Yeah, "betrayed" is garbage political rhetoric. But let's be real, George Bush did not volunteer to serve in the Guard simply out of patriotic duty, he did it like so many other young men of his era, to avoid being drafted and sent to Vietnam. He did not support the war in Vietnam enough to risk getting his own butt sent over there. The National Guard of 1970 was very much a vehicle for the rich and priviledged to avoid foreign military service. So did all the young men who availed themselves of this option betray their country? No, but they were obviously not enthusiastic supporters either.

I guess you have the gift of peering into men's hearts, Silence, and divining their true intentions. I don't know why George Bush signed up for the Guard.

Thomas Sowell points out: The Kerry version of events begins with his volunteering to serve in the Vietnam war. The O'Neill version has Kerry's draft board rejecting his application for a deferment and Kerry then enlisting in the Naval Reserve — not the Navy, as in Brinkley's book.

Naval Reserve, honorable. National Guard, betrayal. Got it.

I don't know what Bush's intentions were either, but I know that I would much rather have been hanging out in Alabama than fighting in Vietnam. That does not make him a traitor - he is just a man who used his connections to avoid risking his life.

You don't know either man's intentions but you do know that he used 'connections' to enlist in the Guard? Funny, I thought every able-bodied man or woman of age was free to join. As Silence points out, "he did it like so many other young men of his era..."

And why? It reminds me of the old Fram filter commercial: "You can pay me now, or pay me later," with the latter payment being at much greater cost. If he really wanted to use his 'connections' to avoid service why did he have to join any service whatsoever?

(Side note: Today I heard a claim that Kerry's reassignment after PCF 94 was to a Naval Reserve unit in the states, and that he never appeared for duty. Still looking for substantiation on this one.)

It's remarkable to read and listen to those on the left criticizing people for "not supporting" the Vietnam war. Like THEY did! But what was this war we're talking about, and how did it evolve? It was started by French colonialism, joined by Democrat hero President JFK, and completely botched straight to hell by fellow Dem LBJ and, not handled much better by Nixon. Winning the Vietnam war while refraining from bombing strategic targets for political reasons is sort of like trying to win the War on Terror without confronting supporting states: It kills soldiers, but that's about it. Supporting the ideal of defending liberty in a foreign land from a communist tyrant bent on invasion doesn't directly lead to full-fledged 'support' for the Vietnam war.

Sorry to get snippy, your holiness, but I am uncomfortable when you or silence or anybody else claims to know the reason why somebody made a choice.

I would also like to see some of Bush's detractors admit that flying fighter jets was not the easiest nor safest escape either. Perhaps all the journalist positions were filled by Senators' sons.

Actually, I would guess that Bush would say he joined the Guard because "It was God's wish". And I'd be much more comfortable with that (please note the sarcasm). Of course that is something that the majority of the Republican Party can relate to.

Two problems with the last comment, St:

1) You have progressed from putting words in one person's mouth to interpreting the impact of those on an entire political party.

I see no value in arguing why somebody did something or what they "would say." People in public life do do things and do say things. I am content to judge and act on their documented actions. I question both your and Silence's using this tactic.

2) Belief in God, then, is an ipso facto disqualification for public office? I think a person can hold personal beliefs and still act in the public good. I'll credit Senator Kerry with that capacity but I want to see it offered to President Bush and to his judicial nominations.

Man, where is JohnGalt and the moral relativist police when you need them? So JK, I cannot take a bunch of historical data concerning the unpopularity of the Vietnam War, the various methods and deferments that many young men used to avoid service there, heck even a roll of W's Guard unit would probably net many last names of families with money and connections and draw the conclusion that Guard service was probably a way to stay out of Vietnam? No, I cannot be absolutely certain, but there is a lot of evidence pointing that direction.

LOL -- there's never a moral relativist cop around when you need one!!

No, Silence, I do not think it is fair to gather historical data and ascribe motives. I suggest you look at what people actually said and did -- not what you think they thought.

Two honorable things I attempt, but frequently fall short of:

1) Address elected public servants with dignity and respect: President Clinton, Senator Kerry, Kommandatenfrau Reno... (see how far I fall from my own ideals?) I learned this from Chris Matthews of all people. and I do try.

2) My father said "you cannot look into a man's heart." I would be telling him how I knew that Dr. Fallwell was a scalawag and so-and-so was an imposter. I told him he was crazy at the time, but I have tried to take it on later, both as an honorable custom and as a means to craft a stronger argument.

I happen to think I could talk a moral relativist cop into that, we'll see....

I feel bad for the Janet Reno comment -- that should have been Kommendantenreichsfrau Reno. Sorry.