If the Democrats want to show some leadership and forethought..

> Washington Post March 2, 2007 Pg. 1

Shortages Threaten Guard's Capability
88 Percent of Units Rated 'Not Ready'
By Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post Staff Writer Nearly 90 percent of Army National Guard units in the United States are rated "not ready" -- largely as a result of shortfalls in billions of dollars' worth of equipment -- jeopardizing their capability to respond to crises at home and abroad, according to a congressional commission that released a preliminary report yesterday on the state of U.S. military reserve forces.

The report found that heavy deployments of the National Guard and reserves since 2001 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other anti-terrorism missions have deepened shortages, forced the cobbling together of units and hurt recruiting.

"We can't sustain the [National Guard and reserves] on the course we're on," said Arnold L. Punaro, chairman of the 13-member Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, established by Congress in 2005. The independent commission, made up mainly of former senior military and civilian officials appointed by both parties, is tasked to study the mission, readiness and compensation of the reserve forces.

"The Department of Defense is not adequately equipping the National Guard for its domestic missions," the commission's report found. It faulted the Pentagon for a lack of budgeting for "civil support" in domestic emergencies, criticizing the "flawed assumption" that as long
as the military is prepared to fight a major war, it is ready to respond to a disaster or emergency at home.

We already know what the Administration plans to do. How 'bout the Democrats? They need to lay out their plan to deal with this issue. Because if they want to occupy the White House next round, this bill will come due on their watch. Let's hear how they intend to deal with it?

The Bush administration has chosen to kick this can down the road, as they continue their attempt to fight the war on the cheap - and even though Senator Clinton seems to feel that it is the duty of a previous administration to have no "slop overs" (heh, Bosnia and Kosovo, anyone?) that simply isn't going to happen. So, she and the rest of the herd can put their grown-up pants on and tell us how they intend to deal with this issue. And fund it. And saying that they aren't going to deal with it, or only partially so, because Universal Health Care (or fill-in-the-blank 'progressive' issue) is more important, is a fine answer, one that the voters can evaluate based on the merits. After all - it's their side of the aisle that's calling for an answer, too. Governor Sebelius of Kansas for example...

For immediate release: Nicole Corcoran , Press Secretary February 27, 2007 785.368.8500

Sebelius: Guard equipment shortage leaves state vulnerable

Governor calls for replacement of National Guard equipment left in Iraq

The reliance on National Guard troops and equipment in Iraq is leaving states vulnerable. That was the message delivered by Governor Kathleen Sebelius at a Capitol Hill news conference today.

Sebelius expressed strong concern that sending the National Guard on repeated tours through Iraq compromises states’ ability to respond to natural disasters, terrorist acts, and other threats to public safety.

“Time and again, when the people of Kansas need help, the Kansas National Guard has responded without hesitation,” Sebelius said. “Now the Guard needs Washington ’s help. The President and Congress need to step up to the plate and give our Guard members the support they deserve.”

It is estimated $3.1 billion worth of National Guard equipment will not return to the United States . This figure may even be a low estimate, as more than $22 billion worth of equipment remains overseas at this time.

Currently, about 16 percent of the Kansas National Guard’s equipment, valued at over $117 million, will not return to Kansas . With the potential for the amount of equipment left overseas to double, Sebelius is concerned about the impact this will have on the Guard’s primary mission back home.

“The Guard cannot train on equipment they do not have,” Sebelius continued. “The more resources that are left behind, the less able our guardsmen are to prepare here at home. And in a state like Kansas , where tornados, floods, blizzards and wildfires can seemingly happen all at once, we need our Guardsmen to be as prepared as possible.”

While in Washington , Sebelius, along with Adjutant General Tod Bunting, visited three Kansas National Guard soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Hospital , one of whom is a member of the Battery B, 161 Field Artillery unit. This unit consists of 114 soldiers whose tours were extended as part of President Bush’s troop surge. Several soldiers from this unit were wounded in the recent attack which claimed the life of Kansas Guardsman, Staff Sergeant David Berry of Wichita .

So, Senators Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Speaker Pelosi, Representative Murtha, et.al., what's the plan?