Warren is simply being human. Once she got on the big stage she probably realized she could not prove her Native American heritage without some kind of PAPERS. She also, like Brown over and over again, noticed that she had a pale face. The Republicans are obsessed with papers and she probably realized some time ago that it's hard to prove a negative. And hey, I'm sure Brown went to Afghanistan purely for non-political reasons and I bet he personally killed many Taliban.

Scott Brown's self accolades that are highly embellished should give the voting public great pause on reelecting him.  He hides his neo-conservative views by pushing meaningless photo ops and tangled misleading statements.  Yes he is human but he is a tribalist.  With a pointing finger and a straight face declares he is for seniors and working people while all the time he is conferring with lobbyist and unethical corporate types to puff up his ego no matter what harm it brings to the working stiffs in this country.  Yes his childhood was difficult but several family members have pointed out his arrogance, tendency for destructive behavior, and his propensity to embellish his accomplishments.  These are too serious times to elect someone who likes to play Senator as an ego trip rather than to serve the public.  His back ups are Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, Mitch McConnell, and Ralph Reed.  These are not proper role models for this country.

I've been involuntarily mobilized 3 times since 9/11 as a Reservist & spent 14 months in AFG/surrounding areas. Over 800K other reservists & guard members have done the same, which makes his lack of deployment unusual. Brown's tourism at DOD expense is questionable, esp when he could have gone on Senate expense as official business. Question for Mr. McGrory to follow up on: did Brown claim a combat-zone income tax exclusion for the time he was in AFG? Did he bridge his 7 days in AFG over two months, thus doubling the tax exclusion?

Wonder which "kings and queens" he met with while "deployed"? What a narcisstic, self-deluding, obfuscating, obviously at the core insecure, stinkin' rotten liar.

McGrory: How dare you question his service. She has lied about her race and background, and you have the nerve to call him out on a "Technicality".

Weak!

While I do agree with the questionability of his "tour" in Afghanistan, he did clearly state in the debate that he did not see any action while there. He spoke about his speaking with military members over there who ha seen action. I think it's important to remember exactly how he stated his time there.

Like Moderator Jim did during the debate, stick with the policy issues.

Brown has clearly stated that he did two weeks of service overseas on a trip to Afghanistan. While he could have used a different word other than "tour" during the heat of a debate, he told the truth.  You can't compare his statement in the debate with the serial lying of Liz Warren.  Scott Brown has been transparent about his National Guard service.  Liz Warren refuses to release her Harvard Law School personnel records for good reason.  She seeks to conceal that she fraudulently claimed Native American status.  Brian, you  are enamored with the leftist Messiah, Liz Warren, and will do anything to unfairly castigate Senator Brown.  By the way Brian,  have you done five minutes of national service?

From a swivel chair behind a desk in Boston, it's damned easy to minimize the service of others. I was taught that ALL service, stateside or overseas, in a combat zone or in the rear, was HONORABLE service. Period.

...and Prof Warren served where, exactly? Fort Sill? Not!...Brattle (well, it sounds like battle) Street?

Scott Brown calculated this move and requested to go to Afghanistan for political gain.

He has insulted the middle classmen and women that get called to Afghanistan, and have to stay there for a tour of duty.

Scott went for two weeks, and as the piece points out, it was more as a visit.  And as a US Senator, a very well protected and planned "visit".

Scott should be ashamed of himself.

This type of political calculation runs through Brown's entire time as a Senator.  He clearly is no independent, as evidenced by signing the non-legal and highly partisan Norquist Pledge.  This Pledge means that Scott is incapable of compromise or reaching across the aisle on debt issues.

He also regularly and inaccurately declares that the recession is 3.5 years old.  In essence, he is partisanly blaming the recession on President Obama.  The recession was in full swing prior to Obama even winning the nomination.

Finally, Scott Brown regularly cites right wing partisan institutions for his "facts".

The man is no independent.  If he was, he'd be running as in Independent.  What he is,  is a calculating liar. 

SB in a nutshell:

noun

McGrory, how many weeks did you spend in Afghanistan?  I have not been there but I can tell you that the guys that are and were there appreciate this short time in country and would take exception for you spekaing for them.  Stick to Hingham bashing, I actually enjoy those articles.  Peace!

Thank you, Brian McGrory! I have been wondering for a very long time how Scott Brown has managed to be in the National Guard for THIRTY-TWO years without ever being deployed while so many soldiers have left young families to serve not once, but several times. This is the Scott Brown who was retired from the military because he was passed over TWICE for promotion, which results in mandatory retirement. Then, VOILA! He is reinstated after he became a U.S. Senator. What is the truth on this one, Scott? You question the veracity of Ms. Warren? Seems you need to do a bit of looking in the mirror for something other than admiring yourself.

Just curious Brian.....how much time and effort have you been willing to dedicate to military service?

If the answer is NONE.....then you have no grounds to criticize someone who has been willing to do so in an honorable fashion. That applies to Scott Brown or any member of the armed services......You really showed your lack of integrity with this piece and the Boston Globe should be ashamed of you.

I wish the subset of Brown supporters who keep harping on Ms. Warren's ethnicity would give it up already.  I think this has been addressed to death, and her employers swear that whatever her heritage it had no bearing on her hiring, which is the point of their objections, I believe.  To continue these disproven objections makes them all look like racists who can't engage in any kind of meaningful debate around their own candidate's shortcomings.  Oh, wait... it doesn't look like they can.  

For once, I'd like to see a Brown supporter say Yeah, two weeks in Afghanistan out of harm's way should not be equated with actual soldier service, and yeah, it's not fair to think that a civilian woman like Warren would have access to the same opportunities and we shouldn't compare the two.  But he did go and he did get to see more of what's going on there than someone who hasn't.  Is that so very hard to do? I just did it; it was pretty easy. I'm still in my bathrobe, in fact.

Brian, thanks for calling this one out. When Senator Brown made that statement during the debate, my jaw dropped. When he first came on the scene, I actually had some respect for him, but as he desperately tries to keep his seat, his behavior has become increasingly unseemly. For this man to equate his stay in Afghanistan to what the men and women who actually "serve" there was contemptable.

Well I think if Prof Warren believes she is an American Indian, then I believe the Senator served in Afganistan. What matter how long? Let's give him the same respect we are asked to give Ms. Warren.

Brown "served" in Afghanistan on his way to meet with the Queen!

"These kinds of questionable claims are becoming all too much the norm" ... ok, now you are talking about Warren.

Do we call politicians who tour a war zone veterans of the conflict? Of course not and that is what Senator Brown has done. He toured a war zone in great comfort for two weeks and now he is not only a possible new member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars but he is also one of the many soldiers with gear in the rear who came home and told illustrious yarns throughout history. In Vietnam these play soldiers were called remfs and the first two words are rear echelon. People who play at tragedy make me sick.

There are reporters who saw more action than Brown in Afghanistan.

What's the word my 16 year old daughter uses? Dad, he's just a poser. Nuffsaid. 

This is not political. If you want to vote for SEN Brown, go right ahead. But here are the facts of this discussion. I am a 57 year old Naval Reservist. I have been in 27 years and was mobilized to Afghanistan for one year in 2009. Since 2001 over 70% of members of the Guard and Reserve force have been mobilized in support of GWOT. The most surprising fact is a majority of people mobilized have been volunteers. If you want to go, you went. All ranks and MOS have been mobilized. The fact that SEN Brown was promoted to O6 without being mobilized, without having a command billet and serving in a billet below his pay grade is unbelievable. Somewhere there probably a NG O5 who probably has all those qualifications and still is an O5. Openings in the military are billet driven. You can not get promoted unless there is a job waiting. They will not make 10 Colonels unless there are 10 Colonels billets available. Do you know SEN Brown was given a Army Commendation Medal for giving a speech in D.C. one day. An ARCOM is not the highest medal but it is significant. I had a friend that I served in Afghanistan and he got an ARCOM when I was there. He was jogging on an Afghanistan Army Base with three other Sailors. They were attacked by an ANA solider (two were killed). He ran for assistance since they were un-armed he then ran back and provided first aid to his fallen friends. He was awarded an ARCOM for that. Who knew he only had to give a speech to receive that same medal. If you want to vote for SEN Brown do so but don’t use his military record as a reason.

Thanks for having the courage to write this. I’m sure you understood that you would be attacked but this story needed to be told. Also is anyone else suspicious of the fact that Sen. Brown’s surprising transfer to the Maryland National Guard two days prior to his Commanding Gen. Joe Carter being suspended as a result of sexual misconduct charges. One would think that the Mass. Army National Guard JAG office would have been involved in this and that Sen. Brown would have played a role in it and Sen. Brown didn’t want to have anything to do with this. Has he used his position once again to get special consideration because he is a sitting U.S. Senator.

The "Job Creators"...who are they, please.  If banks would lend some money, people could start small busnisses, larger ventures, do research, etc.  Banks lend money and people create jobs.

But about the truthfulness issue and Scott Brown.

 It seems like a long time ago and Sen. Brown was in the afterglow of his Senate victory.  When Osama Bin Laden was killed, Sen. Brown said he had been briefed on the event by higher ups in the administration.  That was a fabrication. When queried about it by the Press, he said,"yes", he had seen pictures.  That was a total fabrication.  He said in many campaign events that he talks with Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers about the issues he deals with.  That, also, is a total fabrication  More recently, not having learned his lesson, he said that he talks with Sec.Hilary Clinton about issues.  Another total fabrication, also known as a lie.  Some members of his family refute his own flattering account of his early life in his book, "Against All Odds".

As a Massacusetts legislator, he did not have a reputation for being a worker.  I recall his early campaign ads for the upcoming election showing him folding laundry at home while his wife was at work.  

For Sen. Brown to say "When I served in Afghanistan..." that is once again, not only an inflation of his own imagination, but also, an insult to anyone with an attachment to the armed serevices. 

I am sure the Globe will cover this  like the Tomahawk chops

http://thelotusblog.com/2012/10/11/brown-staffer-heckled-by-warren-supporters-for-being-gay/

I was disgusted when Senator Brown claimed that he served in Afghanistan.  My husband served for a year and it was a terrible thing to go through.  Senator did not receive combat pay during that period and did not participate in combat.  Senator Brown supports legislation that would punish people for lying about their military service and I demand an apology.

You could see this coming from the empty suit. You just knew when he "volunteered" to do his two weeks in Afghanistan last year it would be only for political gain. Then he throws it out there like he's a combat vet.

Regardless of the fact that he was only in Afghanistan for two weeks and he wasn't in actual fighting, he volunteered to be there. He also volunteered to be in the Army National Guard for many years with all the inherent potential risks. He also chose to vote for Dodd/Frank and was, even as you begrudgingly admit, the deciding vote. What exactly are you and others who tend to criticize him ad nuaseum relative to Elizabeth Brown want...another far-left leaning democrat to exacerbate the ridiculous polarization in Washington DC? Scott Brown will at least consider the other side and vote accordingly. Personally, I find that an outstanding trait in a politician and one missing from so, so many. Just my take... Pete

Thank goodness he didn't say he served alongside HRH Prince Harry! I have no doubt it crossed his mind.

Brown is a piece of work.

Check this out: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/02/1101817/-Did-Scott-Brown-Deserve-an-Army-Commendation-Medal-for-a-Speech-and-a-Photo-Op

So those in the coast guard do not deserve veteran status because they were stationed on USA bases? The National guardsmen and Army reservist who make sure the supplies needed to support our troops get here in time are not veterans?

This is a slap to all veterans everywhere.

I liked Brian better when he was sneering at Hingham.  He should leave the hit pieces to Renee Loth, she's better at them.

CCFAULK - CG are vets if they serve 90 days on active duty. Not sure what your point are. Active Duty members become Vets when they are discharged. Dosen't matter if you serve stateside or overseas you are a Vet after 90 days AD. A member of the Guard or Reservists need 90 days of active duty to become a Vet. Our two days a month/two weeks a year service is considered training and do not count. Since 9/11 70% of members of the Guard and Reservists have obtained veterans status. I repeat you do not have to serve overseas to become a veteran you just have to serve 90 consecutive days.

oh by the way. Coast Guard members serve in Afghanistan.

Brian,

As usual, those of you with no military experience and no time in a combat zone get it wrong.  I am a Vietnam Vet and have both a son (US Army) and daughter (United Nations) who served in Afghanistan.

There is no rear.  From the time the wheels set down until the wheels go up you are in danger.  

Kabul is no safer than a FOB (forward operating base).  Suicde bombers are as dangerous in a city or a base and they are everywhere.  Senator, Col. Brown served in A-stan.  

If you want to be critical pick on something you know about.

Len Ganz

Needham, MA

We allowed our last President to manufacture a myth about his service when, in all likelihood, he was a deserter. We now allow Senator Brown to parade around Afghanistan as a high ranking Colonel from the state of Maryland where he has never served, wear combat gear and then talk about his service in Afghanistan to score points as a politician. I am guilty of "Stolen Valor' if I sit around a barroom or walk in a parade and brag that my service was something it was not. This is worse because elaborate security would have been in place for a US Senator/Colonel(from Maryland) in a war zone. In other words, young soldiers would have been placed in dangerous security positions to guard the gilded rooms of our combat clothed Senator Brown. This is no small matter. Lives were endangered so Senator/Colonel could enhance his resume. To equate a dispute about heritage with that of a Senator who manufactures a heroic pose is a question of values. All service is not equal as some would have us believe. This is the service of a play soldier.

Politicians have been embellishing the truth about their war service for years. The politicians who don't say much about their service are probably true war heroes (i.e JFK and John McCain). LBJ enlisted in the army when he was a Congressman during WW2. He went on the fact finding mission in the South Pacific and ended up on a bombing mission as an observer. The plane was shot at and avoided flak for a few minutes. It was a scary situation but he survived. General McArther, ever the politician himself, gave him a Silver Star. Granted LBJ was under fire with his life on the line, but did not deserve a silver star. He left the South Pacific a day later in order to return on time for a Congressional Session. He wore that star on his lapel for years exaggerating his war record on the campaign trail.

Scott Brown = featherweight, empty suit...a true case of no there, there..a .legend in his own mind.

The best thing Scott has going for him is that he is running against the heinous socialist Liz Warren.

I was in Afghanistan when Sen. Brown visited last year, and I agree with the thrust of Brian's column, he'd be better to not publicly tout the brief stay in a war zone.  But, having met Sen. Brown a few times on duty and otherwise, he is a likeable guy and the best option for Senate running. I have already cast my absentee ballot for him.

I'll be glad when this election is over.  Usually I enjoy McGrory's columns.  But this is pretty bad.  Sure, Scott Brown might be overstating the case to say that he served in Afghanistan.  But he did go there in uniform.  If you are looking for evidence of overstatement, lying and resume inflation in this Senate race, I can think of a way better example.  I don't remember McGrory's column decrying Elizabeth Warren's dissembling and issue-dodging. It makes him look not only partisan, which is o.k., but partisan to the point of moral myopia, which good columnists are not.  After the election is over, I still want columnists who write about my community in a way I can respect and engage with.

I have met Scott Brown when he visited my kingdom on behalf of the people of Massachusetts. His grasp of the issues confronting our complex world really impressed me. I awarded him our country's Legion of Merit for his service during the Afghanistan war. signed... King Mentiroso, Monarchy of Fabulosa, Fantasy Island

"Swift Boat" McGory is at it again.  The Senator who has spent decades in the National Guard is nothing compared to Elizabeth Warren on defense. Karl Rove is taking notes of your technique Brian.

Scott Brown--The biggest phony-do nothing, ever to come out of massachusetts. Only a fool would vote for him.