Heard something interesting last night about the Bush AWOL thingy

[Jersey Devil]

I think it was Chris Matthews who had a guest who was a retired Colonel in the armed forces. He said they didn't need Bush's (missing) military records to see if he showed up for duty, which is the big question on that issue. He said if you show up for duty in the National Guard you get paid and if you don't show up you don't get a paycheck. So, all you'd have to do is look at his income tax returns for that period to see how much he earned from the National Guard and you'd pretty much be able to zero right in on how often he showed up for duty.

So, Dem candidates, when do we start asking for the income tax returns?

[NewJeffCT]

1. good idea

Wonder why nobody thought of that...?

[Estragon]

6. ..well, yeah.

Somebody did think of this-- Josh Marshall is usually a day or two ahead of the rest of the media..

[Jersey Devil]

10. Thanks! Bookmarked for future reference

I didn't know about this blog and appreciate it.

[Bandit]

14. Been discussed here for several weeks

Here is a thread on this very issue just yesterday
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1086061
It usually takes mainstream Media at least a few months to catch up to DU.

[shooga]

18. this could have been the time period ...

... when he was shoving all that white stuff up his nose ... heard he missed a lot of drug tests at the Guard too.



will timmy russert bring any of this up?

[RedEarth]

2. That's interesting..

Not sure you would even need W's tax return. I would think the National Guard should have some type of record of it.

[ThomWV]

3. I'm Not A General

I was a Sargent when I got out but I said exactly the same thing here last night. A fellow was good enough to post the address where Freedom of Information Act requests could be sent to try to get his pay records. I also suggested that this infomation might be available though fileings he made (past tax returns?) during his failed bids for office before he became Governor.

Look, its pretty straight forward. This asshole didn't show up when he was required to. He wasn't charged with it and that's why he was able to get an honerable discharge. When they point to his DD-214 (which is NOT a discharge) and say that its the relevent document it is simply a fraud. I had no problem at all getting copys of every single pay stub ever issued to me for the 4 years I was in the army, even though I actually hadn't asked for them. It is absurd to say that Bush can not produce his.

Thom

[benderlane]

4. a few points

1) good luck getting the tax returns of a sitting or past president - even under the freedom of information act. I believe you have to have a warrant for that kind of information, as it could be used for identity theft. You will also likely have to be bonded to be able to see the information (or a federal/state/cop investigator)

2) tax returns do not show month by month income. oops - have you ever filed one? Its a summary total. You may be able to find out about certain investments that he had, but you would see 1 number as his income from his guard service - not a number with a time stamp.

So - I guess its time to just believe - you know - take it on faith ;)

[Jersey Devil]

7. His National G income would be on a W-2

All you'd have to do then is find out what a Guardsman who showed up for duty would have been paid and what Bush actually made. If there was a big discrepancy it would prove he didn't show up. Since the allegation is that he was 'missing', his absence for 6 months to a year, as the stories go, would show like a giant red flag.

[Ivote]

9. Social Security Records

would show the earnings. You need to have so many worked hours during a quarter, in order to qualify for benefits. It also shows where the payments come from. Everyone is advised to check their own Social Security records at least once a year to make sure your employer has put the required amounts in your account. Most people don't bother to do this until they are ready to retire. These quarters (you need at least 40) are used in case you become disabled.

[OneTwentyoNine]

13. Huh? Sitting Presidents have to release tax returns--least they used to..

Back in the Clinton years everything from his tax returns to his DICK size were released to the public. It should be the same for this regime.

David

[Bandit]

15. BS every candidate must release their tax records.

It is a given.

[aintitfunny]

5. But if he received preferential treatment,

in the first place, due to his lineage, who's to say they didn't pay him anyway?

[Jersey Devil]

8. Possible, but would he tell Daddy he wasn't showing up?

My guess is a big "NO". Those were his carousing days and protecting his military record for political purposes would have been the last thing on his mind. Plus I seriously doubt he needed the money.

[kskiska]

12. Wasn't he WITH daddy?

Working on that campaign?

[Bandit]

16. Military doesn't mail out your money ~ You have to go to paymaster.

In Person.

[shooga]

17. Bingo !

do you think Russert will "pin" W on this issue this coming MTP, or will he just throw his traditional softballs like he has been throwing at the GOP?

[itcfish]

11. Daily Brew

Had a form letter to send to dept. of Defense (If I remember correctly) Under the Freedom of Information act, asking for Bush's pay record

http://www.thedailybrew.com/



:kick:

[Ravy]

19. I wonder if a Guardsman would now volunteer for the Kerry

campaign, if they would get out of serving in Iraq.

Waiting for someone to try.

Ravy