[reformedliberal]

Every one got a deferment every year of undergrad studies. Kerry would have gotten 4 of them. If Kerry had requested another year for a Master's somewhere in the US, he actually might have gotten it. I am female and I don't recall details, but good grades and references could get it done, in some cases.

Kerry applied to go overseas (France) for grad school. I don't recall what sort of program/time.

From 1966-67 onward, male university students got the benefit of the doubt in grading. If you were in a pre-professional program that demanded a B to stay in good standing, the guys got Bs. In a few months after this began, it was extended to women, too. It was discussed openly and everyone was aware of it. It was the beginning of grade inflation and cynicism about courses that weren't hard science.Liberal arts and art school (art school actually had the *B required in studio courses* up to 1966. In my school, that was quietly dropped in 1966.

The media doesn't point out that Cheney was older than Kerry and Dubyah, when talking about this issue. He had dropped out of school and was working. By the time he was back in school, his age would have been a factor. Then, if Lynn was pregnant, that was eligibility for a further deferment (minor dependents).I'm not positive, but I think the sole surviving son deferments were still around, too.

Then came the lottery and everyone with a high enough number just forgot about the draft. If you were older, it also wasn't an issue. Again, my memory is hazy on this, but I think 26-28 might have been the cut off age.

I would love to see the SATs, grades and GREs of those in the media who are of the right age and who actually went to university, let alone got a grad degree.

From my reading, this slamming of others' service record is the classic Kerry campaign ploy when he was losing at the end. It may be where the *good closer* myth began.

[Seeking the truth]

From 1966-67 onward, male university students got the benefit of the doubt in grading.

Bunk.

I started college September 1967 - ended January 1970.

Two different colleges.

Never heard such a thing and certainly did not experience it either!

[Bonaparte]

"If Kerry had requested another year for a Master's somewhere in the US, he actually might have gotten it."

Could be. I know he was given a 3-A deferment in 1966 due to a pregnant wife. They weren't drafting guys with pregnant wives or with children.

Can you imagine that? A guy in college gets married (who ever heard of such a thing?), then starts building a family (what are the odds!?), then is treated the same as anybody else according to current SS law (gasp!), then the following year is too old be drafted anyway (the b*st*rd went right ahead and turned 26! What nerve!).

"Then came the lottery and everyone with a high enough number just forgot about the draft. If you were older, it also wasn't an issue. Again, my memory is hazy on this, but I think 26-28 might have been the cut off age."

Right. They were taking only males between 18.5 and 25, inclusive. The first lottery drawing was in December 1969, almost 4 years after Cheney became ineligible for the draft due to age.

My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is that a "draft dodger" is anyone who receives a draft notice and then either:

• fails to report at pre-induction and has not duly obtained a lawful SS exemption

  OR

• evades induction by fraudulently obtaining a SS exemption

Dick Cheney did neither of these and is therefore not a "draft dodger." He complied at all times with the law -- unlike Bill Clinton, who evaded service by fraudulent means.