Forces In Iraq & Afghanistan Still Lack Protective Equipment

Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY-28) Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, issued a press statement today after learning from an Inspector General audit that details equipment shortages for the American troops sent into Iraq and Afghanistan that forced many to fight without the benefit of adequate body armor or armored vehicles. It should come as no surprise to anyone that yet again this administration only shows any concern about the troops when they can be used as a photo-op while George Bush prances around playing make-believe while chortling away as to how he is the "Commander-in- Chief". "The recently released findings of the Inspector General confirm our greatest fears: that brave young men and women were routinely sent into battle without the equipment they needed to protect themselves, and yet, despite the equipment shortages that already exist, the President is increasing the number of troops in Iraq. Why should we expect that they will be given what they need for success?" Billions of dollars have been squandered by questionable contracts and perpetual fraud, waste, and abuse that have plagued this war effort from day one. Rep. Slaughter continued: "Stuart Bowen has revealed billions of dollars that have been misspent or lost during the past four years. Money was disappearing at the same time that our troops were in harms way, struggling to protect themselves from bullets and bombs without proper vehicles and equipment. It is simply unconscionable." The report states in part "…. Based on responses from approximately 1,100 Service members, they experienced shortages of force-protection equipment, such as up-armored vehicles, electronic countermeasure devices, crew-served weapons, and communications equipment. As a result, Service members were not always equipped to effectively complete their missions. Read on.... So there you have it my friends, just another example of how this administration ignores the needs of the military and is directly responsible for the numerous deaths and crippling injuries from which none of these loyal men and women will ever recover. The entire report is available in pdf fromat here.