AP: New details on Tillman's death

AP ^ | 26 July 07 | MARTHA MENDOZA, AP National Writer

[leadpenny]

You sound like a woman going through the change in life. Are you taking your meds?

[EveningStar]

There does appear to be a desire in some quarters to link Bush with the coverup.

[alenapaige]

Sorry, I haven’t been in a war but I have friends who are in it and I’m a taxpayer who pays her part of the budget, so forgive me if I’m a little self-righteous when I expect some honor out of my generals. This general deserves more than a demotion for his retarded part in this coverup...OK, I understand in a time of war you want to keep mum on bad news, but when the cover is blown, the gig is up...Baldface lying in the face of revealed facts is a bit shameful, and a retarded tactic to say the elast..

now that we’re done blaming the media and the stupid parents for daring to harass the military, can someone explain how those 3 gunshot wounds got into Pat Tillman’s head? I’m no Army medical examiner, but I’m betting he’s seen a lot more combat woudns than I have, and for him to guess that the shooting must have been 10 yards away...well i can understand why Tillmans parents are on the warpath.

[Shots]

You and a few otters sound like there is a huge conspiracy where there is none. Geesh give me or I should say some of US a break there is no conspiracy it is all in your head and the media put it there.

Now Put on A Chicken Little costume and start Running around shouting the sky is falling the sky is falling.

[swarthyguy]

>>the seven generals are the only ones

If they were dwarfs, the question of snow white’s input would arise.

[91B]

I read that same article. From what we know up till now, it would seem that Tillman’s death was a terrible accident. Too much would have to be contrived for this to be an intentional murder-including Tillman’s own actions.

[leadpenny]

Not being able to pick up on your point, it's best I put my comment in context:

We have been deceived and I’d like to know if the seven generals are the only ones who are part of the deception.

[BurbankKarl]

He got fragged.

Are they going to punish the chick that awarded him the Silver Star?

[alenapaige]

already WAS a conspiracy when a bunch of people tried to cover up the friendly fire incident. Doesn’t take much more to think they would cover a frag. I’m not talking about an assassination plot being handed down by the top brass...if you believe that, you should put on your tin foil hat. Why don’t you use your war experience/knowledge and come up with a reasonable explanation as to how a tight spread of bullets ended up in Tillman’s head, and the military’s report that no other soldiers or gov’t equipment took fire?

[Almondjoy]

It’s very true if you look at the way most people put that into context.

If you are saying one needs to go till the field to help it grow.. of course you have to “help yourself” but that’s not really helping yourself is it.

That’s doing work.. that’s the opposite of lazy.

Helping yourself implys you freely taking what is at your fingertips however you like.

If you think that’s what God wants than you are wrong.

[driftdiver]

“If you are saying one needs to go till the field to help it grow.. of course you have to “help yourself” but that’s not really helping yourself is it.”

Work is good for you. It builds character, homes, cities, and countries.

“If you think that’s what God wants than you are wrong.”

In this context I don’t see it possible that “help yourself’ meant to take something for free. It was in the context of get off your behind and do something. Not, ‘go down to the store and help yourself to anything you want’.

God’s word says he will not reward laziness but will reward those who work.

[Shots]

"Why don’t you use your war experience/knowledge and come up with a reasonable explanation as to how a tight spread of bullets ended up in Tillman’s head, "

I take it you are not familiar with automatic weapons are you? Almost any good quality fully automatic when held properly is capable of leaving that tight a pattern by just giving one short burst. No tin foil hat needed at all

[RedEyeJack]

An unclassified reconstruction (Powerpoint) of the circumstances of Tillman’s death was circulated about two months ago. Having seen numerous such reconstruction briefs this looked authentic. In summary, it said that Tillman was in the lead element of a convoy on dirt roads in mountainous terrain. They had some contact at some point. Afterward a vehicle broke down and was left with a party to secure/repair it. The rest of the convoy including Tillman continued. The vehicle was repaired and followed the convoy at some distance/time. There was no effective radio communications between the elements. Tillman was with a squad that climbed a ridge to clear a building on a ridge above the road. Their movement put them in a position overlooking the road that they had traveled on and on which the follow up element was traveling. I believe the distance was between 100 and 200 meters and the light was not good. The follow on element detected the squad that apparently had a Afgani scout with them (looked like a Taliban to the troops on the road). They opened fire and Tillman was killed in the first burst. It was thought that he “might” have exposed himself as the fire started.

The Army had a public relations bonanza that turned into a public relations nightmare with the incident. They then had an integrity problem when they tried to cover up what happened. Discipline of those responsible for the decisions is appropriate. It can be noted that they had no problem recently going public and punishing Marines newly deployed to Afghanistan who violated the rules of engagement... Maybe it was easier because they were Marines or maybe they learned a lesson.

[leadpenny]

The Army had a public relations bonanza that turned into a public relations nightmare with the incident.

Proof once again that bad news does not get better with age.

Of course I'm referring to the Army image and not the death of Pat Tillman.

A little off topic, but I wonder what Rumsfeld knew? I'll say straight up that I've never been a big fan of his style. But, a couple of months ago retired MG Bacuba (sp?) gave a talk in California about how his investigation of Abu Grabe did him in. He describe a scene in Rumsfeld's office in which it was obvious to MG Bacuba that Rumsfeld knew the details of what went on there at a time when he - Rumsfeld - was publicly saying he was letting the judicial system work.

There is hardly any doubt in this old military mind that Rumsfeld, Meyers, the SecArmy and the Army Chief of Staff knew the details surrounding Pat Tillman's death, and I don't see the retired three star taking the fall unless they have something else on him.

[Almondjoy]

I don’t think you grasp the phrase that “God helps those who help themselves.”

Call it “hijacked”, call it what you want.. but that phrase is used by people who imply you have to go out in the world and take what’s yours.. regardless of who gets in your way.

[driftdiver]

“I don’t think you grasp the phrase that “God helps those who help themselves.””

I think I grasp it just fine.

“Call it “hijacked”, call it what you want.. but that phrase is used by people who imply you have to go out in the world and take what’s yours.. regardless of who gets in your way.”

I think you’ve confused the “help themselves” part with “God Helps...”