Richardson Sends Help to California - Asks, Where is Our National Guard

by Chad Shue [courtesy of Blog for America]

On wednesday, New Mexico Governor and Presidential Candidate, Bill Richardson ordered two fire crews (strike teams, with 5 engines and 21 crew members each) to California to assist with the wildfires devastating that state. He also contributed $10,000 from his campaign to the American Red Cross and invited everyone to do what they can.

He then issued a statement asking, "Where is Our National Guard?" Just as during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, George Bush's mis use and abuse of our National Guard has left our states vulnerable in times of emergency. Gov. Richardson'e statement reads in part:

 "...I look at the natural disaster in California and feel compelled to also ask President Bush and every candidate who thinks it is okay for our troops to remain in Iraq until 2013 or longer - where is our National Guard?

It is a sad irony that yesterday, the very day I sent fire crews to California, 300 more New Mexico National Guard members were sent to Iraq. Just when we need them most at home, more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win.

Never before in our history has our National Guard, a group of dedicated men and women who serve our country and provide critical aid in the time of natural disasters been used, and re-used, for so long to fight a war tens of thousands of miles away."