Oregon faces large National Guard callup (UPI)

[Nambe]

SALEM, Ore., July 29 (UPI)

The state of Oregon may soon face its largest military deployment since World War II, with about 600 National Guard soldiers expected to face duty in Iraq.

The Portland Oregonian said a light infantry battalion headquartered in Cottage Grove, Ore., will join a similar group from the Arkansas National Guard for what's expected to be a yearlong mobilization. ---

Burgin also noted Oregon relies heavily on National Guard support during wildfire season, as well as in responding to flood disasters. The general said he met Monday with Gov. Ted Kulongoski to discuss the deployment orders and their impact on the state. ---

A Proud Member of The Dead Thread Society

[qb]

1. So much for Homeland Security. nt

[Bandit]

7. Exactly~~ They aren't called National guard for shits and giggles

They are National Guard and damn well should be used for that purpose and that purpose only. Not Nation building or police action in some other country.

[methinks2]

2. I'm glad that someone

else sees the danger of sending our national guard overseas when we have so many needs for them here. I live in Florida and our hurricane season is underway. That will be followed by a wildfire season. I don't know what we'll do without our national guard. But I sure will make some noise if we need them and they're not here. :grr: :nuke:

[revcarol]

3. Is it my imagination

or are the blue states getting more of these call-ups than the red states?

Really would like to see the numbers from each state, INCLUDING the call-up of the guard to carry empty rifles around airports and guard bridges suspected to be vulnerable to imaginary frogmen, after 9/11.

[bushisanidiot]

5. That's Exactly What I Was Thinking

I'd like to see a map of where the troops' home bases are.

[theHandpuppet]

19. I believe that CNN's website....

... had, at one time, a map indicating the home bases of deployed troops. This was a few months ago, however, so I don't know if it's still there.

[saigon68]

8. THE SCUMBAGS FROM DOD ARE NOT THAT IMAGINATIVE.

Its a large runaway train out of control. They need "X" number of troops. They (the DOD) get them from wherever they can. The problem will come, when everyone who is currently in uniform, has served one or two tours in a combat zone. Then, there will be a distict "DRAFT" in the air.

[AlabamaYankee]

4. Callups really hurt police and fire departments

There are a number of small cities that have had a significant percentage of their police and firefighters called up for indefinite deployment. Since they can't really be replaced, those who are left have to go on overtime. It's hard on them, and breaking the cities' budgets. Just another example of passing the costs on to those who can't really afford it.

[revcarol]

6. We have one EMT left out of 6 in this small community.

They were volunteers, lived and worked in the community and would be here within 3 minutes. Now the nearest emergency help is 20 miles away.2 police out of 8 gone does cost the town overtime, plus they can't recruit because the jobs are guaranteed to the ones who will return....hopefully they will all return...

[jamesinca]

15. Your right, but Bush will help out a bit

His cutting of the overtime thing will help city budgets a lot on this issue <sarcasm> I heard the other day an interview with Gov. Davis in CA, the chief of police in Los Angeles and the Chief of police in NY city. They said that when the terror alert goes up it cost places like NYC $600,000 per day to pay the OT. I can't imagine what the CA budget is. Maybe Bush is thinking if the federal govt. is going to pay the NG then it better be in a combat zone, not an airport, or a tent helping flood victims. Maybe he is also thinking this will break a few more states backs and force them to cut more social programs. Maybe he is thinking a huge fire will help Americans see the need to do more logging in the national forrest. There won't be anybody around to put it out so the fire will burn. Who knows what he is thinking, but the end effects will be potentially devastating.

[Elidor]

11. Whoops, sorry - there goes that overtime pay

It's just like the GOP to deny us something when we need it the most.

[realFedUp]

9. This was a concern brought up by Fl. Nelson to Wolfowitz this morning

The National Guard shouldn't be used overseas...this administration
doesn't want a draft so are using these people instead to fill
in the holes around the world. We should be using NATO forces
more in peacekeeping roles. The National Guard is called that
because they deal with tragedies here.

[theHandpuppet]

20. I agree with you about the NG, BUT....

... I don't think the UN or NATO forces should expect to be called in to clean up OUR messes. The war we initiated against IRAQ was neither a UN nor NATO action -- in fact many of the NATO allies were vehemently opposed to it -- so why should they now send their sons and daughters to Iraq? We shouldn't even be there to begin with!

[kayell]

22. I wonder, is the US now in WORSE shape to deal with a major crisis

like 911, or and earthquake than we were 2 years ago. What percentage of people who would respond to a crisis here have been sent to Iraq?

[Trajan]

10. Punishment for voting Gore .....

Its the rape of the Blue States .....

This bunch of PNAC fruitcakes are despicable .....

[LauraK]

12. My little brother was a heartbeat away from joining...

the Oregon National Guard in Eugene three years ago. My father and I were dead set against it and talked him out of it. He has a great job now and isn't afraid to admit it would have been a very bad move. I really feel for the people forced to go over there for a year.

[JackSwift]

13. Err, ummm, ahh, what are the chances that

Shrub will be called up, never having been discharged.

[bigwoody]

14. Won't that cut into the domestic pot supply on the west coast?

:smoke:

[sandnsea]

16. A funny Oregon pot story

My son was down on the Biscuit Fire last year. They were off shift when this lady races into fire camp. She's near hysterical, she needs their help. Her cash crop is burning!!!!

Yes, they all would have loved to save it and take some home for their troubles. But come on, it's an illegal operation on federal land. You'd think people would have more sense!

[Tom Kitten]

18. Well yeah "criminals" are funny...

It makes an amusing anecdote but more than a few people love that part of country more than just because people grow pot there. Not only is the Klamath region unlike any other part of America, it is relatively unspoiled by man's intrusion(except for some agricultural incursions, hee hee)...

[sandnsea]

21. I live in Oregon

You don't have to tell me. The Biscuit Fire, by the way, was mostly a pretty good burn, at least on the western side. When they tell you thousands of acres burned, that's not completely true. Much of it is just within the fire line, other portions are good cleansing burns, and a smaller percentage is a 'nuke zone'. I'm trying to get reporters to add that info into fire reports, changing people's perceptions a bit. The Hayman Fire was much worse, but still not all of that fire was black char. Just my political pitch of the day!

The Klamath region, I lived there for a while too. Terrorists setting up a camp in Bly. Yeah, that'd work! Nobody'd notice groups of Arabs in Bly. When I think of Klamath area ranchers, I just have to laugh.

[Tom Kitten]

17. Whatcha mean, Big Woody?

Eh?