When it comes to anything relating to international relations and security, nobody can accuse the president of playing a game of Risk. That would take nuance. No, Mr. Bush is a simpler man -- a "decider"!

And he likes to play with his army men.

Anyone who knows anyone in the military, whatever his or her political views, knows that our armed forces are what you might call over-extended. We have soldiers and Marines, young and old, serving multiple tours of duty in Iraq. We have people long retired who've been called back to help the United States follow a foreign policy with no real plan, no sense of strategy, and certainly no intelligence (except for, of course, what they glean from tapping your phone).

Now President Bush is facing criticism from the xenophobic wing (or is it the core?) of the Republican Party regarding immigration policy.

So what is the president thinking of deciding to do?

Send in the National Guard.

One defense official said military leaders believe the number of troops required could range from 3,500 to 10,000, depending on the final plan. Another administration official cautioned that the 10,000 figure was too high.

The officials insisted on anonymity since no decision has been announced.

The president was expected to reveal his plans in an address Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. It will be the first time he has used the Oval Office for a domestic policy speech — a gesture intended to underscore the importance he places on the divisive immigration issue.

The key questions Friday were exactly how many National Guard troops might be deployed, for how long and at what cost to taxpayers — as well as the problem of possible disruption of upcoming deployments to Iraq and elsewhere overseas.

Welcome home, soldier! You survived Baghdad! Congratulations! Now get your butt into that Hummer and report for duty on the Mexican border! There are more brown people there to keep in line!

So is this really about national security? Not likely:

Southern lawmakers met with White House strategist Karl Rove earlier in the week for a discussion that included making greater use of National Guard troops to shore up border control.

Ah! The Architect is hard at work! No wonder the GOP is busy trying to whip up fear and anger. Funny that, in the name of defense and national security, they aren't talking about sending armies to the Canadian border, where terrorists have been crossing. I wonder why that is....

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