Schweitzer threatening legal fight over Air Guard

[keithjx]

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Wednesday threatened to take legal action against the federal government to block any move to reduce the Montana Air National Guard unit at Great Falls without his permission.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the chairman of the commission reviewing Pentagon recommendations for changes in U.S. military installations, Schweitzer said federal law prohibits any change in an Air or Army Guard unit unless the governor agrees.

If the Base Realignment and Closure Commission fails to comply with that law, he said, ‘‘I will not hesitate to bring legal action to challenge the commission's current recommendation concerning the Montana Air National Guard.''

snip

‘‘Downsizing our Montana National Guard capabilities when the United States is still at war and in this post-9/11 era seems both ill-conceived and dangerous,'' Schweitzer wrote to Rumsfeld and Anthony Principi, who heads the base closing commission known as BRAC.

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/05/26/montana/a08052605_04.txt

KJ

[fob]

1. A Democrat talking back to the cabal? I like it, but I hope he doesn't

have to take any small-plane trips anytime soon.

[MarianJack]

2. GOD Bless Schweitzer!

A Democrat with sand. How RARE!

[keithjx]

3. He's already ranted at this administration about the MT Natl Guard

He told Bush that we need our Natl Guard members back in Montana for the inevitable summer forest fires. Of course, Shrubby had no response. But Schweitzer is taking it to 'em anyway.

Go Gov!
KJ

on edit: link to story http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=163x363

[montanacowboy]

4. BRIAN SCHWEITZER IS THE FUTURE OF THE

DEMOCRATIC PARTY - AND ALL THOSE PUSSY PINK TUTU DEMS BACK IN THE BELTWAY HAD BETTER SIT UP AND PAY ATTENTION HERE -

THIS GUY TAKES NO SHIT FROM THE MT. REPUKES

HE HAS MY BET FOR 2008 -