Dana Milbank Does Not Understand Federalism (Oil SPill Related)

Shaking my head at this piece of Dana Milbank political commentary. Why is this even in the Washington Post

About an hour later came word from the Pentagon that Alabama, Florida and Mississippi — all three governed by men who once considered themselves limited-government conservatives — want the federal government to mobilize (at taxpayer expense, of course) more National Guard troops to aid in the cleanup.

That followed an earlier request by the small-government governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal (R), who issued a statement saying he had called the Obama administration “to outline the state’s needs” and to ask “for additional resources.” Said Jindal: “These resources are critical.”
About the time that Alabama, Florida and Mississippi were asking for more federal help, three small-government Republican senators, Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions of Alabama and George LeMieux of Florida, were flying over the gulf on a U.S. government aircraft with small-government Republican Rep. Jeff Miller (Fla.).

About an hour later came word from the Pentagon that Alabama, Florida and Mississippi — all three governed by men who once considered themselves limited-government conservatives — want the federal government to mobilize (at taxpayer expense, of course) more National Guard troops to aid in the cleanup.

That followed an earlier request by the small-government governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal (R), who issued a statement saying he had called the Obama administration “to outline the state’s needs” and to ask “for additional resources.” Said Jindal: “These resources are critical.”
About the time that Alabama, Florida and Mississippi were asking for more federal help, three small-government Republican senators, Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions of Alabama and George LeMieux of Florida, were flying over the gulf on a U.S. government aircraft with small-government Republican Rep. Jeff Miller (Fla.).

WOW!! First there is a difference between being a small Govt Conservative committed to Federalism and some extreme Libertarian. One would think that living in a city devoted to politics one would have picked up on that.

People who believe in Federalism believe there are roles for the State and Federal Government.

Now it might shock Dana but there is no Louisiana Coast Guard and there is no Louisiana Navy. That is Federal and their assistance is needed.

This incident also occurred in FEDERAL WATERS.

The Federal Govt has generally had some major responsibilities as to our waterways and oh yes the SEA (THE GULF OF MEXICO QUALIFIES)

We are dealing with a spill in Federal Waters . Does Dana think that Jindal has exclusive jurisdiction and can do anything he wants a hundred miles off our Coast?

We are dealing with a Spill that could effect not just one State but at least FIVE states. It can affect the Fishing industry which is not only a national security concern but of course there is ample Federal jurisdiction there. IN FACT THE FEDS have just prohibited a lot of FISHING. NOAA just closed all offshore fishing in the Gulf from the east bank of the Mississippi River to Pensacola, Florida, idling tens of thousands of additional anglers.

So needless to say Intestate Commerce is affected.

THIS IS AN AREA where the Federal Government has a responsibility to come in.

Update- GREAT POST HERE AT LEGAL INSURRECTION "Limited Federal Government = No Government" (or something like that)