Posted on 04/24/2007 10:52:18 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
That's what I'm asking. As I recall they didn't say much of anything about details. All they said was basically "killed in action in Afghanistan". That statement is not false. They did investigate, and they announced the result of the investigation.
OK... so what else were they supposed to do? Make statements denouncing Tillman as "no hero"? That would be rediculous, and untrue.
Pat Tillman was a hero. If forsaking an unusually lucrative career and joining the Army to fight an enemy that attacked his country isn't a HUGE inspiration to the kids of this nation... then nothing is. He chose to risk his life when he did not have to. He lost his life doing it.
Friendly fire is just as much a part of combat as enemy fire. It's unfortunate and you try to minimize it but it *will* happen. It's doubly unfortunate that Pat's brother can't see that. I don't deny him his pain and loss. But I think he does no service to his brother and his comrades by spouting out all this nonsense.
No problem.
Waxman's investigation is not seeking to get at the Truth. They are seeking to put the worst possible face on this incident that the facts will allow. Frankly, I don't have a hard time believing that General McChrystal's memo to Gen. Abizaid had not been seen by the President (White House) just 2 days later. I'd have been amazed if they had.
BTW, when is Jessica Lynch giving her Silver Star back?
>>>Either his brother needs to be educated regarding combat (including,unfortunately,the fact that “friendly fire” incidents *do* happen) or else he needs to be bi*chslapped for being a worthless punk.
Kevin Tillman joined the Army with his brother Pat in 2002. He was in a convoy behind his brother when the incident happened, but didn’t see it.
Well said. I think that’s pretty much my own take on the situation.
I still see no sign of a sinister reason for the so called “Cover up”. In this instance I think it was more “Cover Your A—” with the Army officials who didn’t immediately admit the incident may have been friendly fire. But really, how much actual damage did the “Cover Up” do to anyone, including the family? Pat was killed heroically defending his country. His actions are not diminished by the fact Friendly Fire was involved. What does the family hope to accomplish? It was obviously not the Military Brass’ finest hour, but who’s to say they may not have been encouraged to be less than candid to enhance Pat Tillman’s honor?
What would that be, Senator? Any idea?
I was in the car at 1:00 EDT and heard the Fox radio news supplied to the station. They said his brother was saying that the Army knew he was fragged and lied to the family about how the death occurred. Fox said his brother knew that it was not the first time that his fellow Rangers had tried to take him out!!!! As soon as I got home, I started looking at articles about the brother's testimony before the Committee and I see nothing like that, so apparently, the brother is the source of the rumors, but not willing to say that under oath.
The traditional approach to friendly fire and accidents has been to tell the family a white lie to the effect that their loved one died heroically in combat. These days, some people call that a cover-up. I guess in the future, Congress will put up a law requiring the Army to tell parents that an M1 made a meat pie out of their son. There’s no two ways about it - Pat Tillman’s kin are a bunch of narcissists who can’t see the truth staring them in the face.
See my remarks in Post 67....I just can’t agree that this ranks as any major coverup. To what purpose?
Side Question: Was Kevin Tillman discharged early? If so, why?
OTOH, it’s best to keep your head down and re-establish radio contact if you know your own people are firing on you. Standing on top of a hill and yelling is ineffective. It’s a sad situation for all involved.
The story just does not add up. One week after Tillman’s death, the Army awarded him a posthumous Silver Star for gallantry in action.
I have never heard of the Silver Star go to a FF victim. One week after the incident does not give enough time to give the review required for the awarding of the Silver Star.
Actually I don’t know the purpose....seems pretty simple to me.....but then why was the Ranger that was with him ordered NOT to tell the family the truth (see current front page thread), why did they burn his uniform, clothes and even personnal armor?....Why did a recent report say there were big problems with the reporting?....don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is any criminal wrong doing here, just seems strange about all these little things adding up to something more....IMO, I’d rather be told my family member was killed by FF instead of something else
BINGO!
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Since you applauding a call for dishonesty I guess you feel that we can't handle the truth.
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You do of course know that the worthless punk you want to bitch slap was also a Ranger with two combat tours, don't you?
The truth was told. But now the Marxist Media, seditious Democrats, and the Tillman family are giving aid and comfort to the enemy by turning this into a media extravaganza.
This is like the Abu Graib story. In Abu Graib a wrong was committed. It was dealt with appropriately by the military. But the NYTIMES ran 32 FRONT PAGE STORIES IN A ROW in order to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
A LOT of smoke from the DBM and Democrats today.
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