Media Matters: Two Candidates, Two Military Records, Two Standards

[bigtree]

MMFA: Two Candidates, Two Military Records, Two Standards; Media Covers Allegations about Kerry's Service, Ignores Bush's Record

8/30/2004 12:15:00 PM

Contact: Naomi Seligman of Media Matters for America, 202-390-0700

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by Media Matters for America:

A new Media Matters for America (MMFA) analysis finds that in 2004, media coverage of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's baseless attacks on John Kerry's war record has been more than twice that of the coverage of the controversy over George W. Bush's service in the Alabama National Guard:

Both current major-party presidential candidates served their country during Vietnam. Both candidates' service has been questioned.

The similarities end there.

John Kerry, according to every available piece of documentary evidence, including official U.S. Navy records, served bravely and honorably, won five medals (including three Purple Hearts), and saved a crewmate's life. Everybody -- everybody -- who served on Kerry's boats during the incidents that led to his medals agrees that he deserved them and praises his distinguished service.

President George W. Bush, according to the documentary evidence available, apparently didn't bother to show up for duty for a lengthy period in 1972-73 -- a period when, according to USA Today, "commanders in Texas and Alabama say they never saw him report for duty and records show no pay to Bush when he was supposed to be on duty in Alabama." In contrast with Kerry, who has shipmates who sing his praises, Bush hasn't been able to produce anyone who can credibly say they remember serving with him in the Alabama Guard.

Comparison here:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=35393

[madmax]

1. Sounds like a job for DU's media blaster.

The more the better. :)

[bigtree]

2. kick

[cthrumatrix]

3. so very true...teflon boy king AWOL vs Kerry...think about this crap

[Nashyra]

4. Letter my husband sent to media

Dear Editor

I heard that George bush said today that he did not think we could win the war on terror, if this is what he thinks why is he running for re-election? Let somebody be president that thinks our troops can win, also that the Iraq war was a catastrophic success? He is right, it was catastrophic for 976 families thus far. Our soldiers have performed admirably, reservists who never thought they would be ripped from their families and communities have served their country in an outstanding manner, and this president says it is all for not? "We can not win the war on terrorism" is tantamount to saying that we can not win the war in Iraq since it is part of the bigger war on terror in this presidents own words. Doesn't Jeb Bush have children? Haven't the Bush twins graduated? Why have they not signed up to serve? I bet Bush could get them into a guard unit. I bet if they were required to serve their country in uniform and if there was a chance that they would be called to active duty we would see this war end in a heartbeat, heck it probably would have never been started. Come on Bush put your money where your mouth is, or better put your family where you have sent ours. If you can't do that move over for someone who has. John Kerry

Major-------USAF 8years
and a proud member of the ------Guard
Fighter Squadron 6 years after active duty.

[cthrumatrix]

7. bingo.... while the boy king puppet masters scramble to put together

shrubya's words AGAIN

[John_H]

5. kick

[DeepModem Mom]

6. kick