National Guard insists Iraq war not hampering hurricane response

[sabra]

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/12554783.htm

National Guard insists Iraq war not hampering hurricane response


WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The catastrophe wrought by Hurricane Katrina is sparking a vigorous debate about whether the National Guard is hampered in helping because of its large-scale deployment in Iraq.

...

"They had their crack troops there in Iraq. They have the best equipment, the best training," Korb said. "It may be only 30 percent that's over in Iraq, but it's the best 30 percent."

...

"I've heard that claim made, but that's complete baloney," Bond said. "Sixty-five percent of Louisiana's Guard members were available, and 60 percent of Mississippi's were available. There's still far more Guardsmen and women available than are overseas."

Asked why out-of-state Guard units didn't come to the gulf earlier, Bond said Missouri's troops were "in place and ready to move" but "they weren't requested."

[valerief]

1. No the Natl Guard is hampering the hurricane response

At least, the people controlling the Guards are hampering it.

[patrice]

11. Would that be those who were placed in charge by the

reorganization of the National Guard that began in Bush's first administration?

[valerief]

15. BushCo's Homeland Security and FEMA reorg

offers nothing to US citizens. Maybe it will protect rich people's property but it won't protect the health and welfare of citizens.

[Kni7es]

2. Indirect Equivlancy

Sure, we had the troops, but if it weren't for Bush trying to distract himself in every way possible from the Hurricane (such as defending his war, vacationing, both, etc) they might have left for NO on time.

[GoBlue]

3. 30% of the personnel perhaps but...

more like 70% of their equipment.

[wakeme2008]

7. And probably 100% of there BEST equipment.

:grr:

[kenny blankenship]

4. Oh yeah that's why they were on the streets of New Orleans

bright'n'early Tues. morning when 24hrs. had passed and it was clear to everyone in the world with a tv-set that the police were completely overwhelmed. That's why they were keeping a lid on the spread of lawless mayhem and able at the same time to assist the Coast Guard and Red Cross and local public safety in rescuing survivors.

What a load of crap.

[nyhuskyfan]

5. They act like 65 percent is perfectly fine...

Clearly, if the job didn't get done, then it needs to be asked why not. And exactly how can you say fi the job wasn't done that those extra few thousands guardsmen wouldn't have made a difference?

The proof is in the pudding (wherever that expression comes from).

[6000eliot]

6. Saying it's so doesn't make it so.

I'm so sick of these fucks expecting us to just take their word for everything.

[Melsky]

8. Are they saying that they would have done a shitty job anyway?

If it's not the war, it's got to be gross incompetence.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Iraq has the crack troops. We have crack pots running the show here.

[antonialee839]

10. These people remind me of the guy from Animal

House who screamed "All is well" while being trampled on.

[0rganism]

12. Yeah you'd better say that if you want to keep your day job

Somehow I doubt Mr. Bond wants to be deployed to Iraq himself.

[VegasWolf]

13. In other news, National Guard says up is down and black is white. nt

[henslee]

14. horseshit bullsht horseshit busllsit horseshit bullshit shithorsehbul...