DU: we have 3 hours to break the new Bush medal scandal

[grasswire]

This is a HOT new story being developed right here on DU. A SCOOP for a broadcast network!

Walt Starr has discovered that there's no evidence that George W. Bush earned a medal that he wears in a photograph.

There's a Bush family history of lying about medals. Grandfather lied about getting a Distinguished Service Cross, Victoria Cross and more, and lived in humiliation for the lies.

Can we break this story by evening news time? Can we do it?

Daily kos has linked to the story. Army Times is working on it. Notes have gone out to many reporters and talking heads.

Can we break this story? Can you help?

The info is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x654437

[hlthe2b]

1. I'd be careful if you are referring to the unit commendation...

From my experience, those pretty much by default go to everyone in the unit--no matter what-- if the unit is cited.

[sniffa]

4. no, no

this one - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x647661

[HFishbine]

8. Yes, yes

Actually, the unit award is indeed one in question in the thread you cite. Others here have raised the seemingly credible possibility that an individual may wear that ribbon if their unit has been awarded.

Unless and until that can be definitively answered, it seems the only remaining question is why Shrub wasn't awarded the Texas Faithful Service Award (which he may have not qualified for because of his "time in Alabama").

(Documentation exists of him receiving the Marskmanship medal.)

[hlthe2b]

11. yes, HFishbine... that is MY point as well.

[Walt Starr]

23. If it was awarded, it should be on Bush's record

Look at John Kery's DD214 and DD215, NUMEROUS Unit citations.

[hlthe2b]

10. That I can see, but earlier discussions focused on the photo of Bush*

wearing the unit commendation ribbon and suggesting that he was doing so without authorization. That would be a big can of worms to go after, since unit commendations can be highly variable in their justifications, so that some are pretty much just a nod to all in the unit.

[Frodo]

5. Such arguments from old military records are tough to make

Just look at all the hay the freepers are trying to make over Kerry's DD214 and the number of posts here based on a poor scan/typo making people assume the AF was hiding a dishonorable discharge for Bush.

It would have to be a medal that was actually WORTH something to get much traction for it. Unfortunately, Bush doesn't even claim to have earned any important medals. How could he? There is no purple heart for a break-room soda machine falling on you while you try to steal a candy bar.

[Eloriel]

2. Fabulous work

Who's got those media links?

[Stephanie]

15. Calimary's media links:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=8816&mesg_id=8816

[Demoiselle]

3. One more question...

What is the provenance of the photo? Is it possible that somebody added the award to the picture? Does the Bush campaign claim this medal anywhere? I'm just asking...I hope we've got him on this!!!

[HFishbine]

12. As for the photo

It is part of Bush' official record: http://www.usatoday.com/news/bushdocs/11-2_2004_Personnel_File.pdf (page 12)

[Demoiselle]

14. Thanks!

eom.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

6. Did you also notice that FratBoy was given a DIRECT commission....

...as a 2nd Lieutenant as opposed to attending a 4-year ROTC program in college, going through Officer Candidate School (OCS) after joining the military, or earning the promotion via battlefield commission?

We know he didn't take ROTC in college, and he was never within a continent or two of the combat taking place in Vietnam. Nothing in his record indicates that he attended OCS, either.

So, how did he manage to get a DIRECT commission?

[luaneryder]

16. Politics in the Guard

If you know the right people you can go from enlisted to officer with a pen stroke.

[BeHereNow]

7. Thanks GW-

Perfect.
BHN

[Gin]

9. he is feeling the backlash of the notso-swift boat group.....keep the

heat on...the weasel is getting nervous.

[Keirsey]

13. Eloriel, is this what you meant?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x8816


We might put it that we are asking for an investigation of those medals.

[Rosco T.]

17. This sounds like a job for.... (heroic music) OLBERMANN!!!!

get Keith on this, he'll love it..

[grasswire]

18. to be clear

All we want is for George W. to clear up the matter.

Surely he has some kind of documentation regarding this ribbon. Right? Should be a 30 second task to clear it up.

(Of course, his family DOES have a history of lying about service decorations.)

[City Lights]

19. Hardblogger picked it up with links to dKos site!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5445086/

[NewYorkerfromMass]

21. Very good foot in the door!

Keep up the good work all you patriots!

[oasis]

20. Helen Thomas it's time to get to work on Scottie boy.

[grasswire]

22. Buzzflash has it on the front page

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/08/con04346.html

Thanks to Bob Fertik at democrats.com!