Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship

Politico ^ | 11/06/2015 | Kyle Cheney

[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.”

“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.”

[celmak]

But nobody is “offered a scholarship” to West Point without going through the complete application process.

Yeppers, that makes West Point a bunch of liars because they state they will give a "full scholarship", and (according to you) they don't offer it.

[celmak]

Once again you ignorant fool.

And, once again, you show yourself to be an illiterate moron.

[tennmountainman]

I have a West Point grad in my family.
We talk about West Point often.

And how many West Point grads do you have in your family?

[celmak]

And how many West Point grads do you have in your family?

Two uncles were there, and they had a good laugh when I showed them the West Point prospectus stating that cadets, "receive a full scholarship". They didn't know this either.

[Lazamataz]

I have a West Point grad in my family. We talk about West Point often. And how many West Point grads do you have in your family?

Seven.

Not including me and my son.

That's nine, if you count them.

[tennmountainman]

Were your uncles “offered” a scholarship upfront to West Point
by Westmoreland?

[celmak]

Were your uncles offered a scholarship upfront to West Point by Westmoreland?

How do you keep a DemoRAT troll in suspense?

[tennmountainman]

Ah, avoiding the answer. Nice evasive response.

[GOPJ]

fyi

West Point Magazine Ad Speaks of “full government scholarship” [see image]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3357453/posts?page=1

[celmak]

Ah, avoiding the answer. Nice evasive response.

Such an intelligent response coming from a DemoRAT troll who believes a DemoRAT hacker's Politico piece rather than someone fighting for a conservative cause; and has a hissy fit over the difference between "offered" a scholarship and "receive" a scholarship.

[celmak]

Thanks!

[tennmountainman]

You are such an evasive person for claiming to be such a Christian.

I asked you a simple question about your two uncles.

We’re your uncles “offered” a scholarship to West Point by someone
at West Point. It is such an easy question, that even an evasive Christian
should be able to answer it.

[highball]

He’s been caught in these little fibs before.

I really want to support him as a second choice, even though he’s not my candidate. But he makes it awfully hard.

[9YearLurker]

Do you not understand standard English?

When someone is “offered” either a job or a scholarship, that means an actual job or scholarshiop was promised. It doesn’t mean that someone was merely offered the opportunity to apply for such.

[9YearLurker]

Ben Carson has been in the professional “hero” business for decades. Such types are notorious embellishers in general.

[celmak]

Read Matthew 26: 59-63 and you will understand.

[celmak]

When someone is “offered” either a job or a scholarship, that means an actual job or scholarshiop was promised. It doesn’t mean that someone was merely offered the opportunity to apply for such.

Yeppers, West Point lies when they give the offer that cadets will receive full scholarships!

[9YearLurker]

You’re just an idiot.

[onedoug]

“Get down and give me fifty!”

[Libber Tee]

ANY story that is an attack on a current conservative running for President, *especially* an attack piece on a black conservative, I am HIGHLY skeptical of, and always will be in this political climate.