The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

PowerLine Laid Out On Fainting Couch Over Ben Carson USMA Story And Small Arachnid, But Mostly Ben Carson

Posted on | November 6, 2015 | 27 Comments

by Smitty

As a service academy graduate, this story makes one go “Hmmm…”

I like Ben Carson, though in the race for the GOP nomination he’s far down my preference list. Thus, I was happy to defend him from what struck me as an unfair attack by CNN on his “personal story” (having to do with manifestations of anger as a teenager).

But now, the Carson campaign has admitted that the candidate’s story about applying [note, Carson never claimed to have applied] and being admitted to West Point is untrue. Politico uncovered the falsehood:

According to a story told in Carson’s book, “Gifted Hands,” the then-17 year old was introduced in 1969 to Gen. William Westmoreland, who had just ended his command of U.S. forces in Vietnam, and the two dined together. That meeting, according to Carson’s telling, was followed by a “full scholarship” to the military academy.

West Point, however, has no record of Carson applying, much less being extended admission. . . .

There are no ‘scholarships’ to any of the three academies. There are appointments. One is appointed Congressionally, or via the Executive Branch. I qualified for a Presidential nomination, as the son of a veteran, but attended on a Secretary of the Navy nomination, as a service member myself.

How nutty is this entire scandaletto? Nearly this nutty:


You can have high personal regard for the Doctor, and you can call this a sloppy non-troversy (it certainly doesn’t pass muster at a glance), but don’t call him a liar until he throws in some sniper fire, or claims that the West Point conversation occurred while cruising over Macho Grande.

TWEET. OF. THE. YEAR:

UPDATE. I stand corrected:

> There are no ‘scholarships’ to any of the three academies.
There are four service academies. USMA, USNA, USCGA, & USAFA.
There’s also a small factual error here:
> There are appointments. One is appointed Congressionally, or via the Executive Branch.
Appointment to USCGA is strictly merit-based; there are no nominations of any kind in its application process.

via OhioCoastie

Category: Republicans

Comments

27 Responses to “PowerLine Laid Out On Fainting Couch Over Ben Carson USMA Story And Small Arachnid, But Mostly Ben Carson”

  1. Mike G.
    November 6th, 2015 @ 7:27 pm

    First, some literature for West Point does indeed say that a successful candidate for admission receives a full government scholarship to the academy which includes tuition, room and board as well as a salary.

    Second, I knew General Westmoreland. I can see him offering a recommendation to a smart young man. Remember, a candidate must also have some glowing references as well as their essay and application to their Congressman. What better referral than one from an American hero with four stars on his shoulder.

    I personally don’t think Carson is presidential material, but this story is a whole lot of nothing.

  2. NeoWayland
    November 6th, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

    It’s a character assassination, no doubt about it.

    Dr. Carson is not my first choice, but his character alone certainly trumps Clinton, who has been lying routinely since at least her days at the Rose Law Firm.

  3. Ilion
    November 6th, 2015 @ 7:54 pm

    Wintery Knight: Leftist POLITICO lies in order to smear black conservative Ben Carson

  4. darleenclick
    November 6th, 2015 @ 8:01 pm

    the hacktavists at Politico have been quietly rewriting their headlines and article; they removed the “fabrication” word in the headline.

  5. Ilion
    November 6th, 2015 @ 8:03 pm

    “So, Ben Carson is now the first black presidential candidate in history to have his college records investigated by media.”

    And, as per SOP, they then lied about what they “found”

  6. Jason Lee
    November 6th, 2015 @ 9:09 pm

    Is there a biography that more clearly and splendidly exemplifies the value of conservative ideals for minorities in America? The lying liars of the Left cannot allow Carson’s story to be told without distortion.

  7. Mike G.
    November 6th, 2015 @ 9:24 pm

    Figure the odds.

  8. Wombat_socho
    November 6th, 2015 @ 11:24 pm

    Fat lot of good that’ll do them. People took screenshots of the original.

  9. Wombat_socho
    November 6th, 2015 @ 11:26 pm

    “Them n*ggers have got to be kept on the plantation! No telling what they might get up to if they start mixing with regular folk, learning to read, and thinking for themselves!” – Democratic party activists, 1859/1919/1939/1949/1969, etc.

  10. WarEagle82
    November 6th, 2015 @ 11:32 pm

    We now know more about Ben Carson’s high school and college history than we will ever know about Barry Soetoro’s history.

  11. Finrod Felagund
    November 7th, 2015 @ 12:47 am

    PowerLine has swallowed leftist bullshit uncritically.

    http://conservativefiringline.com/politico-hit-piece-on-ben-carson-west-point-application-fact-checked-declared-pants-on-fire/

    Ben Carson is not my top choice (though he comes in above what I call the Jeb line) but no one on Team Red should let this bullshit stand.

  12. Ilion
    November 7th, 2015 @ 1:16 am

    As a black lady across the street when I was a kid used to say, “That’s what I know!”

  13. Shirley Stubbs
    November 7th, 2015 @ 6:28 am

    .?my neighbor’s mom is making $98 HOURLY on the lap-top?….A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, $17k Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over $87, p/h..Learn More right Here….
    wd………
    ??
    ??? http://GlobalWorldEmploymentsVacanciesReportsTeam/GetPaid/$97hourly… ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

  14. Tyrconnell
    November 7th, 2015 @ 11:39 am

    Got the idea that Dr Carson is a liar out, that’s what’s important to them.

  15. The Osprey
    November 7th, 2015 @ 11:45 am

    I had a Macho Grande at Taco Bell the other day.

  16. Saltyron1977
    November 7th, 2015 @ 12:34 pm

    The Ministry of Truth in action.

  17. Gospace
    November 7th, 2015 @ 5:13 pm

    That there are no “scholarships” is a technical thing. But, for all practical purposes, a cadet or Midshipman at a service academy is on a full scholarship. As a USNA alumni non-graduate with a USMA grad son and another who received a USMAPS appointment without having applied for one (he declined) you and I both know that if someone with one or more stars on their collar invites you to apply, you’re getting in if you meet the minimum requirements and fill out the application. (Sometimes, all it takes is a bird on the collar.) The admissions office will ensure you receive the proper nominations.

  18. mike f.
    November 7th, 2015 @ 5:27 pm

    Hey Smitty, were you a NAPSter? That was my route to Canoe U.

  19. Finrod Felagund
    November 7th, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

    “No, I’ll never get over Macho Grande.”

  20. Quartermaster
    November 7th, 2015 @ 7:48 pm

    “Whole lot of nothing” is what leftards major in.

  21. Linda Scheerer
    November 8th, 2015 @ 3:12 am

    ?

    .?my neighbor’s mother is making $98 HOURLY on the lap-top?….A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, $17k Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over $87, p/h..Learn More right Here….
    3sze……..
    ??
    ??? http://GlobalWorldEmploymentVacanciesReportDynamic/GetPaid/$97hourly… ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

  22. smitty
    November 8th, 2015 @ 2:24 pm

    Class of 1991.

  23. mike f.
    November 8th, 2015 @ 3:41 pm

    USNA ’79, Omnes Viri

  24. Rick Caird
    November 8th, 2015 @ 5:55 pm

    l believe that Powerline post was by Mirengoff. When he is not trashing Trump, he is trashing someone else who is not a normal politician. For some reason, as an inside the beltway lawyer, he fears outsiders. Pay Mirengoff no mind. The regulars there pay no attention to his posts on Fiorina, Carson, or Trump.

  25. Sarah Pawlowski
    November 9th, 2015 @ 5:37 am

    .?my neighbor’s momy is making $98 HOURLY on the lap-top?….A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, $17k Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over $87, p/h..Learn More right Here….
    3mvk……..
    ??
    ??? http://GlobalWorldEmploymentVacanciesReportTime/GetPaid/$97hourly… ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

  26. smitty
    November 9th, 2015 @ 6:41 am

    PowerLine is a great blog, but it has its quirks. And I just love to use this title pattern.

  27. Gospace
    November 9th, 2015 @ 6:32 pm

    http://reformclub.blogspot.ie/2015/11/my-ben-carson-days.html Adding this late to the game, but the link was referenced by Insty today, and pretty much says what I said in my earlier comment.