220 US troops are DEAD because no one gave a shit.

[LynnTheDem]

The lack of up-armored humvees has been WIDELY REPORTED by the MSM for the past TWO YEARS. Also reported was the estimate that 20% of the troops killed could have lived IF they'd had up-armored humvees.

But NO ONE GAVE A SHIT until now. NOW it's a "firestorm". Too bad the US media, the bushCartel & the rightwingnuts didn't care TWO YEARS AGO. And THIS time, will they FINALLY???

CBS News: Iraq GI's short on armor, radios, bullets

-October 31, 2004

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/31/60minutes/main652491.shtml

MSNBC: US troops, parents confirm Humvee risks

"Michael Moran received numerous responses to his Brave New World column about the lack of armor protection on U.S. military Humvees in Iraq..."

-April 16, 2004

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4758004

Newsday: Troops seen vulnerable in Humvees
Lighter vehicles lack protection against militants

-December 18, 2003

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2003/12/18/troops_seen_vulnerable_in_humvees

Airborne Combat Engineer: Armored Humvees in short supply

-December 7, 2003

http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2003/12/armored_humvees.html

Unit Awaits OK To Use Steel Armor

Fearing roadside bombs and sniper bullets, members of the Army Reserves' 428th Transportation Co. turned to a local steel fabricator to fashion extra armor for their 5-ton trucks and Humvees before beginning their journey to Iraq earlier this month.

But their armor might not make it into the war, because the soldiers didn't get Pentagon approval for their homemade protection.

-December 13, 2003

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/1,13319,FL_armor_121903,00.html

Washington Times

When the war began, only about 2 percent of Army's 110,000 Humvees were armored. Now, of the nearly 15,000 Humvees in Iraq, about 1,500 to 2,000 are armored, according to the Army.

-April 25, 2004

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:pq7S5byArQEJ:ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_HUMVEES%3FSITE%3DDCTMS%26SECTION%3DHOME+humvees+Iraq+unarmored%3B+2003&hl=en

Armor and mettle

The shortage of armored Humvees and the vulnerability of unprotected Humvees to roadside attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan has been a volatile issue for defense planners. A Senate panel this week approved $865 million for protection initiatives, including armored Humvees, security vehicles and bolt-on armor kits.

-June 25, 2004

http://www.oregonlive.com/special/oregonian/iraq/index.ssf?/base/metro_north_news/108816516113780.xml

Lack Of Armor Claims Troops

Twenty percent of the U.S. troops killed in Iraq might have lived had there been more armored, heavier vehicles available to them...

-April 27, 2004

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_armor_042704,00.html

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. didn't rummy say he wanted lighter vehicles?

[tridim]

2. I don't know, but he did say

That the troops will be "blown up" even if they're in a fully armored tank. Way to boost that morale, you pathetic piece of shit.

[sueh]

11. Yes, Rummy did say he wanted lighter vehicles.

[Rockerdem]

15. Not to be flip, but . . .

. . . I've had two hair-raising closer-than-usual calls on the highway, this last 10 days. I'm about to order some of it for my own rig, or patch on some extra armor from the scrap pile. Both time I came within mere feet of oblivion. Only luck saved me.

[JI7]

3. many people did give a shit

it's just that those who claim to support the troops the most didn't give a shit while those who are accused of not supporting the troops the most are the ones who gave a shit. and it's those who don't give a shit who are the first to accuse others of not supporting the troops.

[gaia_gardener]

4. Somewhere I saw a letter

to people that buy those stupid "support the troops" ribbons. Something about "what have you done other than buying this ribbon?". I think we need to find that letter, make hundreds of copies and stick them under the windshields of people with those ribbons.

I don't remember if it said anything like "have you called your congressman to request that they supply the troops with the necessary armor?", but if it doesn't we could easily add that.

[sueh]

12. and those people who don't give a shit

still blame Kerry for the "$87 billion vote against our troops". Those people couldn't possibly hold Shrub accountable for not giving our troops what they needed BEFORE invading Iraq. And they don't hold him responsible for starting a war that wasn't necessary.

[blondeatlast]

13. Nailed it. nt

[Bouncy Ball]

20. Very well put.

The people who think all that is involved in supporting the troops is simply slapping a magnet to their bumper really piss me off.

Supporting the troops also (and more importantly) involves being a watchdog of the government, watching them like a hawk to make sure they don't use the military in immoral, improper manners and if they do, raising all kinds of bloody hell about it.

THAT'S supporting the troops. The troops aren't in much of a position to raise hell, now are they?

[Benhurst]

5. No, over 1,200 are dead and thousands seriously wounded

because not enough people cared to stop the Bush Crime Family's immoral and illegal war. None of them should have been there in the first place.

[BrotherBuzz]

6. Hey, Rummy says troops are FUNGIBLE

"Secretary Rumsfeld's comment that 'people are fungible' is further indication of this Administration's continuing disregard for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld has it wrong. Troops are not chess pieces to be moved on a board, they are real people with families and loved ones who depend on them. From failing to provide our troops with adequate body and vehicle armor to breaking their commitment not to extend assignments beyond one year, this Administration has continually let them down. They deserve more than cold impersonal calculations when their tours are extended, they deserve compassion and understanding of the sacrifice they and their families are making for their country. Our troops are asked to serve in an action where the Administration can’t even tell them what the plan is to move forward. They are key to our success in Iraq and deserve more from their leaders." - Senator John Kerry

[troubleinwinter]

8. Fungible:

fungible \FUN-juh-bul\, adjective:

1. (Law) Freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another of like nature or kind in the satisfaction of an obligation.

2. Interchangeable.

[bobthedrummer]

16. Yeah, GI's in the Myers/Rumsfeld DoD are like coffee beans or corn.

:argh::nuke::puke::grr:

[bush_is_wacko]

14. When did he make this statement?

I must have missed something. If you could provide a link that would be great.

[BrotherBuzz]

22. Which he are you referring to?

Kerry's words was to counter Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's offensive statement that US troops were as interchangeable as automotive factory parts. Rumsfeld was irritated at a question from a reporter about why 20,000 American troops had to stay 90 days longer than expected in Iraq on 15 April 04, he said: "Oh, come on. People are fungible. You can have them here or there."

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0415b.html

Bottom line - Rumsfeld has demonstrated, time and time again, that he doesn't think about the troops being real people, just pawns that he plays with on his damn board game. I don't think our fine troops families consider their loved ones fungible.

[bush_is_wacko]

25. Me neither

and thanks for that link! I had forgotten about Kerry's reply. This ought to re-ring that bell!

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. It's Clinton's fault

:eyes: The people who don't give a shit are the only ones who can fix the problem, but they won't because THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT! How many families of murdered troops has the Chimperor hug? Didn't he say he was the ONE who had that job because he the was the ONE who is responsible for sending the Troops to war?

[Disturbed]

18. More lies from the Facsists.

The company that provides this stated that they could have accelerated their production but the Pentagon never asked them to do so. A lot more vehicles could have had the protective armour and save limbs and lives but that was not a priority, obviously!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. Obviously!

:grr:

[Bouncy Ball]

19. IF they really fix the problem good,

but too bad it will bring nothing but cold comfort, if that, to the families and friends of those 20% already lost due to this gross incompetence.

[Disturbed]

23. No!

I deem that it was Criminal Negligence!

[Bouncy Ball]

24. Thank you, yes, I agree with that more.

I was just so angry when I typed that I couldn't think of the words. I knew "incompetence" was too mild.

[quaoar]

26. But Bush and Rumsfeld are trying as hard as they can

This government stuff is hard work, ya know.

And you have to read lots of icky reports and stuff.