Where's the National Guard? Overseas.

God forbid there should be an attack on one of our cities say via chemical weapons. But it's something we need to be prepared for. A key part of those plans: the National Guard and Army Reserve. And where is the National Guard and Army Reserve? Iraq. Don't you feel safer?

What is the availability of troops from the National Guard and Army Reserve here in the US? How does that troop strength here at home compare to their levels in 2000? How thinly spread out are they? If there was a security need in Los Angeles, what troops are close enough to respond within 24 hours or whatever the essential time frame may be? What about Chicago? What about Seattle? What does that diminished ability mean for our national security? What could we do safely 5 years ago that we can't do today because those troops aren't available -- they're overseas? What is the retention rate for the National Guard and Army Reserve today compared to five years ago?

Reagan once asked, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" Here's my question, "Do you feel safer now than you did four years ago?"