i think i know where bush payroll/retirement records may be...

[cap]

the military has computerized payroll records since the 60's. Back data has been entered into the payroll system. This is necessary to reconcile back records especially for later claims by spouses. Yes, Laura could go to a VA hospital and receive spousal benefits because of GW's service. These records are backed up by tape.

Tape 1: There would be a year end reconciliation run of the payroll system.

Tape 2: There would be a year end reconciliation run of the retirement system (fed in by payroll records).

Tape 3: There would be summary records that would feed into VA health systems.

Tape 4+: These tapes are copied and copies are sent to vaults for safekeeping.

Tape 5+ (possibly): "Intermediate" tapes. In the old days of batch processing, you perform one step of the process and create a file. If the file is large and would require inordinate amounts of time to recreate, it is backed up to tape. That way you wouldn't have to start all the way over from step one if something got corrupted along the way. Many of these tapes would be destroyed as the standard procedure is to save only key tapes. But some of these are still hanging around.

The denial is correct as stated: All paper records have been destroyed. And perhaps, indeed, that is so. But the computer records have not all been destroyed.

I will email Kerry immediately regarding this.

[rustydog]

1. Regarding Bush's new-found love for space...

one could speculate to bush that his records could be lost in uranus!

[cap]

2. not funny...

eom

[NJCher]

3. good for you, cap

Hey bushbaby, repeat after me: you can fool some of the people some of the time....


Cher

[dumpster_baby]

4. thanks for looking into this

we need all the help we can get.

[wellstone_democrat]

5. Gee, have they yet explained how other vets on that set

of records "destroyed" will prove eligibility for various things? Hmmm?

Oh, and little things like IRS records (tax returns, W-2, etc), bank records and the like should easily prove that he was paid for his service----after all, the ANG W-2 he got for 72 and 73 should add up to the appropriate pay

[ClassWarrior]

6. kick - Go cap...

If you need help with this, there's plenty of us here willing to do so.

:kick:

[cap]

7. kick

eom

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. I say look for Bush's bank account records- didn't he deposit checks?

He must have had a bank account to reflect payment somewhere.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. IIRC, when I was in the Army we were always paid in cash.

Paydaw was always a big deal, with an officer dispensing the money & an armed NCO guarding him.

[thecrow]

10. KICK! n/t