Friday, Boston, Massachusetts

The devastation in California is unprecedented with hundreds of thousands of acres torched and over two thousand homes burned so far. The cost of the disaster is running into the billions of dollars. Watching the catastrophe unfold on television has a similar feel to the Hurricane Katrina event in Louisiana.

As a viewer it’s difficult to absorb the human reality of what is happening there. The images and reports may be vivid, but it is mind numbing to watch people describe the shock of seeing their home burn to the ground.

In this national tragedy, however there seems to be a more engaged effort by the state government to step up and respond. Although there are frustrations with how helpless the rescuers feel being short of resources, there is a palpable sense of urgency and trying as hard as possible. In contrast to Louisiana’s experience California is at least able to focus on the human tragedy with less energy diverted to anger at the government for failing to step up.

Using Resources

Such unexpected national catastrophes raise legitimate questions about how and when to use our collective resources. In this instance the National Guard in California, like every other state, is leaner and weaker with so many of the soldiers and their heavy equipment deployed in Iraq. When I was in the reserves after active duty our mission in the state (Rhode Island & Massachusetts) was clearly to facilitate the local needs. I was activated for a hurricane and a race riot.

Although we trained for military missions in case we were needed, it was clear, especially in the National Guard as opposed to the units of the Army Reserve, that we were a federal resource available to the state when called upon.

Sitting Back & Watching Fire & War on Television

It has troubled me from the beginning of the Iraq and Afghanistan missions that we did not immediately institute a draft and have the regular troops conduct the war in our collective interests. This is what we did in Vietnam and it is the only way to compel the country to feel part of the mission and share the sacrifice.

Depleting the reserves and asking no one else to do the heavy lifting is wrong.

We have straddled the fence and it has been the disaster that keeps on giving.