Owens didn't sign NG letter to Bush

Colorado's lame-duck governor has done it again... or not done it again, depending upon your viewpoint.  As an editorial from yesterday's Denver Post notes, Governor Owens was the only governor in the country that did not affix his name to a letter sent to congressional leaders regarding the proper "use" of the National Guard.

The House wants Bush to have the authority to federalize the Guard during emergencies.  The Senate has yet to take the issue up.  US governors have sided overwhelmingly against such a plan.

Language in the bill would let the president unilaterally take over Guard units in case of "a serious natural or manmade disaster, accident or catastrophe."

Call me cynical, but one of the last things I want is for Bush to be the decider and federalize the National Guard during a disaster or catastrophe.  I have serious reservations about what his definitions of disasters and catastrophes might be and am unwilling to find out.

Cross-posted at SquareState

Beyond that, I'm getting tired of conservatives playing guess which functions should be left to the states (banning abortions for example), and which functions should be removed for consideration (anything that actually allows people to make decisions for themselves), including asking governors if it's okay to nationalize troops that are under their command.

Heck, even Republican Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina gets it right, "The idea of federalizing yet another function of government in America is a) the wrong direction, and b) counterproductive."

So what's Owens' deal?

Spokesman Dan Hopkins said Owens typically doesn't sign such group letters but shares the concerns of fellow governors.

Oh, I see.  Owens isn't a groupie when it comes to letter writing, but he shares other governor's concerns.  WTF?!  I don't care if he has or hasn't co-signed in the past.  He's the chief executive of a state in this nation.  He's responsible for the National Guard in Colorado.  If he shares those concerns, he shoud sign the freakin' letter!  Or write his own damn letter if being part of a coalition doesn't appeal to him.

With regard to the issue coming out of the House:

Governors say they weren't consulted about the idea and only discovered the provision recently.

Par for Bush and the Republican leadership in the House.  If they think there's a remote chance that someone won't sign on with their little plans, there's no way they'll inform them before they act out on their own.  Republican congressional leaders have experienced this with Bush's signing statements.  Now governors get their version.

I keep wondering when people will get it through their heads that Unitary Executive means just that.  He doesn't want to consult or work with anyone.  He's the decider.  And Governor Owens, by his actions, doesn't seem to be willing to stop that.

•  Owens is the 'undecider?'

  If one who makes the decision is the "decider," what do we call one who can't make a decision?  

  by creekobear on Thu Aug 17, 2006 at 08:38:32 AM PDT

  •  asdf

    If one who makes the decision is the "decider," what do we call one who can't make a decision?  

    I call them worthless.

    by sodalis on Thu Aug 17, 2006 at 08:41:51 AM PDT

  •  Hmmm

    Good question.

    Fence-sitter.  Opportunist.  Note also: lame-duck.  Owens managed to help expose a division in Colorado's Republican party with his endorsement of the CO-TABOR timeout, Referendum C last year.

    This year, he vetoed a huge number of bills passed by the Dem-led legislature.  Beyond that, he hasn't really been that effectual.

    Oh wait, he helped set up the TrailHead Group.  TrailHead has become well known for robo-calling citizens with misleading and possibly illegal messages and questions.  I say possible illegal because our Secretary of State won't investigate the group.  The corruption of this group becomes more astounding on a daily basis and things get dug up and they try to outdo themselves with new activities.

    by WeatherDem on Thu Aug 17, 2006 at 10:24:11 AM PDT

•  State legislature any help?

  Can the state legislature pass a resolution in support of the other governors?

  It might be worthwhile to have a Dem and Repub in the State House submit a bi-partisan resolution that opposes the federalizing of the national guard. Slap the governor from the legislature....and support the NG troops. It could be useful in an election year - for the locals!

  by SallyCat on Thu Aug 17, 2006 at 08:39:46 AM PDT

  •  Good question

    and one I didn't think to ask.

    It's a perfect opportunity to keep showing folks who Owens and his buddies really are.

    Thanks!

    by WeatherDem on Thu Aug 17, 2006 at 10:26:45 AM PDT