The important part of the AWOL story...

[slor]

is not even whether he was AWOL or not (he most likely was). It is really the overwhelming evidence of preferential treatment he received because of his family name. Skipping over hundreds of higher test scoring applicants, to get into the Air National Guard, which most people know was THE best way to avoid combat in Vietnam, and then as if that was not enough, having the audacity, let alone the ability to even shirk those limited responsibilites to go work on more peaceful pursuits such as a political campaign during a time of war, and you might as well start packing the bananas for the trip back to Crawford for that chimpychump!

[Thistle42]

1. You got it right, Slor...

The main sticking point with me is the way this has been left to simmer all this time after the 2000 Presidential campaign. The media didn't touch it much at all...the Washington Post finally has it on Page 5! I truly hope that it has traction this time and he will not be able to shake it off.

[central scrutinizer]

2. exactly right

After all, there was a war on at the time (Vietnam). What would happen if a reservist, in the rotation to go to Iraq, said, "sorry, I can't go right now, I am working on the Kerry Campaign. Catch you in a year or so."

[sangh0]

3. However

those parts of the story won't be talked about if we don't talk about AWOL.

[Sinistrous]

4. The magic words here are Shirker and Shirk.

When we use the terms AWOL and deserter, the * defenders can wrap us around the axle of legal fine points.

The fact that * shirked his duty to the National Guard is incontrovertible and just as politically damaging as AWOL and deserter.

[DemLikr]

5. This emphasis fits well into the Edwards "two different Americas"

theme, don't you think?

One America for the rich and powerful, who can get special treatment even in times of war, and one Murica for the rest of us.

Edwards' spokespeople should begin hammering this aspect of the AWOL narrative.

[slor]

9. Can you send to the edwards camp?

Hell, send this angle to all of our candidates!

[nostamj]

6. don't forget

training on an aircraft that was being phased out of active duty as extra insurance that he'd never get his privileged ASS anywhere near combat in SE Asia.

[Nlighten1]

7. Not only that but...

the media's covering for him on this topic needs to be addressed.

[Frances]

11. I agree

Does anyone else remember how the media twisted everything Gore said to make it seem he was lying? And they gave Bush a free pass on this?

[denverbill]

8. Yes, but don't forget this too.

The USA spent $1 million training Shrubby to be a fighter pilot. $1 million.

After all that expense, he crapped out of flying because he refused to take a physical exam and was banned from flying.

[Solomon]

10. I think it's equally damning that the reason he didn't show up is because

he couldn't take that drug test.

[stopbush]

12. The media and repigs are trying to divert AWOL with "honorable

discharge."

I've got news for them - you can go AWOL and still get an honorable discharge. What matters is what you're pointing out - bush's half-assed service record while in the Guard.

It's a little like shrub averring, "I studied surgery when in college and was a straight-A student." When we point out that he not only didn't attend a medical school but a business school, and that he was, at best, a C student, the diversionary answer offered by the WH and press is, "but he graduated."

[buycitgo]

13. not one, but TWO political campaigns

as SOON as he got out of boot camp..the MOMENT....he went to Florida to work on the Senate campaign of Ed Gurney

he also had this to say, about some sort of war he must have dreamt aobout participating in:

"I've been to war. I've raised twins. If I
had a choice, I'd rather go to war."
Houston Chronicle, January 2002

what war, George.....this one?

"I learned some good lessons from Vietnam. First, there must be a clear mission. Secondly, the politics ought to stay out of fighting a war. There was too much politics during the Vietnam War."
Associated Press, March 2002

is this the same sort of logic that got people to think that Saddam was in the cockpit of one of those planes on 911?

[RedSox02]

14. One would think....

...Bush would be angry enough to respond to these "false" rumors or "smears" on his military record. I mean if someone called you a deserter, or claimed you went AWOL, (and you didn't) I would hope you would be angry enough to respond. I know John Kerry hit right back at people like Tom Delay after they said he had no right to call for "regime change" in regards to President Bush. Kerry will use his service card whenever he can. Nobody who served would sit back and let people slander them like this and simply let other people do the talking. Even if it took some softball interview with Brit Hume or Sean Hannity, you would think Bush would respond in public.

So far Bush is only getting support from people who have faith that he served but don't really have anyway of knowing for sure, or in the case of Gillespie, someone using the opportunity to try and scare the DNC into avoiding the issue.

[dumpster_baby]

15. Exactly. Once the media starts talking about the "champagne unit"

THat was what they called the National Guard Unit Bush was assigned to in Houston. It was chock full of the fortunate sons of the wealthy and connected. Normal disciplinary rules were apparently broken to bend over backwards for the spoiled little darlings....

Just google "champagne unit" and "bush" and "national guard"