Get Guard members home for Christmas

Soldier We’d like to second Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ appeal to Kansans to help 430 Kansas National Guard members now training in Texas come home for Christmas before they deploy for 12 months in Iraq. To help cover the $50,000 cost of the trip home for the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery — based in Wichita, Kingman, Hutchinson and Dodge City — send donations to the Kansas National Guard Foundation, 2800 S.W. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66611.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

7 Comments

  1. Kansas Meadowlark
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 1:24 am | Permalink

    Here’s an easy way for Sebelius to solve the problem and be a hero.

    Sebelius’ “Bluestem Fund” PAC has a cash on hand balance of $81,441.20. She’s not running for office again, and doesn’t need the money. She can personally give the $50,000 from her PAC and be a hero:http://ethics.ks.gov/ElecCycle2006/200701/PAC410_200701.pdf

  2. Pleefer
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 6:51 am | Permalink

    Indeed, what a great idea Meadowlark! She could put her money where she speaks and be that hero.

    I want all of our men and women home for Christmas not just KS folks.

  3. brian
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 11:47 am | Permalink

    Meadowlark:

    There are probably legal, tax, and election law complications that would prevent her from doing that.

    Nice thought though.

  4. Doug
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 12:11 pm | Permalink

    Technically Kansas has no national guard since the Bush administration changed the Posse Comitatus Act and put all National Guards under federal domain. So all the money Kathleen wants to throw at this is rather irrelevant since she can’t order them home.

    So are you going to whine to Tiahrt, Roberts and Brownback to push their party’s President to do something? Of course not, Republicans want them to stay in Iraq.

  5. Tom Paine
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 12:16 pm | Permalink

    A politician can give unused campaign funds to charity. Not sure on the fine print though

  6. Time For Change
    Posted December 5, 2007 at 8:51 pm | Permalink

    Sebelius can pay for this out of her PAC (Political Action Committee). This is not her campaign fund (she has that under another name and it reports different). This is a PAC like special interestes groups put together to donate to candidates.

    So the law does allow her to donate the $50,000 to bring them home.

    She could also call her good friend Ruffin and he could donate the money.

    Her lieutenenant governor on the other hand could just right a check and donate seeing how he made so much money off of legislation he got passed when he was a senator.

    So Sebelius let’s see you put your money where your mouth is.

  7. TDT
    Posted December 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm | Permalink

    First, I’m wondering if it’s just the money that’s the issue for these people to come home. Second, if people were to give and only raised $40,000, would they just not bring anyone home, and take our money and use it on whatever suits their fancy. I have trouble believing that the U.S. gov’t needs donations to get their military home for the holidays. It’s just a matter of priorities.