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Posted on 09/09/2004 6:06:29 PM PDT by ambrose
Son of late officer, other questions memos attributed to Bush commander
09/10/2004
By BOBBY ROSS JR. / Associated Press
The authenticity of newly unearthed memos stating that George W. Bush failed to meet standards of the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War was questioned Thursday by the son of the late officer who reportedly wrote the memos.
"I am upset because I think it is a mixture of truth and fiction here," said Gary Killian, son of Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, who died in 1984.
Gary Killian, who served in the Guard with his father and retired as a captain in 1991, said one of the memos, signed by his father, appeared legitimate. But he doubted his father would have written another, unsigned memo — with the subject line "CYA" — which said there was pressure to "sugar coat" Bush's performance review.
"It just wouldn't happen," the 51-year-old Houston businessman said. "The only thing that can happen when you keep secret files like that are bad things. ... No officer in his right mind would write a memo like that."
News reports have said the memos, first obtained by CBS's "60 Minutes," were found in Jerry Killian's personal records. Gary Killian said his father wasn't in the habit of bringing his work home with him, and that the documents didn't come from the family. He said he was e-mailed the memos Thursday, but he wouldn't say by whom.
Asked if he was suggesting the memos might be fabricated, Gary Killian said, "I don't know what else to think."
The personnel chief in Killian's unit at the time also said he believes the documents are fake.
"They looked to me like forgeries," Rufus Martin said. "I don't think Killian would do that, and I knew him for 17 years."
CBS stood by its reporting. "As is standard practice at CBS News, the documents in the 60 Minutes report were thoroughly examined and their authenticity vouched for by independent experts," CBS News said in a statement. "As importantly, 60 Minutes also interviewed close associates of Colonel Jerry Killian. They confirm that the documents reflect his opinions and actions at the time."
Independent document examiner Sandra Ramsey Lines said the memos looked like they had been produced on a computer using Microsoft Word software, not widely available when the documents were supposedly written in 1972 and 1973.
Lines, a document expert and fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, pointed to a superscript — a smaller, raised "th" in "111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron" — as evidence indicating forgery.
Microsoft Word automatically inserts superscripts in the same style as the two on the memos obtained by CBS, she said.
"I'm virtually certain these were computer generated," Lines said after reviewing copies of the documents at her office in Paradise Valley, Ariz. She produced a nearly identical document using her computer's Microsoft Word software.
The White House distributed the four memos after obtaining them from CBS News. The White House did not question their accuracy.
This was NOT already posted. Similar headline, but different and expanded story.
AP's own expert says they're fake...
BTW, today's investigative work reminded me of the glory days of The Guild. You rock.
I think, as many here do, that if it could be traced, it would lead back to the former residents of the White House.
It's Arkancide.
Is that who we would call in the Army the Adjutant or S-1? If so, he would know better than any other officer about personnel matters the CO was dealing with.
Bring it on!!!
Is this AP's idea of sarcasm?
Oh please.
TELL US CBS......WHO WERE YOUR EXPERTS!
Or have you failed to report on the possibility of this forgery tonight because you need TIME to line up some EXPERTS favorable to john kerry and willing to LIE to support your pathetic SO CALLED investigative report.
Sounds as if you used a DEAD VETERAN, Colonel Killian, to SMEAR the President of the United States without cause.
More piling on--these "documents" are as phoney as John Kerry!
Good catch. Everyone that is alive has now debunked these memos. CBS only has dead people.
Lessee...James Carville, Paul Begala, Hillary Clinton...?
At this point, I don't think there is anything CBS can do to CTA short of having the original document. Even if they reveal a source, we now have dueling experts and witnesses who question the authenticity of both these documents and the demeanor of the Colonel. It would appear that at worst, this is a hung jury, with the benefit of a doubt going to the accused (Bush)...not including CBS' obvious bias. I believe the damage (to CBS) has already been done.
The White House distributed the four memos after obtaining them from CBS News. The White House did not question their accuracy. President Bush did nothing to stop them
"...using Microsoft Word software, not widely available when the documents were supposedly written in 1972 and 1973."
Scully and Mulder are looking into this time warp.
ping
Sue for something.
CBS stood by its reporting. "As is standard practice at CBS News, the documents in the 60 Minutes report were thoroughly examined and their authenticity vouched for by independent experts," CBS News said in a statement. "As importantly, 60 Minutes also interviewed close associates of Colonel Jerry Killian. They confirm that the documents reflect his opinions and actions at the time."
It would be interesting to find the identities of the " independent experts" and "close associates" at the very least.
I'm late to the game. Has the Air Force or Kilians son released any contemporanoeus memos from Lt Col Kilian for font comparison?
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