Russ Baker: Crucial Background to New Redford Movie on Bush and Rather, Part 1

[JohnyCanuck]

George W. Bush sent thousands of Americans to their deaths in wars that could have been avoided — while he himself dodged the draft as a young man. Dan Rather’s reporting on how Bush allegedly got away with it led to the famed television news anchorman’s spectacular downfall.

A new film, Truth, starring Robert Redford as Rather, and Cate Blanchett as his producer Mary Mapes, claims to show what really happened. The film is about to open, and we haven’t seen it yet. But we thought you’d be interested in WhoWhatWhy editor Russ Baker’s own discoveries on the tricks behind the scenes to rewrite history — including indications that a trap was laid for Rather and Mapes, with the goal of scaring all media off the investigative trail. Here, from his best-seller Family of Secrets , are related excerpts. (This is the first of a two-part series.)

The Skeleton in W.’s Closet

Even before George W. Bush attained his first public office, his handlers were aware of a skeleton rattling noisily in his closet. It was one that undercut the legend of principle and duty — the story of a man’s man and patriot. It would have to be disposed of.

SNIP

The undeniable fact is that essential paperwork one would expect to find in W.’s file somehow was missing. This included records of how the military handled Bush’s transfer to Alabama, documentation of additional service after May 1972 or an explanation of why no such evidence existed, and a report from the panel that typically convened when a pilot stopped flying prematurely. However it happened, it certainly would appear that someone purged parts of the governor’s National Guard file.

http://whowhatwhy.org/2015/10/15/crucial-background-to-new-redford-movie-on-bush-and-rather-part-1/

[badhair77]

1. Interesting read

I thought I knew about this situation but this provides lots of new details. My head is spinning. I hope the truth comes out.

Thanks for posting this link.

[JohnyCanuck]

9. You're very welcome n/t

[MH1]

2. Folks interested in this should also read Rather's book, "Rather Outspoken".

There are lots of interesting details in that book as well (of course).

[badhair77]

3. Good point, MH1

I'm trying to keep this kicked. I'm tired of the Bush free ride. I hope the movie gets a lot of coverage.

[Octafish]

4. Russ Baker is TOPS!

“ACCIDENT” AT NATIONAL RECORDS CENTER

Circa 1997, the same year as the trash-can incident, microfilm containing military pay records for hundreds of Guardsmen, including Bush, was irreversibly damaged at a national records center. When the government finally acknowledged the incident seven years later, it was described as an accident during a routine “restoration” effort.

Until May 23, 2000, the efforts of Bush’s team to keep their man’s military record from public view seemed to be succeeding. Then, with Bush closing in on the GOP presidential nomination, The Boston Globe ran a story headlined,1-YEAR GAP IN BUSH’S GUARD DUTY: NO RECORD OF AIRMAN AT DRILLS IN 1972 — Reporter Walter Robinson had obtained and reviewed 160 pages of military documents. It was Robinson who first interviewed Bush’s former commanders, only to discover that none could recall Bush performing service during that period.

The Globe’s revelations gave rise to a veritable cottage industry of bloggers, with citizen journalists launching their own inquiries, complete with their own Freedom of Information requests. Together they provided sophisticated, rigorous analysis of the fine points of military procedure and record keeping.

http://whowhatwhy.org/2015/10/15/crucial-background-to-new-redford-movie-on-bush-and-rather-part-1/

Lots of "accidents" when it comes to protecting Smirko and the rest of the BFEE.

[yellowcanine]

5. A lot of the crap about the Texas Air Nat Guard could have come out in 2000

if reporters hadn't been so focused on Al Gore's supposed exaggerations, sighing during the debate, etc. The gaps in the records were there and nobody asked why? Even a few carefully worded questions to Bush himself would have revealed his inability to be clear about what exactly he did while supposedly serving in the National Guard. And then after the Rather fiasco, they dropped the whole thing rather than asking the rather obvious question as to what exactly did Bush do and why the gaps?

[Baitball Blogger]

6. What an irony that Dan Rather was taken down for not using originals to support his position,

during the same time that FoxNews was picking up their news through propaganda and leaks that were filtered through the right-wing blogs.

[KamaAina]

7. New Englanders may read that as "New Bedford Movie".

[badhair77]

8. This is only Part 1

I look forward to reading Part 2.