How Bush Lied To America About His Missing Records

Russert: Would you authorize the release of everything to settle this?

Bush: Yes, absolutely. We did so in 2000, by the way.

el - NO. A flat out lie, the meaning of the documents that are available, none released by Bush BTW, is not immediately obvious because of what is missing. The records strongly imply a disciplinary hearing, a transfer to the Air Reserve Forces subject to active duty if needed and six months added to his length of service.

In 2000 - Bob Kerrey (D-NE) stressed Bush's aggressive use of the "character" issue against Al Gore, and the questions the Bush campaign raised about the details of Gore's service in Vietnam. "If you're going to make a commitment to join the Guard when a lot of us were given special privilege and special opportunities to go to college and given deferments while we did and didn't have to go into the service at the time, you've got to keep that commitment. Especially, if you're going to make character an issue in this campaign. So, I call on Governor Bush to tell us where you were and to release your records, as John McCain did, and let the American people decide. If you're going to be Commander In Chief, you may have to discipline people who did the same thing you did, and it may be difficult as a consequence."

Daniel Inouye (D-HI) went even further, raising the question of how Bush avoided court-martial for his apparent AWOL. "The question is where were you, Governor Bush? What about your commitment? What would you do as Commander In Chief if someone in the Guard or in another service did the same thing? During my service, if I missed training for two years, at the least, I would have been court-martialed. I would have been placed in prison."

What Records Do We Need to Learn the Truth?

George W. Bush promised Tim Russert he would provide "everything." In order to learn the truth, we truly need everything in all of his files, including his service records, tax records, medical records, and disciplinary records.

Some of these records appear to be unavailable because they were removed from Bush's files, perhaps criminally. In these cases, Bush should order anyone who handled his documents to provide sworn affidavits about their activities.

Other records have been withheld for privacy reasons. In these cases, Mr. Bush should issue a formal waiver of his privacy rights to all record-keeping branches of the National Guard, including federal and all state branches.

On Meet the Press (2-8-2004), Tim Russert asked Mr. Bush three times if he would release his military records. Each time, Mr. Bush said he would.

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