Ohio Gov Strickland is telling bush* the Ohio National Guard *must* be adequately equipped

[Kolesar]

Those creeps are calling up our national guard again. Governor Strickland is raising his objections and is writing a letter to bush* saying that bush* should not be calling up our citizens to go fight a war with inadequate supplies or preparations.

http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2007/04/10/ap/us/d8odp4q80.txt

Ohio Gov. Fears for Guard Member Safety

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's governor said Tuesday he is worried that National Guard troops who have been told to prepare for a possible deployment to Iraq won't have proper training and equipment.

"These men and women are going to be paying the price, I think, for failure to adequately plan, to predict, and it troubles me," Gov. Ted Strickland told National Public Radio's "Morning Edition".

...

The 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Columbus is being called up for the second time in two years, though past practice would have dictated they not be called again until 2009, Strickland said.

"There are so many concerns that I have _ the effect on employers, the effect upon families of these men and women _ and I just think this is an example of the government not keeping faith with the men and women who have volunteered to serve in the Ohio National Guard," the Democratic governor said.

He called on the Bush administration to take steps to assure that the soldiers are properly trained and given the most up-to-date body armor, night-vision goggles and weapons.

*not authenticated as President of the United States

[cmd]

1. Gov. Strickland gets better every day

We got ourselves a keeper last November.

[Kolesar]

2. The Ohio republicans have *no* way to counter this message

Any response is only going to keep this story in the media and give the issue of the war more attention, and they don't want that. The GOPs don't want to have to argue and "nuance" to what degree bush* is equipping and protecting the troops because it puts their party leader on the defensive. You're right--Ted Strickland kicks!

[MeDeMax]

3. awesome Ted -- n/t

[geiger]

4. It is a shrewd and correct and moral and true statesman's response.

I saw this this morning also, and my reaction was dear mr bush, dont think that coz we have a Democratic governor, you're going to come after us. Ted Strickland will kick your ass.

[geiger]

5. another link to post with letter in its entirety

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3209854

[Kolesar]

6. Akron Beacon Journal: Strickland gets vague war reply

...snip...
The governor's letter was specific. The guardsmen should have individual body-armor systems, M-4 rifles, night-vision goggles and up-armored-type wheeled vehicles, Strickland wrote.

Although Strickland was precise, the Bush administration's initial response was vague. Instead of answering simple questions about the body-armor systems, rifles, night-vision goggles and vehicles, the White House press office punted to the Department of Defense.

There, a cranky Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke said the troops will be properly trained and equipped, but she refused to elaborate on whether this meant the items on Strickland's wish list will be fulfilled.

Krenke issued a brief statement attributed to Thomas Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs. It said ``training plans are being developed, and the funding for equipment will begin to flow to prepare these units.''

The governor is not a Teddy-come-lately on this subject. He began advocating for the troops in Congress after a West Point graduate, whom Strickland had helped with an appointment to the military academy, wrote to him about the poor level of training and equipment in the field.

...edit for copyright rights....
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/17082070.htm