Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has long been vocal among governors in noting the risk of the Iraq war to National Guard readiness at home. That concern has come home in recent days with the confluence of the Greensburg tornado, other deadly storms and flooding around the state. On Sunday in Greensburg, Sebelius said that half of the Kansas National Guard’s Humvee and flat-bed trucks are in Iraq. "Not having the National Guard equipment is really going to hamper this effort to rebuild," she said. She also has been forceful in the past in saying the Pentagon should replace the dump trucks, front loaders and the like that went to Iraq and likely aren’t coming back. Some will see this as a Democratic governor criticizing a Republican administration, but it’s fair for the Kansas governor to think Kansas National Guard equipment ought to be available when Kansas needs it.
By the way, how appalling that four Fort Riley soldiers and a reserve police officer — among those entrusted with safeguarding the ruins — were arrested for looting cigarettes and alcohol. Sadly, such tragedies always seem to bring out the worst as well as the best in human nature.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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