Why, exactly? Because he hit the nail squarely on the head? You may get my nomination for the new President of the Ostrich Brigade.
Interesting letters to Peter King at SI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/peter_king/04/28/king.tillmanletters/index.html I've been overwhelmed with emotional, heartfelt e-mails from so many of you about Pat Tillman, and our Web site has decided to give many of you a forum here this week. We're going to run a big batch of e-mails. In a small way, I hope we can add to the outpouring of gratitude we've seen across America, gratitude not only toTillman, but to the hundreds of service people who have lost their lives standing up for America. And I've learned something, both about Tillman and the other service people and their families. I've learned that no matter what the circumstances of one's decision to joined the Armed Forces during times of conflict -- whether a soldier abandons a few million dollars from a glamorous job, as Tillman did, and enlists to protect America, or whether a soldier, searching for a life's work, enlists, or any reason in between -- it's still one incredibly gutsy decision. I'm glad so many of you wrote to express that sentiment. To emphasize that uniformity of sacrifice, I think the best idea (of many, many good ones, some reprinted here) is one that Tillman would have endorsed. I'll let a reader named Wes, from Dover, Del., explain his idea. "I think that every player in the NFL should wear the initials of one serviceman/servicewoman throughout the season. We have lost more than 800 of them on all fronts, and all of them deserve to be honored equally.'' Brilliant, Wes. I am going to pass your idea along to Paul Tagliabue at the NFL offices this week. I'm sure he'll consider it. Thanks to everyone for taking time to write about a great American ... and some other great Americans. As a member of the United States Air Force, the story of Pat Tillman has a special interest to me. He made an amazing sacrifice to serve this country that he loved so much. As a fellow soldier, I have the utmost respect for this American hero. Everyone who serves their country is a hero in my eyes, and Mr. Tillman may have been the quietest hero of all. I love sports, and I've always dreamed of being a professional athlete. I imagine that Mr. Tillman spent his whole life dreaming of becoming an NFL player. But he gave all of that up for his country. It's hard to find people like that these days, and he's definitely a rare breed. I agree that the NFL should honor his life this year. They should also choose to honor him well beyond this football season. I recommend that the NFL induct Pat Tillman, an American hero, into the Hall of Fame. Even if it's just as an honorary member; anyway they decide to do it is fine with me. He deserves to have his jersey hang with the likes of Ronnie Lott, John Elway and Walter Payton. These individuals are remembered for their amazing accomplishments on the football field. Mr. Tillman should be remembered for his accomplishments on both the football field and the battlefield. We must never forget that the football field is just a game, but the battlefield represents human life, which should never be taken for granted. -- Michael Ragsdale, Camp Humphreys, Korea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think we should get to know his father as well as he will let us. He raised his boys right, and there's a lot we can learn from someone like him. ... My father is such a man and I strive to achieve the lessons I've learned from him, but, then, don't we all. I am very saddened that we have lost Pat Tillman, and I pray he does, in fact, become a hero through his example and not so much for his sacrifice, though no less profound. My heart breaks for his family, in particular his wife, as they must be so proud but feel the loss more than any of us can know. And, if nothing else, in the world of ESPY-clad heroes, there is a man that any father can point to Tillman and say, "Son, that's what it means to be a man." -- PK Coit, Phoenix -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I liked your idea about the NFL honoring Pat Tillman, but I think that every player should wear the initials of one serviceman/servicewoman throughout the season. We have lost more than 800 combined on all fronts and all of them deserve to be honored equally. From what I have heard of Sgt. Tillman, that is what he would want. -- Wes, Dover, Del. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My opinion is that in 100 years, school children across a changed United States will be reading books about an American hero named Pat Tillman." While I agree with your quote, it would be unfortunate if it took 100 years to recognize Pat in that manner. It's important for children today to know the story of Pat Tillman and other like him, not 100 years from now. Thank you. -- AJ Copelotti, Newton, Mass. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm writing to object to your and the rest of the media's deification of Pat Tillman. As a former Naval Officer, I think that statements like yours about Tillman are a disservice to the rest of our servicemen and women who did not play in the NFL. I understand that it Tillman's case it is easier to put our finger on what he gave up because they are things that all Americans seem to crave, money, attention and fame. But I know those kids -- don't kid yourself, they are kids -- I spent 12 years serving with and relying on kids just like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, and all of them sacrificed something to join the service. Today's all-volunteer military is comprised of kids with high school diplomas or GEDs. They had other options than dangerous service abroad. They weren't sent to the military by a judge who gave them the option of the can or the military. Many willingly chose the same sacrifices Tillman chose. They sacrificed other choices in life as Tillman did, but more important, they sacrificed seeing their children grow up, supporting elderly parents, being there for spouses and coming back unharmed. Walter Reed [Hospital] here in D.C. is currently packed with them. More kids die every day. Many more are injured everyday. Nearly 700 kids were injured in Iraq last week. Yet to the media, this thing is not real until someone who gave up fame and wealth gets killed. Not to get too political, but the Administration's policy on showing anonymous flag-draped coffins lets most Americans ignore this dirty little fact, that kids get killed. I think that the NFL should render a tribute to all service men and women, not just one of their own. I think that the way Pat Tillman conducted himself as a member of the Rangers is indicative of how he wanted to be treated just like any other Ranger. He probably wouldn't have wanted to enter Canton because of his service -- only his play on the field. If the NFL really wants to honor Tillman, it should set up a scholarship fund for the kids of Rangers who died in combat, because there are a hell of a lot of sons and daughters of Rangers who won't have fathers when this thing is said and done. Pat Tillman was a hero. I appreciate the sacrifices he made, But he was in a platoon full of heroes who made and will make sacrifices, a company full of these heroes and a battalion full of them. -- Brian Roemer, Washington -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As an active duty service member, I think you have it all wrong on your proposals for the NFL to honor Pat Tillman. If you want to honor him, take a million plus from each team to create a $40 million trust fund to provide scholarships for kids of service members who died or were crippled in the war on terror. This would have a lot more meaning than some banners and stickers and would better match Tillman's values as you have described them. -- Paul Waters, Lancaster, Calif. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just a comment about the Pat Tillman Award idea .... who would be worthy of such an award? For as long as the NFL has been around, it is only now that such an award becomes an idea, it will probably be another 30 years until the NFL has another member worthy of receiving such an award. Don't get me wrong, the NFL has many good people but, honestly, do any of them come anywhere close to the man Pat Tillman was? -- Rob Johnson, Washington -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wouldn't it be a good idea for the NFL to mass-produce Pat Tillman jerseys and sell them at reduced rates with the proceeds going to the families of other servicemen who have been lost in combat? I know Tillman wouldn't have wanted the attention, but I would love to see thousands of fans wearing Tillman jerseys on opening day this fall. -- Jody Madron, Sykesville, Md. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I recommend calling it the Ranger Award -- the last thing Pat Tillman would like would be any publicity, and the Army gets some well-deserved free NFL endorsement. Everyone for generations will know the source of the award. -- Michael Thomas, Seal Beach, Calif. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The perfect, and in my opinion, the only way to honor Pat Tillman is to permanently retire his No. 40. Some may not agree because that number has already been retired by certain teams, but I am a huge Bears fan and I don't see how this gesture would cheapen the legend of Gale Sayers. If you agree with me, I strongly urge you to go public with this. -- Mike Maradik, Palatine, Ill. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think what Tillman did was very admirable, and I agree with all the praise being given him. However, I don't agree with your proposed tribute to him. I never had the pleasure of meeting Pat, but from all I've heard and read about him, paying tribute to him in each stadium across the league is the LAST thing he would want! I'm sure if he had his way, the NFL and other pro leagues would honor all the soldiers who put their lives on the line for the benefit of their countries. Naming an award after him would certainly be nice, but I'm sure he wouldn't want to be singled out as the only hero in the U.S. Army. -- Stephen Antenucci, Burlington, Ontario -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thought you had great ideas for a Pat Tillman tribute. I was also thinking that each team should put out a special "Tillman" jersey, with his name and number, and maybe the initials/flag symbol you mentioned on the sleeve. Proceeds could go to whatever charitable fund is being set up to honor him. This way, fans of every team, in every city, could show support and show that this hero has brought fans together. -- Dave, Emmaus, Pa. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As an Air Force veteran who served during the first Gulf War, I, as much as anyone, appreciate the sacrifice made by Pat Tillman. One thing that gets me, though, is that no one seems to be noticing the same sacrifice that hundreds of other men and women have made and are continuing to make each day. Sure, Pat Tillman was famous, and that explains all the attention he's getting. But somebody, please, mention that there are thousands of our servicemen and women who have been killed or wounded since the liberation of Iraq began. If I'm the parent of an otherwise anonymous fallen soldier and I'm constantly hearing how this ex-NFL player was a hero, I'm starting to wonder why no one seems to care as much about my son or daughter? The NFL and the people of America should not only acknowledge Pat Tillman, but all of the military personnel who have made the same sacrifice. -- Peter Simpson, Clinton, Mass. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's how I'd like to see Pat Tillman memorialized: Instead of an RCA, Gillette or Lincoln Financial Stadium, how about Tillman Stadium (and not just for 3-5 years). This is how we should memorialize our heroes. -- Andy Siegel, San Jose, Calif. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not a question, just a comment on Pat Tillman. As I sit at my computer every day I wish I could live out my dreams and play a professional sport. Then I read about Pat Tillman and I feel ashamed that I would hope for something so trivial. Tillman was weird in a good way. I hope his sacrifice is remembered -- but in today's world I hesitate to think that will happen. Regardless of whether the NFL comes up with an award in his honor, can you make it a point to remind us of what he did on a regular basis. He should not be forgotten. -- Ryan Treml, Milwaukee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I really just have an opinion. As the wife of an Army soldier, I think the real testament to what kind of hero Pat Tillman was is the fact that he walked away from millions of dollars, even leaving his wife and family back home to earn so very little money fighting to defend and serve his country that he obviously loved. Pretty unselfish considering, most athletes think big paydays in the NFL are their right simply because of their presumed athletic talent. (See Maurice Clarett.) Like you, I hope the NFL will honor Pat Tillman and others who die every day defending this country, in every way possible! -- Jeri Treb, Camillus, N.Y. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why does America think that you have to join the military to be a hero? I have been in the Marines for seven years and counting. There are a lot of things people can do for America without dying for her. Stop hating on athletes because we all wish we could play a sport and get paid millions for it. -- Darrell Clark, Albany, Ga. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pat Tillman was a soldier. His decision to forgo fame and security in the NFL and follow spiritual fulfillment may be a noble one, but not unique. The only thing that sets his sacrifice apart from the 800-or-so equally poignant sacrifices the U.S. forces have made in Iraq so far is that he was famous. He did no less and no more than any of those other soldiers. If you want to support and identify with the sacrifices made in Iraq, that's great. It should be kept universal. The NFL can honor the fallen in a solemn and subtle way, but deifying Tillman is too simple and pre-packaged. The NFL should be above the knee-jerk misty-eyeing hero worship the public already gets from the media. He could've been a great guy and wonderful role model, but it's pretty uncomfortable to think of his selflessness and strength of conviction being turned into a jingoistic marketing event. He lived and died by a noble decision. For that we should respect him as we should respect all the others. But save the hero worship for the inevitable Pat Tillman Story on ABC. -- Ryan, Minneapolis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree with you that the NFL needs to memorialize Pat Tillman in some fashion, but I think it could do better than the same old number on the helmet routine, which after a year will be gone and forgotten. And an award will never have the impact his tragic loss deserves. How about this: From now until forever, in every NFL stadium paint both 40 yard lines (Pat wore 40) red white and blue, with nothing else. That way years from now when little children see a game and ask their parents why the 40s are red, white and blue, the parents can tell their children about what a special person Pat was. His legacy and character would live on forever. -- J.L. Byrwa, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Hit the nail straight on the head? He just called me an inbred hick and said nothing of a factual nature. At least he is honest that he is an America-hating socialist who lives in a left-wing fantasy world. But you....you are not. But at least show some courage to admit what you are....a liberal.
Liberal: adj. 1. relating to or having social and political views that favor progress and reform. 2. relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom. 3. giving and generous in temperament or behavior. 4. tolerant of other people. (Collins Concise English Dictionary) This is stolen from Air America and I love it. Liberals like me love America. We just love America in a different way. You love America like a 4-year-old loves his mommy. Liberals love America like grown-ups. To a 4-year-old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad and helping your loved one grow... What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." _- John Fitzgerald Kennedy- From Democratic Underground: "Originally the term "liberal" was used to describe a scholar well studied in the liberal arts, someone who was broadly educated in the arts and sciences - history, literature, humanities, languages, mathematics, economics, all the sciences, and the peoples and cultures of many lands. A liberal is a person who grew to understand that we are all members of the human race, unique in our own cultures, and each uniquely gifted to contribute to the betterment of mankind." Liberal is not a dirty word. Please, call me liberal. I'll take it as a compliment.
When you act like one... You are the one who needs to show some courage. You are going completely against any shred of Libertarian thinking by supporting this borrow and spend republican. I am extremely centrist as you would be aware if you actually read and comprehended my writing. You are the one being dishonest with yourself. You are the one who is so blinded by partisan hatred that you cannot even listen to what John Kerry has to say. I have taken a comprehensive self inventory, apparently you have not.
Partisan hatred. I have listened to John Kerry and he supports NOTHING that I support. He will not wage a real war on terrorism. He is on the side of the abortionists, gun-grabbers, SUV-haters and other left-wing trash that seek to impose more govt. interference with my economic and personal liberty. He favors an even larger expansion of the Imperial Federal govt in a socialized medical scheme that will buy more votes for the Demoncrats. -From John Kerry's website. link Pick up the tab? Do you realize the incredibly massive expansion of spending that would entail. The only way to do so is to increase taxes on the producers like myself. Already I'm living with confiscatory rates and that b*stard wants more of money flowing to Washington! From John Kerry's website.link Fully fund our education priorities? We spend more on education than ever before and Kerry wants to spend more!? If you're a fiscal conservative Kerry, where are you going to find the monies to fund this? If you said higher taxes, pass go and collect $200. He supports pissing more of my money into failed govt schools as his education nazi union masters who pour tons of money into his coffers tell him do. And that's reform? He would prefer inner-city youth remain in substandard schools rather than being given a choice via the voucher program. That's just his domestic agenda. Don't even get me started on his "Bush sucks, I can do it better, but don't explain how with any specifics," war on terror plans. He is not an honest man and I wouldn't trust him as a dogcatcher, much less the presidency.
Kerry is an embarrassment to those who have faithfully served their country. What he did with his medals is his business, and I would have thought the same about him even if he wasn't a lying, mud slinging, hypocrtical liberal. For him to come back from Vietnam and join ranks with communist trash like "Hanoi Jane" makes me sick. Yet he flaunts his service in Vietnam like he is one of a kind. He makes himself sound like he single handedly kept the Germans from overrunning Company B. Hanoi Jane should have been shot along with her conspirators. After Kerry threw those medals, he should have never looked back upon his military service, but yet he is using it as a tool to confuse and trick Americans into voting for him although he would dismantle the military much as his liberal predecessor did.
Are you and bamaslammer jealous because he was more decorated in wartime than either of you two will ever be?
Perhaps if you'd followed more closely you'd have known that Kerry and Jane were at the same rally, but had very litttle to do with one another, and had absolutely zero to do with each other after Jane Fonda went to have her picture taken with the NVA.
So...what makes someone a communist, mud slinging, hypocritical, conspiratorial liberal? A) Having gone to war yet having convictions? B) Backing up those convictions with action, just like he had backed up his patriotism? C) Having convictions or political affiliations which are not yours? Hmmm... a puzzler....
Being at the scene of the crime doesn't make you a criminal, but it makes you suspect. If you don't want to be suspect, don't be near it. Why would any red blooded American be at the same rally as a traitor ? SamFisher, that was very juvenile and that only shows you have no clue as to what you are babbling about. Our military is spread too thin. Too many bases were closed in the 90's. One important base was closed in Panama which would give convential infantry units jungle training without having to fly halfway around the world. Afghanistan was easily handled because it was the only front at the time. President Clinton committed our troops to Bosnia which was a reduction in deployable force.
Is it really? You're the one who's casting aspersions on the character of a decorated war hero who you never met to the tune of a hyperventilating rant, (ironically enough, in a thread that purports to condemn the same) all the while purposefully ignoring the sins of your preferred, draft dodging presidential candidate. But anyway, if you want to talk juvenile, that signature line of yours was real funny in seventh grade....
Not according to my father, a war veteran. He volunteers for veterans who are less well off than himself, including driving those guys once per week to their hospital appointments. Both my father and the veterans he works with (they are Texans one and all, mind you) have respect for Kerry's service. That is not to say that they love him or that every veteran will feel the same way about him, but Kerry is clearly not embarrassing many proud veterans. One of them mentioned to me that he could think of no other "Yale-type" who would have really gone to battle. Sons of privilege were assumed to pursue "other priorities." My father, who voted for Bush, is actually very embarrassed of our *president*, which is pretty shocking considering how conservative my father is (to say nothing of how much he likes to disagree with his son). But anyway, you just go ahead and make your blanket statements and type angrily. It will win people over to your way of looking at things in no time. It's increasingly funny to see the word "hate" thrown around by bama and some other incredibly hateful, angry people. It's like you people want to start shooting people who disagree with you. Take a deep breath. Turn off that radio during the day. Have a cold beer.
Did you use the draft dodging line on President Clinton or was he a peace loving civilian hero? President Bush by no means was a draft dodger. He did his time. I guess it would've been a different story had his unit been mobilized for deployment. Then I'm sure you would come up with something else to criticize him about. Since I am jealous of Kerry's award(s) I will ask you one question: have you ever served?
Am I hateful? Do I seem angry? I've been white-washed before, (along with, I suppose, 50% of the population), as a "Bush-hater," but that ignores what I actually say and type. I would like to have a beer with GWB... watch a baseball game with him maybe. I think he is very well-intentioned and serious. He does see himself as someone doing good. I appreciate all of that. Does that sound like "hate?" Maybe I need a new definition. Do I even hate the people who tell me I "hate America?" No. I think they are wrong and rude, fearful and sometimes even kind of sad, but I think I understand their point of view. But you don't see bile spewing from the posts of say, bamaslammer? In the title of this "thread" alone, he claimed that half the country expresses "hatred" for Pat Tillman, when in fact we've only found one single dumb graduate student who expresses anything close to that sentiment for Pat Tillman. What good is this thread, Uncle_Tim? What purpose did it serve? "One person expressed contempt for Pat Tillman! One person!!!!1!! Liberals are the devil!!! AAhahahaAAHAHHAHAHA"
I never said you were hateful. Reread your post. You said "It's increasingly funny to see the word 'hate' thrown around by bama and some other incredibly hateful, angry people." It seems you are "throwing" around "hate" right there as well. Don't take it as an insult. I was only poking fun of the pot calling the kettle black. SamFisher, your ignorance has clearly been shown about the military. Get the facts before you start insulting. Oh, yes, and I posted my input because it was turning into another antiBush/Kerry thread, so I had to voice my opinions about Kerry.
