I believe it's a bit more than simple bitterness. "Outrageous" makes news and gets face-time on TV. The plain truth has somehow become an unmarketable commodity in our society. For example, on another thread it's discussed that John "I ain't never seen a TV camera I didn't like" McCain's rants about GW is the lead story on all the Alphabet-Soup's newscasts but when he says North Korea is Pee Wee Clinton's biggest failure as President it's like the tree falling in the middle of a forest . . . not seen, not heard, as if it never happened.
Hackworth needs the glow of TV lights to feel important again and he'll say whatever it takes to draw them his way. Like moths are drawn to a solitary light, he knows he has to stand out from the crowd to garner attention.
I find that sad. You're right, he was a good man at one time.