Text of Democratic response by Sen. Durbin (rummy armor comment)

[leftchick]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2953885

<snip>

When Secretary Rumsfeld met with those soldiers in Kuwait, he invited them to ask tough questions. Well, they sure did. Now he owes them, and all Americans, some straight answers.

How in the world can the Pentagon have billions of dollars for no-bid contracts for companies like Halliburton, but not enough money to provide basic protective equipment for our troops?

Why did we discontinue the production of armor plating before all of our Humvees in Iraq were protected?

We can, and we should, armor every Humvee and every truck our troops use in Iraq and Afghanistan. No more excuses, no more delays. We can save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of serious injuries.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. If Halliburton made the armor, they would have more than they know what

to do with... and it would cost more than you can imagine. Just my opinion though... could be off a little on that.

[GetTheRightVote]

2. It is obvious I believe to all now, this is about * & friends making money

not about protecting the soldiers over seas. Am I really the first to figure this out or only the first to say it ??????

[leftchick]

3. obvious to all save the freeptards...

even my republican neighbor, whom I like, has started to see the damage * has wrought!

[Malva Zebrina]

4. I am weary of it all

It is an issue now that is fairly safe to hollar about.

How about hollaring about the lies that were told in order to perform slaughter on innocent people? How about a "Democratic response" to that? And the utter insanity of it all?

Instead we are treated to an inaugural the likes of which as has never been seen in DC--costing 60 million dollars in an utter display of elitism, corporatism and total support of fascism.

How about hollaring about the lack of information the American people are subjected to re the screw up in Iraq, and how about calling Bush on it all? ALL of it. 9-11 and his response and knowledge before hand, for starters.

It is not that I do not think the soldiers should not have the utmost in protection, but come on, this was KNOWN months ago.

People have been buying equiptment for their loved ones and sending whatever they can for a year, while George Bush sends them little bags of candy canes so they can have a Merry Christmas.

I am so weary of this sham--of this belt way political posturing.

There is nary an honest man amongst them all.

[leftchick]

6. agreed and very well said...

It is exhasting trying to get the focus on what really matters. We are in a quagmire because of war criminals. We need to get out now and have them held accountable!

[Mist]

7. Me too. Tired, tired, tired

I hardly have the energy to summon anger and disgust anymore, at anything they do, or say. We are watching a bunch of truly shameless power brokers fritter away our economy and standing in the world, and who try to distract us with Scott Peterson and similar lurid stuff. All I can summon is apathy.

[cosmicdot]

12. agree ... Rumsfeld is just a by-product ... a tip of the iceberg ...

and, this case, very possibly another 'distraction' ...

Dear Sen. Durbin ... I appreciate any and all candid criticism of the misguided and dangerous policies/agenda of the Bush-Cheney cabal; however, there's a bigger picture: our country and our destiny have been usurped ... the usurpers don't care who they hurt, abuse or what Founding Principles they trample on the way to the bank and their own self-preservation and self-aggrandizement ... our standard of living and freedom is at risk ... we're all in peril ... SOS ...(reference: stolen elections of 2000, 2002, 2004 for starters)

[jaysunb]

5. Psst...hey Dick

It's time to stop talking and do something about this guy !

[barb162]

8. "do something" ??? He can't do a damn thing

[Malva Zebrina]

9. He obviously has a mouth, doesn't he?

as do they all, imo.

They seem content to only open it when it is safe, and seem to like talking out of both sides of it.

[barb162]

16. He obviously has a mouth and he obviously used it

[cavanaghjam]

10. Funny, no one in D.C.

talks about the fact that the armed forces have plenty of APCs gathering dust in military warehouses. Of course, they're not HumVees. It's almost as though this war were in part a giant commercial for gas guzzling Hummers. I don't suppose it could have anything to do with Andy Card and his former employers, the U.S. auto makers.

[GoldenOldie]

11. Where is the Congressional oversight???

Why are the elected Reps not yelling their heads off to the President and the press.

Where are all those "Swift Boaters" who ranted, raved and filled their pockets along with their egos about John Kerry antics placing the troops in danger. They don't seem to have much of the guts and stomach to speak up for the troops in Iraq?

OH! Forgot, its the holidays and all the Reps and those living high on the hog in DC are a little busy right now partying with the power brokers and stuffing their stockings with the goodies $$$$

How come the mouths O'Reilly, Limpballs, Hannity, Scarborough, Buchanan, Novaks, etc., aren't speaking out for the troops. Too busy collecting their payoff checks from the power brokers.

[radar]

13. This is a perfect example to shove back...

...At those claiming the "media is liberal."

It would be a win/win for a supposed liberal media - hammer at the conservative prez while defending the soldiers in the field.

But, the so-called ambush by an embedded reporter is more important to these guys, than the lack of protection soldiers have - is.

Take notes & gather newsclips, folks, this is the story that could shut up the blow-hard ignorant repug types...

The Myth of the "liberal" media BartCop.com
http://www.bartcop.com/libmedia.htm

[BlueManDude]

14. Boy that'll get 'em!!!

ZZZZZ

When is someone gonna call these fuckers liars?

[damntexdem]

15. Because the Administration doesn't give a damn ...

about those soldiers.