WP: Rumsfeld Gets Earful From Troops

[kskiska]

Complaints Cite Equipment Woes, Extended Tours and Pay Delays

Thursday, December 9, 2004; Page A01

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, speaking in Kuwait yesterday to troops deploying into Iraq, got an earful of complaints about poor combat equipment, personnel policies that keep soldiers in the Army beyond their terms of enlistment, and other issues that reflect the strains the war in the Middle East is placing on the U.S. military.

(snip)

When a third soldier, from the Idaho Army National Guard, complained that Guard units were being issued "antiquated" equipment inferior to that given to regular Army units, Rumsfeld said that the Army is trying to be equitable but that somebody has to get the older gear.

(snip)

"When I visit Iraq, I ride around in an armored vehicle, and I am sure the secretary does as well," Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) said in a statement. "If it is good enough for the big shots, it is good enough for every American soldier."

Some military experts agreed with the criticism. "Any problem mentioned, he's in denial," said retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey.

"Troop frustration is growing," especially as some soldiers head back to Iraq for their second occupation tour as the security situation there deteriorates, said another retired four-star general, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Officers and senior sergeants are worried, he noted, because, in his view, "we are breaking a small, great professional force."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46508-2004Dec8.html

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Fuck Rummy

He'll reap what he sows. Bastard.

[clydefrand]

2. Even with the complaints, the news was showing his ardent

admirers eagerly waiting their turns for autographs. Wonder how much they were paid for this?

[steely]

4. it's all glamour - the kids get psyched up,

like Rummy visited them and only them, so I can understand to a point.

But little by little they'll learn, llike when they show their friends the autograph afterward, I'm sure they'll draw some candid remarks.

I was glad to read that many applauded the bolder questions. There's some hope.

[BlueOhio]

3. yea..

“You can have all the armor in the world on a tank and it can (still) be blown up,” Rumsfeld said.

"So why bother putting the armor on, your all just cannon fodder to help me line my wallet with cash." Rumsfeld said. (not really, but thats what it sounded like)

[Northern Experiment]

6. That line was bullshit....

I would be offended over that line. BlueOhio pretty much summed it up.
Although I was thinking more like..."Forget protecting the troops, they are going to die anyways."

[Sugarbleus]

10. Exactly.

Gawd, I hate that smarmy bugfucker!! :nuke:

[cliss]

5. Why did he even bother?

Oh, let me guess. It was a
'pep' talk. As if that crony could motivate anybody. He would motivate me all right, but not what he's thinking.

[KingChicken]

7. Rummy unpopular with troops, i'm surprised they diden't rush the stage.

A lot of troops who aren’t necessarily opposed to the war, are still opposed to rummy, he is seen as a failure from start to quagmire. I think a majority of them would call for his resignation for not doing his job.

[Erika]

8. These poor troops

are desperate for some kind of logical reason why they should give their lives in Iraq. It doesn't help matters when they are given inferior vehicles and antiquated gear.

[saigon68]

12. They should not re-enlist

I hate it when "cry-baby" TROOPS who enlisted to kill "Rag-heads realize they bit off more than they can chew.


and want us to feel sorry for them.

Shit they are in combat now and their lace petite coats will not be allowed in the combat zone.

[hasbro]

9. Anyone want to start a pool

On how long it takes Fox to start smearing this guy.

What he did took courage.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. kick

[truthisfreedom]

13. where did our hard-earned tax dollars go?

what fucking high-tech piece of shit project ate up every last fucking penny of our military budget that should have been spent on making sure we were ready to protect our troops on the ground?

WHAT CORPORATION ROBBED US OF THE ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?

[beam me up scotty]

14. "where did our hard-earned tax dollars go?"

Give you a hint: It starts with an "H" and ends with an "n".

[Moderator]

15. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1053879