Nebraska

Once upon a time, the national guard was there to respond to natural disasters. Not anymore:

Iraq War Hampers Kansas Cleanup

GREENSBURG,
Kan. (AP) -- The rebuilding effort in tornado-ravaged
Greensburg, Kansas, likely will be hampered because some much-needed equipment is in Iraq, said that state’s governor.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius said much of the National Guard equipment usually positioned around the state to respond to emergencies is gone. She said not having immediate access to things like tents, trucks and semitrailers will really handicap the rebuilding effort.

The Greensburg administrator estimated that 95 percent of the town of 1500
was destroyed by Friday's tornado.

The Kansas National Guard has about 40 percent of the equipment it is
allotted because much of it has been sent to Iraq.http://www.kcbs.com/pages/424076.php?contentType=4&contentId=472199

Just another fringe benefit from shrub's folly.