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 ...
Carson in his book said he was offered a “scholarship” to West Point.
Carson was not offered a “scholarship” to West Point.
Therefore Carson’s statement in his book is a lie.
I’m guessing a lot of Carson supporters are Bush or Rubio supporters
hiding behind placeholder Carson for the moment.
Scholarship was the term they used on high school student back then (and still do) so that the students would easier understand that they would be getting an education at West Point completely paid for. Back in the seventies, a friend of mine who was solicited by a recruiter from the Army stated the same thing
But then, I am responding to a person who jumped at believing a Politico DemoRAT hack piece, so why should you believe this? Just don't call yourself a conservative because we are a lot more intelligent than you who are so gullible.
Wrong again!
You joking? Politico publishes hit pieces all the time on Trump. Problem is they can't get any to stick. Carson, on the other hand...
I can think for myself, thank you. Carson wasn’t “offered a scholarship” to West Point without even applying.
Read post 501.
Are you a Carson supporter?
My post to you mentioned noting about Politico.
Carson in his book says he was “offered” a scholarship to West Point.
There is no such thing as being “offered” a scholarship to West Point.
My brother was nominated by a sitting U.S. Senator from Mississippi.
After a lengthy process, he was “appointed” to West Point and graduated
from West Point about the same time line as Carson’s story.
There is no such thing as being “offered” a scholarship to West Point.
It did not exist 40 years ago. Not 100 years ago. And does not exist today.
You are either nominated and “appointed” or not “appointed”.
Firstly, his book which got some facts wrong was written before he ran. Secondly he did not serve in the military other than ROTC, and was interested in medicine instead. His ROTC record was superb, so it is plausible that he was talked to and encouraged, and it is plausible he was told that he would get some collection of available scholarship help that came close to being a free ride.
Based on the evidence I have seen so far, It is plausible he may have made it up and embellished it on purpose. It is plausible he did not. I do not accuse people of lying until I have verified that they are...and this article smells a bit funny, since the characterization of the headline seems to be walked back from the impression of a totally made up story to a story that got some dates and details wrong.
See post 501
See my tag line on all my post.
I am a Christian conservative that does not like anyone using and/or believing a DemoRAT hack tactic on another conservative.
It seems at least currently one can apply without being nominated.
My father went to West Point, and as I understand it he was given financial help since he couldn't otherwise afford it. Although my knowledge of this is based second hand on conversation I had with him decades ago. Sometimes such impressions are in error.
You are wrong about “scholarships” at WestPoint, says the United States Military Academy: https://books.google.com/books?id=e14EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA153&dq=%22west%20point%22%20tuition%20scholarship&pg=PA153#v=onepage&q=%22west%20point%22%20tuition%20scholarship&f=false
See my post 509.
Carson said in his own book that he was “offered” a scholarship
to West Point.
There is no such thing as being “offered” a scholarship to West Point.
So, that statement in his own book is not true.
And since you are not a Carson supporter 501 does not pertain to you.
I mis-wrote; I meant post 503 - the one I wrote.
If you had a child, grandchild, or any child in your family or close circle of friends who needed neurosurgery, you’d have crawled on your sorry knees to Baltimore to get Dr Carson to do it.
Your post #509 was a sorry insult to tennmountainman that you ought to apologize for.
That may well be true. I am not an expert on how admissions are CURRENTLY handled by West Point.
I can only speak of the process my brother went through during the time
fame Carson says he was “offered” a scholarship to West Point.
I am sure my brother had to apply too, before he was nominated by
a U.S. Senator. But I am certain the process is the same.
You apply. You are either nominated or not nominated and finally you are
either appointed or not appointed.
However, there is no such thing as being “offered” a scholarship.
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