I don't believe CBS was correct in its report- nor do I believe it was "duped". I believe CBS was an active, knowing participant in an attept to smear the reputation of the President of the United States. Dan Rather and CBS simply did not imagine that they would be caught.
Don Ketels
Colorado Springs, Colo.

All this furor over something from 35 years ago! Who cares? We should be more concerned with what's happening right now, and the impact on our future. It almost seems a deliberate subterfuge to avoid the real issues. Both candidates are different people than they were decades ago, and should not be evaluated on actions from the past. I am totally turned off with this trashing, and want to hear how they propose to resolve today's problems.
Vera Jackson
Owenton, Ky.

Why condemn the message just because the documents were falsified? Killian's secretary said she had typed a report containing the same info, but those were not the papers she had typed. So the message was right but the messenger was wrong. Do not throw out the baby with the bath water.
Mrs. James Owens
Covington, Ky.

If the content of the faked memos is true, Bush missed a physical and no one knew where he was. We all know where Kerry was: faking or inflicting wounds for medals, and planning to betray and vilify the brave men he served with in order to cover up his own cowardly, self-serving actions.
Robert
Boston, Mass.

The fact that the current occupant of the Oval Office played at being a soldier shouldn't obliterate the concrete evidence that the economy is a disaster; millions of people have no health insurance and are unemployed; we shouldn't be in Iraq; the environment is in big trouble; and [Bush] wasn't "elected" in the true sense of the word. Perhaps the saddest fact is the strangulation of the corporate news media.
Carol Landi
Elkhart, Ind.

No, and furhermore, isn't it time for the blatantly liberal Rather to step down? It seems impossible to get an unbiased news report out of "all liberal all the time" CBS. I think it's time to let someone with neutral political views and a sense of decency replace him. I have not watched his program for a long time and I will watch no CBS programming until he is fired.
Ed Albini
Sonoma, Calif.

We know where John Kerry was during Vietnam. We're not sure where George Bush was. We just know it wasn't anywhere near Vietnam. All Bush has to do is deny the allegations. But my guess is that we won't see that happen.
William Jordan
Lawrenceville, Ga.

It is quite obvious that CBS "shopped" for an expert to authenticate the documents. However they may try to spin it, they wanted the documents to be authentic. This is not journalism — it is politics.
Barbara Michaels
Plainwell, Mich.

Yes. It brings to light Bush's preferential treatment during wartime, which enabled him to avoid serving in Vietnam. It also shows us that his macho-man bravado in time of war is for other people's children, not him or his family. Thanks to him and his administration, thousands have been killed and maimed in an ill-concieved war. Mission accomplished.
Audrey Johns
Alexandria, Va.

Absolutely not. As a Vietnam-era veteran I know if I had to prove my whereabouts at a specific time during my 7 1/2 active years in the military and rely on the records kept by the military for my only defense, I would not bet that I ever served.
Troy Bower
Covington, La.

Until George Bush answers the questions asked by CBS or at least denies what they are implying, one can only assume that CBS is correct. It's time George Bush came clean on this issue if he is going to support the effort to impugn Kerry's service record.
Peter McEvoy
Redondo Beach, Calif.

CBS hammers the president for his inability to admit mistakes. CBS couldn't look more foolish and desparate standing by these obviously fake documents. How much evidence do you need? Dan Rather is irresponsible and I'll never listen to him again. At best, Rather needs supplemental oxygen.
George Steich
Houston, Texas

The issue should not be whether or not the documents are genuine, the issue is to answer the very valid questions posed by CBS news. Of course strings were pulled to get W into the Guard ahead of 500 others. Yes he disobeyed a direct order. No he did not serve honorably.
John Wilda
Swanton, Vt.

Is anyone surprised that Bush got special treatment during the Vietnam era? Notice that the RNC is trying very very hard to discredit the paper but not the veracity of the statements. The truth is that Bush got away without having to actually go to Vietnam but gets to play soldier. Isn't it sad that he is still playing soldier while others have to be the real deal?
Donna M. Stewart
Raleigh, N.C.

I was an active duty Navy pilot from 1962 to 1967. Though not based "in-country" I flew many missions in and out of Vietnam. Here's what would have happened to me or one of my squadron mates had we refused to take our flight physical simply because we no longer wished to fly: at worst, depending on the commanding officer, we could have been court marshaled for refusing to uphold our duty in time of war. That would almost certainly have resulted in either a dishonorable discharge or military punishment, or both. At best we would have been required to relinquish the wings we worked so hard to earn. We then would have been reassigned to a non-flying unit, very possibly to one engaged in combat operations. The double standard in place regarding service in the Texas Air Guard and service in one of the "active" branches is striking. As far as I'm concerned, Bush failed to do his duty and the CBS documents are absolutely correct.
Tom M. Liston
Stow, Ohio

Absolutely not. We are talking about electing a leader of the most powerful nation. I would think [CBS] would check their story a little more closely. Heck, a high schooler would get a failing grade for work like that. But you are just as bad in your online survey as to which candidates best fits your profile. You state President Bush didn't serve in the military. Guess CBS isn't the only one who doesn't get a passing grade: sorry, the National Guard is the military.
Paul Miller
Kailua, Hawaii

CBS had the right idea. Bush's records were incomplete, however, there were supporting circumstances to back up the fact that Bush did not complete his flight training. I personally believe that memos such as the ones presented by CBS exist somewhere in some files. I also believe that Killian composed "CYA" [cover your
a—] memos since bosses, whether military or corporate, have gut instincts to protect themselves. Memos to file are not unusual practice.
Marie Stratas
St. Louis, Mo.

BACK TO TOP

Previous:
Do you take action at terror alerts?