Ben Carson and Miltary Academy "Scholarships"

Let me toss this tidbit into the Ben Carson Conundrum - was he or was he not offered/eligible for/thinking about a West Point scholarship, and anyway, is what West Point offers really a "scholarship"?

From The Politico Editor's Note:

...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.

Yet from a service that follows college savings schemes we learn something different:

529 News

Military Tax Act eliminates 10% penalty for academy students

(November 15, 2003) - President George Bush signed the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 (HR 3365) on November 11. Among other items, the Act provides that attendance at a U.S. military academy will be treated as a scholarship for purposes of the 10% penalty on nonqualified withdrawals from a 529 plan or Coverdell ESA. The value of the no-cost education (as determined under the U.S. military code) can be withdrawn penalty-free from a 529 plan or CESA, although the earnings portion will continue to be taxable.

That is not universal tax guidance, however; for purposes of calculating whether a cadet can still be claimed as a dependent, there are no West Point scholarships:

8. The question may arise whether an appointment to the Military Academy can be considered a “scholarship award” within the meaning of the income tax laws. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that such an appointment is not a scholarship award and that the education provided by the Military Academy must, therefore, be included as an item of support furnished by the Army.

As a tiebreaker, let's accept this Google Sacrifice - Congresswoman Lois Capps of CA actually makes these nominations to the military academies. And how does she describe them?

"The full four-year scholarship is valued at more than $350,000 which includes tuition, room and board, medical and dental care and a monthly salary."

So, Frequently Unasked Questions: Why is she lying to her constituents and when will Politico get her on the line to remedy this?

UNFORCED ERROR: A NY Times follow up to the Carson car crash includes this:

Donald Trump suggested in a Twitter post that Mr. Carson’s story could be “total fabrication.”

Well, if Trump had said that Carson's story was as unconvincing as his own comb-over he might have gotten away with it. But backing the media before realizing this was a typical hit job? Pick a side, Donald. And choose wisely.

Comments

[Janet]

Jack Cashill points this out -

"The third paragraph [in the Politico hit piece] contains this eye-opening revelation. “West Point, however, has no record of Carson applying, much less being extended admission.”

How does this work now? Does a reporter just write off to a college or university for data on a given student, and the university, in this case West Point, coughs up everything it has? Would that this were so.

For years the conservative media have been trying to get word one out of any of Obama’s academic institutions without success. The major media have not bothered to try."

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/absurd-double-standard-for-carson-obama/#S7bqwFileE4JE3Qz.99

[Janet]

and remember with candidate Obama...the press job was to PROTECT Obama -

"In one instance, Spencer Ackerman of the Washington Independent urged his colleagues to deflect attention from Obama’s relationship with Wright by changing the subject. Pick one of Obama’s conservative critics, Ackerman wrote, “Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares — and call them racists.”

http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/20/documents-show-media-plotting-to-kill-stories-about-rev-jeremiah-wright/

[GUS]

Jack, Obama had to apply at Occidental, Columbia and Harvard, based on his SAT/ACT scores, and his merit at the instituitions going forward. I know this because, they found his GRADES, APPLICATIONS and LETTERS or recommendation in the WHITE HOUSE. They were in a box with the ROSE LAW FIRM records.
This shit is so effing easy to mock. Ben Carson is a gifted, educated, talented, moral and Christian man!! I know this because his MENTOR said so in his book......."NO NO NO, NOT GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD DAMN AMERICA!!" You remember!!?

[GUS]

Let me be the first to mention that, if the RUSSIAN AIRLINER was brought down by ISIS, we have a victory for the JAYVEEEEEEEE.
Do you think they are getting fitted for KOBE BRYANT jersies!! The MFM isn't noticing, because Ben Carson claimed to have attempted to join the MARINE CORPS or is that CORPSE? And Doctor Carson was rejected by the MARINES for being "part black". Yes yes!! They told him to "try the seabies, that is, IF YOU CAN SWIM.

[Janet]

Like TK pointed out...maybe some MFMers could verify THIS story - "I was even told that I would never be admitted to a prestigious university, so I shouldn’t even bother to apply," Obama said at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha."

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/qatar-speech-michelle-obama-complains-about-growing-girl-america_1058665.html

Could we get some names with THAT story, Michelle?

[Buckeye]

JiB

I hope someone points out on the Sunday shows how utterly unqualified 99.9% of the journalists are to either attend a service academy or med school.

[Jeff Dobbs]

"In one instance, Spencer Ackerman of the Washington Independent urged his colleagues to deflect attention from Obama’s relationship with Wright by changing the subject. Pick one of Obama’s conservative critics, Ackerman wrote, “Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares — and call them racists.”

Ackerman also put it more, um, colorfully

It's not necessary to jump to Wright-qua-Wright's defense. What is necessary is to raise the cost on the right of going after the left. In other words, find a rightwinger's [sic] and smash it through a plate-glass window. Take a snapshot of the bleeding mess and send it out in a Christmas card to let the right know that it needs to live in a state of constant fear. Obviously I mean this rhetorically.

[James D.]

It would be useful if the RNC remembered that charming highlight from the Journolist, Hit.

That'd be a good policy. No media credentials, no interviews, no access to R candidates at all for anyone who was on the Journolist, or any organization who currently employs anybody who was on that list.

[Beasts of England]

A few observations on this wet Saturday morning:

1. Roll Tide!!

2. It's cute to see the leftards flauting their preternatural racism. After eight years of defending their Muslim butt pirate, this chance to smack down a darkie must be quite cathartic.

3. Glad to see that I wasn't the only one who slapped some leather the good dictir's way last night. My debit card is tanned, rested, and ready to do it repeatedly. Even ten dollars a time from enough people yields the requisite spike to create a headline. Please consider it...

4. Did I mention: Roll Tide!!

[Beasts of England]

*doctor's*

[Buckeye]

Beasts,

Good luck today.

Roll Tide!

[Jack is Back!]

That is going to be some game, Beasts. If they can control Fourcette then they win but if they let that guy loose, its "Katy bar the door".

BTW, if you think Carson to be a humble guy who can get pissed off and turn like a Lion, listen to Fourcette talk sometime.

[Beasts of England]

Thanks, Buckeye!! My favorite game of the year. GameDay is there - of course - maybe Joe Willie will be the guest picker again. :)

[Janet]

Another reminder - Where was the media feeding frenzy with this story?
Never met him...lived with him...what's the difference?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/12/05/president-obama-acknowledges-having-lived-with-his-uncle/mz67SRGIExGAZJuOQsl1JI/story.html

[Miss Marple 2]

I think that I will post a little note on Twitter about my graduation program and ask people to look up what is on theirs, if they had a West Point appointee in their class.

[Miss Marple 2]

Good morning!

Piers Morgan

Ben Carson's never going near my brain.

Stephen Miller ‏@redsteeze

Of course he isn't. He's a neurosurgeon, not a proctologist

[Miss Marple 2]

Buckey,

I put your comment about journalists not being abble to get into service academies or med school on twitter.

Anyone who wants to retweet it, I am there as @Miss Marple 2

[JiB (at the car wash)]

MM 4 the win!

[MaryD]

LOL,MM

[Buckeye]

Gee MM,

Hope I don't end up with some pansy assed journalists outside my door wanting to kick my butt.

Now that I think about it, hope I do.

[pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

From the link Janet put up @09:03.

"The case raised numerous concerns about a potential conflict of interest after Onyango Obama’s arrest in August 2011 for drunken driving in Framingham. The arrest revealed outstanding deportation orders and his relationship to the president."

Anyone think that case was decided without the judge being influenced by the name Obama/WH?

[Miss Marple 2]

Buckeye,

I didn't use your name, since I didn't want to cause you or the site trouble.

[Captain Hate on the iPhone]

Musket Morgan sounds like he's had his grey matter scrambled by Dr. Jill Biden at the Scranton Rocket Surgery and Jiffy Lube emporium.

[Miss Marple 2]

Plus, I didn't use your name because I didn't think of it, which was the real reason. Do you want me to attribute it to you as Buckeye? I will be happy to.

[pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

Thinks that the left wing propaganda spreaders
may not have had enough time for since they had the time consuming Dr Carson story to publish.

http://100percentfedup.com/why-isnt-this-in-the-news-how-many-ca-university-football-players-does-it-take-to-beat-a-man-defending-his-girlfriend-into-a-brain-damaged-state-video/#

[Jane]

Anyone think that case was decided without the judge being influenced by the name Obama/WH?

I probably know the judge as I practiced in Framingham for 16 years and appeared in that court often.

I would expect that more than get a call, he didn't want to get in the middle of it.

[Jane]

I just read about the case and I think it was a pretty normal result. Once they decided not to deport him (different court, different judge) the Framingham Judge - who was not identified, pretty much sanctioned a plea CWF (continued without a finding) for 1 year if he doesn't get in trouble, and loss of license for 45 days, which is not inconsistent with a first offense with a guy with no criminal record.

I don't know his lawyer so he was probably brought in.