(CBS) Jon Krakauer’s newest book reveals how the Bush administration turned the friendly fire death of Pat Tillman in Afghanistan into a propaganda victory. “Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman” follows the story of Tillman’s life through his death at the hands of his platoon to the smoke and mirrors orchestrated by the Pentagon and White House, reports ABC News and the LA Times.
Krakauer includes passages from Tillman’s diary that show a keen awareness of the propaganda that would follow his death. While on his first mission as an Army Ranger, Tillman was sent to rescue Pvt. Jessica Lynch, a soldier who had been captured by militants in Iraq. Lynch was falsely characterized by the Pentagon as a military hero who had gone down with guns blazing. She later testified that she had not fired a single bullet.
“This mission will be a P.O.W. rescue, a woman named Jessica Lynch,” Tillman wrote. “As awful as I feel for the fear she must face, and admire the courage I’m sure she’s showing, I do believe this to be a big Public Relations stunt. Do not mistake me, I wish everyone in trouble to be rescued, but sending this many folks for a single low ranking soldier screams of media blitz.”
Disgusting.
Disgusting? Yea verily.
Follow the ripple out. It is also ironic that Tilman got served up to continue the same patriotic claptrap that got Tilman to “volunteer” in the first place?
Old men sending young men to their deaths and young men never figuring it out, not in time.
Tilman–just married. Good Career. I wonder why he couldn’t figure out the evidence for justified war was not so strong for him to sacrifice his life. He could have used some of his earning to set up refugee camps/schools/hospitals.
Just not wise enough to do it.
Disgusting, yes. An indictment of our school system, our religious institutions, our government.
Why are we still anywhere overseas?
Disgusting==more than you admit.
Is that a free Tibet patch?
“Boy your ass belongs to Army!”
Is that a free Tibet patch?
Uh no. It is the Arizona state flag.
It’s a Free Tibetans in Arizona patch.
# 2 larry garry
What are you a BUSHNIK?
“Is that a free Tibet patch?”
What difference would that make?
Bush Administration doesn’t=Bush. Unless the politicization came from Bush himself, people need to realize one man didn’t create this. On another front, this is what the Pentagon does regardless of who the president is. It’s sad that some, because of political reasons, want to blame one man because they disagree with his views. But that’s the stupidity of Americans today. They think the President is a King and can do anything he wants. While some Presidents think they are Kings, there are checks and balances that stop them from doing so.
Trying to score points using a man’s death without regard to the pain it may cause his family?
The real heroes don’t get profiled if they’re not attractive.
Pfc. Lori Piestewa was in the firefight and emptied her rifle clips before getting shot dead by iraqi forces, while Lynch was unable to fight because of two broken legs suffered in the initial accident.
The problem was….Piestewa was not so pretty, not so white, not so thin. (Chubby, Native American), so neither the Pentagon nor the Radical Right made her into a propaganda martyr for public consumption.
#1 Bobbo
An army of young men fighting is far superior to an army of old men fighting. That is the way war is conducted — regardless of geopolitical issues or moral arguments. Or at least that is the way it has been done throughout history. Perhaps we are do for a paradigm shift in the conduct of warfare?
I never met Tillman or anyone from his unit, thus I would be remiss in my thinking to suggest that he signed up because of military marketing slogans. Of course, I have not read the book yet either so I might be making a grievous error in judgment.
#8 Rick Cain
The truth is: most civilians do not want to know what war is actually like. Its easier to think its our heroes vs their villains. And that justice and good prevails.
Politicians like to pretend they have an intimate understanding of war, but I would suggest that few modern leaders have any clue.
The current batch reminds me of the king of Wu in the story of Sun Tzu and the concubines:
“The king likes only empty words and is not capable of putting them into practice.”
I wonder how much play this book is going to receive via the talking heads?
>> The Warden said,
>> Bush Administration doesn’t=Bush. Unless the politicization came from Bush himself, people need to realize one man didn’t create this
Bush had the power to set the record straight and he didn’t do it.
It’s beyond-doubt that the Bush administration used 911, the wars and the war-on-terror for their own political gain. It was shameless, cynical and relentless.
That’s doesn’t happen unless the President OK’s it.
#9–wumpus==hah, hah. Especially in this modern age, even the average American will learn war is BS before they lose any significant physical skills.
My friend and I had a laugh about this last week–imagining being back in basic training. “You want me to do what?”–Go f*&k yourself. err, Sir.” And we understood why old men aren’t drafted.
So, back it up a notch then. Its why we don’t have a draft because then the sons, now daughters, of our leaders would have to go and that hits my meaning. People with no skin in the game are quick to send others to their deaths. Or be prevented from having abortions, or being locked up for drug charges===ITS ALL HYPOCRISY. In Tilmans case, just wrapped in patriotism.
If you don’t need a job, I think there is something “off” in your mental world/humanitarian view if you think killing strangers is a way to resolve century old issues. And Tilman was one such guy. He had one or two screws loose. Thinking he didn’t reveals the same loose nuts.
I was opposed to invading Afghanistan way back then but guys like Tillman clearly disagreed. Everything I’ve learned about him indicates he was a thoughtful, courageous warrior, driven to consistently do the right thing.
Anyone finding fault with the proven facts about this guy’s intelligence or character must have their head unscrewed a bit.
#12–Hey Steve==I welcome your disagreement. We both agree on “the image” of Tilman.
Why did he go to war? Could he have done more “good” by using the money he could have made to directly help the Afghan’s or even to directly help returning veterans?
If War is the “last response” for Nations, shouldn’t it be even more so for the warriors????
Tilman had no better idea than to treat war like a football game.
Bobbo:
Cripes can you imagine going through basic at 40+!!?? The age limit is now 42 for the Army. I could see maybe going in as a warrant or direct commission health professional. But to go in as an E1-E4 — crazy! If may ask, what was your mos?
I agree about those without skin in the game making decisions with board game pieces (soldiers) — hence my comment about the king of Wu.
I wouldn’t say war is BS. It is something much worse, however; it remains a tool of statecraft — whether positive or negative.
I agree that war never resolves long standing grudges — unless the populace is completely destroyed i.e. Carthage. Yet, it has historically *settled* scores and had a huge impact on the outcome of civilizations.
Perhaps the issue nowadays is that populace is too diverse and the leaders are perceived as being less than *Gods* (divine right of kings); thus the citizenry is not as interested in being the fist of empire.
The crack about football being seen as a microcosm for war is right on. Think about how often war is compared to things such as business, sports, politics etc… silliness.
I am still curious to see what the talking heads will make of this. It should make for some rather interesting grandstanding.
“It is well that war is so terrible – otherwise we would grow too fond of it.” R.E. Lee 1862
I don’t know if they are still in print but H.H. Turney-High’s
“The Military: The Theory of Land Warfare As Behavioral Science” and “Primitive War” are recommended reads.
#14–wumpus==I’m actually looking for a good argument, it is therefore surprising how much comfort I find in your agreement.
We are all part herd, part rogue, animals. Good to have both parts stroked every now and then.
As I post here regularly, I have taken pains not to give personal details as they only provoke red herrings. But if you peruse here long enough, my history is not too hard to perceive.
You don’t have to have been in the military to know its horrors and to know it is to be avoided like the plague.
I would really love to “counsel” anyone planning on volunteering. Wars are evil. They proceed only on misplaced values. Self Defense is a different matter entirely.
Now===pick something we disagree on.
#15
Didn’t know you wanted an argument. Perhaps we could argue about the relative merits of the different branches: Army vs Navy etc?
Or, old fashioned vs raised donuts?
Perhaps I will be more disagreeable on a future topic — I’m still relatively new (sporadic postings).
Gee, you are a newbie. Blog = Argue. If that is not your interest, what would it be? For knowledge and exposure to new ideas, you simply read. You certainly don’t think you have something valuable to share do you? Oh, my dear Alfie!!! ((joke!!)) At worst, you will get insulted and leave. At best, you will get a few ideas and develop a better sense, more specific, sense of humor.
Well, there is that old joke that pretty much reveals me: I will only paraphrase:
When it comes to moving appropriations thru the Congress:
The Army is Stupid
The Navy Lies
And the Air Force is Sneaky.
No false arguing. You actually have to agree with what you post at and above 30% confidence. You can argue out your ass by labeling it “a quibble” but by definition those aren’t as much fun.
No two honest people agree on everything. Something will turn up.
#17
I found something to disagree on!
True one should read for new ideas, or at least refurbished ideas. However, there are some blogs or discussion forums that allow for exchange of cogent ideas — whether amateur or otherwise. Given enough time I can usually find something to argue about; however, I do not consider myself quick of wit. Rather, I plod along until something strikes me as peculiar.
Crap, I think I just proved your point (blog==argue)by semi-arguing.
There is always tomorrow.
“Off we go, into the wild blue yonder”
#18–wumpus==you have to DISAGREE with me in SUBSTANCE to have an argument. Not merely say the words but basically agree or make quibbles.
Of course some other blogs have better exchanges of ideas than does DU. THEY are not U. ((Uncensored that is, with DU being Dvorak Uncensored, your host)). That said, there is of course good exchanges of ideas on DU but also lots of arguing. Can’t have learning experiences without it.
Blogs are perfect for the slower wit. Better to be slow and considered than pop off nonsensically. Sadly, you can’t edit what you Post on DU. I would look twice as smart if I could edit most of what I post. Distressing Really what my fingers choose to type while I’m thinking of something else.
It does sadden me that very few discussion go past one day. The blog entry is still there ready to continue as long as anyone is interested, but uniformly, no one is. I really don’t get that. Doesn’t speak well of bloggers, IMO.
Conversely, you get jag-offs that relentless hound other people. Like me and LIEBERTARIAN. His refusal to respond only eggs me on==just the opposite reaction he wants. Hah, hah.
Perversity is good in the morning. Wears off by evening.
What blogs do you read? ((I read Huff Post but do not respond there==no meaningful exchanges and it is Censored. A few other sites hobby related.))