Brownwood, when will we talk about it openly & honestly ?
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Bush didn't give Marine units in Iraq enough equipment
by John in DC - 6/21/2005 10:41:00 AM
Yeah, the Republicans really love our troops. That's why it's Democratic blogs who are the ones so irate about stories like these. Think about that, any of your servicemembers who might be reading this today. You won't hear people pushing to alleviate this problem on the conservative blogs, or from the Bush administration.
From the Boston Globe:
Marine Corps units fighting in some of the most dangerous terrain in Iraq don't have enough weapons, communications gear, or properly outfitted vehicles, according to an investigation by the Marine Corps' inspector general provided to Congress yesterday.
The report, obtained by the Globe, says the estimated 30,000 Marines in Iraq need twice as many heavy machine guns, more fully protected armored vehicles, and more communications equipment to operate in a region the size of Utah.
The Marine Corps leadership has ''understated" the amount and types of ground equipment it needs, according to the investigation, concluding that all of its fighting units in Iraq ''require ground equipment that exceeds" their current supplies, ''particularly in mobility, engineering, communications, and heavy weapons."
source: www.americablog.org
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You may ask yourself why this is not being discussed in the local (Brownwood) media ? As we, a community, prepare to lay to rest Brownwood Marine Mario Castillo who was killed in Iraq, these discussions seem to be taking place everywhere else except in Brownwood ! Patriotism is found in many ways, from attending candlelight services, lining streets with flags & yellow ribbons, etc., but it also is publicly challenging our elected leaders when they put our troops in harms way needlessly and without proper equipment (so they can do their jobs in the safest manner possible). As a local example, these challenges are the same ones we used when our local law enforcement officers were allowed to wear expired bulletproof vests by the elected leaders charged with supplying them with properly maintained equipment ! American Patriotism is not limited to Flags and Yellow Ribbons and is not defined by one segment of the population or political party (local, state, or national) ! At the risk of being labled "Communists" by the local hate mongers, we choose to not remain silent !
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