Strained US National Guard has hurricane relief role (Thousands in Iraq)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N30539163.htm

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - National Guard troops played a leading role responding to Hurricane Katrina's destruction along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday, but thousands more who might have been part of the effort are deployed in Iraq.

About 7,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been mobilized by state governors for disaster relief in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

They were assisting in law enforcement, helping at shelters and in medical efforts, removing debris, providing power generation and other missions.

The Pentagon has sent about 40 percent of Mississippi's National Guard force to Iraq and 35 percent of Louisiana's -- a combined total of about 6,000 troops. But officials maintained this had not hurt the relief effort in those states, hardest hit by the hurricane.

[LibDemAlways]

1. "But officials maintained this had

not hurt the relief effort in those states..." The Mississippi Natl. Guard is operating at 60% capacity and Louisiana's at 65% in the midst of a catastrophic natural disaster, and some unnamed officials are claiming this doesn't impact relief efforts? This is major, major bullshit. The headline seems way more honest than the story.

[cal04]

2. 4,109 who should be there not in Iraq

According to Defense Department documents that show “a cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are currently mobilized,” a total of 4,109 Louisiana Reserve and Guard troops are currently serving in Iraq.

http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2005/08/sorry-troops-needed-at-home-are-not.html

[havocmom]

3. If there is one, single plea for manpower and/or equipment in the coming

months of clean-up, then the Guard being in Iraq HAS HURT relief effort!

We need to make sure no neocon can dare to appear in public again by ALWAYS meeting them with chants about the Guard not being stateside to do what they were meant to do.

The National Guard is a citizen army intended fo come to the aid of US citiznes. The Guard was never meant for foreign deployment except in the most extreme, essential case of war. Iraq is a war of choice for profit for some corporations. It is not a legitimate reason to deploy the Guard abroad. Make sure any neocon near you hears that anytime they go off about how wonderful their policies are. Their policies are all about taking resources and using them for profit instead of FOR PEOPLE.

[NYC]

4. The National Guard needs that equipment back home...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4493298

Read post #2.

JACKSON BARRACKS -- When members of the Louisiana National Guard left for Iraq in October, they took a lot equipment with them. Dozens of high water vehicles, humvees, refuelers and generators are now abroad, and in the event of a major natural disaster that, could be a problem.

"The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission," said Lt. Colonel Pete Schneider with the LA National Guard.

http://abc26.trb.com/news/natguard08012005,0,4504131.story?coll=wgno-news-1

[krkaufman]

5. Wow, check the date on that article -- August 1, 2005 n/t

[WhiteTara]

6. now, couple that story with this one

note the date on this article
Date: 7/22/2005


Author:By LAURA McKNIGHT and KATINA A. GAUDET Staff Writers Houma Courier


EDITORIAL: Coastal Advocates Dismayed by Bush's Opposition

Tell the president what you think

Gov. Kathleen Blanco released a copy of a letter to President Bush on Wednesday in which she encourages him to visit Louisiana to see the state's coastal-erosion problems firsthand.
In it, she touches on concerns that the deteriorating Louisiana coast threatens critical oil-industry infrastructure, including transportation routes and pipelines. Although budget constraints are said to be the reason for the Bush administration's opposition, Blanco said, "please consider the far greater costs of not addressing the catastrophic coastal land loss occurring in Louisiana, land loss that puts our nation's energy security and economic future at risk. . I urge you to schedule the visit before the Energy Bill is completed. I know that once you see what is unfolding, firsthand, the urgency my state and our nation faces will be clear."
Blanco also encouraged Louisiana residents to send correspondence to the president. You can e-mail [e-mail], call [phone] or write The President, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C., 20500.



Link: http://gov.louisiana.gov/kids.asp

he has to be a complete sociopath to be able to live in his skin

[NYC]

7. I agree.

I think he is a complete sociopath.

And no one will call him on his neglect. I wonder if Blanco, Nagin, and Landrieu will?

[struggle4progress]

8. kick

:kick: