|
|
|
|
|
PHIL LOSSIFER
|
American military his'try is poor when it comes t' war. Rumsfeld's statement that y' fight wars with what y' have, not what y' want indicates lack o' concern fer young men doin' the fightin' an' dyin'.
Michael Moss of "NY Times" wrote 'bout a Marine captain who'll be booted outta service fer bein' outspoken 'bout his unit's problems, notably lack of armor for Humvees. Problem was subject of Congressional hearin' back a few months, an' callous attitude of general staff was atrocious! It would take time, they stated! Meanwhile our soldiers were buyin', beggin' or stealin' any metal they could put on their vehicles! Problem still exists. A Sunday paper writer said armored shorts, like vests had been developed. Our military brass said it takes time to "evaluate" usefulness. Meanwhile, soldiers are attacked by an adversary exploitin' equipment's weaknesses.
When WW 2 started our military was unprepared. German and Japanese equipment was superior to ours in many ways, only ingenuity of American GI's saved the day. Our superb Sherman tank was a firetrap when hit, couldn't match Russian T-34. Korean War showed the effect of polytical destruction of military usin' money fer high priced, unusable stuff that din't work or pork barrel projects. Viet Nam's famous M-16 jammed forcin' troops t' manually operate the weapon. This was the "improved" version!!!
From the article's message, Marine platoon hadta scrounge fer metal t' arm plate their Humvees, inherited from a National Guard unit. Their unit was under-strength, makin' completion of their mission difficult. This has been documented in other Media sources, largely ignored, since Congress felt urgency t' pass bills interferin' with fambly decisions than military needs. Bulletproof vests were insufficient, military wouldn't rush better vests t' troops, so parents furnished better units t' their children in Iraq. People've been sendin' "essentials" t' troops at their own expense! Where's Congress? Defendin' Delay's right t' manipulate rules, one's they're usin' themselves. Fergit the troops!
So where's this'n goin'? Frankly we have brass bound high echelon officers, ensconced in protected bailiwicks, whose biggest command decision is who'll pay fer drinks at the officer's club, or where's their next oak leaf cluster. They develop expensive new weapons, many unusable, ignorin' practical needs of foot soldiers doin' actual work! Of note, it was reported high echelon officers were absolved of blame at Abu Grab. Hit will be taken by selected leaders, along with average GI's who may have been "encouraged" to use methods shown. That's how the military works, like nailin' this Marine captain, who cared for his men. They oughter keep him, court martial those whose decisions cause unnecessary casualties among our young. Oh, I forgot, honchos' kids don't serve, or are kept out of danger areas.
Age produces data from many sources, showin' things don't change. Never 'nuff sed on this'n, since our soldiers deserve better, an' they ain't gittin' it!
|
|
|
Click On Banner For More Information
|
