Shawn Dietz, Republican nominee for State Senate from District 27, this evening sent a letter to Governor Terry Branstad in response to President Barack Obama’s Executive Order that called for possible National Guard troop deployment to nations in West Africa to deal with the outbreak of Ebola. The text of the letter follows:
Dear Governor Branstad,
I am writing you in response to today’s executive order from President Obama authorizing deployment of National Guard troops to West Africa to “…provid[e] support to civilian-led humanitarian assistance and consequence management support related to the Ebola virus disease outbreak.” I am writing to encourage you to stand on your authority under the Constitution of the State of Iowa as the Commander in chief of the Iowa National Guard, and deny any request from the Federal Government to unnecessarily send Iowa’s troops into harm’s way. An action that would surely put their lives in danger, and upon their return home, may put the health and wellness of their families and other Iowans in jeopardy.
With more than 4,000 deaths, the Ebola outbreak in Africa is certainly dangerous and tragic. There are certainly better options for the Federal Government to provide assistance and support to these West African nations than sending our troops to fight an invisible, biological enemy, causing certain sickness and death for some of the brave men and women who would be deployed, and the possible spread of this virus upon their return.
I write to you this evening as a citizen of our great State, concerned for the health and welfare of our National Guard, as well as the general public. Thank you for consideration of this request.
For Iowa,
Shawn Dietz, Hampton
