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Dean Rebuked for Statement Implying Brother Served in Military
New York Times ^ | December 23, 2003 | JODI WILGOREN

Posted on 12/23/2003 2:44:20 PM PST by Nachum

EMBROKE, N.H., Dec. 22 — Howard Dean came under criticism from an Iowa newspaper last weekend for an answer to a questionnaire in which he implied that his brother was serving in the military when he disappeared in Laos 29 years ago. His brother had been traveling in Southeast Asia as a tourist.

Asked by The Quad-City Times, which is based in Davenport, Iowa, to complete the sentence "My closest living relative in the armed services is," Dr. Dean wrote in August, "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead."

The brother, 23-year-old Charles Dean, whose apparent remains were recovered by a military search team last month in Laos, was classified as missing in action, along with other civilians captured or killed in the area during the Vietnam War. But Charles Dean never wore a uniform, and while some family members at times suspected that he was working as a spy, Dr. Dean said he never believed that.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2004; brother; charlesdean; dean; forstatement; implying; military; rebuked; served
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He must be Clinton's ugly cousin...
1 posted on 12/23/2003 2:44:21 PM PST by Nachum
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To: Nachum
I think Dean may be getting a bum rap, here, in a way. There are indications to suggest that his brother may have been working for the Feds when he was caught.
2 posted on 12/23/2003 2:51:59 PM PST by expatpat
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To: Nachum
I wonder what kind of wares a civilian might be involved in in Southeast Asia during the 60's and 70's?
3 posted on 12/23/2003 2:54:19 PM PST by U S Army EOD (When the EOD technician screws up, he is always the first to notice.)
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To: Nachum
"My closest living relative in the armed services is," Dr. Dean wrote in August, "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead."

My favorite fruit juice is... New England clam chowder, but the chowder is almost certainly too thick.

What a non-sequitor?

Did Dean write this answer all my himself?

4 posted on 12/23/2003 2:56:44 PM PST by george wythe
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To: Nachum
Posted here

and here

5 posted on 12/23/2003 2:59:57 PM PST by presidio9 (protectionism is a false god)
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To: presidio9
The is the second time this has happened. I did not one, but several searches for this story and nothing came up. Only then did I post. I hate it when this happens... aaaaarggggghhh.
6 posted on 12/23/2003 3:03:32 PM PST by Nachum
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To: Nachum
Pissants at the Picnic
7 posted on 12/23/2003 3:04:58 PM PST by Davis
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To: Nachum
...happens to the best of us my good man.
8 posted on 12/23/2003 3:07:23 PM PST by presidio9 (protectionism is a false god)
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To: Nachum
AGAIN!
9 posted on 12/23/2003 3:07:45 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (No words were harmed during the production of this tagline.)
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To: Nachum
Dean obviously wasm trying to get some military experience by association. He should have picked a relative who actually served in the military. Reminds me of my stint in the US Army during which GIs who had served overseas would often tell a new private to: "Sit on my foot locker and get yourself some overseas time."
10 posted on 12/23/2003 3:17:59 PM PST by luvbach1
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To: expatpat
I think Dean may be getting a bum rap, here, in a way. There are indications to suggest that his brother may have been working for the Feds when he was caught.

I'm inclined to feel the same way. I don't know what, as a civilian, Dean's brother could have been doing in Southeast Asia at that particular point in time that wouldn't be connected to the military. I think those of us on the right should avoid trying to make an issue out of this situation. There are plenty of other aspects of Dean's campaign, and his views on a number of issues, that are fair game. I'd tread lightly on this one, however.

11 posted on 12/23/2003 3:19:12 PM PST by GreenHornet
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To: GreenHornet
I don't know what, as a civilian, Dean's brother could have been doing in Southeast Asia at that particular point in time that wouldn't be connected to the military.

He was a war protester.

12 posted on 12/23/2003 3:23:00 PM PST by chesty_puller
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To: GreenHornet
I don't know what, as a civilian, Dean's brother could have been doing in Southeast Asia at that particular point in time that wouldn't be connected to the military.

The rumor mill had Charlie going over there in a similar fashion to Hanoi Jane. He was a war protestor.

13 posted on 12/23/2003 3:26:35 PM PST by Go Gordon (The older I get, the better I used to be.)
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To: Nachum
Dean: "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos,

Dean: I've always acknowledged my brother's a civilian,

A lie is a lie. It cannot be covered up.

14 posted on 12/23/2003 3:44:34 PM PST by chainsaw
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To: Nachum
Me thinks the man lacks "GRAVITAS".
15 posted on 12/23/2003 4:18:35 PM PST by ol' hoghead
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To: GreenHornet
I'm inclined to feel the same way. I don't know what, as a civilian, Dean's brother could have been doing in Southeast Asia at that particular point in time that wouldn't be connected to the military.

Deans brother was an anti-war protester, so were his friends. They were college radical hippies, I hate to say this, but more likely he was going there for purposes more related to treason then anything honorable.

16 posted on 12/23/2003 4:50:36 PM PST by Sonny M (oderintdum" metuant")
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To: expatpat
There are indications to suggest that his brother may have been working for the Feds when he was caught.

The "indications" are greatly exagerrated and basically just one thing. When he went missing, the government listed him as MIA, possible POW. Thats it. There was absolutly no proof that he ever trained with, or did anything, in any way, for the government. There are more indications that he may have been going there to commit treason.

17 posted on 12/23/2003 4:52:40 PM PST by Sonny M (oderintdum" metuant")
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To: GreenHornet
Do you believe the same would be true about Jane Fonda?
18 posted on 12/23/2003 4:52:45 PM PST by Mr. Lucky
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To: GreenHornet
"I don't know what, as a civilian, Dean's brother could have been doing in Southeast Asia at that particular point in time that wouldn't be connected to the military."

He was doing roughly what Jane Fonda was doing. It is a Dean family trait. Giving aid and confort.
19 posted on 12/23/2003 4:55:42 PM PST by truth_seeker
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To: Nachum
Dean's brother may never have served in the military, but he got a first hand demonstration of what kind of people we were there fighting. It's too bad he didn't survive his trip, I think he would have come back a changed man.
20 posted on 12/23/2003 4:59:28 PM PST by Steel Wolf (The Original One Man Crusading Jingoist Imperialist Capitalist Running Dog Paper Tiger himself)
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