(This previous blog entry I updated today)
Here is what I wrote on TruthDig in response to Kevin Tillman’s remarkable article there:
Comment #31730 by Mikael Rudolph on 10/21 at 11:04 pm
My good friend and staunch ally, self-proclaimed “Impeachment Gruntâ€, Marine Sgt. Daniel Fearn (ret.) warned me not to be too eager to thank returning vets. He told me that no matter how sincere the sentiment, the involuntary response from the soldier might be “What the f**k do you know about where I’ve been, what I’ve done, what I’ve seen?â€
Just as surely as I will never know what it is like to be a woman, a black American or a starving Third World citizen, I will never know the world through your eyes, Kevin Tillman.
I most certainly can, however, clearly see a glimpse into the depths of your essence revealed through your answer to our nation’s call at a time of great need, the ultimate price you and your family paid, your rightfully loyal, respectful and obediant silence for so long and at long last, these courageous words at precisely the appropriate time.
When I speak out against this illegal and immoral war, this hopelessly spiritually bankrupt Administration or the silence of those that could with so little personal sacrifice work together to make this nightmare all come to an end, I do so from the vantage of the privileged position of a white American male of relative prosperity who has never served in the military.
The work I do toward correcting the problems you so eloquently clarified above I ultimately do simply to support the work and sacrifices I will never completely know of those who have given and continue to give so much more.
At risk of offense, which most certainly would not be my intent…
Thank you, Sir.
Thank you certainly for your military service, which costs me far too little to say to you.
I am certainly most sorry for the loss of your brother, in whose memory you are standing most tall and proud.
But now, more than ever, thank you for this remarkable early example of your continued service after having rejoined the ranks of the privileged, safe and comfortable.
Thank you.
Mikael Rudolph
Stayed Home 1958-2006
http://www.WorldCantWait.org
http://www.ImpeachforPeace.org
~~~
“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 Tillman, brother of Pat Tillman
Original article on TruthDig:
ESPN:
Pat Tillman’s brother Kevin speaks out against war
Sports Illustrated:
Pat Tillman’s brother criticizes war
– AP photo
This is one of the strongest pieces of writing I have seen thus far coming from someone who has been a part of the military. I think the Tillman brothers both have been courageous, and the surviving brother does honor to Pat by speaking to truth. I sent this to some friends, and one from Chicago whom I had not talked to for awhile wrote back immediately wondering why this president has not yet been impeached. He had not been aware of our organization, and I wrote back and told him about IFP. Another, who is definitely not politically left, also responded. Instead of the remarks I was expecting, he praised the article and said he wondered when people would stop talking and starting doing something. So the desire for action is out there. We just need to spark it!!
Comment by Jan Willms — October 24, 2006 @ 10:36 pm