Perhaps they wanted to keep the image in American minds that he was a superhero and was not suppose to die from enemy fire?
2007-04-24 08:59:21 · 6 answers · asked by Steven C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
If you recall, the reports of his death cam close on the heels of Abu Graib. I'll leave you all tofigure it out from there.
2007-04-24 09:54:48 · answer #1 · answered by Charlie S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First respondent has the right idea -- we need uplifting stories coming out of the warzone to keep the public in favor of the continuing battles. Taking a professional athlete who gave up a lucrative career to join the War on Terror and turning his death into something as heroic as his choice to join the military in the first place makes perfect sense from a PR standpoint.
Unfortunately, he didn't die heroically...he was shot by his own men. For the government to come out and say "Yes, Pat Tillman was a brave American. But he had also become an outspoken critic of the wars we wage, and died in a friendly fire accident while serving in Afghanistan" would be the truth, but wouldn't help public opinion at all. So instead a fabrication is told to make him a bigger hero and cheer up the populace...until the lies start to crumble.
Kevin Tillman (Pat's brother, also a veteran) wrote a very moving diatribe a few months back that I'd encourage you all to read -- http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday/
2007-04-24 16:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by Sancho 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Death as a hero is much more pro-war than death by 'friendly fire' is. The US did not want the truth known. The fact is, soldiers die from 'friendly fire', it happens...no need to lie about it.
They probably did because the public's opinion of the war is so low anyway
2007-04-24 16:19:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What better way to put a "hero's" face on the War on Terror, especially that of a NFL football star making the "ultimate sacrifice for his country". Bush mentioned him during that election year and talked about the "sorrow that comes from that type of sacrifice" yadda yadda yadda.
this was to galvanize others to support his war especially the one in Iraq even though Pat died in Afghanistan.
2007-04-24 16:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by thequeenreigns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reason that the military does everything.
Orders!
From superior officers.
Or civilian leadership.
2007-04-24 16:12:41 · answer #5 · answered by Think 1st 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hero stories are fun times; accidental shootings are depressing
2007-04-24 16:02:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋