| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
14 Sep 2004 06:45:28 AM |
| Object: |
W. Overstated His Military Record |
When AP asked Bush if he had been justified in claiming service in the
Air Force, Bush, then the governor of Texas and a presidential
candidate, said, "I think so, yes. I was in the Air Force for over 600
days."
Karen Hughes, his spokeswoman, maintained that when Bush attended
flight school for the Air National Guard from 1968 to 1969 he was
considered to be on active duty for the Air Force and that several
times afterward he had been placed on alert, which also qualified as
active duty for the Air Force.
All told, she said, Bush had logged 607 days of training and alerts.
"As an officer [in the Air National Guard]," she told the AP, "he was
serving on active duty in the Air Force."
But this explanation was wrong.
Says who?
The Air Force.
As the Associated Press reported,
"The Air Force says that Air National Guard members are considered
'guardsmen on active duty' while receiving pilot training. They are
not, however, counted as members of the overall active-duty Air Force.
Anyone in the Air National Guard is always considered a guardsmen and
not a member of the active-duty Air Force, according to an Air Force
spokeswoman in the Pentagon. A National Guard member may be called to
active duty for pilot training or another temporary assignment and
receive active-duty pay at the time, but they remain Guard members."
http://www.thenation.com/capitalgames/index.mhtml?bid=3&pid=1704
By David Corn
W. Overstated His Military Record
Back then Bush was disingenuous about his Guard service. In his
campaign autobiography, he wrote that he had completed his pilot
training in 1970 while assigned to an air base in Houston and
"continued flying with my unit for the next several years."
But as the Boston Globe revealed, he stopped flying during his final
18 months of service in 1972 and 1973.
Bush had been grounded after failing to take a flight exam, and had
won permission to train with a unit in Alabama where he did no flying.
There are no records proving he showed up for duty in Alabama, but
Bush has insisted he did.
Putting aside the controversy over Bush's Air National Guard service
(or dereliction of duty), there was another instance when Bush clearly
did not speak truthfully about his military record.
In 1978, Bush, while running for Congress in West Texas, produced
campaign literature that claimed he had served in the US Air Force.
According to a 1999 Associated Press report, Bush's congressional
campaign ran a pullout ad in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that
declared he had served "in the US Air Force and the Texas Air National
Guard where he piloted the F-102 aircraft."
Bush lost that congressional race, but twenty-one years later, the AP
questioned him about the ad.
The news outlet had a good reason to do so.
Bush had never served in the Air Force.
He had only been in the Air National Guard.
But when AP asked Bush if he had been justified in claiming service in
the Air Force, Bush, then the governor of Texas and a presidential
candidate, said, "I think so, yes. I was in the Air Force for over 600
days."
Karen Hughes, his spokeswoman, maintained that when Bush attended
flight school for the Air National Guard from 1968 to 1969 he was
considered to be on active duty for the Air Force and that several
times afterward he had been placed on alert, which also qualified as
active duty for the Air Force.
All told, she said, Bush had logged 607 days of training and alerts.
"As an officer [in the Air National Guard]," she told the AP, "he was
serving on active duty in the Air Force."
But this explanation was wrong.
Says who?
The Air Force.
As the Associated Press reported,
"The Air Force says that Air National Guard members are considered
'guardsmen on active duty' while receiving pilot training. They are
not, however, counted as members of the overall active-duty Air Force.
Anyone in the Air National Guard is always considered a guardsmen and
not a member of the active-duty Air Force, according to an Air Force
spokeswoman in the Pentagon. A National Guard member may be called to
active duty for pilot training or another temporary assignment and
receive active-duty pay at the time, but they remain Guard members."
The AP report said, "It may be a question of semantics."
But today I checked with two spokespersons for the US Air Force, and
each confirmed that an active-duty member of the Air National Guard is
not considered a member of the US Air Force.
"If a member of the Air National Guard is in pilot training," says
Captain Cristin Lesperance of the US Air Force media relations office,
"they would remain on the Guard books. They would be counted as Guard,
not as an active-duty Air Force member."
So where was all the hollering about Bush's exaggeration of his
military service?
True, Bush was hyping his military record way back in 1978.
But he repeated and defended the misrepresentation in 1999 while
campaigning for the White House.
And, no doubt, Kerry's critics would consider any remark Kerry made
twenty-six years ago fair game.
Admiral Roy Hoffman, a founder of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth,
recently said that his group is not politically motivated:
"It would make no difference if John Kerry were a Republican, Democrat
or an Independent, Swift Boat veterans would still be speaking the
truth concerning John Kerry's military service record."
But are any of Kerry's accusers willing to criticize Bush for falsely
representing his service?
Kerry, who volunteered to go to Vietnam and won five medals, has made
his Vietnam service a central element of his campaign for the
presidency.
So there is nothing improper about examining his account of his
Vietnam days, as long as such scrutiny is done in an honest and
accurate fashion.
But Bush overstated his own military record (which involved no combat,
no derring-do, no wounds, and no enemy fire) for political purposes,
and when he was caught doing so he stuck to a phony story.
Yet no firestorm ensued.
Will Republican funders now underwrite a group called Air Force
Veterans for Truth that will demand that Bush withdraw his claim of
membership in the Air Force?
Don't expect such a shot soon.
______________________________________________________
Hey look, Bush hasn't got anything to be proud of so he's gotta build
himself up a little. So the kid lied. What's new?
Harry
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| User: "Hanoi John" |
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| Title: Re: W. Overstated His Military Record |
14 Sep 2004 11:44:43 AM |
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Bush was and here is a USAF/TexANG document with GWya's name on it.
So it's true.
For 600 days under Special Order 256M GWya flew with the USAF... USAF does
stand for United States Air Force doesn't it?
http://www.rhyner.com/PresidentBush/2-Discharge_0003.JPG
Another rat lie. Read what GWya's SUPERIOR OFFICERS said and wrote about
his performance as a fighter intercept pilot. It sounds like they
disagree when they use words like " young extremely qualified officer and
pilot."
Page 3
VII COMMENTS
FACTS AND SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Lt. Bush is an exceptionally fine
young officer and pilot. After completing F102 all weather interceptor
school in November 1969, he came to this unit as a highly qualified
fighter intercept pilot. - William D. Harris Jr., Major 111th Ftr Itrcp,
May 26, 1971
Page 6
IX REVIEW BY ENDORCING OFFICIAL
"I concur with the comments and ratings of the reporting official" -
JERRY A. KILLIAN, Lt. Col. 111th Ftr Intcp Sq
OTHER COMMENTS:
His skills as an intercept pilot enabled him to complete all his ANG
intercept missions... Lt Bush is presently enrolled in Squadron
Officer's School... Lt Bush is very active in civic affairs....
Page 7
ADDITIONAL INDORSEMENT
I concur with the ratings of the reporting and indorsing officials.
Lieutenant Bush is an exceptionally fine young pilot and officer and is
a credit to his unit. I have personally observed his participation, and
without exception, his preformance has been noteworthy." - BOBBY HODGES,
147th Ftr. Gp. Commander, 26 May 1972
Page 13
COMMENTS
Lt. Bush has not been observed at this unit during the period of
Report. A civillian occupation made it necessary for him to move to
Montgomery, Alabama. He cleared this base on 15 May 1972 and has been
preforming equivalent training in a non flying ststus with the 187th Tac
Recon Gp, Dannelly ANG Base, Alabama - WILLIAM D. HARRIS Jr., Lt Colonel
FG, 111th FIS TexANG, Command Pilot
"I concur with the comments of the reporting official." - JERRY B.
KILLIAN, Lt Colonel FG, 111th FIS TexANG, Squadron Commander 2 May 1973
.
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| User: "quibbler" |
|
| Title: Re: W. Overstated His Military Record |
14 Sep 2004 07:30:50 AM |
|
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In article <1emdk0pf5o3a9rop9vprmpkclp1chglunv@4ax.com>,
rivrvu@ix.netcom.com says...
When AP asked Bush if he had been justified in claiming service in the
Air Force, Bush, then the governor of Texas and a presidential
candidate, said, "I think so, yes. I was in the Air Force for over 600
days."
Chimp boy knew he was lying. But he also knew that most people serve in
the real military first, before they become guardsmen. He didn't want
to admit the inconvenient fact that he went straight into the national
guard without ever having been in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines.
That's 'cause there was a war on and his dumb ***** had a target the size
of Crawford painted on it. If he risked joining the real Air Force he
could end up having to fly over vietnam and then have to bail out and
kill his crew, just like his dad did.
It is amazing that the press and rightards can crucify Kerry over his
probably accurate statements about Christmas in Cambodia, but they don't
care that Bush lied about being in the Airforce and lied about the
number of hours he logged. That doesn't even include his lies about
completing his service and his machinations to purge his record of all
kinds of inconvenient facts.
--
Quibbler (quibbler247atyahoo.com)
"It is fashionable to wax apocalyptic about the
threat to humanity posed by the AIDS virus, 'mad cow'
disease, and many others, but I think a case can be
made that faith is one of the world's great evils,
comparable to the smallpox virus but harder to
eradicate." -- Richard Dawkins
.
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| User: "Hanoi John" |
|
| Title: Re: W. Overstated His Military Record |
14 Sep 2004 11:46:04 AM |
|
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Bush was and here is a USAF/TexANG document with GWya's name on it.
So it's true.
For 600 days under Special Order 256M GWya flew with the USAF... USAF does
stand for United States Air Force doesn't it?
http://www.rhyner.com/PresidentBush/2-Discharge_0003.JPG
Another rat lie. Read what GWya's SUPERIOR OFFICERS said and wrote about
his performance as a fighter intercept pilot. It sounds like they disagree
when they use words like " young extremely qualified officer and pilot."
Page 3
VII COMMENTS
FACTS AND SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Lt. Bush is an exceptionally fine
young officer and pilot. After completing F102 all weather interceptor
school in November 1969, he came to this unit as a highly qualified
fighter intercept pilot. - William D. Harris Jr., Major 111th Ftr Itrcp,
May 26, 1971
Page 6
IX REVIEW BY ENDORCING OFFICIAL
"I concur with the comments and ratings of the reporting official" -
JERRY A. KILLIAN, Lt. Col. 111th Ftr Intcp Sq
OTHER COMMENTS:
His skills as an intercept pilot enabled him to complete all his ANG
intercept missions... Lt Bush is presently enrolled in Squadron
Officer's School... Lt Bush is very active in civic affairs....
Page 7
ADDITIONAL INDORSEMENT
I concur with the ratings of the reporting and indorsing officials.
Lieutenant Bush is an exceptionally fine young pilot and officer and is
a credit to his unit. I have personally observed his participation, and
without exception, his preformance has been noteworthy." - BOBBY HODGES,
147th Ftr. Gp. Commander, 26 May 1972
Page 13
COMMENTS
Lt. Bush has not been observed at this unit during the period of
Report. A civillian occupation made it necessary for him to move to
Montgomery, Alabama. He cleared this base on 15 May 1972 and has been
preforming equivalent training in a non flying ststus with the 187th Tac
Recon Gp, Dannelly ANG Base, Alabama - WILLIAM D. HARRIS Jr., Lt Colonel
FG, 111th FIS TexANG, Command Pilot
"I concur with the comments of the reporting official." - JERRY B.
KILLIAN, Lt Colonel FG, 111th FIS TexANG, Squadron Commander 2 May 1973
quibbler wrote:
In article <1emdk0pf5o3a9rop9vprmpkclp1chglunv@4ax.com>,
rivrvu@ix.netcom.com says...
When AP asked Bush if he had been justified in claiming service in the
Air Force, Bush, then the governor of Texas and a presidential
candidate, said, "I think so, yes. I was in the Air Force for over 600
days."
Chimp boy knew he was lying. But he also knew that most people serve in
the real military first, before they become guardsmen. He didn't want
to admit the inconvenient fact that he went straight into the national
guard without ever having been in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines.
That's 'cause there was a war on and his dumb ***** had a target the size
of Crawford painted on it. If he risked joining the real Air Force he
could end up having to fly over vietnam and then have to bail out and
kill his crew, just like his dad did.
It is amazing that the press and rightards can crucify Kerry over his
probably accurate statements about Christmas in Cambodia, but they don't
care that Bush lied about being in the Airforce and lied about the
number of hours he logged. That doesn't even include his lies about
completing his service and his machinations to purge his record of all
kinds of inconvenient facts.
--
Quibbler (quibbler247atyahoo.com)
"It is fashionable to wax apocalyptic about the
threat to humanity posed by the AIDS virus, 'mad cow'
disease, and many others, but I think a case can be
made that faith is one of the world's great evils,
comparable to the smallpox virus but harder to
eradicate." -- Richard Dawkins
--
I'm NOT John Kerry and I approve of this message.
Communist Vietnamese honor John Kerry, the war protester,
as a hero in their victory over the United States.
communistsforkerry.com/pictures/cdw0423_1.jpg
communistsforkerry.com/pictures/cdw0424_1.jpg
communistsforkerry.com/pictures/cdw0616_1.jpg
611.mystarband.net/images/VVAW06.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/pic052k.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/pic049k.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/pic016k.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/B01.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/kerry_doi.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/A03.jpg
ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/A06.jpg
www.1stcavmedic.com/Jane_Fonda/Jane_admiration2-small.jpg
www.1stcavmedic.com/Jane_Fonda/Jane_gun.jpg
www.1stcavmedic.com/Jane_Fonda/Jangun4.jpg
www.1stcavmedic.com/Jane_Fonda/Jane-color.jpg
images.washtimes.com/photos/web/20040210-052011-3111.jpg
www.newsmax.com/images/headlines/Fonda_Kerry_arrow.jpg
www.rhyner.com/realclips/Hanoi_Kerry_and_Crew.WMV
(5 Meg download of Video of the Kerry Medal Toss)
Jane Fonda tells the student audience at the Michigan State
University in 1969; "I would think that if you understood what
communism was, you would hope, you would pray on your knees,
that we would someday become communist."
www.moorej.org/jane/
John and Jane forever...
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