But do we really want a mumbling dissembler in the WH?
Posted on 11/06/2015 8:33:42 AM PST by GIdget2004
Ben Carson’s campaign on Friday admitted, in a response to an inquiry from POLITICO, that a central point in his inspirational personal story was fabricated: his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The academy has occupied a central place in Carson’s tale for years. According to a story told in Carson’s book, “Gifted Hands,†the then-17 year old was introduced in 1969 to Gen. William Westmoreland, who had just ended his command of U.S. forces in Vietnam, and the two dined together. That meeting, according to Carson’s telling, was followed by a “full scholarship†to the military academy.
West Point, however, has no record of Carson applying, much less being extended admission.
“In 1969, those who would have completed the entire process would have received their acceptance letters from the Army Adjutant General,†said Theresa Brinkerhoff, a spokeswoman for the academy. She said West Point has no records that indicate Carson even began the application process. “If he chose to pursue (the application process) then we would have records indicating such,†she said.
When presented with this evidence, Carson’s campaign conceded the story was false.
“Dr. Carson was the top ROTC student in the City of Detroit,†campaign manager Barry Bennett wrote in an email to POLITICO. “In that role he was invited to meet General Westmoreland. He believes it was at a banquet. He can’t remember with specificity their brief conversation but it centered around Dr. Carson’s performance as ROTC City Executive Officer.â€
“He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors,†Bennett went on. “They told him they could help him get an appointment based on his grades and performance in ROTC. He considered it but in the end did not seek admission.â€
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
This goes under the head I Nguyen ogre exaggeration.
When I was a junior and senior in high school, representatives of the Naval Academy asked me to apply, and assured me of an appointment. Why not? I had good grades, I had great test scores, and I was physically healthy.
I considered it strongly, but then for the sake of the United States, I decided not to apply.
Although the efforts to see me apply were fairly forceful, there was nothing forma, or in writing.
I have never exaggerated this into “an offer of a full scholarship (everyone who goes to the service academies goes for free, but they have to fulfill a duty obligation upon completion)”, but exaggerating and even lying seem to be the nature of our current crop of presidential candidates.
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/22/153214284/obamas-harvard-days-began-with-exclamation-point
Numerous individuals talk about his time at Harvard.
Good bye BEN! If he’s number 2 in the polls after this, then may God help us all.
“Well crap! 1) I am very disappointed that Ben Carson would lie. 2)He was my go to after Trump and Cruz. I wouldn’t have been terribly disappointed to vote for him. Not my choice but would have been okay since it was my impression he is a strong Christian. Would be wonderful to have a Christian leader in the White House.”
Ditto, I was never against the guy. This is it though.
I don’t think it was that he was too good for the military but the delay in going to school vs putting in the time. He would have made a hell of a medic except I can’t see him working fast and under pressure. Slow, methodical, delicate, and exacting skill, yes. Shove a tampon into a bullet wound after running around bullets? nope.
“For the Lord’s sake.. you apply through a congressman or the US President....
Don’t link website clips at me— utterly pointless and a facade.”
You can choose not to go to the link to West Point’s admission office, but I’ll tell you at the bottom of it, there’s a bit link that says “Ready to apply? Click here!”
Your facts are just wrong. Like Carson. You can get a NOMINATION from a congressman (or a service-connected individual). That is PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. That’s not HOW you apply.
I have his book right here in my hands. On Page 36 it says:
"I was so proud to lead the Memorial Day parade, a heavy cluster of medals and braids on my chest. I got to meet two Vietnam War veterans who had won the Congressional Medal of Honor, as well as Gen. William Westmorland. Later, I was offered a scholarship to West Point, which I eventually turned down. It flattered me, though, and proved that Mother was right all along when she constantly told me I could do anything I set my mind to."
Just a reminder:
The real enemy is not Ben Carson or any of our Republican candidates. The real enemy is that God forsaken band of shit-for-brains traitors known as the MAINSTREAM MEDIA.
I want the MSM DESTROYED and Trump and Cruz are just the men to do it!
Here is a link to the relevant passage of Gifted Hands
“I just hope they don’t find sacks of grain in there. lol”
Was West Point built to store grain too? Seem’s reasonable.
What it should tell you is that Carson as a teenager understood his conversations with those offering to nominate him to mean that the full ride is a scholarship for all intents and purposes. Why would anyone unfamiliar with service academies use the word “appointment?” To them, it is a scholarship. Carson didn’t want to attent WP. So he never applied and had no reason to understand the distinction.
Same as clip versus magazine. A technical distinction that is important only to those who really care. I expect those who are ignorant about the differences to use the two interchangeably and I’m not going to burn them down for doing so.
‘I know what I am but so are you’ doesn’t help.’
Of course not. My point is the time & effort of the MSM making it a leading story, when Biden’s multiple fibs never even made the news, and Obama’s real past is still a mystery not to be discussed
Well there we go, double confirmation. Thanks.
From what people have told me, military school is tough. A relative’s ex went to one and he told her it was tougher than joining the Marines because he was so young. I admire anyone who attends one.
At the end of my twelfth grade I marched at the head of the Memorial Day parade. I felt so proud, my chest bursting with ribbons and braids of every kind. To make it more wonderful, we had important visitors that day. Two soldiers who had won the Congressional Medal of Honor in Viet Nam were present. More exciting to me, General William Westmoreland (very prominent in the Viet Nam war) attended with an impressive entourage. Afterward, Sgt. Hunt introduced me to General Westmoreland, and I had dinner with him and the Congressional Medal winners. Later I was offered a full scholarship to West Point.
I didn’t refuse the scholarship outright, but I let them know that a military career wasn’t where I saw myself going. As overjoyed as I felt to be offered such a scholarship, I wasn’t really tempted. The scholarship would have obligated me to spend four years in military service after I finished college, precluding my chances to go on to medical school. I knew my direction—I wanted to be a doctor, and nothing would divert me or stand in the way.
Of course the offer of a full scholarship flattered me. I was developing confidence in my abilities-just like my mother had been telling me for at least the past ten years. Unfortunately I carried it a little too far. I started to believe that I was one of the most spectacular and smartest people in the world. After all, I had made this unprecedented showing in ROTC, and I stood at the top of my school academically. The big colleges wrote to me and sent out their representatives to recruit me.
“So thanks again. I hope his supporters see the light and go to Cruz.”
So do I. I’m a Trump supporter but Cruz has to get into the double digits or we’ll never see a Trump/Cruz or a Cruz/Trump ticket.
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