Church raising funds to buy GI body armor

[truthpusher]

Article published March 30, 2005
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Church raising funds to buy GI body armor
Pastor's son is on way to Afghanistan
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By KARAMAGI RUJUMBA
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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The Rev. Gary Blaine says he respected his son's decision to join the Army National Guard, but he never expected to pay for his son's military equipment.

(snip)

"It makes me angry that my son or any other person should be sent off to a war zone without the proper body armor," Mr. Blaine said. "It is indefensible."

(snip)

Mr. Blaine said though transportation units like the one to which his son will be attached are frequently attacked, the Army won't provide Christopher with the body armor he needs to protect him from a bullet. "The Army will only give my son Level 3 body armor, which will only stop shrapnel but not a bullet," the pastor said.

He said his son's military supervisor advised members of the unit to go out and buy their own Level 4 body armor, which is what other military families and personnel have recommended.

Level 4 body jackets, which cost about $1,700 apiece, are better than those issued by the military because they are lighter and more efficient.

story: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050330/NEWS28/503300333

[Hello_Kitty]

1. But...but...John Kerry

Voted FOR the $87 billion before he voted AGAINST it!

Just anticipating idiotic freeper spin on a story like this.

:eyes:

[rocktivity]

2. If you'll pardon the expression, what the church should be raising is HELL

asking the government why this armor isn't being paid for with the taxpayer funds allocated for the Iraqi occpuation--especially when Halliburton and Co. are profiteering their butts off!!!

:mad:
rocknation

[DeepModem Mom]

3. So this is still happening -- disgraceful! nt

[ChickMagic]

4. Well, good for them

It's an honorable thing to do, yet they only seem to be motivated when it hits home.

[quaoar]

5. Dear Mr. Blaine

We're very sorry, but the $1,700 that might have bought your son the proper body armor was given away to the wealthiest men in society.

Your son should stop whining about getting killed or maimed and just realize that we go to war with the body armor we have laying around, not the body armor we ought to have.

And don't worry, if your son comes home missing a limb or two or he's emotionally scarred for life, we'll cut funding for his treatment, too.

Sincerely,
Your government

[Festivito]

6. Policy by tax break.

Decide milirary priorities by giving then taking a tax break. Note that the rich get the break, the poor don't end up giving enough to get anything above the standard deduction.

Just another tax on the poor.

[Mugweed]

7. So the only thing about this war...

that this church is against is the lack of body armor?