George W. in the Flight Suit: Continuing a Precedent of the first George W.

National Review Online ^ | May 8, 2003 | Gleaves Whitney

[Glacier Honey]

Demoncrats are complaining about the cost of the flight but how much did we tax payers pay for defending clinton?

[Howlin]

I just do NOT understand this separation of the CIC and the POTUS. When did this become an issue?

And how can they forget ALl the other presidents who donned flight jackets.

You should have heard Maxine Waters on MSNBC just now, going on and on about Bush's "custom fitted flight suit."

[Tallguy]

Kennedy lost his boat, he stood a real chance of being severely reprimanded, but of course, dad stepped in.

Ambassador Joseph Kennedy not only squelched the board of inquiry that the Navy had in store for JFK, he lobbied to get his son awarded the Navy Cross. The brass decided not to court-martial Lt. Kennedy, but they did knock the medal down to a Navy & Marine Corps Medal -- an award that was regularly given for lifesaving.

[RooRoobird14]

Kennedy lost his boat, he stood a real chance of being severely reprimanded, but of course, dad stepped in.

And let's not forget why JFK got sent to the far reaches of the South Pacific in the first place: He was having sex with a woman who also happened to be a German spy!

[pbear8]

I remember my history teacher in jr. high mention almost under his breath that 'Kennedy wasn't supposed to be there anyway'. I've always wondered whether he meant JFK because of his health or the that his vessel should not have been in that location.

[pbear8]

Yes, Hoover didn't like that. Inga Binga alert!

[Enterprise]

Well, since the RATS are bringing up the cost of this trip, how much did we spend for travel and vacations for Hillary and Chelsea? I heard once it was about 250 million dollars. I thought the Republicans should have made an issue of it at the time, but they didn't.

[finnman69]

bump..great dissection of Krugman

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Thanks for the pic. You know I get sick and tired of people saying Bush "avoided" service. He could have died in the Texas Air National Guard just the same as if he served in Vietnam.

[Enterprise]

76.46% Yes

23.54% No

[Enterprise]

And if Bush looks comfortable in a flight suit, it's because he once wore one on real life. Clinton would have been just fine in a clown suit.

[Yo-Yo]

"Should President Bush have made a tailhook landing on the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln?"

Pardon me, I was in the Air Force not the Navy, but I have always heard a carrier landing referred to as an "arrested landing" not a "tailhook" landing until Dubya participated in one.

It appears to me that the media is trying to equate the negative connotation from the "Tailhook Scandal" and tie it to our Commander-In-Chief arriving on the USS Abraham Lincoln in style.

Is it just me?

[Enterprise]

I read that CNN did a "Tailhook" comment soon after the landing. It is to be expected that the RATS will jump on it as soon as they are faxed their talking points from "Bozo" McAuliffe.

[chainsaw]

Democrat, Robert Byrd, blasted Bush for flying out to the Lincoln in a fighter jet.

Just shows to go ya, The S-3 is not a fighter jet.

Does Byrd serve in the US senate or what. If he does, he has no idea what he is doing and/or voting for.

[Spook86]

Most people don't realize that Bush was at greater risk flying F-102s in the ANG, than Al Gore was as an Army "journalist" in Vietnam. As I recall, young Al never ventured outside the base perimeter; his "tour" was only six months (compared to the normal one year rotation), and he never came remotely close to combat.

Lest anyone doubt that military aviation is dangerous, consider this: Four of my friends--all Air Force pilots--have been forced to eject at least once in their career due to mechanical malfuctions and other mishaps. One of my friends died on a low-level training mission when a flock of birds rose from a swamp and collided with his F-4E. My friend did everything by the book, but he still died because some of the parachute lines from his ejection seat became wrapped around his neck during deployment of the 'chute.

the three other pilots had to eject from F-16s because of mechanical problems. One had an engine explode seconds after takeoff; he got one "swing" in his chute before hitting the ground. Another is now a half-inch shorter because of the 30-G acceleration and compression on his spine during ejection. The other broke his arm after ejecting, when he came down in a forest.

Military aviation is inherently dangerous--even in peacetime. Mr. Bush looks good in a flight suit and G-suit because he's "been there" and understands the risks involved.

Mr. Byrd is certainly one to talk. As I recall, his favorite uniform (at one time) consisted of a sheet and a hood.....

[Sunshine Sister]

Don't cha just love it when the libs get mad? What a hoot!

[MikeD]

During a subsequent crisis, he (Washington) squeezed into his old uniform and met troops on a mission to quell the Whiskey Rebellion.

I doubt President Washington had to do any squeezing to fit into his uniform. Plus, he didn't just meet troops -- he mounted his horse and led them to the Rebellion. Of course, the Rebels gave up once they saw Washington in the flesh.

I'm starting to believe that reading a real biography of George Washington should be a requirement to obtaining the right to vote...

MD

[Mike Darancette]

Of the 42 men who have been president, 27 served in the armed forces (64 percent).

People forget that Abraham Lincoln served as a Captain in the Blackhawk War.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

It is better to not try to understand these Demoniacs. Their hatred is so vile. Every syllable drips with loathing.

Only the blind fail to see it. But thank you for countering it anyway.

[Howlin]

You're right, of course. I might hurt my brain.