What do the front line troops say? That's what really matters.
I've read it was soldiers who brought up this issue. They felt they were less safe when their mobility was compromised by this too-heavy armor.
And your point is well-taken: this issue has been so politicized. That is very harmful to our troops.
Ironic that the people who released the study on the body armor, most likely haven't worn it in theater.
This thing is heavy, and doesn't get lighter as it gets warm.
They're sayin' the stuff weighs too much. Their combat load is gettin' up around 100 lbs.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20060112.aspx
Opposition is runnin' at about 30 lbs. Its easier for 'em to use innocent bystanders as armor.
Need lighter armor, weapons and/or ammo.
It appears to be mixed. Some soldiers are saying any more armor and they could not move fast enough; others are saying they would use whatever they could get their hands on. Michelle Malkin as a good summary of it here:
http://jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin011106.php3
I remember what happened to the Knights of old; the body armor worked great until the enemy changed tactics and used cross bows. Whatever we do; it is the nature of the enemy to find and exploit weaknesses; and adding even more weight to our soldiers may enable them to exploit a new weakness......exhausted soldiers.