Ex-Guardsman: Probe Gaps in Bush Service

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=696&e=4&u=/ap/20040916/ap_on_el_pr/bush_guard_questions

A former Texas Air National Guard official who served at the same time as President Bush (news - web sites) says he believes the bigger story about gaps in Bush's service is being overlooked in disputes over the validity of certain Guard documents.

"I think the public ought to be concerned about his preferential treatment getting in and whether he satisfied his commitment to the Air Guard. Those are the two fundamental questions," said Robert Strong, the administrative officer in charge of air operations at Guard state headquarters from early 1971 until March 1972.

-snip-

"Why aren't we focusing on the content?" Strong said, adding that he believes there are holes in Bush's official Guard record.


"The White House has just got to be thrilled to death that everybody's tormenting about subscripts and superscripts," he said, referring to the several days of debate among experts about whether the memos were forgeries generated on a computer instead or if a typewriter common in the 1970s was used.

[daleo]

1. Judging by the polls, many people may be looking at it this way

I know it is dangerous to read too much into the polls of a few days, but the polls do seem to be turning against Bushco. It makes me think the TANG/AWOL issue may be affecting him, even with the distraction of the "forgery" claims. If so, look for something big.

[movonne]

9. RATE THIS ARTICLE!!!

[dansolo]

13. Possible silver lining

The media could have tried to bury the story, just like every time before. But in their zeal they thought they had an opening to invalidate the AWOL claims once and for all. But what it may have done is raised the issue up to a level where it can't be ignored. They were relying on embarassing and intimidating CBS to back down, thereby weakening their claims. But Dan Rather has stood firm, and now the spotlight is shining brightly on not only the issue of the origin of the memo, but the content as well.

[AlCzervik]

2. It's the contents stupid!

I agree with that the contents are totally being overlooked, well except by Dan Rather an us maybe. I don't think that the WH can spin this forever.

[Supersedeas]

3. Why isn't TV MEDIA focusing on the content??

Michael Powell and Rove smile.

[wicket]

4. Because they know it will hurt Bush

The "liberal media" doesn't want him to lose, and they know this would do him in. Dan Rather may just force them to talk about it if he's got the right cards.

[mom cat]

8. Perhaps it's the media owners? .. Nah! Probably not!

:evilgrin:

[calimary]

10. How 'bout you make those two Satanists frown?

CALL your congress rep or senator toll free. Write a letter to the editor. Call your local radio station or TV news department. Call the networks:

Go to Activism/Events and check out the Five-Star Resource thread. It has LOTS of good contact info for media people. LOTS. Use EVEN ONE of the thousands of contact details (although MORE than one is better...).

The reason the Bad Guys are getting all the attention is because THEY are making the biggest stink. Undoubtedly something they know well. What kind of stink have WE made, in the opposite direction? Have we made ourselves heard? I've probably sent five emails of encouragement to CBS/Dan Rather, and called one of their comment lines. Some of these numbers are long distance and obviously not as accessible - but email's at your fingertips - even now, if you're reading this. Some people have written, some doing so more than once, and they're getting responses back. Some of these examples can be found here on DU. I haven't yet, but that won't stop me from sending yet another one soon. Positive reinforcement! Think how often limbaugh is pushing his people - oh - like maybe three hours a day, Monday through Friday...

Hey, I am sorry to be such a fishwife. Things are gnarly all over. I just finished a chocolate freak-out watching Tucker-the-Twerp Carlson - which my hips did NOT need. Everybody I talk to is worried, filled with fear and loathing. It's all over the place. But I realized the one thing I CAN do is to try to buck people up so they don't get too down, themselves. Please also look at the bottom of the Five-Star thread in Activism/Events to see the latest addition about how email avalanches - on the part of us Good Guys had an impact on the "Today" show, over its three-day Kitty Kelley interview. I think it's "Part Thirty-Four."

Even ONE call or email is ONE MORE than you might have accomplished, otherwise.

Oh, BTW - here's the link to the Five-Star thread -

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

Thanks for bearing with me.

[Supersedeas]

15. TY Cali for the shot in the arm...well said.

[vademocrat]

17. Don't give up on getting a response from CBS

I sent an email last friday night & just got a response tonight.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Honor and duty are universal concepts not exclusively military.

Everyone understands it. They have tried their damnedest to keep the lid on this story of Bush's cavalier attitude towards it but it is about to blow off BIG TIME.

[yardwork]

6. Excellent. Somebody asked the billion dollar question

Rove planned the diversion about superscripts and fonts and etc., we know that for sure (check out DU threads).

Now that the smoke is clearing, let's all start demanding that the media - all media outlets - look at the big questions that Dan Rather had the courage to ask Bush.

Where was Bush during most of 1972 and many months of 1973?

How come he got away with failing to take a required physical?

How come he was allowed to just quit as a TANG pilot after years and millions of dollars of training invested in him by the military during wartime?

How come Bush didn't have to go to Vietnam for failing to show up for the physical, therefore losing his flying privilege?

Did Bush ever show up for required service in Alabama?

[JoFerret]

7. Don't forget to rate it.

.

[Tangledog]

11. Now at 3.14

About 1,500 votes; mine didn't change the rating.

[wicket]

12. Kick, please rate this story a 5

:kick:

[mia]

14. Keep it in the news: rate this edition of the article up! Now rated 3.53

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/bush_guard_questions

[mia]

16. Moving up - Avg Rating: 3.72, 239 votes

Let's move it to the front page!

[txindy]

18. 292 votes

Still with a 3.72

I hope Dan Rather is having Strong and Knox think long and hard about every name from those years that could be a lead. Start lining them up!

[Oilwellian]

19. Strong ...another true patriot

This is playing out beautifully. Strong and Knox (love the irony of those names) are bringing the focus back where it belongs....to the unanswered questions we've had for years. It's time for Rove to bend over. :D

[tibbir]

20. Rated it.

It's 3.14 with 1,657 ratings

[DeepModem Mom]

21. kick