Leak to WaPo - Bush & cronies did not supply troops with enough supplies

[unfrigginreal]

Top Army Commander in Iraq Complained of Poor Supply Situation, Document Shows
By Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 17, 2004; 6:30 PM

The top U.S. commander in Iraq complained to the Pentagon last winter that his supply situation was so poor that it threatened Army troops' ability to fight, according to an official document that has surfaced only now.

The lack of key spare parts for gear vital to combat operations, such as tanks and helicopters, was causing problems so severe, Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez wrote in a letter to top Army officials, that "I cannot continue to support sustained combat operations with rates this low."

snip

His letter of concern has surfaced after repeated statements by President Bush that he is determined to ensure that U.S. troops fighting in Iraq have all that need to execute their missions. "I have pledged, as has the secretary of defense, to give our troops everything that is necessary to complete their mission with the utmost safety," he said in May. Earlier this month, he said in Manchester, N.H., that, "When America puts our troops in combat, I believe they deserve the best training, the best equipment, the full support of our government."

A copy of Sanchez's letter was given to The Washington Post by a person familiar with the situation who was dismayed that front-line troops had not been adequately supplied. That person also disagrees with the Bush administration's handling of Iraq, but said that was not part of the motivation in providing the document. The disclosure of Sanchez's concerns also follows recent comments by former ambassador L. Paul Bremer, Sanchez's civilian counterpart in running the U.S. occupation of Iraq, that he believed more troops were needed in Iraq and had asked the Bush administration to send them.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40321-2004Oct17.html

[tsuki]

1. Support the troops...

support the troops...if you are against the war, you don't support the troops. You are an "enemy of the state." You are "what is wrong with this country." Shove that down my throat.

Well here's a falafel for you President Bush.

NOW who is not supporting the troops?

[madrchsod]

2. we all know this

it`s old news to 95% of the people who have decided to think. it`s way to late for the washington post to restore it`s moralilty.

[baltodemvet]

5. Wrong!

It's something we need to keep before the American people.

I know we've been saying it for months. It's starting to sink in. Take every opportunity to drive the point home: Bush has failed the troops and failed America.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Kerry will use this.

Underscores Bush the liar who shorts our troops, but pays Halliburton billions in no-bid contracts. He is an incompetent, out-of-touch boyking.

[John_H]

4. Kick. Three Gallop threads on pg 1. This on pg. 3. Go figure.