Pat Tillman investigation

Afghanistan Forum

Terrible tragedy

I've always hated the saying "friendly fire" - there's really nothing friendly about it

Something tells me this is going to be one of those "investigations" that only get people low on the totem pole. Here's a better question: who was responsible for the false Pat Tillman story placed in the media? Who sought to make Tillman a poster boy? I think if you answer those questions, the other ones will easily be answered.

I hope this doesn't end like the investigation of Abu Ghraib where the real culprits weren't punished.

Well, he was a pro football player and quasi famous, so they may do the investigation right. I think that the site owner, Marc knew him as well.

I remember a thread on it a long long time ago.


Anyhow, something there is bogus, because this is an old story, and it's getting re-investigated.

Well I think some evidence was destroyed, so I think that may be what they're trying to uncover.

What pisses me off about all of this, is the fact that if it were just a regular soldier, who wasn't semi-famous, would this even be something that was investigated?

It's about time that we make the gov't pay for the mistakes that they make.

We could always get rid of the military altogether. That way we wouldn't have any mistakes.

It's not the mistakes that worry me it's the amount that seem to be made.

Have you ever looked to see how many troops die annually from non-combat related incidents?
I am interested to see how they can call this homicide?
To kill one of your own on purpose jeopardises the whole mission. I seriously doubt this was the case.
I can see how Tilman could have been mistaken for a rebel. Especially if they were dressed in local garb which, in many cases happens with Special Forces and getting in front of the squad would deffinatly expose him.

Accidental death by gunfire...hmmmm

Wonder where Cheney was...thought Tillman was a quail.

Accidental death by gunfire sounds a hell of a lot better than "friendly fire."

You are right, USA1, this isn't funny...that's why it should have been investigated a long time ago instead of been swept under a rug.

I am not sure it any of our busness except the family of Tilman. To publicize or politicize this seems wrong.
We are all human and in that fold there are those who commit murder and being in the military doesn't change that. However, I don't think this is the case.
I thin kit is a mistake in identity during a fire fight. What they told his parents is between them. It's not a relfection of our military general practice.

[QUOTE]USA1 said this in post #10 :
[B]Have you ever looked to see how many troops die annually from non-combat related incidents?

Have you looked at the number of friendly fire incident involving US forces compared to other forces? off the top of my head I can think of the unexplicable reason for US forces to shot down two RAF tornadoes, the bombing of 8 Canadians in Afghanistan, the shooting of 9 Iraqi police and 1 Jordanian, the bombing of a a british troop carrier in the Perisan gulf war that resulted in 12 deaths, the bombing of a Kurdish convoy carrying US speacial forces near Mosul, there were the 10 soldiers killed in some sort of confusion during the fianl push to Baghdad, then there was the 1 British soldier who died when an A - 10 dropped a bomb on a UK convoy, 3 americans killed and 20 injured when a B 52 missed it's target, then there was the Hornet that US troops shot down. Thats probably only the tip of iceberg. Friendly fire does indeed happen all I am saying is that it happens more often to the US than other countries take Afghanistan US friendly fire deaths = 48 UK friendly fire deaths = 3

USA1 said this in post #15 :
I am not sure it any of our busness except the family of Tilman. To publicize or politicize this seems wrong.

Wrongful death of Anyone in the military should be publicized. That is what is "wrong."

We are all human and in that fold there are those who commit murder and being in the military doesn't change that. However, I don't think this is the case.

How the frick do you know? Is everyone in the military an angel in your eyes? Just because they have the patch?

I thin kit is a mistake in identity during a fire fight. What they told his parents is between them. It's not a relfection of our military general practice.

You are damn right it is a reflection of "our military general practice!!!"

USA1

So, if this were your son...what would you want?
Would you want the truth from the get go?
Would you want an investigation?

What?

I'm still looking for where this death has been politicized? USA1, you're the only one on here talking about the death being politicized, saying it is doesn't make it so. Aside from the flippant remark about Cheney, this is not being politicized, so take your trash somewhere else unless you're willing to have intelligent discussion.

What's probably bothering you is the fact that Tillman was used as a poster boy for those who have fallen in combat only to find out it's a lie and there is a probable cover up. If you want to whine and complain about politicization, point the finger at the people that tried to make this man a poster boy.

Nothing more, nothing less, let's hope this investigation is fruitful. It's not just another friendly fire incident and you know it.

I really wasn't trying to make a "flippant remark." Nor was I trying to joke in any way form or fashion.

The thing about war is: Politicians order it. The President is the Commander in Chief. Congresspeople (politicians) are supposed to declare it...in times of dire national insecurity.... However.

And my comment was merely pointing to the fact...that these political leaders are just as culpable in this war...even more so than anyone else in the deaths of our boys.