Modulator

Helping w into the National Guard

Ex Texas Lt Goveror Ben Barnes tells the story:

"I got a young man named George W. Bush into the Texas National Guard when I was lieutenant governor, and I'm not necessarily proud of that. But I did it. I got a lot of other people in the National Guard because I thought that was what people should do when you're in office, and you help a lot of rich people."

"And I walked to the Vietnam Memorial the other day," Barnes continued, "and I looked at the names of the people that died in Vietnam, and I became more ashamed of myself than I have ever been, because it was the worst thing I ever did, was help a lot of wealthy supporters and a lot of people who had family names of importance get into the National Guard. And I'm very sorry about that, and I'm very ashamed, and I apologize to you as voters of Texas."

There is apparently a video of Barnes making this statement at the austin4kerry but so far the site seems to be overloaded at the moment (20:22 UTC/GMT).

Update: PZ Meyers has put up a copy of the video.

Posted by Steve on August 28, 2004