What do you make of the White House releasing military payroll records?

[TXlib]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/10/elec04.prez.bush.military/

What do you think about this?

The charge is out there that Bush was AWOL from his Texas Air National Guard service in 1972. There are documents available online (Does anybody have the URLs for those sites?) that are copies of the handwritten notes of his CO stating that he did not show up for duty.

The White House released military payroll records showing when GWB was paid for his TANG duty, and shows no gaps in his payment status.

My understanding is that these paychecks have nothing to do with AWOL status; unless he was found guilty of being AWOL by a military court, the paychecks would keep coming. Can any military/national guard people comment on that?

Do you feel that these payroll records are sufficient proof that he showed up for duty? If he had stronger proof, such as a commanding officer or fellow servicemen who could vouch for his performing duty, don't you think he would have produced them?

[ClintonTyree]

1. No..................

If I called in sick at work I'd still get paid. I was on long term disability fro over a year and got a check every week, but I wasn't there. The pay stubs mean absolutely nothing.

[Another Bill C.]

2. A fellow serviceman did

and according to him, the TANG was such a loose outfit that it didn't matter whether someone showed up or not.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1108527

[libertad]

3. Just a few moments ago

my boss walked in my office and said that he was in the Alabama Air National Guard and it was common place for people not to show up for service. He didn't show up either. He said it was just the way things were done in AL.

[Abe Linkman]

4. What's your point? That your boss is also a shirker?

Sounds like a fine man. Just the kind of example you want in a boss.

[libertad]

5. Yes, Abe, that is my point.

Apparently if you wanted to shirk, Alabama was just the place to do it.

[Holly]

6. I've been wondering

about this myself. These flimsy payroll records, combined with the fact that Bush* can't find anyone...not a single person....to come forward and confirm that he reported for duty, makes me think that this is part of a wider scandal. Maybe, this is what all the children of the elite were doing during that time. While others were off fighting and dying in Nam, these "privileged few", were getting a free pass. Is this why no one is coming forward? They are afraid of being exposed themselves?

[TXlib]

9. DING DING DING

We have a winner!

[displacedvermoter]

11. Did he decide to work on Blount's campaign BECAUSE it was

in Alabama, if what is being said about lax discipline and record keeping is true? I bet there are some GREAT stories as to what he was really doing down there. I bet, with the press now ENGAGED, a few folks are making some phone calls down Montgomery way! My, my, my!!!

[papau]

7. Democrats.com Bob Fertig strikes - and wins!

The media is even given him name in story status (I realize it is just in case something blows up - but it is still neat!)

:-)

[Gman]

8. You can find all the docs here

http://www.awolbush.com/

[TXlib]

10. But where on that site

can I find the copies of the ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS signed by his CO where his CO states Bush did not show up?

I've seen that before, but i didn't see a link on that awolbush page pointing to the original source docs.

Can somebody please point me to the original source docs?

I have freeper acquaintance who might admit defeat if he sees them.

[Braden]

12. I think it only serves to hurt *

the payroll records have proven that he took a check from the ANG. The service records indicate huge lapses in service time. Year long gaps, if he was paid for duty he did not perform then its a huge issue in the national campaign.

[rman]

13. it's like the honorable discharge;

Ie CEOs who make a mess of the company they lead, routinely get 'honorable discharge' ('golden parachute'). Also it's like a legal issue being "setled" out of court, which is then used to argue that because there is no conviction, there was no crime. It happens that way with people who have friends in high places.