NYT/Reuters: Montana Governor Sets Off Fight With Call to Bring Guard Home

[DeepModem Mom]

Montana Governor Sets Off Fight With Call to Bring Guard Home
By REUTERS

Published: March 13, 2005


SULA, Mont., March 12 (Reuters) - Gov. Brian Schweitzer has touched off a political fight with Montana Republicans after calling for the return of National Guard troops serving in Iraq to help out in what many fear will be a record-setting wildfire season.

Mr. Schweitzer, a newly elected Democrat, infuriated Republican lawmakers who see his request as a way to criticize the Bush administration over Iraq.

"He's figured out how to use the wildfire season to protest the Iraq war," said Bob Keenan, the state Senate Republican leader. "It's an antiwar statement and condemnation of Bush's actions."

The governor and his supporters deny those accusations in a growing political battle that comes as weather experts say a seven-year drought and a severely reduced snowpack could lead to a devastating summer of wildfires....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13montana.html

[Merlot]

1. The National Guard isn't the International Guard

They are supposed to protect us here. Inside the USA.

I like this guy - he's tough.

[Liberty Belle]

3. Bush's budget slashes funds for wildland fire protection

and volunteer firefighting programs. The Governor has every right to demand that the federal government bring home the Guard, since it's abrogated other fire protection services.

[Merlot]

10. I live in Southern California

and we felt first hand bush's budget slashing with last years wildfires.

[Liberty Belle]

18. I'm in S. Calif. too. But these are proposed NEW cuts.

Bush's message to blue-state Californians: Burn, baby, burn!

[tanyev]

2. What's your point, Bob?

"He's figured out how to use the wildfire season to protest the Iraq war," said Bob Keenan, the state Senate Republican leader. "It's an antiwar statement and condemnation of Bush's actions."

Yeah? And the problem is...?

[NYC]

6. Yes, I thought Bob got right to the heart of the matter.

That's good. Shows he's smart.

[Ian David]

15. Bob Keenan: Pro-fire, anti-soldier, anti-forest

[HeeBGBz]

4. Good on him!

I hope he's getting support from his home base.

[Heddi]

5. So I suppose he'd be happy if the whole state burned away

in this record drought season, eh?

I live in WA, and just the other day they announced that we WOULD have a record drought this year since we got practically NO snow this year.

But I guess millions of acres burning to the ground is okay for Bob Keenan, eh? Billions of dollars of property damage and loss is okay for him, right? Putting everyone who lives in a rural area in harm's way is okay with him, as is risking the lives of firefighters not just from Montana, but from the untold numbers of states that will have to send in backup to help put out the fires that WILL OCCUR THIS SUMMER>

Fuck you, Mr. Keenan. The Governor is RIGHT to call for the return of the Nat'l Guard. As much as Mr. Keenan complains about this being a coy way to oppose the war, this is, in reality, an up-front way to call for the safety of the state, its citizens and its property.

I have a feeling Mr. Keenan will be crying a sea of tears should HIS property or HIS life be in danger because of the fires, no?

[shraby]

9. Could someone please enlighten me?

We have an army, a navy, an air force and the marines. Why is the National Guard being used in Iraq? They were used in Desert Storm too. I wondered why then and I'm wondering why now.

I was always of the belief that the National Guard was to protect our country from attack and to help with natural disasters, not to fight our wars in other countries...that is why we have the army, etc.

What am I not understanding here?

[progressivebydesign]

13. Because it's cheaper for Bush...

The National Guard does not get paid the same, have the same disability and medical benefits, etc. It's cheaper was to exploit the Guard, and save money. It's wrong, terribly wrong. NEVER NEVER should Guardsmen and Women be called to duty for months on end in a war overseas... They joined in good faith, and they're watching their homes, families, and jobs, crumble around them as they're subejcted to the ridiculous tours of duty. Wrong.. wrong.. wrong.

[progressivebydesign]

That's damn El Nino! California got all our snow and rain!

Mild El Nino's are a tragedy for the upper northwest... I'm hoping for some late season snow. While I love this warm sunny stuff.. I miss the rain already.

The Guard needs to be here.. Wonder if Gregoire will open that can of worms here, too.

[progressivebydesign]

14. That's damn El Nino! California got all our snow and rain!

Mild El Nino's are a tragedy for the upper northwest... I'm hoping for some late season snow. While I love this warm sunny stuff.. I miss the rain already.

The Guard needs to be here.. Wonder if Gregoire will open that can of worms here, too.

[PunkPop]

7. Bob Keenan is a Republican imbecile.

But he's got plenty of company so he's probably not lonely.

"He's figured out how to use the wildfire season to protest the Iraq war," said Bob Keenan, the state Senate Republican leader. "It's an antiwar statement and condemnation of Bush's actions."

This Republican cretin is actually speaking a partial truth (which is a major accomplishment for your modern-day Republican).

Of course, Schweitzer is not "protesting" anything. He's simply trying to do his job and pointing out the damage George Bush's Unnecessary War with Iraq is doing to that effort. But to the asshole Republican Keenan, this is considered a "protest". These scumbags have no principles and must be stopped at any cost.

[Straight Shooter]

8. I listened to Governor Schweitzer on NPR a few days ago.

He made a lot of sense. Here in my part of Oregon, everyone is more and more worried about the strong possibility of wildfires this summer. If Keenan thinks Mother Nature gives a rat's patooie about partisanship, he's full of it. Gov. Schweitzer is absolutely right to call attention to the dire situation Montana is facing.

It's clear to me that Keenan does not live in a home which faces the danger of being burned down. It's clear as a bell.

Go, Governor Schweitzer. Don't let the turkeys get you down. :thumbsup:

[IndianaGreen]

11. The governor should torch the homes of Republican lawmakers

and then tell them that their homes could have been saved had the National Guard been home in Montana instead of in Iraq.

[progressivebydesign]

12. He's absolutely right! Regardless of his party.

I thought he was GOP at first, and I was totally supportive of this. With the mil El Nino this year, the Upper West is poised for a NASTY drought/wildfire summer.

AND. the National Guard does NOT belong in Iraq. They are supposed to proect US at home.

[Tweed]

16. Brian Schweitzer is the key to Democrats winning Mountain States

This man is amazing. He never ceases to impress.

[Erika]

17. Idaho is extremely dry but GOP governor Kempthorne

said "we're covered" without the NG. We've used NG heavily in firefighting and flood control in the past.

He's a GOP suck--- who has been trying to get a cabinet position with this administration. I'm sure the heavily Republican Idaho legislature will just pass a law that any person receiving food stamps, state or federal assistance in any way, will now be required to show up for fire duty.

The Montana governor is brave enough to tell it the way it is.

[autorank]

19. NYT: Montana Governor Sets Off Fight With Call to Bring Guard Home

March 13, 2005
Montana Governor Sets Off Fight With Call to Bring Guard Home
By REUTERS


ULA, Mont., March 12 (Reuters) - Gov. Brian Schweitzer has touched off a political fight with Montana Republicans after calling for the return of National Guard troops serving in Iraq to help out in what many fear will be a record-setting wildfire season.
Mr. Schweitzer, a newly elected Democrat, infuriated Republican lawmakers who see his request as a way to criticize the Bush administration over Iraq.

<snip>

Governor Schweitzer said Montana would disproportionately suffer the pain of proposed cuts in the federal budget, with money allocated for firefighting cut in half.
As fire season approaches, about 1,500 of Montana's 3,500 National Guard troops have been deployed on federal active duty, said a Montana Guard spokesman, Maj. Scott Smith.

<snip>

The bulk of the Guard's helicopters - critical in shuttling fire crews and equipment to blazes - are unavailable, either because they are in Iraq or their aviation officers are absent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13montana.html?pagewanted=print&position

Well, here’s what happens when you run a party that open to new leadership. Schweitzer is a smart, innovative politician. If this plays in Montana, what does that say about the rest of the country.

NEW LEADERS FOR A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Thanks Gov. Schweitzer, D, MT, one of our new leaders.

[understandinglife]

20. Go for it ,Gov Schweitzer!!! (nt)

Peace.

[John Q. Citizen]

21. Interesting story, have you started a thread in the Montana forum

about this?

Schweitzer is absolutly right on about the way the fire season is shaping up and the need for resources to handle it.

[Leilani]

22. Terrific article

Thanks for posting...

That's the way to beat Bush...let people know how disastrous Shrub's policies have been for them on the local level.

I don't think Osama is as dangerous to Montana as Bush is.

[roguevalley]

23. this could get amazing. I hope the fire season isn't as bad as it

appears to be threatening.

[depakid]

26. Unless it rains all spring and most of the summer

AND that rain doesn't come in the form of thundershowers, the NorthWest is going to burn like no one's ever seem before.

It barely rained at all in February, and it hasn't rained at all in March- and the bizzarre (unprecedented) weather pattern shows no sign of letting up.

The local "news" "personalities" are of course thrilled- ranting and raving over what nice sunny days and record temperatures we've been having. Come summer, they'll all be putting on their frowny faces, and selling advertising time at inflated rates as the disasters unfold.

Montana's governor is SMART to be raising a 'controversy' now- and the louder it gets, the smarter he is, because the media whores aren't going to assign the blame where it belongs when people get burned out of their homes. Oregon governor Kulongowski would be wise to get out front on this one too, lest he end up the scapegoat....

[Quixote1818]

24. Brilliant Political Move

He was very smart to bring it up and put the seed in the Montana residents minds. Now when the fires hit and they don't have enough people to fight them the people of Montana will blame Bush for every house that goes up in flames. Brilliant move!


Of course we don't want any houses burnt but if it happens it most certanlty will fall in the lap of Bush.

[truthisfreedom]

25. interesing. i'll be following this.

[blogbear]

27. Hats Off!

[femmecahors]

28. I'm proud of my old state again . . .

God, what a relief to have Schweitzer after Racicot, Burns,and BAUCUS, we progressive (ex) Montanans can hold our heads high . . . instead of shaking them in shame.

[Smarmie Doofus]

29. I see a star rising in the west.

[Athame]

30. Didn't Vermont do the same thing a couple weeks ago?

Only it was a vote taken at 50 or so Town Meetings, rather than a call from the governor. It seems something is in the wind, finally.

[brentspeak]

31. Hey, the National Guard's primary duty is here at home

Schweitzer is just doing his duty as governor to protect his state as best he can.

The Republicans can all just go jump in a lake.

[leesa]

32. The Republicans will be able to use the fires the way they did in

San Diego two years ago. Pass legislation for the benefit of the logging industry...damned trees, always combusting when you least expect it.

[prairierose]

33. I'm glad Schwietzer did this....we had 3 forest fires 2 days ago...

here in the Black Hills. Usually this time of year is pretty safe but with very little rain or snow last year & pretty much NO snow this winter, we are in the worst shape I have ever seen. Everyone knows this will be a bad fire year here. I haven't heartd our governor say a word yet about National Guard troops but most of our troops came home about a month ago.

[AuntiBush]

34. It's not ANTI-WAR to be ANTI-KILLING, ANTI-GUARD manipulation

Republican lawmakers "infuriated." Yeah... I doubt it as they're all bought into the kool-aide crap. Yet, if they really are, what do they expect? Dem's to follow them along the unbridal path of destruction?

Govenors, Senators and Representatives, as well as us Democrats are called names from commi's, godless, and antiwar when we speak out for the safety of the National Guard.

National Guard does not equate to International Guards! They're not for combat - and need to be brought home! Un-fricked real. This stinkin administration and his supporters.