Pat Tillman

The retired general being considered for demotion over his handling of the death of Pat Tillman now wants to speak. Don't know what he'll say but the blackout of coverage on this story on the right wing blogosphere is telling in light of the explosion over the Scott Thomas Beauchamp story. Tillman's military record is beyond reproach and the circumstances surrounding his death aren't likely to help further their Malkinesque military fetish. He was an atheist and opposed to the war in Iraq and unfortunately conducted himself in no way other than honorably.

Beauchamp it seems did as well but recorded conduct by himself and others which viewed through the lenses of an armchair conservative moralist looks... well unfortunate. The more unfortunate fact for them though is that none of it was illegal and certainly nothing but an indication of trivial insensitivity on the part of combat troops, who obviously have a bit more on their minds than choosing their words properly to suit the image of them that the Weekly Standard would like to peddle.

I can't help but think that if they really appreciated the sacrifices made by US military personnel then they would be able to have a slightly more nuanced view of them than something we might see in WWII recruitment films. They don't have a mature view of the military, the war, or the world in general and thus can brook no challenge.