This is a short diary, mainly here in the hopes this major story will be followed as it develops. You might remember Lt. Col. Hackworth, who, when he passed away was America's most-decorated fighter, and a mainstay as a right-wing talker on the Tube. But he parted ways with Bush on the war, and the shoddy use of soldiers very early on. I can't find the Brian Williams report from tonight the article references.
Short version is contained in the headlines and the subheadlines:
Soldiers for the Truth Foundation Exposes Second-Rate Body Armor: U.S. Soldiers Die Unnecessarily
Questionable Department of Defense Procurement Causes Higher Fatalities, More Severe Casualties in Frontline Troops
Better Body Armor Available for Nearly a Decade
It's not necessary, really to say more to get the point, but I think I've still got legal quoting space, so:
...highly questionable Department of Defense procurement policies that have resulted in untold unnecessary deaths and greater casualties for frontline American troops. The United States military is using body armor that is inferior to what is currently available, thus putting at greater risk the lives and well-being of American soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Using information and contacts developed by SFTT and provided to NBC by SFTT President and retired Marine Lt. Colonel Roger Charles, the story broke nationally this evening on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.
The better armor is called Dragon Skin. I've seen some arguments that Dragon Skin is not a superior armor, but the story points out that Blackwater USA security, a Bush-aligned private militia, always makes sure its people and visiting members of Congress & bigwig Executive Dept people wear it.
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Although this is not exactly the same topic, it is:
On May 8, the Senate in Kabul approved a bill that called for negotiations with the Taliban, a ceasefire, and a date for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The proposed legislation demands that foreign forces should not engage the Taliban unless they are themselves attacked or have first consulted with the Afghan army, police and government.
The bill reflects a growing popular rebellion against heavy-handed American army tactics and aerial bombardments, which have brought death and destruction to many parts of Afghanistan.
Man, the whole war on terror is fake and failed. Can't for the life of me see why we are still in those countries. Afghanistan, and rather it's neighbors, are experiencing a new refugee problem, while Iraq gives the middle east its worst refugee problem in 60 years. The evil being done in our name is astonishing.