Newsweek:1/4 of Iraq casualties could be due to lack of armor (MUST read)

[underpants]

Only 70 fully operational M1A1 tanks left there too. Also read Rep.Jan Skakowski's Buzzflash editorial.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4825948/

A breakdown of the casualty figures suggests that many U.S. deaths and wounds in Iraq simply did not need to occur. According to an unofficial study by a defense consultant that is now circulating through the Army, of a total of 789 Coalition deaths as of April 15 (686 of them Americans), 142 were killed by land mines or improvised explosive devices, while 48 others died in rocket-propelled-grenade attacks. Almost all those soldiers were killed while in unprotected vehicles, which means that perhaps one in four of those killed in combat in Iraq might be alive if they had had stronger armor around them, the study suggested. Thousands more who were unprotected have suffered grievous wounds, such as the loss of limbs.


On the battlefield, that has translated into a lack of armor. Perhaps the most telling example: a year ago the Pentagon had more than 400 main battle tanks in Iraq; as of recently, a senior Defense official told NEWSWEEK, there was barely a brigade's worth of operational tanks still there. (A brigade usually has about 70 tanks.)

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/04/con04177.html

A BUZZFLASH GUEST COMMENTARY
by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

CHICAGO, IL - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chief Deputy Whip, today issued the following statement after Newsweek reported "...that perhaps one in four of those killed in combat in Iraq might be alive if they had had stronger armor around them...

Thousands more who were unprotected have suffered grievous wounds, such as the loss of limbs." (Newsweek, 5/3/04)

She added, "Force protection, traditionally the number one concern of any President, has been neglected by the Bush Administration. As Commander-in-Chief, President Bush is failing our troops. American casualties are mounting in Iraq because soldiers were sent into battle, without lifesaving equipment, by a President bent on waging a war of choice."

"The families of soldiers in Iraq want to know: Where has the money gone? President Bush has spent almost $200 billion on the war, yet their sons and daughters were not given the protection they are entitled to before being sent into Iraq," Schakowsky concluded.

[lovedems]

1. I *heard* (can't remember where) that Cheney was trying to blame

Kerry for the lack of armor because of some of his past votes. Of course it is not true or distorted in some manner but I think he is trying to get that message out.

[underpants]

4. Yes ONE Senator has that much influence

That clearly glosses over the lack of planning and readiness checks they did before starting this mess. Also it illustrates how wildly wrong they were in their "throwing flowers and waving American flags" ASSumptions.

[lovedems]

7. While this is really, really, really assinine, we have all seen

Dickhead try stunts that were more insane then this!

SNIP

Cheney also blasted Kerry for his vote last fall against $87 billion to support U.S. operations in Iraq, including body armor and other troop needs - a vote that's now the focus of a Bush-Cheney TV attack ad.

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21157.htm

[underpants]

12. I thought W was the "leader"

Looks like Kerry has been running the show all along.

[liveoaktx]

6. That 87 Bill got passed, didn't it? Regardless of who voted for or against

it? So it's this government's responsiblity, trying to pass the buck on their lack of planning again.

[lovedems]

8. see above response.

Just more finger pointing to take the blame away from them

[underpants]

9. Yes it did pass

Kerry voted for it when they had a way to actually "pay" for it and then when it came out of the conference committee and they had no way to "pay" for it he voted against it. He didn't say that very clearly that one time however.

[lovedems]

2. Here is the one article I found...

(SNIP)

I got back from Iraq just after Thanksgiving so I can only comment on what I know of prior to that time. Guardsmen had a shortage of body armor then, they were also told when they deployed that they would get body armor upon arriving in Kuwait before being moved to Iraq. That didn't happen so Guardsmen were in Iraq with no protection other than their cammies. Thus began the buying of armor by families and donated armor from policemen etc. Lack of armor for their humvees was also a grave issue.

I wouldn't put any trust in any handoff myself. It isn't that I don't trust the military to do their best, it is the orders coming out of the DoD that make me nervous.

There has been no shortage of armor for the civilian contractors of KR&B aka Halliburton. When you have seen a convoy of Guard troops, with no body armor or armored humvees being sent to escort some contractors wearing the best body armor & driving a armored humvee, you really question what is going on here


http://www.murdoconline.net/archives/001157.html


This is the first one I found and it is not the original article that I read, but it still provides the info.

[underpants]

3. Time said on AVERAGE troops spend $2,000

I read it in December I think (they had a graphic with soldier's Christmas wishlist) and they not only were buying body armor they were buying GOOD body armor and GOOD walkietalkies and GOOD GPS systems.

Oh but KBR employees are all taken care of :grr:

[lovedems]

5. I don't know anyone in Iraq but I just have to wonder how they feel about

this administration. I am sure it is a mixed bag, just like it is here at home but for God's sake, they are cutting benefits, cutting pay, inadequately arming them... This administrations treatment of veterans and those currently at war is absolutely unforgivable!

[moondust]

10. Who could have imagined

that soldiers riding around in a military vehicle in a war zone would need protection from enemy fire? C'mon Condi, just say it.

[underpants]

11. They never thought the Iraqis could throw rose petals so hard

That is what they are throwing right?

[DeepModem Mom]

13. kick