A tip of the piss-cutter to my new bestest friend in blogtopia (y!sctp!)The Burned Over District. What a shameful story...

John Tod of Mesa had been prepared to face Father's Day worrying about his son's pending date with the war in Iraq.

Then Uncle Sam stepped in with more disappointing developments.

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.

Tod said his son's call about two weeks ago from the Marine Corps Air Station-Yuma was a sobering reminder that the military is not prepared to equip Pfc. Tod and fellow Marines with the best equipment.

It's not new news that families have been sending body armor over to Iraq to keep their loved ones alive, but this is the first time I have heard of an official directive from someone's chain of command to buy their own body armor. To the tune of $600. Newsflash for all the overpaid pundits out there, $600 is probably pretty close to a paycheck for some junior enlisteds. And it's quite a hit for those with families i.e. wives and kids.

So, how 'bout them Yellow Ribbons, you Yellow Elephants? is this called "supporting our troops" or is this called "I got my tax-cut, You got no Armor" to the tune of Eddie Murphy's "Ice Cream Man"?