This post begins with the fractal image called Stained Glass 57, (It is one of a series of images created from an equation that creates images that look like stained glass.) I picked this one because of the cross motif and somber monochromatic colors. It just seemed to fit the subject matter. Ah well, on with the post . . .
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If you don’t know Pat Tillman’s story you should: the aftermath of 9-11 inspired him to give up a promising career in the National Football League and join the United States Army and train as an Army Ranger, He was eventually posted to Afghanistan where he was killed in April 2004. It was a pretty big story for a while--that grew even sadder when it was revealed that Tillman had been killed by “friendly” fire.
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The wheels of justice turn slowly so it took the Military almost two years to investigate the incident. On March 26 John Cochran reported on ABC News.com that the Pentagon had determined “no crime” was committed although errors were made. Here are some relevant quotes form the article. “. . . a three-star general is among those accused of mishandling the information released about the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman, who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in April 2004 . . .. Monday afternoon (March 24) officials said there was no criminal wrongdoing by the Army Ranger who'd fired the fatal shots . . . (Tillman's) death appears to have been a classic case of accidental death caused by the "fog of war." It took four investigations to come to . . . the final conclusions. Defense Department officials admitted the first three investigations were flawed. “
The wheels of justice turn slowly so it took the Military almost two years to investigate the incident. On March 26 John Cochran reported on ABC News.com that the Pentagon had determined “no crime” was committed although errors were made. Here are some relevant quotes form the article. “. . . a three-star general is among those accused of mishandling the information released about the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman, who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in April 2004 . . .. Monday afternoon (March 24) officials said there was no criminal wrongdoing by the Army Ranger who'd fired the fatal shots . . . (Tillman's) death appears to have been a classic case of accidental death caused by the "fog of war." It took four investigations to come to . . . the final conclusions. Defense Department officials admitted the first three investigations were flawed. “
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Continuing quotes from the article: “the men . . . knew he'd been killed by friendly fire. A number of high-ranking officers at least had a strong indication . . . Iit took five weeks before Tillman's family and the rest of the nation were told the truth. The report names nine army officers responsible for that mistake, including four generals.”
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Continuing quotes from the article: “the men . . . knew he'd been killed by friendly fire. A number of high-ranking officers at least had a strong indication . . . Iit took five weeks before Tillman's family and the rest of the nation were told the truth. The report names nine army officers responsible for that mistake, including four generals.”
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Quoting further: “we were told to keep our mouths shut," said Sgt. Jason Parsons . . . The truth came out only after a nationally televised memorial service in May 2004, where Tillman was awarded the Silver Star. The Army said commanders wanted to complete their investigation before telling the Tillmans. "The largest issue here is one of candor with the public," said Eugene Fidell, president of the National Institute of Military Justice. "This is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident."
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NOTE: the above text was edited for space reasons. You can check out the entire article here. http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2982976&page=1
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Was it a cover up? I dunno--but for me the answer seems to be “yes.” Too many aspects of this story just don't jive and that makes me feel uncomfortable. Still, my feelings are irrelevant in this particular issue. Situations like this happen all the time in wartime and accidents do happen. That being said, I find some parts of the story particularly disturbing. Those involved being told to “keep (their) mouths shut” by superior officers, the burning of the uniform and other things make me wonder why those involved felt the need to behave the way they did.
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Would this have even happened had Pat Tillman not been something of a celebrity? Was there a concerted attempt to mislead the public? Was this an attempt to “manufacture” a hero for a "war" that was already growing unpopular with the average American or was this just a colossal mistake all around? The only people who really know are those directly involved and I doubt they will be coming forward with the truth any time soon.
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This is what inspired me to write this post: KTLA “talking head” Carlos Amescua suggested that Tillman’s death was covered up to “protect Tillman’s family.” Never having been a parent I can’t speak with any authority but I truly believe I’d want to know the truth about how my loved-one died. I wouldn’t want someone sugar coating (i.e. lying to me) the news to "spare my feelings". Even the suggestion that the news was covered up to protect the family completely offends me.
This is what inspired me to write this post: KTLA “talking head” Carlos Amescua suggested that Tillman’s death was covered up to “protect Tillman’s family.” Never having been a parent I can’t speak with any authority but I truly believe I’d want to know the truth about how my loved-one died. I wouldn’t want someone sugar coating (i.e. lying to me) the news to "spare my feelings". Even the suggestion that the news was covered up to protect the family completely offends me.
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As an opponent of the Iraq war maybe I’m not the best person to be commenting on this story. My biases are pretty much out there for everyone to see. I believe situations like this needs to be part of our national dialog. It doesn’t matter whether you are for or against the war the sacrifices of the men and women fighting it should never be minimized and their service should be recognized and respected by everyone. That being said, the military leadership (and indeed the leadership of this country) owes a duty to the American People to be as honest and forthcoming as possible and to be called to account when they aren’t being truthful. Sadly, I fear that in this case that simply won’t happen: a few individuals will be "scapegoated" and the major playerw will walk away unscathed. That thought makes it just that much harder for the average American like me to trust our leaders in the future.
As an opponent of the Iraq war maybe I’m not the best person to be commenting on this story. My biases are pretty much out there for everyone to see. I believe situations like this needs to be part of our national dialog. It doesn’t matter whether you are for or against the war the sacrifices of the men and women fighting it should never be minimized and their service should be recognized and respected by everyone. That being said, the military leadership (and indeed the leadership of this country) owes a duty to the American People to be as honest and forthcoming as possible and to be called to account when they aren’t being truthful. Sadly, I fear that in this case that simply won’t happen: a few individuals will be "scapegoated" and the major playerw will walk away unscathed. That thought makes it just that much harder for the average American like me to trust our leaders in the future.
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