George W. Bush, A.W.O.L (New from Michael Moore site)

[bicentennial_baby]

In last night's Democratic Presidential debate in New Hampshire, broadcast on the Fox News (Nusciance?) Channel and ABC's Nightline, Peter Jennings went after Wesley Clark -- and me -- because I said I want to see Clark debate Bush... "The General vs. The Deserter."

Jennings, referring to me as "the controversial filmmaker," asked if Clark wanted to distance himself from me and my "reckless" remark. Clark would not back down, stating how "delighted" he was with my support, and that I was entitled to say what I wanted to say -- AND that I was not the only one who had made these charges against Bush.

The pundits immediately went berserk after the debate. As well they should. Because they know that they -- and much of the mainstream media -- ignored this Bush AWOL story when it was first revealed by an investigation in the Boston Globe (in 2000). The Globe said it appeared George W. Bush skipped out in the middle of his Texas Air National Guard service -- and no charges were ever brought against him. It was a damning story, and Bush has never provided any documents or evidence to refute the Globe's charges.

George W. Bush was missing for at least a 12 month period. That is an undisputed fact. If you or I did that, we would serve time.

Senator Daniel Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii and a World War II veteran, joined with Vietnam vets Sen. Max Cleland and Sen. Bob Kerrey to challenge Bush on the gaps in his military record. "The question is, where were you, Governor Bush? What would you do as commander-in-chief if someone in the National Guard did the same thing? At the least, I would have been court-martialed. At the least, I would have been placed in prison," Inouye said.

The Washington Post, the New Republic, and others also presented the evidence that Bush had fled from duty.

The most comprehensive piece I've seen was on Tom Paine.com with all the relevant links and documents.

There are far more important issues to deal with in this election year. Poor Peter Jennings. What was he doing on Fox? All that seems left of his Canadianess is the way he pronounced my name ("Michael Moooore"). The question he posed to Clark was typical of a lazy media looking for a way to distract the viewers from the real issues: the war, the economy, and the failures of the Bush administration. But if they want to really get into the issue of Bush and his "service record," then I say, bring it on! The facts are all there, including the empty flyboy suit.

Yours,

Michael Moore

http://www.michaelmoore.com/

[robsul82]

1. As much as I want Dean to win the nomination...

...I do BADLY want to see a debate between Clark and Bush. Just for hilarity's sake.

Later.

RJS

[xultar]

9. I'm sure I'd burst my bladder watching a debate between

Chimpy face and the General.

Hell I think Clark should challenge his ass right now just in case Clark doesn't get the nomination.

U wanna talk about an ass whoopin! Wes would be the $hit outta GWB.

I might even feel sorry for GWB because Clark would put such a hurtin on his R'Tardy ass it would look like someone beatin up on a blind man deaf man in a wheelchair.

[maddezmom]

2. Thank you Michael Moore!!

:)

[LuminousX]

3. Write those Letters to the Editors, Write your congressman

Explain your shock and dismay at the President who shirks his sworn duty. Demand an explanation. Demand an investigation. Ask about the statute of limitations on desertion. Ask why this wasn't more thoroughly reported before the 2000 election. Ask why so much time was spent on 'Gore invented the internet' and no time was spent questioning if Bush fulfilled his duty to his country.

The door has been opened for us to make this a key issue. And WE have to make it an issue, not our candidates. Our candidates need to keep their hands clean of this, but WE THE PEOPLE can push this hard.

[Doctor_J]

7. Stay focussed or scatter-shoot?

I am going to write a LTTE. Should we keep them focussed on the TANG lie, or should we also bring up the lies about drug use, lies about arrest records, lies about when he quit drinking, etc. at the same time?

[Basurero]

4. "Where were you Gov Bush?"

Sen. Inouye's words still ring true today.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi Basurero!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[displacedtexan]

5. Here's my opinion:

I think the W AWOL issue really angers Peter Jennings. I'm sure he's under orders from ABC not to report on it. I think he might have used the debate question as a way to get the issue out there. I also think Jennings knew the good general would handle the question well (which Clark did).

[jumptheshadow]

8. Yep

It was a very good question...and it potentially sets up a dramatic counterpoint between Clark and Bush...Clark seemed surprised by it but will get up to speed...

[jbfam4]

6. Keep this issue in the spotlight

Let them keep after Clark on this issue.......he can handle it and the more it is talked about Bush* being AWOL...the better for the candidates.

[kang]

10. Good article reference

I'll look it up on the Globe. Clark did the right thing, but he should've used it to go on the offensive. For example, say how funny it is that people are questioning whether he's a real democrat, but then coming after him for standing on stage with Michael Moore...does anybody else see the inconsistency of those questions?

[bicentennial_baby]

11. Kick

:kick:

[maddezmom]

12. kick

[TP1776]

14. The Deserter vs. The General

I am a veteran of two wars, and I would like to say something:

George W. Bush is a Deserter.

Clark couldn't say it on national television, because, well, it is not a very nice thing to say, and it speaks more about the silliness of reporters that they were trying to do so on last night's debate that about the issue. If George W. Bush were a bastard, the Democratic nominee would be forced to call him a child of questionable parentage (or some such thing). The point is that you can't call someone a bastard on national television, nor can you call them a deserter.

However: the fact of the matter is that GWB got a deferment from Vietnam by securing spot in the Texas National Guard. He then failed to show up.

George Bush, in my book and in the book of alot of other veterans, is a Deserter. Michael Moore is right. Although the good General couldn't really say so on national TV, I also think General Clark had no duty to refute Michael Moore.

The reporters should try their hand at ferreting out substance for a change.

URP

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Bring it on

INDEED! Go, Michael!

Go, Wes!

[Terwilliger]

16. Thanks, Mike, but they don't care about the record

they care if Clark will stand-up for your point of view