Posted on 09/12/2004 6:59:16 PM PDT by dickmc
As you may know a thread was started friday evening to attempt
to summarize the important forgery points. The extension of the original
thread is at Evidence Against Rather (cont'd): FR Forgery Talking Points and can be
found here. This was initiated by SkyPilot and I agreed to help out. This is
a continuation of that thread.
The information below needs your review, analysis, and suggested changes
in the form of final edits. If you see things that should be changed,
please retype the suggested revision including the line number in a new reply.
While we have tried to capture the hundreds of comments and posts in the last few days,
the likelihood is that we may have gotten something wrong or missed an element.
This is why your review would be most helpful.
The table below shows where we are at this point:
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CAUTION: FOR YOUR REVIEW, COMMENT, CHANGE, AND CORRECTION ONLY AT THIS TIME. SOME ITEMS MAY CHANGE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THIS NOT BE POSTED ELSEWHERE UNTIL WE ARE DONE
ISSUES RELATED TO 60 MINUTES DOCUMENTS.
a. Font, type, typography, equipment, etc issues that can be processed from the pdfs alone.
1. Typewriter proportional spacing was not available in 1972 with the Times Roman font, the timeframe and font style of the CBS Memos. The IBM Executive had a pseudo proportional spacing but not the typeface used in the CBS Memos. (No confirmation that even this type of technology was available at TANG, see below for a discussion of the Selectric Composer which is a printshop device)
3. Superscripts not generally available. These are individual characters in smaller case that extend above the printed line in the CBS Memos. (The underlined "th" cited by CBS in the Chronological Listing of Service, which does NOT extend above the characters, is technically a single key element.) If anything, the superscript "th" in the CBS Memos versus the single key element even further indicates that the CBS Memos are a forgery.
5. 4's produced on a typewriter are open at the top. 4's on a word processor are closed. Compare the genuine Bush TANG documents, where the 4's are open at the top, to CBS 60Minutes' forgeries, where the 4's are closed at the top
6. Apostrophes in the documents are curled serifs. Typewriters used straight hash marks for both quotation marks and apostrophes.
9. Margins look like a computer's Word Processor unjustified default, not the way a person typing would have done it. Typewriters had fixed margins that “rang” and froze the carriage when typist either hit “mar rel” or manually returned carriage.
11. Words run over in a manner within CBS Memos that is consistent with a Word Processor.
12. Times Roman has been available since 1931, but only in linotype printshops and some Selectric typewriters...until released with Apple MacIntosh in 1984 and Windows 3.1 in 1991.
13. Signature looks faked, and it cut at the very end of the last letter rather than a fade when pressure would have been released.
16. Overlay of CBS Memos is an EXACT match for Microsoft Word Processor, versions disputed, but converted to pdf matches exactly.
19. Absence of hyphens to split words between lines, compared with 1970's typewritten documents.
22. It would have been nearly impossible to center a proportionately typed letterhead with proportional spacing without a computer (not impossible, but for Killian, who did not type, highly improbable). Further, doing this centering identically in memos two months apart, CBS May 04 and CBS August 01, absent a Word Processor is extremely unlikely.
26. Kerning was not available in any office typewriter. For kerning photographic analysis of memo see http://www.manchuriancandidate2004.com/kern.jpg
35. Why is the redacted address of Longmont #8 visible beneath the black mark? This would have been impossible after one copy, but it would be visible if the document was scanned.
51. The vertical spacing used in the memos, measured at 13 points, is not available in typewriters, and only became possible with the advent of computer driven type word processors and printers.
52. May 4, 1972 "order" memo and the May 19, 1972 "commitment" memo typeface doesn't match the official evaluation signed 26 May 1972. Or does the TANG have a new typewriter just for Col Killian's memorandum.
68. The only device that could have produced the superscripted “th” in that period and proportional type in that timeframe would have been a Selectric Composer. This is not a typewriter but is used for special publication composing. It cost some $4,000 then ($23,000 today) and was incredibly difficult to operate. The machine basically consisted of an IBM Selectric typewriter with a 3-1/2 ft. high upright case containing the magnetic tape reader reading long spools of magnetic tape in cartridges. It also needed a special IBM service person above and beyond repairing typewriters. It is not clear that the AirForce had even three units at that time and the TANG clearly did not. To suggest that Col Killian, who could barely type and even if he could, would have been able to operate one of these machines is absurd. The operating manual is here at http://www.ibmcomposer.org/docs.htm.
b. Issues that can only be processed by a better or original copy
17. Potential paper size issue: Air Force and Guard did not use 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper until the 1980s.
31. Is the document original or a copy of an original? Why all the background noise such as black marks and a series of repeated dots (as if run through a Xerox).(Rather explained his document was a photocopy-brings up additional questions of how redacted black address was visible from a several generation copy)
c. Issues that relate to custom and usage of text within the documents
8. Signature block. Typical authentic military signature block has name, then rank, then on the next line the person's position. The CBS Memos just have rank beneath the name.
10. CBS Memos have dates inconsistent with military style. Months should have three letters or in the form 110471.
15. No letterhead
28. Language not generally used by military personnel.
29. Not signed or initialed by author, typist, or clerk.
30. Not in any format that a military person would use, e.g. orders are not given by a Memo!
33. Why no two hole punches evident at the top of the page? …or even three or five on the side of the page?
37. In the CBS Memo 18 August, the acronym should be OER, not OETR.
46. The superscript "th" in the forged documents was raised half-way above the typed line (consistent with MS Word, but inconsistent with military typewriters which kept everything in-line to avoid writing outside the pre-printed boxes of standard forms).
41. The forged documents had no initials from a clerk.
42. CBS Memos on 4 May and 1 August have no distribution list as needed for orders.
43. Subject line in memos was usually, but not always, CAPITALIZED in the military
44. The forged documents used incorrect terminology ("physical examination" instead of "medical")
48. CBS May 4, 1972 "order" Memo and the CBS May 19, 1972 "commitment" memo typeface doesn't match the official evaluation signed 26 May 1972. Or does the TANG have a new typewriter just for Col Killian's memorandum.
54. USAF letterhead has been in required use since 1948. Instead the CBS Memos have typed letterhead. In general, typed letterhead is restricted to computer-generated orders, which were usually printed by teletype, chain printer or daisy-wheel printer, the latter looking like a typed letter. Manually typed correspondence is supposed to use official USAF letterhead. However, even special orders, which used a typed letterhead, were required to use ALL CAPS in the letterhead.
55. The typed Letterhead gives the address as "Houston, Texas". The standard formulation for addresses at USAF installations should require the address to read "Ellington AFB, Texas".
56. Killian's signature block should read: JERRY B. KILLIAN, Lt Col, TexANG Commander This is the required USAF formulation for a signature block.
57. Lt Col Killian's signature should be aligned to the left side of the page. Indented signature blocks are not a USAF standard.
58. The rank abbreviations are applied inconsistently and incorrectly. For example the use of periods in USAF rank abbreviations is incorrect. The modern formulation for rank abbreviations for the lieutenant grades in the USAF is 2LT and 1LT. In any event, they would not have included periods. Lt Col Killian's abbreviations are pretty much universally incorrect in the memos.
59. The unit name abbreviations use periods. This is incorrect. USAF unit abbreviations use only capital letters with no periods. For example, 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron would be abbreviated as 111th FIS, not 111th F.I.S.
60. The Formulation used in the memos, i.e., "MEMORANDUM FOR 1st Lt. Bush..." is incorrect. A memo would be written on plain (non-letterhead) paper, with the top line reading "MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD". However, Lt Col Killian is known to have relied on hand written notes on scraps of paper and not gratuitous memos to files.
61. An order from a superior, directing a junior to perform a specific task would not be in the memorandum format as presented. Instead, it would use the USAF standard internal memo format with left hand justification as follows: FROM: Lt Col Killian, Jerry B. (space) SUBJECT: Annual Physical Examination (Flight) (space) TO: 1Lt Bush, George W. Documents that are titled as MEMORANDUM are used only for file purposes, and not for communications.
62. The memos use the formulation "...in accordance with (IAW)..." The abbreviation IAW is a universal abbreviation in the USAF, hence it is would not be spelled out, rather it is used for no other reason than to eliminate the word "in accordance with" from official communications. There are several such universal abbreviation, such as NLT for "no later than".
70. Physical is due the last day of the Birth Month which be 31July; not at the May 14th date ordered in the memo. Moreover the May 14 date is a Sunday.
72. Day in the date of the CBS Memo 4 May should be "4" and NOT "04"; in the CBS Memo 1 August it should have been "1" and NOT "01". This is a tell tale artifact of a Word Processor default setting which was not been changed.
75. According to Lt Col Campelli (USAF ret), the CBS Memos 4 May and 1 August both have a letterhead for the wrong organization. Correspondence and orders in those days would have been issued in the name of the parent organization -- the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group -- rather than by the squadron. Moreover, the letterhead in the CBS Memos is typed. The unit used PRINTED ANG letterhead. Moreover, where written orders were issued they were on standard USAF orders forms. They were NOT in the CBS Memo format. For further information see http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1212092/posts
79. Consideration of all ordinal numbers occurring in the CBS Memos reveals two with miniature “th” superscripts as suffixes, four with spaces between the numerals and suffix, and five without a space, all of which include a digit of 1 (arguably a lower case L). Putting spaces between the numerals and the suffix is NOT how typists were or are trained. The only reason for spaces generally occurring after ordinals is to suppress MS Word's auto-superscript function. The most parsimonious explanation for the features shown by the ordinals in the CBS Memos is a forger intending suppress the auto-superscript function (which he didn't know how to turn off) but knew enough to use lower case L's in imitation of old typists or to insert spaces into other ordinals. He simply missed simply missed two instances and MS Word simply turned the “th” into superscripts.
d. Issues that relate to the context of the document (people retired, day of week, ANG policy, etc.)
20. 5000 Longmont #8 in Houston Tx. does not exist (actually does exist, but Lt Bush had already moved TWICE from this address at the time the memo was written). The address that the CBS Memo o4 May should have used is: 2910 Westheimer Rd. Apt 4. Lt Col Killian certainly would have known the correct address.
24. Subject matter is bizarre
25. Air Force did not use street addresses for their offices. For example, HQ AFLC/CC is for Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433.
27. In the CBS Memo of August 18, 1973 Jerry Killian purportedly writes: "Staudt has obviously pressured Hodges more about Bush. I'm having trouble running interference and doing my job." but General Staudt, who thought very highly of Lt Bush, retired on March 1, 1972. General Staudt was no longer in the food chain!
34. Regarding CBS 04 May Memo: LT Bush would have had automatic physical scheduled for his Birth Month which was July! He would have received a routine letter notifying him of the pending requirement, month or date by which the flight physical was to be completing, and advising him to call the flight surgeon's office to schedule the appointment. There would not have been an 'order' issued and certainly not by May 14th in advance of July, his Birth Month. Moreover, if any orders ever are issued in writing, they are NOT issued via a Memorandum!.
63. The title of one of the memos is CYA, a popular euphemism for covering one's...ahem...posterior. It is extremely doubtful that any serving officer would use such a colloquialism in any document that might come under official scrutiny.
66. Both Lt Col Killian's wife and son relate that Killian wasn't a typist. If he needed notes, he would write them down longhand, but in general, he wasn't paper-oriented, and certainly wasn't a typist.
76. According to Lt Col Campelli: “Jerry Killian never went near a typewriter. In the Air Force, in those days, notes -- if anyone kept them at all -- were handwritten.” All the CBS Memos supposedly by Lt Col Killian are typed. Also, bureaucrats -- not fighter jocks -- write "CYA" memos. For further information see http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1212092/posts
74. The CBS Memo 1 August which Killian writes: "I recommended transfer of this officer…Officer has made no attempt to meet…or flight physical." This is inconsistent with the Lt Bush official performance evaluation dated 26 May 1972 in which Major Harris writes: "Lt Bush should be retained in his present assignment. He has gained valuable experience in the operations area and would be a welcome addition to any fighter squadron." Lt Col Killian signed off this evaluation on the same day.
77. According to Lt Col Campelli: “Orders -- like the purported CBS Memo 04 May order to take the flight physical wouldn't normally have been signed by Killian. They would have been signed by a senior sergeant ‘by order of’ Killian’.” For further information see http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1212092/posts
78. The CBS Memo 19 May 1972 to the file that is supposedly written by Harris or Killian states: "Says he wants to transfer to Alabama to any unit he can get in to. Says he is working on another campaign for his dad". The CBS Memo is pejoratively inconsistent with the Lt Bush 26 May 1972 Performance Appraisal which states under OTHER COMMENTS: “Lt Bush is very active in civic affairs in the community and manifests a deep interest in the operation of our government. He has recently accepted a position as a campaign manager for a candidate for United States Senate. He is a good representative of the military and the Air National Guard in the business world. His abilities and anticipated future assignments make him a valuable asset. He is a member of the National Guard Association of the United States and Texas."
e. Other issues (veracity of experts, etc.)
2. CBS admits that it does *not* have the originals, but only original documents can be proven to be real; copies can *never* be authenticated positively...repeat: only original documents can be proven real. CBS never had the originals, so CBS knew that it was publishing something that couldn't be assured of authenticity. Moreover, CBS's own validator, Marcel Matley, wrote in the September, 2002 issue of the journal, "The Practical Litigator": "In fact, modern copiers and computer printers are so good that they permit easy fabrication of quality forgeries. From a copy, the document examiner cannot authenticate the unseen original ..."
4. Small "th" single element not generally available (not common, but available. Highly unlikely the machines were available at TANG) [REDUNDANT. SEE 3.]
7. The blurriness of the copy indicates it was recopied a number of times which is a common tactic of forgers. (copying of the CBS Memos was stated in the 60Minutes broadcast).
14. No apparent errors or whiteouts. (CBS used copies)
32. The Killian family rejected these documents as forgeries. Then where did the “personal files” come from if not the family?
39. CBS validator was only signature expert, not a typewriting expert. Also there now seem to be emerging issues on the signature itself. For signature authenticity doubts see http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040910-104821-5968r.htm and http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1213174/posts
53. Retired Maj. General Hodges, Killian's supervisor at the TANG, told ABC News that he feels CBS misled him about the documents they uncovered. According to Hodges, CBS told him the documents were "handwritten" and after CBS read him excerpts he said, "well if he WROTE them that's what he felt." Hodges also said he did not see the documents in the 70's and he cannot authenticate the documents or the contents. His personal belief is that the documents have been "computer generated" and are a "fraud". http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/NotedNow/Noted_Now.html
64. The records purport to be from Lt Col Killian's "personal files". Yet they were not obtained from his family, but through some unknown 3rd party. It is an odd kind of "personal file" when the family of a deceased person is unaware of the file's existence and it is not in their possession.
65. Both Lt Col Killian's wife and son, as well as the EAFB personnel officer do not find the memos credible.
65. The CBS Memos are totally inconsistent with the glowing performance reviews for Mr. Bush.
71. CBS 60 Minutes' says validator Matley vouched for all four CBS Memos; Matley says he only vouched for one.
73. CBS 60 Minutes has not stated any provenance for the memos. This add further questions to the authenticity of the CBS Memos.
Elements that have been deleted from above list
18. Overlap analysis is an exact match [NOW COVERED IN 16.].
21. Box 34567 is suspicious, at best. This would not be used on correspondence, but rather forms. The current use of the po box 34567 is Ashland Chemical Company, A Division of Ashland Oil, Incorporated P. O. Box 34567 Houston (this has been confirmed by the Pentagon, per James Rosen on Fox News) [THE BOX NUMBER IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTS].
23. Bush's grade would be abbreviated "1Lt" not "1stLt" [IT APPEARS TANG NEEDED A STYLE GUIDE AS OTHER DOCUMENT ABBREVIATIONS ARE ALL OVER THE MAP, BUT NONE ARE SUPERSCRIPTED!]
36. Why were these exact same documents available for sale on the Internet y Marty Heldt, of leftist web site Tom Paine, as early as January 2004? Is this where CBS obtained their copies? [THIS NEEDS VERIFIED WITH A LINK (CACHED??)]
38. Last line of document 4 "Austin will not be pleased with this" is not in the same font and has been added! [UNCLEAR. DOES THE GROUP WANT THIS IN OR OUT???]
40. Lt Col Killian didn't type [DUPLICATED ELSEWHERE]
45. There was no "receipt confirmation box" (required for orders) [OTHERS HAVE SAID THAT A DISTRIBUTION LIST SUBSTITUTES]
47. Regarding superscript - typewriter example had it underlined in the keystroke but the forged document doesn't. [NOW COVERED IN 2.]
49. CBS admits that it does *not* have the originals, but only original document signatures can be proven to be real; copies can *never* be authenticated positively. [DUPLICATE OF 2.]
50. The manual cited in the forged document "AFM 35-13" doesn't exist. That line of text reads: "to conduct annual physical examination (flight)IAW AFM 35-13". "IAW" means "In Accordance With" and "AFM 35-13" would mean "Air Force Manual 35-13". There is no such Air Force Manual 35-13. [IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT THIS MANUAL EXISTS OR NOT AND WHAT IT IS FOR]
67. Col Walter "Buck" Staudt was honorably discharged on March 1, 1972. CBS Memo describing Staudt as interfering was dated Aug. 18, 1973. Col Staudt was no longer in the food chain. [DUPLICATE OF 27.]
69. The typed squadron letterhead is centered on the page, an extremely difficult operation to perform manually. [DUPLICATE OF 22.]
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Those of us working on this really appreciate all of your continued help and input.
If you have a change or suggestion:
If it is a CHANGE, at the end of your reply simply type the line such as:
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Thus, it is important that we get all of your review and comments.
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Thanks,
Dick
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BTTT
BTTT
Wow , just read the Flounder site post ..Cant argue with that guy. Case closed as I see it ..FRAUD..We have to get this guy some air time somehow.maybe Hannity needs to hear about this site http://www.flounder.com/bush.htm
This newly posted article cites "eye-whitness" accounts of GWB on duty in Alabama ANG - may want to incorporate their names and basic circumstances
Regarding kerning and other typesetting issues you really need to see the masterpiece at flounder.com. It is such a work of art that it makes all other arguments superfluous.
Basically the CBS memos have TrueType letter spacing, a unique and propriatary spacing that wasn't invented until 1981.
The article is long and technical, but it explains why all attempts to match the documants with Executives or Composers are DOOMED.
1. It is extremely unlikely that anyone would have actually saved documents such as these for thirty years. Office paperwork is usually tossed out after a few years.
1.a.) Government procedures specify what documents are archived and for how long. Documents like this would not have been archived, or certainly would not have been kept beyond a few years. Then they would have been destroyed.
1.b.)The family has already said that Killian did not keep the files at home. Who in the world would have bothered to save these documents for over 30 years, if not the National Guard or the family?
2. Why were only these particular documents saved?
3. I think you could say more about the lack of typo's. For a non-typist like Killian to produce these four perfect-looking memos on a typewriter would have been virtually a miracle, even using correction fluid or correction tape. Had a secretary typed the memos, his or her initials would have been in the signature block.
4. If these documents are authentic, why does the person who held them for over thirty years have to remain anonymous?
Dates would have been written as 4 May 72 or 4May72 not
04 May 1972 or 4 May 1972 everybody knew what century it was. (USAF 1972-1993)
It seems that one enemy of Bush is a disgruntled, retired Army National Guard soldier. He has been involved in this issue (Bush's "AWOL" charge) for years, and has written extensively about it.
Is it possible that some of the terminology used could be more of an Army type than Air Force (Memorandum, etc)?
For example, is there an AM (Army Regulation/manual) 35-13 that details Physical Exams vs. Medicals?
Are there ny Army people who might know something about this out there?
D27 contains this line: "General Staudt was no longer in the food chain!"
Suggest you change to: General Staudt was no longer in the military chain of command.
Food chain sounds a little sophomoric and chain of command is a technical word of art.
As a writing teacher, I also caution against using exclamation points. It also looks amateurish. You don't need to emphasize something if it's correct and a telling point. The content will do that for you.
One of the most impressive sections would be one giving the names and resumes of various experts who have called the documents forgeries.
One of the best I have seen is Joseph Newcomer at http://www.flounder.com/bush.htm
His analysis and resume are definitive in my mind. I think you refer to it in one of the items--but what I'm proposing is an entire section devoted to Experts.
Of course, much of what they say about fonts and technology is repeated in the various points in other sections.
Wow! Great work. Thanks!
In another post I recommended that you include a new section on experts who have called the documents fakes or forgeries and include their resumes.
I'm sure you have a list somewhere, but just in case here is the name of another one. She was cited in an AP article.
That superscript, however," countered The A.P., "is in a different typeface than the one used for the CBS memos." It consulted the document examiner Sandra Ramsey Lines of Paradise Valley, Ariz., and reported "she could testify in court that, beyond a reasonable doubt, her opinion was that the memos were written on a computer."
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