Why hasn’t the National Guard been used to fight the fire

[Changenow]

in California? Why isn’t the media addressing this question? What if there is an even greater catastrophe and we need the Guard, what then? How does having the homeland so vulnerable improve homeland security?

[theivoryqueen]

1. Aren't most of them in Iraq?

[VelmaD]

2. My thought exactly...

ya beat me to it.

[theivoryqueen]

3. sorry - smiles!

Hope you're feeling better!

[ArkDem]

4. Do they have firefighting equipment and

training?

[Changenow]

7. Yeah, they could help and normally would

but so many are deployed in Iraq that it’s a problem. After I posted this I found this little article which addresses the issue.

Resources Under Fire
http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=345&IssueNum=21
(more)
“The California National Guard is engaged in numbers not seen since the Korean War. We’re really being tapped right now, but we do have all the assets the state needs at this time,” said Capt. Denise Varner, a spokesperson for the National Guard. According to Varner, guardsmen sent helicopters and other aircraft, but as of Tuesday morning didn’t have much else to give. Also, three helicopter units deployed had just come back from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, she said. “We’re fortunate those folks returned,” she said.

"Also pitching in to help contain the blazes were trained firefighters with the federal Bureau of Land Management, which, due to budget constraints, laid off much of its seasonal firefighting crew on September 20."

It clearly states that the reason there aren’t sufficient crews is because Gray Davis is Governor and all things bad stem from that fact.

[blm]

5. A number of firefighters were also reservists who are now in Iraq.

.

[northzax]

8. this is the key

there are guardists left in California, obviously, but the specialists in things like firefighting, police work and the like are the first called for peacekeeping (er, occupation) duty.

[Uzybone]

6. because they are too busy

defending Halliburtons interests.