(cross-posted to The Agonist)
Iraq War Hampers Kansas Cleanup
Kansas Tornado Cleanup Equipment In Iraq
Sibelius: Iraq War Is Slowing National Guard’s Tornado Response
National Guard equipment is in Iraq, not in Kansas where it’s needed
What happens when so many of our military resources are being consumed by a never-ending war in Iraq? What happens when the National Guard, whose primary responsibility is to the states in which they’re based are transported overseas and into the Iraqi meatgrinder? Well, you have a situation much like what’s happening right now in Kansas. After something like 95% of Greensburg, KS was decimated by one of the most powerful tornadoes in recorded history, the Governor of Kansas would normally call out the National Guard to assist with security and cleanup. Except in this case, those resources aren’t available to Governor Kathleen Sibelius…because they’ve been called to active duty and moved overseas.
The people of Kansas, who should reasonably be able to expect the support of their National Guard, are therefore unable to seek the assistance of their own friends and neighbors, people trained to assist in a time of dire need. This situation represents everything that’s wrong with the war in Iraq- so many eggs have been thrown in the the basket marked “Iraq” that there simply is little left for American taxpayers who legitimately NEED the services and security the National Guard can provide at a time like this. Instead, elements of the Kansas National Guard have been mobilized out of state, and in some cases out of the country…and Kansans are largely left to fend for themselves.
Shades of New Orleans all over again…. How long until Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader © gives a speech in the Greensburg town square, promising that the full faith and credit of the federal government will be mobilized to support the people of Greensburg? And how long until that promise will be conveniently forgotten?
Over the weekend, tornadoes touched down in six southwest Kansas counties, devastating the small town of Greensburg. At least eight people died and a Greensburg administrator “estimated that 95 percent of the town of 1500 was destroyed by Friday’s tornado.”
This morning on CNN, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) said that the state is missing vital National Guard equipment because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Usually the state has approximately 70-80 percent of its equipment at any given time, but it currently has just 40-50 percent. She added that these shortages “will just make it [recovery] that much slower.”….
According to a recent report by a congressional commission, nearly “90 percent of Army National Guard units in the United States are rated ‚Äö√Ñ√≤not ready,” largely “as a result of shortfalls in billions of dollars’ worth of equipment.” A January Government Accountability Office analysis found that the Pentagon “does not adequately track National Guard equipment needs for domestic missions” and as a consequence, “state National Guards may be hampered in their ability to plan for responding to large-scale domestic events.”
Because of the war in Iraq, and it’s ever-increasing need for resources, manpower, and materiel, American taxpayers are left holding the bag. We have plenty of money to conduct an illegal and immoral war, but none to assist those who are actually paying the freight. It seems that victory in Iraq is far more important than taking care of needs here at home.
WE DESERVE BETTER. Lord knows the folks in Greensburg, KS, certainly do.
