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.

Comments

[sugarmoes]

they're building palaces for saddoerge hussbush

[booker52]

The Lt Gov of California said this very same thing. Too bad no one who can do anything about this will listen. Here in Utah we had a soldier die on his 5th tour this week. Hello?? Whats wrong with this picture?? This very same soldier had already signed up for this 6th tour. Just how many tours are too many???

[deminmo]

booker52 seems to me that 3 tours are too many. We
grieve with you on the loss of that brave soldier.

[thedirtman]

Governor Richardson,

Today we see the Democratic candidates divided into two tiers. We have a resume tier of candidates that are not afraid to speak and act. They can commit to pulling our troops out of Iraq. As we know this "war" is better defined as a disaster. Resume tier candidates are not afraid to use reason, and give intelligent thoughtful responses. They do not fear that thoughtful answers will cause them to appear arrogant.

And we have a celebrity tier of candidates, doing much better. Celebrity candidates seem to feel that the troops don't belong to us. According to them, the troops need to be in Iraq because Iraq needs them - although Iraq says that they do not. They dominate the media and the debate with canned answers that appeal to knee-jerk responses to make people afraid to reclaim our troops. They cackle like hens at tough questions. It causes petrifaction to our nation. This is not what a reasonable person would call leadership material.

What do you plan to do to get people asking the tougher questions? How to you get them to act on courage instead of fear? How do you plan to end the Asault on Reason, the Republican War on Science, and the War on Intelligent Thought?

[Yukon Jack]

Governor Richardson, you ask the question: "Where is the National Guard?"

Painful as it may be for you, try to - at least make the effort - to listen to your fellow Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger.

I know, he is a despicable Republican in your eyes, but DO make the effort.

Then you will have the answer to your politically correct question.

[Ais4Atheist]

Very good article, completely agree with him.

But couldn't help not getting bothered by one comment. "As a candidate for President, I donated to the American Red Cross and I encourage you to do so as well..." i really hope he didn't donate just because he's a presidential candidate. How about donating because you're a generous american citizen? I am being a little nit picky, but that comment just really bothered me.

[CTGJR]

I am 66 and have lived through Korean War, Vietnam,Reagan's misadventures, Balkans issues, Gulf War, and am trying to make it through W's idiocy in Iraq(or is it a calculated plan to reward the rich and powerful).

I also survived the cultural upheavals in our country-the civil rights movement and the Moral Majority(you can't be a Christian if you are not Republican).

It has been an interesting and trying time, but the election of Bush-Cheney and the compliant Republican congress and caused me to question our survival as a moral, free and fiscally sound country. I'm concerned that we will not be able to undo, clean up, purge, etc. the mistakes and follies of this administration. I hope I live long enough to see it

[thedirtman]

CTGJR, I feel much the same. This has caused me to question the survival of the entire species. It seems like humans to devolving back into the barbarian hunter-gatherers that we were before civilization.

[fact finder]

thedirtman; Pray that we even survive.!

[fortyfour]

Gov Richardson

as 2nd generation californio
thank you for your help

[connorin]

Billy...85­% of CA's national guard is at hoome in CA WAITING to be called on to help in the fires...al­ong with tons of equipment.­..so quit whining!

If you get to be President (God help us), can you promise us no more hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc...if so I WILL VOTE FOR YOU

[TankerRat]

I sincerely hope pal that you or your loved ones never have to depend on the presence of those "missing" NG troops in the event of something catastrophic in your neck of the woods. It would be tragic indeed if you lost someone because of the Chimps war or Queen Hillary leaving them in Iraq til 2013 or beyond.

[Lane]

TR-
You had me, all the way up until you just had to make a nasty remark about Hilary. She is by far the best candidate we have for the job at this time. Why not just give her a chance????
Then you can whine and complain all you want on HuffPost when she is letting you down!

[rollingdivision]

This claim is false, there is no shortage. "More than 1,500 California National Guardsmen continue to provide firefighting, security, support to law enforcement, interoperable communications, transportation, medical and command and control in support of firefighting operations in southern California.

More than 17,000 additional California National Guardsmen are available if needed.

“I have heard claims that there are not enough National Guard available, and that simply does not reflect reality,” Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said today."

[thedirtman]

Does that 85 percent factino have the FOX news vote of approval? As Richardson stated in the letter the numbers are already down to 71 percent alone due to vacancies.

[connorin]

I did see it on FOX after I saw it on MSLSD news and it was reported from the pentagon and confirmed by CA representa­tives...He­ck even CNN showed it...you must have missed it on HRC's startup w/ Georgie Soros MediaMatte­rs.ugh

[Kirby]

Like hell - your figure of 85% The fact of the matter is that we have overdrawn on the National Guard all over the country to fight this insane war instigated by the Neo-cons and their mentors, the elders.

Were Billy to become President, we'd be a hell of a lot better off with someone who has some intelligence and common sense than with what we have now. Not only does he not have sufficient amount of those qualities, it seems, but he has a perverse bent on leading us straight into an armageddon. There will be no pulling out of the disaster to be brought on us if we go into Iran, and in the process there will be many, many thousands of Israelis in Tel Aviv killed, innocent people, in addition to the many, many innocent Lebanese, and Iranians who will be decimated. All for what? For Israel to hold on to its ill-gotten extra lands?
Our National Guard Troops need to be at home in the U. S. A. Pray that we have the courage to stand up to this threat and elect someone to steer us away from what is a certain doomsday.

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

Careful connorin your statement while true does not fit the "hate America" crowd.

[PatA]

As a former resident of New Mexico, I appreciate Gov. Richardson very much. He is a standup guy!

As a note to posters who use the word "cowboy" to describe Bush and his company of blowhards, please quit using it. I grew up on a ranch and was surrounded by cowboys. No one that I've met, who is, or was a cowboy would even dream of sending their country to hell in a handbasket as Bush dreams about.

Cowboys are not posturing and giggling about soldiers being killed on a daily basis.

Back to the subject, look at what happened in Kansas when they had the last big tornado. The governor stated that they needed the trucks and equipment that had been sent to Iraq and she was forced to "censor" her own statements.
We're screwed as far as having NG units to help us out.

[Progress08]

Let's concoct a better name for president man-child.

MoneyMonkey
Vigilante of Stupidity
Soldier of Misfortune
General Ignorance
Judge Grudge
Prince of Lies (my favorite)

[deminmo]

Its in reference to the Hollywood cowboy not the
real hard working cowboy.

[ElHefe]

To end the war....wha­t do we say to the fathers and mothers of the dead? The war is winnable, but that is not the plan. Korea...Ma­cArthur liberated N Korea from the communists---he was fired for it and it was given back to the communists. Vietnam, we never lost a major battle, but quit the bombing, and ended up losing a war that was nearly totally won...like Korea. Now this one. You cannot conquer a country like Iraq with 150,000 troops, nor combat people willing to blow themselves up. We should have never gone there in the first place. Terrorists? NONE of them were from Iraq. IF we were going after the country that produced the terrorists of 9-11 we should have invaded Saudi Arabia (which also happens to be one of the most repressive regimes on the planet....­but we ignore that.) Justice? Then why not invade Cuba? Why not China? Lies lies and lies are the symbol of the American government from FDR to the present crop of thugs. But for those of you who think there is a dime's worth of difference between the republicans and democrats.­...trick or treat, and leave your requests for Santa to bring you some new toys.

[TankerRat]

We say to them:
Thank You for you and your loved ones sacrifice for our beloved country. We pray that our all merciful Lord will gather them to his loving arms and give them eternal rest and peace. We say that we will NEVER forget what they have done for us.

AND we Pledge to them that never again will those like them be send in harm's way for the benefit of someone else's ego, or for monetary gain, or for imperialistic endeavor.
AND WE MEAN IT.

[Lane]

okay, you are forgiven!

[Purple Girl]

Frankly I'm not a great supporter. Agree on Iraq- but I'm looking for an executive Branch that will bring justice to those who have undermined our Democracy. Impeachment and recalls (or votes out) no longer will satisfy my need for revenge against this administration and it's affliates (public & private individuals & organizations). I want these people held accountable for every treasonous acts they have perform on our country.I WANT DICK IN AN ORANGE JUMPSUIT & SHACKLED AWAITING HIS SENTENCE TO BE CARRIED OUT !!!
We can not begin to solve the probelms around the world- we have inflicted- until justice ahs been served in our own country. Pledge me that and you will have my vote and contribution!That goes for all Public Servants.
I'm so outraged I've developed Terret Syndrome- Why haven't you or any of the other good ol' Dems??? I'm looking for the candidate with political BALLS and the same devotion to the rights and freedoms guarantted by the Constitution. Otherwise you're just another DC Stepford Whore.

[TankerRat]

So just WHOM do you feel has those "Balls" purple girl? I think perhaps if you delved a bit deeper into Gov. Richardson's stances, ideas, experience, and background you might find your answer.

BTW Did you see the Zogby poll (out yesterday) of some 10K persons that it would seem to tells us that Gov. Richardson would defeat any and all Republican candidates and then go on to defeat any and all Democratic candidates and thus win the WH for them Dem's in 08.
Not Hillary, Not Obama, Not Edwards, Not Kucinich.
I have no doubt whatsover that one of Gov. Richardson's top priorities would be the protection and yes restoration of our civil liberties under the US Constitution. Of the other candidates could you please perhaps tell me who you think would do so?

[Diogenes1]

TankerRat:

Why not Kucinich? I like his health plan, and there is no proposal that he has that I don't like.

I agree with the poll's disdain of the candidates that the major media have christened MAJOR CANDIDATES.

[ElHefe]

The answer to the problem is simple: 1. We are NOT a democracy. 2. Legally, the federal government has NO jurisdiction in the states other than what is mandated in the Constitution. Therefore each state has more legal power than the feds. 3. When we realize that we are NOT a democracy, but a republic, then "majority rule" to change anything they want---is out the window. They cannot hoodwink us by saying the "majority" approves this, or that. They can ONLY act on the provisions of the Constitution--which they hate so much. The hell with them. WE are the power, not them. WE have the mandates--not them. There is no power left to the individual when corporations control the votes of the congress. Your vote simpley does not count. The answer---honest politician­s...of which I can think of only one currently there...Ro­n Paul. The rest should be locked up and put far away from any "power" they assume they have.

[GuiltyUndertaker]

Forget Ron Paul. He's a free market groupie. He would be an unmitigated disaster as president.

[vippy]

Richardson makes a lot of sense. I, too, was
wondering what would happen now since the US
is so "unprotected?" First and foremost it should be our own country that is protected.
Now since we are the only aggressors it may fuel
some rogue nation to find our weak spot.
Forget Glenn Beck, he needs to go to the FOX NEWS. Cannot imagine why CNN would hire him.

[lenoirlady]

Easy to say forget Glen Beck. Hard to do. He is hate filled and an all around nasty human being. CNN should indeed, be ashamed sto have hired him. For him to say Californian's diserved this catastrophy of fire and loss because they didn't want to to have troups killed in Iraq? What the hell is wrong with him? Beck comes across as does any alcoholic, so full of his own abject weakness, he must be full of viterol and anger. He was possibly nicer person drunk. Sorry he recovered.

[Politika]

Glen Beck is the worse pundit America ever had.
I wish we could make a petition for CNN to remove him. To give a former alcoholic DJ (check his resume)a primetime outlet to throw up his idiocy to us is a digrace specially in these times of deep crisis. The worse is that I don't think he believes in what he says. He is just trying to beat Oreilly so CNN can get a few more ratings from Fox News. CNN will loose at the end by trying to be everything. They should just try to give us news not stupid pundits to entertain us. We have enough entertainment in this coutry already.

[Dansden]

And did you hear the RANT that 'MORNING JOE' made about the Lt. Governor of California who said essentially the same thing as you have, Governor!

Bless you for your candor, integrity and incisive language to speak TRUTH to POWER inthis most deceptive administration!

[Macready]

Thank you Gov Richardson . . . you are truly a voice of sanity. I have signed.

It is time the bush/cheney regime was impeached more than time Speaker Pelosi put it on the agenda . . .her lack of action is a sign of Democratic complicity with the GOP WH and war regime.

For those still thinking that the 2008 presidential election will put an end to the madness and enter in a new era for the US -- I can only say they are totally deluded . . . they are suffering from the inertia of inaction -- a lazy strategy . . . that will result in a continuation of the policies that have ruined the US and Iraq . . . change has to start now . . .and the road to change is impeachment.

[bottomdwellah]

Au contraire! There are at least two roads. The more effective would be seccession. Gov. Richardson should declare his intention of leading New Mexico out of the Union, to be followed by the others who recognize this war for what it is, all about Oil and Israel. When the threat of no funds looms, you will see Bush and Cheney for what they really are, tools of Satan himself. Our bridges are falling down, take a look at them when you go by, they are rustbuckets! Our kids don't have proper healthcare, and get fatter by the day. Epidemics like SARS, EBOLA, MSRA and BIRD FLU loom around the corner. These "folks" can only think about bombing some country half-way around the globe into the stone age so their freinds can steal the oil, and continue to resist the real changes which will be neccessary to maintain life as we know it.

[Donald Wolberg]

Oil and Israel??? Hmmm,bottomdwellah is bottom feeding a bit too much and one wonders where these marvelous insights dwell. We do not use oil from Iraq.

[BinBaldwin]

Santa Anna winds could not be stopped by the National Guard. Not 1000 of them or 1 Million of them. Silly Liberals..

[cindyw]

Obviously, no one is saying the winds could be stopped by the National Guard, but the personnel and equipment that are in Iraq could help with the aftermath. What's silly is to pretend that you don't know that.

[TankerRat]

Great post cindyw. Strange how some idiots will take the most reasonable of things and twist them for some illusionary political gain isn't it.

Sounds like one of those "compassionate conservatives" to me.

[bottomdwellah]

One MILLION trained men with equipment on the front lines? You are kidding right? Let's do the math, if one thousand homes were lost, a thousand troops could have been commited to each home. 2000 homes lost, 500 men could have been committed, simultaneously!! Sometimes arguments expose ignorance, a perfect example? A mere 26,000 men will defeat Islamic Fundamentalism in Afghanistan!