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Re: a headline you won't see: National Guard Helps Clean Up After Hurricane
| quote: | Originally posted by Spacey Orange
because they're in Iraq. |
Well this complaint isn't too far off the mark, especially now that things have gotten substantially worse. Some thoughts to ponder:
| quote: | In fiscal year 2006, the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is bracing for a record $71.2 million reduction in federal funding…The cuts mean major hurricane and flood protection projects will not be awarded to local engineering firms. Also, a study to determine ways to protect the region from a Category 5 hurricane has been shelved for now.
[snip]
Landrieu said the Bush administration is not making Corps of Engineers funding a priority. “I think it’s extremely shortsighted,” Landrieu said. “When the Corps of Engineers’ budget is cut, Louisiana bleeds. These projects are literally life-and-death projects to the people of south Louisiana.”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/rele...20050828-1.html |
Bush tells hurricane states they're on their own:
| quote: | Some six-thousand National Guard personnel from Louisiana and Mississippi who would otherwise be available to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are in Iraq.
Even so, Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the states have adequate National Guard units to handle the hurricane needs. He said about 6,500 National Guard troops were available in Louisiana, about 7,000 in Mississippi, nearly 10,000 in Alabama and about 8,200 in Florida. |
Interesting contrast to his father sending some 25,000 NG troops down for Hurrican Andrew:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/DAHSUM/1992/ch03.htm
Sending amphibious vehicles to Iraq - that's a watercraft being sent to a fucking desert, right?:
| quote: | With tracks instead of wheels, the vehicle is designed to be dropped from ships for coastal assaults, then move through surf at a speed of 6 mph. It cruises on land at 20 mph to 30 mph.
But its biggest drawback in Iraq, analysts said, is that because it must be able to stay afloat, its armor plating is lighter than that in heavier vehicles used by the Army.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/03/iraq.vehicle.ap/ |
Seems quite useful there, huh? Well I wonder where it might also be useful? Where else right now would be a spot full of water where these crafts would sure come in handy?
This doesn't help either:
| quote: | JACKSON BARRACKS -- When members of the Louisiana National Guard left for Iraq in October, they took a lot equipment with them. Dozens of high water vehicles, humvees, refuelers and generators are now abroad, and in the event of a major natural disaster that, could be a problem.
"The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission," said Lt. Colonel Pete Schneider with the LA National Guard.
http://abc26.trb.com/news/natguard0...oll=wgno-news-1 |
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Whence September dusk grows crisper still,
with leaves all crimson conquered,
I yearn to shout,
and dance about,
and stick pickles in my honker...
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