We're Really Serious Now
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people
--John F. Kennedy
I've seen better days, I've been star of many plays
I've seen better days, and the bottom drops out
--I've Seen Better Days, Sublime
--John F. Kennedy
I've seen better days, I've been star of many plays
I've seen better days, and the bottom drops out
--I've Seen Better Days, Sublime
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is convening a hearing on 24 April regarding misleading military statements which followed the death of Pat Tillman and the rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch (''House Questions Information on Tillman, Lynch.''). They are investigating into ''whether there was a strategy to mislead the public.'' No way?
The Committee will ''examine why inaccurate accounts of these two incidents were disseminated, the sources and motivations for the accounts, and whether the appropriate administration officials have been held accountable,'' they said on their website.
''[Lynch's] videotaped rescue by special forces [in 2003] branded Lynch a hero at a time the U.S. war effort seemed bogged down.'' Brilliant. Unlike now, of course, when the picture in Iraq is so much rosier. ''Lynch's spokeswoman, Aly Goodwin Gregg, said Lynch also will testify. 'She was very interested in doing so...'''
Isn't it absolutely astonishing that Lynch has a ''spokeswoman''? Next thing you know, she'll be a congresswoman.
''It wasn't clear whether the committees planned to call officials with knowledge of the cases to testify during the hearing, titled ''Misleading Information from the Battlefield'.'' So, perhaps they will just call for some stars of stage and screen to keep them entertained. I suggest someone like the late Gregory Hines, upbeat, who could do both song and dance.
So this House committee is really serious, but the officials in the know don't have to come; might necessitate revealing an inconvenient truth. The key point is, the American people cannot expect to get the truth from the government.
Ranger is constantly amazed that the leaders of America do not trust us with the truth. With the taxes we pay, that is the least we should expect for our money.
posted by rangeragainstwar at 7:35 PM
5 Comments:
Jim -- Hearing was today. Powerful testimony from Pat Tillman's brother - but only excerts shown. Any idea why no one seems to be able to find out who wrote Tillman's silver star commendation? GSJ
GSJ,
It was powerful. We'll get Jim's input on this tomorrow,
Lisa
GSJ,
Jim here: I roger your transmission. Out of respect for Tillman, I have not attacked the Silver Star, BUT, U.S. Army regs. req. close combat with an enemy and conspicuous gallantry, both of which were absent on that battlefield.
Of course the commander is responsible for all the unit does or fails to do. Ultimately this proposed cit. had to pass through the Bn S1 and Bde., and ultimately, to Rgt. I believe a two-star general is the approval authority for a Silver Star; possibly a regimental commander (06).
The kicker is, usu. you need two live witnesses. So, who were the witnesses? Also, an after-action report usually has to accompany a Silver Star req. to verify the action actually happened.
No after-action report equals no contact with the enemy, equals no valor award. Incidentally, in combat, most S1 shops have an awards and decorations officer who handles these specifically, and this is certainly true at Rgt.
In SF, and I assume other regular units, a board action is required to verify the validity of the award. The SF commander would then endorsed the board findings and have the orders cut.
More than you probably wanted to know...
Jim -- Many thanks for educating me! I conclude that if Congress really wanted to know the facts, names, and ranks of those behind the Tillman propaganda campaign, they could find out easily enough! They just "act" like this information is hidden away in Siberia. I may be overly cynical but it seems to me that Congressional hearings or "investigations" are often (always?) just another operation to conceal the original crime! GSJ
GSJ,
You're learning.
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