Dean's answer reveals more than intended; flap about iowa survey and his brother.

QCTIMES ^ | 12/23/03 | Opinion

[Pikamax]

Dean's answer reveals more than intended

For 12 weeks, editorial page readers have learned a little bit about the human side of our presidential caucus candidates.

Our Caucus Q&A each Sunday defines each candidate in terms beyond position statements. They have divulged childhood experiences and influential teachers. In today's installment, the candidates named their favorite comedy film.

Last Sunday, Howard Dean offered an unusually revealing answer.

The candidates were asked to complete this sentence: My closest living relative in the armed services is...?

Dean's reply: "...my brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead."

Dean's truthful answer provided an inaccurate response. His brother was never a member of the armed services.

In an interview Friday with the Times editorial board, Dean said he believed the question was meant to get at his personal understanding of the military.

That definitely was the intent of our question.

We wanted to know the intent of his answer.

Dean said he visited Vietnam with veterans and military personnel and participated in digs to unearth enlisted men's remains.

That experienced created a strong affinity for men and women in uniform.

Charlie Dean's remains were found last month in a Laotian rice field, ending nearly three decades of anguish for his family.

Charlie Dean by many accounts was a renegade, an anti-war activist who didn't scream objections and wave signs. He worked for George McGovern, and in 1974, began a world journey. The news stories called him a "tourist," but his activism would indicate the trip was much more than that.

He crossed the Pacific by freighter. He worked on an Australian ranch.

Then for reasons only he knew, he went with a friend to Southeast Asia to see the war first-hand.

At some point, he was arrested by Laotian communist troops and held against the formal objections of the U.S. and Australian governments.

The U.S. Department of Defense classified Charlie Dean as Missing in Action, meaning that he was among

those officially sought by our government. He wasn't the only civilian with such a classification.

But he was a civilian, not a member of the armed services.

Charlie Dean's capture and death in Southeast Asia certainly shaped his brother's opinions about the American military.

Knowing that story tells us something about the candidate.

So does inaccurately implying a direct family connection to the armed services for the 72,000 Quad-Citians who received Sunday's newspaper.

[The G Man]

Hmmm ... an almost knee jerk reaction to lie about the most trivial of things. Think, think, think ... where have I seen that before??

[Shermy]

His brother was never a member of the armed services.

Maybe, maybe not. Or a member of something else.

Dean probably wouldn't say the truth because it might disappoint some of his loony-left supporters.

[capydick]

The news stories called him a "tourist," but his activism would indicate the trip was much more than that.

Yea - a communist sympathizer who was killed by those he sympathized for. You'd think his brother would have learned a lesson about who you sympathize with.

[Conspiracy Guy]

In response to your reply.

Howie

Your comments really crack me up,
I’d have to say you’re funny.
As funny as a hemorrhoid,
Or as a nose that’s runny.
Saddam’s capture no big deal,
Your stance is still the same.
You’re really sucking big on this,
I’d say your brain is lame.
But tell me Howie, I must know,
These speeches, just who writes them?
Katie Couric comes to mind,
Or Michael Moore, is it him?
Well Doctor Dean you make me sick,
Malpractice, I will sue you.
Please get a clue, I’ll sell you one,
John Kerry needs a few too.

Conspiracy Guy 12/16/03

The Gen’ral

I‘d say that you’re invalid,
Even though you served.
The Clintons really like you,
That’s why I am unnerved.
You seem to be a sissy,
Too light in your old loafers.
I’d say it seems for Bill and Hill,
You’re just one of their gofers.
Retired your stars and that is best,
For you’ve not got a clue.
I’d vote for Sharpton, Gen’ral Clark,
Before I’d vote for you.

Conspiracy Guy 12/17/03

[narby]

Charlie was probaly helping Uncle Ho's guys get ready to take over South Vietnam in 1975.

[desertcry]

Thanks, but C&G lies are still very fresh in my mind. When I see their faces, I instantly see the faces of compulsive liars. No need to retrieve anything from my memory banks.

[There's millions of'em]

"Dean said he visited Vietnam with veterans and military personnel and participated in digs to unearth enlisted men's remains. I am only aware of one trip to VN, were there others? Does anyone happen to know when DrBean went to VN on these "digs"? And were any of the "digs" not related to his POW/MIA brother?

[colorado tanker]

Yea - a communist sympathizer who was killed by those he sympathized for.

Yep. Too naive and too stupid. Like Howard the Duck.

[Torie]

"...my brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead."

POW means military to me, but I could be wrong. Dean's saying he thought the question about who is closest relative in the military was meant to get him going about his brother, suggests the guy is a Clintonian trimmer. But that is just my opinion.

[Always Right]

The U.S. Department of Defense classified Charlie Dean as Missing in Action, meaning that he was among those officially sought by our government.

He was a POW, not an MIA. I think the DOD list includes both, but there is no way Charlie Dean was an MIA unless he was missing in combat, which he wasn't.

[Always Right]

POW means military to me, but I could be wrong.

A civilian could be a POW, but could not be MIA.

[Ruth A.]

Perhaps the question should have been more specific. For example, the words "United States armed forces" rather than simply a generic military. After all, Dean may consider his brother a "freedom fighter" for the NVC.

[pabianice]

Then for reasons only he knew, he went with a friend to Southeast Asia to see the war first-hand. And was killed by homicidal, American-hating communists.

Natural selection's a bitch, ain't it?

[Randjuke]

Ping - posted this AM with link