IT'S THE LAW!!!

[Jody]

Ks. Nationl  Guard has already been to Az.  I don't know how long they stayed or what there assignment was.

[W. Gray]

Diane,

Another way of putting it is the respective governor is the commander-in-chief of his state National Guard, air and army. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Kansas governor has the authority to draft every able bodied between ages twenty-one and forty-five should the state be invaded.

If units of a state guard get federalized, then the president becomes their commander-in-chief and they have authority to do anything the regular army can do. Recall that Eisenhower took the Arkansas National Guard away from Orval Faubus under those procedures. They usually come under control of a federal command when that happens. I believe the units in Iraq have been federalized for the duration of their assignment.

The last I was aware of a few years ago there were about seven states and they might have all been in the east having organized militias in addition to the National Guard. (Not the right wing ideologues we have heard about over the years.)

If the entire state guard gets federalized, the militias are mobilized to take the place of the guard for emergencies, etc.

[Diane Amberg]

Thanks, you said very nicely what I was trying to say. Some states try not to federalize during disasters because some insurance policies have escape clauses so they don't have to pay off. Our guard sent some units to help with the Texas flooding. The governors can ask each other for help, but it's very specific what they are allowed to do. I don't think they would be allowed to scoop up some illegals while they are at it. I had forgotten about the Orval Faubus situation. The lawyers would probably have a field day if someone tried to do that now. Some states are indeed talking about militias again because they are so short handed.

[Janet Harrington]

The Kansas National Guard went to Arizona and built fence.  I can't remember how many miles or anything like that, but they built fence.

[Jo McDonald]

We have many friends who are retired military and they think this is a job for the National Guard - and it should be utilized.

  Someone is going to have to step up to the plate before long - or the final inning is going to be looking us in the face.

[Diane Amberg]

I agree, but there seems to be no easy agreement as to what is "politically correct." I know the state money to pay the National Guard is an issue. Another unfunded mandate? I'm not sure I'm ready for another "Kent State" either. Some very level heads will have to prevail.