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This is old news but here it is again in case you missed it.

Reporters Swarm on Alabama in Pursuit of 'AWOL' Story
by E&P Staff

NEW YORK Newspaper and wire service reporters from around the country are swarming around Montgomery, Ala. -- until this week perhaps best known as the home of country music legend Hank Williams -- in search of anyone who can remember President Bush serving time as a National Guardsman at the local air base in 1972. For the most part, they have come up empty so far.

The New York Times, for example, has tracked down 16 retired personnel who served at the based in 1972 and none could recall seeing Bush.

Closer to home, Alabama papers have apparently done relatively little digging at and around Dannelly Air Base, a compound located next to Montgomery's airport and home to the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, judging from the scant reports on their online archives.

The Birmingham News did find retired Lt. Col. Reese Bricken, former commander of the 9921st Air Reserve Squadron, who lives in Montgomery. "He never did come to my squad," Bricken said, referring to Bush, in an article published Thursday. "He was never at my unit." After reviewing documents provided by the paper, Bricken added, "He was looking for a place to hang his hat, but he never came by."

The paper also spoke to retired General William Turnipseed, who remains a well-known figure due to his role in the groundbreaking story on this subject by Walter Robinson in The Boston Globe in 2000. Turnipseed told the Birmingham News that he still doesn't remember Bush "showing up" and that former unit members who have contacted him couldn't remember Bush either.

Turnipseed said he remains a Bush supporter and complained, "I'm fed up. People want me to give them something to bash Bush."

The paper, however, did find one person who met Bush back then. Joe LeFevers, a member of the 187th in 1972, said he remembers seeing Bush in unit offices, and being told he was in Montogmery to work on an election campaign.

Local sentiment in conservative Alabama may be against much journalistic probing. A reader's comment in The Huntsville Times held that "George Bush was never AWOL" and simply missed one meeting and made it up. "He has done nothing wrong," the reader continued. "Stop your whining!"

The Associated Press also tracked down several members of the Guard unit but they said in interviews they didn't remember ever seeing Bush at the base. "All were quick to point out that it was a large unit with up to 800 members and Bush was not a celebrity then," the AP reported.

An editorial in USA Today argued that this "persistent digging isn't irrelevant" but the details of what the candidates for President "did to cope with an unpopular war 30 years ago is less important than their vision and insight today."


http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0213-04.htm
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Ya know, the fact of the matter is HE WASN'T THERE. If he'd been there, there would have been SOMEONE in the past 8 years who would have spoken out and said, "Oh yeah, I remember him being in my squadron, we used to go drinkin every night" or something. It's the military fercrissake, there's got to be a lot of neocons who would love to "prove" that he was there.

But the point is, obviously the American people could care less whether their commander-in-chief went AWOL. His term is almost over (Praise Holy God), and he doesn't have to run for re-election. It's old news. I doubt that even the 20-some-odd percent of Americans who still support him would care if he came out and flat-out admitted it. The only people still supporting him are the few who are so scared of gays that Bush's anti-gay agenda has made them feel safe from the biggest threat facing our country (gay marriage). And the other 70-plus percent of the American people are just so sick of him that they flat out don't care, they just want him gone.
quote:
Originally posted by Blue Hornet:
Ya know, the fact of the matter is HE WASN'T THERE. If he'd been there, there would have been SOMEONE in the past 8 years who would have spoken out and said, "Oh yeah, I remember him being in my squadron, we used to go drinkin every night" or something. It's the military fercrissake, there's got to be a lot of neocons who would love to "prove" that he was there.

But the point is, obviously the American people could care less whether their commander-in-chief went AWOL. His term is almost over (Praise Holy God), and he doesn't have to run for re-election. It's old news. I doubt that even the 20-some-odd percent of Americans who still support him would care if he came out and flat-out admitted it. The only people still supporting him are the few who are so scared of gays that Bush's anti-gay agenda has made them feel safe from the biggest threat facing our country (gay marriage). And the other 70-plus percent of the American people are just so sick of him that they flat out don't care, they just want him gone.



And they may be a few who didn't like Bush started a war without a cause. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 as some Bush fans think.
What really Pizzes me off is the hyprocracy of Bush and his backers. In truth, it is hard to falt anyone for doing whatever they had to do to escape Vietnam. Those were dark days!
The real problem I have is the way the people who actually went over there, fought and got injured are treated by the Bush machine. Take Max Cleland of Ga for instance. Left 3 of his 4 limbs in Vietnam, and that sorry bunch had the nerve to label him "unpatriotic" because he did not support a bill to waste millions on some military bill. In addition, the way John Kerry was slandered in the last campaign is just shameful. Whether you liked his policies or not, that man volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, do 2 tours , got wounded, and showed bravery in the face of the enemy under fire. Once he got out of the military, he exercised his right to free speech to denounce the war which, by now we all know, was a farce. It took a slimey bunch to discredit his service.
Old man Bush wasn't any better than his son to use Vietnam vets as pawns, but that's another story.
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
What really Pizzes me off is the hyprocracy of Bush and his backers. In truth, it is hard to falt anyone for doing whatever they had to do to escape Vietnam. Those were dark days!
The real problem I have is the way the people who actually went over there, fought and got injured are treated by the Bush machine. Take Max Cleland of Ga for instance. Left 3 of his 4 limbs in Vietnam, and that sorry bunch had the nerve to label him "unpatriotic" because he did not support a bill to waste millions on some military bill. In addition, the way John Kerry was slandered in the last campaign is just shameful. Whether you liked his policies or not, that man volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, do 2 tours , got wounded, and showed bravery in the face of the enemy under fire. Once he got out of the military, he exercised his right to free speech to denounce the war which, by now we all know, was a farce. It took a slimey bunch to discredit his service.
Old man Bush wasn't any better than his son to use Vietnam vets as pawns, but that's another story.


excelman, Well Said!!! I like the way you say it!
quote:
Originally posted by skymaster:
PBA, Blue Hornet, and excelman needs to get in the same room and have a good old time. You all believe the same silly crap.




skymaster, Why don't you join me Blue Hornet, and excelman in that same room? We could really open your eyes. It would take 6 weeks to clear your mind from the BS you have in your brain from the Number one BS fox news channel.
quote:
Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
Does any thing piss you off about Bill Clinton being a draft dodger, war protestor and criminal? George Bush was not AWOL and was not a draft dodger. You need to go join Dan Rather in the old folks home.


Bill Clinton is a conservatives week point, use by conservatives when they can't come up with any other answers. Conservatives, please note, That Bill Clinton is no longer president, and is no longer a issue. Its your King George that we are talking about.
PBA, it's King George II.
See, I believe that the Iraq thing was just a cover for Bush's inability to get Bin Laden. He just cannot get him no matter what he tries. After Bin Laden made the threat to King George I, then little King had a revenge motive. It was never about WMD. He just wanted to divert attention from his failed attempt at Bin Laden. By the way, is skymaster in the shrinking 20% who still support the Bushy Bunch?
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Skymaster, Until you have spent a few months in the jungle of a little country in southeast Asia, don't point too many fingers. Until you have carried a few bodybags, your opinions are just opinions.


Just becasue you served in Vietnam 30 years ago does not make your opinion have any more weight than anybody else's. Your service is appreciated but it doesn't make you smarter or wiser than anyone else.
quote:
Just becasue you served in Vietnam 30 years ago does not make your opinion have any more weight than anybody else's. Your service is appreciated but it doesn't make you smarter or wiser than anyone else.

Well dang it now you all are saying experience serves as no teacher,,here i spent so many years being told HANDS ON was one of the greatest teachers. (dripping sarcasm}
No one anywhere in this country can possibly know as much about Viet Nam than those WHO ACTUALLY were there and walked that path! This has been the biggest insult i have ever seen to a Viet Nam military vet on these forums!
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Patriot,
I agree with you completely. It just seems this Skymaster only wants to slam everyone without reason. He (or she) does not offer any type of discussion, just name calling.


In that, you are correct. He/she does not bring much to the discussion. I guess I kind of took offense to the thought that nobody who hasn't been in Vietnam can't have a part in this discussion. I should not have put that out as a slam on you, for that I apologize.
quote:
Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Patriot,
I agree with you completely. It just seems this Skymaster only wants to slam everyone without reason. He (or she) does not offer any type of discussion, just name calling.


In that, you are correct. He/she does not bring much to the discussion. I guess I kind of took offense to the thought that nobody who hasn't been in Vietnam can't have a part in this discussion. I should not have put that out as a slam on you, for that I apologize.


Please, Skymaster is obviously mentally challenged as I have not read one single thing he/she has posted that has any intelligence in it. Just railing against "libbies" . He is best ignored until he can add to the discussion.
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
What really Pizzes me off is the hyprocracy of Bush and his backers. In truth, it is hard to falt anyone for doing whatever they had to do to escape Vietnam. Those were dark days!
The real problem I have is the way the people who actually went over there, fought and got injured are treated by the Bush machine. Take Max Cleland of Ga for instance. Left 3 of his 4 limbs in Vietnam, and that sorry bunch had the nerve to label him "unpatriotic" because he did not support a bill to waste millions on some military bill. In addition, the way John Kerry was slandered in the last campaign is just shameful. Whether you liked his policies or not, that man volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, do 2 tours , got wounded, and showed bravery in the face of the enemy under fire. Once he got out of the military, he exercised his right to free speech to denounce the war which, by now we all know, was a farce. It took a slimey bunch to discredit his service.
Old man Bush wasn't any better than his son to use Vietnam vets as pawns, but that's another story.
He left 2 to 3 limbs in vietnam because he was a careless drunk.Remember if you have a few drinks give your grenades to a designated grenade handler.
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
PBA, it's King George II.
See, I believe that the Iraq thing was just a cover for Bush's inability to get Bin Laden. He just cannot get him no matter what he tries. After Bin Laden made the threat to King George I, then little King had a revenge motive. It was never about WMD. He just wanted to divert attention from his failed attempt at Bin Laden. By the way, is skymaster in the shrinking 20% who still support the Bushy Bunch?
It was Saddam not Bin Laden,but I guess I shouldn`t correct someone who was in Vietnam.
quote:
Originally posted by geddon97:
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
What really Pizzes me off is the hyprocracy of Bush and his backers. In truth, it is hard to falt anyone for doing whatever they had to do to escape Vietnam. Those were dark days!
The real problem I have is the way the people who actually went over there, fought and got injured are treated by the Bush machine. Take Max Cleland of Ga for instance. Left 3 of his 4 limbs in Vietnam, and that sorry bunch had the nerve to label him "unpatriotic" because he did not support a bill to waste millions on some military bill. In addition, the way John Kerry was slandered in the last campaign is just shameful. Whether you liked his policies or not, that man volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, do 2 tours , got wounded, and showed bravery in the face of the enemy under fire. Once he got out of the military, he exercised his right to free speech to denounce the war which, by now we all know, was a farce. It took a slimey bunch to discredit his service.
Old man Bush wasn't any better than his son to use Vietnam vets as pawns, but that's another story.
He left 2 to 3 limbs in vietnam because he was a careless drunk.Remember if you have a few drinks give your grenades to a designated grenade handler.



Yeah right, How did you come up with this bull? I guess playboy George now King George, was too drunk to show up for duty.
quote:
Originally posted by geddon97:
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Skymaster, Until you have spent a few months in the jungle of a little country in southeast Asia, don't point too many fingers. Until you have carried a few bodybags, your opinions are just opinions.
I spent a week at football camp can I point fingers?



I thought you were already pointing fingers. Roll Eyes
quote:
Originally posted by PBA:
quote:
Originally posted by geddon97:
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
What really Pizzes me off is the hyprocracy of Bush and his backers. In truth, it is hard to falt anyone for doing whatever they had to do to escape Vietnam. Those were dark days!
The real problem I have is the way the people who actually went over there, fought and got injured are treated by the Bush machine. Take Max Cleland of Ga for instance. Left 3 of his 4 limbs in Vietnam, and that sorry bunch had the nerve to label him "unpatriotic" because he did not support a bill to waste millions on some military bill. In addition, the way John Kerry was slandered in the last campaign is just shameful. Whether you liked his policies or not, that man volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, do 2 tours , got wounded, and showed bravery in the face of the enemy under fire. Once he got out of the military, he exercised his right to free speech to denounce the war which, by now we all know, was a farce. It took a slimey bunch to discredit his service.
Old man Bush wasn't any better than his son to use Vietnam vets as pawns, but that's another story.
He left 2 to 3 limbs in vietnam because he was a careless drunk.Remember if you have a few drinks give your grenades to a designated grenade handler.



Yeah right, How did you come up with this bull? I guess playboy George now King George, was too drunk to show up for duty.
From ld maxie boy himself.Just because you went to vietnam dosn`t mean that your immune from criticizism.Oh by the way nobody critisized max about vietnam or his service there.This is one of the many lies that you libs keep repeating.He was critisized over his VOTING RECORD in the senate.So please if your going to repeat a story at least tell the truth.
quote:
Originally posted by PBA:
quote:
Originally posted by geddon97:
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Skymaster, Until you have spent a few months in the jungle of a little country in southeast Asia, don't point too many fingers. Until you have carried a few bodybags, your opinions are just opinions.
I spent a week at football camp can I point fingers?



I thought you were already pointing fingers. Roll Eyes
Only at misguided ,illinformed narrowminded fellows like yourself.
To Geddon97,
Please correct me on this one if I am wrong. Bush said Bin Laden was responsible for 9-11 attacks. Right? We then went into Afganistan to get him. And we did a jam-up job, going in, kicking butt, and getting out. Even though we still have troops there. We did NOT get Bin Laden. Then we went into Iraq to remove Sadam and destroy the WMD's. Well, Sadam is gone, there never were any WMD's. Why are we still there involved in a civil war? They say we are fighting terriorist there. Are we? Any way you slice it, Bush still DID NOT SERVE ANYWHERE. And he still cannot find Bin Laden.
quote:
Originally posted by smurph:
quote:
Just becasue you served in Vietnam 30 years ago does not make your opinion have any more weight than anybody else's. Your service is appreciated but it doesn't make you smarter or wiser than anyone else.

Well dang it now you all are saying experience serves as no teacher,,here i spent so many years being told HANDS ON was one of the greatest teachers. (dripping sarcasm}
No one anywhere in this country can possibly know as much about Viet Nam than those WHO ACTUALLY were there and walked that path! This has been the biggest insult i have ever seen to a Viet Nam military vet on these forums!


Who are you to take offense. This comment had nothing to do with you. If oyu look at the post above you, you will see tht paw-paw understood where I was coming from.
quote:
Who are you to take offense. This comment had nothing to do with you. If oyu look at the post above you, you will see tht paw-paw understood where I was coming from.


EXCUSE ME,,,,its posted on a forum, OPEN to be responded by ANYONE who has membership on here,it does not cross any of the TD rules,so therefore its none of your business WHAT I post!
He also violated numerous UN resolutions.He fired upon U.S jets patroling the no fly zone.He refused to come clean about his wmds.Just think about it if he would have just let the inspectors do their job this war wouldn`t have happened.That way we could`ve went ahead and taken care of other threats in the region.But what am i doing.I`m trying to explain a grown up supject to people who think like children.
Nah, Geddon97, you don't gotta' explain. Just stop and reflect on what you just posted. And I repeat, why are we still there? ALSO, you say we could be addressing other threats in the region. What if-- the tables were turned and one of those countries decided we were a threat and came over here with their military to "take care of" those threats to them? I'm just asking why we are still there trying to impose our way of thinking on another country?
We are still in Iraq because we (the U.S.) created an awful mess of things in that country. I don't know if President Bush really thought there were WMDs in Iraq, and it is debatable if this is justification for war. By going in and doing what we did, we are bound morally to stay until some reasonable level of Status Quo is returned. To not do so would make us worse than the terrorists we continue to fight.
We impose our will on other countries because we are the biggest and baddest kid on the block.It`s been like that throughout history.And all of you pipe dreams about lollypops and rainbows won`t change that fact.This is the real world and you guys to realize that.
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Nah, Geddon97, you don't gotta' explain. Just stop and reflect on what you just posted. And I repeat, why are we still there? ALSO, you say we could be addressing other threats in the region. What if-- the tables were turned and one of those countries decided we were a threat and came over here with their military to "take care of" those threats to them? I'm just asking why we are still there trying to impose our way of thinking on another country?
Your response is well thought out and is reasonable.But the best laid war plans go out the door when the first shot is fired.We have made mistakes over there but we have corrected alot of those mistakes.And now that the surge is working alot of these libs can`t stand it.And they`ll anything to bring down our military and the people who support them.Just like they did in vietnam.
quote:
Originally posted by Alphonse:
We are still in Iraq because we (the U.S.) created an awful mess of things in that country. I don't know if President Bush really thought there were WMDs in Iraq, and it is debatable if this is justification for war. By going in and doing what we did, we are bound morally to stay until some reasonable level of Status Quo is returned. To not do so would make us worse than the terrorists we continue to fight.
quote:
Originally posted by smurph:
quote:
Who are you to take offense. This comment had nothing to do with you. If oyu look at the post above you, you will see tht paw-paw understood where I was coming from.


EXCUSE ME,,,,its posted on a forum, OPEN to be responded by ANYONE who has membership on here,it does not cross any of the TD rules,so therefore its none of your business WHAT I post!


I didn't say anything about what you could or not post. I asked you specifically who are you to take offense to something I said to paw paw. Not only did it not have anything to do with you but you took it out of context as to how it was meant.
I know who the baby boomers are.They are the same people who brought us the hippies and hanoi jane.They are my fathers generation.A generation inwhich sanity went out the window.A generation that never grew up.A generation that when faced with difficult times gave up and whined.I think I know what the bb generation is.
quote:
quote:
I didn't say anything about what you could or not post. I asked you specifically who are you to take offense to something I said to paw paw. Not only did it not have anything to do with you but you took it out of context as to how it was meant.

YOU POSTED your remark on an open forum for ANYONE,ANYWHERE to come on and read! But since you consider it a PRIVATE statement,maybe you should consider doing such by PM,,yanno PRIVATE MESSAGE.
And WHO am I to take offense? The sister of the Soldier who served 2 tours in VN. The cousin of 2 Soldiers sent back in coffins.The close friend to a Soldier I grew up my entire life living next door, sent home in a coffin as well.

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