More Iraq Repercussions

MANIFESTO

From today's Kansas City Star:

A shortage of Kansas National Guard equipment will slow recovery efforts in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, state officials say.

Because of the war on terror, Kansas has only 40 percent of its allocated equipment, said Sharon Watson, a spokeswoman for the adjutant general’s office.

As a result, she said, the state is rushing to hire contractors to help clear debris.

The situation was no surprise to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has warned for months that the National Guard was ill-prepared for a catastrophe because so much equipment and personnel were in Iraq.

And, not surprisingly,

national experts say the problem is not confined to Kansas.

A congressionally sponsored commission looking into military readiness reported last month that close to 90 percent of Guard units in this country were “not ready,” primarily because of equipment shortages.

In response, the Army has pledged to boost Guard spending by $23 billion though 2011, with further increases in subsequent years.

That spending won’t come soon enough for Greensburg.

And all President Unelected can do is don his white tie (which goes so well with an American flag lapel pin) and lose track of time.