Letters
Not telling the truth?
I am writing in reference to the Nov. 6 article about the Maine National Guard troops shipping out to Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to the headline, the number of troops leaving will be half of Maine's National Guard. Maine Adj. General John Libby stated that he is confident that the troops remaining will be sufficient to respond to any emergencies that Maine might encounter. That is good news.
My question, then, is why are we maintaining a National Guard double the size that is actually needed for emergencies?
I am continually told that the country is broke and in dire despair over debt, but that the military budget can never be cut because we need to spend all those dollars for our safety. Yet we can send away 800 of our protectors and "not to worry."
Someone is not telling the truth.
Ellie Leight, Poland
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verified John, maybe you missed the
John, maybe you missed the part where she says "I am continually told the country is broke". I don't believe she ever stated the Maine was paying them. It was just a question Ed and the sarcasm wasn't necessary in my opinion.
I don't believe many that signed up for the National Guard expected to spend a year away from their families, friends and work.
verified Really nice letter Ellie,
Really nice letter Ellie, especially the day after Veterans Day.
Perhaps you'd like to return to the days of the Militia? We'll just swear in everyone between the ages of 17 and 45, give them a crash course in firearm safety, issue them a rifle and a battle pack of ammo and just sit back and reap the savings.
There's just one catch... the National Guard belongs to the Federal Government, and while tax payer dollers do end up paying for it, getting rid of the National Guard here in Maine won't save us that much. Plus, if we do away with Maine's National Guard units, civilian jobs and businesses will suffer too.
Let's just be thankful we have men and women who are willing to put themselves in harms way. Let's also remember to pray for those men and women, both in the current theaters of operation, and those who stay behind to defend our country.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
I beg to differ. The
I beg to differ. The National Guard belongs to the STATE, not the Federal Government. The Federal Government helps pay for training and equipment, which is how the Pentagon can (sometimes) get away with Federalizing the Guard and sending them into harm's way.
"The democracy will cease to exist when the government takes from those who would work and gives to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson.
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