June 07, 2005
John Kerry's Grades: Recount Demanded / Where was Bush?
Remember during the presidential campaign that the press and liberals portrayed Bush as stupid and Kerry as cerebral (and, still do)? Now, they have something to back up their claims--or, do they?
John Kerry had refused to release his college transcripts and military files. Now, because of pressures, Kerry released part of his military files, and (oops) that part contained his college grades!
So, how did he do? Let's see.
Freshman Year:
Geology................61
History I..............63
History II.............68
Political Science...69
French.................77
Wouldn't you know it? Kerry's best efforts were in French. Now, if he had gotten three F's instead of only four low D's, Kerry could have obtained an early release from his college duty. Learning his lesson is college, Kerry didn't make a similar mistake in Viet Nam--as, he was able to get out early there.
To his credit, Kerry buckled down and raised his average up to 76 by the time he graduated. What did Bush get under the same grading system? Why a 77--which beats Kerry! I understand that Kerry is launching a bid, assisted by Al Gore, to demand a re-count. Every term paper counts, and what about that drawing he did for extra credit?
From an article (link at bottom), here are recollections of a professor who taught both of them (underlines mine):
Gaddis Smith, a retired Yale history professor who taught both Kerry and Bush, said in a telephone interview that he vividly remembers Kerry as a student during the 1964-1965 school year, when Kerry would have been a junior. However, Smith said he doesn't have a specific memory about Bush.
Do you know what this means?! It means that Bush was getting credit for college courses when one of his professors doesn't remember him being there! This is clear, although unverifiable evidence, that Bush was not where he claimed to be and received credit for something he did not do! Where's Dan Rather when you need him?
Well, if the only thing that you got out of this entry is that Bush did something bad and that Kerry is good, then please call the Democratic Party. They have a spin job for you. But, if you want more of the story, here it is:
Yale grades portray Kerry as a lackluster student
Posted by GM Roper at June 7, 2005 08:30 AM | TrackBackReally? Oh, this is good.
Posted by BronxPundit at June 7, 2005 10:17 AM
GM, this is not good news for your side, just more proof that hard work has little to do with outcomes!
Posted by steve at June 7, 2005 10:41 AM
Was this not hilarious! But who is dumber? I say the MSM who portrayed him as SOOOO smart!
Regards,
-Jack
Posted by Jack at June 7, 2005 01:24 PM
Steve writes: GM, this is not good news for your side, just more proof that hard work has little to do with outcomes!
Au Contraire mon ami. This shows exactly that what you put into it, is what you get out of it. Both were somewhat dillatantes in college, both showed average grades. Only a fool would state that average grades measure IQ. Einstein had trouble with math, Henry Ford was called "Greasy Fingers" because he tinkered with engines rather than apply himself to his studies, J.P. Getty lost as many fortunes as he earned. My high school and undergraduate experience was average, but superior in grad school.
It does show that perhaps it doesn't take a college degree to get ahead. Bush went the business route, made a few bucks and stayed enough on the periphery of politics that it did him some good when he decided to use it. Kerry went the political route, married money and used those connections to further his career. Hard work is it's own reward.
Posted by GM Roper at June 7, 2005 01:45 PM
no gm, it shows that despite performing poorly in school, one's schooling performance has no significant impact on one's outcomes. Bush certainly never worked hard, his outcomes are almost entirely tied to manipulation of class and status.
Kerry a bit less so, but not much less so. Typical politicians who after enjoying the fruits of privilege happily demand that the poor among us 'work harder', 'get more education', 'don't waste time'...
Bush did not 'go the business route'. He played around in a number of ventures that were handed to him and which subsequently failed. Then after that he still managed to, due to social connections, pull off the Rangers deal with funding that you or I could never find after failing in business numerous times. It had nothing to do with 'hard work'.
What you say about Kerry is true, but little different from many Repubs that you find attractive who have spent their whole careers in the public sector, no? In fact, little different from Bush.
And what do you mean by get ahead? Bush never 'got ahead', he just maintained his status and became president, even after spending at least a decade doing all the things that he now admonished the poor not to do in order to get out of poverty!
Posted by steve at June 7, 2005 02:50 PM
I notice by the way that the military records contain nothing new aside from praise from officers who later claimed they didn't think Kerry was a good soldier. interesting...
Posted by steve at June 7, 2005 02:56 PM
From "jack": Einstein had trouble with math...
I realize that this is not the point of the discussion, but I just thought I would correct a common myth. Einstein did not have trouble with math. I don't know that he was astonishingly good, but he was certainly above average. Believe me, the math involved in general relativity is not trivial, not by any means.
_________________
For his job, Kerry just had to know how to add to three...one purple heart, two purple hearts, ....
Woody
Posted by cs30109 at June 10, 2005 10:29 AM
Couldn't we say the same about Bob Dole's purple hearts, I mean the ones for little scraps, not the ruined arm. I never saw Dole turn those back in or refuse them? And besides, there are enough people who vouch for the Purple Hearts, acts of bravery, etc. for Kerry, so what's the big deal?
I mean really, is it such a big deal? Kind of an odd obsession to cling to. Especially when ya consider how close ideologically you guys are to Kerry anyhow. Ya's both defend empire, capitalism, private property rights of corporations, markets,...what's the big deal, really? You're on the same side on the big issues of the day, calm down.
Posted by steve at June 10, 2005 06:14 PM
