Posted on 09/06/2005 3:18:34 PM PDT by SmithL
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed Gov. Rod Blagojevich's lawsuit aimed at stopping the military from moving fighter jets from Illinois to Indiana.
Judge Jeanne Scott ruled that Illinois had suffered no economic loss or breakdown in security because a federal commission's recommendation to move 15 F-16s to a base in Fort Wayne, Ind., is not final.
In a statement, Blagojevich said that the "battle to do what is right for Illinois and our country is certainly not over." But a spokesman said aides had not yet decided on the next step.
The Democratic governor argued that the 183rd Fighter Wing could not be relocated without his permission because it is part of the state militia he controls.
He asked the judge to issue a temporary restraining order to keep the Base Closure and Realignment Commission from sending its report to President Bush. The report is due by Thursday.
A Defense Department spokesman declined comment on the ruling, which runs counter to federal court decrees in other states.
In Connecticut, a judge issued a temporary restraining order and scheduled a hearing on a recommendation to move or retire planes from a fighter wing there.
And in Pennsylvania, a judge agreed with the governor that the military needs his permission to dissolve an Air Guard division.
On Wednesday, Massachusetts officials are planning to sue Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the federal base closing commission in a last-ditch effort to keep Otis Air National Guard base open.
That's my Gov, clueless Rod.
My senators are Osama and Durbin. I should qualify for some sort of anti insanity aid.
Apparently, she's saying the Governor and State of Illinois are jumping the gun. They must wait till the dirty deed is done.
Then, I suppose they can argue the federal laws: 10 U.S.C. (Armed Forces) § 18238 provides as follows: 32 U.S.C. (National Guard) § 104(c) provides that:
A unit of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States may not be relocated or withdrawn under this chapter without the consent of the governor of the State or, in the case of the District of Columbia, the commanding general of the National Guard of the District of Columbia.
To secure a force the units of which when combined will form complete higher tactical units, the President may designate the units of the National Guard, by branch of the Army or organization of the Air Force, to be maintained in each State and Territory, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. However, no change in the branch, organization, or allotment of a unit located entirely within a State may be made without the approval of its governor.
Uh, apparently there is some price to pay for electing an idiot who is a Democrat instead of the previous idiot who was a Republican. Can somebody tell me why we aren't closing bases in North Dakota?????
I feel your pain. We are down here in Central IL suffering as well. Hopefully at re-election time more downstaters will remember Chicago Democrats NEVER have our best interests at heart.
I live in N. Pekin.
So you know how it feels to be a downstater. Too bad Blago didn't realize Springfield was the capitol before he ran. We're in Bloomington-Normal.
OMG! What will Illinois do if Indiana decides to attack? This will give Indiana air superiority.
With the wing so disappears the Civil Engineers Squadron, the Security Forces Squadron, the Communications squadron, and the medical detachment, all very useful things to have around when a State governor and the local community needs them. If the unit is self-contained on their own base, the fire department disappears too.
Where is the base located in IL?
Where in Central I...Im right outside Decatur..
It's in Springfield the state capitol...Blago has never been there...
We're in Bloomington-Normal
I think this guy is an idiot. He gets the state involved in things he knows nothing about. It's just to get headlines.
Our IDIOT sock puppet Governor has never been South of Roosevelt Rd. (12th St. for real old timers). He spends all his time in the 'Space Ship' building on Randolph & LaSalle (or is it Clark?).
In fact he such an ijit, the only "Springfield" Blago knows is the one on the Simpsons.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.