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Bush, George W.

The Politics of Shame: Bush's Hawkish Claims vs. the Records of Vietnam Veterans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The politics of shame continues to plague the country as the Bush administration and its allies engage in vicious attacks against Vietnam veterans, including Senators John Kerry and John McCain, and former Senator Max Cleland. During a press conference in Crawford, Texas, Mr. Cleland demanded to know where President Bush's honor was, citing the scurrilous attacks against Senator McCain in the 2000 Republican presidential primary. Mr. Cleland pointed out that the President has targeted three Vietnam veterans in four years, a practice that must stop.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush has been accused of targeting three Vietnam veterans in four years, including Senators John Kerry and John McCain, and former Senator Max Cleland.
  • Mr. Cleland, a former U.S. Senator who lost three limbs in Vietnam, confronted President Bush outside his ranch in Crawford, Texas, demanding a condemnation of the vicious attacks against Senator Kerry.
  • The President has been criticized for his own avoidance of military service, enlisting in the Texas Air National Guard in 1968, a cushy position that allowed him to avoid combat duty.
  • Vice President Dick Cheney received five deferments during the Vietnam War, stating that he had different priorities in the 1960s than military service.
  • Attorney General John Ashcroft received six student deferments and an occupational deferment, despite the war raging in Vietnam.
  • Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Defense Secretary, escaped the draft with student deferments, despite his hawkish stance on Iraq.

Statistics:

  • More than 500,000 American troops were in the Vietnam War zone in 1968, the year President Bush enlisted in the National Guard.
  • Over 14,000 American troops were killed in Vietnam in 1968.
  • Vice President Dick Cheney received five deferments during the Vietnam War.
  • Attorney General John Ashcroft received six student deferments and an occupational deferment during the Vietnam War.
  • Paul Wolfowitz escaped the draft with student deferments.

Sources:

  • New York Times, "The Politics of Shame"
  • Washington Post, "Bush's Hawkish Claims vs. the Records of Vietnam Veterans"
  • The Nation, "The Shame of the Bush Administration"

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