Broken record, repeated and amended
The carefully worded statement from Daniel James III, cited below (and if anyone knows how to link to entries, please drop me a note), is repeated verbatim in yesterday's Spokesman-Review story on Bush's mysterious grounding and elusive records pertaining thereto:
"I have never been involved in, nor would I condone, any discussion or any action to falsify any record in any circumstance for anyone," James said.
The only difference is someone with an editorial eye added a comma after "condone," to the delight of copyeditors everywhere. If on the next pass someone could reduce the recurrence of "any," which now appears five times in the quote, we'd all be grateful. But don't change "falsify," which keeps this statement honest, if evasive.
The piece cites James's quote as coming from a "prepared statement released Thursday," presumably March 11. Prepared by whom it does not say, nor does it ponder why James keeps using the same precise phrasing.
The question Gen. James has failed to answer--or apparently to be asked--remains, "Were you ever involved in or would you condone any action to discard any military records?"
Instead we hear from a variety of government officials who refuse to release any information or answer questions about the missing records.
White House spokesman Ken Lisaius refers questions about Bush and HRP regulations to the DoD and repeats the refrain that Bush was honorably discharged.
We know. We don't care. Welcome to hell, Ken. Enjoy your stay.
The National Guard Bureau's chief historian, Charles Gross, has this to say: "If it has to do with George W. Bush, the Texas Air National Guard or the Vietnam War, I can't talk with you."
Why not, Mr. Gross? Never mind--we know. Hope you're saving up for retirement.
Rose "Give 'em the" Bird, the bureau's FOIA officer, directs all queries to the Pentagram. She says her office stopped taking requests for W's military records in mid-February, which is about when this open sore erupted. She does not say why her office stopped taking requests.
We already know why: They were told not to.
Pentagram records coordinator James Hogan is more forthcoming. He admits that "senior DoD officials" directed the bureau to stop responding to these questions. These officials are not yet named.
The stench of coverup about this mess is far too strong to ignore, and all the hot wind coming out of the Bush camp won't blow it away.
They say those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. It's also true of those who fail history, and those whom history will brand failures.
11:12:58 PM 
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