Bush And Kerry Compared (1107 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 0.79 on 42 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Glam Daddy (View user info) at 2004-04-22 14:28:37 EDT
While at Yale
Kerry
Enlisted in the US Naval Reserves. Feb. 18, 1966
Bush
Bush received student deferments until June 1968; that year marked the height of the Vietnam draft. [Washington Post, 7/28/99]
Applied for spot in Texas Air National Guard in January of 1968, before graduation. Before he graduated, Bush personally visited Col. Walter "Buck" Staudt -- the commander of the Texas Air National Guard -- to talk about the Guard.
After Bush met with Staudt, he applied and was quickly accepted -- despite a waiting list of over 150 applicants.
Contrary to Bush's denials of special treatment, it was later disclosed that a personal friend of Bush's father had secured the spot in the Guard for Bush.
Bush later acknowledges he entered Guard to avoid going to Vietnam: "I was not prepared to shoot my eardrum out with a shotgun in order to get a deferment. Nor was I willing to go to Canada. So I chose to better myself by learning how to fly airplanes." [Houston Chronicle, 5/8/94]
After Graduation
Kerry
Enters and Completes Officer Training School
Bush
Bush joined the Texas Air National Guard after his student deferment ran out when he graduated from Yale in 1968.
"His score on the pilot aptitude section, one of five on the test, was in the 25th percentile, the lowest allowed for would-be fliers." [Dallas Morning News, 7/4/99]
Bush received a direct appointment, allowing him to become a second lieutenant right out of basic training without having to go though officer candidate school. The direct appointment also cleared the way for a position in pilot training school. [Houston Chronicle, 10/10/92; Los Angeles Times, 7/4/99]
On Bush's application to the 147th Fighter Group at Ellington Air Force Base in Texas, Bush was asked what his "Area Assignment Preferences" were. Bush checked the box beside "Do Not Volunteer" for overseas duty. [Application for Extended Duty With The United States Air Force, 5/27/68]
First Assignment
Kerry
Deployed to Western Pacific to Support Operations in Vietnam
Bush
In the summer of 1970, Bush moved into the Chateaux Dijon apartment complex, "a popular spot for singles, it offered fancy street lamps and striped awnings and six pools filled with ambitious secretaries, students and young businessmen. Bush relished his bachelor life there. He played hard, plunging into all-day water volleyball games, but left frequently for 24-hour flight duty in the alert shack at Ellington Field." [Washington Post, 7/28/99]
Request for Second Post
Kerry
On Feb. 10, 1968, Kerry requests duty in Vietnam. He lists his first billet preference as an Officer in Charge of a swift boat and his second as a patrol officer in a River Patrol Boat (PBR) squadron.
Bush
In May 1972, Bush gets a job on an Alabama Senate Campaign. He leaves Houston and requests transfer to the 9921st Air Reserve Squadron in Alabama. Although Bush notes his aeronautical rating as "flying status," his request is turned down because the 9921 was a postal unit. His transfer is later approved to a different Alabama unit. [AF 1288--Bush signature, 24 May 72; Approved: 26 May 72]
Second Assignment
Kerry
Kerry leaves his post on the Gridley, and becomes a student at the Naval Amphibious Base, in Coronado, California in preparation for service on a swift boat in Vietnam. He is promoted from Ensign to Lt. JG and extends his active duty commitment by six months.
While in Vietnam Kerry is involved in more than a dozen missions receiving hostile fire.
He is wounded three times and decorated with three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star. Kerry is ordered by Naval regulations to return home after being wounded three times.
Bush
During Bush's service in Alabama:
He is suspended from flight status for his failure to take required annual medical exam. [Washington Post, 2/15/02; Aeronautical Orders, Number 87, 29 Sept 72; AFM 35-13, Para 2-29m]
He attends the Republican National Convention in Miami, Florida with his father. [Bill Minutaglio, First Son, p. 144].
Pay records released by the White House show that he was paid for 2 days service during the six-month period covering the Blount campaign. [White House Release: Bush Pay Records]
Bush's superior officers were unable to complete his annual evaluation for 1972 because, "Lt. Bush has not been observed at this unit during the period of report." [AF-77, 2 May 73]
Info provided here taken from
http://www.dailykos.com/
and
http://www.jordansplace.net/politics/politics.html
User Reviews
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-04-22 20:33:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love it when Hidden gets riled up.
The problem that I can see here with blaming Congress is that Bush has worked tirelessly to circumvent Congress. Let's see he shifted $700 million from the war on terror to Iraq all on his own without Congressional approval. He was going through with war planning even as he denied that there had been any preliminary planning. He planned that war all along and did whatever he needed to do to justify it. What is Congress supposed to do about that?
Submitted by jchunks (user info) at 2004-04-22 18:52:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-04-22 18:27:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
kerry sounds like a nice alternative to having a fuckup run the country.
Submitted by lilbill87 (user info) at 2004-04-22 17:56:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Bush rocks
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-04-22 17:24:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Luckystar (user info) at 2004-04-22 16:23:40 (#)
Ranking: -2
so, more than half of the americans were wrong when they elected Bush as President.
==============================================================
uh.... yes. that's what we're saying here. do you even live in America? if so, have you noticed that the majority of the population here is fuckin' DENSE? most of the retards in this country think Bush is a hero when they see a headline on CNN like "Saddam Captured", but they have no fucking idea whatsoever why it is even in this country's interest to be there. fucking sheep.
for those of us that are halfway intelligent in this country, and are able to think for ourselves and get the facts for ourselves, Kerry is easily the better candidate.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2004-04-22 16:27:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Save it for November.
The way you keep ranting on is only going to work against you and your cause.
Right now, I like this guy:
http://www.peroutka2004.com/
Submitted by Luckystar (user info) at 2004-04-22 16:23:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
so, more than half of the americans were wrong when they elected Bush as President. Maybe if Liberls weren't so busy hugging young saplings and protesting over hippie-issues, they could have left their sit-ins and gone and voted
REMEMBER: Bush isn't all-powerful. Anything he wants to do is voted on by congress... Why doesn't anyone dredge up the past misdeeds of the congressmen in charge of passing decisions and laws??? seriously?
Submitted by Cats once more at 2004-04-22 16:17:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm writing in Yidele Schwantzenwald for President this Fall...
Submitted by Cats again at 2004-04-22 16:16:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Loki,
If you are saying that Kerry's serving vs. bush's not serving shows the CHARACTER of the person, then I agree wholeheartedly. This is not the premise of the post. The premise as I see it is that since Kerry served in Vietnam, he will automatically make a better president, which is bs that I can smell all the way from here.
And Yid, I'm not so sure you're right on the point about knowing what it feels like to be shot at making one 'better' in some form or another - it *can* make one overly cautious, not realizing that a military, despite being a group of people, is still a tool to be used, and should be used as such when necessary. Whether or not it is necessary 'now' is up for debate..
My vote is inconsequential btw, I live in Texas so no matter which way I vote Bush will win this state...
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-04-22 16:08:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Cats what are you talking about? This has nothing to do with where anyone served or really if anyone served or how well they did when they were there. The same people who went ape shit over Clinton not going to Vietnam are the ones who are willing to accept that bullshit assignment Daddy's little boy had in Texas as "military service" and discount the fact that when called, Kerry could have gone running away and did not.
Maybe if Bush had gone to Vietnam he would not have been to quick to pull the trigger on the war in Iraq. You know Kerry had his Vietnam so I guess now Bush is too.
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:58:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cats -
You make good point. Vietnam and Iraq are different. But they are simillar as well. Both are poorly planned and are / were a mess.
And I wouldnt be so proud of powell and rummsfeilds handling of iraq. They are kind of fucking up big time in case you didnt notice.
lies upon lies.....
Submitted by Cats at 2004-04-22 15:55:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Colin Powell a chickenhawk? Oh, you said 'most'.
Submitted by Catscradle (Still me) at 2004-04-22 15:54:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Glam,
It would be relevant if Kerry had fought in say, the First Gulf War, Iraqi-Iranian conflicts, or otherwise been involved militarily in the Middle East. From what you've shown me here, he has none. He has experience in Vietnam, and that is admirable, Vietnam and Iraq are two very, very different situations. To deal with Iraq the same way we dealt with Vietnam would be absurd - and that is the only military experience (that you have shown) that Kerry has.
Now, if Kerry had been dealing with terrorist threats and international politics in general and Middle Eastern in particular for many a year, that would be experience that would draw my vote. What has he done in the Senate that has given him the experience to deal with foreign politics?
Bush didn't have all these credentials himself - but the Whitehouse is full of people who do - Powell, Rumsfeld, etc... which you may or may not (probably not) agree with, but they still have relevant experience in that field.
Submitted by lawryde (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:51:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Snorting coke and fucking coeds is just as dangerous as dodging bullets from Charlie in the MeiKong Delta... maybe not...
Submitted by yidele (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:47:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yup. not much more to be said other than the fact that most of his chief appointees are also chickenhawks who avoided actual military service like the plague. I'm not saying that military service necessarily makes one a better president, but it does mean that Kerry, unlike bush, knows what it is like to be shot at & that he is not a cowardly deserter like your present commander in chief....
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:45:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"So, how exactly does military experience in Vietnam improve his potential as a president?"
------------------------------------
Bush is constantly talking baout how we are now at war on terror. Then you turn around and ask me how war experience is relevent. Are you serious?
Iraq is a joke. Even the people who supported us admit its a joke. No plan. Not enough thought put into it. Thousands dead. All for lies. The troops dont have the numbers or equiptment they need. Moms are buying body armor on ebay and sending it to Iraq. Its a joke. the coalition of the willing has become the coalition of the fuck this im outta here. Who has our back? Uzbekistan? The coalition is a joke. as you can see here
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm
Azerbaijan ?
Kazakhstan ?
Moldova ?
please....
Submitted by catscradle (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:39:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
So, how exactly does military experience in Vietnam improve his potential as a president? Is he going over to Iraq to pilot a river boat up the Euphrates? That's what we need, he'll turn the tide! Shut your piehole. A good military leader does not an excellent President make... Ulysses S. Grant's administration was one of the most corrupt in history, possibly second only to Harding's. And might I add, his military service was far more illustrious than Kerry's...
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:31:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Wow, I never realized military experience was such an excellent factor in presidential abilities. I guess that's why Franklin Roosevelt was such a bad president and Ulysses S. Grant such a good one. Wait... "
------------------------
You know why it IS an issue dumbass? Because REPUBLICANS MADE IT ONE.
They made kerry release this shit. And it in turn made them look stupid.
It is also an issue because our current president claims he is a 'war president'.
So yes its an issue.
And yes bush looks very weak on this one.
Submitted by catscradle (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:29:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Wow, I never realized military experience was such an excellent factor in presidential abilities. I guess that's why Franklin Roosevelt was such a bad president and Ulysses S. Grant such a good one. Wait...
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:25:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What is with the recent influx of fundamentalist trying to choke us with their non stop spoutings of religious creed? Ok, we get it, you don't know anything about physics, and the world was created in 7 days. You also don't like homosexuality. Got it. If you don't have anything new or intelligent to say, just shut the fuck up. I wish these guys would label themselves a little less obviously though. I mean, The Enforcer? C'mon anyone who has spent any time online immediately translates that into one of two things: either a 13 year old who believes he is a superhero, or a sheep who doesn't respect anyones elses religious beliefs. Sadly, this guy is both.
Submitted by The_Enforcer (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:23:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
bush roxors!
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:12:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
loki for president?
I say YES!
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:06:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
** Homosexuality is a SIN. Standing up and speaking against this vile evil does not make you homophobic as the homosexuals would have you believe. Homophobia is a fear of homosexuals. As children of the one and only eternal and loving true God, we have nothing to fear from these sinners. In fact, it is they who are afraid of us. They are afraid of us because we stand up against them and proclaim homosexuality for what it is, a VILE AND EVIL SIN.**
I've just run a scan on the entire Constitution and I see no mention of the word "sin" nor do I see where there are any amendments changing our structure to a Theocracy.
In short - you worry about you and let other people worry about themselves and we're all happy
Submitted by reallybored (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:05:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
McCAIN!
eh?
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 15:02:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Enforcer -
Translate this:
Bush is a fucking pussy coward assmunching wannabee monkeybitch.
Submitted by hendrixjrr (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:57:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Third party! Third Party!
Submitted by The_Enforcer (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:54:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
translate this.
Homosexuality is a SIN. Standing up and speaking against this vile evil does not make you homophobic as the homosexuals would have you believe. Homophobia is a fear of homosexuals. As children of the one and only eternal and loving true God, we have nothing to fear from these sinners. In fact, it is they who are afraid of us. They are afraid of us because we stand up against them and proclaim homosexuality for what it is, a VILE AND EVIL SIN.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:53:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
indeed
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:51:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
mysti -
I agree. Civil unions is not as good as full marriage rights. Oh well. Kerry is still more man than Bush will ever hope to be.
Submitted by slowlyrotting (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:51:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i could kick both their asses. does that mean i get to be president?
if we are going to vote based on military background, Wesley Clark would have been the best choice.
good info though....
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:50:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The nature of a Republic all but dictates that the choices will always in every single election, come down to a "lesser of two evils."
Follow me here, wait I'll do it like a proof to make it more fun for well me and isn't that what uber is about anyway, more fun for me.
1. The United States of America is a Republic
("..and to the Republic for which is stands.."
2. In a Republic, individual voters do not vote for issues. They elect a person who then votes for the issue.
3. No two Americans have exactly the same opinion on every single issue.
(glam and I are pretty close, but there is the penis issue coming between us - wait what)
4. It is statistically impossible for a candidate to have the same opinions on every single issue with a single voter.
ergo: lesser of two evils
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:48:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I know he is for civil unions.
I just feel people should be allowed to marry who they love regardless of the genders of the two marrying.
I think the term civil union is a label and I just don't like it.
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:48:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Information says it all, doesn't it?
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:44:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Kerry is FOR civil unions for gays.....
not perfect but better than bush.
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:43:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bush is on the side of God.
Kerry will got hell with allt he ragheads.
-----------------------------------------------------------
hold on i have to get my GOP-Idiot Translator2000™ out for that one...
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:38:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Heres the same thing I put on the other one I just rated without the picture.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:28:01 (#)
Ranking: 2
very informative
I still don't like that Kerry is for the banning of gay marriage.
In my opinion he is still the lesser of two evils though.
Submitted by The_Enforcer (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:37:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Bush is on the side of God.
Kerry will got hell with allt he ragheads.
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:37:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Yes Loki the glam knows.
I am proud of my penis.
So proud.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:34:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
AHAHAHA hey glam is back. I wonder if he knows I've been saying horrible things about his penis
Submitted by vergedor (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:33:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Domochevsky (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:31:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The information speaks for itself.
Submitted by glam_daddy (user info) at 2004-04-22 14:29:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I hope the GOP is happy with the demands to make all these records public.
Bush is a pussy.