

1. What is the Bush administration doing about it?

Weather in Iraq is fairly predictable: it's hotter than hell. So, why has Bush left our troops without proper care while he vacations it up in TX and Camp David?

I spoke w/a very conservative vet in MN recently. He was an MP in S. Korea. He said the 3rd ID troops in Iraq were whining too much in their letters of complaint being sent about the web, despite the 140 degree heat (in tents), extreme danger, and lack of provisions. He said they should keep their mouths shut and do what they are paid to do. They signed up for the job, didn't they? If they don't like the job, don't reenlist (and in fact, many will not be, according to my sources).

He complained that the military was mentally weak these days; for example, a drill SGT couldn't yell at trainees. Those in Iraq who have complaints should "suck it up."

I asked him if "morale" weren't then a moot concept. If so, then we should be blaming the 3rd ID et al instead of supporting them....? He said their morale was the responsibility of their commanding officer (commanding officers can control the weather, provide ACs, build PX/commissaries, ensure a ready water supply, and get the mail back on track? If so, thus far they have failed). But he admitted that Bush had promised much for the military in general and had not produced, saying Bush was a big disappointment.

I shook his hand and wished him well on his one month R & R, which he gets to take every six months from of his one year unaccompanied tour of S. Korea. Doesn't the 3rd ID et al wish~.

[GCP]

2. Maybe he should be re-located to Iraq for a 6 month spell

Is he still a reserve?

[SodoffBush]

3. Well, I know he has an AC'd commissary and PX at Yongsan

and the flies aren't eating him alive in his AC'd barracks.

I thought this was interesting, though, since I don't read about it in the news: S. Koreans are protesting against the US bases in Seoul on a regular basis--throwing cans, bottles, rocks, and even breaching the barriers to remove the US flag. He's an MP there, so he ought to know.

*sigh* just another country that would like the US off its premises.

[qb]

4. I suspect "at least 5" is more accurate

When I was in basic training, we had 90 degree heat, and they would practically force water down our throats every hour to prevent heat stroke. In Iraq they have 120 degrees and 2-liter water rations? This is insane. They should hold the civilian contractors who didn't show up criminally responsible for troop deaths and FIX THE SUPPLY PROBLEM.

[starroute]

5. Does the "as many as five" include the three who died in their sleep?

That one's been a real mystery -- I haven't even seen any suggestions as to what could cause young, healthy men to just go to sleep and never wake up. If they're saying now it may be heat-related, that would make a certain amoung of sense.