Swift Boat Vets to set record straight

I'd have to say that Bush's service record - or lack of one in this case - is fairly significant in relation to this debate and the election in general. For someone who avoided a war and any possibility of injury or death, this 'war president' was certainly quite willing to risk the lives of others with an unnecessary war in Iraq.

So since Republicans keep bringing up Kerry's perhaps dubious record, they also need to bring up Bush's cowardice and hypocrisy.

Fair is fair after all.

Raven

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Originally posted by Ravenstorm
For someone who avoided a war

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I was talking to my dad (who was 18 in 1970) about this. His sentiment: the idea that Bush somehow snuck into the National Guard because he was connected is hogwash. Bush's record once joining the Guard is spotty at best, but blaming him for his lack of combat service is inaccurate.

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Originally posted by Latrinsorm

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Originally posted by Ravenstorm
For someone who avoided a war

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I was talking to my dad (who was 18 in 1970) about this. His sentiment: the idea that Bush somehow snuck into the National Guard because he was connected is hogwash. Bush's record once joining the Guard is spotty at best, but blaming him for his lack of combat service is inaccurate.

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It's not hogwash, it was true. How do you think he got into the National guard? His stellar academics, or his high scores on his military tests?

-A

George W. Bush voluntarily joined the Texas Air National Guard. It wasn't preferential treatment, it wasn't his Father's influence. He volunteered. Since he was allready voluntarily part of the military, as an officer and pilot in the National Guard, he wasn't drafted into active duty service. The plane he flew was sent to Vietnam for a very short period of time, but it had a dismal record against the Soviet built migs. It was designed as a long range bomber escort, rather than a dogfighter ready to go head to head against nimble fighters.

George W. Bush was not AWOL, he did not Desert, and those who claim he did do so because they are ignorant of military law as it applies to the National Guard. If a guardmember misses drill for a month, or even three or four, as long as he has checked in with his commander, and at some point makes up the missing drill dates, there is no charge of AWOL, or Desertion. There is nothing illegal about it.

The records show that Mr. Bush earned sufficient drilling points to earn an honorable discharge. They also show he drilled two days in October 1972 and four days in November 1972 when he had transferred to the Alabama Guard unit.

That said, the reason why George Bush's lack of a war record is mostly irrelevant to me, is that he is not making it a center point of his campaign. He is not claiming to be a War Hero.

The fact that he joined the Air National Guard speaks for itself. Wuss.

How many National Guard members are forward deployed right now while you sit safe at home?

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Originally posted by Jack
stuff...

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Still, with all that said, I'd trust a man who was on the front lines, rather than a man with missing records, with being a more competent commader in chief.

This whole thread was over long ago for me. The fact that the man he helped, and his crew, all vouch for him, along with the Navy awarding him those medals, convinces me of the validity of his service.

John Kerry hasn't made his records available to the public. What makes you want to trust him then?

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=5761856

In May 1972, Bush moved to Alabama to work on a political campaign and, he has said, to perform his Guard service there for a year. But other Guard officers have said they have no recollection of ever seeing him there.

Bush was the son of a U.S. congressman at a time when National Guard service was seen as a way for the privileged to avoid being drafted for Vietnam War duty.

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Originally posted by Jack
John Kerry hasn't made his records available to the public. What makes you want to trust him then?

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He has. Look it up. I'm tired of this argument already.