Tucker Carlson Defends Lies to Tillman Family

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Tucker Carlson Defends Lies to Tillman Family

Media Matters

Tucker Carlson says he understands the Pentagon’s lies to the Tillman family because, as he puts it: “Telling the truth is really hard.”

Video & Transcript

Media Matters:

On the October 23 edition of MSNBC’s Tucker, host Tucker Carlson repeatedly attempted to justify the Pentagon’s decision, in Carlson’s words, to “lie” to the family of former pro football player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman about how Tillman died. Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, but the Defense Department strongly suggested that Tillman had been killed by enemy fire, stating only that he died in combat “when his patrol vehicle came under attack.” Carlson said that he “understand[s]” “the lie” because “[t]elling the truth actually is difficult. Look, let me speak on behalf of anyone who has ever told a lie. Telling the truth is really hard.”

In a discussion about a column criticizing the U.S. government by Tillman’s brother, Army Ranger Kevin Tillman, New York radio host Sam Greenfield said the government “hid” the cause of Pat Tillman’s death and “that stinks so bad, someone’s soul should implode.” In response to Greenfield’s criticism of the government, Carlson said: “[L]et’s be honest. That’s a tough thing, I think, for anybody to want to tell the parents of a fallen soldier.” Moments later, he added: “[L]ooking in the face of parents and saying, ‘Actually, your son wasn’t killed by the Taliban, he was killed by his fellow soldiers,’ you know, I must say—I’m not defending the lie. I’m merely saying I understand it.”

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TAGS: carlson fire friendly lie pat pentagon tillman tucker

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By Rosie, April 24, 2007 at 10:33 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Pathetic. If these leaders find the truth too hard to tell, then what on earth are they doing as leaders? If they don’t have the courage to tell the truth, why does anyone believe they have the courage to fight a good and just war. Throw the cowards out.

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By Loretta Rosa, February 7, 2007 at 4:31 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Tucker Carlson is a “IDIOT”
Tho only one I watch on MSNBC
is Keith Oldermann

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By "criminal behavior", October 28, 2006 at 12:52 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

To lie to a family over a soldiers death is:

“criminal behavior”

total neglect of the family

and to have this go ON and ON and

ON…....Jail ALL who participated in the lies,

literally!

Tucker depicts reckless behavior and I don’t

watch him! Great lesson to teach kids Tucker.

Yet again, more lies from the lying Military,
Concerned Mother

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By Jon B, October 26, 2006 at 4:31 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Pat Tillman was not drafted. He quitted a lucrative football career to be a volunteer in military. He deserves better than lies. Tillman Sr. raised his children well and their family deserves an honest answer, not lies.

I have no idea how Carlson Sr raised his Tucker who prefer lies than truth. This nation needs a lot of Pat Tillman and certainly can do without Tucker Carlson.

What a worthless, soulless and heartless SOB.

Punt intended.

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By Nancy Hatfield, October 26, 2006 at 12:09 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Tucker, you should know how hard it is to tell the truth. You’ve been spinning lies out of truth for so long now, you wouldn’t know the truth if you fell over it. Oh, I guess you have fallen over it—many, many times, and just ignored it.

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By H.S. Fasano, October 26, 2006 at 11:33 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

What an ass Tucker Carlson is!! Why, why,why would MSNBC give this clown a show? Does anyone watch? I change channel the very moment he comes on.

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By dino i, October 26, 2006 at 11:18 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

—Has moral relativism now become a requirement for membership in the conservative community?—

Hasn’t it always been?

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By beijair, October 26, 2006 at 9:12 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

just another clown like the other media clowns that support bush and republicans. no matter if it is torture, killing, war, spying on america, destruction of constitution or bill of rights or just a simple lie about everything. i wonder how the republicans manage to pay these idiots and if they think people actually believe that S#@t

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By Lisa, October 26, 2006 at 8:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

It’s Hard Work!

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By bryan, October 26, 2006 at 7:42 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

What can you say…Tucker rhymes with _ _ _ _ er.

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By stan, October 26, 2006 at 6:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Hey Tucker,

So very much to talk about, whu “understand” a lie about the death of a soldier. You cvan do better.

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By kevin99999, October 26, 2006 at 6:24 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

This moron has been dispensing GOP talking points unabashedly with and without bow ties. Day after day, he twists facts and reason to fit the GOP agenda. I wonder if his salary is being paid by the GOP.

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