Missing Guard Units Put Communities at Risk

So much of America's National Guard is deployed to Iraq fighing the Bush War that when a natural disaster strikes, such as last week's tornado in Kansas, state's can't find enough personnel and equipment to help the stricken communities.

From the Center for American Progress Action Fund:

On Friday, a deadly tornado hit the small town of Greensburg, KS, killing at least 10 people and obliterating 95 percent of the town. The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an F-5, the highest categorization.

But with approximately 60 percent of its equipment sent to Iraq, the Kansas National Guard's response to this disaster will be impaired.

"I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower," Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) said. "The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg."

Unfortunately, the situation is Kansas is not unique. Although scientists expect global warming to intensify natural disasters, the National Guard is increasingly overstretched and like other U.S. troops, stuck in the middle of a vicious civil war in Iraq.

North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley (D) notes, "We the governors rely on the Guard to respond to natural disasters, a pandemic or terrorist attack. ... Currently, we don't have the manpower or the equipment to perform that dual role" of responding to state and federal needs.