Apologies for posting more on this topic...
However, this is an email reply to a right-leaning coworker and I tend to masturbate my ego by posting my replies here at the Kollective.
>>> XXXXXXXX 8/18/04 11:06:54 AM >>>
How did Bush's dad keep him from getting drafted?
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Bush Jr. applied for a spot in the Texas Air National Guard...
"In a written statement under oath presented on Monday, Ben Barnes, a former speaker of the Texas state legislature, said that in 1968 he asked the head of the Texan Air National Guard, General James Rose, to give the young Mr Bush a place on a pilot-training programme, automatically excusing him from the draft." Guardian
"AUSTIN, Sept. 27-Former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Ben Barnes said under oath today that he recommended George W. Bush for a pilot's slot in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War at the behest of a Houston businessman close to the Bush family ... He said he was contacted by Sid Adger, a wealthy Houston businessman and a good friend of the senior Bush. Barnes said Adger asked him to "recommend George W. Bush for a pilot position with the Air National Guard" and Barnes did so in a call to Brig. Gen. James M. Rose, the top official in the Air Guard. Both Rose and Adger are dead." Washington Post
"In a deposition for an unrelated lawsuit, former Texas House Speaker Ben Barnes said he took a call from Bush family friend Sid Adger, a Houston businessman, asking for the favor of moving Bush up on the Guard's waiting list. Barnes said he called General James Rose, commanding officer of the Guard, and the request was granted. Adger was one of former President Bush's oldest and closest friends. A spokesman said the first President Bush "loved" Mr. Adger." BuzzFlash
He scored the lowest allowable score on his aptitude test but was still placed ahead of 150 other applicants.
"But records published in the US press show that Mr Bush won a pilot's slot in the National Guard in front of thousands of others, despite scoring only 25% in his aptitude test: the lowest acceptable grade. He was sworn in on the day he applied." Guardian
Please go here to see a fairly complete timeline of Bush II's military service.