This is THE most powerful tribute to Pat Tillman and indictment of the corruption of george w bush and his “policies” that I have read to date. (I refuse to capitalize his name)

I just sent this letter to bush, both AZ Senators and Congressman.

I urge everyone to do the same!

Thank you Kevin and, especially, Pat.

Dear Kevin , “MY HEART BREAKS FOR YOU,YOUR FAMILY and all the other heroes of war.
I want to thank you for speaking out and being so brutally honest about war and what you have personally felt and witnessed. I can’t even begin to imagine. I am 50 y/o , I raised three boys. Now 22,25 & 29. No, they did not join the service but as a mother I still hold my breath at least once a day. Being in the nursing field before my work injury I was on code team. I have seen alot of just about everyhting. After you see death as we have the agonizing pain in our hearts will linger our lifetime. Losing a son, a brother, dad, or a mother, a sister , a daughter as you have .. I am speechless ! Kevin , your family and all of those suffering in the world will be in my prayers everyday.
You are the messenger,just the angel I needed to hear from. I live with chronic pain 24 hours a day but I will think twice before I whine ever again. I will also think twice again on PAT’S BIRTHDAY and “THE DAY AFTER” election day. You have made a difference. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OPENING MY EYES TO MORE CORRUPTION.

I love my country and what it once meant to be an American.

I proudly served my country as a member of it’s Armed Forces and retired honorably.

I knew from the first day that the rhetoric started about Iraq that declaring war was a mistake.

I’m so ashamed by the actions of our elected leaders and honestly have no idea why this country has chosen this course.

Mr Tillman your words made me cry, not only for the loss of your brother but also for the loss of this country’s morals and ideals.

I don’t believe in a higher power, I believe that as inteliigent individuals we control our destiny by our decisions and our humanity.

Our leadership is making implausible decisions and appears to have no humanity.

My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies go to not only you and yours but to all soldiers who have been forced to give their lives for damnable reasons.....

Kevin Thanks for that. I have always been an ASU football fan, and I loved the way your brother played.

I want you to know served in Viet Nam ( so you can guess how old I must be),and I know what you must be going through.

I could not agree with you more.

I was okay with our troops going into Afghanistan after 9/11 because Osama Binlaudin claimed responsibility for that tradgety, however I was completely against going into Iraq. I think it has been one of this countrys biggest mistakes yet.

I also think Goerge Bush is the worst president this country has ever had, and he is completely surronded by idiots that have nothing but their own selfish intrests at stake.

I hope you understand how much the American people care and love the troops and the sacrifices they are making for the stupid politicians who are ordering them to do what they do.

I pray for you and your family, and I pray that the politicians will bring the troops home soon.

About 15 years ago Ted Koppel, former host of ABC’s Nightline, famously said at an annual meeting of the Radio and Television News Directors Association that schools of journalism should be abolished. In US schools they learn nothing about history, politics, religions, psychology, law, science, business, finance, monetary policy, etc. He said that the students do learn to speak and write, but not their employers’ way, so they have to reteach those empty heads to speak and write after they leave school.  So what’s the use of schools of journalism?

And what does this have to do with brothers Tillman?

Apologies to Kevin, but the majority of the commenters to his article have absorbed their “facts” by reporters who do not have the experience to write reasoned, unemotional, analyses of the situation in Iraq, instead relying on gaining readers through encouragement of outrage or fear.

Read the calmly-stated philosophies of the dissenting commenters, and compare them to the angry, emotional, bombasts of those who would go rioting in the streets in support of Kevin’s statements.

Street protests do nothing but provide cannon fodder for the ignorant journalists. There is something better you can do to control the course of country you live in.

We still have a government “of the people”.  If you understood what that means, you would know that it is your civic duty to participate in government as the best way to influence government. 

That means for example, becoming a precinct committeman for your choice of political party, and working your neighborhood by calling on every resident and discussing with them the concerns that each has for directions of the country. 

You must gain their confidence, and then they will ask your advice about whom to vote for in the primary elections.  Of course you should get a few of your friends to do the same in their neighborhoods. 

And soon you find you and your friends will have some power over to whom your political party chooses to give the most support in the primaries.

Then when the general election comes, and you have influenced the selection of your party’s candidate, you can give qualified support for your candidate. And if there are enough like you who do this for the good of society instead of for your personal gain, you will prevail.  But you must be patient, for it will not happen in just one election cycle.  So you must be committed.

You will have walked the walk, instead of talking the talk.

Some studies have shown that only about 5% of people who become actively involved in politics do it because they believe in self-government, and want to do their part to contribute.  Think about becoming part of this elite.

And if you are concerned about war in general, always remember that for all of recorded history there has been a battle between the citizens and the barbarians, who look at the citizens and see an easy route to riches and pleasures. 

The citizens must become barbarians to survive, and then after the battles are won because of their intense efforts to defend their life of citizenship, they must make the difficult transition back to being a citizen after having tasted the blood of barbaric behavior.

I hope that Kevin can continue this tradition.

Kevin, I was a big fan of Pat’s. I also graduated from Arizona State. I am so proud of your brother. He was a great American. A true American. We need more men like him, especially in a world of lies from top to bottom. I feel very sad for those Pat left behind, especially you. May you all be reunited in the next world. If there is ever anything you or Pat’s family needs please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind Regards, Anthony C. LoBaido St. Louis, Mo.

kevin,
First of all I want to pass on my heart felt condolences to you and your family.For me no one elses opinion than people like you who have payed the ultimate price.
Please keep speaking your mind...........
We need you

It is good to hear a bit of truth as we are lied to everyday by the people who are supposed to “protect” the American public. I think when the rest of the world figures us out...America will be exposed for what it is...a country led by criminals who make up the laws. If you think you are FREE...then you are NOT thinking. Something needs to be done before the other countries decide to end us because we will eventually piss off the world to the point of no return and 9/11 will look like a cake walk.

I read somewhere long ago,and I remember one particular part of it-"nobody speaks the truth when there’s something they must have"----knowning what I know about this administration,this bogus war in Iraq will continue,not until more Americans truly understand why we went to Iraq in the 1st place-more lives will be lost,more lies will be told,in the name of “invoking a democracy"- I can only pray that more Americans finally realize its our civic duty to speak on behalf of our men and women that serve our nation,on a ill-precieved notion that now is beyond words- Norm Ezzie of http://www.storminnorm.com

Politics & Religion makethings happen, seems like war is always with US! My heart is with the Tillman family and every family who has lost a loved one in any conflict from any WAR the USA has been involved with. In remembering Pat’s birthday (Nov. 6) everyone should remember to vote on November 7th 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Knowledge is power, thanks Kevin,also what does Corporate America have to do with these conflicts?

“Back in the day” (a year or two before Vietnam - that’s how far back it was)a guy named John Knowles wrote a novel titled “A Separate Piece.”

It’s message spanning more than a few US military engagements, and is just as relavant today as it was in early 1960. See if it’s still available at your library or by doing a search on Borders or Barnes & Noble.

Dear Kevin,

As I have posted before, I will try to keep this brief.  I simply had to respond to the outrageous crock of crap that I found posted under “Comment #30935 by Paul on 10/21 at 8:15 am.” Whoever this imbecile may be (he lacked the courage to include his last name), he has violated both your family’s sacrifice and the prevailing tenor of this extensively accessed log.  You, like Pat, are the true definition of courage, Kevin, as you not only “did your duty”, but also retained (perhaps even “heightened”, through such tragedy) your intellectual faculties. I do hope that you will take some comfort in that; litte though it may be.

From what I have come to know of your brother (again, I am IN AWE of him and you, alike, for your remarkable selflessness), I can only assume that he would not only have “accommodated” such stupidity as that evidenced by “Paul”, but might even have relished it.  I hope that such is the case for you, as well.

Brian Patrick Clarke

Kevin,

Welcome to the real world, I too am a fellow 11BP2 that has also served in the Army.

I too was frustrated with the stupidity and ignorance of the Armed Services, but then again who hasn’t as served (from the Civil War to Iraq) who hasn’t felt that way.  No matter who is in power the elite will never fight our Wars but will always call upon common middle class Americans to pay the price of combat.

By your tone and speech I can tell that you’ve been indoctrinated with the anti-Bush mindset. Don’t allow yourself to be dishonored and used by left leaning political hacks so close to election day.  I don’t believe for one minute that Bush is evil or takes War lightly. 

But you have to put your self in the man’s shoes when a radical leader such a Saddam is professed (by numerous intelligence agencies from all over the world) to have weapons of mass disruction that he would use against our country if given the opportunity.

Door #1)
Do you do nothing and potentially wait for the next 9/11 attack but one that could potentially kill 100,000 instead of 5,000. (Then apply the patented Clinton move lying and deny any responsibilty while pandering to Muslim countries for donations to your Legal Defense Fund)

Door #2)
Take action to prevent that potential huge loss of American lives.

Your Call....

-Nick

Kevin, Your brother was a hero and that must eat at you. The only way for you to satisfy your ego is to take this approach. I’m sorry you’re not the man everyone thought you were when you signed up. I doubt a person joining the Army at a time of war questions their voice being silenced. I appreciate your emotions as you enter life without your best friend and brother. But, don’t assume your elected leaders are making decisions based soley on emotion and not on fact. You may question the structure of how the war is being fought. You may question weather the elected leaders have lost their nerve in this war. But you can’t make alligations of illegal war and torture and violation of Bill of Rights without giving a detailed case. People making these alligations are making interpretations of present laws and policy that the majority of the Americans and people of the world don’t agree with. The people who make these arguments never explain how the Bill of Rights applies to Non- American citizens. An illegal invasion? You make no attempt to explain why Iraq violated UN sanctions.... To all soldiers that served with Kevin Tillman, I apoligize. It’s people like Kevin Tillman that are keeping us from wrapping up this war.

I get that people hate the president. They hate him because of the way he speaks and where he is from. And they hate him for the color of skin. Thats the honest truth. Iraq should of been taken care of by Bush senior. Osama should of been eliminated after the first World Trade center bomings. These things were not addressed so years of international policy is left for this President to deal with . This President has made mistakes. We need more troops not less troups. He needed to communicate better to the voters why we are going to Iraq and what this means. We will be in Iraq for next 20 years and this is a good thing. Just like Korea, Japan, Germany, ect. We probably should of retained the Iraq military. We shouldn’t pull our Marines off the enemy until they are eliminated. And we should take out North Korea and Iran weapons sites. Regardless of a Republican, or Democrate President, we will see military action with Iran and North Korea. We are winning this war because of people like Pat Tillman and we would be winning it faster if it wasnt for people like Kevin Tillman.

By the way, Will this truth site print my articles on the racism behind the illegal immigration issue? Will you print articles on how latino and black’s are assalting white students and not being charged with hate crimes? Will you print the truth behing abortion, I support a man’s right to choose or no one should choose.

Regards,

Excellent article by Kevin Tillman. “somehow, nobody is accountable”. That’s very telling. I wish someone would publish a list telling which senators & congressmen voted for the war. It would really help in our voting decisions. I also want to know which Army commanders, decided to leave the Iraqi bunker (containing 300 tons of weapons & explosives) unguarded, early in the war. Those weapons & explosives are used daily against our troops in Iraq. I want the commanders who decided to leave that bunker unguarded, in Leavenworth.

Kevin

I am very sorry about your bro . I just wanted to say we were led into this war(Iraq ) with false information . I not only blame the same people who refused to go to Vietnam , but also the Demo’s because they kept slient or voted for the war to further their agenda . Kevin , when we joined the miltary we all knew what was expected of us . The most important thing to remember on Pat’s bday is to vote because alot of men and women died on foriegn lands for our freedom . Take care and God Bless this nation .

Kevin, as a Viet Nam era vet, I salute you. A soldier does what is right. You have. Thank you!

Kevin,
You and your brother are the braves ones in this country. I am sorry about the loss of your brother. He was a one of a kind. I hope that someday, leaders of this great country can figure out how to fix the tragic mess of Iraq. I also hope in future, leaders will not be go gunho into going to work which feel that this president bush and cheney did a few years back. I have no faith in bush, cheney and all those other chickenhawks who did not listen to Genral Powell in the first place.

To Lebeau:

You’re full of it.  No, they are not our problems.  The threats in WWII were real; Iraq was and IS NOT a threat to us.  Well, now it is because we’re there.  Iraq was just fine before we tried to take it over.  TRIED.  And still unsuccessful. 

And, by the way, why don’t you and most of the other people who post LEARN SOME DAMNED ENGLISH AND LEARN HOW TO SPELL?  I would be totally embarrassed to display my lack of intelligence like you people do.  No capitals, no punctuation, etc.  Bunch of dumbasses.

I thank the Tillman brothers for their courage. Kevin wrote a wonderful piece that conveys disillusionment and anger that is very real.

However…. When I hear this bashing of what our government has decided to do. I never hear what should have been done. It’s easy to play Monday quarterback. But, when faced with immense dangers in this world the only alternatives I heard at the time was to do nothing. That course was much more dangerous than what was chosen. It’s a terrible world out there and contrary to what everyone here thinks we did not create it. We attempted to do something about it. I fear we are failing. I know that the majority of the people in the world want us to fail. I don’t believe those people have any idea what the world is going to look like if we do.

Kevin, I love you and your family. I disagree with you but I would take a million more just like you.

Great words Kevin Thank you for saying it

Thanks for being brave enough to write how you really feel about how we became enganged in this war and how our leaders have been prosecuting the war. You will get people saying you are a traitor for expressing your views. You are NOT a traitor. You are an American doing what every good American should do. Ask questions!!!!!!!Think about what we are told!!!!!Express yourself!!!!

I guess dissenting voices aren’t heard on this site.  Typical of the far left.  Mr. Tillman’s article is pathetic.  He should be ashamed of himself.

The Operative word in this article is volition = A Conscious Choice,as we are thankful for the brothers service to our country,and shamed by this open critizism of the leadership in America, as his fellow soldiers are still deployed. I wonder if anyone told him that SOLDIERS don’t choose their wars, they fight them.These kind of stories are really helpful to our soldiers who are still on the frontline.Hope this mentallity does wound up in political office some where. 

May God Bless America

All that is necessary for the continued reign of misguided leadership to continue is for good men (and women) to do nothing. Pat and Kevin have done their part. It is now time for the silent majority to hear their message and speak out with a thunderous voice, “It is time for a change!”

I have enormous love and respect for Pat.  He’s a true patriot and joined the our sevice for all the correct reasons. Apparently, Kevin is not and just doesn’t get it.  God’s love to Pat, God’s mercy on Kevin.

First before I go any further that Mr. Tillman’s real enemy is the mainstream media (MSM) let me ask Comment #31002 by Sandra on 10/21 at 9:10 am
who said:” All you have said is the truth. I am 64 years of age and have seen many wars through those years. I was still old enough to remember WWll via radio and President Roosevelt.s fireside chats and President Truman’s “the buck stops here”.
Sandra either you were the most precocious 2 year old in June 23rd 1944 to remember Roosevelt’s last fireside chat or as it is with most of the people like Tillman who support the gangsters in Iraq you have prevarication as your middle name.
Mr. Tillman says and I want to quote him directly:

1)"Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people or to the world,”
Mr. Tillman in case you forgot, Iraq was a direct threat becuase you have conveniently forgotten that Saddam paid $25,000 to suicide bombers’ families.  Wouldn’t you say that was a direct threat, or do you have some inside knowledge that Saddam didn’t consider the US his enemy.

2)"or harbored terrorists”
Sorry but again, what part of President Bush’s statement regarding harboring terrorists as being against us do you not understand?  Saddam was accused accurately of harboring terrorists or did you forget about how Former Iraqi military officers have described a highly secret terrorist training facility at Salman Pak, where both Iraqis and non-Iraqi Arabs receive training on hijacking planes and trains, planting explosives in cities, sabotage, and assassinations.

3) , “or was involved in the September 11 attacks”, Excuse me Mr. Tillman, I don’t think there was even any direct linkage assessed to Saddam by this administration.  Granted several of the 9/11 gangster had stayed in Iraq with Iraq’s intelligence group’s blessing but never did anyone except the uninformed gangster supports like yourself make a direct statement regarding Saddam implicated in 9/11.

4) “or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger”
Where are you getting this information.  It was never stated that Iraq received uranium from Niger.
There was proof that a deal was being shopped around but never was there any statement except by the biased MSM to the affect Iraq “received Unranium"… total lie Mr. Tillman,
5)"or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, “
There was a mobile lab and suffice it to say that
“At first, Iraq told UNSCOM that it had produced an estimated 250 tons of tabun and 812 tons of sarin. In 1995, Iraq changed its estimates and reported it had produced only 210 tons of tabun and 790 tons of sarin.” (Yes, that’s tons.) At the very least, it tells us that we haven’t nearly finished looking for the WMDs that Saddam was supposed to surrender, and didn’t. Besides… a shell containing mustard gas was also found. Well, maybe there were only two WMD shells in all of Iraq.

6)” or had a need to be liberated”
So let’s say the same thing about the US.  How come Mr. Tillman and all the Gangster lovers never seem to give credit to the 30% of the people in the US that was in favor of being free from England in our battle for independence?  Maybe we including Mr. Tillman should chasten those 30% that supported the war for independence as he is chastening the US for freeing people from Saddam Uday and Qusay. Ah yes… give back to the Iraqis those good old days you say Mr. Tillman?  Where the gangsters were in power?  Yes we have gangsters now in Iraq killing innocent people indiscrimately as you should very well know.  Yet you are supporting them with the drivel that you have written here.
I’m so sorry that you just don’t get it.  The MSM bias has created acceptance for the Iraq gangsters that has given them confidence that when heros such as you and your brother are used by the MSM JUST for political advantage, these gangsters will continue to thrive.  I’m also sorry that you just haven’t learned any lessons from history.  Vietnam was a political victory for the press even though we gave our word to the country through SEATO an international organization I’m sure you are too young to remember.  The US support the UN and the UN said Iraq was ignoring 13 resolutions regarding WMDs,human rights, etc. and more directly Iraq was ignoring their agreement from the Gulf War.
So why don’t you and all those people like you that support the gangsters remember these things?
These are not insurgents, they are gangsters creating havoc, chaos and destruction. That’s all they are.  They are not insurgents fighting for return to what?  Return to Saddam?  What are they blowing up innocent people for Mr. Tillman?

Dear Kevin,
I totally admire yur truthfullness even after the great loss to your family and also our country.
We all have a right to our opinions, and I guess that is why you and all the other brave Americans especially your brother are fighting for this right.  That fellow Fred that responded at 9:34 should move to a different country, if he is so oblivious that this administration is doing everyone good.  Ironically George Bush should be sitting in the chair next to Saddam Hussein for genocide, because it is his fault that not only all our American soldiers have been killed or maimed, but how many hundreds of thousands of Iraq are being killed as a result of HIS war.
Thanks Kevin

I concur with the sentiments expressed by Kevin Tillman. My message to all of the respondents is this: We are a democracy and the people can speak....go vote in November.

Its’ amazing to see the protest that we are still right.  Lets see we liberated IRAQ, yeah if you it is so liberated and their life is better now, why not go live there.  Maybe RAPE, no food or water and no palce to live is your fantasy - yeah we gave them a better life.  Maybe they should invade us and dictate on how we should live and take our resources for the SAUDI’s.  Also it was right for Afghanistan? hmm, we gave OSAMA a two week notice of us coming to get him then we we had his regime camptured our Administration ordered our Army to let them out to Pakistan...yeah we really wanted them.  Yeah we so much liberaters, why don’t we go to South America or Africa to LIBERATE.  In Africa there is constant GEONICIDE and we don’t lift a finger - I guess when they SAUDI’s or ISRAEL is interested or we can profit from them then we will LIBERATE.
If any other country did what we did we would appauled.  If we speak the truth we are traitors.
Again are we just so much in to our party that we support that we have forgotten about our country and right and wrong.  It’s funny how what they do is right after 911 occured - ever think about them having a part in it (just maybe..maybe...)
Are we still as a nation still that UN-educated and or just hypoctites (well some at least).  We were the beacon of freedom but now..Oh yeah this is why the hate us our freedom but not how we have been opressing them for decades.

I cannot believe that people—supposed educated, erudite people—continue to believe that the majority of what the US government has done over the past five years has been correct, or at least done in a virtuous spirit. How many times must you hear stories like Kevin Tillman’s—not a talking head on TV, not a “coward who was too afraid to fight in [Vietnam], not a man safe at home in suburbia, but someone who is braver and has seen, done, bled, and lost more than you and I ever ever will—until you believe what is said? Is Kevin Tillman lying? Is he irrational? Why do you people who disagree and castigate his words here think you know more about this war than a man who actually fought it? Shame on you.

Thank you for that - as I read it, and as I was brought to tears, I just am amazed in wondering where the outrage is.

With all due respect to yourself and your family, this incredible letter would have held more weight if it had not been paid for. HEY, I said with all due respect!

Seriously though, it does matter. It is exactly that thing that Pat Tillman did by saying NO to millions of dollars to defend his coutry that has made him the hero that he is. If not for that, he is in the same boat as all of the other brothers who have given their life. That’s not a shot - each is heroic in their own way, and at a level I have never realized and likely never will. But in a world where shame is cast aside for a dollar, the only way to be heard and believed and TRUSTED by the majority of Americans is to do what is right because it is right and not for money. Just the mention of money adds the asterick to anything, and for such a powerful letter like this one, that is kind of a shame.

Mr. Tillman or anyone who reads this, I may be wrong about being paid for this, and I know there are always circumstances and issues - believe me, I say this from the perspective of a broke-ass, so I understand. I agree with you, I thank you for saying it, I hope every man and woman that cares will read this and feel you, so understand where I come from. I am just saying that if we start doing things for the reason of doing them and making things right, and show the people that what we want is important enough to us to be selfless, it is our only hope of achieving what we all seem to wish for.

You know, we are all for changing the leaders, but then what? Noone from the other side has impressed me as someone who will make good decisions for the right reason. I mean, what do we do? I envision the democrats taking over Nov. 7th., but then what? How much infighting and typical government inaction and downright actual bribery from big business for lack of a better word, will continue on? Is there an intelligent, moral person that will place the good of our country, and the world, higher on their list of priorities than their own advancement and accumulation of power and wealth? I don’t know of any, or believe any right now. I think there are some that are better than others - but who will honestly do it for the right reasons?? For real???

I am impressed. Glad to see that my fellow service members are actively taking a role in speaking their minds. I am so sorry about the death of your brother. May he be remembered as a warrior who fought to keep our freedom.

US Navy Veteran

Thank you Kevin. I am a Sun Devil and I am proud to be it because of Sun Devils like Pat and you. I want to thank you for the blood and passion you and your brother devoute to this country. We all love this country. However, I start to voice my disapproval of this administration and his policy since Mid 2002. I voice it whenever I can because I believe we need to let other people know that we are heading to wrong direction. Many people question my heart to this nation. Some even smear me as a traitor. I think being a patriot. You need to be brave enough to let people know what is right or wrong. Just like being a member in family. If you are just being quite and let the family being ruined eventhough you know how to stop it. I don’t think you really love the family. This is true for being patriot to the nation.
One of the reason, this administration got so arrogant is that it does not allow a opposition voice. If you voice a second opinion against theirs, they will portrait you as a traitor. This happens all the time in public speech. I think we need to let the adminstration and the radical knows that voicing second opinion is not a traitor. “Stay on Course” does not mean you are patriot neithter. Whenever you hear a CONSTRUCTIVE criticism of the policy, we need to stand up and say “Look there is other option” and support the person is brave enough to voice it. If the adminstration can not accept it. It is time to let them go. Whoever supports them should also be let go. WE MUST DO FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AND DISADVANTAGE, NOT FOR THE RICH AND POWERFUL.

That is one of the most awake, sentient letters I have read on the current situation. It is terrible that such a tragedy provides the reason for us to be needing a clear voice such as his, but one can only hope that he is successful in his attempt to shed a little light on America’s dark thoughts.

Can’t applaud enough.

Not what you’re after, but

Sincere thanks

Best wishes

Seph

I’m overwhelmed.  The fact that even those who disagree with your viewpoint can still engage you in civil discourse is a source of hope for me.  In his drama “ Unruhige Nacht” (Restless Night), the German dramatist, Albrecht Goes, argues that Nazis in Germany were able to commit those horrible acts on other humans only by dehumanizing their victims, only by shielding themselves from reality through the use of euphemisms. Their subordinates surrendered their voices to a would-be liberator.  One quotation that stands out could be translated as follows: “Take away speech/voice from humans and they become corpses; the Kadaver renders slavish obedience.” Surely, we can do better than unreflectively reproduce the constantly changing rationale for the Iraqi invasion.  Why should we back ourselves into a corner by presenting the Iraq adventure in win-lose terms?  Let’s face it: We did the world a favor by getting rid of one of the world’s vicious dictators. Our job is done.  Let us invite the nations of the world to restore order.  That’s the job of the UN, not the US. Thank you, Kevin, for reminding us that we are (or ought to be) rational beings who should liberate our voice. To borrow some ideas from Dylan Thomas, we need not go gentle into this path to perpetual confrontation ... We need to rage, rage, and rage against threats to democracy and personal freedom in our own country.  Once again, thank you, Kevin, for reminding us that military personnel do not, and should not render slavish obedience.  We shouldn’t fight for others’ freedom abroad only to lose the right to participate in discourse on democracy here at home.

This cuts like cold steel through ALL my cynical and third hand desperate rants against American troops and their involvement abroad. This leaves me charged and hopeful, a charged individual and hopeful for all our futures . An amazing testament that surely matches the Gettysburg address in clarity and remorse, in loss and dedication to change-...’the last full measure of devotion...’ Let us all be steadfast in our opposition to unjust causes and homeland tyrany.

peace to the memory of Pat. condolences to his family, and a belated thank you to Kevin for a brilliant historical testamony to his brother.

Tommy Carroll Liverpool UK

I have disagreed with this war since the day it started, as well as distrusting to the utmost that ‘person’ in the white house.  He is not MY president and does not represent my views.  Everyone of our soldiers, who never should have gone to Iraq, needs to come home, now.  Not in a slow progression leaving the last few open to attack. Obviously we need a new system to get us into a war, where men who whine, “That man tried to kill my Daddy,” will not be allowed to send our loved ones to their death for his/her own reasons.  I’d like to see a requirement that if you want to declare war, your own children should be the first called to arms.
I was not fool enough to vote for this administration and will add my voice to the upcoming election in the hopes of making things better.  After the election, we need to write to the politicians and make sure they remember who elected them and why.  And remind them that their job is temporary and we are the boss.  It’s what a patriot can do.

I wanted to thank you for your words, however, it is pathetic that the American Population has to have someone to tell them that we should stop allowing injustices to happen to the Republic and her defenders. I think we should remember what Mario Savio said
“There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part, you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop! And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!”

Well said!  “Somehow” translates into Wall Street + Zionism, the hybrid EVIL that has subverted American democracy and replaced it with plutocracy without a conscience.  This EVIL has Republicans and Democrats both in its back pocket.

Kevin, from a soldier who spent a year in the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War, I want to thank you for your courage for serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the even more difficult and important bravery it takes to state the truth while under this administration.  We are in a fight for our very way of life, and it has nothing to do with the war overseas--civil rights and freedoms are so easly taken away by the stroke of a pen, but are nearly impossible to regain once they are lost.  It is not a hard task we face:  make those elected officials RESPONSIBLE for their actions as well as their inactions.  Change the laws so that lobbyists have less of a voice, so that our representatives are forced to care more about their constituents than they do about their party and their career.  Again, thank you, and than you, and thank you. 
All the Way, Ranger.
SETH

Dear Kevin,
Thank you for the letter.  You point out wonderfully how the people who call some of us “traitors,” and “quiters,” are themselves “traitors,” and “quiters,” of such things as our Bill of Rights, Constituition, and treaties real men signed like the Geneva Convention.  Thanks again and keep up the fight.

Pat and Kevin proved that , yes, America.

there are “ ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES”!

Bravo Mr. Tillman, Your words are the truest most honest assessment of this fiasco I’ve read to date. I too served, as a Corpsman during the Regan admin. and well know of what you speak. I will circulate this to all the people I can and maybe together we can regain our country through our francise to vote on Tue. My deepest condolences to you and yours and may the loss of your brother serve as a clarion to our nation to make the changes NOW before some other mothers child is wasted for a CEO’s bottom line.

I am not a combat veteran so I can’t identify with the experience of losing a friend that way. It has to be doubly hard when that friend is also your brother. My dad, a WWII veteran, said it about the best way I know. Regardless of anything, dead is dead. In other words, dying for your country doesn’t make it any better. We can only hope that Pat’s death as well as all the other deaths in this conflict will not have been in vain. Sometimes I feel that the rush to war in Iraq could have been avoided, especially when you consider that the the job in Afganistan was left unfinished. It also seems that we still haven’t learned the lesson from Vietnam that to go it alone could have disastrous results. As football fans get ready get ready to enjoy anther Sunday of NFL games, my only hope is that we take a moment to remember brave and honorable men like Pat Tillman. He tried to live up to an ideal. May his sacrifice and the sacrifice of others never be forgotten, especially by those who seem totake these things for granted.

How can we spread this article, Its the truth plain and simple and more people need exposure to the truth. This is america and we shouldn’t be afraid of our own voice. There are a lot of changes that need to happen and for it to happen a lot of people need to open there eyes. When i heard the story of your brother I was outraged, Im a huge football fan and have paid close attention to the story because that one hit me harder than anything else. The complete selfless act your brother did by quitting the nfl and serving his country lets everyone know what kind of person he was without ever getting the chance to meet him. For a man to do that for his country and for them to cover it up the way they tried to is a perfect example of how crooked the people in charge are. Kevin I’m all for what you have said, and you have support here in North Carolina

Kevin, I am with you all the way!
Please find a way to release you hurt & anger.I think Pat would want you to live a HAPPY life, with the honor of his memory worn as a badge,rather than dieing everyday from the horror that you lived through.
I shall pray for you today. Pray for yourself ALWAYS.

Why did you purchase this story?

Kevin,

What amazing words, what incredible accuracy. I hope your words, spoken from a patriot, get blasted all over the US Media, they are needed. We are sorry for your brothers death, we are even more sorry that many others on both side of this conflict have died from, as you correctly put it, an illegal invasion from a bunch of guys who’ve never served themselves.

Your comment about how we were and are now perceived in the world is also right on and sad.

Please keep speaking the truth and I hope you end up on Bill Mahr and every other cable news show

Brian

Thank you Kevin for a extraordinary piece of writing. Both you and your brother are heroes and true American patriots. I think that one of the most disheartening aspects of politics is that the military service of some is scrutinized, belittled, and ridiculed by those who have never seen action and have cowered away into the shadows. It is absolutely disgusting.

It is easy for those to think that the war is still right, but last I heard there is a shortage of new recruits. If you still believe in this war, put your money where your mouth is!

I commend you for speaking out. I am truly sorry for your lose. I believe with all my being EVERYUONE must vote. But my question and to my utter confusion-- Who do we vote for???? It seems to me EVERY politician is a liar,crook, out for their own personal gain and just plain not worthy of office. I was always taught “if you feel the need to run someone else down to make yourself appear to look better, there is something wrong!” Every politition I have heard on television has felt the need to do that. I would perfer they spend the campaign monies on telling me exactly why I should vote for them, what have they done, and what makes them qualified. There has to be an honest person out there somewhere!!!!

I am sorry your brother was killed in battle. He was a corageous young man, he joined the service because he loved his country and felt the need to be a part of its history. The armed forces are a voluntary service to our country. I am offended that you, as a brother, are telling us he was wrong to do so. You are aware that the President has a mission and that is to bring peace to as many people as possible around the world, and your brother was trying to do just that. You are wrong to deminish the great memory of your brother. Iraq, with the help of the U S will be able to hold their own if given a chance. It is people like you who want to defeat the purpose. There are many in this country who want to see us defeated in the name of political correctness. Outrageous!

Whatever sorrow i had for the Tillmans has been blown away by the very bitter accusations by Kevin Tillman.Did he forget 9-11-01?. Did he forget he and Pat enlisted in the Army?.I enlisted in the Marines at 17 despite the objections of my parents.I went Korea,a place i never heard of.I lost a leg and my right arm but never once have i regretted my choice to go.I’m proud to say i served with honor and to this day i would do it again.
A proud American,
Keithsmith

Bravo and thanks.  You and Pat are both heroes in my book.

I grieve with you for the loss of this young man. Nothing could be worse for a family. I believe the only way we can stop the ruin and loss of more lives is to remove the administration responsible & I will do my best at the polls. I consider this a tribute to Pat and the Tillman family. Through this removal and restoration of justice maybe we can begin to regain respect in the world and honor our founding fathers who did not have what our country has become in mind when they gave us the U.S. Constitution.
Bless & keep you,
r

Kevin,
Thank you for the inspiring article. I, too, grieve for your family’s loss, and for the losses other military and non-combatant families have suffered in our mis-guided efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The time to argue the merits or lack thereof for our involvement have long passed. Our goal now should be to wrap up the “accomplished mission,” declare “victory,” and get out.

There is nobody on the planet who could have said it better.  I served in the Army but never in a combat situation and as a veteran, I salute you for the courage to write this, as well as your service and your brother’s.  May he always be a reminder to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.  You are the type of “leader” America needs more of.  May God Bless you and your family.  You and your brother and all who serve should never be forgotten.

Thanks for this direct, correct message.  It means a lot coming from someone from the military, someone whose family has lost someone in Iraq.
Bush and his administration should not have the support of the American military, which they have so badly misused and abused. 
I admire your courage for speaking out.

Kevin,
It’s tolerated because Bush was ELECTED. I think you should spend a day or two reviewing 9-11 footage. Watching people jump to their deaths from an inferno. Any 9-11 coverage on truthdig?? I think a could story would be how the liberal press wants to forget it happened. Kevin is it “illegal” to go after Osma Bin Laden? Didn’t Pat die trying to hunt him down??
Thanks, case closed

Kevin, I’m sorry not only for the lost of your brother but for the lost of all brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, mothers, fathers and so on. This war was not for anything but power(money). Our leadership is full of hypocritical people who push their morals and values on anyone they want. Why invade Iraq? Why not N Korea who has always been more of a threat? I’ll tell you why oil(money). I too am a veteran who is currently serving and is against this war. If Bush wants to prove just how much of a patroit he is or how we must stay the course send one or both of his twins off to fight this important war. To date the have been over 2700 men and women killed for this important war.

Kevin is a coward???? Give me a break-the real cowards are Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rove and Pearle, who didn’t have the balls to go fight in a war they supported(VietNam)...but make stuff up to get 3,000 Americans killed-FOR NOTHING.

What you say is true.  Let’s keep up the good fight against the hypocrites.

Kevin,

With all due respect, I feel your criticisms are MISDIRECTED, and WRONG.

You, and your brother, Pat, are undeniable heroes for laying your lives on the line for America. This fact cannot be disputed. For that, I sincerely thank you, and all the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Pat’s message, and legacy, will NEVER be forgotten.

That being said, it does NOT instantly qualify your political statements as accurate. Your sentiments are justifiable… but misdirected.

Some simple facts left out:
Saddam should have been removed from power YEARS before Bush had to - after he invaded Kuwait for their oil, killing countless innocents there. Or certainly after he killed, and tortured, masses of his own people, for merely having a different religious view. Or certainly after all 14 UN Sanctions were denied - and weapons inspectors all kicked out. But, all three? All this wasn’t ‘illegal’ and ‘immoral’?? Ask yourself this: Would any American leader still be in power if any ONE of these events happened?? 

Bush is NOTHING like Saddam, Kevin. Your criticisms lose much credibility by implying this. Bush IS accountable, and answers for everything. He is under a microscope every second of every day, taking on personal attacks never before seen. Even for things he didn’t personally do, or couldn’t have known. War is not a choice he made easily, and the decision to go to war was passed by ALL bi-partisan American lawmakers - making it a LEGAL, and unilateral war. It was also MORAL to remove a proven brutally oppressive dictator (luckily Saddam is now on trial for this, as well - thanks to Bush, and all the troops). War was forced by all the above facts, whether Iraq was linked to 9/11, or not - doesn’t matter. A regime change was past due. Period. Usama bin Laden openly admits that Iraq is ‘the center stage’ for the war against terror. Coincidence?

Again, I am truly sorry for the loss of your brother, Pat, and anyone else who has paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and for other countries, like Iraq, Kuwait, N. Korea, etc. I just think it’s a grave disservice to spread innacurate information about something so important to lasting world peace. Although regrettable, and costly, war is also sometimes vital. Don’t forget this when remembering those who paid that price.

Thank you again for your family’s service and dedication. May peace always be with you.

Marc

I’m reading many of these posts, and something has become very interesting to me.  Scattered throughout these posts is some people who disagree with Kevin, and find what he has done to be cowardess and dispicable.  It is their right to feel this way, however wrong and ignorant that they may be.

If we had gone and used all our resources to hunt down and destroy Bin Laden after 9/11, then I would have no problem with the Middle East viewing the US as they do.  If we had by chance been forced to go into Pakistan to get Bin Laden, then I would have no problem with sending our troops to war.  It would be justified. 

Instead, we invade Iraq which has NOTHING to do with 9/11.  Iraq had a dictator that the US supported in the 80’s.  His space of operation was reduced by 2/3rd’s because of a “no fly zone” put into place after the first Iraq conflict in ‘91.  He was basically a lame duck. 

We then invade this soveriegn nation, and what happens?  We encourage the perception among radical Muslims and some of the rest of the world that we are just a bunch of bullies trying to impress our beliefs and values upon the Middle East.  Now, after our administration has screwed up this entire operation, we have brought terrorism to Iraq along with insurgents who weren’t there before.  Estimates are that 600,000 Iraqi citizens have been killed since the start of this conflict.  Now if we “cut and run” we have created the very state of existance for terrorism militant operations that we were trying to eliminate in Afganistan.

My point is that I would be willing to use the invasion of Afganistan as an excuse for trying to capture Bin Laden because, afterall, he did bring war upon us on 9/11.  We could have used all of our forces that are now in Iraq for a useful purpose, like bringing a killer in Afganistan or Pakistan to justice.  I would then be willing to let the Muslim world criticise us for our actions because at least we could truthfully justify ourselves because we were using our resources to bring a killer to justice.

This Iraq thing is about nothing but daddy’s little boy finishing the job that his father didn’t and money. 

GET OUT OF YOUR LITTLE BUBBLES PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TRULY GOING ON!

My condolences to Kevin and his family.  I always thought that Pat’s heart was truly in the right place.  For a man to give up a lucrative salary playing a game loved by most of this country, and to go and fight for what he thought was a worthy cause is the stuff that legends are made of.  As a Marine that put in my service for this country, Pat gets my ultimate respect.

Peace out!

Can’t argue with Kevin about being angry, hurt, devastated, etc. about the loss of his brother.  Kevin is also entitled to his own opinion about anything.  But as the Moynihan quotes goes, he is not entitled to his own facts.  An his “facts” are almost completely wrong.  They reflect the misinformation repeated over and over by the Main Steam Media (“Old News”), Democrats, left-wing liberals, socialist, communists and just those who wish we could all live in peace in Clintonland like the 90’s and that the Islamic Jihadists would not bother us if we would just stay in our houses and convert to Islam. 

Much has happened since we handed over our voice:

“Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people, or to the world, or harbored terrorists, or was involved in the September 11 attacks, or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger, or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, or had a need to be liberated, or we needed to establish a democracy, or stop an insurgency, or stop a civil war we created that can’t be called a civil war even though it is.  Something like that”.

Bush did not start the war with Iraq.  Iraq started the war when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.  That phase of the war has been referred to as the First Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm.  The war never ended.  In 1991, it reached an inconclusive and vague cease-fire agreement in which Iraq agreed to get rid of all of its weapons of mass destruction.  There was no dispute that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and was actively pursuing developing nuclear weapons.  Iraq also agreed to allow UN inspectors to confirm that it would get rid of all of its WMD and that the allies would enforce a no-fly zone over northern and southern Iraq.  Iraq never complied with the cease fire agreement.  The second phase of the war, the so-called “No-FLy Zone War” continued from 1991 into 2003.  US, British and French (at the beginning) planes flew numerous sorties and fired over a 1,000 missiles at Iraqi targets while Iraq repeatedly tried to shoot down allied planes.  Maintaining the No-Fly Zone required the US to maintain forces in Saudi Arabia, which, incidently, is one of the reasons that gave for attacking the US. 

Bush’s choice was either enforce the cease-fire agreement by invading Iraq and deposing Saddam Hussein or to capitulate (not quite surrender, but close) and withdraw from enforcing the No-Fly Zone and UN sanctions against Iraq, which would have allowed Hussein to slaughter more Kurds and Shias and to rejuvenate his WMD programs.  While Bush’s choice to enforce the cease-fire agreement has resulted in a number of problems, the choice to capitulate would likely have resulted in even more problems, including by not limited to, allowing Hussein to slaughter even more Kurds and Shias and to rejuvenate his WMD programs. 

There is no question that Iraq harbored terrorists.  Saddam gave refuge to at least several well known terrorists and documents capture after his overthrow prove Saddam had a great deal of involvement in training, supporting and protecting terrorists. 

Bush never said Saddam was involved in 9/11.  However, interestingly, some evidence has surfaced in documents captured in Iraq that Iraq was involved in connecting Osama with Sheik Kalid(SP) to get the operatives necessary to carry out the attack.

No one ever claimed Saddam received weapons-grade uranium from Niger.  Bush said British intelligence indicated that Saddam has sought yellow cake uranium from Niger, a statement which was subsequently supported by Lying Joe Wilson’s vacation to Niger even though Wilson lied about his trip in the NYT to discredit Bush who he was not happy with for not giving him a cushy job.

“Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is”.

See Kevin entitled to own opinion above.  To paraphrase Chrysler’s ad - if you can find a better country - move there.

“Somehow our elected leaders were subverting international law and humanity by setting up secret prisons around the world, secretly kidnapping people, secretly holding them indefinitely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly torturing them.  Somehow that overt policy of torture became the fault of a few “bad apples” in the military”.

Part of this comes back to the issue of are we at war or are we playing paddy-cakes with the Islamic Jihadists.  They have said repeatedly that their goal is to kill us, not negotiate with us.  They have repeatedly killed Americans.  I tend to believe them based on their words and actions.  I don’t think giving them a hug and a scholarship to Harvard or Princeton will do it.  I think we need to kill them first. 

“Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet.  It’s interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat”.

See can’t argue with Kevin above.

“Somehow the more soldiers that die, the more legitimate the illegal invasion becomes”.

The “invasion” was not illegal and even if it was, I’m not aware of anyone who argues that the number of soldiers who die has any bearing on the legality or illegality of the ‘invasion”.

“Somehow American leadership, whose only credit is lying to its people and illegally invading a nation, has been allowed to steal the courage, virtue and honor of its soldiers on the ground”.

See Kevin entitled to own opinion above. 

“Somehow those afraid to fight an illegal invasion decades ago are allowed to send soldiers to die for an illegal invasion they started”.

See Kevin entitled to own opinion above.

Somehow faking character, virtue and strength is tolerated.

True.  But who is faking character, virtue and strength?

“Somehow profiting from tragedy and horror is tolerated”.

See Kevin entitled to own opinion above.

Somehow the death of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people is tolerated.

Unfortunately, the deaths of millions of people is tolerated every year, year in and year out.  The banning of DDT alone kills millions of people who contract malaria.  Prior to the US overthrowing Saddam, the world tolerating Saddam killing tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people.  The number of people killed by the US in Iraq is certainly less than what Saddam was killing each year.  Even if you count Iraqis killed by