Ain't Got Dick

Posted By Blackfive • [November 05, 2003]

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) had the Senate floor yesterday decrying the lack of protection that our troops have in Iraq. This has been a recent theme of the Democrats. Ted Kennedy has been vocal about the issue, too.

Durbin spoke of the downed Army National Guard Chinook helicopter and how it didn't have adequate protection. The Army stated that it had anti-missle capabilities but is looking into the matter further.

Kennedy has been talking about Humvees. According to a Scripps-Howard article, there are about 10,000 humvees in Iraq. Apparently, one in five Humvees in Iraq has reinforced armor and bullet proof glass.

This is probably because Infantry humvees are different that support troop humvees. Why? Mainly due to cost-benefit analysis. Support troops would be less exposed than the Infantry. At least, that was probably the thinking.

But, part of the problem is that National Guard troops don't have armored humvees as the Guard is usually last to receive equipment.

The Pentagon has 1,400 more in production (from Armor Holdings) to be sent overseas to Iraq; however, only 5 per day can be produced (at the cost of about $110,000).

I agree with the Senators that our troops need the best equipment money can buy. It is money well spent.

However, I question the likes of Durbin and Kennedy on their timing. Let's look at your records on Defense spending, gentlemen, before you start accusing the Pentagon of not taking care of it's soldiers. It's also YOUR responsibility to make sure that our Armed Forces are well-armed. Where was your heart on the matter of spending on the Department of Defense before this week?

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Comments

Ain't Got Dick

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) had the Senate floor yesterday decrying the lack of protection that our troops have in Iraq. This has been a recent theme of the Democrats. Ted Kennedy has been vocal about the issue, too.

Durbin spoke of the downed Army National Guard Chinook helicopter and how it didn't have adequate protection. The Army stated that it had anti-missle capabilities but is looking into the matter further.

Kennedy has been talking about Humvees. According to a Scripps-Howard article, there are about 10,000 humvees in Iraq. Apparently, one in five Humvees in Iraq has reinforced armor and bullet proof glass.

This is probably because Infantry humvees are different that support troop humvees. Why? Mainly due to cost-benefit analysis. Support troops would be less exposed than the Infantry. At least, that was probably the thinking.

But, part of the problem is that National Guard troops don't have armored humvees as the Guard is usually last to receive equipment.

The Pentagon has 1,400 more in production (from Armor Holdings) to be sent overseas to Iraq; however, only 5 per day can be produced (at the cost of about $110,000).

I agree with the Senators that our troops need the best equipment money can buy. It is money well spent.

However, I question the likes of Durbin and Kennedy on their timing. Let's look at your records on Defense spending, gentlemen, before you start accusing the Pentagon of not taking care of it's soldiers. It's also YOUR responsibility to make sure that our Armed Forces are well-armed. Where was your heart on the matter of spending on the Department of Defense before this week?

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