Go read the comments at this tedious TalkLeft post. Bush fulfilled his duty, and did, from what I can tell, as little as he had to to get out when the war was essentially over. He never went awol, he did not warrant a dishonorable discharge (then or now), and is exactly like millions of other people and thuosands of other pilots at the time.
Likewise, I have no doubt that some strings may have been pulled to get himn to become as pilot, but I don’t think Bush was behind that. Christ- I was a waiter in an expensive restaurant. No one told us to take extra special care of the children of our wealthy and connected patrons, but we did. Should I hold that against Bush or those children? Only an idiot would say yes.
Bush did what he had to, including several years of very honorable and rigorous training. When it was clear the war was done, he moved on. Why can’t the Democrats?
And while we are at it, when is Kerry going to sign Form 180 to release all his information? Bush did, and the only thing that has resulted is that every day more documents proving he fulfilled his committments appear.
It actually stuns me that the Democrats are so inept that this is what they think is going to win the election for them. I guess one refreshing aspect of our odious election process is that such incompetence will never be rewarded with an electoral victory. Our system may be too long, too expensive, and stink, but it weeds out the losers.
BigFire
One thing that people have speculated is that Bush join the TANG because it’s the shortest and the easiest route to flying a jet. Trying to get comission to fly the jet for Air Force is a whole ‘nother level of strings to pull.
Clang
“No one told us to take extra special care of the children of our wealthy and connected patrons, but we did.”
Somebody had to tell Barnes, though, right? I guess in your scenario that Bush family friend is analogous to you, the waiter.
Ivor the Engine driver
Uh, your link doesn’t prove Dubya fulfilled his requirement. I think you suffered a Glenn Renolds moment. Was it by choice?
capt joe
Ah, Ivor drives the short bus
Ivor the Engine Driver
Capt. Joe,
I’m knew to your universe, so perhaps can you explain something for me: how does reading and signing a document in 1968 prove in any way that the signer fulfilled the requirements of said document?
Ivor the Engine Driver
The founder of the group Texans for Truth said Tuesday that he is offering $50,000 to anyone who can prove President Bush fulfilled his service requirements, including required duties and drills, in the Alabama Air National Guard in 1972.
There you go, boys. Easy money.
Mikey
Ivor:
Pres. Bush has an Honorable Discharge. You just don’t get those from the Cracker Jack box, you know.
Ivor the Engine Driver
Mikey,
Those aren’t hard to get. John Muhammad has one, too. You remember him: the DC sniper. He pulled the pin on a life grenade during the Gulf War — in his tent. He was also discplined twice while in the Guard.
Sandi
I would think anyone else’s honorable discharge might seem a lot less valuable, if this loser can get one. I had speeding tickets get me in more trouble than this guys Military crimes.
Then there is Kurt Hickman of Granville, Ohio who got a $100 fine, a bad-conduct discharge for refusing to submit to an anthrax vaccination, while at least four others that refused were not disciplined. Link
S.W. Anderson
“It actually stuns me that the Democrats are so inept that this is what they think is going to win the election for them.”
Some of us feel exactly the same way about Republicans and their Swiftboat veterans’ smear job against Kerry.
“I guess one refreshing aspect of our odious election process is that such incompetence will never be rewarded with an electoral victory. Our system may be too long, too expensive, and stink, but it weeds out the losers.”
As when Richard Nixon, a liar, a criminal and the only president to resign in disgrace, got weeded out by the electoral process? Your comment joins many current indications that those who are ignorant of history’s mistakes are still doomed to repeat them.
As I just got through pointing out in a post, voters chose to ignore years’ worth of serious warning signs about Nixon’s dark side when they elected him in 1968 and re-elected him in 1972. Today, in similar fashion, a whole lot of voters appear willing to ignore not only Bush’s incompetence but his highly elastic ethics and outright dishonesty.
I would say the electoral system had failed again with Bush, except that he didn’t exactly win the office that way, relying on fast-talking lawyers and some kindly disposed judges instead.
Justin O.
So noone was brown-nosing for Bushie?