eva66snipe wrote: "Any bets on NG units called up by governors for border protection would suddenly be put on deployment status for the M.E.?"
I like the way you think. No, I wouldn't bet against it. I'm sorry, but I can't remember if activation orders are signed by the president, the SecDef, or someone lower in the food chain. I don't think the president or SecDef would do something like that (I think they are honorable people, even if they aren't conservative), but someone lower might. It wouldn't be the first time some high ranking, liberal civil servant used their office to try to thwart the will of the people.
Looks like the NG's may be called up by Bush. This will be a wait and see. If it's a humanatarian aid call up for the summer it will backfire. If it's to secure the borders it can only work until a wall is built and or sufficent border patrol is trained. It would be better actually if Congress sent them their IMO. It would make it very difficult for a federal judge to step in lest he face contempt charges in congress and be impeached for Judical Misconduct.