http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/05/28_Scrubbed.html

A BuzzFlash News Analysis

Were George W. Bush's National Guard Records Scrubbed?

BUZZFLASH EXCLUSIVE: After Memorial Day, It's Time To Ask, Once Again,
About Bush's National Guard Record and Why He Ran Away From Service in
Vietnam -- Oh, By The Way, Guess Who is Running the Air National Guard
Now?

May 28, 2002

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

Pausing to Reflect After Memorial Day: Were George W. Bush's National
Guard Records Scrubbed? Bill Burkett Should Know. The Nation Deserves
the Truth.

(See http://199.96.2.183/contributors/2002/05/24_supreme.html to
understand the context of this letter to BuzzFlash.com from Bill
Burkett. It is also recommended that you read these two important
postings from the Democrats.com archives:
http://www.democrats.com/display.cfm?id=171 and
http://www.democrats.com/display.cfm?id=154)

Additional BuzzFlash Note:

Major General Daniel James was head of the Texas National Guard at the
time of the alleged scrubbing of George W. Bush's National Guard
records.

He was appointed by George W. Bush to be commander of the nation's Air
National Guard -- and was confirmed by the Senate last week.

A Letter to BuzzFlash.com from Bill Burkett, formerly of the Texas
National Guard:

* * *

In regards to the BuzzFlash contibutor piece, "SUPREME IRONY"
(http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/2002/05/24_Supreme.html)

This BuzzFlash reader gets it closer to right than anyone has since
1998 when I broke the Bush AWOL story as a whistleblower.

I hope that more information will be coming soon as a few journalists
are now asking questions that should have been asked in 1998.

But now let me continue the irony one more level and this-like the
9/11 briefings to Bush - is well known fact.

When Walter Robinson of the Boston Globe broke the story about the gap
in the service record, dozens of Texas National Guardsmen broke ranks
and reported information to the Austin American Statesman giving more
details.

The information to ***** Stanley never saw the light of day.

An Associated Press writer had a story until she talked with Karen
Hughes and the story died.

I was outside the Adjutant general of Texas office when I overheard a
call from Joe Allbaugh and Dan Bartlett that told General James to
"make sure there is nothing embarrassing in the Governor's file" in
preparation for his reelection run and a run for the presidency.

I was present when James and Asst AG General Marty told a state
services employee to do the same.

I was there when the retained records person surrendered files under
order of COL William Goodwin, Chief of Staff, for the scrub of the
Governor's files.

Even with all of these first hand accounts, no one dared to ask
questions after they talked with Bartlett, Hughes, Rove or Allbaugh.

Why?

James further shielded official public files from the press and
otherwise ran interference for Bush, Hughes, Bartlett and Rove during
the campaign --"obstructing" the judicial and public review of this
record.

Last December 1, 2001, Bush nominated James to be the Director of the
Air National Guard of the United States.

As Director of the Air National Guard of the US, James will be
responsible for the direct control of all airspace over the
Continental United States and will be the first responsible Officer
for managing the network which scrambles fighters in air hijacking or
hostage situations.

By Standard operating Procedure (SOP) a certain number of jets are on
tactical alert at all times.

This means that aircraft are airborne within ten minutes of a scramble
for interception.

Did anyone notice that it took up to ninety minutes to scramble
National Guard intercept aircraft in this hijacking situation?

Unheard of - especially since they were warned.

I submitted official challenge, as did other former national guard
officers, to the appointment of James.

In Texas, James is still the defendant within civil courts for
anti-Semitic actions, retaliation and gender discrimination.

USA Today in December alleged that James falsified federal personnel
and readiness documents in a scam to obtain an additional $20 million
dollars per year in funding for the Guard.

When I was interviewed, it was immediately obvious by the numbers of
lawyers that they had in the room and the fact that I was neither
allowed legal counsel, nor a transcription of the interview, that the
effort was to clear James rather than to investigate the allegations
for cause.

So The Democrats of the US Senate allowed a parliamentary move by
Senator Trent Lott and James' nomination was taken directly to the
floor of the Senate without an Armed Services Committee hearing and
approved on a voice vote.

That happened just last week.

Quid Pro Quo?

Yes, there are many dots to connect.

This BuzzFlash reader was more willing to connect them than anyone
prior, but still ran slightly short.

Bill L. Burkett
LTC, Ret
US Army

* * *

Background on Bill Burkett:

1. Civilian. Born and reared in New Mexico. President of Associated
Students of Eastern New Mexico University. First student member of the
University board of Regents. Received Governor's Citation for Courage
following role, among many, to quell student riots on Campus.
Decorated as Outstanding Department of Commerce employee with Economic
Development Administration. Member of Presidential commission on
alternative fuels technology President, CO-owner of FMS Consulting.

2. Military. Enlisted and Officer from Officer Candidates School
(OCS). Primary military specialty in junior grades as Air Defense
Officer. Primary Specialty in Senior Grades as Plans Operations and
Intelligence Senior Officer. Volunteered during Desert Storm and was
delegated to serve as OIC among many training detachments which
completed Corps level computer war games with all soldiers deploying
out of Ft. Hood, Texas. Worked as State Plans Officer and was called
to active duty service under General James and Governor Bush to
develop a "work out strategic plan" for the Texas National Guard
beginning in June 1996. At time of incidents, served as full-time
plans officer and direct advisor to James.

Also see, from the archives:
http://www.awolbush.com/

______________________________________________________

Harry

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/05/28_Scrubbed.html

A BuzzFlash News Analysis

Were George W. Bush's National Guard Records Scrubbed?

BUZZFLASH EXCLUSIVE: After Memorial Day, It's Time To Ask, Once Again,
About Bush's National Guard Record and Why He Ran Away From Service in
Vietnam -- Oh, By The Way, Guess Who is Running the Air National Guard
Now?

May 28, 2002

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

Pausing to Reflect After Memorial Day: Were George W. Bush's National
Guard Records Scrubbed? Bill Burkett Should Know. The Nation Deserves
the Truth.

(See http://199.96.2.183/contributors/2002/05/24_supreme.html to
understand the context of this letter to BuzzFlash.com from Bill
Burkett. It is also recommended that you read these two important
postings from the Democrats.com archives:
http://www.democrats.com/display.cfm?id=171 and
http://www.democrats.com/display.cfm?id=154)

Additional BuzzFlash Note:

Major General Daniel James was head of the Texas National Guard at the
time of the alleged scrubbing of George W. Bush's National Guard
records.

He was appointed by George W. Bush to be commander of the nation's Air
National Guard -- and was confirmed by the Senate last week.

A Letter to BuzzFlash.com from Bill Burkett, formerly of the Texas
National Guard:

* * *

In regards to the BuzzFlash contibutor piece, "SUPREME IRONY"
(http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/2002/05/24_Supreme.html)

This BuzzFlash reader gets it closer to right than anyone has since
1998 when I broke the Bush AWOL story as a whistleblower.

I hope that more information will be coming soon as a few journalists
are now asking questions that should have been asked in 1998.

But now let me continue the irony one more level and this-like the
9/11 briefings to Bush - is well known fact.

When Walter Robinson of the Boston Globe broke the story about the gap
in the service record, dozens of Texas National Guardsmen broke ranks
and reported information to the Austin American Statesman giving more
details.

The information to ***** Stanley never saw the light of day.

An Associated Press writer had a story until she talked with Karen
Hughes and the story died.

I was outside the Adjutant general of Texas office when I overheard a
call from Joe Allbaugh and Dan Bartlett that told General James to
"make sure there is nothing embarrassing in the Governor's file" in
preparation for his reelection run and a run for the presidency.

I was present when James and Asst AG General Marty told a state
services employee to do the same.

I was there when the retained records person surrendered files under
order of COL William Goodwin, Chief of Staff, for the scrub of the
Governor's files.

Even with all of these first hand accounts, no one dared to ask
questions after they talked with Bartlett, Hughes, Rove or Allbaugh.

Why?

James further shielded official public files from the press and
otherwise ran interference for Bush, Hughes, Bartlett and Rove during
the campaign --"obstructing" the judicial and public review of this
record.

Last December 1, 2001, Bush nominated James to be the Director of the
Air National Guard of the United States.

As Director of the Air National Guard of the US, James will be
responsible for the direct control of all airspace over the
Continental United States and will be the first responsible Officer
for managing the network which scrambles fighters in air hijacking or
hostage situations.

By Standard operating Procedure (SOP) a certain number of jets are on
tactical alert at all times.

This means that aircraft are airborne within ten minutes of a scramble
for interception.

Did anyone notice that it took up to ninety minutes to scramble
National Guard intercept aircraft in this hijacking situation?

Unheard of - especially since they were warned.

I submitted official challenge, as did other former national guard
officers, to the appointment of James.

In Texas, James is still the defendant within civil courts for
anti-Semitic actions, retaliation and gender discrimination.

USA Today in December alleged that James falsified federal personnel
and readiness documents in a scam to obtain an additional $20 million
dollars per year in funding for the Guard.

When I was interviewed, it was immediately obvious by the numbers of
lawyers that they had in the room and the fact that I was neither
allowed legal counsel, nor a transcription of the interview, that the
effort was to clear James rather than to investigate the allegations
for cause.

So The Democrats of the US Senate allowed a parliamentary move by
Senator Trent Lott and James' nomination was taken directly to the
floor of the Senate without an Armed Services Committee hearing and
approved on a voice vote.

That happened just last week.

Quid Pro Quo?

Yes, there are many dots to connect.

This BuzzFlash reader was more willing to connect them than anyone
prior, but still ran slightly short.

Bill L. Burkett
LTC, Ret
US Army

* * *

Background on Bill Burkett:

1. Civilian. Born and reared in New Mexico. President of Associated
Students of Eastern New Mexico University. First student member of the
University board of Regents. Received Governor's Citation for Courage
following role, among many, to quell student riots on Campus.
Decorated as Outstanding Department of Commerce employee with Economic
Development Administration. Member of Presidential commission on
alternative fuels technology President, CO-owner of FMS Consulting.

2. Military. Enlisted and Officer from Officer Candidates School
(OCS). Primary military specialty in junior grades as Air Defense
Officer. Primary Specialty in Senior Grades as Plans Operations and
Intelligence Senior Officer. Volunteered during Desert Storm and was
delegated to serve as OIC among many training detachments which
completed Corps level computer war games with all soldiers deploying
out of Ft. Hood, Texas. Worked as State Plans Officer and was called
to active duty service under General James and Governor Bush to
develop a "work out strategic plan" for the Texas National Guard
beginning in June 1996. At time of incidents, served as full-time
plans officer and direct advisor to James.

Also see, from the archives:
http://www.awolbush.com/

______________________________________________________

Harry