regertz

Correction. Don Draper/Dick Whitman did not desert in Korea. Bert Cooper would never think this based on Pete Campbell's say so.

Therefore, all other statments are probably false, until proven otherwise on Snopes.com

regertz: I think this is brilliant. Good job and thanks for sharing. How about a Don Draper file from the time he left Korea to when he met Betty and got the job at Sterling Cooper?

Wryter1, he did desert. He took another man's id and left long before his tour of duty was up. We may understand his reasons and feel sympathy, the US Army probably would not. Technically, I suppose it could be called really long AWOL

As for believing Peter, you didn't read the date of the file (1957). I'm suggesting Bert knew right from the start about Dick/Don which I actually do believe. A man like Burt would have done a backround check and if Peter could confirm the real Don Draper being 43 via a Defense Department friend, so Bert could have confirmed the actual Draper being 40 three years earlier. I think he knew then and didn't and doesn't care.

Anyway, lets have Bert open the box again...

1961 Eleanor and I have decided to end our twenty-two year affair owing to her serious illness. She assures me everyone thinks she's been in love with her doctor these last years. Told her on leaving her hospital room she really was "First Lady of the World".

Especially since she had to have those front teeth replaced.

1959 Castro revoluntary movement underway in Cuba. Definitely a Communist, Russian-backed whatever hope the State boys hold out.

I mean, look at that damned beard.

1957 Sputnik, the Russians call it. Lots of handwringing. Told Sterling to calm down, it's only a ball of instruments. Who cares?

1957 Russians are about to put a ball of instruments into outer space with their new missile rockets. Passed info to Dulles in DC.

No one listens.

1956 Young grandson Dale told me he wants to an FBI man when he grows up and that advertising is corrupt.

Disinherit.

1955 James Dean killed in auto accident.

No homosexual actor breaks my niece's heart.

1952 Made Sterling full partner. Paid 20,000 to hush up incident at celebration party. Sterling made usual apology.

regertz

Dick Whitman didn't desert. He switched IDs with the dead Don Draper', but then wound up in the hospital because of his own wounds. That's where we see him awaken in his new life as Don Draper..

Dick Whitman was officially designated as Killed in Action -- and his supposed body was sent home.

His desertion never happened.

Please go back and view that scene again. And listen to the dialogue.

As for a background check by Bert. That probably never would have happened. I worked in Mad Men land in the 60's, so I know how things worked. It's not like today, when they check to see if you've ever had an overdue library book.

Even a cursory background check by Bert would have been to call other people in the businesses -- or agencies where Don worked beforehand, just to get some backstory on him that may not have come out in his interview -- or even before he decided to interview him.

Bert's not looking for skeletons in anybody's closets. Remember his comment "a man is whatever room he is in now." He didn't make that up on the spot just to cover for Don. That's part of Bert Cooper's operating philosophy.

Don certainly had a creative reputation before he came to SC -- and that's all that Bert Cooper would care about.

If it came out, it would be a case of desertion to the Army. Sorry, I love Don/Dick too but if he were caught and everything exposed he has some explaining to do and a possible prison sentence to face. The great dialogue and great scenes which I too have seen multiple times wouldn't matter to a military court. Dick took a dead man's id to dodge his remaining time and to make a new life. Don Draper is dead not Dick Whitman. That's all that would matter to the Army if it can ever be proven which I for one hope it never will..

I happen to think a well-connected man like Bert has the goods on everybody, and had them on Don long before Pete made his little speech. My own opinion, I've known many Burts...Their power and trade is information, even if they choose not to use it. But, that's just my opinion as yours is just yours.

regertz

It would not be a case of desertion in the Army. Please get your facts straight.

Yes, he could get a prison term for stealing an identiy. But, NOBODY DESERTED.

As far as the Bert scenario goes It has nothing to do with opinion.

I was a Mad Men during that era. Were you? Did you know the workings of the industry? In this case, you can't juxtapose today's way of doing things with the way things operated back then. It's just your opinion. It's not fact. And fact wins over opinion in every case.

Now, let's move on with this.

Dick Whitman stole the identity of his superior officer and did not report to his superiors. He left his post and tour of duty. He is a deserter.

The Bert scenario has everything to do with opinion. Even allowing you to know anything about ad men in the 1960s, we are discussing an individual not a .group. Bert has proven to be an unusual individual and I'm speculating for fun here that he knows a great deal more than he lets out.
I'm a molecular epidemiologist at CDC as well as a businessman. I don't assume every me follows the same pattern of traits.

I have no idea why you feel entitled to bully, bluster, and demand like this, particularly in what's intended as a bit of fun speculating but never tell me to move on or order me to accept your opinions in my postings, friend.

Anyway, sorry for that guys...Though I stand by my opinions.

Back to the files:

1954: Senator Mc Carthy has outlived his usefulness.

1949 Russians got the bomb, word is with help of British counteragents.

Probably that Kim Philby among them...Never trusted him.

1949 Roundup of Russian party members at Leningrad and other areas. Purge, definitely.

So much for latest attempt on Stalin.

1948 Idiots claiming aliens in spaceships are buzzing around cities. Wonder if we could run a campaign on that?

1946 Asked to assist with campaign to persuade natives to leave their Pacific atolls quietly for Abomb tests. Young Sterling suggests we tell them we're sending them to Heaven. Showed me film of black man's heaven. Watermelons.

Memo: Add Negro businesses to those accounts Mr. Sterling is restricted from in future.

regertz

You're still wrong about Dick Whitman. Your rant about that is only opinion.

Nothing wrong with standing by your opinions. As long as you keep in mind that they're opinions and not fact.

Fact is fact. Opinions are ether.

regertz

Bully, bluster, demand?

I have never ordered you to accept my opinions. I have pointed out that you overlook facts.

Go ahead and have your unfounded opinions. My opinions and facts are based on experience.

regertz

Yawwwwnnnnnn!

wryter1 is now leaving the building.

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