Stuff happens and we're not responsible (Tillman and Military Crimes)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05126/499919.stm

'No official intent to deceive" has become the official mantra of the United States military. It is stamped on every report of alleged military wrongdoing, no matter how egregious.

"No official intent to deceive" may have become as ubiquitous as products emblazoned with "Made in China" stickers at the local Wal-Mart but so what? There is no duplicity in the hearts of those who conduct our wars, either in the field or behind bunkers of bureaucratic insulation at the Pentagon. War may be hell, but only the enemy is ever guilty of lying. If it were otherwise, the U.S. military would've told us so.

<snip>

It was a useful myth even though Pat Tillman didn't die at the hands of Taliban forces. Everyone up the chain of command knew Tillman was killed by fellow soldiers who mistook him for an enemy combatant. Certainly, the soldiers who shot him knew the extravagant tale spun to cover a tragic tale of fratricide was a lie.

Tillman's blood-soaked uniform and body armor were burned before they could be examined by the military's forensics specialists. When Tillman's family asked for an explanation of this break with procedure, the military had to figure out a nice way to say that the blood of that particular patriot was considered a biohazard.

[libodem]

1. I think you are being too kind when you say he was mistaken

for an enemy combatant. I think he was decent and honorable enough, he either questioned the practices or threatened to report, torture and abuse of detainees. I have the most gawd-awful feeling he was taken out on purpose, to keep him quiet.

[IrateCitizen]

2. Doubtful, considering he was a ranger...

Rangers are elite infantry. They are VERY professional, and having been around several during my time in the military, I have a hard time seeing them being involved in torture and abuse of detainees.

More often than not, those abusing and torturing detainees are not "cut from the same cloth" as rangers.