Worlds Apart!
Back when the Baby Boomer Generation, the generation of Gov. Jim Douglas, was young, the White House had the "Selective Service System" - THE DRAFT - to provide the bodies to fill the bags in South Vietnam.
To pull off the current quagmire in Iraq, this White House didn't have the draft to rely on.
Instead, President Bush, who "dodged" the Vietnam-era draft by getting a special placement in the Texas Air National Guard, had to count on the Reserves and the weekend warriors of the states' National Guard forces.
National Guard troops can be federalized to protect the nation's security, but as Sen. Peter Shumlin pointed out on "Charlie & Ernie" this morning [see item below], the reasons President Bush cited to do so were bold lies and hold no water whatsoever. The nation's security was not being threatened by Iraq,
At his official weekly presser today, Gov. Scissorhands was informed of Shummy's comments on the morning radio and their connection to the bill, H.746, that Rep. Mike Fisher (D-Lincoln) and 27 co-sponsors introduced in the House on that point. Said Vermont's reigning and apparently invincible King James:
"I share every Vermonter’s concern about the continuation of the war. I hope that we can find an exit strategy. That is the responsibility of our national leaders so that no one from Vermont or any other state is called upon to serve.
"But in the meantime, the Congress not only authorized the use of force, but continues to fund the war efforts and it’s really a question that’s best put to those who represent us in the Congress.
"I think it’s important for the Legislature to focus on the agenda they can affect, because they can’t affect the power, constitutionally and statutorily, of the President to federalize the National Guard. It’s been clarified by the Congress. It’s been litigated throughout the centuries and that power is quite clear.
"I hope the Legislature will focus on economic growth, on housing, on healthcare, on reducing property taxes, on matters that are within their provence."
Q. Do you think there's justification for Vermont Guard members to continue to be on the firing line in Iraq?
Douglas: "Well, the President has that authority."
Q. And you don’t question that?
Douglas: "No. It’s been resolved by the court system repeatedly."
Informed afterward of Douglas' remarks, the bearded Rep. Fisher told yours truly:
"It’s clear to me that the governor and the governor’s staff have not looked at this issue. We’re putting a very serious question on the table about the continued illegality of the President’s federalizing of the Guard. I hope that the Governor and his staff will take a good serious look at the questions we’re raising and invite him to the policy table.
"I think when his staff does take a look at it, they’ll realize there is a role for states to play with respect to the governing of the Guard."
One thing's clear: these guys are worlds apart on this one!
"I think it’s important for the Legislature to focus on the agenda they can affect, because they can’t affect the power, constitutionally and statutorily, of the President to federalize the National Guard. It’s been clarified by the Congress. It’s been litigated throughout the centuries and that power is quite clear. "
Well, said Jim. Mr. Fisher, please call and talk to Leahy, Sanders, or Welch. Your were NOT elected to federal office, you were elected to state office. Please try to let our federal reps work on federal issues, and concentrate on the office you WERE elected to.
Even if you are against the war, and the majority of people are, you still have to see this as a wasted effort. Even if the bill passes, it won't get signed, and even IF Douglas was to sign it, does anybody really believe that is going to hold any sway whatsoever with Bush? This idealistic attitude, while comendable, isn't realistic. No problem was ever solved by spending your time daydreaming about other issues.
Posted by: JPC | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:12 AM
it's pretty incredible that we have not really had that stuffed up our noses, that we did not notice, that we did not protest and have not protested up to this point. Get our people back from there. What the hell are they doing there? People sign up for the guard to make a little extra money, test themselves on certain days of the year, get in shape, have a vacation, clear tree limbs from electric lines in times of crisis, maybe come in and shoot some college kids in... oh sorry... i was in a different time zone there for a moment. Anyway, point is, why are these people in Iraq, a lied about war, a place they never should have been... get them back. Damn yes.
Posted by: Jean | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Yes, cut and run now that in Rep Fisher's mind we have achieved victory. Right at the end, now that the mission that COngress authorized has been accomplished let's pull out and let the situation decay back into chaos. There was a reason that we were in Korea 30 years later, and to think that we are just going to up and leave Iraq, regardless of who is elected the next president, is so naive it is bordling insane.
Posted by: JPC | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 12:48 PM