Font Rants on Many Subjects

More on Bush AWOL here. Call any reporter you know. The story monday Morning should be:

Documents prove Bush was absent. He requested a transfer after moving to Alabama. The request for a transfer was deinied. He didn't show up in Texas for 5 months. End of story. Bush was absent from his ordered duties for more than 30 days. Ergo he was AWOL. Worse for him because he was voilating his orders to not move to Alabama he was also insubbordinate. I never been in the military; but I would have to think skipping out on your unit and voilating your orders are pretty big no nos.

The records have been released. First I will crow about the fact that I was right; 2 inches of documents suddenly show up when the President gives the order. Records which Bush said they couldn't find; suddenly got a lot easier to find when he said show them. The Washington Posthas a first take read it here. Lets look at the facts for some deductive reasoning:
1. Bright, earnest young man learns to fly jet fighters; and by all accounts is really quite into the whole thing.
2. Suddenly with no explanation he loses interest; stops hanging out with his freinds.
3. Then he leaves town for Alabama for a few months.

Oh come on isn't it obvious; the dude either turned into a drunk (which he's admited he pretty much did at some point before the age of 40); or possibly also high on cocaine. He probably got into a bar fight; busted by the local police; knocked up some waitress; or commited one of many ordinary redneck sins; so he gets out of town and goes to work for a family freind in Alabama so he can get it back together. Realizing his flying days are over; he decides to get on with his life and goes to business school. Actually its a pretty mundane story. Its not like he parrticpated in orges, gropped women, or bullied his subordinates from a well air conditioned trailer like the govenor of California.

There is one question that remains. Obviously he fell into disrepute and became a man of ill temper and character. His claim is at age 40 he turned it all around; was born again and saved by a good woman. Its the classic western tale really. We should judge him then on his character in the last 4 years vs his character of the time before vs today. If he has really changed into the earnest fellow of good character; then his character from long ago isn't an issue. However if we see an ongoing pattern today; then these facts are an issue. We've had four years to look at his character and what did we see.

Honor: ??
Truth: ??
Duty: ??

Ask yourself, what did he do then, what does he do now? Would you rate him as higher now than then?

Traitor

Russert Review:

Despite not a single challenging followup question and ample times where he wandered off of subject into pre-canned soundbytes; this was the single worst performance on MTP I've ever seen by a candidate. I wonder if Russert didn't followup out of pity.

Some talking points:
1. The many long pauses and inarticulate answers like, "its just politics"(shrug). Add to this a visual position of a President who looked uncomfortable. When the camera panned back to show the full length view we see Bush shifting his feet nervously. When the camera pushes in; we see eyes shifting around fumbling to remember Karen and Karl's soundbytes.

2. As another blogger points out. Bush doesn't understand his own budget. He's like an 18 year old with a credit card; who is suprised by the $4000 worth of charges on the statement. We have a huge budget deficit because you cut taxes and inceased spending an average of 27% every year. You can't take in less and spend more and not have a deficit.

3. He lied about the release of his Military National Guard records. Joshua Micha; a respected journalist and blogger has done extensive research on this. Add to this the baseless accusation that folks are attacking the National Guard. No one is attacking the Guard; or service in the Guard; or even service in the Guard during Vietnam. We just want to know where was George during the time of his service. If he reported to Alabama, like he said he did; then where are the records. Saying you can have the records if you can find them; is not releasing your records. The person who has the most to gain by finding these records is Mr. Bush. The fact that he cannot produce them is damning. With his huge campaign staff, the resources of the federal government, and unlimited and unfettered access; he is more than capable of finding and these records if they exist. That he cannot produce one paystub; one sign in roster; one record of the administrative work he claimed to have delivered; leads to only one conclusion. Mr. Bush did not report for duty as asked. Failed to get his physical as ordered. But escaped punishement because he was the son of a powerful man; and was thus honorably discharged early from his duties.

4. Even conservative pundits like Peggy Noonan and Andrew Sullivan try to put a brave spin on things; but this was an awful interview. Their talking points are: Hey Regean and Ike didn't interview either.

5. Questions that remain to be answered: Civil Unions/Gay Marriage? The Defense Department's Excercises on Global Climate Collapse? Jobs? Trade?