Aug. 03, 2006 - 16:14 MDT

NO DRUM BUNNY

Sometimes what is called "news" is merely confirmation of what many of us suspected all along.

An article by Lolita C. Baldor of the Associated Press of Wednesday Aug. 2, 2006 is in that category I think. Here, quoted in full:

GUARD BRIGADES UNREADY FOR COMBAT, GENERAL SAYS

WASHINGTON -- "More than two-thirds of the Army National Guard's 34 brigades are not combat ready, mostly because of equipment shortages that will cost up to $21 billion to correct, the top National Guard general said Tuesday."

"Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum spoke to reporters after Army officials, analysts and members of Congress disclosed that two-thirds of the active Army's brigades are not ready for war."

"The budget won't allow the military to complete the personnel training and equipment repairs and replacement that must be done when units return home after deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan, they say."

"I am further behind or in more dire situation than the active Army, but we both have the same symptoms, I just have a higher fever," Blum said."

"One Army official acknowledged Tuesday that while all active Army units serving in the war zone are "100 percent" ready, the situation is not the same for those at home."

"In the continental United States, there are plenty of units that are rated at significantly less than a C-1 rating," said Lt. Col. Carl S. Ey. "Backlogs at the depot, budget issues and the timeliness of receiving funds to conduct training are all critical to the Army's ability to keep their force trained, ready and at the highest readiness level possible."

"Once a taboo subject for the military, often buried deep in classified documents, readiness levels -- generally ranked from C-1 to C-4 (the worst) are now being used as weapons themselves to force money out of Congress and the administration."

"And while Army officials still won't specify how many units are at which levels, they are being more open about the overall declining state of readiness."

"A key element to the problem is that Army units returning from the war have either left tanks, trucks or other equipment behind or are bringing them home damaged. Once back, many soldiers either leave the Army or move to other posts, forcing leaders to train others to replace them. As a result, the unit's ratings drop, said Ey, an Army spokesman."

"Last week, several House Democrats said publicly that two-thirds of the Army brigades are rated not ready for combat."

ARMY OFFICIALS HAVE NOT DISPUTED THAT FIGURE."

"The Senate late Tuesday agreed to an amendment, offered by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to add $7.8 billion for the Army and $5.3 billion for the Marine Corps to the defense spending bill for 2007."

"The added funding would bring the bill to a total of $467 billion, including $63.1 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"Stevens said the new $13.1 billion is for equipment repair and replacement, and to meet the requirements for continued combat operation, primarily in Iraq."

"The Senate planned to continue debate on the bill today."

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Budget shortfalls being used as weapons to force money out of the administration ? ? ? Looks maybe as if the administration is trying to have things both ways. Lite-premptive-war ya know.

This seems to be a growing problem and one that will not be solved by massive tax cuts to my notion. In fact perhaps a reimposition of taxes already cut might be in order. Laughable of course, the biggies won't go that route I think.

Then, retaining personnel in the military is a problem, and encouraging enlistment entails training -- that is if anyone can be persuaded to enlist now.

Sometimes I wonder if the powers that be are like babies kept busy by Mom -- molasses on fingers of each hand and a feather to play with. Some of our Congress-folk are dedicated, honest and have the welfare of the nation in mind, but I haven't seen anyone of that persausion mentioned by name.

I guess "preemptiveness" shall rule and the effects linger forever. Never-ready ? This outfit ain't NO DRUM BUNNY . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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