Republican Lawmaker Speaks Out Against Oregon National Guard Redeployment to Iraq

(SALEM, Ore.) - A conservative Republican State Representative; Dennis Richardson from Oregon's Fourth District, served in the war in Vietnam and he has a history of voting for issues that are consistent with right-wing values.

So it may come to a surprise to many that Richardson stated clearly in his February 13th Newsletter, that he does not believe the Oregon National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team should delpoy to Iraq in two months.

Richardson said, "The use of National Guard troops to fight long-term wars in foreign lands is becoming an issue in a growing number of states. The U. S. Constitution provides for Congress to call '…forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions,' and for the President to serve as the Commander in Chief." (U.S. Constitution Art. 1, Section 8 and Art. 2, Section 2)

"The Constitution does not provide that the state militias are to be at the beck and call of the President to fight any foreign conflict the President might deem appropriate." Richardson cites President Thomas Jefferson from his First Inaugural Address, where he said the following on the true purpose of our state militia:

"A well-disciplined militia, [is] our best reliance in peace and for the first moments of war till regulars may relieve them….” --Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural, 1801

"As a young man, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, received my training and flew helicopters in Vietnam. I have been in combat and I know the toll it takes on our young men, women and their families. We have 'regular' military forces. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps are intended to fight our nation’s long-term, foreign wars. It is time for our Legislature and our Governor, a U.S. Marine, to stand with other state legislatures and governors and inform Congress and the President that since the Iraq-Afghanistan foreign emergency is over, further deployment of our state militias is unconstitutional."

Richardson says it is time for the “regulars” to take full responsibility for on-going military operations in foreign arenas.

"As a loyal Oregonian, I want our state militia to serve Oregon’s purposes, and not be redeployed as if the National Guard were an additional branch of our national armed forces."

His view oddly matches that of Oregon's most dedicated anti-war activist, Michelle Darr. She has been trying very hard in recent weeks to cause a change in policy that would prevent the Oregon soldiers from goin to Iraq.

Richardson is asking his constituents to answer the question, “Should the Federal Government continue to redeploy the Oregon National Guard to Iraq or Afghanistan?”

He says stress levels are increasing in Oregon’s schools. Health and human service providers are struggling along with law enforcement agencies under diminishing budgets.

It is interesting that this veteran and legislator known for conservative politics would take a stance on the deployment of Oregon Guard soldiers that is so radically different from Oregon's Governor Ted Kulongiski, who is a Democrat.

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nhilk March 14, 2009 5:06 am (Pacific time)

Get a life. I'm getting sick of hearing this liberal hippy bullcrap. I'm in the Oregon Army National Guard and I'm looking forward to it. The people that are fighting for us to stay home have no clue what it's like over there. This will be my third trip, all with the guard. You are the people that would never know what it's like over there because you won't put down your bong and your moon pies and catch a glimpse of reality and realize that without sending us over the terrorists could attack at any moment and then you would feel stupid and feel guilty because your all terrorists. Oh wait what am i saying, you wouldn't realize that because your so high that there is no way in hell that you would realize it. Thank you that is all that I have to say, except this. To all you liberal ignorant morons out there, SHUT THE HELL UP.

Tim King: Well that must be intended for me? You dude, have nothing to say about it unless you make a public protest. I met a handful of Oregon Guardsmen who were complete heartless idiots but only a couple of them. Your name calling and ranting is toward people who are trying to save YOUR ass from being shot off. Moreover, this politician in this story is as far from "liberal" as you can get. You make the Oregon Guard look bad. As far as "liking it", that is really nice of you. The people of Iraq sure as HELL don't want you or anyone else there. Want to argue about that? I'll publish video clips of them talking about it. I saw detainees abused, I watched a soldier point his M-4 at a 10-year old kid and threaten to blow his brains out because the kid "laughed" at him. I'm sick of pathetic warmongering and I'm a person who actually respects the efforts of our military. Now just do what you are told and enjoy your war.

ChrisJones February 22, 2009 6:58 pm (Pacific time)

This is all the more incentive for Oregon to have real constitutional militias, so when the feds take our Guard troops, we are not defenseless.

stephen February 22, 2009 3:05 pm (Pacific time)

I felt kinda strange posting my last message. I almost didnt because it seemed a bit overboard. But, right after, I found this video on mainstream news, and dont feel so bad anymore. Anon, you may want to view this short video, and you might want to send it to Rangel also..This is what the american people are feeling like. mainstream news. http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=141811

stephen February 22, 2009 2:39 pm (Pacific time)

no kids and too old to go yourself I bet huh anon? How about instead, quit trying to take over the world? Someone needs to remind barky obushma that afghanistan is not called "the graveyard for empires" for no reason. Check the history. Chris, always enjoy your posts, but think about this. When, probably not if, martial law is instigated, wouldnt you rather have the national guard here rather than foreign troops? What scared the heck out of me, is when they decided to send 99% of the national guard overseas, keeping in mind that the military is recruiting foreigners and illegal immigrants, and singed a deal with mexico and canada to come help the U.S. during a crisis. Seemed to me they wanted all the good boys and girls who have at least a bit of the constitution in their genes out of the state. Get my drift? :-) I understand your point also.

Ariel McKinnon February 22, 2009 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

What kind of answer is reinstating the draft??? Send people to war that do not want to go? You can say all you want how many of the National Guardsman don't want to go to war, but they signed up to defend our country, knowing that they could be sent to war. If the draft is reinstated, you are sending civilians to war that have no desire whatsoever to serve in the military!! I want this war to end, but seeing how that doesn't look likely, it makes much more sense to send the National Guard to help the regulars instead of drafting people who have not signed up for the military.

Anonymous February 22, 2009 12:27 pm (Pacific time)

Bring back the draft, but this time no deferrments. I recall Charlie Rangel, Dem. NY, requested a vote on bringing back the draft. Good idea in my opinion.

ChrisJones February 22, 2009 11:24 am (Pacific time)

Remember PDD-51? They wouldn't let Defazio see it? It's still in place along with the Warner Defense Act. The plan is going forward.

ChrisJones February 22, 2009 11:22 am (Pacific time)

To Dennis Richardson: The constitutional militia is not the national guard buddy. Keep researching and educating yourself. Good try tho, your heart seems to be in the right place. You better not be planning on using these troops for martial law in Oregon the same way National Guard troops were used in Katrina for gun confiscations.

ChrisJones February 22, 2009 10:56 am (Pacific time)

Keep em home. Going overseas to fight fake wars is against the constitution 100% This general government has violated the constitution so much, and so severely, it's HIGHLY debatable whether it is even legitimate legally, or if it needs to be dissolved and it's power relinquished back to the individual states as our constitution specifically orders. I really recommend for people to actually read our founding document and start defending it, especially all you who took an OATH to preserve and defend it.

stephen February 22, 2009 9:55 am (Pacific time)

I will be writing him tomorrow showing my support. The federal government is here at the pleasure of the states, not the other way around. The problem is, too many governors have already been bought and sold. The founders were clear in regards to the federal government role, and the federal government has overstepped their boundaries so much, we dont have much of a Constitution left. We were warned of this.

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