With Republicans in charge - who needs enemies

The Bush Administration with the collusion of the Republicans in congress have been wearing out and using up our National Guard. After multiple rotations to Iraq, the situation has become critical.

Bush Policies Are Weakening National Guard, Governors Say

...Tens of thousands of National Guard members have been sent to Iraq, along with much of the equipment needed to deal with natural disasters and terrorist threats in the United States, the governors said here at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. ...

...In a preview of their message, all 50 governors signed a letter to the president opposing any cuts in the size of the National Guard. ...(more)

With the Bushiveks in charge, Iraq has become an endless exercise in deadly stubbornness, where our troops don't lose but can't win.

Fort Lewis'’ first Stryker Brigade prepares for second trek to Iraq

THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: February 27th, 2006 02:30 AM

Soldiers from the Army's first Stryker Brigade Combat Team are in the midst of their last major training exercise as they prepare for a second tour in Iraq. ...

...The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based in Fort Lewis, began a yearlong combat mission in Iraq in late 2003. They'’re preparing to replace the 172nd Stryker Brigade of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. ...(more)

With Democrats in charge, Washington State is picking up the slack left by the criminal mismanagement of the Pentagon and the VA system.

State reaches out to veterans torn by trauma
More money to treat post-traumatic stress disorder is written into budget proposals.

By Blythe Lawrence
Herald Writer

OLYMPIA - The effects of the war in Iraq are beginning to reverberate in the state Legislature.

A state-funded treatment program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder could receive an extra $170,000 this year, enough to serve another 130 soldiers should they need help when they return from Iraq.

The funds are in a $500,000 package for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the budgets proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, the House of Representatives and state Senate.

Only Washington and New Jersey have state-funded PTSD treatment programs. Washington is the only state with an increasing number of veterans, said Tom Schumacher, who runs the Everett-based program. ...(more)