Former Minnesota Governor and resident nut job Jesse 'the body' Ventura came out today bashing the use of National Guard troops in Iraq. He says that the troops are meant for homeland detail and this is an abuse.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1762/4945487.html
``Now that I'm a civilian, I'm here to speak out that I think the current use of the National Guard is wrong,'' Ventura said Tuesday.
Ventura is serving as an advisory board member for a new group called Operation Truth, a nonprofit organization set up ``to give voice to troops who served in Iraq.''
Emphasizing that he is an independent, not a Republican or Democrat, Ventura said the National Guard was designed to protect the homeland, not fight overseas.
``Having been in the military, I know what it's like to deploy overseas,'' said Ventura, a former Navy SEAL. ``I did 17 months, two tours, when I was in. I also was the head of the Minnesota National Guard as governor. You're the commander in chief. At that point in time, I did my job. I didn't say anything because of the chain of command.''
Now that he no longer serves in that role, he said it was time to weigh in.
I think it is an important sign especially when a 'moderate' and 'regular guy' comes out with a statement like this. While his image in Minnesota is diminshed from what it once was, he is still respected around the country as a lone voice in the political wilderness.