Reply #39: Only rich boys got in National Guard during Vietnam era [View All]

[georgiaguy]

I was in high school during the Vietnam (Class of '73) and
every male of draft age wanted in the National Guard during
this area to avoid being forced into military. Those with
political connections, including many wealthy and privileged,
got commissions in the National Guard. It had a long waiting
list and Bush the Disaster jumped to the head of that line.
The same was true of former VP Dan Quayle. Draftees were sent
to Vietnam. One cousin volunteered (or be drafted) for a four
year stint. Since the Texas National Guard official in the
documents was dead, the right wing went into a frenzy to push
doubt on the letters. IBM typewriters of the time could
provide the type of lettering in the documents. Alberto
Gonzales and Karl Rove made sure that Bush's records in the
National Guard and his DUI were withheld from public. When the
60 Minutes piece came out, the right wing attacked the
messenger and then swiftboated John Kerry. The right wing is
doing the same to Obama now.