http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspxFrom NBC's Andrew Merten and Kelly O'DonnellEchoing an earlier complaint by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), Kansas state Sen. Donald Betts (D) argued that National Guard shortages -- due to their deployments to Iraq -- have crippled the tornado recovery efforten-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185308Tue, 08 May 2007 17:03:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185308p. russell west hollywood caGee, will they get as much help as the folks with Katrina damage?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185313Tue, 08 May 2007 17:08:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185313mikeeg,abdn,watony tries to change subject from lack of nat. guard at home to take care of emergencies. If guard was home there would be no need to request from bush. Adequate nat. guard troops at home would be taking care of business yesterday but they aren't home so kansas suffers and repubs act like nothing is wrong shades of katrina.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185328Tue, 08 May 2007 17:18:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185328Connie, Tn.Snow needs to tell the truth once in a while. We will really be in a mess if there is a national disaster. Oh well, I guess all the friends of Bush can go in their bunkers!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185334Tue, 08 May 2007 17:20:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185334Ryan, MichiganHere is a statement from the National Gaurd Bureau: “Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.” I'm sure the media will ignore this and focus instead on trying to blame yet another thing on the War in Iraq, the weather. I feel for the people in Kansas and I hope the recovery goes well but I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be politicizing this tragedy, yet. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185352Tue, 08 May 2007 17:29:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185352Jim, Santa CruzTony Snow should know by now that it is political when it comes to protecting the citizenry of our country - especially during disasters. That's one main reason we elect a federal government! Instead of being honest and acknowledging that Iraq has downgraded our homeland security and services, he falls back into the "fill out the form and get in line" mode. What are the odds now that the Bush negative approval rating breaks tricky Dick's record?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185364Tue, 08 May 2007 17:36:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185364JIrby, ColoradoConnie - I disagree that Snow should tell the truth once in a while. It would just cause lots of confusiion. As it is, knowing that he lies all the time makes it simple just to know the truth is the opposite. It's about as reliable as if he told the truth all the time.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185385Tue, 08 May 2007 17:48:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185385Matthew, Kansasryan from michigan, here's a little balance: the kansas adjutant general, in charge of the kansas national guard, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting has been saying the same thing as sebelius since April. he would know better than Tony Snow or Sam Brownback. http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3615556p-12913616c.html Furthermore, John Goheen, Dir of Communications Dept for the National Guard Association of the US Agrees with Sebelius. http://www.kansas.com/233/story/64524.html Other Governors from both parties have echoed Sebelius' Sentiment: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/27/politics/27govs.html?ex=1298696400&en=a7ec19f699d89f54&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Finally, Tony Snow claims "sebelius didn't ask", but complaints about shortages came well before this tornado. a. Sebelius wrote to rumsfeld in Dec. 2005 about the shortages. She also asked president bush in person (In January 2006) about national guard shortfalls http://www.kansas.com/233/story/64524.html b. Sebelius complained in February of this year about continued shortages http://www.accesskansas.org/ksadjutantgeneral/News%20Releases/2007/Gov%2002-27-07.htm http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185388Tue, 08 May 2007 17:50:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185388OliviaI already posted on this at more length under a previous entry but I've a question that bears repeating here: Wouldn't it make better sense for states in Tornado Alley, such as Kansas, and coastal states, such as Louisiana, to be able to keep their Guard troops and equipment at home, during their respective storm seasons? Our current system is a new disaster waiting to happen--and there are plenty of other states either less subject or not subject to such storms that can fill the slack.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185464Tue, 08 May 2007 18:33:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185464MK,MOI'm with Ryan on this one,doesn't look like there is a shortage of resources in Kansas and if there is nearby states would be able to take up the slack,and he did explain why the weathers been so lousy here lately,it's the police action in iraq.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185533Tue, 08 May 2007 19:21:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185533Russell in MarylandTony Snow is right, it is the fault of those stupid governors who don't know how to properly dot an "i" and cross a "t" -- send them all to remedial red tape school. Until they follow proper procedures they should not expect help from the federal government. (tongue firmly in cheek)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185534Tue, 08 May 2007 19:23:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185534Lee HolmesFrom what we have thus far seen,the federal response to the disaster has been far more coordinated and rapid than that of the criticized KATRINA aftermath.Federal assets were in Greensburg less than 24 hours after the tornado hit.FEMA cites over 15,000 meals,15,000 gallons of water,three Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers,with adjunct personnel being sent out to all shelters in order to commence claims.''Brownie''is no longer in charge.Paulison,the new FEMA director, was in Greensburg by May 06,to inspect damage and order up more assistance.From what we can so far see,the response has been as rapid as one could have hoped for.Food,water,clothing,shelter,medical,clerical,insurance,state and federal assistances are now in place. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185535Tue, 08 May 2007 19:25:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185535Russell in MarylandLet rename the National Guard to the International Guard.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185586Tue, 08 May 2007 20:05:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185586zzzzzzzzzzzWell it's a good thing the democrats who claim they can control the weather will be taking over soon. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185633Tue, 08 May 2007 20:35:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185633OliviaPer Lee and Russell--Maybe FEMA really did a "heckuva job" this time--but the "International Guard" didn't.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#185922Wed, 09 May 2007 03:04:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:185922Barbara, TNOlivia ~ "I already posted on this at more length under a previous entry but I've a question that bears repeating here: Wouldn't it make better sense for states in Tornado Alley, such as Kansas, and coastal states, such as Louisiana, to be able to keep their Guard troops and equipment at home, during their respective storm seasons? Our current system is a new disaster waiting to happen--and there are plenty of other states either less subject or not subject to such storms that can fill the slack." All states have the possibility of a disaster: earthquakes, volcanos, tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, to name a few. With this in mind, ALL the National Guard should be brought home to serve their home state. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#186092Wed, 09 May 2007 12:30:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:186092zzzzzzzStop the deployment of the Kansas National Guard to Kosovo!!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#186096Wed, 09 May 2007 12:40:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:186096John D, Huntsville, AlI have a question. I see that ol' Deadeye Dick "slipped" unnanounced into Iraq this morning again. If their bloody surge is working so damn well, why do all the administration hacks have to slip in unannounced every time? I thought Baghdad was safe now. Heck, even John McCain walked safely thru downtown. What a bunch of liars and hypocrits!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/08/185293.aspx#186117Wed, 09 May 2007 13:11:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:186117OliviaBarbara--That would make the best sense of all.