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Opinion editorials Handling of Pit Appeal Calls for a Time-Out |
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opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Sunday, November 08, 2009
PR Flights Belittle Guard
The New Mexico National Guard has a long, proud and storied history. It runs from the 150th Fighter Wing's days in Vietnam to the deployment of more than a hundred guardsmen protecting our border with Mexico today. It ranges from the Task Force Cobra members who served in Kuwait to the 720th and 115th Transportation Companies now in Iraq.
There are around 4,100 members of the New Mexico National Guard. Much is asked and much is expected of them. They certainly don't need to spend their time and resources providing $4,800-an-hour flights to monied donors and lawmakers. But they do.
The most recent was a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who had married into the state's influential Maloof family, which had the good sense to be major contributors to Guard activities. Dr. Paul S. Nassif was rewarded for his in-laws' support and financial generosity by being named an "honorary commander" and getting an hour-long "incentive flight" aboard an F-16D Fighting Falcon.
The next scheduled civilian wingman is Rep. Martin Heinrich, sometime after the House lands a vote on health care.
Guard spokesman Col. Tim Harmeson says the flights are incorporated into regular monthly training flights so there's no extra cost to taxpayers.
But there is a cost to morale and to reputation when a Top Gun wannabe rides shotgun. If there's no cost, why not give this opportunity to those who faced danger in our service?
This is the same Guard that has had to scramble for adequate equipment, defend its members' ethnicity in a war zone, send more than 4,000 of its troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. These men and women deserve better, even if their commanders think money and power deserve a free flight.
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