This topic is sensitive to many ...the issue is as Rumsfield stated, the problem is known, resources are being used to address this serious issue, the problem pre-existed which is why he stated that we went into Iraq with the Army existing at that time an Army seriously gutted by Clintonian rule.
The soldiers cheered because the question was definitely bold to bring up in front of their "boss"...the soldier went against necessary military protocol to address such an issue thru public means. The hazards have been expressed, the media has parlayed this into sentiment against Rumsfield. The sad thing is how the reporter convinced the soldier to go against established rules and "air dirty laundry" using public resources. This is open contempt of authority and a breakdown in personnel discipline. THAT THE MEDIA HAS PLAYED ON THIS MISTAKE just exaggerates the sensitivity of the problem.
This attempt at devisiveness between the Secretary and the men he supports has the potential to demoralize troops while aiding the enemy in intel they no doubt already suspected but now feel more assured of...THIS is the UNJUSTICE done by the MSM imho.
So this is a "known known" and not a "known unknown"? Or is it an "unknown known"?
It was a question and answer period. If soldiers cannot ask the questions that matter, then why have a "question and answer" period?
Are you suggesting the entire event was a photo op for Rumsfeld and the soldier did not follow the script?
If that is the case, the only honest course of action is to end the question and answer photo ops.
an e-mail I got from a family member, states that they are recieving the armor...more and more. And that they understand that it takes time to produce the high end armor. It can not be fixed over night.
(Note: production facilities have increased production of the armor....by 26 fold. From around 15 sets a day...to over 400. They are working 2 12 hour shifts a day. That is now 24/7 for most. The steel itself has to be cut in a special manner...with out friction or heat { or it will get weak when it cools}.
So the issue, while serious, is being addressed. And has been "being addressed" for over a year. Which is more than happened under Clinton, as my family member tells me.
The family member informed me that if Congress did not have such convoluted regulations on the military bids process for companies.....it would move even quicker.
So the folks in Congress who are slamming others...need to be slammed themselves.
Also, it seems that a reporter wrote the question asked to Rumsfeld...and got the soldier to ask it. Drudge has been reporting this.
He took advantage of the soldier....and that is wrong. But that is to be expected from the media.
Bottom line....it is a serious issue. BUT it is, and has been addressed. And the media does not want to report that part.
I am under strict orders from my family member, who is in the sand as we speak, to ignore the main stream media. He says we are not getting the whole story on anything.
I will follow that family member's orders...because I trust him...and because he has the ability to stomp a mudhole in me.