Veterans' Voices Rise in Protest

[fishface]

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 25 (IPS) - With the news that members of a U.S. Army reserve platoon have been arrested in Iraq for refusing a ”suicide mission,” dissent among veterans of the U.S.-led campaign in that country continues to grow.

The recent incident mirrors other stories of troops being sent on missions without proper equipment, and again raises the spectre of plummeting troop morale as the security situation in Iraq deteriorates and elections scheduled for January approach.

Even as late as six months after the March 2003 U.S.-led attack, as many as 51,000 U.S. soldiers and civilian administrators in Iraq had still not been properly equipped with body armour and other protective gear, according to the 'Washington Post'.

Alerted to the situation, family members bought expensive flak jackets and other security gear and used international couriers to send it to the front lines.

Speaking of the low rates of readiness of his ground forces due to inadequate combat and protective equipment, the senior U.S. commander on the ground in Iraq from mid-2003 to mid-2004 said, ”I cannot continue to support sustained combat operations with rates this low.”

http://ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=26008

[bpilgrim]

1. why do they always leave out the bit about the CONTAMINATED fuel?!

:wtf:

peace

[flygal]

2. My brother said his guard unit is coming back from Iraq in bad shape

They are beaten mentally and very depressed. Who the hell is taking care of these people? I can't imagine sending flak jackets to the army - WTF?!! I wish more of these vets were being profiled on the news.

[fishface]

3. You need to read alternative news for that.

The Bush kneepadders don't want to hurt his chances of being elected this time.

More vets in the news:

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20293/

(make sure to see the stories at the bottom of the page)

[Eloriel]

4. Needs a kick

Sounds like we need to liberate the troops from Iraq!!

[bpilgrim]

5. kick

peace