Parallels Drawn Between CBS Memos, Texan's Postings

Washington Post ^ | 09/17/2004 | Michael Dobbs

[jhouston]

The former Texas National Guard officer suspected of providing CBS News with possibly forged records on President Bush's military service called on Democratic activists to wage "war" against Republican "dirty tricks" in a series of Internet postings in which he also used phrases similar to several employed in the disputed documents. Retired Lt. Col. Bill Burkett, who earlier said he overheard Bush aides conspiring with the commander of the Texas National Guard to "sanitize" the president's military records, has refused to comment on reports that he could be CBS's confidential source. In e-mails yesterday to The Washington Post, he said he would speak out "at the appropriate time" but "that time is not now."

[shrinkermd]

Good post. Thanks. I wish the WAPO would note that the President has signed his form 180 and he is not the problem with the records. The problem getting all of the President's military records are that it is 30+ years ago and most likely the records are scattered here and there.

Further, would it be too much to ask that WAPO and the MSM note that Senator Kerry has not signed his form 180? This is the reason he still has hundreds of pages in his military files no one has seen. Actually, if Senator Kerry signed Form 180 he would put the Swifties out of business since the factual matter debate would soon resolve itself.

Finally, speaking as a physician I am absolutely shocked that Senator Kerry has not released his recent medical records. Remember, this man was treated for carcinoma of the prostate only about 18 months ago. Bob Dole's ca of the prostate was resolved by a radical prostatectomy about 5 years before he was a candidate for President. I note that Senator Kerry has been apparently dehydrated at times, is reported to be taking nutritional supplements to keep his weight up and surely looks flat and tired. Most likely, some of this is due to his flying so much since this can cause both pedal edema and dehydration.

When you add all the mysteries up including we really don't know about his financial status since unlike previous candidates he has not released his and Thresa's recent tax returns we really don't know much about the man. Truly shocking is that the MSM has not followed and demanded these records and findings.

It is impossible to be objective but it is possible to be fair. I appreciate the WAPO making the connection with the Kerry campaign. IMHO, Burkett is a troubled and troubling person who is probably doing better than some months ago.

[Rocko]

Fascinating.

[Pajama Blogger Reader]

Anybody know the links to the Yahoo groups for Burketts postings? I'd like to read them.

[jmstein7]

Curious.

[hole_n_one]

*

[nopardons]

This is NOT going to go away. LOL

[Redcoat LI]

"He said he had passed his ideas to the Democratic National Committee but that the DNC seemed "afraid to do what I suggest."

So they passed it onto C.B.S.

[ambrose]

Kerry has been accusing Bush of "sugar coating" the Iraq situation - that term was used in the memo...

[Jim Robinson]

"Cleland confirmed that he had a two- or three-minute conversation by cell phone with a Texan named Burkett in mid-August while he was on a car ride."

Hmmmm... wonder if this was during the car ride to Crawford when the dirty trickster went to beg the president to call off the Swift Vet boys?

[TommyDale]

I think a more realistic explanation would be "Mary Mapes has been trying for four or five years to come up with a way to make this a story."

It has already been reported that the Kerry Campaign and/or the DNC had these documents 6 weeks ago. I suspect they "used" Burkett since everyone accepts the fact that he is an official nut case, and planted them with him. He then worked with Democratic operatives in Texas and sent the documents from the very same Kinko's that Dan Rather's daughter attended political meetings with her organization.

[crazyhorse691]

Burkett has been spilling his guts to anybody who would listen(google him). Its become a crusade for him to bring down Bush. He of course would be implicated if those documents that were shredded were to suddenly turn up. I think he is the poor schnook that has been offered up by the Rats. His psychological health is so deteriorated that he would not be a viable witness against others involved. I do not think he did the forgeries, but, he knows.

[bayourod]

dinner = diner

[finnman69]

bottle of wine and my already horrible typing gets...well..interesting...

but you are right...pussying and the WAPO.....

[finnman69]

sheesh, Burkett clearly released this forged garbage.

[RatherBiased.com]

Bill Burkett's messages are archived online.

Here's the link to look through them:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas-Democrats/messagesearch?query=burkett

[6SJ7]

pussuing (v.): To investigate or follow up, but in a lackadaisical or unenthusiastic manner. See, pussyfoot.

[MissAmericanPie]

Who ever turned the documents over to CBS is a criminal, and broke about ten Texas laws. I don't think protecting "confidential sources" covers harboring criminals. CBS needs to turn him/her over to the proper authorities.

[tiki]

I got my Dim email from Tory Vallely today instead of Mary Beth. Maybe she isn't feeling very well today.

[YaYa123]

"Cleland confirmed that he had a two- or three-minute conversation by cell phone with a Texan named Burkett in mid-August while he was on a car ride."

Not just any Texan named Burkett knows Cleland's cell phone number.

[rolling_stone]

Very interesting, looks like some investigation being done by MSM. Kudos to Mr. Dobbs.

If it traces back to Burkett and or DNC Rather would be even more discredited than he is now. He has to keep the source confidential or face total ridicule. IMO Like Clinton the best thing to do is tell the truth and plead for mercy.

Question remains, did he supply the information to the Dems or did he supply the actual docs? Kinkos points to him supplying the docs. Rather's unvetted description of the source points to Burkett. Funny if Burkett supplied the docs why he waited until now to do so.why not in 2000? I can't wait to hear that whopper of an explanation.

I find it hard to believe the staff at CBS didn' google the source..they are acting like a prosecutor not wanting to find anything that didn't support their case so they didn't ask questions.

I watched the video of Rather being interviewed where he repeatedly said the story was true. He also said something about waiting years to get the info and then it came. Unbelievable,not to question the timing. He has lost what little sense he had.