Political Quotes

“there is no problem which more directly affects the security of our forces in the Middle East and particularly in Afghanistan than our ability to communicate with the local population. To solve this problem we must enhance DoD support on two technologies that are being sorely neglected--digital satellite radios and the solar panels which can permanently power them anywhere. As a result of two satellites launched in the past three years there is now complete 64 channel digital radio satellite coverage of the entire middle east, Asia, and Africa. In parts of the Middle East such as Afghanistan there is double satellite coverage and therefore 128 clear highest fidelity radio broadcast channels are available. Unfortunately until now our government has made little use of this technology which the private sector has already bought and paid for. This means that a superior method of communicating in the Middle East is not being used to support our troops who are or will be serving there. What is virtually needed is a DoD program to jump start the dissemination of these satellite radio receivers to the local population surrounding our troops so that our messages of democracy and freedom can be brought to them in a variety of formats. Our troops vitally need the added security that the resulting increased local support for their mission will bring. Our troops also need periodically the ability to communicate directly with these people.”