Late documents give better view of Bush Guard service, but questions remain
WASHINGTON Three-decade-old documents portray President Bush as a capable and well-liked Air National Guard pilot who suffered no consequences when he stopped flying and attending regular drills. The files, many forced to light by Freedom of Information lawsuits by The Associated Press, conflict with some of the harshest attacks Democrats have leveled, such as desertion.
But there are unanswered questions. Chief among them: Why did Bush's commanders apparently tolerate his training lapses and approve his honorable discharge? He could have been punished or ordered to active duty. Retired Major General Paul Weaver, a former head of the Air National Guard, says that wasn't the culture of the times. But that apparently didn't apply to everyone. Another airman in Bush's unit was punished by being ordered to active duty.
Bush has been dogged by questions about his military service since he first ran for Texas governor.
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