Like the bulls in Pamplona, Americans need to be better aware of the idiots that are running...through the corridors of the White House and the Pentagon.
A young man named Patrick Tillman Jr, who graduated college in 3 1/2 years with a 3.8 GPA, while excelling as a scholarship linebacker was drafted into the NFL as the 227th pick of the Arizona Cardinals. While there he turned down a multi million dollar offer from another team due to his loyalty to his team. After completing the fifteen remaining games of the 2001/02 season which followed the attacks of September 11 and turning down a multi million dollar offer from the Cardinals, Patrick, along with brother Kevin (who gave up a chance to play pro baseball) joined the US Army where they were deployed as part of the invasion of Iraq. Upon return from Iraq, Patrick was deployed to Afghanistan where he, very sadly, lost his life in April, 2004 at age 27. At first glance, a horrific tragedy that such potential was wasted. The Army initially claimed that Patrick Tillman and his unit were attacked in an ambush. Then the Army claimed that Patrick's death was due to "friendly fire" during the ambush. Then the Army (finally!) owned up that there was no hostile ambush, that due to some confusion, allied forces actually fired on each other. I'm sure that this happens in war. Initially, Patrick's family was given his medals and a detailed story of the hostile ambush - which was contrived. They were not informed that Patrick was killed by friendly fire until weeks after his memorial service, although some senior Army officers knew of that fact prior to the service. While continuing with the deceptions, the Army used Patrick's story in their recruitment of other young men and women.
However, the lies and deceptions haven't quite ended.
Today, citing "executive branch confidentiality interests” in refusing to provide documents to the Congressional investigation, the White House and the Pentagon continue the bullshit that has forced many of us to look for higher boots to be able to wade through this mess. Patrick's family have said they believe the erroneous information peddled by the Pentagon was part of a deliberate cover-up that may have reached all the way to President Bush and then-Secretary of Defense Donald H. (for hideous) Rumsfeld.
Patrick's selfless acts and shining examples drastically contrasts the cowards in Washington who's deceptions and malicious behavior need to be known.
Patrick Tillman Jr has shown all of us what it means to be an American. My condolences to his family for their loss and for the never ending nightmare they continue to be forced to endure.
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