Predictably, the GOP has begun it’s latest smear campaign on anyone who dares question to the perfection of King Bush.
Today’s victim, Ben Barnes, who has come forward to acknowledge that he pulled strings to help get young Dubya into the Air National Guard, and thus, out of the draft for active duty in Vietnam.
Barnes, a Kerry supporter, has admitted being ashamed of having done so, but felt that the story should be told since Bush is now running as a “War President” (Bush’s words), sending thousands of servicemen to their deaths, and sliming John Kerry for his war service wherein he actually went to war instead of avoiding it through Guard service (and then, as it turns out, pulling more strings to get out of that same Guard!)
In classic fashion, the GOP website has released a slime bulletin on Ben Barnes. Dick Clarke-ing him, if you will, as they’ve done to so many before. The screaming headline on their page reads “WHO IS BEN BARNES? A Deep-Pocketed Kerry Partisan Who Can’t Keep His Stories Straight” — after which they fail to show how Barnes has ever changed his story one bit. Instead, they suggest that Barnes claimed he was never asked “by the Bush family” to help George. And even though he’s not making such a claim now (Barnes says he was contacted by a Houston Businessman and friend of the Bush’s to help get George out of the draft), they’re assuming most of their Attack Monkeys won’t much bother with the details.
The Talking Points for these guys is all that matters. Read the link above, and watch for all the repetition of same from the Talking Heads today. Truth be damned. Anything to win.
Bush has never slimed Kerry’s military service.
Show me a quote from Bush’s mouth.
You have no proof that Bush did anything unethical while in the National Guard.
I do not want any conspiracy theories.
Why are we arguing this stuff? It’s not relevant. What is relevant is what Kerry did after the war and his 19 years in the senate and what Bush has done the last four years.
"Bush has never slimed Kerry’s military service.
Show me a quote from Bush’s mouth."
Of course he did. His peeps (the Swifties) slimed Kerry’s service, and Bush refused to condemn them and their ad to that effect.
He tacitly approved it personally, and his campaign explicitly approved it. As you know, two people have had to resign from his campaign for direct involvement with that group.
He also allowed Purple Heart band-aids to be passed out at his convention. Do you suppose that could have happened without the okay of Bush/Cheney? Of course not! Even unapproved signs were taken from supporters (e.g. "Jeb 2008" signs were taken from the Florida delegates because they were "off message"!)
Wake up.
"You have no proof that Bush did anything unethical while in the National Guard. I do not want any conspiracy theories."
No conspiracy theories necessary. Read the *contemperaneous* memos that were released yesterday! Bush defied direct orders from his superiors! Indisputable, undeniable, and proven by those memos.
"Why are we arguing this stuff? It’s not relevant."
Of course it is. It’s relevent because Bush is running as a "War President" sending Guardsmen and other US troops off to die by the thousands. If he disobeyed direct commands of his superiors, and otherwise used loopholes to avoid the service to his country that he’s now asking of everyone else, it’s absolutely relevant!
Furthermore, since they decided that examing Kerry’s record from 35 years ago (and lying about it!) was relevant, it’s *certainly* releveant to take a look at Bush’s record from 35 years ago as well! And even *more* relevant because of the reasons stated above!
"What is relevant is what Kerry did after the war and his 19 years in the senate and what Bush has done the last four years."
If it’s not relevant what Kerry did *during* the war, where were you over the last month? You did not ONCE show up here to tell us how the slime from the Swifties was irrelevant!
What Kerry did in the senate is certainly relevant, but so far you guys have done nothing but LIE about what he did in that Senate.
And finally, what Bush did the last four years is send US servicement (include the Guard) to fight and die for the United States. Troops have been prosecuted and jailed during that time for disobeying direct orders. If the "Commander-in-Chief" has also done so himself, it’s nothing BUT relevant!
Thanks for asking!
couldnt add anything. most excellent post Brad.
> Of course he did. His peeps (the Swifties) slimed Kerry’s service, and Bush refused to condemn them and their ad to that effect.
BRAD, YOU ARE LYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uh, Paul, it would be nice if you’d produce evidence to back up that charge.
Nothing has come out of Bush’s mouth, although, Kerry has said things about Bush’s record.
YOU ARE LYING!!!!!!!!!!
Your blog is based on hearsay and lies and conspiracies. You are sounding desparate.
From my hometown radio station:
Daughter of Ben Barnes Disputes Father’s Claims as Political
http://www.wbap.com/listingsent...wbaptopstories
Paul, the link you posted has inaccuracies. Subtle, but inaccurate. "Barnes, who once claimed he did not help Bush enter the National Guard, reversed his story and told CBS News 60 Minutes that he in fact did help Bush. "
This is a (now, already!) common misconception, an untruth spun (once again) by the media. Barnes claimed the Bush family did not directly contact him, and merely repeated that claim on 60 Minutes. He has not changed his story.
The ‘flip-flop’ assumption about Barnes is pure spin. Do you know where this misrepresentation of facts comes from directly, Paul? I’ll give you two guesses, three if you need ’em!
Paul desperately said:
"YOU ARE LYING!!!!!!!!!!
Your blog is based on hearsay and lies and conspiracies. You are sounding desparate."
Thanks Bryan for trying to explain to Paul what he doesn’t wish to understand. You are correct. Barnes *only* claimed (and still does) that he was not contacted by the Bush family.
Paul, and the Bush supporters are desperate to believe anything. Even on the GOP "Who is Ben Barnes" (link in my original article) they try and spin it that he’s changed his story, even while being unable to show that he has done anything of the kind.
But if you say it often enough, like Paul’s "YOU ARE A LIAR!!!!!" – apparently it counts. No documentation of said is necessary. And, in fact, Paul has been unable to demonstrate any such "lies" on this blog. But maybe if he says it enough, it’ll be true.
RECAP
> Bush has never slimed Kerry’s military service.
Show me a quote from Bush’s mouth.
> Of course he did. His peeps (the Swifties) slimed Kerry’s service, and Bush refused to condemn them and their ad to that effect.
The above is the LYING I am talking about.
So please prove me wrong, Paul, instead of calling me a LIAR without substantiating the charge.
I understand that you come from the school that if you say something enough it doesn’t need to actually be true for people to think it is. But perhaps you can make an exception this time by substantiating your charge since it’s ME you are calling a "LIAR" without proof, evidence or substance.
It’s a fine line that I would encourage you not to talk unless you can walk the walk.
Here is my proof that you refuse to answer:
I wrote:
> Bush has never slimed Kerry’s military service.
Show me a quote from Bush’s mouth.
You wrote:
> Of course he did. His peeps (the Swifties) slimed Kerry’s service, and Bush refused to condemn them and their ad to that effect.
You have failed to show me a quote. Which means you are still LYING!!!!!!!!!
Wow…no wonder you’re a Republican! You make no sense!
Two members of the Bush campaign had to RESIGN because of their involvement with the Swifties.
George Bush has refused to condemn the Swiftie ads despite calls from McCain to do so, and despite the material being shown to be an absolute lie.
And yet, you keep foaming at the mouth that I’m "LYING". What lie are you talking about, Paul? I think you’re going a little nuts here (if it’s possible to go any more nuts than you’ve already proved yourself to have gone).
Paul, on this one I gotta go with Brad. Had Bush come out after his workers resigned and denounced their behavior, or come out at any point against the Swift Boat ads directly, rather than his (cowardly) dismissal of all 527s, then I might demand a quote too.
As he has not, it sure appears duplicitous. Whether he gave an order is debatable, but his involvement (direct or loosely indirect) is plain as day to most people that are looking.
All of the Swifties are lying Brad?
All 527s includes the Swifties Bryan.
Two members resigned – so what! That does not mean that Bush had anything to do with it.
Has Kerry denounced the group from Texas? Nope!
> plain as day to most people that are looking
to those who want to believe it
You’re still LYING!