Hoaxes propped up CBS's fraudulent memos

By John Wambough

Left-Wing Media (LWM) hoaxes, treachery, deception and distortion (regarding George W. Bush's [GWB] Air National Guard [ANG] service) laid a solid foundation for Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos. Thousands of communications misled the American people about President Bush's ANG record. As you read the LWM hoaxes below, appreciate that they are nothing more than interwoven myths created (via repetition) by LWM, the DNC, Kerry's Campaign and Left-Wing 527s to help get a liberal Democrat (John Kerry) elected President. You shouldn't have to read too far before grasping the magnitude of LWM fraud.

LWM (without compunction) smeared the reputations of our Guard and Reserve Forces in their attempt to destroy President Bush's credibility with the American people. They implied in their articles that the Guard and Reserve Forces were a heaven for cowards and draft dodgers — yet nothing could be further from the truth. LWM mocked the people, mission and unit GWB served with; used phrases like "Champaign Unit" "Weekend Warriors" "Coveted Guard Slot" "Shield from Combat in Vietnam" "Princes of Texas" and on and on — for the purpose of discrediting the Commander-In-Chief and getting a liberal Democrat elected president. Guard and Reserve forces are a critical component of United States National Security Strategy and deserve the respect for all they did to protect this nation (during the Cold War) and for all they are doing today to protect this Nation — especially in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It would be impossible for investigative journalists, having run so many articles and stories about GWB's ANG service to get so much wrong without malicious intent to deliberately mislead the American people. The CBS Dan Rather story was just the tip of iceberg of the fraud perpetrated against the American people by LWM in an effort to defeat a sitting President of the United States. Making up hoaxes about GWB's ANG service has become a cottage industry for LWM. It's a no win situation for GWB since he is always in a situation of defending against newly invented hoaxes as soon as old ones are debunked. As you read below, make a list of the hoaxes that you "unwittingly" accepted as truth. I even bought into a few of them myself; for example, the very first hoax.

"Leapfrogged Hundreds Hoax" Colonel Earl Lively (who was Director of Operations for the TANG) stated there was no waiting list to get in the Texas Air National Guard as a pilot. So when GWB applied for a pilot slot in the TANG he was competing against no one or very few applicants. Instead of telling the American people this fact, LWM fabricated a story that GWB was leapfrogged over hundreds of applicants so he could be protected from the draft and avoid Vietnam. LWM then fabricated a story that GWB wouldn't have been able to jump over hundreds of ANG applicants without family intervention, political influence, favoritism and special treatment. LWM then fabricated a story that GWB was a coward for not going to Vietnam. LWM then fabricated a story that someone else had to go to Vietnam in GWB's place. Facts: GWB competed with no one (maybe a few) to get into the ANG, not hundreds. The F-102 was not a coward's aircraft.

The "Leapfrogging Hundreds Hoax" gave credence to charges of favoritism, privilege and family influence to save GWB from Vietnam.

Practically all Guard applicants were applying for enlisted positions and not for officer pilot training. Possible reasons for so few pilot applicants were: (1) stringent educational, security clearance and physical requirements to qualify for an ANG pilot slot and attend United States Air Force (USAF) pilot training; (2) you had to risk your life to go to pilot school and only a handfull of applicants were willing to commit to the extensive training required — more than a year; and (3) the "danger factor" in flying the F-102 aircraft — 259 F-102 aircraft were lost in accidents that killed 70 pilots and severely injured many others. Cowards didn't fly the F-102 Delta Dagger. The charge that GWB received a "coveted pilot slot in the ANG" was a LWM hoax.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) deceived the American people by not telling them that GWB competing against no one or very few pilot applicants. Second, LWM perpetrated a hoax on the American people by fabricating a story that GWB was competing with hundreds of applicants and that GWB was leapfrogged over all those applicants to protect him from the draft. Third, LWM duped the American people into believing that GWB was leapfrogged over hundreds based on family intervention, political influence, favoritism and special treatment. Fourth, LWM further duped a number of Americans into thinking GWB was a coward because he didn't go to Vietnam. Fifth, LWM's "Leapfrogged Hundreds Hoax" was fabricated to discredit President Bush in the eyes of the American people and United States Armed Forces for the purpose of electing a liberal Democrat. Sixth, LWM's "Leapfrogged Hundreds Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

Note: Colonel William Campenni (retired), U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard served in the same fighter squadron as GWB at the same time. See his articles: "Bush and I were Lieutenants" and "Answering Kerry's Questions" Also, see my article: Bush and Uncommon Valor

"Special Direct Commission to Lieutenant Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that everyone selected for an ANG pilot slot received a direct commission to lieutenant and that everyone that kept their commission earned it based on successfully completing USAF Pilot Training. Instead, LWM fabricated a story that GWB used political influence to get a special direct commission to lieutenant. Fact: There was no such thing as a special direct commission to lieutenant.

For lieutenants to keep their commission they had to successfully complete one year of pilot training. Students that washed out of flight school (that didn't complete the program) lost their commission and were returned to enlisted status. Anyone who has been through flight training in the USAF knows that Air Force Flight Instructors could care less about political influence; the only thing they cared about was were you competent to fly the aircraft and could you hack the USAF flight training program? If you weren't competent, you were weeded out during the various phases of flight training. When I went to USAF flight school (Class 64C at Vance AFB), the wash-out rate was about 40 percent. I don't know what the wash out percentages were when GWB attended flight school at Moody AFB but keeping your commission certainly was not a sure thing; it depended on successfully completing flight school.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) deceived the American people by not telling them that everyone selected for an ANG pilot slot received a direct commission to lieutenant and that there was no such thing as a special direct commission to lieutenant. Second, LWM deceived the American people by not telling them that GWB would have lost his commission and been returned to enlisted status had he not successfully completed USAF Pilot Training. Third, LWM duped the American people into believing that GWB used political influence to get a Special Direct Commission to Lieutenant. Fourth, LWM's "Special Direct Commission Lieutenant Hoax" was fabricated to discredit President Bush in the eyes of the American people and United States Armed Forces for the purpose of electing a liberal Democrat. Fifth, LWM's "Special Direct Commission to Lieutenant Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Political Influence/Favoritism Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB got into the Guard based on his own merit. Instead, LWM fabricated a story that family intervention, political influence, favoritism and special treatment were used to get GWB into the ANG. Note: LWM's "Leapfrogged Hundreds and Special Direct Commission to Lieutenant Hoaxes" gave credence to LWM's "Political Influence/Favoritism Hoax." Fact: GWB got into the Guard based on his own merit.

President George Herbert Walker Bush stated publicly that the Bush family played no part, whatsoever, in getting GWB in the ANG. President George W. Bush stated publicly that he had no help from anyone in getting into the Guard. For arguments sake, let's disregard what both Presidents said on this issue.

An unexpected benefit of the CBS 60 Minutes fraudulent memo scandal was that the public got to hear directly from retired ANG senior officers about GWB's ANG service (unfiltered by left-wing media). What these officers had to say was quite different from what LWM had been telling the American people. Ret. Colonel Walter B. "Buck" Staudt (who conducted the interview that resulted in GWB being selected by the ANG) stated in an ABC Special Interview that: "He recalled Bush as a standout candidate"; "No one called me about taking George Bush into the Air National Guard. It was my decision. I swore him in. I never heard anything from anybody."; "He didn't use political influence to get into the Air National Guard"; "He was highly qualified. He passed all the scrutiny and tests he was given" "He was a well-educated, bright-eyed young man, just the kind of guy we were looking for." "He presented himself well. He more than met the requirements for pilot training. I'd say he was in the upper 10 percent or 5 percent or whatever we ever talked to about going to pilot training. We were pretty particular because when he came back (from training); we had to fly with him."

Any investigative journalist (searching for the truth on how GWB was selected for the ANG) would have asked themselves simple logical questions. First, why wouldn't the ANG want GWB? Bush was a Yale graduate and potentially a great asset to the Guard. Second, why wouldn't the Guard select a young man who had already met stringent educational, security clearance and physical requirements for pilot training and held the attributes Staudt stated in the ABC Special Interview? These attributes were well known by many people. Third, GWB's pilot instructor in the F-102 (Major Maurice Udell) pegged GWB in the top 5 percent of pilots he instructed; GWB, in fact, was known to be a top notch fighter pilot by the pilots that flew with him and knew him. Given positive information about the flying skills of GWB, a fair minded journalist would have concluded that the ANG made the right decision when they selected GWB for a pilot training.

Journalists, having done their homework, would have already known the answer to logical questions about how GWB got in the Guard. Their problem was that this wasn't the story they wanted told — so liberal media fabricated a different story — one of privilege, family influence, political influence and favoritism and sold that story to the American people. They perpetrated a hoax on the American people every bit as malicious as the fabricated story and fraudulent memos used in Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minute hit piece.

President Bush is the 19th President of the United States to have served in the National Guard. Colonel Staudt's 36 year-old decision to select GWB for pilot training (based on his assessment of Bush's character and qualifications) has stood the test of time. The ANG got it right! LWM got it wrong!

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) duped the American people into believing GWB didn't get into the Guard based on his own merit. Second, LWM's investigative journalists reneged on their duty to the American people to explore the question: why wouldn't GWB be highly qualified for the ANG based on his own merit? Third, LWM fabricated myths that "family intervention, political influence, favoritism and special treatment got GWB into the ANG" Fourth, LWM's "Political Influence/Favoritism Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.


Note: Should LWM want to use Ben Barnes to defend their accusation of political influence, remind them that Ben Barnes swore under oath he had nothing to do with getting GWB in the Guard and that Barnes' daughter (Amy) stated her father told her (during the 2000 election) that he had nothing to do with getting Bush into the Guard. Also, remind LWM that Ben Barnes is a big fund raiser ($100,000) and supporter of John Kerry and may have a job should Kerry be elected President. This is the "reliable source" Dan Rather used to attack President Bush and help validate the content of CBS' fraudulent memos. Ben Barnes is the type of "reliable source" LWM goes to when they want to attack the President. He is the "reliable source" that now swears that he got GWB leapfrogged over hundreds of ANG applicants. See LWM's "Leapfrogged Hundreds Hoax" above.

"Sugarcoated Officer Efficiency Report Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) told/inferred/implied to the American people that GWB received "sugarcoated" officer efficiency reports (O.E.R.s) and that he was able to shirk responsibilities because of political influence, favoritism and special treatment. Fact: GWB received laudatory O.E.R.s based on his own merit; he didn't shirk his responsibilities in the ANG.

Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story alleged that pressure was being applied on Lt. Col. Jerry B. Killian (GWB's Squadron Commander) by Colonel Staudt to sugarcoat Lt. Bush's O.E.R.s. An unexpected benefit of the CBS 60 Minutes fraudulent memo scandal was that the public got to hear from ANG retired senior officers about GWB's ANG service (unfiltered by left-wing media). Also, the public heard comments from Lt. Col. Jerry B. Killian's wife and son (Killian died in 1984). What these senior officers and the Killian family had to say was in stark contrast to what LWM had been telling the American people.

Staudt told ABC News that he never gave/sought preferential treatment for GWB and said "I never pressured anybody about George Bush because I had no reason to," This means Staudt didn't put pressure of any kind on anyone to either sugarcoat Bush's O.E.R.s or allow GWB to shirk any of his responsibilities. Staudt retired from the ANG almost 1½ years before the alleged pressure by him on Killian — as specified in the CBS fraudulent memo. Staudt would not be in a position to exert pressure on Hodges or Killian because he was not in the command line at the time of the alleged pressure. Staudt had retired from the ANG on March 1, 1972. August 18, 1973 was the date of the fraudulent memo claiming command pressure from Staudt to sugarcoat GWB's O.E.R.

Everyone got an insight into why GWB received such good O.E.R.s. Killian's wife and son informed the American people (unfiltered by media) that her husband (GWB's Squadron Commander) felt highly of Lt. Bush and considered him a top notch officer and pilot. Senior officers (that were in GWB's chain of command) held him in the highest regard and respected GWB as an outstanding officer and pilot. No "sugarcoating" of O.E.R.s was necessary; this was a LWM hoax.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB received laudatory O.E.R.s based on his own merit and that he didn't shirk responsibilities. Second, Left-Wing Media (LWM) created myths designed to discredit President Bush in the eyes of the American people and United States Armed Forces. The myths were that GWB received sugarcoated O.E.R.s., shirked his responsibilities and received special treatment. This is what LWM wanted the American people to believe. Third, given recent testimony of retired ANG senior officers and Killian's family, LWM have nothing to substantiate their smear campaign except fraudulent memos. Fourth, LWM's "Sugarcoated Officer Efficiency Rating Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Do Not Volunteer for Overseas Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that the box checked on GWB's application for Extended Active Duty (EAD) "Do not volunteer for overseas" was the same box all guardsmen applicants applying for a pilot slot would have been instructed to check. Instead, LWM fabricated a story that checking this box was proof that GWB was trying to get out of Vietnam and that GWB was a coward. Fact: All guardsmen applicants applying for a pilot slot would have been instructed to check this box.

AF Form 125 (application for Extended Active Duty) is required for every Air Force officer's personnel folder. This form is not a requirement for reservists and guardsmen unless called up for Extended Active Duty (EAD). When guardsmen attend USAF pilot training school they are on EAD. As per retired Colonel Campenni "Most guardsmen, like Lt. Bush and me, were told by personnel clerks to check off the "not volunteer" block because it was meaningless. We had to fill out the form to go to pilot training because that year was EAD; however, all ANG training bases were in the United States. In the Guard, you are the property of that unit and state. You aren't going anywhere except where your unit goes." See Answering Kerry's Questions by William Campenni.

GWB was applying to the ANG to attend USAF Flight Training to be followed by training in the F-102 Delta Dagger Fighter Interceptor Aircraft, to be followed by flying in the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group (FIG) 111st Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS). Once sufficient flying hours were accumulated by a squadron pilot, they were eligible to apply for a combat flying slot in Vietnam. Of note, the 147th FIG conducted combat operations in Vietnam at the very time GWB enlisted in the ANG in 1968. Pilots from the 147th FIG were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty under a program called "Palace Alert." GWB had good reason to expect combat duty in Vietnam — since members of the unit he would be going to — were flying combat missions in Vietnam.

One of LWM's favorite conjured up stories (with no basis in fact) is that GWB was a coward; did everything he could to avoid going to Vietnam including checking this box "Do not volunteer for overseas." LWM, evidently, justifies deceiving the American people the same way Dan Rather justifies a fraudulent hit piece on the President. Getting a Liberal Democrat in the White House is of such overriding importance that smearing the honorable military service record of the President of the United States and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces is tolerable. The end (getting Kerry elected) justifies the means (assassinating GWB's character and the reputations of many Guardsmen and Reservists.)

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) fabricated the hoax that GWB's checking the box "do not volunteer for overseas" was proof that GWB was trying to get out of Vietnam and that GWB was a coward. Second, LWM deceived the American people by not informing them that all guardsmen applicants applying for a pilot slot would have been instructed to check this box. Third, LWM failed to inform the American people that when GWB applied to the ANG, pilots from the 147th FIG were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty under a program called "Palace Alert." Fourth, LWM's "Do Not Volunteer for Overseas Hoax" was to discredit GWB in the eyes of the American people for the purpose of electing a liberal Democrat. Fifth, LWM's "Do Not Volunteer for Overseas Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Didn't want to go to Vietnam Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB expected to go to Vietnam since members of the 147th FIG (111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron) were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty; that GWB wanted to go to Vietnam for combat duty in the F-102; and that GWB volunteered to go to Vietnam. (See Answering Kerry's Questions by William Campenni). Instead, LWM fabricated a different story (one every bit as malicious as the fraudulent memos used in Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minute hit piece) that GWB joined the ANG to get out of Vietnam. LMW's back up for this hoax was LWM's "Do Not Volunteer for Overseas Hoax"

GWB wanted to go to Vietnam for combat duty in the F-102. This fact has been validated by a number of sources to include (1) Killian's son Gary, (2) Colonel William Campenni (who served in the same fighter squadron at the same time as GWB and (3) Fred Bradley (a pilot that served with GWB) and (4) Maurice Udell — an instructor pilot who served with GWB. The information that GWB wanted to go to Vietnam and volunteered to go to Vietnam was readily available to any journalist searching for the truth about GWB's ANG record.

In an interview on Fox and Friends (September 20, 2004), Colonel Earl Lively (a retired TANG Director of Operations) stated that two people from GWB's unit told him that President Bush volunteered to go on a tour of rotation in Vietnam. This is a quote from Col Lively "Well, they had a program called Palace Alert where Air National Guard F-102s were rotated to Vietnam to fly cover for the fighter-bombers. And, well, people talk about the Air National Guard not being in Vietnam. They had a presence there, and the F-102 did actually go. General Hodges himself went on a tour, and they had people volunteer for that, and Lieutenant Bust [Colonel] Via said Lt. Bush volunteered and everyone I've talked to said he did, but they were only taking their most experienced pilots, long-time pilots who had experience in air-to-air combat tactics and he was refused. Killian's sons said that his father told him that and Colonel Via told me that again yesterday."

Why did LWM omit telling the American people these important facts? The reason: telling the American people that GWB "wanted to go to Vietnam" and that "GWB volunteered to go to Vietnam" would run counter to the character assassination campaign by LWM to defeat President Bush in the 2004 election.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) failed to inform the American public that GWB wanted to go to Vietnam and volunteered to go to Vietnam but was not qualified since he was still in training and didn't have the required 500 hours of flying time for combat. Second, LWM fabricated the myth that GWB was a coward and did everything he could to avoid going to Vietnam. Third, LWM failed to inform the American people that when GWB applied to the ANG, pilots from the 147th FIG were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty under a program called "Palace Alert." Fourth, Dan Rather's CBS' story about GWB's ANG service would have lacked credibility (even if the memos weren't fraudulent) had the American people been told that GWB had volunteered to go to Vietnam for combat duty in 1971 and that he joined the ANG when members of his Guard unit were being regularly deployed to Vietnam. Fifth, LWM's "Didn't want to go to Vietnam Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Coward and Draft Dogger Hoax" — Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people (1) that there were exceptional dangers involved in flying the F-102 aircraft — 259 F-102 aircraft were lost in accidents that killed 70 pilots and severely injured many others. (2) that when GWB joined the ANG in 1968, F-102 pilots from 147th FIG were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty (Palace Alert) and (3) that GWB volunteered to go to Vietnam for combat flying in the F-102. Instead, LWM pepertrated a hoax on the American people by fabricating a story that GWB joined the ANG to get out of Vietnam, that he was a coward and a draft dogger.

Kerry's strategy (supported by left-wing media) was to malign President Bush's military service and undermine the peoples' trust in GWB as Commander-In-Chief. At the same time, this strategy called for promoting Kerry as a war hero. Kerry's strategy was calculated to offset his anti-war activities and his extreme anti-national security voting record.

Left-Wing Media (LWM) by relentlessly attacking GWB as an ANG coward has by inference attacked all pilots and service members in the ANG and Reserve Forces as "cowards" for not having served in Vietnam. Their flippant slandering of our Guard and Reserve forces in an effort to discredit President Bush and put a Democrat in the White House is beyond the pale. One wonders why LWM doesn't seek an even broader umbrella and label all those who didn't serve in Vietnam as cowards. LWM should answer the question how many service peoples' reputations are you willing to demean (in order to discredit the Commander-In-Chief) to get Kerry elected?

Had LWM investigative journalists wanted to give the American people a perspective about cowards during the Vietnam War, they would have looked outside the military to find these people. The draft doggers, those that fled to Canada, the anti-war groups, the peace groups and all those who stopped demostrating the day their butts were no longer at risk; i.e., when the draft was terminated. Instead, LWM saved their "coward label" for those that joined the military in the service of their country. Colonel William Campenni (retired) in his article Answering Kerry's Questions says it best:


"Remember, over the term of the Vietnam War, 8.7 million served on active duty, of which 2.7 million served in Vietnam and surrounding waters and airspace. Thus 6 million never got near the theater of operations. This 69 percent of the active-duty force were sitting in missile silos, in submarines and ships, at airfields in England, at Army bases in Germany and on Coast Guard cutters in Alaska. Nobody questions their service. Another 2 million were in the Reserve forces, waiting for a call that for most did not come."

"Hindsight is perfect, but in the late 1960s, the future course of the war was not so clear. No matter what your recruiter told you, when you donned a uniform in 1965 through 1973, you did not have a clue as to where fortune would take you and what risks you would face. A gung-ho Ranger might find himself in a safe instructor slot in Germany; a Coast Guardsman would find himself dodging mines in the China Sea; an Air National Guard pilot in Sioux City would be dropping bombs in Vietnam. Life was neither fair nor foreseeable. Someone in Saigon would safely serve in a rear-echelon staff job, while another in North Dakota would die a fiery death in the crash of an Air National Guard jet."

"But the hated George Bush was in the National Guard, so it must be that those in the National Guard were draft dodgers and cowards. We who served in the Guard in that era are proud of our service. Even with obsolescent equipment and condescending attitudes from the regular forces, we were ready to go. Many a guardsman volunteered for Vietnam, but were turned down for often petty reasons, or offered pointless assignments far from the war zone. As verified by at least three witnesses, George Bush was one of those Vietnam volunteers."


Questions I have for the LWM's investigative journalists: Where were you during the Vietnam War? How is it you so freely throw terms around such a coward, AWOL, deserter, draft dodger, etc.? What fighter aircraft did you ever strap on your butt? How many 3am launches in bad weather to intercept unknown targets have you ever done? How many pilot memorial services have you ever attended? Let me guess — none. Not only didn't you serve in the military (most of you) but you have used your profession to fabricate stories designed to dishonor our Commander-In-Chief and by inference all those that served in the military that didn't go to Vietnam. For what, so you can get a liberal Democrat in the White House?

"AWOL/Deserter Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB flew almost four years straight, accumulated approximately 600 hours of flying time and fulfilled his ANG point requirements (by a threefold margin) for an honorable discharge. Instead, LWM circulated stories that GWB seldom if ever showed up for duty; that GWB was AWOL; that GWB was a Deserter. See "Didn't Meet Honorable Discharge Requirements Hoax," "Shirked Responsibilities Hoax" and "Failed to Follow an Order Hoax"

GWB's service record in the ANG was often distorted by LWM by their keeping from the American people the highly active portion of GWB's ANG service (the approximately 600 hours that he flew during the first four years of his service). Instead, LWM focused a microscope under the phase of GWB's ANG service when he was no longer flying — from May 1972 to when he received his honorable discharge October 1, 1973. It's this period of GWB's service that LWM invokes its creative talents to fabricate stories designed to smear GWB: such as he didn't follow an order from his commander to take a flight physical; he went AWOL and was a Deserter. All these LWM smears are totally at odds with the perspectives held by the senior officers that were in the ANG with GWB, the fighter pilots that flew with GWB and the people that served with GWB. None of these people (the people that actually served with Lt. Bush) are important to LWM. The important entities are Terry McAuliffe's view, Michael Moore's view, Kerry's Campaign view, the views of Left-Wing 527s; and the views of the corrupted mass liberal media — agenda driven — propaganda machine. I would wager that you would be hard pressed to find anyone in these left-wing groups that ever flew a fighter aircraft in the ANG or the United States Air Force — but that doesn't deter them from fabricating stories on what happened 30 years ago when Lt. Bush served in the ANG.

GWB entered the ANG in May 1968 and took his last (F-102) flight in the Guard four years later in April 1972. His flying tour included pilot training and than operational flying in the F-102 (111th Tactical interceptor Squadron). How many LWM articles have emphasized the role of Strategic Air Defense of Continental United States and the role our Air Defense forces played in protecting U.S. airspace during the Cold War? Lt. Bush's mission, as a squadron fighter interceptor pilot, was to intercept and destroy columns of enemy aircraft inbound to the United States; for example, Soviet Nuclear Bombers (TU-95 Bombers). Remember, we were still in the Cold War in the 1970s with Air Defense a high priority mission. Today our Air Defense forces protect us against aircraft that may have terrorists on board. We don't call these Air Defense pilots cowards because they are not in Afghanistan or Iraq; we don't call them members of a "Champaign Flight" to belittle their service and we don't accuse them of using the ANG as a "Shield from Combat in Afghanistan and Iraq." Let's just hope one of these brave and courageous flyers doesn't run for President some day. If he does, he better be a Democrat or he will smeared and discredited like GWB.

Media Checkmate: The goal of LWM is to discredit GWB; otherwise, they would not be writing an article on GWB's Guard service 30 plus years ago. Lt. Bush flew almost four years straight and accumulated approximately 600 hours of flying time. He fulfilled all of his Guard requirements and was given an honorable discharge. Who was pleased with Lt. Bush's service in the ANG? All of GWB's commanders, his fellow pilots and the ANG were pleased. Who was not pleased with Lt. Bush's service in the ANG? The DNC, Kerry's Campaign, Left-Wing 527s and the Left-Wing Mass Liberal Media — agenda driven — propaganda machine. I'll side with the ANG Commanders and pilots that flew with GWB.

LWM's "AWOL/Deserter Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story

"Didn't Meet Honorable Discharge Requirements Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB exceeded his ANG six-year drill point requirement more than threefold and that he accumulated almost 600 hours of flying time. LWM, instead, went virtually berserk trying to establish that GWB might have just missed the minimum 50 point annual requirement in any of his last two years of service so they could declare that he didn't earn an honorable discharge — that's what the hullabaloo has been all about. Fact: GWB met all the requirements for an honorable discharge (not by a little bit) but by a significant order of magnitude above ANG requirements.

This is one of Liberal Media's most egregious misrepresentations to the American people about GWB's ANG record. Investigative reporters had an ethical obligation to inform the American public that GWB exceeded his six-year point requirement in the Guard — threefold — but they chose to keep this fact hidden from the American public. He was required to accrue a minimum of 50 points (annually) to meet Guard requirements (300 points in six years). Lt. Bush accumulated 954 points — exceeding the six-year ANG service requirement — threefold and the average point count for a Guardsman over a six-year period — twofold. Of course, everyone knows this, right? All those left-wing investigative reporters must have brought this fact out a dozen times. I just must have missed it. Also, AF 526 Forms for 72-73 and 73-74 validate that Lt. Bush met ANG point requirements for his honorable discharge from the ANG. Read Byron York's September 9, 2004 article titled: Bush's National Guard years — Before you fall for Dems' spin, here are the facts and his February 18, 2004 article: Bush and the National Guard: Case Closed

Lt. Bush's strong record of Guard service supported his early release from a six-year service obligation to attend Harvard Business School. He received an Honorable Discharge in October 1973 having served 5 years, 4 months and 5 days. The Texas Air National Guard (TANG) released GWB early because they needed to cut 11 squadron pilot slots based on the F-102 aircraft being phased out. Since Lt. Bush wouldn't have had sufficient time left in his commitment to be trained in a new aircraft (2 years required from the time training started), it made no sense for the ANG to retain Lt. Bush in the ANG — so he was given an early release for reasons that served the best interests of the ANG.

GWB's completion of his Guard requirements by a factor of three over the minimum requirement and a factor of two over the average ANG service accomplished by Guardsmen (over a six-year period) was not the story LWM wanted the American people to hear. They chose a different story — that GWB shirked his responsibilities; that he missed ANG duty; that he didn't meet his drill point requirements for an honorable discharge; that he went AWOL and that he was a deserter. It was ANG standard procedure (had been for years) to let units excuse their members from scheduled drills with the stipulation that missed drill time be made up. Lt. Bush made up drill times missed, fulfilled all of his requirements in the Guard and received all the annual points necessary for an honorable discharge. Everything was done to the satisfaction of GWB's squadron commander 30 years ago.

LWM often led into their stories about GWB's ANG record with something like this "recently there have been growing concerns expressed about GWB's ANG service." This lead is important because people would otherwise wonder why we are going back, again, over 30 years to look at GWB's ANG service. The answer is simple; LWM is in bed with the DNC, Terry McAuliffe, Michael Moore, Kerry's Campaign and Left-Wing 527's. When these groups say its time to dust off the ANG Bush bashing articles and recycle them with added hoaxes, LWM lapdogs dutifully respond. When Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos were aired on September 8, 2004, all the supporting elements of LWM propaganda machine fell into place with their articles and media stories. At the same time coordinated attacks on GWB were launched by the DNC, Terry McAuliffe, Senator Tom Harkins and 527 groups.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) deceived the American people by not telling them that GWB met all the requirements for an honorable discharge (not by a little bit) but by a significant order of magnitude above ANG requirements. Second, LWM didn't make it clear to the American people that over thirty years ago GWB's squadron commander reviewed the requirements for an honorable discharge from the ANG and determined that GWB met all those requirements; also, that officers senior to Lt. Col Jerry B. Killian would have validated his decision. Third, LWM fabricated malicious stories that GWB shirked his responsibilities; that he missed ANG duty; that he didn't meet his drill point requirements for an honorable discharge; that he went AWOL; that he was a Deserter, etc. Fourth, LWM deceived the American people by not telling them who had the growing concerns about GWB's ANG record. Let me guess. I know it wouldn't be anyone that served with GWB in the ANG, these people thought very highly of GWB so who could it be that was so unhappy that GWB received an honorable discharge? The unhappy crowd is the DNC, Terry McAuliffe, Michael Moore, Senator Tom Harkins, Kerry's Campaign, Left-Wing 527s and their friends — the Left-Wing — agenda driven — mass liberal media propaganda machine. Fifth, LWM's "Didn't Meet Honorable Discharge Requirements Hoax" was fabricated to discredit President Bush in the eyes of the American people and United States Armed Forces for the purpose of electing a liberal Democrat. Sixth, LWM's "Didn't Meet Honorable Discharge Requirements Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Shirked Responsibilities Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB stopped flying F-102s in the ANG after April 1972 for reasons that would have made sense to the ANG and GWB and that GWB didn't shirk his responsibilities in the ANG. Instead, LWM fabricated a story that GWB stopped flying on a whim and shirked his ANG responsibilities.

I would like to explain (from a fighter squadron commander's perspective — since I was one) what I think was happening in 1972 that resulted in a decision for GWB not to be flying after April 1972. This decision may have been an ANG decision; not a GWB decision.

GWB's Squadron Commander (Killian) was faced with challenges in the ANG in 1972. A lot of changes were taking place in the ANG — specifically in Killian's 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. To understand why it would have made perfect sense for GWB to stop flying in the ANG when he did, let me offer this perspective. In 1972, Killian knew that his squadron would be changing its mission from a fighter interceptor squadron (FIS) to a fighter training squadron (FTS); he knew that his ANG pilots would have to be trained to do the FTS mission; he knew that the TANG had to cut 11 squadron pilot slots based on the F-102 being phased out; he knew, also, that his unit would be transitioning to a new aircraft — the F-101 and that his ANG pilots would have to be trained and qualified in the F-101 aircraft (months of additional training); he knew that for pilots to be trained in the F-101, they would need two years left in their ANG commitment; and he would have known that by the time training started in the F-101, Lt. Bush's remaining commitment in the ANG wouldn't be sufficient for him to qualify for F-101 training; he knew there were major cutbacks in the funding of flight hours (flight hours must be paid for and fighter aircraft hours are very expensive); he knew that reduced funding for flying hours meant less flying hours to keep his pilots mission capable; he knew that Vietnam combat experienced pilots wanted pilot slots in the ANG. Given what Killian knew, it made perfect sense to let Lt. Bush transition to civilian life (attend Harvard Business School), to release GWB from a six-year ANG commitment and grant him an honorable discharge. Not to do so (given Killian's Squadron challenges) would have made no sense!

Lt. Col Killian made a decision that was in the best interest of the ANG. Once Killian knew that GWB wouldn't have sufficient time left in his commitment to qualify for training in the F-101 aircraft, it made no sense for the Guard to waste scarce flying hour resources in keeping GWB mission capable in the F-102. Killian would have preferred using ANG flying time to support the pilots that were staying in Guard, going to be instructor pilots, and going to get checked out in the F-101 aircraft. GWB no longer fit into that equation. This is why I think there was a good possibility that a discussion took place — wherein GWB shared his career plans and Killian decided that it was no longer beneficial to the ANG for GWB to be flying the F-102 in the ANG after April 1972.

What about GWB? How would he look at what was happening in the ANG and in his squadron in 1972? This is probably how he felt; I think it would have been how I would have felt had I been in his situation. The grapevine (at the squadron level) is very well tuned into changes forecasted for their unit. Lt. Bush, I'm sure, knew early on there would be no future for him in the Guard. GWB said he "was no longer flying because the F-102 jet he had trained in was being replaced by a different fighter." He had made his contribution as a key player in the air defense of the United States during the Cold War. However, times had changed; the ANG now had plenty of pilots with high flying time and combat experience that wanted to pursue a career in the ANG. GWB's option (if he wanted to continue with the TANG) was to accept an additional ANG commitment (above his 6 year-commitment) to get checked out in an F-101 aircraft. So he made a decision to go into civilian life; he went to Harvard Business School. While waiting to go to Harvard, GWB (with his commander's approval) fulfilled his minimum drill requirements. For details read Byron Yorks September 9, 2004 article titled: Bush's National Guard years — Before you fall for Dems' spin, here are the facts and his February 18, 2004 article: Bush and the National Guard: Case Closed

I'm going to digress a moment and talk about why GWB may not have wanted to make the Guard a career.

Remember at the time GWB was serving in the ANG, John Kerry was misrepresenting to the American public what our soldiers were doing in Southeast Asia. As part of the anti-war movement with Jane Fonda, John Kerry maligned, mocked and discredited our soldiers while they were still engaged in battle. He lied about what our soldiers were doing in combat. He defamed our brave fighting men; he betrayed his comrades in arms while they were still fighting and dying on the battlefield and in air combat. In his 1971 book "The New Soldier" John Kerry charged that American soldiers "were killing women and children" and helping to create "a nation of refugees, bomb craters, amputees, orphans, widows, and prostitutes..." in Vietnam.

In part, through LWM and the anti-war activities of John Kerry and Jane Fonda, some citizens of our country were persuaded that members of our Armed Forces (who went to Vietnam) were villains. Also, some of our citizens rewarded the combat sacrifices of those that went to serve their country in Vietnam by spitting on them when they returned home. During the Carter Administration wearing the military uniform (in the Pentagon) was curtailed to one day a week so as to not antagonize our citizens.

Kerry vilified the reputations of 2.7 million soldiers that served in combat in Southeast Asia (over a ten year period), vilified the 58,000 of our brave fighting men that died during the Vietnam conflict and vilified the 300,000 that were wounded in combat. Is it not ironic then — that the one war hero who emerges out of the battlefields of Vietnam is John Kerry? He wants to be Commander-In-Chief. Is he a villain or a hero? If he is a hero what about the 2.7 million he labeled as villains? Are they still villains or are they now heroes or is Kerry the only real hero to emerge from Vietnam with his reputation whole?

It's noteworthy that LWM journalists who were persuading people not to serve their country during the Vietnam war, now have done a complete reversal (kind of like a Kerry flip-flop). They now look back (in history) 30 years to attack those in the ANG and Reserve Forces who didn't serve in Vietnam during the 60s and 70s. This is shameless hypocracy.

The men and women of our Armed Forces believe in what they do to protect and defend the people of this country. They put their lives on the line for us. When the time comes that our citizens communicate to these men and women that the country no longer appreciates their service and sacrifice, many of them will leave the service. During the 1970's many thousands of outstanding young people left the Armed Forces of the United States. Should John Kerry be elected Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces let me predict many more thousands of outstanding young people will leave the service. The election of Kerry as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces would be the ultimate insult to those who have served our country and those serving our country now (some soldiers will vote for Kerry and will not be insulted).

LWM journalists weren't interested in informing the public about what was going on in the ANG in 1972 or what was happening in Killian's unit. That wasn't the story liberal media wanted told — so they fabricated a different story — one that GWB shirked his responsibilities when he stopped flying the F-102 after April 1972 and didn't take an annual flight physical. Of course, if you were going to be leaving the ANG and you were "definitely" not going to be flying the F-102 or any other ANG aircraft, there would be no need for a flight physical.

Checkmate: LWM fabricating stories designed to discredit the President of the United States rather than explain to people that GWB stopped flying F-102s in the ANG after April 1972 for reasons that would have made sense to the ANG and GWB. LWM's "Shirked Responsibilities Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Failed to Follow an Order Hoax" First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) had an obligation to tell the American people that it would be highly unlikely that GWB would have received an order from his squadron commander to take a flight physical. Taking an annual flight physical is a routine event that would be monitored by squadron administration and the flight surgeons office. Second, LWM not telling the American people this fact opened the door for LWM to deceive the American people by introducing their "Failed to Follow an Order Hoax." Third, LWM omitted telling the American people that GWB didn't take his annual flight physical because he was no longer going to be flying the F-102 in the ANG after April 1972 and that the decision for GWB (not to fly after April 1972) may have been made by his Squadron Commander — based on what was in the best interest of the ANG. Instead, LWM perpetrated a fraud on the American people by irresponsibly fabricating all sorts of unsubstantiated reasons why GWB might not have taken his annual flight physical. Fact: GWB didn't take his annual flight physical because he was no longer going to be flying the F-102 in the ANG after April 1972, a decision, either made by GWB's squadron commander or supported by his squadron commander (absent left-wing spin).

Taking an annual flight physical is a routine event that would be monitored by squadron administration and the flight surgeons' office. Lt. Bush would have (most likely) received a notice from his unit or the flight surgeons' office to schedule an appointment for his annual flight physical during the month of July. Annual flight physicals are scheduled during a pilot's birth month. This was just one of the items that exposed Dan Rather's memos as being fraudulent. The fraudulent memo dated 4 May 1972 set the date for GWB's annual flight physical in May not July according to established procedure. Also, such an order would not likely come from the squadron commander; however, if it did, it would not be in memo but in letter form.

Let's say for arguments sake that Lt. Col Killian signed an order directing Lt. Bush to take a flight physical. So what, we don't know is what happened after Lt. Bush received that order. Did he call his Squadron Commander and resolve the issue. You don't know, I don't know. Since Lt. Col. Killian is deceased, it is impossible for anyone to know what dialogue occurred between Lt. Bush and his Squadron Commander more than 30 years ago. For all we know, the flight physical issue (if there was one) was resolved in a heart beat with a telephone call — regardless of what any piece of paper shows us — even a fraudulent memo.

LWM has a challenge in going back over 30 years in an effort to discredit the honorable service of Lt. Bush in the ANG. They have to speculate what happened as opposed to knowing what happened. This is not an overwhelming challenge. LWM has always been able to manufacture/fabricate a hoax scenario that reflects most unfavorably on GWB's character and service. They have been able to do this just as easily as CBS was able to fabricate a story (designed to discredit President Bush) prior to a national election. What's amazing is that LWM are still using the information in the fraudulent memos to validate their attacks against GWB. The fact that the memos have been proven fraudulent and the information in those memos suspect doesn't phase LWM the least.

One logical reason for Lt. Bush not taking his flight physical: it was no longer in the best interests of the ANG to keep Lt. Bush on flight status. Lt. Bush wasn't going to extend his commitment in the ANG to receive F-101 training and therefore it made little sense for him to continue flying after April 1972. Career opportunities in the ANG were uncertain in 1972 as indicated by a scheduled unit downsizing of 11 pilots as the F-102 aircraft was phased out. Also, the ANG in 1972 had available to it highly skilled combat seasoned/experienced pilots. Letting Lt. Bush go freed spots for the Guard to recruit F-101 pilots from the Air Force and elsewhere. Lt. Bush's services were no longer needed in the ANG.

The reason you take a flight physical is so that you are qualified to fly. If you are not going to fly anymore in the ANG, there would be no reason to take a flight physical unless you just like to take flight physicals. Everything that happened with Lt. Bush in the ANG was normal operating procedure. When Lt. Bush didn't take a physical in July (his birth month), his flight status was automatically terminated, effective August 1, 1972. By definition, this means you are suspended from flight duty until a Flight Evaluation Board (FEB) officially changes your status. None of this was of a displianary nature (despite LWM misrepresentations to the American people) but the normal operating procedures of a fighter squadron.

Retired Colonel William Campenni (a pilot that served in the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron with Lt. Bush) stated "Flying physicals are like driver's licenses — when they expire, you aren't allowed to fly. They don't throw you in jail." Also, Colonel Campenni addressed the charge that Lt. Bush didn't take his flight physical to avoid a drug test. "Formal drug testing in the Guard did not start until 1981, and his records prove Mr. Bush was never subject to the Human Reliability (nuclear weapons safety) program." Also, had Lt. Col Killian had any indication that a pilot in his squadron were using drugs, he would have directed drug testing immediately — not to do so would jeopardize the lives of the pilots in his squadron. This charge had no basis; its purpose was to smear GWB.

Media Checkmate: First, Left-Wing Media (LWM) deceived the American people by not telling the American people that squadron commanders normally don't give orders to take flight physicals. Second, LWM deceived the American people with their "Failed to Follow an Order Hoax." Third, LWM deceived the American people by not advising them that GWB's ending of flying after April 1972 may have been an ANG decision. Fourth, LWM perpetrated a fraud on the American people by irresponsibly fabricating all sorts of unsubstantiated reasons why GWB didn't take his annual flight physical. Fifth, LWM's "Failed to Follow an Order Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

"Lied about Service Record Hoax" Left-Wing Media (LWM) omitted telling the American people that GWB's served in the U.S. Air Force as well as the ANG. Fact: GWB's assertions that he "served in the U.S. Air Force" were correct.

For economic reasons, the ANG turns to the Air Force to do its pilot training. When Guardsmen attend pilot training school they are placed on Extended Active Duty (EAD) with the USAF for a year. President Bush "served in the Air Force" for a year (as an ANG officer) while going through USAF flight training.

Also, the United States has exchange officers from other countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) that come to the U.S. to fly in our Air Force flying squadrons. Upon return to the UK, these Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots would say they "served in the USAF" (as an RAF Exchange officer) and that's what would be reflected in their personnel records. Similarly, our flying officers are assigned to squadron flying positions in the RAF. Their personnel records would reflect that they "served in the RAF" (as an USAF Exchange Officer).

Additionally, as part of Lt. Bush's training (prior to attending USAF Flight Training); Lt. Bush was placed on active duty with the Air Force for 120 days. This would be another basis for saying he "served in the Air Force."

If LWM (and the Lift-Wing people they associate with) talked to any fighter pilots, they would find out that what GWB said was correct. The people that don't understand it are those that have no experience in the military; know nothing about exchange officer duty; etc., so they spend their time misinforming the American people about things military that they know nothing about. Their purpose is to discredit the honorable service record of President Bush. The Lied about Service Record charge was a LWM hoax.

Media Checkmate: First, LWM had a professional obligation to inform the American people that you didn't have to be an active-duty Air Force officer to "serve in the Air Force" as an ANG pilot trainee or exchange pilot. Second, LWM deceived the American people by not telling them that GWB's comment that he served in both the USAF and ANG was correct; Third, the Lied about Service Record charge was a LWM hoax. Fourth, LWM's "Lied about Service Record Hoax" helped prop up Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes fabricated story and fraudulent memos and the Ben Barnes' story.

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The President of the United States and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces served honorably in the ANG. See my article Bush and Uncommon Valor and retired Colonel William Campenni's article "Lt Bush and I were lieutenants," click here. The LWM hoaxes covered above are just a small sampling of what LWM has done to assassinate the character of GWB for the purpose of getting a Liberal Democrat elected President. The articles written about the President's service in the Guard are seldom written from a politically neutral perspective. When LWM goes back 30 plus years to "explore" GWB's ANG record they are on a search and destroy mission. They are not looking to find the good. They are looking for the bad; and if they don't find bad, that is not a problem. They will speculate the bad, conjure up the bad, fabricate the bad, manufacture the bad. This is exactly what the mass liberal — agenda driven- propaganda machine did to GWB.

LWM's thousands of hit pieces on the President's ANG service (every bit as fabricated and fraudulent as Dan Rather's CBS' 60 Minutes) do their work over time. Myths become seen as facts and hoaxes become seen as truth.

When you listen to the senior leaders in the ANG that knew President Bush when he was a Lieutenant, all you hear are glowing comments about the high regard they had for GWB. When you listen to the family of GWB's Squadron Commander, you hear about the high regard Killian had for Lt. Bush. When you listen to the pilots that flew with Lt. Bush, you find out that they thought Lt. Bush was an outstanding officer and top-notch pilot.

So who are the people that are unhappy with GWB's ANG service? The DNC, Kerry's Campaign, Left-Wing 527s and the mass liberal media — agenda driven — propaganda machine. Below is just a sampling of the hoaxes, treachery, deception, distortion, fabrication and slander that have been presented to the American people as objective LWM journalism. What do you think, now that you have read this article?

GWB was leapfrogged over hundreds of other qualified ANG applicants; GWB used his political influence to get a special direct commission to lieutenant; political influence/favoritism got GWB into the ANG. GWB didn't get into the Guard on his own merit; GWB received "sugarcoated" officer efficiency reports and was able to shirk responsibilities; GWB's checking the box on his 1968 ANG application "Do not volunteer for overseas" was proof that GWB was trying to get out of going to Vietnam; GWB didn't volunteer to go to Vietnam; GWB didn't meet the ANG requirements for an honorable discharge; GWB shirked his responsibilities in fulfilling his six-year ANG obligation; GWB failed to follow an order from his squadron commander to take a flight physical; GWB lied about his military record; Bush is a coward; Bush went AWOL; Bush is a deserter; Bush is a draft dodger; Bush joined the Guard to avoid Vietnam.

One last question to ponder: Who was guiltier? Dan Rather who presented the fabricated story and fraudulent memos to the American people or LWM, the DNC, Kerry's Campaign and Left-Wing 527s who fabricated or mass circulated the hoaxes embedded in the fraudulent memos? The LWM's obsession with GWB's ANG service may well be a smoke screen to distract people from John Kerry's Anti National Security Record, Click Here or John Kerry's confusing positions on the Iraq War, Click Here. What do you think?

© John Wambough