I think of the lying Bush AWOL story as...

[Dawgs]

an effort to nuetralize the SBVT bounce for Bush. My hope is that this will get us back to where we were in the middle of August(polls). After that, Kerry should be able to use everything else to destroy Bush in the debates.

At least I hope so.

[JDPriestly]

1. Let's at least get the record straight on this forum.

The BUSH AWOL story is not an effort to neutralize the SBVT bounce. This story was around long before the Swift Boat Liars story. Remember when the press pounced on Michael Moore for accusing Bush of having been AWOL. That was before Kerry won the nomination. Also, Hatfeld's book, which explored the doubts about Bush's Guard service, was published long ago. And, I believe that one of the Texas newspapers was also questioning Bush's service long ago.

The reason we are getting the BUSH AWOL documents now is that the wheels of justice turn slowly. The lawsuits, FOIA requests and other pressure on the military to produce Bush's Guard documents were filed, sent and made long ago before anyone heard about the Swift Boat liars. Who knows what role Bush himself played in the delay.

Please do everything you can to remind the press that the Bush AWOL story is not a Kerry reaction to the Swift Boat Liars propaganda. To the contrary, Bush used the Swift Boat Liars to deflect from the fact that he could no longer suppress the story about his own insubordination and use of privilege to avoid completing Guard duty. BUSH LIED about his Guard record, and he wants to make the public think that telling the truth about his record is a political trick. It isn't.

BUSH LIED -- and SOMEONE ELSE DIED in Viet Nam as well as in Iraq