If I thought it was unimportant, I wouldn't have issue with GW Bush's wartime service right along with Kerry's. The number of young men I personally knew that used the National Guard to escape possible service in Viet Nam far outweighs the numbers that choose National Guard service because duty called. Yes, character is an issue, but the whole Viet Nam War legacy is one of the most venomous in our history.
As I stated, "Only GW Bush knows what was on his mind during this period". If I go just on my wartime experiences, he's in the same pot as Kerry. I'm far to the right of GW Bush, and even further from Kerry. It's time to discuss present day issues.
I knew many guys who enlisted in the Navy and the Air Force inorder to avoid being drafted. They entered active duty knowing the chances of getting shot at were pretty slim as a sailor or an airman.
We can debate whether or not Bush sought the Guard to avoid the draft. He probably did. Kerry enlisted in the Navy to avoid the draft. There is documentation all over to the Kerry point. Thank you for your service!
MoodyBlu
USAF (1973-77)
[Yes, character is an issue, but the whole Viet Nam War legacy is one of the most venomous in our history.
As I stated, "Only GW Bush knows what was on his mind during this period". If I go just on my wartime experiences, he's in the same pot as Kerry. I'm far to the right of GW Bush, and even further from Kerry. It's time to discuss present day issues]
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(1) Screw your "wartime experiences". The Nat'l. Guard has always been considered an essential training/emergency arm of our country's defense & an honorable choice for military service. People join the other branches of service for a variety of less than heroic reasons--to travel, get a free college education, escape a shotgun wedding, etc. I'm sick of hearing the Guard put down & its members accused of being cowards. As one of the posted articles points out, we were at the height of the Cold War in the late 60s-early 70s, the Doomsday Clock was at a minute or two til midnight, we lived in constant awareness of the possibility of nuclear war--not to mention the race riots/Kent State/1968 Chicago Dem convention, etc. etc. etc.. The National Guard was no place to hide out.
(2) Yes indeed VN is THE most venemous legacy in our history & I for one think it's time to lance that boil & reassess what really happened. The Swiftees have finally wrestled the microphone away from the crowd that's held it for 40 years & now the libs want us to forget the whole thing & "move on". Not so fast; lots of people have been waiting a long time to be heard.