Notes from Evil Bender

Here’s the story, in case you’ve been living in a cave or, like the President, not reading newspapers:

1. After 9/11, a patriotic citizen is among many who volunteer to serve their country in the military.
2. Because this particular recruit is a rich, famous athlete, this gets a lot of attention.
3. The athlete is killed in action.
4. The military says he is killed by bad guys.
5. He was actually killed by friendly fire.
6. The military continues to lie, change their story, and manipulate the public, all while using the athlete’s death as a recruitment tool, and as a means of selling an unjustified war.
7. The hero’s family asks for answers, and is consistently and systematically lied to.

You’re no doubt aware I’m talking about the sad case of Pat Tillman. Tillman was, as the title of this post suggests, a Big Goddamn Hero, as is every man and woman who puts themselves at risk to protect the lives of others. As a soldier, as a man who gave his life fighting for his country, he deserves better than the lies the military has offered. Like all soldiers killed in action, he deserves to be treated with great respect. More than anything, he deserves to have his memory honored, not polluted with lies designed to advance an agenda he did not agree with. Tillman’s mother has repeatedly said that he was opposed to the war in Iraq and thought it illegal.

I’m trying to be calm about this, to be rational. I want to make it clear that Tillman died a hero, just as everyone who fights to protect others. I also know that if the military is lying about his death, they’re no doubt abusing the memory of other soldiers as well. There can still be good from all this: if Pat Tillman’s high profile results in real change in the military, if it will make it impossible for four generals to know about the real reason for a soldier’s death and to cover it up, then that will be a start.

We must honor the memory of those who die to save others. The lying has to stop. It is beyond an injustice, and it makes me sick to my stomach.

I encourage those who blog to reinforce this point with me. It is not a political issue, it is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of respect for those who are KIA, and we must make sure that is echoed loud and long.  If you agree with me on this, I’d urge you to mention it on your blog, and/or leave a comment here. We need to create a stir about this the bloggosphere has about so many other important issues.

It’s time for the lies to stop.