Support the Troops, Dammit!
From Salon's War Room:

Memo to supporters of George W. Bush: Before you slap another red, white and blue magnetic ribbon on the rear end of your SUV, why not take a moment to read a new report from the Marine Corps' inspector general? It might give you a whole new sense of what it means to "support the troops" -- and how the current administration isn't doing so. According to today's Boston Globe, the inspector general finds that U.S. Marines assigned to fight in some of the most dangerous parts of Iraq haven't been provided the weapons, communications gear or vehicles they need. The inspector general says that "all" Marine units currently fighting in Iraq "require ground equipment that exceeds" what they've got, "particularly in mobility, engineering, communications and heavy weapons." The Humvee problem is apparently particularly acute. According to the Globe, the inspector general found that a quarter of the Humvees assigned to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force lack the armor needed to protect against roadside bombs. And the Humvees that have been retrofitted with armor are wearing out faster than they should because they weren't designed to carry so much weight.

And then there's this story from the Arizona Republic:

Marine Pfc. Jeremy Tod called home with news that his superiors were urging him and fellow Marines to buy special military equipment, including flak jackets with armor plating, to enhance the prospects of their survival. The message was that such purchases were to be made by Marines with their own money. "He said they strongly suggested he get this equipment because when they get to Iraq they will wish they had," Tod said. Total estimated cost: $600. [...] Besides the essential flak jacket with steel "trauma" plates, the shopping list for the young Marine included a Camelbak (water pouch) special ballistic goggles, knee and elbow pads, a "drop pouch" to hold ammunition magazines and a load-bearing vest. John Tod, 45 [father of Jeremy], is picking up the tab for a son who blew most of his savings on a new pickup truck. And dad says he is tempted to forward the bill to the Pentagon. "Or maybe I can write it off in taxes," he said with a grin.

This reminds me of a recent blog I ran across (I wish I had saved it's URL) where the writer pondered why these magnets and stickers use an imperative rather than a declarative--such as "I Support Our Troops." Could it be that the message isn't necessarily a reflection of just one's viewpoint but a pointed message to all those Volvo-drivin', latte-sippin' librul HAFs (Hate America Firsters) who need to learn a thing or two?