Ex-RoNiN 0 Posted February 10, 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3477833.stm Quote[/b] ]The records show that Mr Bush received credit for nine days of active duty between May 1972 and May 1973. Wow, the dedication is awesome He was National Guard, comparable to the Territorial Army. 9 days in an entire year - amazing. Now listen to this: Quote[/b] ]In an NBC interview on Sunday Mr Bush said he had not volunteered to go to Vietnam, calling the war a "political war". But he said he had backed the government and would have gone if his unit was called up. "I put in my time, proudly so," he said. I am not going to Vietnam - it is a political war. Oh, but I support it. If you want me to go, I will go. Ahem, make your mind up pal You know, he thinks he is so full of himself with his 9 days on active duty, I think whatever he did pales in comparison with the achievements of John Kerry, who was as privilidged as Bush and didn't have to go to Vietnam - only Kerry went voluntarily to the 'Nam as an Infantry soldier, I even saw some videoclips of him in 'Nam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drow 0 Posted February 10, 2004 fuck bush... who cares... hes going to be remembered as the fool president. edit - who tainted the US's history forever i might add... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harnu 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Any links to what Kerry did in 'Nam? I'm curious to see what he was part of and what he did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 10, 2004 Although my sentiments are more in line with yours, this article in the National Review raises some good points... Quote[/b] ] ...can only speak for myself, but I believe many other Vietnam veterans would agree: Whether one served or not in Vietnam is important, but it is only one factor among many. I have always admired John McCain, but I thought that Bush's policy positions were superior; therefore I supported him during the battle for the 2000 Republican nomination. In an NRO piece I wrote last June, I made some points that I believe still apply. If military experience were a prerequisite for success as a wartime president, then Confederate president Jefferson Davis should have easily outshone Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Davis was, after all, a West Point graduate, a hero of the Mexican War, secretary of war during the administration of Franklin Pierce, and a U.S. senator who served with distinction on the Senate Military Affairs Committee. Kerry More Commanding as Chief? Â By Mackubin Thomas Owens Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Any links to what Kerry did in 'Nam? Â I'm curious to see what he was part of and what he did. http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/01/22/wbr.profile.kerry/ Quote[/b] ]After weighing his options at graduation, Kerry was commissioned an officer in the Navy. It was 1966. He volunteered to command a gunboat. In the Mekong Delta, that meant serious danger. Dozens of firefights with Viet Cong took the lives of several comrades and nearly took Kerry's. Bravery and daring -- by some accounts, bordering on recklessness -- won him a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ex-RoNiN 0 Posted February 10, 2004 John Kerry service record (with a slight pinch of salt): http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/veterans/service.html Quote[/b] ]John Kerry's Service Record John Kerry volunteered for service in the Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served as skipper of a swift boat that patrolled the Mekong Delta. Lt. Kerry was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat V, three Purple Hearts, the Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is a cofounder of the Vietnam Veterans of America and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the years since Kerry returned from Vietnam, he has stood up for veterans and the issues of importance to veterans, like mandatory funding for VA healthcare, and concurrent receipt. John Kerry has made it his life's work to remind politicians that the first definition of patriotism is how a grateful nation treats its veterans. Somehow beats 9 days in the Alabama National Guard, don't you think Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toadlife 3 Posted February 10, 2004 The records were released to counter allegations that he went AWOL during his service at one time, not to boast about his combat duty, or make any comparisons to Kerry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ex-RoNiN 0 Posted February 10, 2004 The records were released to counter allegations that he went AWOL during his service at one time, not to boast about his combat duty, or make any comparisons to Kerry. 9 days in an entire year - it sounds ridiculous to me, even Alabama Air National Guard is not that bad - and we're talking about wartime here as well. I don't consider this "time served", I consider this next best thing to not getting drafted at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harnu 0 Posted February 10, 2004 John Kerry service record (with a slight pinch of salt):http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/veterans/service.html Quote[/b] ]John Kerry's Service Record John Kerry volunteered for service in the Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served as skipper of a swift boat that patrolled the Mekong Delta. Lt. Kerry was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat V, three Purple Hearts, the Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is a cofounder of the Vietnam Veterans of America and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the years since Kerry returned from Vietnam, he has stood up for veterans and the issues of importance to veterans, like mandatory funding for VA healthcare, and concurrent receipt. John Kerry has made it his life's work to remind politicians that the first definition of patriotism is how a grateful nation treats its veterans. Somehow beats 9 days in the Alabama National Guard, don't you think Bwah, the Navy. I think I'll get my parents to vote republican because of that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Although I dislike Bush just as much as the next man, I really think this is a non-issue. Being a veteran does not in any way mean that you are automatically more qualified to be president. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ex-RoNiN 0 Posted February 10, 2004 I still find it strange that his 'requirements' were 9 days. Remember, there was a war going on at the time, and I am willing to put money on it that no one else served less time or the equal amount of time that year. Sure, it may be legal, but don't you think its a bit ridiculous if you compare it to the fact that a normal tour should last a year? I believe that even if he was serving, according to the letter of the law, in spirit he was still AWOL. Or do you honestly consider 9 days in the National Guard as sufficient and worthy duty in times of war? So in other words, I believe that in spirit he still dodged the draft. Remember that the post of president also makes him head of the armed forces. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harnu 0 Posted February 10, 2004 That's why I was being sarcastic. (Notice the smileys ) My dad was in the Marine Corps during nam, and I'll most likely be joining too. It's just a friendly... well maybe just a rivarly between the two branches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walker 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Hi all So George Bush Jnr. was a Vietnam War dodger case proven I think. What I cant understand is how he could possibly have qualified to fly the Jets he boasts about in that time? Wow 9 days to train USAF pilot no wonder they bomb their own side. I think that the USAF training needs some extention. Heck basic training in the Infantry in the UK takes months and fast jet pilots take a lot longer. Curious Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted February 10, 2004 10th of February white house press briefing read and laugh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MEDICUS 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Although I dislike Bush just as much as the next man, I really think this is a non-issue. Being a veteran does not in any way mean that you are automatically more qualified to be president. You think Bush is qualified? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walker 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Hi all I seem to remeber a report about George Bush getting a posting in an Alabama Air National Guard section that was suposed to be specificly for rich kids who were failing at University and thus likely to be drafted into the real war in Vietnam. It was a General James Rose who recommended George W. Bush for a pilot position with the Texas National Guard. Perhaps some one in the US (your freedom of information act makes this possible) can find out what section George W. Bush was in and who was in the squadron with him. I will try to look up who it was who may have introduced George W. Bush to such a squadron as allows service to be 9 days. On the hunt walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted February 10, 2004 Although I dislike Bush just as much as the next man, I really think this is a non-issue. Being a veteran does not in any way mean that you are automatically more qualified to be president. it somewhat offers you a better understanding of the meens and of the ends Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted February 10, 2004 10th of February white house press briefingread and laugh LMAO Oh, that is beautiful. MEDICUS: Quote[/b] ]You think Bush is qualified? No, but not being a veteran is not the disqualifying part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walker 0 Posted February 10, 2004 10th of February white house press briefingread and laugh Well Completly flabergasted Bye Bye George Impeachment party anyone? Totaly Shocked Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drewb99 0 Posted February 10, 2004 That stuff's rich Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balschoiw 0 Posted February 10, 2004 I read it completely and had my laughs, but I´d rather like to see journalists inquire the WMD lies and general lies about Iraq , than searching into a presidents non-military career. Those payrole copies are faked no matter what. They contradict each other and even commanders don´t remember Bush serving throughout the questioned period. He´s a jerk. That´s it. I want the journalists to invest the same energy into questioning the reasons to go for war before they go for some Hillbillies military records. He´d like to pose a hero. (Remember the PR job on the carrier) I feel sorry for US servicemen brought to slaughter by a man not worth carrying a military badge, even the National guards one. Anyway I found this interesting: Quote[/b] ]Q Second question: The Vice President took Supreme Court Justice Scalia on a duck hunting trip to Louisiana while the Vice President had a case pending before the Supreme Court. Does the President see this as appropriate behavior, taking a Supreme Court Justice to a duck hunting trip while he has a case pending? And does he believe that Justice Scalia should recuse himself from that energy task force case? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bn880 5 Posted February 10, 2004 Although I dislike Bush just as much as the next man, I really think this is a non-issue. Being a veteran does not in any way mean that you are automatically more qualified to be president. Yeah,no, what this is about is a lot of families and GI's that are involved in the current war would probably like Bush to go down there and try blowing up in an APC himself. So they wonder if he dodged his duty but sends over 100000 of other young Americans to risk everything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walker 0 Posted February 11, 2004 Hi all I thought I would find it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/US_elec....00.html Quote[/b] ]In a written statement under oath presented on Monday, Ben Barnes, a former speaker of the Texas state legislature, said that in 1968 he asked the head of the Texan Air National Guard, General James Rose, to give the young Mr Bush a place on a pilot-training programme, automatically excusing him from the draft... It then goes on Quote[/b] ]In his deposition, Mr Barnes said he had been asked to intervene by a Bush family friend, Sid Adger, but he did not know whether George Bush Sr, then a congressman, knew about the request. The former president said recently that he was "almost positive" that he had never discussed the matter with Adger, who died three years ago, and never asked for help. Rose died in 1993... More worrying is this Quote[/b] ]But records published in the US press show that Mr Bush won a pilot's slot in the National Guard in front of thousands of others, despite scoring only 25% in his aptitude test: the lowest acceptable grade. He was sworn in on the day he applied. Sounds like something dodgy going on how many other draftees got in on an F grade? This whole thing is raising a lot of questions. In full search mode Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hellfish6 7 Posted February 11, 2004 Although my sentiments are more in line with yours, this article in the National Review raises some good points...Quote[/b] ] ...can only speak for myself, but I believe many other Vietnam veterans would agree: Whether one served or not in Vietnam is important, but it is only one factor among many. I have always admired John McCain, but I thought that Bush's policy positions were superior; therefore I supported him during the battle for the 2000 Republican nomination. In an NRO piece I wrote last June, I made some points that I believe still apply. If military experience were a prerequisite for success as a wartime president, then Confederate president Jefferson Davis should have easily outshone Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Davis was, after all, a West Point graduate, a hero of the Mexican War, secretary of war during the administration of Franklin Pierce, and a U.S. senator who served with distinction on the Senate Military Affairs Committee. Kerry More Commanding as Chief? Â By Mackubin Thomas Owens Hmm... Abraham Lincoln was a captain in the Illinois Militia during the Blackhawk War. He was by no means a deserter or inexperienced militarily, and he too has seen the pink elephant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joltan 0 Posted February 11, 2004 The video link on the same page is even more hilarious than just reading it. Talk about a coverup. Of course the problem is not that he didn't go to war. The problem is he's lying about it, and that while he's head of the governement, Chief-in-command he is sending thousands of soldiers into war. When Clinton lied about an short affair with a fat girl they wanted to impeach him. If the same people now try to cover up something much more serious like that, then it's a scandal and the press is on his heels for a good reason. Let's enjoy the fun while it lasts. There's some very good spin doctors at work and I'm not sure if that actually will damage his reelection much - it's still such a long time till people actually get to vote on him. And public memory is short. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites