Sen. Clinton Says Lack of Body Armor is 'Unforgivable'

[jbfam4]

Sen. Clinton Says Lack of Body Armor is 'Unforgivable'
She Has Called for an Investigation Into Why Soldiers Are Not Fully Protected

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/print?id=1489733

Jan. 10, 2006 — - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called the Bush administration "incompetent" when it came to protecting the troops in combat and called the lack of adequate body armor for soldiers and Marines "unforgivable."

So far in Iraq, more than 2,100 American troops have been killed. Critics like Clinton, D-N.Y., say that many of these deaths are the result of inadequate body armor. A secret Pentagon study of 93 Marines who were killed in Iraq found that 74 died after they were hit by a bullet or shrapnel in the torso or shoulders -- areas unprotected by the armor most are issued.


Clinton pointed to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney as the culprits. Some have said that supplying Marines and soldiers with armor that covers their sides is too expensive -- costing about $260 for each person. Clinton said that considering the United States' defense budget was half a trillion dollars, the additional protection was affordable. She said the administration had refused to listen to people in the field like Paul Bremer, former ambassador to Iraq, who said the United States needed more troops in Iraq to pacify the country.

"This is Bush/Cheney policy. … I've been one of the leading critics pointing out all the failures, the incompetencies," Clinton said. "I am just bewildered as to how this president and this vice president continue to isolate themselves from different point of views. He's got three more years in office. Some of us wish this wasn't the case."



The Defense Department and Army said that they needed more time to acquire the armor and that publicly discussing issues of body armor aided the enemy -- claims that Clinton dismissed as out of hand.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yeah, but how much can you wear and still function?

I think our people should have whatever they need, but when it comes to body armor for the foot soldier, there is only so much you can wear, especially in the heat of Iraq.

[MidwestTransplant]

2. Mobility is certainly important.

[leftstreet]

3. Murtha thought the best armor was in redeploying

But I guess the talking point has changed from redeployment to staying the course.

[JAbuchan08]

4. That's it Hillary! Pick your battles!

I'm glad she's found an issue she could sink her teeth into.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. So we're spending >$60 Billion and can't afford $260/soldier?? WTF? nt