Thread: Easley asks N.C. delegation to reject guard federalization

http://www.wbt.com/news/detail_wbt.cfm; ... e_id=27570

Raleigh, NC, 09/19/2006

Easley asks N.C. delegation to reject guard federalization change

Associated Press

Gov. Mike Easley has asked North Carolina's congressional delegation to reject efforts to put the state's National Guard under federal control during disasters.

In a letter sent Monday to the delegation, Easley said the proposal would make it difficult for North Carolina and other states to respond quickly to crises such as hurricanes.

Proposed language in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act allowing a president to federalize state guards without governors' consent in the event of a ``serious natural or manmade disaster, accident or catastrophe'' would confuse the chain of command as well, Easley said.

``The current process works well, and involving the federal government in the command structure unduly jeopardizes North Carolina's ability to protect its citizens,'' Easley wrote. ``I am not willing to jeopardize public safety and abandon my constitutional duty to federal control.''

The bill is in a conference committee, where differences between House and Senate versions are being worked out. Easley, who is a lead state executive on National Guard issues for the National Governors Association, said the nation's governors are united in opposing federalization of troops.

Under existing law, governors are commanders of the Guard in their states. The president must get their consent to federalize the troops domestically, except in cases of rebellion.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

I am not willing to jeopardize public safety and abandon my constitutional duty

It would be nice if our traitor and chief thought this way.
This is stupid to have the feds control the use of the Guard. The feds can't get immigration or damn near anything else right, so why give them control over this as well!

I agree. We do not need to bestow any new powers on the Executive Branch since the Executive Branch is currently out of the control of the public, Congress, and American citizenry.

W

Just another step towards a dictatorship.