Pirate's Cove

Mr. Monkey Business makes his appearence at the Hufftard Post, to tell us to violate Federal law and play defense only

Both the U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century and the follow-on Council on Foreign Relations report a year after 9-11 concluded that the backbone of homeland security is the 50-state National Guard. Properly trained and equipped, the Guard must play the central role in deterring jihadist attacks on America and responding to them if they occur. (snip)

Most important, the National Guard units in Iraq are not in the United States standing post over our nation's security at home. They are not being trained and equipped for this vital mission. If we are in fact at war with terrorism, we are leaving our homeland flanks totally exposed. The Administration and its supporters have excused this dereliction in security with the hollow slogan: We're fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them here. (snip)

Members of Congress truly concerned with national security will pass legislation requiring National Guard forces in Iraq to be steadily withdrawn and restored to the homeland security mission originally placed upon them by the Constitution of the United States.

Let me first say that I partially agree. The National Guard is really meant for defense of the United States on our home soil. I don't really think that they should be deployed outside of the USA, but, times have changed, and so has their mission. Matter of fact, it changed decades ago. By a Democrat.

That said, this is just another disengenuous attempt by a Democratic failed presidential candidate, who torpedo'd his own candidacy, to find a way to end Operation Iraqi Freedom, without specifically saying "leave Iraq right now!" Very few of the Defeatocrats, other then the nutroots, have the cajones to actually call for surrender immediately. They beat around the bush, come up with talking points, but will not explicitely say it.

Furthermore, deploying the Guard in the USA in such a manner would violate, if not the law, at least the spirit of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military to act as law enforcement officers while under Federal control. Governors of States could authorize the use of their States' National Guard in that manner, but not the regular military. And, in order for federal control, Congress would have to pass legislation

Sec. 1385. – Use of Army and Air Force as posse comitatus

"Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both".

So, President Bush, as commander in chief, could not deploy them without Congressional approval. Would Congress approve? Can you imagine the outcry from Americans, especially the Left, were that to happen? It was one thing to have them post 9/11 in airports, but, what about at seaports, train stations, the streets of your home town? Think that would fly? Liberals had hissy fits about the use of the Guard on our border with Mexico.

Finally, this is sitting back and playing defense. Sure, one needs a good defense. Our nukes are defensive weapons, designed to deter. "Star Wars" is a defensive weapon. Notice the Left hates it.

My Devils have great defense, but add enough offense to win Stanley Cups.

The Bears had a great defense, but, their offense stunk, and they lost the Super Bowl.

Protecting our country is a wee bit more important, though, eh? And, we need to continue to fight the Muslim terrorists outside of our country. They are streaming into Iraq from other countries, a fact that Monkey Business has failed to acknowledge, and we are capturing and killing them there, rather then on cruise ships.