PrintBurkett's internet footprints
[Unless otherwise noted the following posts are from the Yahoo Group 'Texas Democrat 2.' Sections have been rendered in boldface for emphasis]
Aug 10
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:41 am
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Chairman Soechting Speaks His Mind About DNC Taking Mone...
All of us support a one way ticket for GeeW to Crawford. Heck, we know him better than anyone, and I personally may know him as well as anyone.
But what angers me started back years ago, but came to a head in February when the DNC wanted everything set up and ready (and you know the deails as the middle—man on this BS) to support the, but they had nothing at all for us at
the local level.
I've submitted well over a dozen attempts to be very useful in strategy building with the Kerry Camp and the DNC using my inside knowledge of these White
House goons. But I can't even reach a number where anyone will talk. My letters have gone unanswered as well.
Having worked in Washington for a better part of my consulting career, I recognize this as a BELTWAY SILO; Nothing gets in unless it is blown in.
So I'm proud of you and hope this can start to make some difference.
Bill Burkett
1085 CR 470
Baird, Texas 79504
(325) 854—0145
* * *
Aug 13
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:58 am
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Wounded Called to Serve
At what point in time did the personnel officers override the medical decisions of doctors?
Doctors have always been able to stop any and all training and deployments. If the doctor was in the process of boarding the soldier for a medical board, then he had total control over the soldier's life, both current and future.
His decisions were not able to be overridden by any COLONEL unless the COL was a higher ranking medical officer, and even then he would have to prove the
case medically, not according to rank.
This description is so out—of—kilter that it makes me shudder. Something isn't right about all of this. Do we not know all of the details or has the system totally gone mad...
Bill Burkett
LTC (Ret)
* * *
Aug 13 — Burkett reviews a 'study' by Paul Lukusiak on Bush's National Guard records where it is posited that Bush disobeyed a direct order to have a physical examination. Burkett says he has no documents to support this claim.
(Burkett's review is examined in this earlier article as well as on Allahpundit)
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:45 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Senator Harkin Cheney's Comments Cowardly
Bob,
The real facts were in the transcript of the deposition of former Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes. Some of the facts are included within Jim Moore's book Bush's War for Reelection, as recoomended by someone else.
But since I've been in the eye of this storm since June of 1997, let me just say that probably the most complete information came first from Martin Heldt, and lately from Paul Lukusiak and you can find their website information by googling their names. Bob Fertik at Democrats.com has most of this posted on his website...
I'll let you do the rest of the work.
Bill Burkett
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Fri Aug 20, 2004 4:58 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] just have to vent
My brothers and sister are all right wingers and only eat what their spoon fed. A political disagreement from three years ago while my Mother lay dying has festered until we no longer communicate at all.
I'm as frustrated as you. But I think wehave lots of company.
Bill Burkett
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:59 am
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Transcript: Tad Devine of the Kerry campaign deals with ...
I'm sorry but the whole strategy on this has been poor, slow of foot and anemic. It accents that Kerry is actually "flip flopping" in that he is slow to act, and then doesn't seem to have a single plan, but instead seems to have two plans...
I spent some time on the phone with the Kerry campaign seniors yesterday after having to threaten to whip a little ass in order to get through seven layers of bureaucratic kids trying to get a job after the election. I talked with Max Clelend.
I hope he got the message, but even if he did, I'm not sure that his side of the issue can beat out the other half of the advisors. And that's a problem.
There seem to be two factions within the Kerry advisors = one camp is the Gore holdover group who say play nice, we may make someone mad. The other includes people like Max Cleland who say kick ass. And the candidate can't seem to follow instincts and lay down some blood. The comments that he made Friday would have been effective if they'd been made the Monday after the convention, but two weeks later just doesn't work.
I'm concerned.
You have a candidate and all of us do. Your candidates are afraid to fight down and dirty. The people say they're sick of this— and they are. But Bush has nothing to lose. And he will do ANYTHING to get what he wants. SO when
they do the attacks, if the turnout is lowered, as you are concerned, then he wins. If he scars Kerry, he wins. He wins in all directions unless there is a counterattack.
I said all of this to Max. I asked if they wanted to counterattack or ride this to ground and outlast it, not spending any money. He said counterattack. SO I gave them the information to do it with.
But none of them have called me back.
No, I'm sorry but until this party and this candidate learn to handle Bush, we in all honesty will lose this election. We have the emotion, the backlash, the issues, and discontent, but we don't have the passion for a fight. And that's what is about to get the elec tion tight enough that the dirty tricks in the voting booth and counting will work.
I've tried everything. Why do you think that my knowledge and ability was sufficient that I received death threat and actual shots fired at me? It's because I was willing not only to break ranks, but to fight. And I know how to fight them.
But the DNC is afraid of me, I guess, and afraid to do what I suggest...
Since Kerry just took away Moveon.org's counterattack, what the hell has he left himself? He has left himself as a pita at the end of Karl Rove's baton. He will continue to receive attacks from 527s (it's ludicrous to think you
could stop them), from the RNC, Cheney, Bush and he has just stacked arms — a unilateral disarmament — a cease fire negotiated by McCain — who has a dog in the fight (the other guy?).
NO ONE can tell me this is a well run campaign either by the candidate or the party.
I've volunteered to come back to come back out with more. Others have too. But this candidate doesn't know how to fight and the campaign organization seems destined to loss in spite of the victory handed it by circumstance...
You can't wait for someone to attack you in these campaigns. You must be prepared for someone to attack you and respond immediately and in force. That's what's missing. Some of you call it James Carville. I call it common sense.
And let this be a message for us in Texas.
Now I know I scare some of you — and some of you just aren't up for leaving any blood on this battlefield. But it's going to take some blood if we are going to take this country and this state back from the Bush's Rove's Delays, Hughes, Perrys and Parrys. If you aren't willing to scrap in this campaign — you'll be fighting for scraps throughout the rest of history of our country. It's that important and that simple.
For me, I've been to war. Most of you have quickly forgotten that I was the insider who broke ranks with the Bush Team and fought them in the legislature when our Democratic State legislators and LT. Gov were in bed with Bush to make him President. I fought many of the people whom you now consider HEROS because of Ardmore and Albuqurque. Why? because Bush was as corrput in Texas
as he has been in Washington. And I exposed it...
If you want fiscal responsibility returned, you can't have that with Bush in the White House and the senate under the control of the Republicans.
Do more than talk. Be ready to gird up and go into battle. And when you go to battle there are scars. This isn't a gentlemanly event. It's war. And in war people get cut up, injured and killed. Take some risk. Be a leader nationally and at home. Quit just waiting for this victory to come to you so you can get some nice appointment out of it. If you wait, it will be a very long wait.
Bill Burkett
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:13 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Transcript: Tad Devine of the Kerry campaign deals with ...
I take direct offense to my comments or suggestions ebing represented as "Nasty"...
I think we all know that even within close battles of morally sound people, there will be discomforting moments, emotions and even events. No one enjoys a battle...
But y personal experience simply says that dealing with all campaigns, and especially Karl Rove campaigns — you are always ready to respond with whatever force is required. But you respond and respond immediately.
Now if that's nasty to you, so be it...
Bill Burkett
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:24 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Transcript: Tad Devine of the Kerry campaign deals with ...
P.S...
You may call it nasty — but its tough hard nosed strategy...
* * *
Aug 25
Bush lies about his service, smears Kerry's and seeks exoneration for the Abu Ghraib brass
By Bill Burkett
Online Journal Contributing Writer
George W. Bush, you may be the president [sic]. But I know that you lied.
I know from your files that we have now reassembled, the fact that you did not fulfill your oath, taken when you were commissioned to "obey the orders of the officers appointed over you"...
When you failed to show up as ordered for duty, they simply recorded the truth. And the truth was, they didn't think you were especially important enough to jeopardize their own careers to cover for your absence by fraudulently counting you as present in any piece of documentation when you clearly were not present.
Now Mr. Bush, we have finally confirmed the truth concerning your failure to complete your minimum satisfactory drill participation in 1972 and 1973.
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:15 pm
Subject: Re: [TX—Demos] Houston Forward Times — Public Inquest — Is Carl Davis the Ker...
I've been pretty critical of the Kerry camp lately, and this only once again shows good reason.
Again today, I made several attempts to get through, but they don't seem to take calls from Texas area codes.
Certainly this is a travesty...
Many of us have risked everything on this election. And the disappointment is deep and difficult to manage.
But we fight on, inspite of incompetance at the top.
The truth probably is that many of the insiders simply didn't think to chekc someone out in Texas. Does that mean they won't check out those that submit themselves for key positions, as well. That's what we all think.
But in spite of this incompetance, we move on.
Bill Burkett
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:15 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Direct answer to Rudy Giuliani & the Bush campaign on Jo...
All of us are disgusted that Bush has gotten away with all of this.
But let's be real honest about it.
Bush has gotten away with it because we've let him. Kerry has let him. The campaign has let him...
This campaign has repeatedly been offered the right people to fight this battle and win it. They've been blessed with contributions that Gore would have dreamed about. They've had an intensity in the country to get rid of Bush that according to the latest polls — about 60% of the people think the country is headed in the wrong direction —————— and we're losing????????
Why can't he get it?...
He's missing the obvious. And when senior Democrats try to get the message through — they are blocked by five or six layers of bureaucracy...
Bill
* * *
Sept 3
According to most reports this is the date 60 Minutes producer Mary Mapes says her source gave her the forged documents.
* * *
Sept 4
Lies move Democrats to dig up dirt
SUSAN ESTRICH
September 4, 2004
My Democratic friends are mad as hell, and they aren't going to take it any more.
The answer is not pretty, but everyone knows what it is.
The trouble with Democrats, traditionally, is that we're not mean enough. Too much is at stake to play by Dukakis' rules and lose again. That is the conclusion Democrats have reached. So watch out. Millions of dollars will be on the table. And there are plenty of choices for what to spend it on...
Or maybe it will be Texas National Guardsmen for Truth, who can explain exactly what George W. Bush was doing while John Kerry was putting his life on the line. Perhaps with money on the table, or investigators on their trail, we will learn just what kind of wild and crazy things the president was doing while Kerry was saving a man's life, facing enemy fire and serving his country.
The arrogant little Republican boys who strutted around New York this week, claiming that they have this one won, would do well to take a step back. It could be a long and ugly road to November.
* * *
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Sat Sep 4, 2004 7:32 pm
Subject: Re: [TexasDemocrat2] Bringing Kerry to Texas
I believe that Bush knows that there is more coming out than Ben barnes. No proof, just gut instinct...
They have to come out with something early to mid week to hold off of the Barnes attack. it will be either a complete counter attack — or a diversion.
The only complete diversion that I know of is Osama. Anything else you can come up with? ...
Bill
* * *
Sept 8
Dan Rather on 60 Minutes II airs story featuring Ben Barnes and the forged documents from Burkett.
* * *
Sept 9
The Kerry campaign launches its ad campaign Operation Fortunate Son.
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Dems take chance with 'Fortunate Son' slam
By Ron Fournier
AP Political Writer
WASHINGTON —— Seizing on 30—year—old memos and memories, Sen. John Kerry's operatives are painting an unflattering portrait of President Bush as the "fortunate son" who used family connections to dodge the Vietnam War and then lied about it.
The DNC's goal: convince voters that Bush string—pulling in the Texas Air National Guard is part of a pattern of elitism, lies and lack of credibility that stretches to the White House.
"Two things: One, he didn't tell the truth and that's not going to go away," said Howard Wolfson, a strategist dispatched to the DNC by Kerry's campaign to go negative on Bush. "Second, it begins to paint a picture of a very fortunate son who uses connections and pulls strings for special favors. That is a theme running through the man's life."
As a young lieutenant, Bush was "talking to someone upstairs" and trying to "get out of com—ing to drill," according to newly unearthed memos by the late Col. Jerry B. Killian, squadron commander for Bush in Texas.
UPDATE:
Note the date and content of Burkett's post to the Texas Democrat Yahoo group, as reported by the Associated Press:
Possible source of Bush documents says he contacted Kerry campaign
By KELLEY SHANNON Associated Press Writer
September 18, 2004
In an Aug. 21 e—mail to a list of Texas Democrats, Bill Burkett said after getting through "seven layers of bureaucratic kids" in the Democrat's campaign, he talked with former Georgia senator Max Cleland about information that would counter criticism of Kerry's Vietnam War service. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the e—mail Saturday.
"I asked if they wanted to counterattack or ride this to ground and outlast it, not spending any money. (Cleland) said counterattack. So I gave them the information to do it with," Burkett wrote.
Burkett, who lives just outside of Abilene, wrote that no one at the Kerry campaign called him back.
The e—mail was distributed to a Yahoo list of Texas Democrats. The site, which had about 570 members Saturday, is not affiliated with the state party.
Only a week after his "review" (where he said he had no documents) Burkett was frustrated that he couldn't get in touch with top people in the Kerry campaign.
Interestingly the Texas Democrat Yahoo group has seen fit to remove this post their site.
But they haven't got around to removing this one from a week later which expresses the same frustration. (Note too the suggestion that he might be trying to get a job out of all of this.)
From: BBurkett16@a...
Date: Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:15 pm
Subject: Re: [TX—Demos] Houston Forward Times — Public Inquest — Is Carl Davis the Ker...
I've been pretty critical of the Kerry camp lately, and this only once again
shows good reason.
Again today, I made several attempts to get through, but they don't seem to
take calls from Texas area codes...
Many of us have risked everything on this election. And the
disappointment is deep and difficult to manage.
But we fight on, inspite of incompetance at the top.
The truth probably is that many of the insiders simply didn't think to chekc
someone out in Texas. Does that mean they won't check out those that submit
themselves for key positions, as well. That's what we all think...
And yet, in spite of this we fight on.
Bill Burkett
