Bush credited for Guard drills (Kapow!)

The Boston Globe ^ | 2/10/04 | Walter V. Robinson

[The G Man]

President Bush received credit for attending Air National Guard drills in the fall of 1972 and spring of 1973 -- a period when his commanders have said he did not appear for duty at bases in Montgomery, Ala., and Houston -- according to two new documents obtained by the Globe.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

What makes you think those 'documents' are real?

I've seen a DD-214 dummied up to look like an order transferring a young LT Bush to a 'penal company' in Colorado. Since DD-214s aren't used for PCS or movement orders, they are indeed fakes.

As are all those 'documents' you linked to. The 'rats have been pumping those things out by the truck load.

Try again.

[KQQL]

@

[AmishDude]

Why would the Dems spill this now? All it does is desensitize people to accusations against Bush. The "Bush lied" garbage will now get less traction, not more.

Yes, some people will have "heard" something about Bush going AWOL, but if that kind of thing would sway their vote, they'd make some effort to find out the truth.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

It says there are "questions" because it ignores things we already know. And it does so on purpose.

For example, saying you don't remember someone being in your high school is not the same as saying, "I know that he was never in my high school." They have taken part of what someone said and twisted it to suit their desired result.

And that is a prime example of why I hate these creeps.

[Hon]

"And that is a prime example of why I hate these creeps."

Here is another reason to hate them. They are liars.

Here is Walter "Mad Dog" Robinson's key paragraph in this story:

"The personnel records, covering Bush's Guard service between May 1972 and May 1973, constitute the first evidence that Bush appeared for any duty during the first 11 months of that 12-month period. Bush is recorded as having served the minimum number of days expected of Guard members in that 12 months of service time."

Here is the key paragraph from the George Magazine article from October 2001--three and a half years ago:

"Two documents obtained by Georgemag.com indicate that Bush did make up the time he missed during the summer and autumn of 1972. One is an April 23, 1973 order for Bush to report to annual active duty training the following month; the other is an Air National Guard statement of days served by Bush that is torn and undated but contains entries that correspond to the first. Taken together, they appear to establish that Bush reported for duty on nine occasions between November 29, 1972-when he could have been in Alabama-and May 24, 1973. Bush still wasn't flying, but over this span, he did earn nine points of National Guard service from days of active duty and 32 from inactive duty. When added to the 15 so-called "gratuitous" points that every member of the Guard got per year, Bush accumulated 56 points, more than the 50 that he needed by the end of May 1973 to maintain his standing as a Guardsman."

Everybody who has researched this story knows about the George Magazine piece. Robinson knew about it for three and a half years. George listed the documents they used.

Robinson is a Bush hater and a liar. He has been caught lying about this story (cf. Turnipseed) and he is trying to backfill before he goes the way of Jayson Blair.

Remember, he has already been found guilty of libel for making up stories about another Republican--a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. This is his standard pattern. He is not a journalist. (Not an honest one, anyway.)

[redhead]

"Notice how the media can dig at a story when they wish to. They've managed to demonstrate the president is honest and served honorably, yet still they insinuate there is something being hidden, something deceitful going on."

These guys are doing a great service to the President. Every time they pull out one of these question marks, they ride it and ride it until all the facts come out and they wind up not only shooting themselves in the feet but they indavertently wind up doing a lot of free PR work for him. I'm not surprised that he responds so seldom. They are performing a service for his cause.

[PISANO]

It is appalling to watch the GOP "RESPOND" to the LEFTISTS candidates and the Socialist media as "THEY" set the agenda and define the relavent issues. Sickening to watch!

[visualops]

ping for self

[Indie]

If this was true, why didn't it come out last election? This is pure Bravo Sierra.

[alnick]

Now that there appear to be actual days listed for GWB being at NG meetings in AL, it would be nice to have other NG members who were also present on those days come forward and verify attendance. Let's put this issue to bed - once and for all. Corroborating testimony is always good when driving home a point.

Let's see you produce testimony of people who remember where you were 30 years ago.

The issue has beenput to bed. The documentary evidence is more solid than relying on someone's memory of events from 30 years ago.

[Just mythoughts]

You did not have to be "rich" to get privileges to not go to Vietnam.

Look this "WAR" was run by people who were not about "WINNING". LBJohnson and liberals were in control and they could have cared less about "WINNING".

LBJohnson declared "WAR" on poverty of all things, and look what was actually destroyed so we could have poverty peace the liberal way.

Vietnam is still communist and there is more poverty than before LBJ. Poverty is not just about $$$$$$$$$$ look how depraved many in this nation are in all areas.

We have a sitting senator who would "VOTE" to send young men and women to WAR and then so he can further his presidential campaign, refuses to VOTE to FUND them after he sends them to WAR.

There is no way to describe such a person but "EVIL"!

[Vineyard]

How much military service do you have?

How much time in the reserves or National Guard?

If the answer to the above is zero, then you appear to be a carping dim-wit who ignores the facts that are present, to paint a picture of malfeasance, where the avaiable evidence points to the opposite conclusion!

Recently released records (probably recently found, too) show that GW Bush drilled 25 days (41 drill points) between Oct 72 and May 73, and 27 days (35 drill points) between May 73 and Jul 73. [A drill day can give 2 points, while an ADT day gives 1 point.] Now - as a pilot without a plane - every drill he does is of marginal benefit to the military. He isn't trained to fly other planes, he isn't trained to supervise maintenance on the planes ... so there is no NEED to have him show up and "mark time" and collect drill pay.

You also ignore the fact that the Reserves don't prevent members from relocating due to work requirements. Reservists have many different ways to satisfy their obligation, and they often move due to job changes, etc. Or do you believe the reservists become "chattel" or slaves, bound to the Military Plantation? Such is not the case. I have seen reservists who are allowed to drop out, and stop drilling, when they have work or family conflicts. They might get a general discharge under honorable conditions (i.e. - no benefits because they didn't satisfy their obligation, but no shame attached to their release.) If I recall, GW Bush got an honorable discharge, which is proof he satisfied his commitment.

And as my earlier post suggests, JUST AS THE MILITARY CAN DISCHARGE PILOTS (AND OTHERS) EARLY (THE RIF's) ... THE MILITARY ALSO WILL LET PEOPLE DROP OUT EARLY IF THE PERSON DOESN'T HAVE CRITICAL SKILLS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL (then the military will do a "stop-loss" to hold people in.)

In 1973, the Viet Nam war was essentially over (and we had won it until the Democrat Congress turned it into a defeat less than 2 years later!). The military was being down-sized. The military would be quite happy with reservists doing fewer paid drills (to save money). Only a few years later, reservists would be only paid for 24 drills in a year vs. 48 drills ... a big money saver!!

The missed flight physical was explained in my earlier post; repeating the groundless allegation is the typical Democrat policy of repeating a lie often enough, then enough stupid people will believe it, regardless of the facts!

Bush's record of service is far more distinguished than Clinton's!! Yet the same critics of Bush are silent about how a draft-dodging liar became president. Clinton signed up for a ROTC program to get his draft notice cancelled, then he didn't satisfy his ROTC commitment, and went to Britain for a Rhodes scholarship program (which he didn't complete because he was spending so much time with anti-war activities!!) Yet the people who felt Clinton was qualified for President now question GW Bush's record. AND I question those people's integrity.

Mike

[mtbopfuyn]

In any event, he has spent the most recent 3+ years in the military as Commander in Chief.

Excellent point!

[cyncooper]

Anybody watching the press briefing with McClellan?

These reporters are all Major League Clymers.

[hirn_man]

It won't be enough.

Next they will want video footage of him serving his duty.

If that somehow gets produced, they will demand a time machine so they can go back and see for themselves.

[EllaMinnow]

And David Gregory (D-NBC) is being the worst of all.

[cyncooper]

Press briefing going on now.

John Roberts from CBS YELLS at McClellan, demanding to know where Bush was during other months not noted in the newly produced records.

Next, the reporters are all demanding that actual people be produced by the WH who served with him.

McClellan points out that in the recent interview the question about records was asked and were produced, not the people question. He told them they are all welcome to seek out these people.

One reporter pointed to Kerry having his "Band of brothers" (yes, the reporter used the term) who are giving testimonials and where are Bush's comrades.

McClellan saying over and over these documents show the president fulfilled his duties.

Terry Moran says there's a discrepancy and he reads off the quote of "not observed" when there's a note of service.

[EllaMinnow]

Spoke too soon. Now it's Moran (D-ABC) being clymery.

[cyncooper]

You called it. You've got to see this feeding frenzy and these jerks have totally now changed the criteria they are demanding.

McClellan points this out and also says the issue was raised by dems who have made outrageous allegations.

He points out to Moran again that they are changing what they asked for.