Kerry's Records not Adding up.....

[h0rus]

True but I doubt that Kerry was going to just let his war record slide. They guy can hardly say five sentences without mentioning that he's a vet or a warhero or was in Vietnaum or..........

I don't really see it as hurting him or helping him, just blatent politicing.

True that- when you've actually worn the uniform for real in combat rather than just prancing about on an aircraft carrier in a borrowed flight suit with your package hanging out, it does call for some blatant politics though.

Why in Earth were you looking at his groin area?

I mean, I'm sure you were worried about the saftey of the American President, what with making sure his G-suit was properly fitted around his lower torso but........

Most people with normal vision can perceive a large image like that and take it all in. It helps to size up a mate in one shot.

[Glocksman]

Bush's 'service' in the ANG is fair game because it reflects on his character or lack thereof. If he was AWOL, then it should be made known.

At the same time, Kerry's record is equally fair game because it reflects on his character or lack thereof. If Kerry exaggerated his wounds in order to get a PH or two and the circumstances of his medal awards are questionable, that should be brought out as well.

When one side accuses the other of playing politics with the issue, it's merely the pot calling the kettle black.

[Rogue 9]

Since I'm a centrist double agent, can I call them black?

[The Kernel]

Firstoff, I'm not defending or condemning Bush's service in the Air National Guard. I was under the impression that papers had turned up of him (pay stubs, etc.).

That doesn't prove he attended. It just proved that he was paid.

Secondly, Kerry did quite a few awful things in Vietnam. Am I mistaken in that he ordered a civilian village destroyed? Am I mistaken that his 3 purple hearts were for injuries that many didn't recieve purple hearts for? Am I mistaken that Kerry jumps on every chance to mention Vietnam even though he promised to not use it as a platform?

First, Kerry didn't order a village burned, although he claimed that he was part of the burning during his "Meet the Press" television interview which is where the incident comes from.

Second, if you have a problem with Kerry's purple hearts, TALK TO THE FUCKING US MILITARY! They issued the medals, not Kerry.

And lastly, yes Kerry mentions his war record often (although no so much since he won the primaries) and Bush tries his hardest not to mention his war record. Which is the worse offense?

Thirdly, you're assuming that Bush used his father's connections to not go to war. He joined the freaking AIR NATIONAL GUARD. How many people did that? Alot. *Somebody* had to stay behind to man the air defense jets, what makes his any better or worse than any other pilot? Heck, my dad served in the ANG after he left the USAF as a jet engine mechanic during the war.

The Air National Guard was also a popular place for people to hide out the war. The fact that many of the people there turned out to be sons of wealthy families is no secret. Remember that Bush joined the NG late in the war, which was at a time when it was almost impossible to get into them because EVERYONE wanted to join the NG instead of going to war. Just a coincidence I suppose?

No matter, I don't care if he DID jump the line to get into the NG, I care that he didn't even SHOW UP for a great deal of his time in the NG during wartime.

[Nathan F]

Firstoff, I'm not defending or condemning Bush's service in the Air National Guard. I was under the impression that papers had turned up of him (pay stubs, etc.).

That doesn't prove he attended. It just proved that he was paid.

That's not how the NG works. You have to meet muster to be paid.

And lastly, yes Kerry mentions his war record often (although no so much since he won the primaries) and Bush tries his hardest not to mention his war record. Which is the worse offense?

Kerry brags about his military service, or so it seems to me, which is something that most veterans rarely do. Those who brag about their service usually aren't saying everything and are looked down upon by most other veterans.

The Air National Guard was also a popular place for people to hide out the war. The fact that many of the people there turned out to be sons of wealthy families is no secret. Remember that Bush joined the NG late in the war, which was at a time when it was almost impossible to get into them because EVERYONE wanted to join the NG instead of going to war. Just a coincidence I suppose?

If your draft card hasn't come up yet, then they're not going to turn down a Harvard graduate who wants to join the ANG. Not how it works.

No matter, I don't care if he DID jump the line to get into the NG, I care that he didn't even SHOW UP for a great deal of his time in the NG during wartime.

Show that he didn't show up! There are papers suggesting that he was there, and other than someone saying that they didn't see him there among the thousands of other guardsmen, not much evidence saying that he wasn't there. That is, unless you have something that I don't know about hidden somewhere.