No Armor for You

One of the often-repeated criticisms of the Bush Administration is that they started the war in Iraq with a military that was unprepared for a protracted war of insurgency. This is undoubtedly the case. Of course, they didn't think that the war that we have would be the war that we have, but that is another story. Once we were in the mess that we find ourselves, however, the right steps should have been taken to correct the matter as quickly and as fully as possible. Unfortunately, the results have been rather poor. Witness a recent example.

The Pentagon will fall far short of its goal of sending 3,500 lifesaving armored vehicles to Iraq by the end of the year. Instead, officials expect to send about 1,500.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Wednesday that while defense officials still believe contractors will build about 3,900 of the mine-resistant, armor-protected vehicles by year's end, it will take longer for the military to fully equip them and ship them to Iraq.

"Production is on pace, the issue is delivery," he said, adding that the lag is a disappointment and the Defense Department is still committed to getting as many of the vehicles to the war as quickly as possible.

The vehicles _ known as MRAPs _ have a special V-shaped hull that provides greater protection against roadside bombs. According to the military, no troops have been killed while riding in one.

Again, we fail our soldiers.

22 August 2007