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Where is the National Guard?
Today, we all extend our sympathies and prayers to those devastated by the wildfires in California. Millions of Americans are impacted by this natural disaster.
Neighbors should help neighbors in their time of need. As Governor of New Mexico, I ordered two fire crews (strike teams, with 5 engines and 21 crew members each) to California. As a candidate for President, I donated to the American Red Cross and I encourage you to do so as well, click here to do so.
But as someone who believes the war in Iraq is a complete disaster and that we need to get our troops out now (www.getourtroopsout.com), I look at the natural disaster in California and feel compelled to also ask President Bush and every candidate who thinks it is okay for our troops to remain in Iraq until 2013 or longer - where is our National Guard?
It is a sad irony that yesterday, the very day I sent fire crews to California, 300 more New Mexico National Guard members were sent to Iraq. Just when we need them most at home, more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win.
Never before in our history has our National Guard, a group of dedicated men and women who serve our country and provide critical aid in the time of natural disasters been used, and re-used, for so long to fight a war tens of thousands of miles away.
In California, the Guard force is authorized to have over 21,000 members. Today, that number is just under 15,000. Why the decline? I believe it has nothing to do with a diminished commitment to service, but rather is a frustration with having that commitment abused, and families turned upside down, just so President Bush can continue to pretend his war can succeed.
George Bush, his Republican friends and the Democrats who continue to allow this war to continue have not only broken our military, they've broken our National Guard.
The news this morning had images of Americans fleeing to a huge sports arena for shelter during a natural disaster that struck a familiar chord. When Katrina struck and the floods hit two years ago, a good portion of the Louisiana National Guard was in Iraq. How many people died in the days it took to get proper personnel on the ground in New Orleans? Today, as the fires rage, California has National Guard men, women, and critical equipment thousands of miles away in Iraq.
They need to come home. We need them here.
This has gone on long enough. When a national disaster hits, our states depend on the National Guard. Right now, President Bush is robbing Peter to pay Paul to continue his disastrous adventure in Iraq, and when tragedy hits us here at home, Americans are stuck with the bill. This cannot continue.
Bush won't end this war. Congress must. And they must end it now. We shouldn't have to wait until January, and we certainly can't wait until 2013 - we need our troops out of harm's way and our National Guard members back home where they belong.
Join my call at www.getourtroopsout.com to push Congress to begin ending this war now. Not in January, not next spring, not next year - now.
The war in Iraq is a tragedy, and compounding it by leaving our citizens here at home defenseless is an even greater crime.
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FEMA SUCKS. BUSH SUCKS. We all know that.
They are trying to ride on San Diego's coattails.
Brian Williams said "Stay Classy, San Diego!"
WHY?
San Diego IS "classy".
The ONLY reason George Bush isn't totally and completely embarassed is because San Diego kicked ass when it came to handling both the firefighting and the 1,000,000+ people it had to evacuate.
With class, style, and calm.
WITHOUT any help from FEMA, or the Feds. San Diego had things under control before FEMA or Bush showed up.
San Diego also didn't really get much help from other states or counties, who were already off fighting the Malibu and Arrowhead fires.
Good Job, San Diego!
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AMERICA'S FINEST CITY
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Thank you for your willingness to stand up to this corrupt administration. New Mexico has to send their national guard to help California, thus leaving their state short handed if there was a disaster at home. All because of a war this administration chose to have.
This illegal occupation of Iraq must end so that our first responders can respond at home. I have devoted my latest progressive political cartoon to this topic as well.
It's up on my website now. www.whatnowtoons.com
Governor Richardson,
Thank you for continuing to post here. Your comments bring a wonderful fresh light to the national discourse.
You're right. The National Guard does need to come home. America needs to get OUT of Iraq. NOW.
Mr. Richardson should do better with his facts than he is doing as a candidate and then he might do better as a candidate. Unfortunately, there seem to be 17,000 California Guard available, according to the General in charge. The Governor of California reuested 1500 and got them. Another 1000 are in support acording to all reports and there are available another 15,000 if needed, only they do not seem to be needed. Mr. Ruchardson should understand that the California Guard is under Arnold and not Bill. Arnold together with Senator Feinstein has given the Guard and President Bush and the Feds high marks. Even the forever mis-speaking award winner, Ms Boxer, has backtracked.
A day late and a Guardsman short is no recipe for victory and Mr. Richardson owes some people an apology.
Governor Richardson:
True American Wish List:
End the unproductive and throughly dishonest venture in Iraq. Bushco has failed miserably and his inner circle revisionisms are a desperate mirage. Bring the troops home. Now!
Stop escalating the war of words with Iran and continue negotiating hard on nuclear weapons development.
Concurrently, threaten to, or start to withhold foreign aid to Israel, contingent upon her realization that she can no longer annex, with impunity, former Palestinian lands.
Support moderate Arab political leaders who will forgo and denounce violence in exchange for a tangible peace process.
Make healthcare a right and not a privilege. Healthcare is not a business and it should not be for sale.
Climate change: Only an idiot would deny we have a responsibility to minimizethe impact of human activities on the enviroment. Stop rolling back protective legislation and systematically go after culpable parties.
Taxes: Get real on taxes. They will have to increase, especially for the wealthy. It is they who benefit most from lucrative corporate earnings.
Infastructure: roads, power lines, bridges, public services, throughout America are underfunded and in decay. They facilitate disasters Rebuild them.
Educational Loans. Education is not a business.
Take the loan industry sharks out of the process. Get direct, government subsidized loan programs back on track.
Stop the lucrative subsidy programs to well endowed corporations in agriculture, oil and mining. They can reasonably borrow or issue stock. Stop treating corporations, as individuals.
Thank you for listening. Dare to be different. Do what is right, because it is right. Bear the
burden of real accountability.
Dear Sir:
Although I appreciate you allocating 43 firefighting personnel with 5 engines to assist in the natural disaster in California; however, I still have confusion as to who in our government makes the decision vis-a-vie National Guard troops other than the govenor of the state or his duly authorized appointee.
How can you justify your statement "...more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win.."
I wonder if we are reading the same reports as to just how the war in Iraq is proceding? Obviously not.
And finally one more question: Where on earth does this bit of prophecy from you enter into logical debate?
"George Bush, his Republican friends and the Democrats who continue to allow this war to continue have not only broken our military, they've broken our National Guard"
If people, true military personnel, did not believe in what they are doing, then simply, they will not do it. Soldiers, Marines, Navy, and Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel enlist voluntarily to do their jobs. Why is it that propaganda spewing people like yourself desperately trying to mislead people? Tell me, why are there so many who have elected for more than one, two, or three tours of duty in Iraq?
A nation in this century needs national defense just as in every other epoch known to humankind. When a person enlists they willfully and knowingly give up their personal rights through contract to the US Government. In essence, upon signing their enlistment papers they surrender control of their personal well-being and authorize their individual commanders, up the chain of command, to make the best decision for them...in other words, the become US Property, hence "G.I."
All of this Sir, is in your lap. There is no possible way that any National Guard troops could have been taken out of your State without your knowledge. Now, how about a few words on how well New Mexico is doing on border patrol?
P. Schilling aka Onemorecup
So if our military people enlist voluntarily, are they allowed to leave the military voluntarily?
Didn't think so.
And what do you think would happen to some governor who refused the Pentagon's to send National Guard troops from his state to Iraq?
Yes, a nation needs national defense. Is that what you call what we are doing in Iraq? Defense? Since when is attacking a foreign nation without provocation an act of defense. Orwell, party of six, your table's ready.
When are you willingly and knowingly going to give up your personal rights though contract to the U.S. Government? When will you become government issue and fight this war you so dearly love? What's that I heard? Sounded like "never."
Dearest Onemorecup,
Yes, a governor is responsible for the decision to deploy the National Guard, EXCEPT for when said National Guard is nationalized by order of the president. At that time they come under the command of the Pentagon. The president and the Secretary of Defense have nationalized more National Guard units for the Iraq occupation than have been since WWII. The National Guard is supposed to be there in case of emergency, not because georgie and dick want to have a war.
Could we possibly have a march on Washington with thousands upon thousands coming from each state to demand that the war in Iraq be ended now? I'd go in a heartbeat. Also,how could we get W and Chaney impeached? On grounds of Malfeasance? Insanity? Failure to defend the Constitution as they vowed to do with their hands on a Bible? Why must the whole country be so helpless against these dictators?
Question for the governor. Sir, do you uphold the Constitution of the United States? If so, then you know we are NOT a democracy, and there IS a significance to that fact. Secondly, if you do uphold the Constituion then why not prosecute those who have involved us in an undeclared war? The presidency has no power to declare war, and congress has not done so. We have seen us lose the previous two wars---purposefully, and this one is being aligned for the same result. I have a son in Iraq right now in the army. On his first tour, he was "gung-ho" ready to go. I said nothing negative to him. When he got back these were his words: "Dad, I don't want to go back simply because we are not trying to win." (He works in intelligence, so he is privy to more than the eordinary soldier). This pattern from Korea to vietnam to Iraq is the same---America loses--from within. We are sick of it. You want to lead this country? Why not obey the Constituion? Want to protect us from terrorism? CLOSE THE BORDERS. Anyone with a 3rd grade education knows that one. Well????????? What say you sir?
say what now?
Dear Gov. R: Thoughtful piece, Gov. I am happy you're running for pres. Need someone of your caliber there. As an aside, when I heard that Dubya was going to Calif I stretched back in my chair, stared at the ceiling, rolled my eyes a couple of times and muttered quietly, "God, help those poor Californians'."
Thank you Gov. Richardson... perhaps the "Commando in Cheese" could do another funny, knee slapping, little film on trying to find the Natl Guard like he did with WMDs....after all if you cant laugh at yourself.....ugh...the rest of the world will. This country is hanging by a thread, the next natural disaster or man made calamity and we are all on our own. This once great Democracy will be penniless, with a disenfranchised population, a unelected, war mongering junta for an administration and an flacid Democratic party too intimidated to deliver some long needed justice...What are we to do ....is anyone listening!!!
You're doin' a heck of a job, Smoky.
Well stated Governor. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why you are not much higher in the polls. The 2013 triplets (2013????????????) are so far off the mark it bogs the mind. Why sycophant progressives flock to people who will not commit to getting out of Iraq by 2013 (2013?????????), who regularly vote for the Bush war budgets without restrictions (slimed into broad Defense Authorization Bills) is incomprehensible. How the frontrunner can be someone who voted for the Kyl-Lieberman attack Iran resolution, after making the same mistake on the Iraq resolution 5 years ago is impossible for me to understand. Participation of leading Democrats in passing the 2 Trample the Constitution Acts (Patriot Act and Protect America Act) and in the soon to be passed (Trample on the Constitution Act 3 (FISA Reform with retroactive immunity for the criminal actions of the telecoms) is unacceptable. Confirmation of Southwick and Mukasey in a Senate that is controlled by Democrats is also unreal.
You're right about this of course. The right wing came out hard and early -- personally attacking California state officials, including fire chiefs and other experts -- who point out the obvious -- that California National Guard and equipment is in Iraq instead of over here to help fight this kind of calamity, whether it is natural, man-made or both.
Keep up the message. Many of us are listening and deciding whether to go third party or not vote in the event that you or someone like you does not get the nomination.
I went in search for answers to what exactly is
being spent from the war budget. From what I could decifer, the National Guard gets the least
amount allocated.
If this funding is pushed through Congress
without complete accountablility, there is no
incentive for Bush to bring anyone home. I
want to know why medical benefits to wounded
soldiers are being cut, and yet Bush asks for
money to outfit a stealth bomber with bunker-
buster bombs to hit Iran. Why are continuous
threats made to Iran about nuclear capabilities,
but not to Communist China, which already has
bombs?
And the question everyone asks; why do Senators
such as yourself,not stand up in the Senate and
ask these questions? Why do you appear weak to
the American people on standing up to Bush
policy? You and other members of the Senate,
have far more power than you wield. And please,
don't tell me again it's lack of votes!
Uh, deminmo, Governor Richardson is not in the Senate. Please don't be blaming him for the gutless actions of the Democrats who are there. I do not know the Governor personally but get the impression that if he were in the Senate he would be doing as you suggest - and doing it loudly.
Your issues are spot-on and you questions are those many of us have asked repeatedly. I have written to my own Democratic Senator, Ken Salazar, who seems to vote with the "dark side" of our party on a consistent basis and tried to get him to explain any part of his reasoning. His response: zip, zero, nada, not even a bland "Thank you for your letter" note.
I have said here before that the "not enough votes" excuse is just that: and excuse for doing nothing and trying to scam us into sending money to elect more Democrats. So I have another question for you: Why should we? We gave them our votes last time and what did we get? Very little and not the important things we thought we were sending them to DC to do. If they continue down this path, don't be at all surprised when the Republicans take back their congressional majorities in 2008. And don't plan on any of the 3 media-annointed Democratic front-runners winning the White House race either. Personally I hope Governor Richardson is on the Democratic Primary ticket here in Colorado - he is the only one I have any affinty for at this point.
Governor Richards,
I completely agree with you, but the fact is, they are to busy trying to wage another War with Iran. They are making it very clear where we are headed. Israel's military strike on Syria a short time ago, was an attempt to provoke Syria, but an indication where Israel is going. The U.S. will go after a Country that has no Nuclear Weapons and we have thousands. Israel will go after Syria who has no Nuclear Weapons, but Israel has hundreds.
The U.S. now wants to build military bases in Lebanon, defense missle systems that don't work, in Poland. My goodness when does this end, it is insane. These Neo-Cons are absolutely heading us straight to a WWIII.
Welcome to the New America folks, and Governor Richards, please keep your borders open to Mexico, when Martial law is declared all Americans will need a path to escape our own Country. I am not joking here Get some buses and boats ready.
Fact: 2000 California National Guardsmen are in Iraq.
Fact: 17,000 California National Guardsmen are still in California ready to do their best to fight the fires or any other disasters.
Natural disasters, like the California wildfires, are one more reason why our troops should come home now from Iraq. March on Saturday, October 27, in one of the 11 cities across the country where an action is planned, to demonstrate to the Congress that the American people want their representatives to stand up to the Administration. Click on www.oct27.org for details. So many of us are discouraged and desparing as we see the occupation going on and on. We have to keep trying to stop the madness. If we don't do something, who will?
Bravo from Albuquerque, Governor Richardson. Obviously, as a governor and strenuous opponent of Shrub's Middle Eastern misadventures, you're the ideal person to address the problems created by his misuse of our National Guard.
As your next trick, I hope you'll offer your views on his recent federalization of the Guard. State governors overwhelmingly opposed it, but that mattered no more to our imperial Decider than does widespread public loathing for all his policies. That he authorized himself to dispatch Guard units across the country at will, based on whatever he chooses to call an emergency, makes potential imposition of martial law all the easier. We New Mexicans, could be placed under control of Guardists from Alabama or Utah, for instance, and thus no loyalties to local people could arise to prevent the repression.
One of the Californians who commented here yesterday (politicky) mentioned being frightened by a large contingent of armed forces within the stadium where fire evacuees are taking shelter. No doubt the presence of so many "guns and uniforms" would be even more horrifying, if those wielding lethal power over innocent civilians weren't their own neighbors. Which strikes me as exactly the idea.
Regarding the CA National Guard: Other states are meeting their recruiting and retainment goals because they offer better benefits. See this news story from May:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=state&id=5329591
"Because the state hasn't been able to reach its recruitment quotas, the federal government has been giving some of the money earmarked for California's guard, to other states.
Lt. Col. Jon Siepmann, CA National Guard: "This is a problem we've seen really over the past twenty years but most noticeably in the past ten years, even before the war started."
A decade ago, California was authorized to have 21,000 in its guard force. Today it's down by 5000, the size of an entire infantry brigade. The unit that responded to the Northridge earthquake no longer exists.
Lt. Col. Jon Siepmann: "We think that providing an educational benefit will go a long way towards recruiting and retaining quality soldiers here in California."
California is the only state in the nation that does not provide any college tuition help for its guardsmen. The Guard believes it can swell its numbers by 10,000 with a tuition benefit.
It's the number one thing recruits ask for. Assemblyman Chuck DeVore just retired from the Guard after 24 years of service. Though California has the largest guard force in the country, he's worried about our disaster prone state.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, (R) Irvine: "It's not the end of the world if we continue to lose National Guard strength to Texas and Alabama. That said, I would rather have the troops under the command of our Governor than have to rely on the Governor of Alabama to get troops from Alabama to California to help out."
Assemblyman DeVore thinks it has been difficult to get tuition benefits approved in this Democratic-led state Legislature in recent years because it could be viewed as support for the Iraq War."
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