I sure hope Jodi Rell doesn't declare war on Canada, or Massachusetts, or New York. I have no grief with those powers. But as governor of the State of Connecticut, she is, after all, commander-in-chief of the state's national guard forces. Who is to stop her?
Sounds silly doesn't it. A throwback to the not-so-great days of the Articles of Confederation. But listen up, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will today hear argument on the scope of a governor's powers as commander in chief of national guard forces. Let's hope reason prevails and the commander-in-chieflette gets her wings clipped.story here
The issue should be simple. Does the federal government or state government decide how best to deploy and to organize the armed forces? Even die-hard foes of national power see the wisdom of making this a federal issue. I don't want fifty field generals making an even greater mess of things.
Gov. Rell, feeling fresh and sassy after persuading Congress not to close the Groton submarine base in Connecticut, is now in federal court to try to prevent the removal of a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolts from the state. Why? Why pork, of course. It would cost jobs.
A sympathetic federal judge actaully granted injunctive relief to prevent a federal commission from even recommending the removal of the A-10s. Alfred V. Covello, a pilot and flight fan, found irreparable harm. Why? In part, the removal of the planes would leave those trained to use them with nothing to do. Wow.
The Second Circuit has a chance to show a rare sense of humor today. Covello should be reversed in a summary order, and the decision need read only as follows: "Give us a break!"
