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Records have been released – now shut up about them.

After weeks of unsubstantiated accusations and outright baldfaces lies, the issue of whether or not President Bush actually served his National Guard tour of duty is settled. The records dealing with his service were released this week, including his medical and dental records. He was in the Guard when he said he was, he completed his tour, and he was honorably discharged. He was not “AWOL”, he is not a deserter, and the people who were explicitly saying that he was are either mouthing off about a topic they know nothing about or they’re liars. The matter is concluded and everyone who was pointing an accusing finger can now shut the hell up about it. Find something real to discuss for a change.

Comments had been made about this guy or that “not remembering” seeing Mr. Bush at a given base or during a given training session. I’ve got a pretty good memory, folks, and I guarantee you there were people sitting right next to me – and possibly even speaking with me – during events 30 years ago that I can’t recall. It happens all the time and to everyone. That’s why I can’t understand the flap that got generated about comments like that. Unless you’re grasping at something to turn into a scandal, it’s just not that newsworthy.

Mr. Kerry’s got some not-very-nice moments in his past from the same time period, too. I think they are equally irrelevant to the decision we’ve got coming in November. Can anyone say they’re exactly the same person they were 30 years ago? I’m sure not. I’m willing to let Mr. Kerry off on his stance on the Vietnam war. I share some of his sentiments on it. I’m far more concerned about his consistency regarding issues addressed in the last 10 years. I’ll even narrow that to 5. Let’s get talking about those issues instead.

And actually, I’m even going to wait on that one until after the Democratic Party has selected their nominee. It’s not my call who they pick and it’s premature to start really analyzing them until they’ve got their party’s nod.