I'm surprised the AWOL story is sticking with the mainstream media

[Paragon]

I thought for sure it would be brushed off like it has been for the past few years, but with the help of the White House today, it appears to be here to stay.

Big thank you to Michael Moore, Wes Clark, and Peter Jennings!

[Newsjock]

1. The blow-dried airheads on CNN ...

... are doing their darndest to try to make it all go away, giggling and grinning the whole time in a way that makes me just want to punch them smack in the face.

This is the nation's (and the world's) future we're talking about here, you weasels. Stop smiling and laughing over your happy-talk.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

3. I saw them showing pictures of Bush in his uniforms over and over

while they were talking about it, they are using the story to positively REINFORCE his military image in a way, at least for anyone watching with the sound off.

They focused in on his eyes in one picture and I was amazed at how clear-eyed he looked in it! I really think he might have some kind of damage from his years of drinking, because his eyes never look like that now.

[Marlie]

4. I'm feeling optimistic

Bush's record is so deplorable however look what the press did to
Howard Dean. I feel when our candidate is chosen, they will start
doing to him exactly what they did to Gore and Dean - hopefully the
American people will see through them this time but we should
prepare ourselves for the assault because it will happen. The Dems
need to not only fight Bush, they have to be prepared to take on
the media and newspapers, who will be their most formidable opponent.
Even today they're saying Bush's poll numbers went up three points
this week which I simply cannot believe. The spin begins.

[gasperc]

2. minimum 15 days of active duty and 39 days of training

Bush seems far short of that!!!!


From www.nj.gov/reserve
"Traditionally, members of the National Guard and Reserve are required to perform military training for a minimum of 39 days per year; 15 days of annual active duty training and the one 'drill' weekend per month. That has all changed. Especially with the Guard. Reservists can only be called up in a "federal" emergency.

The Guard can be activated by the President for federal service and by the Governor, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Guard, for "state active duty." This state service is usually associated with natural disasters, floods, storms, and other domestic emergencies. However, following September 11th, the Governor mobilized members of the National Guard to provide additional security at Hudson River bridges and tunnels, major airports, and the state's nuclear facilities."

"This increased reliance on Guardsmen and Reservists combined with increased numbers of extended deployments have placed additional burdens on both the families and civilian employers. Family Support Programs at every level of unit organization help to address some of this impact. ESGR's mission is to help address employer concerns resulting from their employee's prolonged active duty military service."

ESGR is an organization formed more than 25 years ago which operates under the aegis of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. The 54 separate state organizations ( 50 state, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) with assistance, funding, and support from the National Committee conduct ongoing outreach programs which include a Speakers Bureau, "Boss Lifts" (wherein employers have an opportunity to actually visit their employees during their military training activity), and an Ombudsman Program that attempts informal resolution of any conflicts between employees and their civilian employers.

[Mr.Green93]

5. could the story peak too early?

[mouse7]

6. Every time there are more casualties, AWOL re-peaks.

It's not the type of story that can go away. Every time another soldier goes down, we are reminded who made the call to send our troops to Iraq.

[Moderator]

7. Locking

Rules to start discussion threads in the General Discussion forum.

...

7. Discussion topics that mention any or all of the Democratic presidential primary candidates are not permitted in the General Discussion forum, and instead must be posted in the General Discussion: 2004 Primary forum.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
DU moderator