‘Somehow, nobody is accountable for this’

October 23, 2006

Someone new for the GOP to swiftboat?

The brother of an NFL player who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan after quitting his team to join the Army Rangers has spoken out.

Kevin Tillman, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with his older brother, Pat, has been silent since his brother died in 2004. But last week, he wrote a scathing indictment of the war in Iraq, the Bush administration and American apathy.

“Somehow, the more soldiers that die, the more legitimate the illegal invasion becomes,” Kevin wrote on Truthdig.com, an online magazine that bought his work.

The brothers, Arizona State University graduates, joined the Army in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. They served as Rangers with the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Pat Tillman, of course, is the former NFL star who left football to join the Army, but was killed in a friendly-fire incident that was allegedly covered up by the military. Kevin Tillman has said very little about the war and his brother’s death, but appears to be unable to contain his frustration.

“Somehow, the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country,” Tillman said. “Somehow, this is tolerated. Somehow, nobody is accountable for this.”

Go ahead, Rove, Mehlman, & Co., question this man’s service. Call him schoolyard names. Sully his patriotism. Carelessly throw around words like “weak” and “coward.”

Spencer Ackerman seems to believe it’s almost inevitable.

Let’s ask the obvious question before the right wing does. In fact, let’s do their work for them. What did Kevin Tillman really do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Did he earn the respect of his colleagues in arms? Or did he behave dishonorably, disgracing the uniform he wore? Why won’t the craven liberal media ask those questions?

It should be clear that Kevin Tillman, like his brother, is an American hero. Like many other American heroes, he has grown angry over being asked to sacrifice for a vicious, empty lie. Now he’s decided he can’t stay silent about it while his brothers and sisters are also asked to die for the void of dishonesty and destruction that claimed Pat’s life. Let the right wing come after Kevin, as well as his brothers and sisters in uniform. They’ve faced much stronger foes than the sniveling cowards who handed out purple band-aids during the 2004 GOP Convention, and they’re still standing. They’re not afraid. We shouldn’t be, either.

Well said.

was allegedly covered up by the military

I’ve seen evidence that they tried to cover it up. Is there any evidence that they didn’t(a memo/report that says, “get the info out”)? I just think this is an overly-polite use of “allegedly.”

  • I wish the GOP would have a sense of humor about these things. Try an attack like, “He played for the Cardinals. ’nuff said.”

  • “Somehow, nobody is accountable for this.” – Kevin Tillman

    The accountability moment was November 2004, remember. Pat died before that. Now if Kevin had shared…

    I don’t know. I don’t believe “supporting the troops” means proping them up to be targets in a civil war we shouldn’t be in the middle of, but on the other hand, the U.S. Military votes so overwhelmingly Republican’t (including at least two of my three ex-service brothers) that I have a hard time feeling for them when Randy Cunningham forces useless anti-IED systems on the Army or the Republican’t Congress cuts $18,000,000 from brain-damage research for wounded veterans. If these guys didn’t have the wits drained out of them by academies, service schools and training they might still make good citizens. As it is, I’m with Heinlein in his suggestion that active duty service members should not be allowed to vote.

    All that said, yes, the Rovians will start attacking in three, two, one…

  • Like all the retired generals and retired CIA agents Tillman is just bitter an jealous. If Colin Powell bought 30 minutes in prime time on all three networks and railed against everything Bush has done they would call him a “cut and runner.” They have no shame. They have no problem slandering real heros while proping up false ones to forward their end game. If you think I am wrong, go ask Max Cleland.

  • I think the ReThuglican party will either ignore him or vomit out an empty homily about how much it respects both Tillman brothers…

    Ah who am I kidding? Lance is right, they’re working on “Kevin Tillman is a cross-dressing goat shagger,” ads as I type.

    Looks like Shrub is getting closer and closer to the point where Laura and Barney are the only ones who support him.

  • I just think this is an overly-polite use of “allegedly.”

    Yeah, you’re probably right.

  • I think Kevin Tillman’s statement is important because he articulates what a majority of Americans were feeling before his statement — that we’ve been manipulated under the pretense of patriotism. Certainly, the Tillman brothers answered the call in a way that few others have, but many who believed the President feel similarly betrayed. I’m sure the Right will crank up their character assassintation machine, but I don’t think it’ll work. To attack the Tillman brothers now is to attack a majority of Americans.

  • appears to be unable to contain his frustration

    It’s more like cork in the bottle of liquid rage has been let loose. He waited until he was out of the Army and his obligation had been met before he wrote the letter. He is no longer bound by Army regulations as to what he is allowed to publish, say in an interview, etc.

  • A redstate.com editor’s reaction to Tillman here. (their server was down last I checked so you may not be able to see it).

  • “A redstate.com editor’s reaction to Tillman here.” – Ugh

    Scary. Especially the assertion that being anti-Rumsfeld and Boy George II is being Anti-American. People with no prespective at all.

  • I had the opportunity today to discuss “Mr. Bush’s War” with a nineteen-year old who lives just down the road from us. He “was” going to enlist in the Army—and now, he doesn’t want to any more.

    That’s one less piece of fodder for “Mr. Bush’s Altar to his War God.”

    Given the opportunity, I will do the same thing tomorrow—and the next day—and the next—until the Infernal Regions themselves freeze over, if that is what it takes.

    Talk is cheap, people. Talk is obscenely cheap. The only way to end this maniacal war is to shut off the flow of “fodder” at its source: the recruiting stations. Talk to people at your neighborhood high schools who feel as you do. Go behind the hierarchy’s back, and talk to these kids. Teach them the things that “Mr. Bush” does not want them taught—things that negate the common denominator of the Sheeple, and re-empower the greater voice of the People.

    And total damnation on the right-wing blogosphere if they don’t like it. This is one thing that they cannot counteract. This is one thing that “Mr. Bush” cannot counteract. And, it is one thing that will work.

    Shut this war down….

  • Lance, I think Kevin Tillman would’ve been barred by military regulations from commenting on this before the 2004 election if he was an active member of the armed forces at the time.

  • These spineless, arrogant Republican bastards would swiftboat Alvin York and Audie Murphy. As low-life as they are, we’ll be on-track to get something even worse, if the Democrats lose the mid-terms. I don’t think there will be a functional party left for ’08 if this chance is blown.

  • “Lance, I think Kevin Tillman would’ve been barred by military regulations from commenting on this before the 2004 election if he was an active member of the armed forces at the time.” – Chris

    Always a fact. Still, truth can get out, if you just talk to the right people right before THEY retire. There were plenty of military people who could have spoken up in 2004 in time to support the Kerry campaign. Though I suppose a lot did.

    Still, it makes one weep.

    • Comments are closed.