First, I didn't know this but apparently Pennsylvania has, like Illinois, sued the federal government over the whole National Guard base closing/realignment thing.
Two states, Pennsylvania and Illinois, have sued over the Air Guard proposal arguing that the Pentagon doesn't have the authority to move units without each governor's consent. The Pentagon disagrees. The Justice Department has been asked to weigh in. A commission spokesman said the commission has received an opinion from the Justice Department, but neither the spokesman nor commissioners would disclose what it says.It's good to have allies. The Coalition of the We're Not Going to Take It, Bub.
The other is a framing issue Illinois Democrats might want to pounce on: it's the Bush administration in general and Donald Rumsfeld in particular who want to take our NG units away.
The proposed shake-up of dozens of Air Guard units has emerged as the most contentious part of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's proposal to close, shrink or expand hundreds of military bases and other installations nationwide.It's true, folks. This isn't Bill Clinton's, or Dick Durbin's or John Kerry's idea. No, this comes straight from the military geniuses in the Bush administration. I call on all Springfield Republicans, who almost universally support their President without question, to actively support the moving of the 183rd jets and much of its personnel. I mean, to question the administration in a time of war is just plain treasonous! Right? That's what I keep hearing from you all.
[snip]
Rumsfeld's Air Guard plan calls for shifting people, equipment and aircraft among at least 54 sites where units now are stationed. Roughly two dozen sites would expand, while about 30 are slated for closure or downsizing, including the Capital Airport Air Guard Station in Springfield, Ill., which would lose 163 jobs under the proposal.
(Emphasis mine)
No comments:
Post a Comment