Pat Tillman and Noam Chomsky

[winterbadger]

http://www.ellispaul.com/index.php?page=comments

An interesting piece. I recall having an argument about Pat Tillman and his motivations with someone back when the news started reporting that Tillman had enlisted. The other person had trouble beleiving that Tillman actually joined up because he felt a duty; he was sure it had to be some big PR stunt. I hope he sees this story.

Comments

[deridere.livejournal.com]

Colour me stupid, but didn't Pat Tillman die in the line of fire?

[winterbadger]

He died on active service, as the result of "friendly fire".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman

http://www.pattillmanfoundation.net/

[deridere.livejournal.com]

Ah, you hoped that the person you had the argument with re: Tillman's reasons for enlisting sees the article.

Got ya.

[winterbadger]

Exactly. My take on it was that Tillman enlisted because, his country having been attacked, he thought it was the right thing to do. He (and, as far as I can tell, a lot of other young men and women who volunteered after 9/11) felt that a military response against Al Qaida was appropriate and justified, only to find their willingness to sacrifice against our real enemies was being twisted and used by the Bush Administration in its "fucking illegal" war against Iraq. Being by then a soldier, Tillman accepted his orders, did his duty, and fought bravely. But he wasn't a stooge for mindless patriotism, and he wasn't in it as a stunt to further his career as a celebrity. He was doing what he thought was right.