Because the M113 can't handle a single RPG hit, and moves so slow that it's an easy target on patrol??
Posted on 04/30/2004 8:08:23 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4
WASHINGTON A show-and-tell press event using an armored Humvee as the prop devolved into what amounted to a partisan street fight on Capitol Hill yesterday morning.
With smiles on their faces and backslaps still fresh, Rep. Marty Meehan, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a Republican from Arizona, excoriated each other over whose party is doing more to protect troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Clearly, funding for armoring Humvees has not been adequate," said Meehan, who infiltrated Hayworth's staged event without invitation and circulated a press release saying it was "outrageous" that the vehicle was in Washington rather than Iraq.
Meehan's presence and comments prompted Hayworth to steal back the spotlight in front of the assembled media.
"I think we all want to support our troops in the field," he said. "Just for the purposes of full disclosure, I think Marty wouldn't mind if I pointed out that when it came to $87 billion to protect our soldiers, Marty voted no," Hayworth said. "And the man he supports for president, Sen. John Kerry, in the final analysis voted no. It's something to keep in mind."
"I'm glad you brought that up," Meehan retorted. "Because when I see this administration trying to make it seem like the $87 billion was their way or no other way that package was loaded with no-bid contracts to Halliburton. It didn't provide the funding needed to up-armor Humvees."
The political spat underscored the dangerous conditions facing U.S. troops. Only 60 percent of the 12,800 Humvees the Defense Department estimates is required to support the ongoing endeavor in Iraq are equipped with reinforced windows and doors.
An Associated Press story earlier this week said the Army is making a "full-court press" to locate and deliver every armored Humvee in its inventory to Iraq.
Seven of the 23 Massachusetts troops killed in Iraq as of this month died while riding in unarmored vehicles, including Army Pfc. John Hart of Bedford and Marine Cpl. David Vicente of Methuen.
Hart died of injuries he suffered when his unarmored Humvee was ambushed near Kirkuk, Iraq, in October.
The vitriol between Meehan and Hayworth didn't quell when the cameras stopped rolling.
"If (the concern) is so great, vote with us to arm the troops in the field," Hayworth said. "Or is he like Sen. Kerry, did he vote for (the $87 billion supplemental budget to fund the fight in Iraq) until he voted against it?
"We're always pleased to see our friends, and we welcome free and open discussion, but let's tell the entire story," Hayworth added. "Not some of the woulda, coulda, shoulda. But what do we do to help people in the field right now? And the inescapable fact, no matter how you want to bash anybody else, is, sadly, Marty and Sen. Kerry voted against the very appropriation that would provide this kind of armor."
Meehan responded by pointing out that the bill passed by 78 votes in the House last fall yet 40 percent of Humvees in Iraq still lack armor.
"The president threatened to veto (the $87 billion) if it contained loans for the reconstruction rather than grants," Meehan said. "Does that mean if he vetoed it, he would've been against the troops?
"It's such a joke," Meehan added. "They think they can put a bunch of corrupt crap in (a bill) and everyone will vote for it like sheep."
From the outset yesterday, Hayworth sensed a fight was at hand when Meehan arrived uninvited at the event with a podium in tow.
"Are you guys here to mix it up politically?" Hayworth asked.
"We're on the same page," Meehan assured him.
Meehan said his actions yesterday were motivated by a commitment he made to the Hart and Vicente families.
"I made a promise to those families that I would not stop fighting to make sure our troops get the equipment they need," Meehan said.
Meehan has filed a nonbinding resolution urging the Pentagon to release all funds approved by Congress to armor Humvees as quickly as possible.
Because the M113 can't handle a single RPG hit, and moves so slow that it's an easy target on patrol??
I'm from Missouri.
"The Army’s budget request includes $156.3 million to procure 818 up-armored Humvees, not the 2,431 that Army officials told Congress they would need in an “unfunded requirements” list that House lawmakers requested after the budget was released.
The unfunded requirements document says that in 2005 the Army will need an additional 3,132 up-armored Humvees, as well as at least 1,400 armor upgrade kits, that together total $837 million, HASC spokesman Harald Stavenas confirmed Friday.
“At a time when you’re in a war fight, and you’ve got these IEDs blowing up and we’re taking fairly substantial casualties, why would force protection, such as up-armor, ever be an ‘unfunded requirement?’” Hunter said. “That seems to me to be a major defect in the system.”
Even paranoids have enemies. As for partisanship, no Republican politician is using me as a prop for his media circuses.
1. Do nothing until after the election. Massive crisis quietly erupts in DoD, third rotation goes in without repaired equipment, maintenance, updated night vision, etc. This is current Rumsfeld/White House plan as outlined in February.
2. Go through the immediate process of pushing both parties, administration and congress, for a large supplemental appropriation this quarter. Get the funding the DoD needs so that they don't poor boy the grunts and troops in the third and fourth quarters. It hurts a bit, but the matter is discussed in the past tense after July.
3. Vascillate for another quarter, but troop levels and intensity holds steady through the June 30 deadline and costs continue to exceed the budget by billions, collapsing in a public display in third calendar quarter. Funding problem prevents third rotation's proper re-armament and its a PR mess for all concerned, not to mention a disservice to our troops.
My preference is to options 2, push now for the money, because its better for the troops on the battlefield and the country at large.
Which option do you choose or do you have another? To duck the question is to take the chicken's way out. What do you recommend?
I am not in a position to do anything about funding. If the chain of command hasn't asked for something to be funded, I'm inclined to believe they have their reasons. I was only on active duty for 10 years and do not feel qualified to second-guess. You obviously suffer no such reticence.
For somebody who claims not to be a Kerry fan you sure hang around a lot of people who are. You were present at and on record as agreeing with Teddy Kennedy's "Iraq Is Bush's Vietnam" speech. You could have written John Kerry's April 26 press release.
You're the one who involved me in this. You played me. I think you were played, too, then, but now I think you know full well how you are being used.
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