Some one sent me the following joke:
Q. What's the difference between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War?
A. George W. Bush had a plan to get out of the Vietnam War.
Although not being from the USA I always thought that Bush had a military background.
I know that Bill Clinton wasn't a military man, but I always thought that Bush was.
Am I wrong ?
2006-12-11 10:14:26 · 16 answers · asked by old_man_blanco 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
George W. Bush had more connections than Clinton (who was poor) did, so he bought/influenced his way out of the war via a hard to come by posting in the National Guard. Once assured that he was safe from the draft, he didn't show up for duty etc...even went AWOL for a year (72-73)! Generally had a poor record that would have gotten a regular person kicked out of the Guard(and thus, become once again suitable for the draft).
Young men who were politically connected did use the Guard to escape the draft. Regular folks didn't have that option usually. Clinton used what he could and was also successful in dodging the draft.
In a funny side note, George W. Bush successfully smeared both John McCain and John Kerry in elections in 2000 and 2004 as being war cowards - although they both chose to serve (enlisted rather than drafted) in the Vietnam war and were both wounded and also decorated for bravery. John McCain was a POW subjected to toture and received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Kerry was awarded several medals during his second tour of Vietnam, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts.
For him to wear a military uniform as he did in the Iraq war is a disgrace. Even as commander in chief of the military, which the president is - other presidents who have supurb military records would not have pulled such a stunt.Theodore Roosevelt, FDR , Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Kennedy; they were all in active service and never wore their uniforms (which they earned) in a cheap stunt for the press.
2006-12-11 10:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bush Draft Dodger
2017-01-16 04:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the previous answers are correct on the essence of the situation.
Public sentiment in the US against the Vietnam War was much greater than public sentiment against the Middle East Conflicts. This was due to many factors, not the least of which was the existance of a military draft at the time of the Vietnam War. During Vietnam, draft evasion was very, very common. Some avoided military service by staying in college, some emigrated to Canada and some fullfilled military obligation by joining their state's National Guard.
The National Guard trains within the regular military, but the men and women return to civilian life after training. They typically are on military duty one weekend in four during the year and for two weeks in the summer. This military service is distinct from the military Reserve. The National Guard is generally under the command of the state governor. But the regular military may "call them up" for duty at any time. Unlike with the Middle East Conflicts, the National Guard was seldom called to active duty during Vietnam.
George W Bush enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard where he became a fighter pilot, flying the F-102. Yes, it was certainly true that knowing a Guard insider was a big help. His Guard record appears somewhat checkered and he was rumored to be drinking heavily. Due to the well-known regulation that aviators must have an annual physical exam, his non-compliance is probably quite telling. His father, George H W Bush, served with distinction during WWII as a Naval Aviator flying torpedo bombers off aircraft carriers in action against the Japanese. Mr Bush, Sr was a combat veteran who could have escaped this duty, but chose not to.
Current President Bush's enlistment in the National Guard during Vietnam probably had less to do with cowardice and more to do with substance abuse. Unfortunately, a even a reformed drunk/druggie carries brain damage from his or her excesses for the rest of his or her life.
2006-12-11 11:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by db79300 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bush was a phantom member of some National Guard or Reserve outfit. His daddy got him signed up and he didn't have to report for training days. Noone who was supposed to be in his outfit remembers him. That was how Bush dodged going to Viet Nam.
Clinton didn't serve in the military. You are correct about that. Why would it take someone with military experience to be a good president? I think a good president would be someone with good administrative skills. Those aren't always learned from the trigger end of a gun. At least Clinton was a lawyer and knew the law. I don't know if you've noticed how many times Bush has broken it.
2006-12-11 10:51:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Bush, after jumping over a couple of hundred folks to get into the Air National Guard, fought gallantly and with great distinction from a bar stool somewhere in Alabama. The mission has been classified and thus the paperwork has mysteriously disappeared. And yes, Clinton avoided the draft.
2006-12-11 10:27:21 · answer #5 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
As far as I'm concerned, Baby Bush's daddy bought his way out of Viet Nam by getting him into the National Guard. It's not technically draft dodging as some did by going to Canada, but the fact that he claims to be a military man is a disgrace to every person who DID go and serve. Clinton got a legitimate deferral, as did many students at the time.
2006-12-11 10:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, he wasn't a draft dodger like Bill Clinton, but he got around going to actual combat by being in the Air National Guard.
2006-12-11 10:19:49 · answer #7 · answered by Brad 56 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Bush's daddy used his influence to get George Jr. into the Air National Guard.
2006-12-11 10:23:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
W used family connections( Father and Grandfather are prominent Politicos) to jump 500 spots to get in the front of the line to be accepted into a Texas Air national guard unit so that he could protect Texas from the VC. Then when he was assigned to Alabama he did not show and was not considered AWOL again because of his family.
2006-12-11 10:28:43 · answer #9 · answered by Carlos D 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Presidend Bush was in the national guard.
President Clinton went to Russia instead of enlisting or being drafted.
2006-12-11 10:42:33 · answer #10 · answered by fatboysdaddy 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋