You do not send National Guardsmen into harm's way during a serious fire unless they have the special training required. The small number you hear about is a reasonable percent of the ones trained. Probably half or so. Can you once give the pros the benefit of the doubt?

Next time there is a fedaral budget debate, perhaps some folk here can write Pelosi and Reid, who want all money spent on social programs, and tell them to step it up on Homeland Security, Department of Interior, and National Guard. We lost three fine men here, near the Nevada border, a few years years back becuase their tanker, made in the Korean War, split in half heading to a fire.