As usual Fornra, feed a Jack Ass some grain and crap comes out. In your case the exit point is your mouth and typing fingers.
I've been using M16's / M4's for 18 years. They work just fine. We would like a little larger caliber, something in between the 5.56 and 7.62, but for now we're well equipped. I carried an M21 (M14) during one deployment and liked it but now I'll stick with the M4.
As for the super fine sand in Iraq, it will jam the hell out of the M4.Just as it will jamevery weapon on the planet. It's a constant battle to keep them clean.
Democrats? That's a hoot. Democrats introduced the Freedom of Information Act into congress, so other Democrats, like you, can get all this information that you don't need and can use itagainst us.