With all this folderol about typography, proportional spacing, and the rest, why has none of the media thought to ask that tiny little company which manufactured typewriters at the time (that would be IBM) whether their machines could create the documents in question? Going further, why couldn't some enterprising reporter try to track down the account executive who was responsible for the territory which included the Texas National Guard offices to see what he (in those days, almost certainly a he) remembers about sales to the TANG? And why couldn't said enterprising reporter also try to track down copies of sale/lease agreements between IBM and the TANG? That might go a long way toward determining just what typewriters Col. Killian had access to, and might put to rest the claims that the documents were done in MS-Word.
Of course, the main issue here is whether Bush did in fact complete his service in the manner he was expected to by the TANG, and the White House has not (repeat not) denied the essential fact: that the stories present a roughly accurate picture of the events as described, whether the documents are authentic or not.
Posted by Linkmeister at September 10, 2004 09:51 AMLink, you've made a good point here, I'll have to admit. Bush has not been upfront with the American public about his Gaurd service even though he's released some files on his tenure. On the other hand, Kerry has not been completely upfront about his service in Vietnam and his activities thereafter.
I really wish that one of these 'men' would have enough gumption to just come clean, completely. If Bush screwed around during his tenure in the Guard, he needs to admit it and lay everything to rest. Likewise, Kerry should just come clean in regards to his activity in Vietnam and his anti-war activity there-after. Whether or not any of this is a basis to judge candidacy for presidency or not is another discussion completely. But my opinion is that it is not, on either side.
Posted by: Josh at September 10, 2004 12:25 PMI dunno...I sort of think that the real issue is that the republicans are bad mouthing Kerry's real war efforts and suggesting that his purple hearts were earned as a result of something other than heroism during tours of duty in Viet Nam while at the same time buffing up Bush's heroic efforts protecting Texas and Alabama for the 18 months he was actually enlisted....nevermind if he showed up for work or not.
I think that this whold superscript effort is just more Bush diversions.
Posted by: Karan at September 10, 2004 03:14 PM