Why I think the AWOL issue is a non-issue

[wunnerfulrobin]

The story I've always heard was that Bush was transferred to an Alabama unit for his last yr of service in the Guard. And it was there he supposedly never reported.
I was in the Guard for 12 yrs, and when I decided not to re-enlist, I was transferred to another unit where there were vacancies to be filled. I was not expected to show up for that last yr, unless I wanted to. I was never considered AWOL, and if Bush was, then it seems as though the commander would have charged him. But I guess he was scared for his life, right? It just seems like his situation was the same as mine. Kerry didnt say Bush was awol, because he doesnt want to split hairs. Clark didnt know how to respond because no one told him what to say, and he's scared of saying the wrong thing, which is why I dont think Clark is gonna make it. Kerry is the only one who has the talent to go all the way, but I still think Lieberman is the best of the bunch........

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Were you in the National Guard during Vietnam...

...when many units were being called up and manpower was rather short?

[wunnerfulrobin]

8. I was not in during Nam......

but my unit was not called up during that time either. I was also in an Air Guard unit. As for bushes unit, I dont know. I would like to know if his unit was activated at that time.

[HuckleB]

2. Until it's fully investigated...

we'll never know.

It's certainly much more of a real issue than anything Rove and company have against our guys at this time.

So let's not be foolish enough to drop it.

[caledesi]

12. Amen Huck. We will not forget. n/t

[Jacobin]

3. A rare thing on DU....a Lieberman supporter.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[BeatleBoot]

5. I Love Seinfeld

:7

[KittyWampus]

4. Kerry Doesn't Want To Go Back 35 Years Cause He Wrote A Book

in his VietNam protestor days.

And he's stupid enough to think that if he agrees to ignore AWOL now that Rove will agree not to talk about Hanoi Jane later.

We CANNOT win without some moderates and independants.

Kerry's book WILL be outed and he will be SCREWED.

[HuckleB]

10. 35 years?

Damn. I don't know when Kerry's book came out, but Bush was only AWOL 30 or 31 years ago. I'm getting old fast enough. Don't be pushing the envelope unnecessarily.

But, yeah, you're right. Kerry's a fool not push the Bush AWOL story, with that book sitting out there.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. This issue resonates with veterans and families of those serving

it is NOT a non-issue. There have been a lot of threads started by newbies addressing this issue today, and I can only *GUESS* at the intended effect.

I come from a military family that consists of two uncles that served in 'Nam and a Korean War Vet father. What do you think THEY think of Bush's military record? And what about the families whose sons and daughters are dying over there? Do you think they'll give Bush a free pass here?

Liberman my ass... :eyes:

[diamond14]

16. my cousin was KILLED in Vietnam...my nephew is serving in Iraq,

my Uncle served TWO tours in Korea, four other uncles served in WWII and my father....I am horrified at the treatment that OUR National Guard soldiers are suffering in Iraq, at the hands of shrub...it the shrub's policies and planning failures that are forcing N.G. to stay there for YEARs at a time, essentially a 'draft'...

as long-time military family, we are horrified at shrub's scammming in getting out of the military...if we let him get away with desertion, that has a huge impact on all our soldiers today...we must stand strong and set the highest example by FORCING BUSH* TO RELEASE HIS MILITARY RECORDS and get a FULL investigation....

if bush* is clean, then he should have no problem with releasing his military records....

[alcuno]

7. I don't know. Let's have a public debate and find out the truth.

The question simply remains because it has not been put to rest one way or another. Did * fail to complete his NG service during a time of war? Seems like the media could ferret out the truth and maybe ask * directly. Why don't they ask the question? You decide.

No insult intended, but your story is not relevant. You are not the POTUS strutting about wearing military-like garb after having started a war using highly questionable motives.

[Cocoa]

9. Bush has been such a crappy president

if the AWOL thing wasn't a factor in 2000, when he was only a potentially crappy president, there's no way it's going to be now.

He let Sept. 11 happen, for Chrissakes! Who cares if he went AWOL?

But I completely agree with Clark that Moore has the right to say whatever he wants. That's my kind of president.

[HuckleB]

13. The big press brought it up this time.

They may have to actually report it. Sorry, but it's foolish to let this go.

[arewethereyet]

11. if there was anything to this McCain would have used it

I think we would be better served making a case for why our team is better for America tomorrow than about the past.

[HuckleB]

15. We should do that, too.

Work every front as hard as all the others.

[BeatleBoot]

14. When you were in The Guard

was it because your daddy moved you up ahead of thousands of others waiting to get in rather than actually serve for real in Viet Nam?

Most likely not. But, that's what Senator Bush did.

I ain't no Senator's son.

They are a bunch of sissies. I don't vote for sissies.