Last Tuesday the county Board of Supervisors heard comments for two hours regarding a proposed resolution to bring back the California National Guard troops serving overseas to have them here for emergencies. Angry speakers chastised Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier for introducing a bill that they felt, No. 1, was outside the purview of the county and, No. 2, would undermine our troops.
Yes, the county has many important problems to contend with, from budget-breaking pensions to gridlock on the highways. But it is also the county’s job to be prepared for catastrophes, including the manpower to help in the aftermath of a disaster.
Also we cannot be afraid to voice our opinions on the war on the theory that a disagreement with our government’s policies would undermine our troops, as many stated. Our military was established to defend our country and our freedoms, including the freedom of speech. This freedom is part of what makes our nation great; disagreements are part of our nation’s tradition. Supervisor Mary N. Piepho said our troops and our nation are vulnerable and she would not support any action that would diminish their strength. It is good that she had the chance to express this opinion, as it is good that others could voice other opinions, such as disagreements with how the “war on terror” is being fought.
That very morning the supervisors took time out from county business to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a moving ceremony in the board’s chamber. This, too, was a “national” event being addressed at a “local” level. Dr. King touched each of our lives as surely as the war in Iraq is doing. It is sometimes appropriate to bring the greater world into the Board of Supervisors’ chamber. But we must remember that this can take away from the time and energy needed to deal with county business. Elected officials need to guard against using the dais as a bully pulpit. Issues beyond county business must be selected with great care.
