More than 11,000 Army and Air National Guard members and 7,200 active-duty troops, mostly Navy, are supporting hurricane relief operations along the Gulf Coast, and 10,000 more National Guard troops are expected to join the effort within the next 48 hours, Defense Department officials said today.
Our troops step up whether it is defeating our enemies or lending a helping hand to strangers around the globe or to neighbors. Mercenaries, indeed. Screw the people who look down on our military and wish for its defeat. These are America's best, bar none.
The images of people wading through water without any help in sight is as heart rending as the stories of looting shoes and stereos are infuriating. Certainly, the looters don't negate the need for compassion and speedy aid to those in trouble. Get our military and civilian agencies in fast. There's a lot to do and no time to lose.
Is it really possible that thousands have died in New Orleans alone? My God. My heart goes out to the people of Mississippi and Louisiana for this terrible loss. The Red Cross could use help.
And could the global warmers hold off on helpful press releases until after the dead are buried? Being wrong about hurricanes is bad enough, but do you have to be vulture-like to boot?
UPDATE: Note to the silly ones out there: Iraq and Afghanistan have not interfered with our ability to respond with troops to the hurricane. Unless somebody is seriously suggesting that the 207th Levee Repair Battalion of the Mississsippi Army National Guard has been busy restoring the marshes of southern Iraq for the last seven months.
