Lawmaker under fire for Marine T-shirt order

[unhappycamper]

Lawmaker under fire for Marine T-shirt order
By Sarah Skidmore - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 6:30:06 EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Rep. David Wu fought criticism Monday following a report in the Seattle Times that he got the U.S. Marines to buy shirts that can melt in battle, causing severe burns.

The Times reported on the T-shirts Sunday as part of a story about the links between campaign contributions and earmarks, which are appropriations lawmakers tack on to spending bills that often benefit specific companies or organizations.

“These are difficult, cynical times and frequently people look for the worst,” the Democrat told the Associated Press Monday.

Wu helped get a $2 million earmark in the 2006 budget for InSport, a Beaverton company in his district. The report found InSport, parent company Vital Apparel and executives from both companies donated more than $7,000 to Wu.

But a year after the earmark was set, the Marines banned polyester T-shirts for use in combat after finding the fabric melts in intense heat, adhering to the skin.

“This essentially creates a second skin and can lead to horrific, disfiguring burns,” Capt. Lynn E. Welling, the 1st Marine Logistics Group head surgeon, who conducted research in Iraq, told the Seattle Times.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_marineshirts_071016/



uhc comment: Wu is a Democrat from OR-1, which shows ya how well we take care of the soldiers companies fighting the war in Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq.

Polyester melts. Shit. I knew that 40 fucking years ago.

[babylonsister]

1. I read this yesterday; can you imagine, your shirt proivided by the US

govt, melting? I would be so angry.

[fasttense]

2. The Navy had the same problem with its polyester uniforms

in about 1992. They made wearing of polyester on board ships illegal. You would have thought the Marines were paying attention.

[glowing]

3. money, no bid contracts, cannon fodder.... What about these people

has ever come across as caring for our soldiers? This govt time and time again has asked its citizens (and at times demanded) to pick up a weapon and shoot other people. Citizens believe in this country and choose to serve in the military to defend this country.... not to fight agressive wars.

The United States does not take care of it military. The use of Depleted Uranium weapons proves just that. I don't understand why anyone would want to serve anymore, when this govt has continuously used them as expendable machines.

[Didereaux]

4. I think all polyester/nylon cloth is banned for baby clothing...for several years now!

I may be wrong on that and it is just a strong warning or some such. But no matter it has been know for over 20 years that such materials melt and create worse burns.