New forgery claim: Colonel seeking "sugarcoating" had already left TANG

[Karmadillo]

Not necessarily dispositive since the article goes on to note Colonel Staudt remained very active in after retiring and was "a very bullying type." Interesting, though. Any debunking help would be appreciated.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002032742_bushguard11.html

AUSTIN, Texas — The man named in a disputed memo as exerting pressure to "sugarcoat" George W. Bush's military record left the Texas Air National Guard a year and a half before the memo supposedly was written, his service record shows.

An order obtained by The Dallas Morning News shows that Col. Walter "Buck" Staudt was honorably discharged March 1, 1972. CBS News reported this week that a memo in which Staudt was described as interfering with officers' negative evaluations of the future president's service was dated Aug. 18, 1973.

<edit>

The CBS staffer said the memo appears to recognize that Staudt has retired, since it differentiates between his displeasure and that of Austin, where he served his final Guard stint.

But another Texas Air National Guard official who served in that period said the memo appears to wrongly associate Staudt with his group command in Houston, and — based on that mistake — the memo distinguishes his views from that of the Austin Guard.

Retired Col. Earl Lively, director of Air National Guard operations for the state headquarters during 1972 and 1973, said Staudt "wasn't on the scene" after retirement, and that CBS' remote-bullying thesis makes no sense.

more...

[Alpharetta]

1. here's the debunking: ask Bush why he quit flying

He hasn't said why.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. 1968 Bush signed a statement declaring a lifelong pursuit of flying.

In 1968 Bush signed a statement declaring an interest in a lifelong pursuit of flying. It was of course a ruse as part of his way to avoid combat in Vietnam.

Bush must be just about the only person who ever learned how to fly only to drop it and never pursue it. Most human beings who learn to fly love it and can't get enough of it. Except, it seems, inCurious George.

[kikiek]

2. Just because he retired doesn't mean he didn't exert pressure.

Called up an old friend for George W and his dad. That happens a lot in many professions. Also it said Staudt was the one who handled the orignal request for George W's placement. Sounds like he had a close association with them. He wouldn't have stopped until George was out of danger, and without smearing the family name.

[KC21304]

3. It makes all the sense in the world. The Aug 73 memo

is all about getting Bush an honorable discharge. Staudt was the one who got Bush in the TANG and covered for him all the way through. He sure needed to get him an honorable discharge or he would have had to answer to you know who. And the inquiry into why this had been allowed to happen would not have reflected well on Staudt.

[kikiek]

4. And they know damn well it is common. Blowing smoke again.

[Karmadillo]

5. Here's the LBN thread discussing this

Someone makes the excellent observation it was Barnes (not exactly an active member of the NG) who got Bush in to the Guard in the first place. Makes the point (as some of you posting on this thread have noted) it's hardly out of the ordinary for the Guard to be subjected to outside influence.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x818716