Is Our Commander-in-Chief a Deserter? You Decide!

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by Philip Vargas

The recent release of President Bush's missing military records serves to confirm what has long been in question, whether he reported for duty to his Texas and Alabama national guard units during 1972-73? The release of the found payroll records fail to dispel the unanswered questions about his absent without leave for lengthy periods of time from the Alabama and Texas National Guards. Therefore, a look at the law -- the Uniform Code of Military Justice -- covering his military obligations is in order.

This is further appropriate in view of an Article in the Washington Post to the effect that "Republicans have adopted a scorched-earth strategy toward Democrats who challenge the wisdom of the way the war in Iraq is being conducted...[claiming that]...Such critics...are not merely misguided but are craven cut-and-runners who help the enemy and put politics ahead of US troops' safety." ("From GOP, Zero Tolerance For Democratic War Critics," Charles Babington, May 16, 2004.)

In this "zero tolerance" policy, the ongoing attacks on Americans who dissent from Bush's Iraq war and the attacks on Senator Kerry's Vietnam service and antiwar protests, what is of concern to me as a veteran is the issue of credibility both of the President and the Vice President. I say this because the two highest officials in our government have sent thousands of young men and women to risk their lives and limbs in an unnecessary and illegal war; to date over 900 young Americans have died and thousands have been wounded in Iraq! On that basis alone it is imperative that the President and Vice President should be held accountable for their past conduct.

Indeed, a veterans group (Swift Boat Veterans For Truth) supporting the President holds as it's mission: "We believe it is incumbent on ALL presidential candidates to be totally honest and forthcoming regarding personal background and policy information that would help the voting public make an informed decision when choosing the next president of the United States." It is in that spirit that I offer the following.

In this debate we have a man on one side who served his country voluntarily and with valor in the war in Vietnam, including serving two tours in Vietnam. On the other we have the two highest government officials in our government, the leaders of our nation, who are attacking his honor, integrity, and patriotism. And a matter of key importance in these attacks is that the President is a deserter in fact and the Vice President is a confirmed draft dodger (he received some FIVE deferments during a time of war!)

As has been amply documented, it is a fact that there is no record of our Commander-in-Chief having reported for duty for a year or more during his time of service during 1972-73, as a commissioned officer in the Texas and Alabama National Guards. According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Subchapter X, Section 877, Article 86 (Absence Without Leave), "Any member of the armed forces who, without authority -- (1) fails to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed; [and] (3) absents himself or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty at which he is required to be at the time prescribed, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

And pursuant to Article 85 (Desertion) "(a) Any member of the armed forces who -- (1) without authority goes or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to remain away therefrom permanently;...[and]...(2) quits his unit, organization, or place of duty, with intent to avoid hazardous duty or to shirk important service; or (3) without being regularly separated...from the armed forces...[and]...without fully disclosing the fact that he has not been regularly separated,...except when authorized by the United States; is guilty of desertion." And "(b) Any commissioned officer...who,...quits his post of proper duties without leave and with intent to remain away therefrom permanently is guilty of desertion... [and]...(c) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct,...."

By all indications from all the information he has made available and that others have revealed, George W. Bush did fail to report to his post and to serve at his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed for an unusually long period of time and he did thereby dishonor his Constitutional oath as a commissioned officer of the US Armed Forces, thereby also dishonoring his military obligations -- during a time of war!

Of critical importance is that had Bush been charged for his long absence it would have been for desertion during a time of war. Most likely he was not charged because the Texas National Guard which is a state government agency, also supported by our federal government, and, so it seems, also a politically influenced organization. It is important to note that his father was, at the time, a prominent Texas politician who, as the information available also shows, had played some part in getting his son into the Texas National Guard -- during a time of war!

Hence, it is clear from the evidence that President Bush dishonored his solemn oath to serve and protect our country in accordance with the US Constitution. He also disgraced the US military uniform. President Bush must therefore answer to the American people for his conduct, but most importantly he must answer to all those who have served our country honorably and most specially those who are now sacrificing and putting their lives at risk in his illegal and unnecessary war! And, if I may, he has disgraced our country! We are the most hated country in the world and Americans are the most hated people in the world and Bush is the most hated leader in the world, even more than Saddam Hussein!

To the best of my knowledge, no other politician or political leader in the history of our country has ever had such a disgraceful foreign policy and military record!

Finally, these considerations, it seems to me, go the heart of the credibility and the integrity of those who are leading and encouraging the attacks upon the character and patriotism of John F. Kerry and against all other Americans who disagree with the President's war and who question his military service.

For the record, I spent my 18th year in the Korean War, following my compatriots from our villages and pueblos in New Mexico who have fought and died in wars for our great country. And my family sacrificed three sons during the Vietnam War, a war also based on lies and deceptions! A relative was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II.

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION