220 US troops are DEAD because no one gave a shit.

[LynnTheDem]

The lack of up-armored humvees has been WIDELY REPORTED by the MSM for the past TWO YEARS. Also reported was the estimate that 20% of the troops killed could have lived IF they'd had up-armored humvees.

But NO ONE GAVE A SHIT until now. NOW it's a "firestorm". Too bad the US media, the bushCartel & the rightwingnuts didn't care TWO YEARS AGO. And THIS time, will they FINALLY???

CBS News: Iraq GI's short on armor, radios, bullets

-October 31, 2004

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/31/60minutes/main652491.shtml

MSNBC: US troops, parents confirm Humvee risks

"Michael Moran received numerous responses to his Brave New World column about the lack of armor protection on U.S. military Humvees in Iraq..."

-April 16, 2004

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4758004

Newsday: Troops seen vulnerable in Humvees
Lighter vehicles lack protection against militants

-December 18, 2003

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2003/12/18/troops_seen_vulnerable_in_humvees

Airborne Combat Engineer: Armored Humvees in short supply

-December 7, 2003

http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2003/12/armored_humvees.html

Unit Awaits OK To Use Steel Armor

Fearing roadside bombs and sniper bullets, members of the Army Reserves' 428th Transportation Co. turned to a local steel fabricator to fashion extra armor for their 5-ton trucks and Humvees before beginning their journey to Iraq earlier this month.

But their armor might not make it into the war, because the soldiers didn't get Pentagon approval for their homemade protection.

-December 13, 2003

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/1,13319,FL_armor_121903,00.html

Washington Times

When the war began, only about 2 percent of Army's 110,000 Humvees were armored. Now, of the nearly 15,000 Humvees in Iraq, about 1,500 to 2,000 are armored, according to the Army.

-April 25, 2004

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:pq7S5byArQEJ:ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_HUMVEES%3FSITE%3DDCTMS%26SECTION%3DHOME+humvees+Iraq+unarmored%3B+2003&hl=en

Armor and mettle

The shortage of armored Humvees and the vulnerability of unprotected Humvees to roadside attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan has been a volatile issue for defense planners. A Senate panel this week approved $865 million for protection initiatives, including armored Humvees, security vehicles and bolt-on armor kits.

-June 25, 2004

http://www.oregonlive.com/special/oregonian/iraq/index.ssf?/base/metro_north_news/108816516113780.xml

Lack Of Armor Claims Troops

Twenty percent of the U.S. troops killed in Iraq might have lived had there been more armored, heavier vehicles available to them...

-April 27, 2004

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_armor_042704,00.html