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.
Deny, my ass. I've been telling you for months the M1114 was not the lifesaver you thought it was.
General Larry Ellis, who is the commanding general of the U.S. Army forces command, writes in the memo -- "Commanders in the field are reporting to me that the up-armored humvee is not providing the solution the Army hoped to achieve." General Ellis says that the Army should shift more funds into buying Stryker, the Army's newest armored vehicle. He says it's imperative the Army accelerate the production of Stryker vehicles to support the current operations. He would like to see those vehicles doubled in production.
Critics say that even with the better armor, the humvee's shoulder-level doors make it too easy to lob a grenade inside. Its four rubber tires burn too readily, and at two tons, it's light enough to be overturned by a mob. Some critics also say the Army is overlooking a cheaper, even faster solution, using some Vietnam era M- 113 Gavin armored cars that the Army has thousands of in stock.
In his memo, General Ellis pleads for quick action, lamenting that even though the nation is at war, some in the Army are still in a peace time posture. He writes: "If our actions impede our ability to train, equip or organize our soldiers for combat, then we failed the soldier and our nation."
Now, Wolf, no vehicle offers 100 percent protection, but it goes without saying, the more armor the better chance you have for survival -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie, any reaction that you're getting from the manufacturer of the humvee?
MCINTYRE: Well, nobody here is alleging that this is a defective product. It's clearly the case that the up-armored humvee offers more protection. The question is really the threat that the U.S. faces and whether they just need something that's bigger and better.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, disturbing information. Thanks, Jamie, very much.
What a mess Clinton and his coherts left..
Meehan is only in the interest of making a national name for himself. Searching for his legacy as it were.
I think he is more sinister than that.
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