Musings 63--Where have all the guardsmen gone?

Back in the day, the Kingston Trio had a hit record entitled "Where have all the flowers gone?" One of the other verses picks up the standard refrain by asking "Where have all the soldiers gone?" That would be the question for folks in Louisiana about their National Guard. I guess you could also use the Trio's refrain "long time passing," since about 11,000 of the Louisiana National Guard are now in Iraq.

Since Hurricane Katrina has killed thousands (by some estimates), then it would be nice if the governor of Louisiana could call up the guard to take charge. But, you see, this can't happen due to the fact that Mr. President has them off nation building in Iraq.

I have never understood Mr. President's perchance to use the National Guard for support and combat missions. My definition of the National Guard is just that. National, meaning here in the old USA, and guard, meaning guarding the homeland. The army, navy, air force and marine reserve should be the citizen soldiers backing up the main troops in any wars or dust-ups that we get into.

The lack of rapid response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is another bugaboo of government. In years past, FEMA was its own cabinet level agency that had its own head and responded on its own. Now, FEMA is part of the Homeland Security Department. It can't wiggle without the directors say so. It is a clear case of bigger is not better.

Five days after the hurricane, people are still dying in New Orleans. Food and water have not reached all areas of the city. We did a better job in Baghdad City. Life is precious--except if you are poor and live in New Orleans. Many of the conservative commentators have asked the question as to why the people didn't flee the city when they could. Well, it might be that they couldn't afford the gas for their cars, if they had a car, or the price of a hotel for their families. There are many people in this country who live paycheck to paycheck. Usually a couple of days before the next paycheck their lives are pretty empty. Folks with bucks don't have that problem. They can't comprehend not having enough money for a hotel room or tires on the car that won't last a 200-mile round trip.

Mr. President and his merry men should wander out of their ivory palaces and take a look at how the rest of us live. Maybe the tragedy in New Orleans will cause him to take pause...or not.