Posted on 03/16/2006 6:37:49 AM PST by Tulsa Ramjet
The honor code is carved into stone at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point:
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
The words express the integrity expected of those who lead our men and women into battle, and they have a purpose: Officers who cannot be trusted have no place in positions of responsibility, not when the consequences of such a character flaw can be death, not when the American people put such confidence in those in uniform.
But somehow, it is hard to square that admirable code of honor with the Army's behavior in the Pat Tillman case. It is not merely individual officers --- from lowly captains to three-star generals --- who apparently failed to tell the truth about what happened to the former NFL star in the hills of Afghanistan. The deception is so broad that it implicates the Army as an institution.
Tillman's story is heartbreaking. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he rejected a $3.6 million contract from the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to enlist, along with his brother, as an Army Ranger. And while his decision drew widespread media attention, Tillman refused all interview requests. To him, it wasn't about the spotlight, it was about doing his duty.
But on April 22, 2004, Tillman was killed while on patrol with his unit near the Pakistan border. Immediately, the Army put out the word that he had died heroically, protecting his fellow soldiers in a firefight.
A week later, Lt. Gen. John Abizaid, the head of U.S. Central Command, told the press that a day earlier he had discussed "that firefight where Pat Tillman lost his life" with Tillman's platoon leader.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
What this reminds me of more than anything is the death of Christa McAuliffe on the space shuttle. So much publicity surrounded her being on the Challenger that it made the whole tragedy far worse when she was killed. After all, she was just a teacher, not a NASA professional. We entrusted her to NASA and they got her killed.
Tillman has a similiar story. This was such a dreary end to a fairy tale that an unusual amount of pressure must have been on the Army to give it a "happy" heroic ending. It just couldn't end any other way. Nothing sounds like incompetence greater than "friendly-fire death." I'm sure that was just intolerable to the Army. I don't support the route they took because it ended up with them looking like screw-ups AND liars. Sad story.
There was also Private Lynch the lady Rambo shooting. The first casualty in war is truth. It's what happens when political chickenhawks control the military.
These are mere assertions by an AJC reporter with no backup. I doubt this is fact.
The Jessica as "Rambo" story came from the media. Not the Pentagon. Rumsfeld was asked several times about the incident. He said we don't know the facts. And has warned reporters many times, to no avail, that first reports are usually wrong.
BTTT
Yep, that sounds like Rumsfeld.
"These are mere assertions by an AJC reporter with no backup."
You may be right. He doesn't cite specifics. We shall see how the fourth investigation pans out.
OK, they lied. So what?
I'm always amazed at how willing some people are to throw ethics out the window, if they think they can get a political gain.
Having lived in Atlanta once upon a time, and reading the AJC due to the fact the NET hadn't come into play like it is today, I can almost guarantee you the AJC is 180 degrees off. I would not put much stock in anything they print.
I think Abizaid was "Leaning Forward" to try and get the award out....not cover it up
Abizaid served in both 1/75 and 2/75 Rangers
Tillman's LT was a cadet at West Point (1st Captain)... while Abizaid was the Commandant of Cadets. Tillman's LTs published account of the incident is brutally honest.
"Tillman's LTs published account of the incident is brutally honest"
Where can I read it?
"Here is Part 2 of the Washington Post Article. You should be able to find Part 1. The SFgate also did the article but I REALLY don't like them...."
A very indepth article. sounds like the army PR wanted something really good to come out of a bad accident. which is what it apparently was. His service was not a waste. Only tragic. There are other Friendly Fire soldiers that also are tragic. New husbands, new fathers, but they weren't high-profile, selfless pro athletes. But their sacrifice is just as poignant. God bless them all.
Blue on Blue sucks .... you are right .... tragic and not a waste. I hope something good comes out of it and may God Bless Them All. RLTW.
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