Quote:
Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Do you have evidence that there are approved plans for a better armored vehicle . . .
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Yes, Hank. My evidence is that they're upgrading the existing vehicles now and making new armored HMMVs according to some kind of government-approved plan.
If those plans weren't in place or approved before we invaded Iraq, I can only ask "why bilmore, why"?
Quote:
Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
. . . and that the Pentagon didn't move to get them, given the strictures of Government procurement law?
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I don't know how quickly they moved to get armored HMMVs, Hank -- but it wasn't quickly enough. You see, IIRC, your basic HMMV is not an armored vehicle at all.
Planning for this war began in November, 2001, Hank. 18 months is more than enough time to "up-armor" a few thousand HMMVs even if they couldn't procure armored ones in that time period. The armed forces built entire bases, airstrips, docks, etc. in that time.
Quote:
Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Oh. So are you saying the Pentagon should bypass procurement requirements- or are you just throwing up outside your mouth here?
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I'll omit the cheap shot about no-bid contracting, and just note that there are legal mechanisms by which one can bypass procurement requirements. We could have used them.
You should stick to topics you know something about (but then, it would get awfully quiet).
S_A_M
P.S. You're right, though, that the initial issue really wasn't one of lack of military funding due to the tax cuts. It was one of poor planning - and a fundamental misunderstanding of the problem at high levels. Fast, light, cheap. We win. Remember Rumsfeld insisting throughout the summer of 2003 that there was no insurgency?
I believe it had become an issue of funding since then, as the government simply hasn't done it as fast as possible, but kept those tax cuts going. Its all about choices.
Don't worry, though, Hank, the up-armoring is just about done now, so we hope not to have too many more kids missing limbs which could have been saved by the money Bush sent back to us taxpayers.
edited by Not Bob to fix quote tag. 
