Draft dodger?

Dear Editor,

I was shocked at Ted Kasten's shameful, vicious attack on me, Kerry, Kennedy, Daschle, Clinton and Albright in his letter of June 16. I am sorry, Mr. Kasten, I thought everyone knew Bush was a liar.

Obviously not you. Mr. Kasten also said I was a liar if I couldn't show one official document to verify Bush was a draft dodger.

How about a direct quote from King George's mouth, Ted?

The following was copied from the Feb. 23, 2004, Newsweek: "He (Bush) didn't want to go to Vietnam. Draft deferments for graduate school were ending that spring of 1968. The Texas Air National Guard offered another way. 'I was not prepared to shoot my eardrum out with a shotgun in order to get a deferment. Nor was I willing to go to Canada.' Bush explained to the Dallas Morning News back in 1990. So, he joined the Texas Air National Guard. It was an option more available to the well-connected than to others. Bush reportedly jumped ahead of others on a long waiting list to get in. His entering group included the sons of two U.S. Senators, and seven Dallas Cowboys."

This looks like draft dodging to me. I am in no way demeaning the Texas Air National Guard, only the way they were used by Bush to keep from being drafted. I rest my case.

By the way, do you have any proof Kerry called his comrades rapists, baby killers, village burners?

Bob Thayer

McCook