An AWOL aphorism

It's becoming abundantly clear that the Rovean spinners are trying (rather desperately, I might add) to cast the questions about George Bush's military record as criticism of the fact that he served in the National Guard -- a potent talking point, if they're allowed to get away with it, because the Guard is playing such a critical role in Iraq right now.

And of course, it's completely bogus. No one's attacking Bush for serving in the Guard. The question is: Why didn't he live up to his obligations in doing so?

All together now:

"It's not the Guard duty, it's the failure to fulfill it."

[Edited to alter one word in the aphorism, by way of sharpening the point.]