On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:42:57 -0500, Stephen Harding
wrote:

From what I've heard, Powell was correct about the practice,
but I'm not at all certain that just because GWB was the son
of a "powerful and well-placed" person, that this was the
case for him.

Sure it was (to the extent that he thought about it one way or
another). More power to him! What Vietnam veteran would have expected
him to do otherwise?

By the time you're ending your last year of college, you damned well
ought to be smart enough to know that it is better to fly a fighter
plane out of Ellington AFB than to carry an M-16 through the paddy
fields.

Bush served more time on active duty (okay: Active Duty for Training)
than most draftee Vietnam veterans did, and his service was spread
over five and one-half years instead of two.

Both ways of serving are honorable. Being on active duty in Vietnam is
no doubt a dite more honorable, but not enough so that I would be
tempted to vote for Mr. Kerry.

all the best -- Dan Ford
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