
Originally Posted by
Jacknola
The source is very unreliable. However IF IT IS TRUE (unlikely), the question is fair... "what does the dept of H.S. need 2500 armored vehicles for?" That is a LOT of armor, and armor ain't cheap, and it needs a LOT of maintenence, not to mention operational expenses and a LOT of training of individuals to handle the vehicles. I would think a bunch of toyota trucks, a la Afghanistan, would be a lot more effective and much less expensive.
Suppose each vehicle has a crew of 4-5 men per vehicle, plus mechanics, tankers to supply fuel, fuel itself, tires, paint, repair... this isn't a minor item... it would have the potential to exceed a great many countries military budgets and involve ... oh ... say up to 25-50,000 people to man, supply, arm, and maintain the force.
I would have to believe that this would be a budget line item, not a "miscellaneous departmental expenditure." If it is true, I would be interested in seeing the justification. For a budget item there should be one.
the only reason I can think of that the DHS would need that force is if they are planning to try to patrol the Mexican border or maybe they need these to rescue the airport screeners from angry mobs when the population gets so sick of their constant, ever-growing, intrusiveness they revolt and start chasing them with pitchforks.