Posts Made By: Chris Provost

Joe Bergeron said:

The only time since before Reagan when our debt was in decline and our budget was in surplus was during the last few years of the Clinton administration. He did a few things in his time which I didn't care for, but he did, at least, do that much right.

I suspect the habitual Republican budget-busting has something to do with their desire to "strangle the Federal government until it's small enough to drown in a bath tub."

Joe Bergeron said:

[QUOTE]Chris Provost said:

What do you think Reagan would have done if our troops where being killed and dragged through the streets?

[QUOTE]

I dunno...maybe the same thing he did when that Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by terrorists...withdraw?

Richard Wright said:

CPPP,

Unlike you, I haven't made a smart remark in my previous post, so I don't know what you are talking about.

The historical record is the US Marines on sentry duty were ordered to keep their guns empty. So the truck carrying an enormous bomb was able to drive up without anyone able to stop its driver. This was reported at the time, and public rage at the betrayal of our troops started building. And Reagan got up and turned on the waterworks with great solemnity, and folks forgot why those young men were dead.

As for the HumVee, you must not have touched one. It's one of the widest machines on the road, and one of the heaviest, yet its exterior is a light aluminum shell meant to save enough weight so it can be airlifted. The good thing about the Jeep which preceded it is it was small enough no one would confuse it having off-road capabilities with any thought that it should be used an armored car. But it wasn't the Republican Congress failing to provide armor that caused the problem- they had provided for the military. When the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division rolled in, complete with M2 Bradley fighting Vehicles and M1A1 tanks, they were told to park them and use HumVees. So you had 11 Bravos dismounting armor and taking light trucks into combat. But yeah, I'm sure the 63 Bravo mechanics and a whole lot of other people who don't get shot at think they are great.

So, why were the tracks parked and silly utility vehicles put in their place? Well, as it turns out, this was the one part of the Pottery Barn principle the administration understood: If you use tracks on streets, they can damage them.

Now back off on the attitude. If I hurt your feelings without even saying anything, you've got too thin a skin to survive a scuffle.

Chris Provost said:

[QUOTE]Richard Wright said:

This is a good point. I don't think we have a contender with Reagan's acting skills in our current crop. Those tears on national television when the bodies of our Marines came home saved his Presidency. Of course, the current guy found a way from being accountable, even when our soldiers have been ordered to park their tracks and drive those pos humvees. Yep, he has something.

[QUOTE]
Dick,

Lol, I guess I should have not used the word "act". I knew someone would use that to describe Reagans presidency. Just to clarify though the Humvee is not a pos. The men and woman who work on these (63 Bravo) would most likely not take kindly to that. The Humvee is not designed for a lot of things but it is designed for durability. As was said earlier the executive branch doesn't give the go ahead on funding. Should anyone think the troops need to be mechanized then I suggest you lobby your congress person on that point unless of course they are on the Republican side of the isle...they already agree. While your giving your wish list to your elected official please don't forget to express your dismay over the attachment of STUPID spending to our defense budget. BTW I can live without the smart a$$ comments. I have not offered any as of yet but it is something I am very good at Why is it that people can't have a constructive debate without all the 4th grade baby talk?

CP