Feral Firefighter

"Jon Krakauer's Credibility Problem" (Ver 2.4 9-26-11)

2011-04-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Note: The embedded doc below may or may not view correctly. If not,click on the title below which is a link to scribd.com Their version should be in pdf with all my formatting intact

JK Credibility Problem 4-24-11

"The [Untold] Tillman Story" (Revised 12-28-10)

2011-04-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

12-28-10 the [Untold] Tillman Story Ver. 1.2 DRAFT PDF

This is a draft revision with some updates. I want to add a forward, list of updates, add Bob Woodward chapter, expand Krakauer section, give Bar-Lev his chapter, etc.

"The Emperor's General" (Revised 1-29-11)

2011-04-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

"The Emperor's General" - President Obama and the Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal’s Role in the Cover-up of Pa...

"He Who Shall Not Be Fact Checked" (Revised1-15-11)

2011-04-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Andrew Exum is a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). CNAS will help run the "Joining Forces" program along with Gen. McChrystal. Exum is an ex-Ranger oficer with close personal and professional ties with McChrystal. Exum contributed to the whitewash of McChrystal. After betraying the Tillman family, these guys are supposed to "support" our military families?

"He Who Shall Not Be Fact Checked" - Draft 1-15-11

Bob Woodward's Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal (1-11-11))

2011-04-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

4 13 11 Woodward DRAFT

Hardly a draft. Need to summarize and put together a title page, TOC. etc.

Interviews with "The Tillman Story" Director Amir Bar-Lev

2011-02-15T17:10:00.000-08:00

2-11-11 ABL Edited Interviews

Review of "The Tillman Story" DVD Extras (Draft 2-11)

2011-02-15T12:13:00.001-08:00

2-15-11 Draft TTS DVD Commentary Review

"The [Untold] Tillman Story"

2010-08-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

"The [Untold] Tillman Story"

"The [Untold] Tillman Story" -- Congress’s Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal’s Role in the Tillman Cover-Up

2010-07-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Amir Bar-Lev's documentary film, "The Tillman Story" is scheduled for release on August 20th. Great film, except doesn't describe the "untold story." (hard to cover the whole story in 94 minutes; Amir cut it down from 2 1/2 hours. Hopefully some of the cut footage ends up in the DVD extras).

Mary Tillman's revised paperback edition of her 2008 book, "Boots on the Ground By Dusk" should be available around July 31st at blurb.com

If you want to see my previous documents, go to the June or January posts or follow the hyperlinks below.

Here's a comment I made to a blog that can serve as an introduction to my work:

7 20 10 Bar Lev Interview Comment

And here's an Introduction to the Tillman Files (written in January 2009):

I’ve taken the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s death a bit personally. Like Stan Goff, I feel a sense of kinship with Pat Tillman. In 1983, when I was “young and dumb,” I enlisted with an Airborne Ranger Long-Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) company. I grew up in the Army, enjoyed the camaraderie and the challenges. But, the lies of the first Gulf War were the last straw. After eight years, I finally left the Army in March 1991, and have been a firefighter the past 18 years.

Four years ago, I believed Pat Tillman was a patriotic “dumb jock”. I refused to watch any of the flag waving coverage of his memorial service. It seemed like a sideshow distraction to the Abu Gharib story.

But, the reality of Pat was much deeper than his iconic image. In October 2005, I read David Zirin’s article, “Our Hero.” I discovered a side of Pat Tillman not widely known –a fiercely independent thinker, avid reader (a favorite author was Noam Chomsky), and critic of the Bush administration and the Iraq war (“…this war is so fucking illegal”). Pat was a remarkable man who was driven by a core of honesty and integrity, led by personal example, and lived his life intensely.

I was angered that the truth about Pat’s life and death had been buried by the media and government. Tillman was enshrined as an icon while the man fell by the wayside, his parents used as props at his funeral. Pat’s family still don’t have the meager consolation of knowing the truth about his death. “The truth may be painful, but it’s the truth,” his mother said. “If you feel you’re being lied to, you can never put it to rest.”

Let us honor Pat Tillman’s memory by honoring the man, not the myth. The iconoclast, not the icon. As his mother said, “Pat would have wanted to be remembered as an individual, not as a stock figure or political prop. Pat was a real hero, not what they used him as.”

Pat Tillman, never at a loss for words himself, is now silent. Of the many tragic aspects surrounding his death, one is that he cannot define his own legacy. Now, it’s been up to his family and friends to reclaim the truth and integrity of Pat’s life and death.

. . .

A link to Gary Smith's 9-11-06 cover story "Remember His Name" is found within "Remember the Iconoclast, Not the Icon". Smith's piece is probably the single best short introduction to the Tillman story.

If you would like to learn more details about the Tillman story(much of which has never been covered in Mary Tillman's nor Jon Krakauer’s books or any other media accounts),take a look at the "Blog Archives" on the right-hand column (or scroll down).

There, I've posted the following "Tillman Files" in scrollable pdf format (click on title for hyperlink to document):

"REMEMBER THE ICONOCLAST, NOT THE ICON -- Pat Tillman 1976 -- 2004"

"BATTLE FOR THE TRUTH -- Iddo Netanyahu, Kevin Tillman and the Cover-Up of Their Brother's Death"

"THAT'S MY HERO" -- Rachel Corrie, Pat Tillman, and Yoni Netanyahu

"A SENSE OF HONOR -- April 2008 Letters to Mary Tillman & Senator James Webb

. . .

"THE EMPEROR'S GENERAL" -- President Obama and the Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal's role in Cover-Up of Pat Tillman's Friendly-Fire Death

"BARELY A FOOTNOTE" Superbowl XLIII & Pat Tillman

“WHERE MEN WIN GLORY” --Andrew Exum, the Center for a New American Security(CNAS), and the Whitewash of General McChrystal’s Role in the Cover-Up of Pat Tillman’s Fratricide

“LIES … BORNE OUT BY FACTS,IF NOT THE TRUTH” -- Senator James Webb, Thom Shanker & The New York Times and the Whitewash of General McChrystal’s Role in the Aftermath of Pat Tillman’s Death

“DID THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO LIE YET? -- Senator James Webb, General Stanley McChrystal,and the Betrayal of Pat Tillman

. . .

I fully realize there's a lot of material posted here, but I've tried to summarize my material at the beginning of each of the binders.

As an introduction to my "Tillman Files", here's a slightly edited comment I wrote to truthdig.com on Pat Tillman's birthday on November 6th:

“War is always about betrayal, betrayal of the young by the old, of idealists by cynics and of troops by politicians."
-- Chris Hendges

Three years ago Kevin Tillman wrote in his eloquent letter “After Pat’s Birthday”:
“Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country. ... Somehow this is tolerated. Somehow nobody is accountable for this.”

Kevin hoped a Democratic Congress would bring accountability. But, just as with warrantless wiretapping and torture, those responsible for the cover-up of his brother’s fratricide have not been held accountable by the Democratic Congress.

In his book, “Where Men Win Glory,” Jon Krakauer blamed the Bush administration. However, the cover-up has been a thoroughly bipartisan affair. The Democratic Congress and the Obama Presidency have protected General McChrystal from punishment for his central role in orchestrating the cover-up.

Sometime after his April 2007 hearing, Congressman Waxman got the word the “fix” was in, to lay off McChrystal. Perhaps because of McChrystal’s covert contribution to the “surge” in Iraq? Shortly before the August 2007 Tillman hearing, McChrystal was dropped from the list of witnesses and never interviewed despite his central role in the cover-up.

Senator James Webb conducted a secret “review” of McChrystal’s role. On May 15th 2008, the Senate Armed Services Committee (headed by Levin and McCain) held a secret “executive session” where McChrystal testified behind closed doors about his actions “in detail.” Shortly afterwards, the Senate promoted him to Director of the Joint Staff.

(Like Pat Tillman, James Webb has been a maverick and a fascinating character. If anyone in Congress should have cared, it would have been him. But, as an old man and politician, he’s turned into exactly what he once reviled as a young combat Marine!)

On May 12th 2009, despite McChrystal’s role, President Obama handpicked McChrystal to be his new commander of the Afghan War and for promotion to the Army’s highest rank. Ironically, on the following day Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State University inside Sun Devil Stadium without once mentioning Pat Tillman! [Note: see Bob Young’s “Obama’s Big-Time Fumble” (Arizona Republic 5-17-09].

After a pro forma June 2nd hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate (begged by Senator Reid) confirmed McChrystal’s promotion on June 10th.

It’s not surprising that after the initial fratricide cover-up fell apart, Army officers and the Bush administration lied to protect their careers. Reprehensible, but understandable. But the Democratic Congress, after they took control of both Houses in 2006, could have gone after those responsible. Or at least not promoted them!

. . .

The media’s been complicit as well with the whitewash of the Tillman story. The New York Time’s Thom Shanker wrote a May 26th piece “clearing” McChrystal of all wrong-doing shortly before McChrystal’s confirmation hearing, despite receiving strong evidence to the contrary. since then, Thom’s enjoyed favorable access to McChrystal (so much for the NYT’s coverage “without fear or favor’!) On September 21st I sent a copy of my binder "Lies ... Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth" to the New York Times Public Editor Clark Hoyt. I never received a reply from him.

. . .

Just before McChrystal’s June 2nd Senate confirmation hearing, Andrew Exum (a Fellow at the Washington think-tank Center for a New American Security (CNAS)wrote a blog entry entitled "Confirm Him!":

“The bottom line is, nothing is ever going to heal the wounds inflicted on the Tillman Family … And while I have nothing but respect for the Tillman Family…, their personal grief should not be a veto on the nomination of the man the president, the Secretary of Defense, and General Petraeus all feel gives the United States and its allies the best chance of victory in Afghanistan …”

In his subsequent September 13th Washington Post review of Jon Krakauer’s book,“Where Men Win Glory – The Odyssey of Pat Tillman,” Andrew Exum neglected to mention General McChrystal’s central role in cover-up of Pat Tillman's fratricide.

Exum also failed to disclose his close personal and professional ties with McChrystal: Exum is a “fan” of McChrystal, worked with him closely during the past summer Afghan War assessement, and works for Nate Fick’s [LT in “Generation Kill” book and HBO series]CNAS that meets with McChrystal weekly and is leading the push for the Afghan surge.

On November 1st's "Meet the Press" show, Jon Krakauer accused General McChrystal of lying about his role in the cover-up of the Tillman fratricide. In response, Andrew Exum posted an entry in his CNAS “Abu Maquwama” blog blasting Krakauer, “On Martial Virtue … and Selling Jon Krakauer’s Crappy New Book."

Andrew Exum wrote: “Stan McChrystal stands out as one of the guys who made mistakes but ultimately did the right thing … probably the least culpable guy in Tillman’s chain of command … Stan McChrystal is one of the finest men I have ever known, and I hope I have sons who serve under men like him.” Well, as one blogger commented, “Phew, talk about a man crush.”

Before reading Exum’s blog entry, I had assumed that Andrew Exum and CNAS were part of the bipartisan “conspiracy” protecting General McChrystal, and Exum had written his book review to whitewash General McChrystal’s central role in orchestrating the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s fratricide.

Now, I think Andrew Exum is either good at feigning self-righteous outrage or is woefully ignorant of the most basic facts of the Tillman case. Regardless, he and CNAS obviously have personal and professional conflicts of interests with writing about General McChrystal's role in the Tillman case.

Five years ago, Pat Tillman’s family were handed a tarnished Silver Star. It was a travesty of justice that General McChrystal was promoted to the Army’s highest rank, and handed his fourth star.

. . .

One of my binders is entitled “Battle for the Truth.” Jonathan (Yoni) Netanayahu was another character cast from the same mold as Pat Tillman. When I first learned of Pat the iconoclast (vs the media icon), I was immediately reminded of Yoni. Although they were separated by 27 years, both were charismatic individuals driven who lived and died with intensity and integrity. Both Achilles-like and “slain in the high places.” The similarities, despite the obvious differences, between their stories is eerie. Ironically, Yoni truly died heroically, killed while saving hostages at Entebbe. But it would have been embarrassing to mention that he died because the mission went FUBAR and that there were friendly fire deaths, so the IDF told the story he was shot in the back by a stray burst of fire.

Afterwards, Max Hastings wrote a book “Yoni - Hero of Entebbe” similar to Krakauer's “Where Men Win Glory” in that it provided a bibliography of Yoni, described the battle at Entebbe, and used interviews with family members and his own words from his letters. Later, Yoni’s brothers edited Yoni’s letters and published them as “Self Portrait of a Hero.” A powerful book.

A1 - 3-26-07 DoD IG Briefing & Tillman Response

2010-07-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

A1 - 3-26-07 DoD IG Briefing & Tillman Response 7-14-10

B1 - 4-24-07 HOC Hearing

2010-07-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

B1 - 4-24-07 HOC Hearing 7-08-10

C1 - 7-31-07 Wallace Briefing

2010-07-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

C1 - 7-31-07 Wallace Briefing 7-06-10

D1 - 7-13-07 McChrystal Invited

2010-07-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

D1 - 7-13-07 McChrystal Invited 7-13-10

D2 - 8-01-07 HOC Hearing

2010-07-14T17:08:00.001-07:00

D2 - 8-01-07 HOC Hearing 7-06-10

D3 - 8-01-07 McChrystal No Show

2010-07-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

D3 - 8-01-07 McChrystal No Show 7-13-10

E1 - 5-15, 5-22-08 SASC Hearings

2010-07-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

E1 - 5-15, 5-22-08 SASC Hearings 7-14-10

E2 - 5-27-08 Diane Rhem Show

2010-07-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

E2 - 5-27-08 Diane Rhem Show 7-04-10

F1 - 7-17-08 HOC Final Report

2010-07-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

F1 - 7-17-08 HOC Final Report 7-04-10

G1 - 5-15-09 Diane Rhem Show

2010-07-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

G1 - 5-15-09 Diane Rhem Show 7-04-10

H1 - 6-02-09 SASC Hearing

2010-07-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

H1 - 6-02-09 SASC Hearing 7-04-10

I1 - McChrystal Contradictory Testimony

2010-07-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

I1 - McChrystal Contradictory Testimony 7-14-10

J1 - McChrystal Protection Act of 2009

2010-07-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

J1 - 2009 McChrystal Protection Act

“The Emperor's General” -- President Obama & the Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal's Role in Tillman Cover-up (June 2010)

2010-06-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

"The Emperor's General" - President Obama and the Whitewash of Gen. McChrystal’s Role in the Cover-up of Pa...

"Barely a Footnote" -- Superbowl XLIII and the NFL's Betrayal of Pat Tillman (June 2010)

2010-06-20T08:25:00.001-07:00

"Barely a Footnote" -- Superbowl XLIII and the NFL's Betrayal of Pat Tillman (6-20-10)

"That's My Hero": Pat Tillman, Rachel Corrie, and Yoni Netanyahu (June 2010)

2010-06-20T07:26:00.001-07:00

"That's My Hero": Pat Tillman, Rachel Corrie, and Yoni Netanyahu - 6-20-10

Introduction: Feral Firefighter's Tillman Files

2010-01-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

I’ve taken the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s death a bit personally. Like Stan Goff, I feel a sense of kinship with Pat Tillman. In 1983, when I was “young and dumb,” I enlisted with an Airborne Ranger Long-Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) company. I grew up in the Army, enjoyed the camaraderie and the challenges. But, the lies of the first Gulf War were the last straw. After eight years, I finally left the Army in March 1991, and have been a firefighter the past 18 years.

Four years ago, I believed Pat Tillman was a patriotic “dumb jock”. I refused to watch any of the flag waving coverage of his memorial service. It seemed like a sideshow distraction to the Abu Gharib story.

But, the reality of Pat was much deeper than his iconic image. In October 2005, I read David Zirin’s article, “Our Hero.” I discovered a side of Pat Tillman not widely known –a fiercely independent thinker, avid reader (a favorite author was Noam Chomsky), and critic of the Bush administration and the Iraq war (“…this war is so fucking illegal”). Pat was a remarkable man who was driven by a core of honesty and integrity, led by personal example, and lived his life intensely.

I was angered that the truth about Pat’s life and death had been buried by the media and government. Tillman was enshrined as an icon while the man fell by the wayside, his parents used as props at his funeral. Pat’s family still don’t have the meager consolation of knowing the truth about his death. “The truth may be painful, but it’s the truth,” his mother said. “If you feel you’re being lied to, you can never put it to rest.”

Let us honor Pat Tillman’s memory by honoring the man, not the myth. The iconoclast, not the icon. As his mother said, “Pat would have wanted to be remembered as an individual, not as a stock figure or political prop. Pat was a real hero, not what they used him as.”

Pat Tillman, never at a loss for words himself, is now silent. Of the many tragic aspects surrounding his death, one is that he cannot define his own legacy. Now, it’s been up to his family and friends to reclaim the truth and integrity of Pat’s life and death.

. . .

A link to Gary Smith's 9-11-06 cover story "Remember His Name" is found within "Remember the Iconoclast, Not the Icon". Smith's piece is probably the single best short introduction to the Tillman story.

If you would like to learn more details about the Tillman story(much of which has never been covered in Mary Tillman's nor Jon Krakauer’s books or any other media accounts),take a look at the "Blog Archives" on the right-hand column (or scroll down).

There,I've posted the following "Tillman Files" in scrollable pdf format (click on "fullscreen"):

"REMEMBER THE ICONOCLAST, NOT THE ICON -- Pat Tillman 1976 -- 2004"

"BATTLE FOR THE TRUTH -- Iddo Netanyahu, Kevin Tillman and the Cover-Up of Their Brother's Death"

"A SENSE OF HONOR -- April 2008 Letters to Mary Tillman & Senator James Webb

“WHERE MEN WIN GLORY” --Andrew Exum, the Center for a New American Security(CNAS), and the Whitewash of General McChrystal’s Role in the Cover-Up of Pat Tillman’s Fratricide

“LIES … BORNE OUT BY FACTS,IF NOT THE TRUTH” -- Senator James Webb, Thom Shanker & The New York Times and the Whitewash of General McChrystal’s Role in the Aftermath of Pat Tillman’s Death

“DID THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO LIE YET? -- Senator James Webb, General Stanley McChrystal,and the Betrayal of Pat Tillman

. . .

I fully realize there's a lot of material posted here, but I've tried to summarize my material at the beginning of each of the binders.

As an introduction to my "Tillman Files", here's a slightly edited comment I wrote to truthdig.com on Pat Tillman's birthday on November 6th:

“War is always about betrayal, betrayal of the young by the old, of idealists by cynics and of troops by politicians."
-- Chris Hendges

Three years ago Kevin Tillman wrote in his eloquent letter “After Pat’s Birthday”:
“Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country. ... Somehow this is tolerated. Somehow nobody is accountable for this.”

Kevin hoped a Democratic Congress would bring accountability. But, just as with warrantless wiretapping and torture, those responsible for the cover-up of his brother’s fratricide have not been held accountable by the Democratic Congress.

In his book, “Where Men Win Glory,” Jon Krakauer blamed the Bush administration. However, the cover-up has been a thoroughly bipartisan affair. The Democratic Congress and the Obama Presidency have protected General McChrystal from punishment for his central role in orchestrating the cover-up.

Sometime after his April 2007 hearing, Congressman Waxman got the word the “fix” was in, to lay off McChrystal. Perhaps because of McChrystal’s covert contribution to the “surge” in Iraq? Shortly before the August 2007 Tillman hearing, McChrystal was dropped from the list of witnesses and never interviewed despite his central role in the cover-up.

Senator James Webb conducted a secret “review” of McChrystal’s role. On May 15th 2008, the Senate Armed Services Committee (headed by Levin and McCain) held a secret “executive session” where McChrystal testified behind closed doors about his actions “in detail.” Shortly afterwards, the Senate promoted him to Director of the Joint Staff.

(Like Pat Tillman, James Webb has been a maverick and a fascinating character. If anyone in Congress should have cared, it would have been him. But, as an old man and politician, he’s turned into exactly what he once reviled as a young combat Marine!)

On May 12th 2009, despite McChrystal’s role, President Obama handpicked McChrystal to be his new commander of the Afghan War and for promotion to the Army’s highest rank. Ironically, on the following day Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State University inside Sun Devil Stadium without once mentioning Pat Tillman! [Note: see Bob Young’s “Obama’s Big-Time Fumble” (Arizona Republic 5-17-09].

After a pro forma June 2nd hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate (begged by Senator Reid) confirmed McChrystal’s promotion on June 10th.

It’s not surprising that after the initial fratricide cover-up fell apart, Army officers and the Bush administration lied to protect their careers. Reprehensible, but understandable. But the Democratic Congress, after they took control of both Houses in 2006, could have gone after those responsible. Or at least not promoted them!

. . .

The media’s been complicit as well with the whitewash of the Tillman story. The New York Time’s Thom Shanker wrote a May 26th piece “clearing” McChrystal of all wrong-doing shortly before McChrystal’s confirmation hearing, despite receiving strong evidence to the contrary. since then, Thom’s enjoyed favorable access to McChrystal (so much for the NYT’s coverage “without fear or favor’!) On September 21st I sent a copy of my binder "Lies ... Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth" to the New York Times Public Editor Clark Hoyt. I never received a reply from him.

. . .

Just before McChrystal’s June 2nd Senate confirmation hearing, Andrew Exum (a Fellow at the Washington think-tank Center for a New American Security (CNAS)wrote a blog entry entitled "Confirm Him!":

“The bottom line is, nothing is ever going to heal the wounds inflicted on the Tillman Family … And while I have nothing but respect for the Tillman Family…, their personal grief should not be a veto on the nomination of the man the president, the Secretary of Defense, and General Petraeus all feel gives the United States and its allies the best chance of victory in Afghanistan …”

In his subsequent September 13th Washington Post review of Jon Krakauer’s book,“Where Men Win Glory – The Odyssey of Pat Tillman,” Andrew Exum neglected to mention General McChrystal’s central role in cover-up of Pat Tillman's fratricide.

Exum also failed to disclose his close personal and professional ties with McChrystal: Exum is a “fan” of McChrystal, worked with him closely during the past summer Afghan War assessement, and works for Nate Fick’s [LT in “Generation Kill” book and HBO series]CNAS that meets with McChrystal weekly and is leading the push for the Afghan surge.

On November 1st's "Meet the Press" show, Jon Krakauer accused General McChrystal of lying about his role in the cover-up of the Tillman fratricide. In response, Andrew Exum posted an entry in his CNAS “Abu Maquwama” blog blasting Krakauer, “On Martial Virtue … and Selling Jon Krakauer’s Crappy New Book."

Andrew Exum wrote: “Stan McChrystal stands out as one of the guys who made mistakes but ultimately did the right thing … probably the least culpable guy in Tillman’s chain of command … Stan McChrystal is one of the finest men I have ever known, and I hope I have sons who serve under men like him.” Well, as one blogger commented, “Phew, talk about a man crush.”

Before reading Exum’s blog entry, I had assumed that Andrew Exum and CNAS were part of the bipartisan “conspiracy” protecting General McChrystal, and Exum had written his book review to whitewash General McChrystal’s central role in orchestrating the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s fratricide.

Now, I think Andrew Exum is either good at feigning self-righteous outrage or is woefully ignorant of the most basic facts of the Tillman case. Regardless, he and CNAS obviously have personal and professional conflicts of interests with writing about General McChrystal's role in the Tillman case.

Five years ago, Pat Tillman’s family were handed a tarnished Silver Star. It was a travesty of justice that General McChrystal was promoted to the Army’s highest rank, and handed his fourth star.

. . .

One of my binders is entitled “Battle for the Truth.” Jonathan (Yoni) Netanayahu was another character cast from the same mold as Pat Tillman. When I first learned of Pat the iconoclast (vs the media icon), I was immediately reminded of Yoni. Although they were separated by 27 years, both were charismatic individuals driven who lived and died with intensity and integrity. Both Achilles-like and “slain in the high places.” The similarities, despite the obvious differences, between their stories is eerie. Ironically, Yoni truly died heroically, killed while saving hostages at Entebbe. But it would have been embarrassing to mention that he died because the mission went FUBAR and that there were friendly fire deaths, so the IDF told the story he was shot in the back by a stray burst of fire.

Afterwards, Max Hastings wrote a book “Yoni - Hero of Entebbe” similar to Krakauer's “Where Men Win Glory” in that it provided a bibliography of Yoni, described the battle at Entebbe, and used interviews with family members and his own words from his letters. Later, Yoni’s brothers edited Yoni’s letters and published them as “Self Portrait of a Hero.” A powerful book.

Remember the Iconoclast, Not the Icon -- Pat Tillman 1976 - 2004 (February 2008)

2010-01-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

Remember the Iconoclast, Not the Icon -- Pat Tillman 1976 – 2004

Battle for the Truth - Iddo Netanyahu, Kevin Tillman and the Cover-Up of their Brother's Deaths (February 2008)

2010-01-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

Battle for the Truth PDF 12-06-09

A Sense of Honor -- Senator Webb & Pat Tillman (April 2008)

2010-01-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

A Sense of Honor -- Senator Webb & Pat Tillman

"Where Men Win Glory" -- Andrew Exum, CNAS and the Whitewash of General McChrystal's Role in the Cover-Up of Pat Tillman's Friendly-Fire Death (1/10)

2010-01-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Where Men Win Glory - Updated 1-28-10

Appendices -- "Where Men Win Glory -- Andrew Exum, CNAS, and the Whitewash of General McChrystal's Cover-Up of Pat Tillman's Friendly-Fire Death

2010-01-21T10:00:00.002-08:00

Appendices -- Where Men Win Glory 1-27-10

"Lies Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth -- Thom Shanker, the NYT, and their Whitewash of General McChrystal's Cover-Up of Pat Tillman's Fratricide

2010-01-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

"Lies Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth" -- Thom Shanker, the New York Times, and the Whitewash of Gener...

Appendices -- Lies Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth

2010-01-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

Appendices - Lies Borne Out By Facts, If Not the Truth

"Did They Teach You How to Lie Yet?" -- Senator Webb, Gen. McChrystal & the Betrayal of Pat Tillman

2010-01-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

Did They Teach You How to Lie Yet -- Senator Webb, General McChrystal And the Betrayal of Pat Tillman

Appendix A: McChrystal Responsible for Fratricide Investigation & Family Notification

2010-01-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

Operational & Administrative Chain of Command for Tillman's Units:

DoD IG Report Appendix D: Casualty Reporting & Next of Kin Notification Process:

Note: to better view this flowchart, go to the DOD IG Report,page 80. Hit View tab, rotate clockwise, then zoom in.

http://www.defense.gov/home/pdf/Tillman_Redacted_Web_0307.pdf

Appendix B: McChrystal's Early Knowledge of Confirmation of Tillman Fratricide

2010-01-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

from DoD IG Report Appendix B: Chronology:

from Appendix B: McChrystal's Early Knowledge of Tillman Fratricide Confirmation

Acting DoD IG Gimbler testimony at Waxman 4-24-07 Tillman Hearing:

General McChrystal's Testimony for Jones 15-6:

Note: I find it remarkable that McChrystal's tape recording was the only one "lost" out of about a hundred interviews.

General Abizaid's Testimony for DoD IG Investigators:

General Abizaid Testimony at Waxman's 8-01-07 Hearing:

LTC Bailey Testimony from Jones 15-6 Report:

Tesm

CSM Birch Jones 15-6 testimony:

Appendix C: McChrystal Declines to Appear at Waxman Hearing

2010-01-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of witnesses as of July 17, 2007 for the 2nd Tillman hearing:

Two weeks later, McChrystal's been dropped from the list of witnesses. (I was unable to download my scanned image of the August 1, 2007 Waxman hearing announcement without McChrystal on list. But, you can find it at:

http://www.oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3872:the-tillman-fratricide-what-the-leadership-of-the-defense-department-knew&catid=42:hearings&Itemid=2

Appendix D: McChrystal's Misleading P4 Memo

2010-01-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Note: my boldface added to above text

“Is Military Integrity a Contradiction in Terms?” johntreed.com

http://johntreed.com/Tillman.html see “General McChrystal’s Cable” section

http://johntreed.com/McChrystal.html

http://johntreed.com/tournament.html

http://johntreed.com/militaryhonor.html

Appendix E: McChrystal's Fraudulent Silver Star

2010-01-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

Note: to better view this flowchart, go to the DOD IG Report,page 82. Hit View tab, rotate clockwise, then zoom in.

http://www.defense.gov/home/pdf/Tillman_Redacted_Web_0307.pdf

Appendix F: McChrystal's 6-02-09 Senate Testimony

2010-01-11T02:25:00.000-08:00

TRANSCRIPT OF GENERAL MCCHRYSTAL SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING

http://armed-services.senate.gov/Transcripts/2009/06%20June/09-36%20-%206-2-09.pdf

p. 4 Chairman Senator Levin mention of 2008 secret executive session

p .9 McChrystal’s opening statement

p. 17 Senator McCain & McChrystal

p. 47 Senator Webb & McChrystal

Censored Comment to Exum's 11-23-09 Post [Correction added 11-24-09]

2009-11-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

Andrew Exum,

I believe you’ve neglected to fully explain to your readers the principle reason for your decision to stop blogging and to cut out your television appearances.

Reading between the lines, I believe your biased review of Jon Krakauer’s book about Pat Tillman and some of your off-the-cuff postings have caused a bit of embarrassment for CNAS. That your boss and friend Nate Fick (“#42’) decided that it was best that you lay low, reduce your public profile. Besides, for good or ill, you’ve already done your part to help set McChrytal’s Afghan “surge” into motion.

Update:

Last night I received convincing feedback that "I'm wrong in your reading between the lines stuff." My accusation that Andrew Exum was less than forthright in stating his reasons for his decision to stop blogging was incorrect (apparently, it was merely wishful thinking on my part that my critical comments or the mild slap on the hand by the Washington Post ombudsman had embarrassed Nate Fick at CNAS). My apologies to Andrew Exum.

But, the same sources do not agree with Andrew Exum about General McChrystal's role in the aftermath of Pat Tillman's friendly fire death. I stand by the remainder of my comments. Andrew Exum, nor anyone else in the blogosphere, has yet disputed the substance of my arguments [excepting "Kilo" (not to be confused with Johnny Rico at Zulu Kilo] with whom I traded comments in AM's November 2nd "Martial Virtue ... post].

I welcome any substantive criticism of my arguments as opposed to ad hominum attacks.

End Update

Update #2: Upon reconsideration, I think my speculation that CNAS pulled the plug on Exum may still be a reason for his reduced blogging. However, I think Mr. Exum may possibly believe his own BS.

In particular, the Washington Post’s Ombudsman, Andrew Alexander, recently wrote a column “Blame to Spare on a Book Review’ (11-15-09):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/13/AR2009111303346.html

Alexander wrote that “Krakauer is angry. He told me that because Exum is ‘enthralled’ with McChrystal, he wrote a "willfully deceptive" review that protected him. … I also think Exum deserves blame. The contract language is explicit. Despite media coverage of his role in Afghanistan, the contract puts the onus on the reviewer to notify The Post if there is an "appearance of a conflict of interest."

As I pointed out previously in my lengthy comments to your November 2nd post, “On Martial Virtue ... and Selling Jon Krakauer's Crappy New Book” (and your November 9th Post, “He Who Shall Not Be Fact Checked) you’ve got more than the “appearance of a conflict of interest” when it comes to General McChrystal. You neglected to mention General McChrystal’s key role in the cover-up of the Pat Tillman fratricide or disclose your close personal and professional ties with him. As one blogger commented, “Phew, talk about a man crush. … the normally witty and sarcastic Abu Muqawama has turned into a walking billboard for Gen. McChrystal …”):

http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/2009/11/martial-virtue-and-selling-jon-krakauers-crappy-new-book.html

http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/2009/11/he-who-shall-not-be-fact-checked.html

I had initially assumed you and CNAS were part of the bipartisan “conspiracy” protecting General McChrystal and you had written your book review to whitewash General McChrystal’s central role in the aftermath of Pat Tillman’s friendly-fire death. However, after reading your November 2nd blog post, I believe you are either awfully good at feigning self-righteous outrage or are woefully ignorant of the most basic facts of the Tillman case. Despite your assertion that McChrystal was “probably the least culpable guy in Tillman's chain of command” the evidence is overwhelming that McChrystal played a key role in the cover-up of Tillman’s fratricide.

For example, take a look at “Where Men Win Glory – Andrew Exum, CNAS, and the Whitewash of General McChrystal’s Role in the Cover-Up of Pat Tillman’s Fratricide”:

http://feralfirefighter.blogspot.com/2009/11/men-win-glory-andrew-exum-center-for.html

(my apologies, much of the supporting Appendices documents have not yet been posted)

. . .

Why am I picking on you? Well, I’ve got no personal beef with you (I enjoyed reading your book, your account of Ranger School, and you sound like you were once a “squared away” LT). But, I’ve obviously taken the Pat Tillman story to heart. Your biased review of Krakauer’s book covering for General McChrystal didn’t exactly endear yourself to me!

You just happened to be the last in the bipartisan line of Washington figures who have covered for General McChrystal and betrayed the memory of Pat Tillman.

. . .

Three years ago Kevin Tillman published his eloquent letter, “After Pat’s Birthday" http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20091106_happy_birthday_pat_tillman/

Kevin wrote, “Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country. ... Somehow this is tolerated. Somehow nobody is accountable for this.”

Kevin had hoped the 2006 election of a Democratic Congress would bring accountability. But, just as with warrantless wiretapping and torture, those responsible for the cover-up of his brother’s fratricide have not been held accountable by the Democratic Congress.

In his book, “Where Men Win Glory,” Jon Krakauer blamed the Bush administration. However, the cover-up has been a thoroughly bipartisan affair. The Democratic Congress and the Obama Presidency have protected General McChrystal from punishment for his central role in orchestrating the cover-up:
http://feralfirefighter.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-they-teach-you-how-to-lie-yet_06.html

Sometime after his April 2007 Tillman hearing, Congressman Henry Waxman got the word the “fix” was in, to lay off McChrystal. Shortly before his August 2007 Tillman hearing, McChrystal was dropped from the list of witnesses and never interviewed despite his central role in the cover-up.

Senator James Webb conducted a secret “review” of McChrystal’s role. On May 15th 2008, the Senate Armed Services Committee (headed by Levin and McCain) held a secret “executive session” where McChrystal testified behind closed doors about his actions “in detail.” Shortly afterwards, the Senate promoted him to Director of the Joint Staff.

On May 12th 2009, despite McChrystal’s role, President Obama handpicked McChrystal to be his new commander of the Afghan War and for promotion to the Army’s highest rank. Ironically, on the following day Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State University inside Sun Devil Stadium without once mentioning Pat Tillman! [Note: see Bob Young’s “Obama’s Big-Time Fumble” (Arizona Republic 5-17-09].

After a pro forma June 2nd hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate (begged to do so by Senator Reid) confirmed McChrystal’s promotion on June 10th.

It’s not surprising that after the initial fratricide cover-up fell apart, Army officers and the Bush administration lied to protect their careers. Reprehensible, but understandable. But the Democratic Congress, after they took control of both Houses in 2006, could have gone after those responsible. Or at least not promoted them!

The media's been complicit as well. The New York Time's Pentagon Reporter Thom Shanker wrote a May 26th piece "clearing" McChrystal of all wrong-doing shortly before McChrystal's confirmation hearing. Since then, Thom has enjoyed favorable access to McChrystal (so much for the NYT's coverage without "fear or favor'!) Ironically, Thom Shanker is currently a "writer in residence" with you at CNAS!
http://feralfirefighter.blogspot.com/2009/11/lies-borne-out-by-facts-if-not-truth.html

. . .

I believe I’ve kept my commentary on the “non-crazed” side. Just try not to write any more garbage about McChrystal or Tillman.

Well, it’s quieted down at my fire station, finally allowing me to finish my post. Best of luck with your post-blog life.

Sincerely,

Guy Montag, SSGT Co. “F” (Ranger) 425th INF MI ARNG 1983 -- 1991

Work in Progress

2009-11-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

I've spent the morning playing around with my first attempt at blogging.

I've downloaded some of my documents, but they're a bit messy since they were created with Word and the formatting is a bit messy after being copied. I've got to figure out a faster way to download my documents without having to laboriously re-edit each document after copying it to clean it up.

Ditto for downloading my pictures. It looks as though I need to put them in jpg on my computer first.

So, I've temporarily stopped getting my documents onto this blog. I've got "Where Men Win Glory" down, except for the pictures and actually writing my letter to Nate Fick.

I've only downloaded the title pages and Table of Contents for the other two documents. I'll try to get them here tommorrow night when I've got more time at my fire station. Including downloading pdf documents of all the Army documents I've referred to.

Here's a quick summary of my binders:

At the end of May, I wrote the binder, “Did They Teach You to Lie Yet – Senator James Webb, General Stanley McChrystal, and the Betrayal of Pat Tillman.” I argue that the top leadership of the Army, Waxman’s House Oversight Committee, and Senator Carl Levin’s Senate Armed Services Committee acted to shield McChrystal from scrutiny and protect him from punishment for his actions. I especially focus on Senator Webb’s role in a secret “review” prior to McChrystal’s 2008 confirmation (I’ve updated this binder to include the 2009 Senate confirmation hearing and three new revelations from McChrystal’s testimony).

On September 11th, I just finished the binder “Lies … Borne Out by Facts, If Not the Truth” – Senator James Webb, Thom Shanker & The New York Times, and the Whitewash of General Stanley McChrystal.” This binder explores the role of NYT Washington Pentagon reporter Thom Shanker in “clearing” McChrystal of any wrongdoing. In addition, I describe my interactions with Senator Webb’s office and speculate at President Obama’s role in the Tillman case.

I'm still working on "Where Men Win Glory -- Andrew Exum, the Center for a New American Security, and the Whitewashing of General McChrystal's Role in the Cover-Up of the Tillman Fratricide. I hope to finish my letter to Nate Fick this Friday, November 6th. Pat Tillman's birthday.

HB 4309 Briefing Paper 3-03-11 (Revised 3-21-11)

2009-03-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

3-14-11 HB 4309 Brief Revised LINK

Last revision posted 3-14-11: Added introduction, revised executive summary, added page to summarize bill sponsor's arguments, some minor changes to body of text.

Urban Myth that Urban Cooperation Act Blocks Collaboration

2009-03-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Note: Click on title below this note to access copy at scribd.com with clickable hyperlinks and fullscreen view, etc. I don't know why this doc didn't imbed like previous ones.

Urban Myths About the Urban Cooperation Act 3-20-11

Response To CRC Reply to My Concerns 3-17-11

2009-03-17T03:44:00.000-07:00

West MI Mayors & The GR Press Push Consolidation Myths

2009-03-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

3-09-11 GR Press CRC Laws that Impede

PA 312 Briefing Paper 2-23-11

2009-02-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

3-01-11 PA312 Brief