Democrat Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius Is A Liar

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said to Reuters and CNN:

A shortage of trucks, helicopters and other equipment -- all sent to the war in Iraq -- has hampered recovery in a U.S. town obliterated by a tornado, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday.

"There is no doubt at all that this will slow down and hamper the recovery," Sebelius, a Democrat, told Reuters in Kansas, where officials said the statewide death toll had risen to 12 on Monday.

"Not having this equipment in place all over the state is a huge handicap," Sebelius said.

Meanwhile, this is via the American Forces Press Service:

More than 300 members of the Kansas National Guard have been activated in response to a powerful tornado that almost destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kan., May 4.

Guard members are assisting in search-and-rescue efforts in the wake of the tornado...

...The tornado wiped out much of the small town, knocking out power, water, natural gas and communications. To date, 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported.

The Kansas National Guard's 278th Sustainment Brigade has established a joint task force near the incident site. In addition to search-and-rescue efforts, the troops are working on power generation, logistical support, debris clearing, support to law enforcement, supporting establishment of shelters and distribution of food and water.

Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.

The National Guard Bureau has offered liaison, operational, communications, contracting, search-and-rescue, public affairs and community relations support, and is prepared to support the governor in any way possible, Noller said.

That's pathetic and downright sick on the part of Kathleen Sebelius, who is also the chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Conference, to politicize this event in the context of the war in Iraq.

Naturally, the news media ate up what she said and spread the story worldwide without bothering to check any facts.

This is going to come back to haunt Sebelius. I guarantee it. She's coming off as a petty, partisan, and inept woman, just like Kathleen Blanco turned out to be in Louisiana.

Meanwhile, back in Iowa:

In response to heavy rainfall last night and today, the Iowa National Guard deployed 47 troops in support of local authorities to assist in sandbagging operations in the city of Red Oak, Iowa. Iowa National Guard troops worked with civilian first responders moving sand, filling sand bags and building temporary dams to mitigate the effects of the rising waters.

Even though Iowa Governor Chet Culver is politicizing the war by messing with the American flag, at least he isn't looking like a complete girl by pointing his finger at Bush every time there's a natural disaster in the state. Slightly stupid, yes. But a girl, no.