“I think that people need to be held responsible for the actions they take in life. I think that’s part of

the need for a cultural change. We need to say that each of us needs to be responsible for what we

do.” – George W. Bush in the first Presidential debate, October 3, 2000.

The Smoking Jet. Thanks to Chuck Taggart at Looka! for pointing to this expose of serious discrepancies between Dubya’s claims about his military service and facts revealed by an independent investigation by a former Air National Guard veteran and aviation consultant. Of course, it is posted at “democrats.com,” which creates at least the appearance of partisanship.

From the beginning of his Presidential campaign, George W. Bush has forcefully and repeatedly

insisted that he faithfully fulfilled all his military obligations by serving his time as a member of the

Texas Air National Guard.

But the first independent investigation of Bush’s military record by a former Air National Guard pilot

has revealed the following:

1. Pilot George W. Bush did not simply “give up flying” with two years left to fly, as has been

reported. Instead, Bush was suspended and grounded, very possibly as a direct or indirect

result of substance abuse.

2. The crucial evidence – a Flight Inquiry Board – that would reveal the true reasons for Bush’s

suspension, as well as the punishment that was recommended, is missing from the records

released so far. If no such Board was convened, this raises further questions of extraordinary

favoritism.

3. Contrary to Bush’s emphatic statements and several published reports, Bush never actually

reported in person for the last two years of his service – in direct violation of two separate

written orders. Moreover, the lack of punishment for this misconduct represents the crowning

achievement of a military career distinguished only by favoritism.

”I did the duty necessary … That’s why I was honorably discharged” – George W. Bush, May 23,

2000