National Guard in Iraq, Should they be there?

[bobbyjoe]

National Guard in Iraq, Should they be there?

40 percent of the forces in Iraq are from the Guard and Reserve.
More than 100 [dead in Iraq] were members of the National Guard. Thousands more have been injured.

But should they even be there?

http://www.1800goguard.com/service/service_where.html
The Army National Guard is based in communities and is located in every State and Territory. When you become a member of the Guard, you serve where you live. Many cities and towns have their own Armory where the Guard conducts training. This means you can join a unit right in your hometown or wherever you want to live.

But
"During national emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status."

Was Iraq a National Emergency?
The US wasn't in direct danger from Iraq and has admitted that Iraq had nothing to do with Sept 11.
911 was the national emergency yet these guys aren't fighting those responible for it.
Still Bush was very quick to send these weekend warriors off to Iraq. Septemper 14 2001.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010914-5.html

Bush claims they are there to fight terror in an address to the National Guard convention.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040914-23.html
" More than 185,000 Guard members have been called up to serve on every front in the war on terror. "

And they clapped him!

A soldier sent to Iraq is now sueing.
SOLDIER BRINGS FIRST CHALLENGE TO ARMY POLICY REQUIRING EXTENDED MILITARY SERVICE FOR IRAQ OCCUPATION
http://www.sorgen.net/id28_stoplossrelease.htm

Also is the National Guard a backdoor draft?
Look at the air national guard homepage.
http://www.goang.com/flashhome.aspx

Theres answers to important questions
Will I get life insurance
Will I get money for college
Will my student loans be repaid
Can I fly for free on military aircraft

Shows the priorities of the people they are recruiting.

So is the National Guard a draft by the backdoor?
or cheap cannon fodder?

The irony of a guy who chickened out when his time came, sending others to do more than they signed up for, is far worse than these arguements about documents etc.

[Rizzla+Racing]

at the end of the day - who has to carry out the wishes of the american people ? - the american people.

stop whinging. if you signed up just to get cheap air fares or free flying lessons then thats scuppered your plans.

next time everybody votes for war, itll help ito make sure the people that ask for it know if its really worth it before sending others to die.

[bobbyjoe]

Well what pisses me off is that

the men in suits say bring it on
the men in suits avoid service
the men in suits make money from death

yet its the regular working man who ends up getting shot at

fuck them
workers unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[baumy300]

The guard does serve its purpose.

But they shouldnt be brought over there to fight, I think of them more as a armed construction company or bad ass babysitters.

But the way President dickhead is getting involved with everyones shit we need all the men we can get.

[SatanSend]

Well what pisses me off is that

the men in suits say bring it on
the men in suits avoid service
the men in suits make money from death

yet its the regular working man who ends up getting shot at

fuck them
workers unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked your style, until you said, "workers unite!!!" You communist! It is not the workers who should unite, it is the American people in general, when everyone realizes that politicans don't give two shits about anybody in Iraq, then that is when people will not trust politicians. Some enlightened individuals know politicans are scum, so they don't trust them anyway. Now I'm going to preach John Kerry. It is quite obvious to note that John Kerry will know how it feels to be in a combat zone, and that is why he is regretful of American troops fighting again, he knows the atrocities of war. George W. Bush didn't even go to Vietnam, he relaxed, flying jets over the US. Now you know why George Dubya was so trigger happy to send the National Guard to Iraq, even though these guard members should only be keeping the peace, and making sure that George Dubya won't get overthrown by a coup.

[bobbyjoe]

liked your style, until you said, "workers unite!!!" You communist!
I'm not a commie!!
Not sure if your being sarcastic hope you are??
Just trying to make the point that its the rich that start the wars and the poor who fight them.

Just give a man an honest wage for an honest days work.
Thats the American dream.
I think? or is that commie?

[SatanSend]

I'm not a commie!!
Not sure if your being sarcastic hope you are??
Just trying to make the point that its the rich that start the wars and the poor who fight them.

Just give a man an honest wage for an honest days work.
Thats the American dream.
I think? or is that commie?

Heh, I was joking, I generalized by your broad statement, sounding Friederich Engels and Karl Marx esque.. But you have a valid point.

[Chewy]

Short answer no they should be over there, long answer no US troops should be there.

[Asbestos Crayon]

Yeah, I agree with Chewy. They should all be Canadian. ;)


It's called the Army National Guard. For you people that don't get this, it's the Army. It's like the guy that works just on the weekend. You don't expect him there during the week, unless you call him in. But you can call him in.

[BigMattTheHobo]

The National Gaurd is the modern day militia. There responsibility is to protect our homeland. NO fucking way they should be in Iraq, they should be here, helping with the hurricane damage and protecting us from terrorists and canadians.

[Chewy]

The National Gaurd is the modern day militia. There responsibility is to protect our homeland. NO fucking way they should be in Iraq, they should be here, helping with the hurricane damage and protecting us from terrorists and canadians.
Canadians? *shifty eyes* why us *attaches bayonet to hockey stick* ;)

[Asbestos Crayon]

Yeah, we know how you guys like a good tumble with the sticks. I think that's one thing that is wrong with the middle east. Not enough hockey. I'd like to see for once two arab teams go at it on ice. I'm sure there would be some seriouse arab insults like "your momma's a camel". I would bet a hat trick would have them throwing their turbans on the rink.

[Chewy]

Yeah, we know how you guys like a good tumble with the sticks. I think that's one thing that is wrong with the middle east. Not enough hockey. I'd like to see for once two arab teams go at it on ice. I'm sure there would be some seriouse arab insults like "your momma's a camel". I would bet a hat trick would have them throwing their turbans on the rink. Did you not read this (http://forum.ebaumsworld.com/showpost.php?p=469146&postcount=67) In Dubai they have a Hockey tourney Called the Camel Cup. The Ice rink has a Mosque attached to it and between periods they pray. It really getting big their, they even hired ex Red Army players from Russia to teach the kids in hockey camps. I saw a documentry on it awhile back and they are said to be able to have a team readdy for the Olympics in about four more games.

[Chewy]

Here is that article by McCain.
War in Iraq (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/19/iraq.senators/index.html)

[Maverick]

The National Gaurd is the modern day militia. There responsibility is to protect our homeland. NO fucking way they should be in Iraq, they should be here, helping with the hurricane damage and protecting us from terrorists and canadians.
Although I don't agree with them being in Iraq here is what their actual mission (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/arng.htm) is...
The Guard has a unique dual mission, with both Federal and State responsibilities. During peacetime, the Governor through the State Adjutant General commands Guard forces. The Governor can call the Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, drought, and civil disturbances, to name a few. In addition, the President of the United States can activate the National Guard to participate in Federal missions. Examples of this are the many Guard units that have deployed to support operations in Bosnia. When federalized, Guard units are commanded by the Commander in Chief of the theatre in which they are operating.
I'm quite certain they knew that being called up for a federal mission was a possibility when the joined.

[pidgeball6]

You don't get it Mav, these guys were all duped into joining the Guard and the military in general. No one ever mentioned the occasional fighting that may be required of our fighting men and women. :rolleyes:

It's ironic how some people are blaming Bush for sending the different aspects of the military and how they're fighting when he has said throughout both Afghanistan and Iraq that he's not calling the shots. When asked how many troops he plans to send, He responds with "How ever many the commanding officer in that region calls for". When asked about the length of time the troops will need to stay there, he responds with "How ever long the commanders say it takes". That's one of the smartest things any President can do is to get the fuck out of the way when it's time for people to make military decisions. That goes for any President, with any background. The single biggest lesson learned from Vietnam was that the President and Congress have absoluely no business making decisions regarding the military in a time of war except in declaration, funding, and ceasefire.