Let's not overlook the obvious - both Killian's son and widow say these were not from their DAD/Husband - and that they did not release any of his files to anyone - so that begs the question as to who could have obtained them in the first place?
apparently, CBS is not revealing their sources for those papers.
Here are the questions:
1. Where is the origin of the documents, if they didn't come from the son or widow? Unless you can point to another close relative...this starts to become a questionable source.
2. If you can't produce other documents in this same group, from perhaps the same typewriter (there would only be one in the house or one in the squadron area...face it...Guard units didn't get nothing much in terms of hardware support)....then your origin of documents is suspicious.
3. Because of the font and spacing problems...this had to be fake...but from who? My guess is a Texas Demo team. It can't be the work of one individual. And based on the amount of effort...it would require a fair amount of homework to know the correct words to say. I'm guessing some young liberal lefty's out of Austin.
4. Did the Democratic national leadership know about this "joke"? I would hope not...but nothing would surprise me.
5. Did the Democratic national leadership call up their CBS source...a naive source probably...and hint that this would be available via someone? Could have happened...it does appear that 60 Minutes went very quickly about using it, and barely did any research. For a pro-operation like 60 minutes...this is very unusual.
6. Did Dan Rather know about the document?
7. If it is a forged document...will there be a national apology to the Killian family and to George Bush? If I were the family...I'd find the guy who wrote the document and demand well over $10 million in damages attributed to Col's good name.
8. Does this damage Kerry's campaign? If I were a member of the staff...I'd be demanding that everyone halt this Vietnam or Guard discussion immedately and start talking the economy. If they don't do that...they can forget about the entire election in two weeks.
Final Comment. This really opens the door for a nasty campaign in 2008...and I'm basically ashame of both parties. I'd rather talk national politics, the economy, and jobs...and all of these "punks" just want to keep talking Nam and Texas Guard...what the hell do I care about either one of them?
That would be my question. If these memos were in the ltc's personal file, why would anyone except his family have access to it?
If he was retired, did he leave his personal file in the office? If he died while still serving in the guard, would not his personal effects in the office be returned to his family?
This whole thing smells worse than "ole crusty" after a busy weekend.