This morning I participated in a press conference arranged by Ralph Nader and Co. on the topic of Congressional Leaders, Veterans to Bush: Troops 'Not Prepared' for Bio-Chem Attacks.
Of particular note were the remarks by Steve Robinson of the National Gulf War Resource Center regarding GAO and Army audits of chemical protective gear continuing to remain unserviceable, despite years of warnings and report after report after report.
There is no excusing the fact that an internal Army audit, conducted in 2001 found that 62% of gas masks were "completely broken or less than fully operational."
I see no difference between "completely broken" and "less than fully operational." Either way, you are breathing toxins. Game over. Think about that number. 62%. Should Saddam be able to successfully deploy chemical weapons against U.S. and British forces and 62% of U.S. gas masks then fail, the casaulties will be high.
If the Administration wants us to believe that Saddam does indeed still possess chemical and biological agents (I believe he does, but that isn't cause for war), then why are they rushing to send U.S. troops into battle, vastly under protected for chemical and biological warfare? This war is wrong on many levels, and this is one more reason to say no.
A press release regarding the press conference is available here.
So did any of the politicoes indicate they’d follow up or was it just a bitchfest with fingerpointing?
I passed it on to my readers; thanks for bringing it up.
Rep Conyers, a fellow vet, claimed that immediately after departing the press conference that he would press Pelosi to call for hearings on the topic. His staffer also collected business cards from those of us who spoke. I’m assuming we may be called to testify or provide assistance. Rep McDermott, also a vet, indicated his support for hearings. Conyers may be in the minority party, but he’s no lightweight. I’m confident he’ll make a lot of noise on this issue. Obviously, it won’t stop the war, but perhaps some of the career military and DoD/Administration chickenhawks will have to answer for their dereliction of duty.
3/7/2003 4:49:00