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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Rumsfeld vs. the Governors: Court rules shutdown of PA Air Nat'l Guard base illegal |
| 2005-08-26 |
| PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Pentagon had broken the law in seeking to close down the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard without first obtaining the governor's approval. Can a law truly be broken if it (the list of closures) hasn't been finalized yet? Or does Rummy have to get approval just to make his suggestion list? The ruling was a victory for Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who challenged the Pentagon's plan to close the fighter wing at a naval base near Philadelphia. The disputed closure, which would cost more than 1,200 jobs, is part of round of planned domestic military base reductions. I always love it when the MSM says it would "cost xxxx jobs." No, it doesn't. Generally, those jobs are moved elsewhere or were redundant in the first place, which means a more lean/mean/fightin' machine! The case was closely watched by other U.S states affected by the program because it could set a precedent for other governors unhappy with Washington's plans. Especially, when it involves money! Illinois has also sued the Pentagon over the plan and Missouri has threatened similar action, saying Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had "run roughshod" over states' Constitutional rights to run militias. Is it just me, but technically, if it was a truly State run militia, they'd have no need of DoD money, eh? The Pennsylvania case was filed against Rumsfeld by Rendell with Pennsylvania's Republican Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum. Boy, and I thought the joining of Sheehan, Rev. Al and the Aryan Nation goons was weird! I realize the DoD makes recommendations, but technically, doesn't Congress and the President make the final decision? Then why name Rummy as a Defendant? The 111th Fighter Wing is based at Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Air Base, which is slated for closure. Rendell had argued the air wing must be "available to me as governor to perform state active-duty missions dealing with homeland security, natural disasters and other state missions." "Like flying me up in that nifty F-18 or something," he added. He also argued that Willow Grove was in a strategically important location between New York and Washington, so its forces can respond quickly to future attacks on those cities. What's a Democrat doing making sense? |
| Posted by:BA |
| #4 I think it is true the Feds can't dis-band a State National Guard unit but they most certainly can take all equipment and do not have to fund it. All the yelling about the National Guard being tha Militia is absolute bullshit. ALL the weapons, equipment, and training facilities belong to the Federal Government and if the Feds decide to with-hold funding and reposes all the equipment there isn't a thing the National Guard can do about it. The Army just repo'd all the Bradleys and M-1's of a unit near hear and relagated them to support troops. Not a damn thing the Governor could do. The State doesn't own the equipment. The 11th may still exist but they won't have any equipment unless the State buys it. Rotsa Ruck. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2005-08-26 20:35 |
| #3 Doesn't mean he has to fund the bases does it? They can send the Governor's the bills.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-08-26 18:29 |
| #2 Oh, let me make a correction: The disputed closure, which would cost more than 1,200 There, all better now... |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-08-26 17:13 |
| #1 I just heard on the radio that uncle Teddy's gonna 'consider' using the courts to challenge the proposed closure of Otis ANGB in Sandwich, which means he will use the courts. |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-08-26 17:06 |