Tillman
A lot has been said about Pat Tillman, and unfortunately, I was occupied much of the weekend, so I haven’t had the chance to throw in my two cents until now.
Pat Tillman was a brave man who lived–and died–by his convictions. He turned down multiple millions of dollars and went to a war zone with a group of the army’s most elite soldiers. But I have a hard time considering him any more of a hero than anybody else whose actions were similar.
Yeah, the teachers and recent high school grads who volunteered for the army after 9/11 didn’t have millions at stake when they did so, but that does not mean their sacrifices were any less than that of Tillman; all recruits offer the army their time and their lives–one of which they don’t get back, the other of which they have no guarantee of keeping.
Unfortunately, the media has fixated on Tillman alone. As Rob Ryder pointed out today (scroll to the bottom), there are even other football players who died in combat during the war on Saddam terror. While Lance Corporal Michael J. Smith Jr. wasn’t a pro, the disparity between the treatment of his death and that of Tillman indicates one of the more pressing reasons Tillman’s death has gotten so much press: the desire to sell more newspapers, raise the ratings, and generate web hits. Yes, it’s news that a professional football player died, but it should also be news when a doctor, or a mechanic, or an ROTC kid fulfilling their required service perishes, as well.
I’m also a little confused as to why the Cardinals have decided to retire Tillman’s number. NFL players who died in WWII and Vietnam were not similarly honored. Is it the prospect of selling out the stadium for at least one game next year (the retirement ceremony) that led to the team’s decision?
Nightline has the right idea: according to Americablog, this Friday’s episode will contain just the names and pictures of those who have fallen in the war on the guy who wanted to kill my daddy terror. Expect the Bush adminstration to denounce the decision, much like they did the pictures of caskets last week. Because, despite what I see in the Reuters raw feed at work, “things in Iraq are going according to schedule.” Right.
Finally, though it may not seem that way for some rightie, pro-war readers, I do greatly admire what Pat Tillman did and the decision he made. Hell, he volunteered to go to war. Eli Manning wouldn’t even go to San Diego.
Thanks to Wonkette for the “schedule” link.