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General discussion

Guardsman says he saw Bush serve weekend duty

Feb 13, 2004 5:45AM PST
Guardsman says he saw Bush serve weekend duty

(CNN) -- A retired officer with the Alabama Air National Guard says he witnessed President Bush serving his weekend duty in 1972 -- an account that could be significant given Democratic questions on whether Bush fulfilled his service obligations during the Vietnam War.

Speaking on the phone Friday from Daytona Beach, Florida, John B. "Bill" Calhoun said he commanded Bush and that Bush attended four to six weekend drills at Dannelly Field in Montgomery. He said Bush was with the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Alabama in 1972.

Calhoun said he learned from another person that Bush was the son of George H. W. Bush, who at that time was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Calhoun said he asked the younger Bush if he planned to pursue a political career, and he said, "I don't know, probably."

Calhoun said he does not have any photographs or documents to prove Bush showed up for duty, but his ex-wife, Patsy Burks, said she remembered Calhoun's account.

"Bill did come home [from the base] and told me that Bush was there," she said "I think what stuck in my head was that he was helping on the Senate campaign."

"What I do know about Bill is that whatever he says is the truth," she added. "This issue came up in the 2000 election. ... Bill did mention in 2000 that he contacted someone and said, 'If you need me to come forward, I will.' And they said, 'We're hoping that won't be necessary.'"

Discussion is locked

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Josh, Josh, Josh..................
Feb 13, 2004 5:55AM PST

You'll now be branded a 'traitor to the cause', but
thanks for the info.

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Re:Josh, Josh, Josh..................
Feb 13, 2004 6:07AM PST

Come Fall we'll put Josh in the yankees bullpen with a Red Sox jersey on, Del.

anonymous

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Don't pick on Josh.....
Feb 13, 2004 7:22AM PST

He's one of the most reasonable individuals on
this forum.

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(NT) Thanks Del; I try.
Feb 13, 2004 10:46AM PST

.

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Thanks Josh. This really is evidence of objectivity. (NT)
Feb 13, 2004 2:53PM PST

.

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And it looks like the 'record scrubbing' allegations ...
Feb 13, 2004 6:01AM PST
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Sounds to me like..........
Feb 13, 2004 6:31AM PST

....a poor, pitiful 05 who didn't make 06, and was the
best qualified in the room, and who didn't get 100%
disability certification upon retirement, is out to make
as much noise as he can, and if he can pick up a buck or
two along the way, and have a day in the sun, so much
the better. Just an opinion.

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How could anyone so blithely assume that all these officers were so stupid?
Feb 13, 2004 6:49AM PST

Sensitive, political conversations on a speaker phone with the door open? Ordering distuction of records in front of a group of witnesses? It must be that 60s mentality that all military people are stupid brutes who wouldn't know any better. Kind of like Mash.

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Re:Bush Orders Release of All Military records.
Feb 13, 2004 8:10AM PST

I can't Link it Here.

Go to Yahoo News. The article is from AP Associated Press

George

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This one goes in the ''Jenin Massacre'' files....
Feb 13, 2004 10:55AM PST

and now maybe Charlie, Blake, and Dave will abandon this one (without comment, as is the norm) and look for the next big lie. And that's fine, because while they consider this sort of thing as politically advantageous, it looks like political suicide to me.

And Terry McCauliff should disappear out of shame, if he's capable of shame.

They're destroying themselves, do not interfere.

DE

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Re: Guardsman says he saw Bush serve weekend duty
Feb 13, 2004 12:40PM PST

Hi, Josh

Heard this on NBC Nightly News. OTOH, they pointed out that he was speaking about a period when the pay records don't show Bush being present. I've long thought the major issue isn't whether or not he completed his stint or not -- that's just gravy if he didn't. The real issue is that, much like Quayle, a slot was apparently created in an otherwise "full" Guard to get him out of a regular Armed Forces stint. And if that isn't enough, an EXTREMELY unusual transfer from the Guard in one state to the Guard in another is arranged so he can work on a Senatorial campaign. I'm sure that would have happened had it been a Democratic campaign in the early 70's (Nixon era), right?

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Alexander Hamilton time, Dave...
Feb 13, 2004 2:47PM PST

O.K., Dave, Alexander Hamilton time. The Democrats made it a duel of military service records. They got the first shot, and Bush stood the line and faced the the shot straight on, he put out all his military records, including his medical records.
Now it's time for Kerry to likewise - stand his ground and put out all of his service records, including his medical records which will show exactly how serious those wounds were that he used to get that early transfer back to the states. The question is will he now do likewise, or walk away from the field of fire. Dave, it's a military thing, honor.

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Give it up Dave. You're losing it.
Feb 13, 2004 2:57PM PST

Elsewhere we talked about the DNC playbook. We agreed that Nixon is #1. You just fell into it Dave. Don't breathe too deeply.

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Don't forget Avis, Kiddpeat...
Feb 13, 2004 3:08PM PST

Kiddpeat, don't forget the Avis rent a car, Newt.
He's #2 and he tries harder. The Democrats might make him #1 one day. (grin)

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(NT) You keep changing 'the points' as evidence comes out...
Feb 14, 2004 2:29AM PST