Title: Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship (leftists lied then retracted this story) Source:
Politico URL Source:http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598 Published:Nov 6, 2015 Author:Kyle Cheney Post Date:2015-11-06 15:50:03 by Willie Green Keywords:None Views:7563 Comments:41
Carson's campaign on Friday conceded that a central point in his inspirational personal story did not occur as he previously described.
Ben Carson’s campaign on Friday admitted, in a response to an inquiry from POLITICO, that a central point in his inspirational personal story was fabricated: his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The academy has occupied a central place in Carson’s tale for years. 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.
“In 1969, those who would have completed the entire process would have received their acceptance letters from the Army Adjutant General,” said Theresa Brinkerhoff,a spokeswoman for the academy. She said West Point has no records that indicate Carson even began the application process. “If he chose to pursue (the application process), then we would have records indicating such,” she said.
When presented with these facts, Carson’s campaign conceded the story was false.
“Dr. Carson was the top ROTC student in the City of Detroit,” campaign manager Barry Bennett wrote in an email to POLITICO. “In that role he was invited to meet General Westmoreland. He believes it was at a banquet. He can’t remember with specificity their brief conversation but it centered around Dr. Carson’s performance as ROTC City Executive Officer.”
“He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors,” Bennett added. “They told him they could help him get an appointment based on his grades and performance in ROTC. He considered it but in the end did not seek admission.”
Carson would have needed to seek admission in order to receive an offer of free education from West Point. Also, according to West Point, there is no such thing as a “full scholarship” to the military academy, as Carson represented in his book.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official. After that, a rigorous vetting process begins. If offered admission, all costs are covered for all students; indeed there are no “full scholarships,” per se.
The statement from Carson’s campaign manager on Friday went on to say: “There are ‘Service Connected’ nominations for stellar High School ROTC appointments. Again he was the top ROTC student in Detroit. I would argue strongly that an Appointment is indeed an amazing full scholarship. Having ran several Congressional Offices I am very familiar with the Nomination process.
“Again though his Senior Commander was in touch with West Point and told Dr. Carson he could get in, Dr. Carson did not seek admission.”
The concession from Carson’s campaign comes as serious questions about other points of fact in Carson’s personal narrative are questioned, including the seminal episode in which he claimed to have attempted to stab a close friend. Similarly, details have emerged that cast doubt on the nature of Carson’s encounter with one of the most prominent military men of that era.
The West Point spokeswoman said it certainly is possible Carson talked with Westmoreland, and perhaps the general even encouraged him to apply to West Point. However, she said, the general would have explained the benefits of a West Point education without guaranteeing him entry.
In “Gifted Hands,” Carson says he excelled in his ROTC program at Detroit’s Southwestern High School, earning the respect of his superiors — just a couple years after anger problems led him to try to murder a friend. He attained the rank of second lieutenant by his senior year of high school and became the student leader of the city’s ROTC programs.
I'm wondering at what point you decided that becoming a card carrying unwashed leftard was the right thing to do.
Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president
Carson doesn't live on the plantation and isn't a victim so he's fair game for scorn and ridicule by everybody on the left. They don't like people better than they are, hence the attack...
Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
[Politico headline] Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship
- - - - -
[Politico article] Ben Carsons campaign on Friday admitted
Well, there goes the claim that Ben Carson admitted anything.
[Politico article] a central point in his inspirational personal story was fabricated: his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
[Politico article] According to a story told in Carsons 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 Carsons telling, was followed by a full scholarship to the military academy.
The full, complete quote of Ben Carson above is two words, "full scholarship."
What did Carson actually write?
[Politico article, down aways] I felt so proud, my chest bursting with ribbons and braids of every kind. To make it more wonderful, we had important visitors that day. Two soldiers who had won the Congressional Medal of Honor in Viet Nam were present, he wrote. More exciting to me, General William Westmoreland (very prominent in the Viet Nam war) attended with an impressive entourage. Afterward, Sgt. Hunt his high school ROTC director introduced me to General Westmoreland, and I had dinner with him and the Congressional Medal winners. Later I was offered a full scholarship to West Point.
Offered,, not applied for and accepted.
[Politico article, at end] Carson has said he turned down the supposed offer of admission because he knew he wanted to be a doctor and attending West Point would have required four years of military service after graduation.
Cecil Murphey, who ghostwrote Gifted Hands, told POLITICO that his memory of Carsons exchange with Westmoreland was hazy.
My gut response is that it was not a private meeting, but there were others there, he said in an email. The general took a liking to Ben and opened doors.
Carson wrote that he was "offered a full scholarship to West Point," and he turned down the offer.
So, how did he fabricate a story about how his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point?
Carson did not say he applied and accepted. The ghost-written book says he was offered a full scholarship. Of course, the military academies do not actually offer scholarships, but they do offer a full and highly regarded undergraduate education, with no tuition or residence costs, with a stipend to go with it. It offers all that a full scholarship offers and more, the more part especially including a significant military obligation after graduation.
It appears that Ben Carson is guilty of a terminological inexactitude, or the ghost writer is guilty of such, and Carson guilty of not catching it.
The big lie appears to be in the headline, "Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship.
Now this presupposes that any of them are smart. Have you considered that to enter this race the qualification is not being smart, but being politically savvy or having some sort of backing behind you. The faceless men of politics don't want their front man to be smart. Remember "W", he couldn't tie two words together and he wasn't smart enough to know when he was being manipulated.
Exclusive: Carson claimed West Point 'scholarship' but never applied
Republican hits POLITICO story, later admits to The New York Times he wasnt offered aid.
By Kyle Cheney
11/06/15 11:29 AM EST
Updated 11/06/15 05:32 PM EST
Editors note: POLITICO stands by its reporting on this story, which has been updated to reflect Ben Carsons on the record response. The original story and headline said that Carsons campaign had admitted he "fabricated" a "full scholarship" from West Point, but now Carson denies that his campaigns statement constituted such an admission, and the story and headline were changed to reflect that. POLITICOs reporting established that Carson said he received a "full scholarship" from West Point, in writing and in public appearances over the years but in fact he did not and there is actually no such thing as a "full scholarship" to the taxpayer-funded academy. And today in response to POLITICO he acknowledged for the first time that was not the case. Carson never explicitly wrote that he had applied for admission to West Point, although that was the clear implication of his claim to have received an offer of a "full scholarship," a point that POLITICOs initial report should have made clear.
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Friday conceded that he never applied nor was granted admission to West Point and attempted to recast his previous claims of a full scholarship to the military academy despite numerous public and written statements to the contrary over the last few decades.
He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors, Bennett added. They told him they could help him get an appointment based on his grades and performance in ROTC. He considered it but in the end did not seek admission.
That all sounds more than reasonable,as well as likely to me. In 69 the US Military academies were all looking for qualified minority applicants,so a black ROTC student that was the top ROTC student in Detroit would have been a slam dunk.
Carson would have needed to seek admission in order to receive an offer of free education from West Point.
Not true at all. If a senior General tells you he can get you in,he can get you in. The fact that Carson never filed an application does nothing to dilute the basic truth he was offered a slot there if he wanted it.
Also, according to West Point, there is no such thing as a full scholarship to the military academy, as Carson represented in his book.
There is no such thing as a West Point enrollment that is anything LESS than a "full scholarship". That's the only kind they have.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
After that, a rigorous vetting process begins. If offered admission, all costs are covered for all students; indeed there are no full scholarships, per se.
How's THAT for circular reasoning? Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships? WTF,over?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Well,to be fair to JEB,he does technically qualify as a "brother ob de hoodie". After all his only daughter is a crack addict and thief,his oldest son was arrested for stalking a former girlfriend,and his youngest son was arrested after being caught humping a underage girl in a parking lot.
And let's not forget that his wife was arrested for trying to smuggle goods through customs without paying the tarriffs after coming back from Paris where she had been visiting a long-time family friend that was a international drug trafficker and embezzler that stole billions from the Bank of Mexico.
Come to think of it,he is almost overqualified.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
" Looks like he can't figure out how to use a zipper, wonder how many times he's peed down his own leg??? "
And he was supposed to be the smart one ??
Well,he IS a Bush.
Smart,like everything else is relative.
ESPECIALLY when you are talking about related people.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships?
It's an appointment that results in an obligation to serve as an officer. As I recall, a few times an academy graduate decided not to serve after graduating and they did threaten to pursue him for tuition and board and the stipend cost. Not sure what they ended up doing.
A "full scholarship" normally doesn't include an obligation to future employment by a particular employer. Which is why it is called an appointment, not a scholarship.
Carson should have known that the military keeps records on everything. I saw his response to the press today and I thought he looked weak, his world collapsing.
I've read elsewhere that the campaign watchers are puzzled by Carson's campaign in that the entire campaign seems to be a campaign to raise large amounts of money. Maybe he's just trying to build a big warchest but his spending is puzzling to the campaign watchers.
A "full scholarship" normally doesn't include an obligation to future employment by a particular employer.
But it IS assumed the student will find a career working in the field of his study,so damn at the difference.
To most people,"full scholarship" means not having to pay for books and tuition. At WP they even provide you with food,clothing,shelter,and medical care.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The incompetent Politico hitman also demonstrated this piece of irresponsible journalism:
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official. After that, a rigorous vetting process begins. If offered admission, all costs are covered for all students; indeed there are no full scholarships, per se.
Many applications begin with a nomination by a member of Congress. Others can nominate in the common aplication process. However, Ben Carson was an extremely high-performing member of ROTC. Aside from "Congressional Nominations", there are also "Service Connected Nominations" such as "Army Junior and Senior ROTC Programs and Honor ROTC Units of Other Services." And "A request for a ROTC Nomination should be made through your Professor of Military Science or Senior Instructor who must fill out and submit a Request for ROTC Nomination (Form 5-497) to the Director of Admissions, U.S. Military Academy."
I would surmise General Westmoreland had enough juice to get a professor of military science or senior instructor to sign a recommendation, if wanted one signed.
After determining that you meet the basic requirements to become a cadet, you should begin seeking nominations. In order to be considered for admission at West Point, you need to be nominated. There are two types of nominations, the Congressional Nomination and the Service-Connected Nomination.
We understand this may be an unfamiliar process to you, so it is important you learn what to do and by when. Below is additional information on how to obtain a Congressional Nomination and/or a Service-Connected Nomination. Please read this carefully and contact an Admissions Officer for further questions. Forms are available to fill out by clicking on the links under the respective information sections.
Our online viewbook, or Prospectus, is a great source of information. You can find sample request letters and mailing addresses there. Below are some more tips that will help you get started.
Congressional Nominations - Who Can Nominate?
The Vice President
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Delegates to the House of Representatives from Washington, D.C., the Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands
The Governor of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Secretary of the Army
[...]
Service-Connected Nominations - Who Can Apply?
Army Junior and Senior ROTC Programs and Honor ROTC Units of Other Services
Applicants currently enrolled in an Army Junior or Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program or an ROTC program from another branch of service that has been designated as an Honor Unit with Distinction are eligible for a nomination in this category. A request for a ROTC Nomination should be made through your Professor of Military Science or Senior Instructor who must fill out and submit a Request for ROTC Nomination (Form 5-497) to the Director of Admissions, U.S. Military Academy.
NOTE: You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view the Sample Statement below. A free version of the Adobe Reader software is available for download at the Adobe website www.Adobe.com
Must reach West Point by JANUARY 31 of the year seeking admission
Date___________________
Director of Admissions United States Military Academy West Point, New York 10996-1797
Dear Sir:
I request a nomination under the ______________________ category for the class entering the United States Military Academy in the Summer of 20___, and I submit the following data:
Name of Applicant:__________________________________________________
Not true at all. If a senior General tells you he can get you in,he can get you in. The fact that Carson never filed an application does nothing to dilute the basic truth he was offered a slot there if he wanted it.
The application for ROTC nomination is submitted via through your Professor of Military Science or Senior Instructor, not a congressman, so it is really a slam dunk for someone such as General Westmoreland. The hack who wrote the Politico article considered only a congressional nomination, but Carson was and ROTC all-star.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
No, but see my #21. Carson would have been covered by an ROTC nomination, not a Congressional nomination for which that prattle applies.
Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships? WTF,over?
Technically, they are not scholarships as you incur a lengthy service obligation with the education.
It's an appointment that results in an obligation to serve as an officer. As I recall, a few times an academy graduate decided not to serve after graduating and they did threaten to pursue him for tuition and board and the stipend cost. Not sure what they ended up doing.
What they do sort of depends. And generally, the academy is training is for officers of the line.
NBA star center David Robinson exceeded the height limit at arrival by a couple of inches and was over 7 feet by the time he was done. The height limit is a real limit as Navy ships and not custom made for seven footers. When you're an all-star center, you get a waiver, study for civil engineering, get out after a two years active-duty.
NLF star quarterback Roger Staubach was the Naval Academy's first graduate to go directly to the Supply Corps. "During his junior year at the Naval Academy, Staubach's color-blindness was detected." If you are a star quarterback, they do not discover your color blindness until you have completed three years. After doing a year at a base in Nam, "He spent the rest of his Naval career in the United States, playing football on various Naval service teams to prepare for his future career in the National Football League."
This is the case I recall and probably that same one you recall. A guy graduated from the Naval Academy and then decided he was a conscientious objector. The Navy pursued him all they could and lost.
Navy officers tried to persuade Mr. Izbicki to consider alternatives to discharge: Could he become a Navy medical officer or dentist? He replied that his pacifist beliefs were irreconcilable with any effort to prepare troops for battle. I could not contribute in any way whatsoever, he said.
Mr. Izbicki said he had made no plans for the future other than a return to his parents home in California. His discharge, he said, has opened the whole world up to me.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
Westmoreland had the power to do exactly as Carson describes.
Senior General officers and the WP commandant have appointments in their hip pocket. They also have access to Congressmen to influence their appointments.
Westmoreland was one phone call away to get Carson an appointment.
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
I would surmise General Westmoreland had enough juice to get a professor of military science or senior instructor to sign a recommendation, if wanted one signed.
Im 1969 there was not one single American who had access to a radio,a television,or a newspaper that didn't know who General Westmoreland was. He was seen on television at least once a week every week while being the top General in VN.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
I would surmise General Westmoreland had enough juice to get a professor of military science or senior instructor to sign a recommendation, if wanted one signed.
Back then Westmoreland did have mojo juice.
Carson was invited to dinner by His professor of military science so I would say he had his support.
Westmoreland also had the juice back then to call a Congress critter and get an appointment.
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
what you don't need in the top job is liar what other lies has he told, is he actually a surgeon?
He did not lie. He never said he applied to West Point. You have to understand that Politico is a hack web site formed by former MSM rejects.
His record as a surgeon is undisputable. Maybe he was involved in only 14,900 operations instead of the 15,000 he claims. That would make him a liar too ....right ?
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
No, Willie Green did not lie. He used the precise original title as published by Politico (before they changed it). There are plenty of lies by Politico, but none of them belong to Willie.
Original Politico title:
Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship
Poiltico later changed the title to:
Exclusive: Carson claimed West Point 'scholarship' but never applied
Apparently an LF moderator then added to the original title here:
leftists lied then retracted this story)
Actually, slimy Politico added the following obfuscatory statement, compounding the their lies. Note that they retracted their title and explicitly stated they stood by their reporting on this story. They retracted the title but not the story. The moderator apparently was deceived by Politico.
Of course, the story has now been very thoroughly debunked in its particulars.
Editors note: POLITICO stands by its reporting on this story, which has been updated to reflect Ben Carsons on the record response. The original story and headline said that Carsons campaign had admitted he "fabricated" a "full scholarship" from West Point, but now Carson denies that his campaigns statement constituted such an admission, and the story and headline were changed to reflect that. POLITICOs reporting established that Carson said he received a "full scholarship" from West Point, in writing and in public appearances over the years but in fact he did not and there is actually no such thing as a "full scholarship" to the taxpayer-funded academy. And today in response to POLITICO he acknowledged for the first time that was not the case. Carson never explicitly wrote that he had applied for admission to West Point, although that was the clear implication of his claim to have received an offer of a "full scholarship," a point that POLITICOs initial report should have made clear.
Ben Carson had admitted nothing to Politico. Ben Carson has not claimed to have received any scholarship from West Point. He wrote that such was offered, but that he decided not to pursue that offer, but a career in medicine.
Ben Carson did not make up the use of the term full scholarship with relation to West Point. West Point did that.
See Ebony magazine, October 1979, page 37, emphasis added.:
Earn a Degree, Build a Future, And Do It at West Point
Leadership qualities
College Education
Rewarding Career
If you're a good student seeking more than just a college education, a challenge awaits you at the United States Military Academy. Here's your chance to be part of America's new wave of leadership. West Point trains its graduates to "take charge" in an increasingly complex world.
Sure it's tough, but it you measure up, you'll come away with a bachelor of science degree and experience that cannot be matched by any traditional college or university.
Whether you decide to pursue career opportunities in the military or enter executive civilian positions after your military service, you'll be a trained leader. And, while i's quite an achievement and a challenge to attend West Point, the financial advantages should not be overlooked. As a cadet you receive a full four-year scholarship plus room, board, and full medical care...you'll even earn a salary of more than $4,000 a year.
If college and the future are important to you, it's time to investigate the challenging to investigate the challenging opportunities available at West Point. Fill out the coupon to find out how you can get top-quality leadership training, an excellent education, and most importantly, a competitive edge on the future of your choice. Do it all at West Point!
The advertisement in Ebony was accompanied by pictures of black cadets in uniform and a coupon to be filled out and submitted to the West Point Director of Admissions.
i had 3 friends graduate from WP, and one from the AF Academy. You might remember the name of the last one. It was Richard Myers. Willie is still a liar.
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity