Jonn Lilyea did some digging into claims of military service made by Jason Eugene Bush, the anti-immigration “activist” charged with murder in southern Arizona, and discovered a long criminal record but no military service: LGF’s Rightwing Extremist Veteran.

I appreciate Jonn’s work, and I’m very relieved to learn that Bush was not a veteran.

However, he is asking that I apologize for making a “cut against veterans” with my article noting Bush’s claims of service, so I think I should explain.

The truth is that I have nothing but respect for the military services of the US. I’ve made that clear repeatedly at LGF; this site has been a huge supporter of the US military over the years.

My post about Jason Eugene Bush also made it very clear that none of his claims of service had been confirmed.

But even if Bush’s claims were true, it wouldn’t be a cut against veterans to point out that fact. Veterans can be (and have been) criminals, just as with any group in society — in a tiny minority, as in other groups. I really can’t agree that noting Bush’s claim to be a veteran is a smear against all vets, especially when all due skepticism was expressed — and I certainly did not intend it as a smear.

As I’ve said many times at LGF, the men and women who serve in the military are some of the best citizens of our country. Many fake veterans have been exposed when their claims were publicized on the Internet, and we all benefit when bad apples are discovered.