Better armor lacking for new troops in Iraq

Look who's NOT supporting the troops....AGAIN! Let the Dems try to cut off funding for this war and the Repubs will be screaming from the mountain tops "The Democrats don't support the troops!" That's just a barrel of bullshit if you ask me. The Republicans use the military as a back drop - much the same as they do religion - all pomp, no circumstance.

The thousands of troops that President Bush is expected to order to Iraq will join the fight largely without the protection of the latest armored vehicles that withstand bomb blasts far better than the Humvees in wide use, military officers said.

Vehicles such as the Cougar and the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle have proven ability to save lives, but production started late and relatively small numbers are in use in Iraq, mostly because of money shortages, industry officials said.

More than 1,000 American troops have been killed by roadside bombs since the war began in March 2003. At present there are fewer than 1,000 of the new armored trucks in Iraq. At $500,000 to $700,000 each, they cost more than twice as much as a standard Humvee, but already they are proving their worth.