Boston Globe on Bush "constancy as a National Guard airman" = AWOL

[papau]

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2004/01/23/answers_beat_questions/

Answers beat questions
1/23/2004

AFTER ALL THESE years, you'd think the TV people would know how to run a debate. Outrage Number One was the arrogance of Fox News in deciding that the yammering of Chris Wallace, Fred Barnes, and Morton Kondracke was more interesting to voters than the final remarks of Democrats seeking to be president.<snip>

<snip>
And Senator John Edwards raised the issue of 35 million Americans living in poverty even though no question was asked on the subject. The panel should have been embarrassed, but didn't seem to be, when Edwards said, "We should talk about it -- and do something about it -- because it's wrong."

Despite a wooden format that included no direct questioning among the candidates, and that discouraged real debate, the candidates made differences clear -- on trade, on Iraq, and on how much of the Bush tax cuts to repeal. But several also insisted that they would not get pinned down answering questions that came from a Republican perspective. "This isn't about gay marriage; it's about jobs," Dean said.<snip>

While many of the questions were self-conscious and overlong, two tough ones went to former General Wesley Clark. He tried to explain that earlier comments supporting the Iraq war were taken out of context. But he had more trouble defending why he stood by when the filmmaker Michael Moore, who was endorsing Clark, called Bush a "deserter" in the Vietnam era. News reports, including some in the Globe, have questioned Bush's constancy as a National Guard airman at the time, but he has not been credibly accused of desertion, a serious charge. Clark should have distanced himself from the remark.
<snip>

[Hoosier Democrat]

1. Wes Clark should have fired back...HARD

I understand that the General was trying to be polite and amiable, but I think he seriously missed a great opportunity.

He should have gone after Dumbya on the AWOL thing. After all, the Faux News winged monkeys on the debate panel RAISED THE ISSUE, not Clark.

I'm not saying that Clark should've gone nasty, but he should have questioned the "Patriotism" of a man who sends 500 Americans to die in Iraq when he himself spent his military career drunk and AWOL.

Face it, folks, we gotta fight fire with fire this year. Let's start questioning THEIR patriotism for a change. We SHOUld start inundating CNN with inquiries as well as demands to bitch-slap Traitor Novak for divulging classified CIA informants.

Sorry, but I am FIRED UP!!

[jbfam4]

4. I;m with you, Hoosier

It just makes my blood boil the way this administration has used 9-11 for their political purposes. All those who aren't with Bush* are unpatriotic is their theme song. But they forgot to tell us Bush lied.

The patriotism of Bush* is the QUESTION. Being AWOL and sending troops into a war based on lies and the number on innocent lives lost due to this, should be kept in the spotlight

[w13rd0]

2. Bush ditched the NG...

...after deciding he didn't want to be tested for drugs. Then he went to go CAMPAIGN for poppy's cronies.

[BOSSHOG]

3. GEN Clark should not distance himself from the remark

All the dem candidates should rally round Moore's statements concerning bush's failure to fulfill his military commitment. His ass should be nailed to the wall on this issue. He let down his fellow servicemembers - period, and he should now face the american people with the facts showing him as the unpatriotic coward that he is. Then we can get on to the 9-11 commission and then the Plame investigation, and then cheney's secret cavorting with the oil industry. No wonder the sonofabitch bush looks like hell. The truth is gonna get you asshole.

[lyonn]

5. Commander of base doesn't remember G.H.W. Bush's son

reporting for duty, or of being there, or documents showing he reported for duty? Or anyone! The media will only report if someone "leaks" the info to them. No investigation. Lowly privates are definitely logged in and out. Bet they are documented. Get real. Me too, I'm pissed.

[jbfam4]

6. HUMMMMMMMMMM

How come no one is leaking THIS info about the national guard to Nofacts?