SOMETHING TO DIE FOR

The [Untold] Tillman Story Bet een!the!"ine# o$ Mi%hael Ha#tin&'# Boo( The O)erator# * The +ild , Terri$yin& In#ide Story o$ -meri%a'# +ar in -$&hani#tan
Guy Montag @ feralfirefighter.blogspot.com April 20, 2012 [Version 1.5 !p"ate" April 20, 201#$

%& 'at [(illman$ "ie" for this country, an" he belie)e" it *as a great country that ha" a system that *or+e". & ,ut *e ne)er thought that they *oul" use him the *ay they "i".. Mary (illman, /ongressional testimony 0April 2#, 20012 %3t [*or" of 'at (illman4s frien"ly fire "eath$ *ent up to the t*o.star le)el an" the t*o.star too+ it right up to the four.star le)el. & 56ere is the stea+ "inner, but *e4re gi)ing it to you on this & garbage can co)er. 7ou +no*, you got it, you *or+ it.4.. ,riga"ier General 6o*ar" 7ellen 0May 200#2 %48hat "i" Mr. (illman9s sacrifice mean:4 & 53t "i"n9t mean anything. 3t spea+s to the mythology of *ar ... (here is nothing glamorous or romantic about *ar. 3t9s mostly about ran"om pointless "eath an" misery & the goo" aren9t re*ar"e", there9s no such thing as +arma. 5.. ;effery A. (rachtenberg , %;on <ra+auer4s 3nsi"e =tory of 'at (illman- 0 WSJ, =ept. 11, 200>2 %&3 *ante" ,arac+ ?bama to *in the presi"ency in 200@. Among my reasons *as his outspo+en opposition to ,ush4s "isastrous, unnecessary an" probably illegal *ar in 3raA. & =o *hat "oes ?bama "o: 6e sen"s B0,000 more troops to Afghanistan. 6a)ing inter)ie*e" 'at (illman, =r. 0father of 'at ;r.2 3 calle" him for a Auote. %My con"olences to the families in a")ance,- he sai".-

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. ;ac+ De*orth, %/areful 8hat 7ou 8ish For,- Santa Monica Daily Press, 0;an. 2>, 20112

%=ince ?bama became presi"ent, a thousan" sol"iers *ere +ille" in Afghanistan, more than "ouble the total in the years un"er ,ush&. let4s "eclare )ictory an" go home. & 3t only too+ an a""itional 111 American li)es & for the 8hite 6ouse to arri)e at this conclusion. &8e4" been fighting the *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country... Michael 6astings, The Operators 0;anuary 20122

Marine H( [no* [on right$ I Vietnam

=enator$ ;ames 8ebb1 01>J@2

'at an" <e)in (illman in =au"i Arabia Kust before 3raA 3n)asion 0March 200B

%=ometimes 3 [Gran"mother 6o"ges$ *ish 3 ha" ne)er tol" you those stories& 3 Kust *ante" you to remember your "a""y [+ille" in 8833$. Do*, you be careful. 6o"ges ne)er ha" a lic+ of luc+ at this.& Ghosts an" glory. 3t stunne" him to hear her say it.4 .. ;ames 8ebb, Fields of Fire 01>1@2

%Eiscussions about the military ha" been part of the boy4s chil"hoo". My sons *ere influence" by these stories& [my father$ an" 3 ha" been at o""s o)er Vietnam. &(he senseless "estruction, loss of life, an" go)ernment "eception clashe" *ith his belief that ours is a righteous country. & 8oul" he ha)e
1

Webb was a highly decorated Marine in Vietnam, and later became a novelist. In 2006, he was elected U.S. Senator V!.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gencourage" 'at an" <e)in: ?r *oul" he ha)e feare", as 3 "i" no*, that our family ha" glamoriLe" the honor of military ser)ice:.. Mary (illman, Boots on the Ground by Dusk 0200@2

+ar i# al ay# a.o/t .etrayal0 Betrayal o$ the yo/n& .y the old1

o$ ideali#t# .y %yni%# and o$ troo)# .y )oliti%ian#0
.. /hris 6e"ges 0200>2 %['at$ a"mitte"&he al*ays felt a surge of energy an" emotion at the point the Dational Anthem *as playe". 6e chuc+le" an" sai", 53 guess 3 ha)e a patriotic bone in me.4-

%From the time 3 *as )ery little, 3 *as a*are of my father4s pri"e in being a Marine. 8hen 3 *as three years ol" & 3 *oul" stan" bet*een my parents, feet "igging into the soft leather of the big front seat, an" sing the entire Marine /orps 6ymn at the top of my lungs& Military ser)ice *as pre)alent in my family an" my husban"4s family an" *e *ere taught to respect it.-

.. Mary (illman, %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+- 0200@2

%As long as he4s loo+ing goo" to the Man, he coul"n4t gi)e a rat4s ass ho* many people are blee"ing.&%;ust fuc+ 5em. Fuc+ e)erybo"y *ho "oesn4t come out here an" "o this. & he poun"e" the "ust some more, ma+ing a )o* of rage. 6e *oul" not allo* their bloo" to ha)e soa+e" into that unpro"ucti)e "ust merely for some ma" amorphous folly. & *aiting to be +ille" so they can ha)e more bo"ies on their tote boar"s *hen the react pulls us from *here *e ne)er shoul" ha)e ha" to go. -

.. ;ames 8ebb, %Fiel"s of Fire- 01>1@2

%(his *ar is so fuc+ing illegal&- .. 'at (illman to Ganger Gussell ,aer at ,agh"a" airport 0200B2

%3 *as stronger then, but 3 am fiercer no*. 3 *as so certain of life, an" of my place in it. 3 *as so sure of my lo)e, an" of my future. 3 no* ha)e none of those certainties, but at least 3 can comprehen" pain. 3 *as so rea"y, so eager to fight an" no* 3 pay, richly pay, for ha)ing fought. & 3 guess that4s *hat the *orl" "oes to you. 3t ma+es you realiLe that honor an" loyalty are traps *ith no re*ar".-

.. ;ames 8ebb, %A =ense of 6onor- 01>@12

%& 'at "ie" for this country, an" he belie)e" it *as a great country that ha" a system that *or+e". & *e shoul"n4t be allo*e" to ha)e smo+escreens thro*n in our face. & *e are in front of /ongress because /ongress is suppose" to ta+e care of their citiLens. & 3t isn4t Kust our family. C)ery time they betray a #

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gsol"ier, they betray all of us.- & %8e ha" officers that *e truste". 8e ha" high regar" for them. & *e +ne* they ['at M <e)in$ coul" "ie or they coul" come bac+ *oun"e" & ,ut *e ne)er thought that they *oul" use him the *ay they "i".. Mary (illman, /ongressional testimony 0April 2#, 20012

N7ou are a General. (here is no *ay a man li+e you, *ith your intelligence, e"ucation,&an" ran+ ... belie)es the conclusions reache" in the March B1, 2005 ,riefing ,oo+ [B r" Army 15.J in)estigation into his son4s "eath$ . ,ut your signature is on it. 3 assume, therefore, that you are part of this shameless bullshit. & 3n sum .. Fuc+ you & an" yours.-

.. from 'atric+ (illman, =r.4s letter to ,G General M. ;ones 0April 21, 20052

%For Mary (illman, *hat the army "i" to her son ma"e a moc+ery of e)erything he *ent to *ar for I honesty, integrity, the "efence of the truth. 93f you as+ me if 3 trust our system no*, the ans*er is 34m pretty "isguste" by it. !nfortunately in our culture people sur)i)e more effecti)ely through lies an" "eception an" "ishonourable beha)iour than they "o the re)erse. An" that4s )ery sa". '

.. Mic+ ,ro*n, %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero,- !< Guar"ian 0?ct. 1, 20102

T-B"E OF 2ONTENTS
3a&e 45

FORE+ORD 0M Hist of !p"ates2 THE [UNTO"D] TI""M-N STOR7 THE TI""M-N STOR75 200@ 020102O Mary (illman4s 200> 020102O ;on <ra+auer4s 2010 020112O Amir ,ar.He)4s =ept. 2010O ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s ;an. 2012O ;une 2012O ;an. 201BO ;an. 201#O %Boots on the Ground by Dusk%Where Men Win Glory%The Till an Story- EVE %Oba a!s Wars-

6 89 :: #> 5B 5> J5 J> 1# 1> @5 ;<

Michael 6asting4s %The OperatorsMarie (illman4s %The "etter=tan Mc/hrystal4s %My Share of the TaskGobert Gate4s %Duty-

B-RE"7 - FOOTNOTE5 (he DFH4s ,etrayal of 'at (illman

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THE[MISSING] 3-T'S "EG-275 (he '(F4s ,etrayal of 'at (illman 000

;6

THE FER-" FIREFIGHTER'S -NNOT-TIONS TO MI2H-E" 88< H-STING'S BOO= THE O3ER-TORS * THE +I"D , TERRIF7ING INSIDE STOR7 OF -MERI2-'S +-R IN -FGH-NIST-N5 3rolo&/e5 +e Sho/ldn't Ha>e Smo(e#%reen# Thro n in O/r Fa%e 888

Apr. 22, 200#O %6ere is the =tea+ Einner, but 8e4re Gi)ing 3t to 7ou on (his 112 Garbage /an /o)er. 7ou <no*, 7ou Got 3t, 7ou 8or+ 3t.000 Apr. 2#, 2001O %(he 8hole (hing is Gi""le" *ith Donsense;uly B1, 2001O Aug. 1, 2001O 000 May 15, 200@O %Gen. Mc/hrystal4s =ecret 200@ =enate 6earing ?2ontin/ed@
3a&e 45

11B 115 111

%A 'erfect =torm of Mista+es%(he (illman Fratrici"eO 8hat the Hea"ership of the Eept. of Eefense <ne*-

11>

T-B"E OF 2ONTENTS
200B .. 200@O 000

3art I5 O.ama'# +ar !! Gen0 M%2hry#tal , the -$&han +ar S/r&e (he Cmperor4s General- .. Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal

8AA 122 12J 1B0

May 11, 200>O 'resi"ent ?bama Fires Gen. Mc<iernan, 'romotes Gen. Mc/hrystal to De* /omman"er of the Afghan 8ar ;une 10, 200>O Gen. Mc/hrystal4s 'romotion /onfirme" by =enate
000

;une 2B, 200>O %Gen. Mc/hrystal 3n)ites /DA=4s %Abu MuAa*amato 6elp 8rite his Afghan 8ar Assessement
J

1B1

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=ept. 21, 200>O Afghan 8ar Assessment Hea+e" to 8ashington 'ost4s ,ob 8oo"*ar" Do). 1, 200>O Eec. 1, 200>O %?n Martial Virtue&An" ;on <ra+auer4s /rappy De* ,oo+ Geport'resi"ent ?bama %,oPe" 3n- ,y 6is Generals, Announces Afghan 8ar =urge

1#1 1## 1#@

3art II5 "e'-$$air Rollin& Stan April 15, 2010O Michael 6asting4s %Almost Famous- Goa" (rip Across Curope *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal M =taff April 21, 2010O %(o ,e /ontinue" &April 2>, 2010O %6o* Eo 7ou As+ a Man to ,e the Hast Man to Eie for a Mista+e:May 2#, 2010O 000 Mc/hrystal /alls MarKa %A ,lee"ing !lcer150 152 15B 151 15@

;une 22, 2010O #ollin$ Stone 'ublishes Michael 6asting4s 'rofile of Gen. Mc/hrystal, %(he Guna*ay General-

T-B"E OF 2ONTENTS

?2ontin/ed@
3a&e 45

;une 2B, 2010O 'resi"ent ?bama Fires Gen. Mc/hrystal, Erops Afghan 8ar %(ar ,aby- ?nto Gen. 'etraeus4s Hap ;uly B0, 2010O %(he Me"ia.Military.3n"ustrial /ompleP- ,ac+lash

1J0 1J#

E)ilo&/e5 %I Fo/nd My#el$ - a#h ith - Sen#e o$ InB/#ti%e April 10, 2011O Gen. %=tan the Man- Mc/hrystal4s Graceful Han"ing Aug. B1, 2011O Gen. %<ing Ea)i"- 'etraeus4s Graceful CPit 1J> 111

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May 1, 2011O %=ome"ay, (his 8ar4s Gonna Cn"000

1@0

-FTER+ORD5 May.e It Had Been Tra#h $rom the Get!Go1 Myth# to Feed the 3/.li%

8CD

N !! Ne>er Shall I Fail My 2omrade#E Remem.er the I%ono%la#t1 Not the I%on 000

8;F 1>@

-.o/t the -/thor -))endiG -5 (able of /ontents of the Feral Firefighter ,log

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A<:

-))endiG B5 =enator ;ames 8ebb .. %Ei" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:A<C -))endiG 25 D7(4s (hom =han+er .. %Hies ,orne ?ut by Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthA88 -))endiG D5 /DA=4s An"re* CPum M Date Fic+ . %6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact./hec+e"- A89 -))endiG E5 Ge)ie* of Cric =chmitt M (hom =han+er4s %%ounterstrike& 020112 -))endiG F5 Eana 'riest4s %Top Secret ' erica4s- Mc/hrystal (orture 8hite*ash
AAA AA:

FORE+ORD
3n 2002, 'at (illman *as the DFH football player *ho *al+e" a*ay from a QB.J million contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to Koin the !.=. Army. 'at (illman 0along *ith his brother <e)in2 enliste" *ith the Army Gangers, "i" a tour in 3raA in 200B, an" *as +ille" by frien"ly.fire in Afghanistan on April 22, 200#. 6o*e)er, instea" of telling his family, the Army a*ar"e" him the =il)er =tar me"al an" praise" his %heroism- "uring his May #, 200# nationally.tele)ise" memorial ser)ice. Fi)e *ee+s later, the Army finally informe" the family. General <ensinger ga)e a press briefing, but sai" only that (illman ha" %probably- "ie" from frien"ly.fire. ?)er
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the nePt three years, the Army M Eept. of Eefense in)estigators +ept lying to the (illman family about 'at (illman4s "eath. 3n April 200#, 3 ha" belie)e" 'at (illman *as a patriotic %"umb Koc+-. 3 refuse" to *atch any of the flag *a)ing co)erage of his memorial ser)ice. 3t seeme" li+e a si"esho* "istraction to the brea+ing Abu Ghraib images of "etainee abuse. ?)er a year later, after rea"ing Ea)i" Ririn4s article %?ur 6ero,- 3 learne" that the reality of 'at *as much "eeper than his iconic image. 3 "isco)ere" a si"e of 'at (illman not *i"ely +no*n Ia fiercely in"epen"ent thin+er, a)i" rea"er, an" critic of the 3raA *ar 0%&this *ar is so fuc+ing illegal-2. 'at *as a remar+able man *ho *as "ri)en by a core of honesty M integrity, le" by personal ePample, an" li)e" his life intensely. After*ar"s, 3 follo*e" the 'at (illman story in the ne*s. 3n February 200@, 3 became personally in)ol)e" in the story after Mary (illman 0'at4s mother2 calle" to than+ me for my letter urging her to contact =enator ;ames 8ebb 0M a letter about the co)er.up of 7oni Detanyahu4s 1>1J "eath at Cntebbe2. 6er phone call moti)ate" me to *rite =enator 8ebb in April 200@ to as+ him to help Mary *ith her battle for the truth about her son4s "eath. 3n May 200>, 3 became 0a small2 part of the story after 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal as his ne* Afghan 8ar comman"er. 3 finally realiLe" that instea" of helping Mary, =enator 8ebb ha" instea" *hite*ashe" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s central role in the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath2. 3 "isco)ere" the %untol"- story that the ,ush a"ministration ha" han"e" off their *hite*ash to the Eemocratic /ongress. /ongress betraye" the (illman family by preten"ing to in)estigate the (illman co)er.up, *hile they actually shiel"e" Mc/hrystal 0an" others in)ol)e"2 from public scrutiny an" accountability for their actions. 3n ;une 200>, "espite Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the (illman co)er.up, 'resi"ent ?bama 0on the recommen"ation of Gates2 an" the =enate unanimously promote" Mc/hrystal to the Army4s highest ran+. 3n 2011, ?bama continue" his *hite*ash by appointing Mc/hrystal to hea" up the %;oining Forces- program "espite the Mary (illman4s obKections. (he *atch"og lap"og 'ress largely ignore" 0ePcept for the sports *riters2 the (illman story. ?r *orse yet, 3 ha" a "isillusioning personal ePperience *ith (e) *ork Ti e!s 'entagon reporter stenographer (hom =han+er *ho %ePonerate"- Mc/hrystal of all *rong "oing 0Michael 6astings mentione" his o*n unpleasant ePperience *ith =han+er in his chapter %(he Me"ia. Military.3n"ustrial /ompleP-2. 3n a""ition, 34)e *ritten ho* 8ashington 'ost e"itor ,ob 8oo"*ar" an" former Ganger officer [no* %Er.-$ An"re* CPum, a =enior Fello* at the
Secretary "obert #ates led the whitewash o$ Mc%hrystal& see the !'ril 201( 'ost )*e$end +o,r Integrity2

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8ashington thin+ tan+ /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2, also contribute" to the Gen. Mc/hrysal4s *hite*ash. After 3 pointe" him in the right "irection, *riter ;on <ra+auer 0in his ePtensi)ely re)ise" paperback e"ition of his boo+ Where Men Win Glory2 *rote ho* Mc/hrystal ha" %orchestrate"much of the (illman co)er.up. 6o*e)er, e)en after <ra+auer *as han"e" t*o bin"ers of "ocumentation, he still omitte" "escribing the %untol"- story of ho* 'resi"ent ?bama M the Eemocratic /ongress ha" *hite*ashe" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s actions.

Note5 My *riting has centere" upon Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal. Dot because he *as the biggest culprit in the (illman affair 0he %*as Kust follo*ing or"ers- from Gumsfel" M /heney2, but because he *as at the center of the (illman co)er.up4s chain.of.comman", left the most fingerprints 0e.g. frau"ulent =il)er =tar citation, not informing (illman family, stone*alling the me"ical ePaminer2 an" *as the primary beneficiary of the ArmyS/ongressionalS8hite 6ouseS'ress *hite*ash of those responsible for the co)er.up. =ince 2005, my research metho" has been simple. 34)e simply %google"- %'at (illman- nearly e)ery "ay to search for %ne*s- on the 8eb. 6o*e)er, after my family an" 3 left on our /hristmas )acation to 6a*aii 0it4s a terrible thing to ha)e the filial "uty to )isit the +i"s4 (utus2, 3 too+ a brea+ from the ne*s an" stoppe" "oing 8eb searches. After returning from 6a*aii, 3 *as busy *or+ing on Me"icai" paper*or+ for my gran"mother. 3 ha" too much on my plate an" "i"n4t *ant to get suc+e" bac+ into the (illman story again. ,ut, t*o months later on February 20th, 3 finally searche" %'at (illman- again. =hitT .... 3 ha" misse" the publication of Michael 6asting4s boo+, The Operators 0an ePpansion of his %Golling =tone- profile *hich le" to 'resi"ent ?bama firing Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal in ;une 20102. 000 3n his boo+, Michael 6astings tells t*o stories that are inter*o)en together. First, he "escribes his April 2010 month.long %roa" trip- *ith Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal an" his staff across Curope M Afghanistan. =econ", 6astings "escribes the politics behin" 'resi"ent ?bama4s Afghan 8ar %surge- an" his ePperience as an embe""e" reporter on the groun" in Afghanistan *ith != troops. 6astings portraye" Mc/hrystal as the %face- of the Afghan 8ar an" use" Mc/hrystal as the hoo+ upon *hich to hang his larger Afghan 8ar narrati)e. =imilarly, 34)e portraye" Mc/hrystal as the %face- of the (illman co)er.up an" use" 6asting4s boo+ as the hoo+ upon *hich to hang my narrati)e of my %untol"- (illman story.
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,oth Michael 6astings an" 3 foun" ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s boo+, Oba a!s Wars, to be a )aluable source to un"erstan" the bac+.story behin" 'resi"ent ?bama4s "ecision to %surge- troops into Afghanistan. 6o*e)er, 8oo"*ar" scatters his "ots throughout his boo+ 0but "oesn4t connects them for you2 forcing you to rea" bet*een.the.lines to ma+e sense of the story. ,y contrast, Michael 6astings connects his "ots, tells you *hat he thin+s, an" as a bonus, prints all the F. bombs 0along *ith a bit of the %Golling =tone- irre)erent attitu"e2. An", unli+e the usual press hagiographies of Mc/hrystal, 6astings actually mentions Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in torture at /amp Dama an" his role in the Army4s co)er.up of (illman4s "eath. 000 After rea"ing 6asting4s boo+ bac+ in February, 3 type" up my notes, inten"ing to e"it them into a narrati)e *ith brief commentary 0similar to *hat 3 "i" *ith ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s Oba a!s Wars boo+ in my post N(hro*ing My =hoe at ,ob 8oo"*ar" ... DotN2. ,ut, 3 realiLe" that much of the %untol"- (illman story *as inter*o)en bet*een.the.lines of 6asting4s narrati)e. =o 3 "eci"e" to a"" my annotations to Auotes from The Operators. (hese footnotes flesh out the "etails of the %untol"- (illman story s+etche" out in 6asting4s boo+, fill in the missing gaps of the (illman story, an" pro)i"e references to more "etaile" ePplanations, source "ocuments, an" my pre)ious posts. 6o*e)er, the scope of this proKect +ept ePpan"ing o)er the past couple of months, e)entually gro*ing into a small boo+. 3n %=omething to Eie For- 34)e trie" to pull together in one place the pieces of the %untol"- (illman =tory that are scattere" among the more "etaile" "ocuments 34)e *ritten o)er the last fe* years [see Appen"iP A$ that are poste" at my feralfirefighter blog. 3n a""ition to my annotations, 34)e also *ritten a brief summary of %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory,- "escribe" %(he [Missing$ Hegacy of 'at (illman- ['at (illman Foun"ation, DFH, 'ress, an" Hiterary$, an" in %(he (illman =tory- 34)e critiAue" the portrayal of the %untol"- story in other boo+s an" film on the subKect. Follo*ing my annotations, in my After*or"O %Maybe 3t ha" ,een (rash from the Get.Go, Myths to Fee" the 'ublic,- 34)e trie" to recap the %untol"story, the betrayal of the (illman family, an" "escribe ho* the (illman story illustrates the corruption of our system. An", %Gemember the 3conoclast, Dot the 3con- is my tribute to 'at (illman. Finally, in the Appen"ices [a bit of a rough "raft$, 34)e briefly "escribe" ho* =enator ;ames 8ebb, D7( reporter (hom =han+er, an" /DA=4s An"re* CPum ha)e been the %faces- of the (illman *hite*ashSco)er.up by our go)ernment, press, an" 8ashington establishment. 000 3 belie)e %Golling =tone- reporters ha)e publishe" the %Alpha M ?mega- accounts of our country4s *ars in 3raA M Afghanistan. C)an 8right4s Generation +ill [both the boo+ an" 6,? series are fantastic$ is the %Alpha- C)an 8right chronicle" the beginning of the 3raA 8ar 0*ith H( Dathaniel Fic+, *ho is no* /DA=4s /C?2 *ith his account of his 200B roa".trip *ith a
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

Marine Gecon company that spearhea"e" the 200B 3raA in)asion. An", of course, Michael 6astings boo+ The Operators is the %?mega- 6astings "escribes %the beginning of the en"- of the Afghan 8ar *ith his account of his 2010 roa".trip *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal an" his staff across Curope M Afghanistan. 8hat %a country such as this- *hen you fin" Kournalism *ith more integrity M honesty coming from %Golling =tone- magaLine reporters such as Matt (abbi or Michael 6astings than from reporters from the big papers such as %(he De* 7or+ (imes.- 'erhaps, that4s simply to be ePpecte" from our corrupt system. (he mainstream me"ia portraye" %'at4s legacy- as an inspiring ePample of patriotic sacrifice. 3nstea", 3 belie)e *e shoul" remember 'at4s legacy as a cautionary tale of %secrets, lies, an" "eath,- not as a patriotic fable. (he (illman story is a metaphor for the betrayal of all the patriotic young Americans *hose li)es ha)e been *aste" in the so.calle" Global 8ar on (error of the past "eca"e. (*o months ago, after 3 finishe" rea"ing The Operators, 3 +ic+e" myself for not ha)ing thought of trying to contact Michael 6astings sometime "uring the past couple of years 03 ha" forgotten he *as *riting a boo+2. 6opefully, he *ill actually rea" through %=omething to Eie For- 3 hope it *ill pro)i"e him material for a magaLine piece or to ma+e up"ates to the paperbac+ e"ition of his boo+. .. Guy Montag, April 20, 2012 '.=. (*o years ago, the Afghan 8ar *as an abstraction for me. 3 "i"n4t +no* enough about it to ha)e an informe" opinion. 6o*e)er, my rea"ing since then has con)ince" me it4s a *aste. More significantly, my step.brother *as sent there last year *ith the hopeless tas+ of helping to train the Afghan police 0his last o)erseas tour before en"ing his 2@.year Army career2. 6is boy 0a ne*.born baby *hen 3 crashe" at his place after gra"uating from Ganger =chool in 4@52 is %young an" "umb- 0li+e 3 *as2 an" Koine" the 3nfantry. 6e4s been "eploye" *ith a =try+er unit from Fort Mc/hor" to Afghanistan. 3 pray he "oesn4t become another statistic. %(he *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country- has no* become personal to me.

U3D-TES TO SOMETHING TO DIE FOR5

Her#ion 808 ?May F1 A<8A@5

A""e" (itle pages for Marie (illman4s forthcoming boo+ The "etter, Amir ,ar.He)4s The Till an Story ,nteracti-e .dition, an" =tan Mc/hrystal4s boo+ My Share of the Task. A""e"

12

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

references to the boo+, (o Worse .ne y, *ritten by a reporter *ho *as imbe""e" in 6elman" pro)ince from 2001 to 2011.

Ge)ise" the Fore*or" 0minor e"its an" a""e" postscript2, a""e" lin+s to %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory,- re)ise" %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy- 0ne* title page, a""e" Auotes from Marie, <e)in, an" Mary (illman2 an" re)ise" the After*or"O %Maybe 3t ha" ,een (rash from the Get. Go, Myths to Fee" the 'ublic- 0a""e" Auotes from *histleblo*ers 'eter Van ,uren an" /ol. Eaniel Ea)is2. A""e" t*o page section to the After*or" %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es- about Mc/hrystal an" the Ganger /ree" 0*ith a lin+ to the page A.1 D7( piece about him lecturing on %Hoyalty, (rust, an" Gelationships2. Her#ion 80A ?Ian/ary F1 A<8A@5 A""e" Marie (illman4s account of the %untol"- story foun" in her boo+, %(he Hetter.- Ge)ise" %(he [Missing$ (illman Hegacy.- =plit into t*o sections, %From %,arely a Footnote- to %=alute to =er)ice- an" %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy. A""e" ne* material from Marie (illman4s boo+ an" more recent articles. A""e" 1.05.1B pre. publication comment on Mc/hrystal4s memoir. 000 Her#ion 809 ?Fe.r/ary A1 A<89@5 A""e" Cpilogue to Appen"iP E about An"re* CPum M /DA=. !p"ate" %My =hare of the (as+- *ith AmaLon ,oo+ re)ie* an" Mc/hrystal4s ,= about (illman story.

Her#ion 80: ?Mar%h A:1 A<89@5 !p"ate" Mc/hrystal4s section of %(he (illman =tory- 0base" on my Eecember 2012 post %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es.- A""e" DFH 6U (illman tribute in %,arely a Footnote- section. A""e" note about 12.0#.12 ;on <ra+auer M Marie (illman lecture. 000

NOTE5 Michael 6astings "ie" in a car crash in ;une 201#. My tribute to him, "iscussion of the D7(4s "isingenuous obituary, an" a "iscussion of his crash can be foun" in my ;une 201# post More Hies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot (he (ruth- an" my =ept 201# post %8hat ,urns Faster, Memories ?r Flames:-

1B

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

Her#ion 80D ?-)ril A<1 A<8:@5 A""e" lin+ 0p. 1102 to 'eter Van ,uren article on *ar coming home a""e" a section in %(he (illman =tory- on Gate4s memoir %Euty- up"ate" %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- *ith notes on =ecretary of Eefense Gobert Gate4s lea"ership of the Mc/hrystal *hite*ash up"ate annotations

1#

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

THE [UNTO"D] TI""M-N STOR7

15

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

9
%Go" sa)e me from manipulati)e bureaucrats in polyester.*ool suits, button "o*n collars an" po*er ties, an" the +iss ass officers *ho let them get a*ay *ith it. 3 "on4t nee" to see my men "ie because somebo"y cares more about helping the careers of their fello* ma"rigal singers o)er in the 8hite 6ouse or the =tate Eepartment than they "o about the troops they compromise an" misuse&6a)ing spent three years *atching the 8iLar"s of ?L in 8ashington, he [Marine /?H ,ill Fogarty$ staye" up nights *on"ering about the uses to *hich they *oul" be put. %& it4s going to cost us. An" 34" li+e to be able to tell my men that the price they4re going to pay is *orth it. (hat it4s important to the country. Vital. =omething to "ie for./We are a)ardin$ the Medal of 0onor to the fa ily of one of our bra-e officers1& & %7ou ['resi"ent of the !nite" =tates$ +ille" my Ea" [/ol. Fogarty$. 8hy: 8hy4" you sen" him in: 8hy:6e [=ecretary of Eefense$ +no*s the a"ministration4s position on the matter *as a co)er.up& a mista+e. ,ut it *or+e". An" they "i"n4t *ant the presi"ent to loo+ ba". & [(he =ecretary of Eefense$ ne)er tol" a lie, at least not in the *ay he coul" be caught in it. & An" any*ay, his )ersion coul" ne)er be challenge"& [it$ *oul" become the go)ernment4s official pronouncement. & An" the me"ia ga)e them their forum, al*ays ascertaining beforehan" that their allegations *ere borne out by facts if not the truth. %6o* lofty it must ha)e been to ha)e burnt *ith the purity of the Ge)olutionT ,efore the "ays of multi. million "ollar election campaigns that brought politicians to their +nees before the monie" temple of the contributors. & ?r maybe it ha" been trash from the get.go, myths to fee" the public... [=enator$ ;ames 8ebb, So ethin$ to Die For 01>>12

/at 0illman was awarded this Silver Star medal. Mc%hrystal s,'ervised the writing o$ this award with $alsi$ied witness statements and a narrative that bears no resemblance to reality 1even given the e2aggeration common to citations3.

1J

H to GO Marie (illman 0*i"o*2, Mary (illman 0mother2, Gichar" (illman 0brother2, <e)in (illman 0brother2, 'atric+ (illman, =r. 0father2

'atric+ (illman, =r.V'at (illman Memorial =er)ice 0May #, 200#2

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GFor Mary Tillman1 hat the army did to her #on made a mo%(ery o$ e>erythin& he ent to ar $or * hone#ty1 inte&rity1 the de$en%e o$ the tr/th0 JI$ yo/ a#( me i$ I tr/#t o/r #y#tem no 1 the an# er i# I'm )retty di#&/#ted .y it0

.. Mic+ ,ro*n, %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero,- 2+ Guardian 0?ct. 1, 20102

The O$$i%ial Tillman Story

3n 2002, 'at (illman *as the DFH football player *ho *al+e" a*ay from a QB.J million contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to Koin the !.=. Army. 'at (illman 0*ith his brother <e)in2 enliste" *ith the Army Gangers, "i" a tour in 3raA in 200B, an" *as +ille" in an intense enemy ambush in Afghanistan on April 22, 200#. 6e *as a*ar"e" the =il)er =tar me"al an" *as praise" for his heroism "uring a May #, 200# nationally.tele)ise" memorial ser)ice. Fi)e *ee+s later, Kust before Memorial Eay *ee+en", the (illman family *as informe" that 'at ha" actually been +ille" by frien"ly fire. Euring a press conference, Gen. <ensinger sai" the Army 15.J in)estigation ha" conclu"e", %(illman probably "ie" as the result of frien"ly fire.- <ensinger "i"n4t ta+e any Auestions an" the Army "i"n4t release any further "etails. Euring the nePt four years, three more in)estigations *ere complete" by the Army an" the Eepartment of Eefense 3nspector General 0EoE 3G2. !nsatisfie" by the EoE 3G report, /ongress 0*ith a ne*ly electe" Eemocratic maKority2 hel" t*o hearings in 2001. Gen. 8allace4s re)ie* of the pre)ious in)estigations recommen"e" "iscipline for se)eral officers, but cleare" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal of all *rong"oing in the matter. =ecretary of the Army 'ete Geren apologiLe" for %a perfect storm of mista+es- that %create" in the min" of many a perception that the Army inten"e" to "ecei)e the public an" the (illman family.3n ;uly 200@, the /ongressional ?)ersight /ommittee4s report blame" 5stone*alling- by the ,ush a"ministration for their inability to hol" anyone accountable for the Army4s %mista+es- in han"ling (illman4s "eath. 3n May 200>, 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" Gen. Mc/hrystal to be his ne* Afghan *ar comman"er. 3n response to accusations by the (illman family that Mc/hrystal ha" been in)ol)e" in a co)er.up of 'at (illman4s "eath, 'entagon spo+esman Geoff Morrell sai"O Nthis matter has been in)estigate" thoroughly by the 'entagon, by the /ongress, by outsi"e ePperts, an" all of them ha)e come to the same conclusionO that there *as no *rong"oing by Gen. Mc/hrystal.N (he =enate confirme" Mc/hrystal by unanimous consent on ;une 10th0 ;ust a year later, on ;une 2B, 2010, 'resi"ent ?bama fire" Mc/hrystal for inappropriate remar+s ma"e to a #ollin$ Stone reporter1 =hortly after*ar"s, Mc/hrystal retire" from the Army. Do*,

14

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Ghe hea"s the Mc/hrystal group, teaches at 7ale, sits on se)eral boar"s, an" has been out on the lecture circuit. 3n April 2011, The (e) *ork Ti es reporte" that a EoE 3G in)estigation ha" cleare" Mc/hrystal of %all *rong"oing- in the #ollin$ Stone case. 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" the officially %rehabilitate"- Mc/hrystal to hea" the ne* %;oining Forces- program to help military )eterans an" their families.

The [Untold] Tillman Story

8ell, the %official- (illman story is largely %lies borne out by facts, if not the truth.- Euring the past se)eral years, 34)e *ritten se)eral lengthy posts [see Appen"iP A$ that "escribe *hat 34)e calle" the %untol"- (illman story [see my Annotations section for more "etails$.

(he ,ush a"ministration %han"e" off- its4 *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal 0an" others in)ol)e" in the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath2 to the Eemocratic /ongress an" ?bama a"ministration. (he Eemocratic /ongress betraye" the (illman family by preten"ing to in)estigate the (illman co)er.up, *hile they acte" to shiel" Mc/hrystal from public scrutiny. Eespite Mc/hrystal4s lea"ing role role in the (illman co)er.up, 'resi"ent ?bama 0on =ecretary Gobert Gate4s recommen"ation2 an" the =enate later promote" Mc/hrystal to the Army4s highest ran+ 0Gate4s le" the *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal2. ?bama continue" the *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal *ith his April 2011 appointment of Mc/hrystal to hea" up the %;oining Forces- program to help %rehabilitate- Mc/hrystal4s public image.

3n a""ition, the (e) *ork Ti e!s also *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal. (heir 'entagon reporter (hom =han+er *rote se)eral pieces that suppose"ly %ePonerate"- Mc/hrystal of all *rong "oing. An" the 8ashington thin+ tan+ /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=24s An"re* CPum has also *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal4s actions o)er the past fe* years.

May A<<: !! Tillman 3ro.a.ly Died a# the Re#/lt o$ Friendly Fire

3n 2002, 'at (illman *as the DFH football player *ho *al+e" a*ay from a QB.J million contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to Koin the !.=. Army. 'at (illman 0*ith his brother <e)in2 enliste" *ith the Army Gangers, "i" a tour in 3raA in 200B, an" *as +ille" by frien"ly.fire in Afghanistan
15

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gon April 22, 200#. 6e *as a*ar"e" the =il)er =tar me"al an" *as praise" for his suppose" heroism "uring a May #, 200# nationally.tele)ise" memorial ser)ice. 8ithin Kust t*o "ays, the first in)estigating officer confirme" (illman *as +ille" by frien"ly.fire an" passe" that information up his chain of comman" to Gen. Mc/hrystal. 6o*e)er, a "ecision *as ma"e 0presumably by =ecretary of Eefense Eonal" Gumsfel" an"Sor Vice 'resi"ent /heney *ho ha" %an ePtremely coLy relationship4 *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal2 to co)er up (illman4s frien"ly. fire "eath an" a*ar" him a frau"ulent =il)er =tar me"al 0probably to a)oi" yet more ba" 'G, as they +ne* the Abu Gharib images *ere about to be release" to the public2. From the citation 0the narrati)e has e)en more ,=2O

%& /aught bet*een the crossfire of an enemy near ambush, /orporal (illman put himself in the line of "e)astating enemy fire as he maneu)ere" his fire team to a co)ere" position from *hich they coul" effecti)ely employ their *eapons on +no*n enemy positions. 6is au"acious lea"ership an" courageous ePample un"er fire inspire" his men to fight at great ris+ to their o*n personal safety, resulting in the enemy9s *ith"ra*al, his platoon9s safe passage from the ambush +ill Lone, an" his mortal *oun"& 3n ma+ing the ultimate sacrifice for his team an" platoon, /orporal 'atric+ E. (illman reflecte" great cre"it upon himself, the ;oint (as+ Force, an" the !nite" =tates Army.-

Note5 %maneu)ere"-T 3n his boo+, Mc/hrystal claims that (illman *as a*ar"e" a =il)er =tar for merely running up a hill to a co)ere" position 0not un"er fire2 along *ith the rest of his Ganger sAua". 6o* come they "i"n4t get "ecorate" *hen they all "i" the same thing: Fi)e *ee+s later, Kust before Memorial Eay *ee+en", the (illman family *as finally tol" 'at ha" actually been +ille" by frien"ly fire. Euring the press conference, Gen. <ensinger sai" the Army 15.J in)estigation ha" conclu"e" %(illman probably "ie" as the result of frien"ly fire.- ,ut, <ensinger "i"n4t ta+e any Auestions an" the Army "i"n4t release any further "etails.

20

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-)ril A<<D !! KShamele## B/ll#hitE F/%( yo/ E and 7o/r#0

Fi)e *ee+s after 'at4s "eath, the (illman family recei)e" an informal briefing from H(/ ,ailey on his frien"ly.fire "eath. [a"apte" from Mary (illman4s account pp. #1.#5 %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+4 0200@2$ that contra"icte" the portrayal in the =il)er =tar citationO (he comman"er *ante" %boots on the groun"4 in Manah before "ar+. (he only *ay to accomplish this *as to split the platoon into t*o sections, =erial ?ne *hich *oul" mo)e "irectly to Manah, an" =erial (*o *hich *oul" ta+e a "ifferent route to "rop off the "isable" 6um)ee. =erial ?ne mo)e" through the canyon safely. =erial (*o ha" to bac+trac+, an" unePpecte"ly en"e" up going through the same canyon. =erial (*o came un"er attac+ in the canyon 0ineffecti)e fire from a fe* men from se)eral hun"re" meters a*ay none of the )ehicles *as e)en hit2. =erial ?ne "ismounte" an" %maneu)ere"through Manah up a hill 0not un"er enemy fire2 to co)ere" positions on a ri"geline. 'at *ent o)er the ri"ge behin" some boul"ers *ith an AMF sol"ier an" 'F/ ?4Deal. 8hen =G( ,a+er4s 6um)ee came through the canyon, they sa* the AMF sol"ier an" shot him from 200 meters a*ay an" shot up 'at4s position an" the ri"geline. 'at too+ co)er an" thre* smo+e. (he firing stoppe". (hin+ing it *as safe, 'at an" ?4Deal stoo" up, an" the 6um)ee fire" again from only B5 meters a*ay, hitting 'at in the legs 06is last *or"s, %/ease FireT Frien"liesT 34m 'at Fuc+ing (illmanT-2, an" then he *as +ille" by a =A8 burst to his hea". ,a+er4s )ehicle continue" shooting up the ri"geline at the rest of =erial ?ne an" into the )illage of Manah, hitting H( !thlaut an" G? Hane.

21

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G6o*e)er, Kust t*o *ee+s later /?H DiPon presente" the %official- briefing in *hich maKor "etails of the story ha" been change". (he family presse" for ans*ers, an" the =ecretary of the Army or"ere" another Army 15.J in)estigation. 'at (illman4s father4s response to the results of that thir" 15.J in)estigation is memorableO N7ou are a General. (here is no *ay a man li+e you, *ith your intelligence, e"ucation &an" ran+ ... belie)es the conclusions reache"&. ,ut your signature is on it. 3 assume, therefore, that you are part of this shameless bullshit. & 3n sum .. Fuc+ you & an" yours.-

-)ril A<<6 !! The +hole Thin& I# Riddled ith Non#en#e

'at (illman, =r.4s response apparently prompte" yet another set of in)estigations. (*o years later, in March 2001, the Eepartment of Eefense 3nspector General 0EoE 3G2 an" the Army4s /riminal 3n)estigation Ei)ision 0/3E2 finally complete" their in)estigations. 6o*e)er, the (illman family *as furious *ith being presente" *ith yet another "eceitful briefing.#

=hortly after*ar"s, /ongress 0*ith a ne*ly electe" Eemocratic maKority2 hel" their first (illman hearing on April 2#, 2001. <e)in (illman sai",

%& *hile each in)estigation gathere" more information, the mountain of e)i"ence *as ne)er use" to arri)e at an honest or e)en sensible conclusion & (o falsify a *itness statement in a =il)er =tar a*ar", fabricating it & 6o* come no one is hel" accountable for this: (he *hole thing is ri""le" *ith nonsense.- An" Mary (illman sai", %&*e shoul"n4t be allo*e" to ha)e smo+escreens thro*n in our face. & in e)ery *ay, they
/ostscri't 6ote . 21 1(7 0he *o* I# investigation began in 2008 d,ring ",ms$eld9s reign as Secretary and it9s re'ort was ',blished a $ew months a$ter #ates became Secretary o$ *e$ense. It9s not clear me what in$l,ence #ates had ,'on this investigation and:or it9s re'ort. I9d s'ec,late that #ate9s desire that the *o* ; Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman case be whitewashed tric<led down to the *o* investigators.
(

22

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G[Army in)estigators$ "o"ge". (hey are "o"ging us, an" the [Eepartment of Eefense$ 3G [March B1, 2001 report$ con"one" that & an" your Kob is to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at.-

An" Mary (illman sai", %&*e shoul"n4t be allo*e" to ha)e smo+escreens thro*n in our face. & in e)ery *ay, they [Army in)estigators$ "o"ge". (hey are "o"ging us, an" the [Eepartment of Eefense$ 3G [March B1, 2001 report$ con"one" that & an" your Kob is to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at.-

I/ly A<<6 !! - 3er$e%t Storm o$ Mi#ta(e#

3n his memoir, Gobert Gates *rote, 0p.25#, %Euty-2O /Mc%hrystal had also been one of the sub3ects of an in-esti$ation into the death by friendly fire of %orporal Pat Till an because he si$ned off4 on a Sil-er Star edal for -alor as the cause of his death1 The 56778 Dept1 of
Mc%hrystal did not merely =sign o$$= on a 'iece o$ 'a'er that landed on his des< as it wor<ed its way ,' the chain o$ command. >on ?ra<a,er in his boo<, =Where Men Win #lory= 1''. ..( @ .(A 'a'erbac< edition wrote that #en. Mc%hrystal 'ersonally =administered the medal recommendation 'rocess= with a $alse narrative that =was 'ainsta<ingly written to create the
8

2.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GDefense ,nspector General9 Penta$on in-esti$ation of the case reco ended that ei$ht officers be disciplined, one of the Mc%hrystal1 The 'r y 5'r y Secretary Pete Geren9 did not a$ree and took no action a$ainst hi 1&

?n ;uly B1, 2001, =ecretary of the Army 'ete GerenJ briefe" the press on Gen. 8allace4s re)ie* of the Army M EoE 3G in)estigations. Geren apologiLe" for %a perfect storm of mista+es- that %create" in the min" of many a perception that the Army inten"e" to "ecei)e the public an" the (illman family.Eespite much of its %nonsense- the March 2001 EoE 3G4s report ha" a"mitte" that Gen. Mc/hrystal *as %accountable for the inaccurate [=il)er =tar$ a*ar" recommen"ation.- 3G Gimble testifie" before /ongress that the =il)er =tar *itness statements *ere altere" %some*here in the appro)al chain- 0/?H DiPon, H(/ <auLlarich, an"Sor H(G Mc/hrystal *ere in that chain2. (he citation itself *as carefully *ritten to falsely imply that (illman *as +ille" by %"e)astating enemy fire.-

6o*e)er, 8allace cleare" Mc/hrystal of all *rong"oing in the (illman co)er.up. 3n reality, Mc/hrystal ha" %orchestrate"- the (illman co)er.up 0e.g. he faile" to inform the (illman family
im'ression /at 0illman was <illed by enemy $ire= and directly s,'ervised the "anger "#0 commanding o$$icers in !$ghanistan who a''arently altered the two Silver Star witness statements to remove any mention o$ $riendly $ire and contained $alse statements. )0he Silver Star recommendation was =$ra,d,lent= by =any obBective meas,re.=
6

Crom ''. 2A5 @ 242 o$ Cred ?a'lan9s boo<, )0he Ins,rgents937

)Dac< in the $all o$ 200(E F/eteG #eren was one o$ ",ms$eld9s s'ecial assistantsE #eren was con$irmed as Secretary o$ the !rmy on >,ly 16, 200A. 6ot long a$ter, he received Fthe memoG listing the generals who9d be nominated to sit on the ,'coming 'romotion boardE. he sent it bac< with a reBection note and said he9d 'ic< them himsel$. #eren s'ent the ne2t wee<E assembling a list o$ the !rmy9s most dynamic generals. He whittled that list down to $i$teen and as<ed them all to serve on his 'romotion board. 0hey incl,dedE. Stanley Mc%hrystalEI ass,me #eren as<ed %ongressman Wa2man to dro' Mc%hrystal $rom !,g,st 1, 200A witness list and held his !,g,st .1st 'ress brie$ing to )o$$icially- clear Mc%hrystal and ma<e #en. ?ensinger the o$$icial sca'egoat. It9s worth noting that in 2002, #eren was wor<ing $or ",ms$elt and received a )snow$la<e- as<ing him to <ee' his eye on 0illman. U'date . 06 1(7 It9s worth noting that a$ter #ates became *e$ense Secretary in 2006, he <e't most o$ ",ms$eld9s sta$$. #ates wrote abo,t his admiration o$ Mc%hrystal. *id #ate hire #eren as 'art o$ the 'rocess to 'rotect Mc%hrystalI I wo,ld s'ec,late that #ates had some in$l,ence over #eren. !nd it a''ears that #ate9s *e't. o$ *e$ense stonewalled the %ongressional investigators . 2(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gof the frien"ly.fire "espite his early +no*le"ge, he super)ise" the *riting of the frau"ulent =il)er =tar recommen"ation an" the Ganger Gegiment comman"er4s actions to conceal the fratrici"e from the me"ical ePaminer2. (he other officers in)ol)e" *ere gi)en slaps on the *rist 0se)eral ha)e since been promote" to General ran+2. Getire" Gen. <ensinger *as ma"e the official scapegoat 0he *as the *orst liar2 he lost a star an" a little pension money. ,ut, in reality, Mc/hrystal ha" %orchestrate"- the (illman co)er.up. Although he ha" early +no*le"ge of the frien"ly.fire "eath M *as responsible to notify the family, he faile" to inform the (illman family of the frien"ly.fire, he super)ise" the *riting of the frau"ulent =il)er =tar recommen"ation, (illman4s uniform an" eAuipment *ere "estroye", an" Mc/hrystal4s o*n legal officer conceale" the fratrici"e from the me"ical ePaminer an" a /3E in)estigator2. 3n her 200@ boo+, %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+,- Mary respon"e" to the 8allace4s re)ie*O

%Dot only is he [Mc/hrystal$ lying about the circumstances surroun"ing 'at4s "eath, & he is proposing false language for the =il)er =tar narrati)e. & 6is statement ['# memo$ in"icates that no one ha" any intention of telling us, or the public, that 'at *as +ille" by fratrici"e unless force" to "o so.-

An" shortly after General 8allace4s fin"ings *ere release" in ;uly 2001, Mary sai"O N(hat memo ['#$ is "amming as hell. An" yet, nothing happens to [Mc/hrystal$. 6e is *riting frau"ulent language in that memo. 6e is gi)ing ePamples of ho* they can script the =il)er =tar a*ar", e)en though 'at *as +ille" by fratrici"e. An" he is saying *e nee" to +eep our lea"ership abreast of things so they "on9t embarrass themsel)es, 3F the circumstances of 'at9s "eath shoul" become public- & %6e shoul" be saying 98e9re going to ha)e to put a hol" to the =il)er =tar an" *e9re going to ha)e to notify the family [of suspecte" frien"ly fire$.9 (hat is *hat he *oul" say if he *as innocent, but he is not. 6e is trying to fin" a *ay that they can continue this false, elaborate story of theirs. An" the fact that he is off the hoo+ is atrocious.3n his ;uly 2010 re-ised paperbac+ e"ition of /Where Men Win Glory,& ;on <ra+auer "escribe" ho* Mc/hrystal ha" Norchestrate["$ *hat can only be "escribe" as a broa" conspiracy to conceal (illman9s fratrici"e ...N 6e *rote ho* Gen. Mc/hrystal personally Na"ministere" the me"al recommen"ation processN *ith a false narrati)e that N*as painsta+ingly *ritten to create the impression 'at (illman *as +ille" by enemy fireN an" "irectly super)ise" the Ganger GG( comman"ing officers in Afghanistan *ho appear to ha)e altere" the t*o =il)er =tar *itness statements to remo)e any mention of frien"ly fire 0an" *hich containe" false statements2. %(he =il)er =tar recommen"ation *as Nfrau"ulentN by Nany obKecti)e measure.N
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GNote5 see the posts %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- an" %Ei" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:for more "etaile" "iscussion of Mc/hrystal4s role in the Army4s co)er.up.

-/&/#t A<<6 !! KE -nother Man +ho +ill Not Be in the Room

(he ne:t "ay, August 1, 2001, /ongressman 6enry 8aPman4s 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee hel" their secon" (illman hearing.1 Mary (illman *rote, %&5(hey [Gumsfel" M generals$ ha)e collecti)e amnesia.4 Gumsfel" *as as+e" se)eral times in )arious *ays *hen he learne" of 'at4s "eath, but he coul"n4t recall.- Mary continue", %& *e *ere not happy *ith the hearing at all. &(he Gepublicans on the committee *ere at best in"ifferent & Most of the Eemocrats "isappointe" us as *ell. (hey *ere not prepare" &. 8e ePpecte" more from /ongress.-

6o*e)er, unnote" 0ePcept for a slip by /DD4s ,arbara =tarr2 8aPman ha" allo*e" Gen. Mc/hrystal to %"ecline- to appear at his hearing.

/hairman 8aPman close" his hearing by saying, %8e are ob)iously trying to fin" out *hat *ent on an" *ho ha" responsibility.- ,ut, it4s not ob)ious that he an" his /ommittee ma"e a goo" faith effort to unco)er the truth. ,y "efining narro*ly "efining the scope of their in)estigation only to loo+ %up- the chain of comman", the /ommittee faile" to pro)i"e o)ersight o)er the Army4s actions an" in)estigations. (hey faile" to Auestion Gen. Mc/hrystal about his +ey role in *riting the frau"ulent =il)er =tar, altere" *itness statements, early +no*le"ge of fratrici"e, failure to inform the family, an" his "ecepti)e '# memo. More important, they chose not to ha)e Gen. Mc/hrystal testify. 8aPman has ne)er ePplaine" *hy Mc/hrystal *as "roppe" from the hearing *itness list 0an" ne)er inter)ie*e"2. 3f the /ommittee *as %ob)iously trying to fin" out *hat *ent on- they *oul" ha)e loo+e" into Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the co)er.up. 3nstea", it appears the /ommittee chose to shiel" Mc/hrystal from public scrutiny.

Update 3-21-14: In his memoir, #ates doesn9t e2'licitly mention either the !'ril or the !,g,st %ongressional hearings into the 0illman case
A

26

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G8hy: 8ell, "uring the summer of 2001 the 3raA %surge- *as at its pea+. Mc/hrystal *as a rising star in the Army *ho le" the ;oint =pecial ?perations /omman" 0;=?/2 forces to *hom many attribute" much of the %success- of the 3raA %=urge.- 3t appears lea"ers of the Eemocratic /ongress ma"e a "ecision to shiel" Gen. Mc/hrystal from accountable for his central role in the (illman co)er.up because of his +ey role in the 3raA *ar an" his frien"s in high places.@

000

U3D-TE 9!98!895 3n Eecember 2012, 3 foun" a +ey piece of ne* information in another boo+. Fre" <aplan *rote 0pp. 21> I 2@2, %The ,nsur$ents-2O %,ac+ in the fall of 200# & ['ete$ Geren *as one of Gumsfel"4s special assistants& Geren *as confirme" as =ecretary of the Army on ;uly 1J, 2001. Dot long after, he recei)e" [the memo$ listing the generals *ho4" be nominate" to sit on the upcoming promotion boar"&. he sent it bac+ *ith a reKection note an" sai" he4" pic+ them himself. Geren spent the nePt *ee+& assembling a list of the Army4s most "ynamic generals. 6e *hittle" that list "o*n to fifteen an" as+e" them all to ser)e on his promotion boar". (hey inclu"e"&. =tanley Mc/hrystal&-

3 assume Geren as+e" /ongressman 8aPman to "rop Mc/hrystal from August 1, 2001 *itness list an" hel" his August B1st press briefing to %officially- clear Mc/hrystal an" ma+e Gen. <ensinger the official scapegoat Kust in time for the /ongressional hearing. 000

A year later, in ;uly 200@, the ?)ersight /ommittee finally release" their report. (hey blame" %stone*alling- by the ,ush A"ministration for their failure to hol" anyone accountable. At the en" of his April 2001 hearing, /ongressman 8aPman ha" state" in frustration, %8hat *e ha)e is a )ery clear, "eliberate abuse intentionally "one. 8hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho "i" it:8ell, 3 *oul" argue the biggest reason *as that his so.calle" %in)estigation- *as not an honest attempt to get at the truth. 3n reality, the Eemocratic /ongress 0an" later, 'resi"ent ?bama2 ha" merely continue" the ,ush a"ministration *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal.
3-06-14 Update7 I9ve noted 'revio,sly that Mc%hrystal was Vice /resident %heney and Secretary ",ms$eld9s )golden boy.- #ates wrote 1'.88, )*,ty-3 that he and /resident D,sh )$o,ght- to get Mc%hrystal 'romoted in 2004. /erha's they also ',t 'ress,re on %ongressional leaders in 200A to shield Mc%hrystal with a 'ro $orma investigationI
4

2A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

May A<<C !! Did They Tea%h 7o/ Ho to "ie 7etL

Gates )rote ;p1 64<, /Duty&=> /, had co e to kno) and ad ire Mc%hrystal durin$ y first year 567789 as secretary, and , belie-ed he )as perhaps the finest )arrior and leader of en in co bat , had e-er et1 ? But , thou$ht Stan )ould ha-e so e difficulty $ettin$ confir ed for hi$her rank and position1 ? been one of the sub3ects of an in-esti$ation into the death by friendly fire of %orporal Pat Till an ? Senator 5%arl9 "e-in ? e:pressed concern about abuse of detainees in 'f$hanistan by troops under Mc%hrystal!s co and1 "e-in let e kno) ? that he ? intended to brin$ Mc%hrystal in for a hearin$1

Mc/hrystal *rote 0%My =hare of the (as+-, pp.21@.21>2O %?n Fri"ay, ;une 1B, 200@ & 3 passe" comman" of (F 11# 0;=?/2 to my frien" an" former "eputy, then I Vice A"miral ,ill McGa)en. & A fe* *ee+s earlier [May 22n"$, 3 ha" been confirme" by the =enate to become "irector of the ;oint =taff, essentially chief of staff to the chairman of the Koint chiefs. E;= & *as a prestigious post, one ;ohn AbiLai" an" then George /asey ha" hel" & 34" been tol" that the chairman, A"miral Mi+e Mullen, ha" sought me for the position.-

Gates *rote 0pp. 25#.255, %Euty-2O , had looked into Mc%hrystal!s actions in the Till an case and the alle$ations of detainee abuse@ and, after e:tensi-e discussions )ith 5%hair an of Joint
5

6ote that #ates side ste''ed the iss,e o$ whether or not Mc%hrystal was g,ilty or not.

In res'onse to Mary 0illman9s obBection to Mc%hrystal9s May 2005 nomination to head the !$ghan War, #eo$$ Morrell 1#ate9s /ress Secretary3 wrote7 =this matter has been investigated 24

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%hiefs 'd iral9 Mullen and othersA7, deter ined to o-e for)ard )ith his ad-ance ent1 ? , belie-ed that , first needed to $et Mc%hrystal confir ed by the Senate for an unobtrusi-e, noncontro-ersial staff 3ob, a confir ation that, in effect, )ould $i-e hi a clean slate1

Then, y thinkin$ )ent, )hen , pushed hi for a hi$herB-isibility 3ob and a fourth star, it )ould be hard for the Senate to oppose hi )ithout su$$estin$ they had done an inadeCuate 3ob of -ettin$ hi pre-iously1 , so , enthusiastically supported Mullen!s reco endation that Stan be no inated as director of the Joint Staff1 000

,n February 677D, )e o-ed on this plan1 Senator Mc%ainAA initially opposed Mc%hrystal because of the Till an case and "e-in )as opposed because of the detainee issue1 The Senate 'r ed Ser-ices %o ittee intended to fi$ht Mc%hrystal!s no ination1

, told the president 5Bush9 /Mc%hrystal is one of the heroic fi$ures of these )ars, and if )e )on!t stand and fi$ht for hi , then )hoE 'nd so )e fou$ht1A6 , called Stan in early June ? , told hi that the president 5Bush9 and , )ere prepared to fi$ht for hi 1

,n a -ery rare 5Senate9 'r ed Ser-ices %o ittee hearin$ for a no inee 5'd iral Mc#a-en also testified9 to a threeBstar position, Mc%hrystal did )ell in respondin$ to the senators Cuestions 5in the secret, closed /e:ecuti-e session& hearin$ held on May A4, 677D91 ,n 'u$ust he beca e the director of the Joint Staff1 The path )as clear for ore senior co and and a fourth star, )hich )ould follo) in less than a year1

thoro,ghly by the /entagon, by the %ongress, by o,tside e2'erts, and all o$ them have come to the same concl,sion7 that there was no wrongdoing by #en. Mc%hrystal.= What DSJ What )o,tside e2'erts-I )6o wrong doingI- Kven the *o* I# re'ort said Mc%hrystal was )acco,ntable $or the inacc,rate FSilver StarG award recommendation-J !''arently #ates agrees with Morrell9s DS since he wrote, )I tr,st this g,y to do and say what I wantE- 1'. 2A8, )*,ty-3
10

Who were the )others- cons,ltedI /resident D,shI Leaders in %ongressI

!nd Senator >ames WebbI U'date . 21 1(7 #ates wrote that he and /resident D,sh )stood and $o,ght- $or Mc%hrystal. I9d s'ec,late that 'ress,re by D,sh ; #ates was 'laced on Senators Levin, Webb, and Mc%ain to get them to cave in and reverse their o''osition. With Senator Webb, it was 'robably so he co,ld get his #I Dill 'assed.
11 12

25

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMc/hrystal *rote 0%My Share of the Task-, pp.21@.21>2O %Uuestions surroun"ing the "eath of 'at (illman *ere raise" [May 200@$ an" 3 a""resse" them. (he maKor issue regar"e" (F 11#4s [;=?/4s$ "etention operations. Hegitimate Auestions an" concerns *ere intert*ine" *ith an ongoing inAuiry [=A=/ 11S0@ (orture Geport$ into the ,ush a"ministrations o)erall "etention policies le" by =enator He)in. 34" been happy for the opportunity to a""ress any Auestions about (F 11# hea".on, but it felt as though the "elay *as the pro"uct of a larger political issue.-

Gates )rote ;p1 64<, /Duty&=> "e-in )as stron$ly partisan, and , thou$ht so e of his in-esti$ations )ere atte pts to scape$oat y predecessor 5#u sfeld9 and others1 ? , called Stan to let hi kno) that, based on personal e:perience, this )as all about politicsAF and that e-ery senior officer )ho had fou$ht in ,raC and 'f$hanistan )as likely to face the sa e kind of challen$e G a dis$raceful reality1

Mc/hrystal *rote 0%My =hare of the (as+-, pp.21@.21>2O %(he =enate confirmation process ha" been unePpectantly Karring. & my ePperience prior to that point in my career ha" been as a name of a long promotion lists that the 8hite 6ouse recommen"e" an" the =enate confirme".&. ha" not in)ol)e" in"i)i"ual testimony or significant issues. (his time the ePperience *as much "ifferent. &. 3n the en" the process too+ until the first *ee+ of ;une. 3 reporte" for "uty to the ;oint =taff on August 1B, 200@.000

Euring the =pring of 200@ 0after recei)ing my April Br" letter as+ing him to help Mary (illman2, =enator ;ames 8ebb con"ucte" a secret %re)ie*- of Mc/hrystal4s role.

?n May 15th 200@, Kust after Mary (illman *as in 8ashington, E./. on her boo+ tour, the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee 0hea"e" by He)in an" Mc/ain2 hel" a secret %ePecuti)e session- 0hea"e" by He)in M Mc/ain2 *here Mc/hrystal testifie" %in "etail- about his actions in %ePecuti)e session- behin" close" "oors.

A *ee+ later, on May 22n" 200@, the /ommittee hel" the confirmation hearing for General 'etreaus4s promotion as /CD(/?M /?. /hairman He)in recesse" briefly to hol" a )oice )ote to confirm 1## military nominations, *ithout [open$ "iscussion, inclu"ing General Mc/hrystal4s promotion to Eirector of the ;oint =taff 0an" A"miral McGa)en4s to ;=?/ /?2. =hortly after*ar"s, the full =enate promote" him to Eirector of the ;oint =taff.
U'date . 21 1(7 >,st how was )all abo,t 'olitics- when Republican Senator Mc%ain was o''osed to Mc%hrystalI
1.

.0

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

,ut, ePactly ho* "i" 8ebb4s secret re)ie*, follo*e" by a close" hearing, an" a )ote *ithout "iscussion %*ipe a*ay- Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up: (here *as no public testimony or public "iscussion by the =enate. 8hat *as sai" "uring that close" hearing: =enator 8ebb an" =A=/ /ounsel Gary Heeling refuse" to ans*er any of my Auestions about the hearing4, only saying %it *as in ePecuti)e session-.

=enator ;ames4s 8ebb betrayal of the (illman family cuts the "eepest. 34)e truste" his sense of honor for thirty years. 3f anyone in /ongress shoul" ha)e care", it *oul" ha)e been him. 8ebb, as a young Marine )eteran, spent @ years to clear the name of a "ea" Marine for his mother4s sa+eT 34m har" on 8ebb not because 3 "isli+e the man, but that 34m "isillusione" by him. As an ol" man an" politician, he4s turne" into ePactly *hat he once re)ile" as a young )eteranT

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

I/ly A<<C * +hy i# It So Hard to Find O/t +ho Did ItL

?n ;uly 1#, 200@, the ?)ersight /ommittee finally release" their report. (hey blame" %stone*alling- by the ,ush A"ministration for their failure to hol" anyone accountable. At the en" of his April 2001 hearing, /ongressman 8aPman1# ha" state" in frustration, %8hat *e ha)e is a )ery clear, "eliberate abuse intentionally "one. 8hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho "i" it:-

8ell, his report sai" that %lac+ of recollection- ma"e it impossible to assign responsibility an" %the intense interest that initially characteriLe" the 8hite 6ouse4s an" Eefense Eepartment4s reaction to /orporal (illman4s "eath *as follo*e" by a stunning lac+ of curiosity about emerging reports of fratrici"e- 0suggesting Gate4s *as less than forthcoming *ith EoE "ocuments reAueste" by /ongress2. C='D reporter Mi+e Fish *rote the the 8hite 6ouse an" Gate4s Eepartment of Eefense ha" effecti)ely %stone*alle" the in)estigation.,ut, 3 *oul" argue the biggest reason *as that 8aPman4s so.calle" %in)estigation- *as not an honest attempt to get at the truth. 3n reality, the Eemocratic /ongress 0an" later, 'resi"ent ?bama2 ha" merely continue" the ,ush a"ministration *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal.

In her 2012 boo<, )Classified Women,- Sibel Kdmonds wrote 1''. .06, .18 .163 how %ongressman Wa2man had dro''ed s,''ort $or the whistleblowers a$ter the *emocrats won the 2006 mid term elections7
1(

)We ended ,' gathering a hand$,l o$ s,''orters in the Ho,se. E 0he most ambitio,s and o,ts'o<en was %ongressman Henry Wa2manE what we as<ed $or was to have ',blic hearings on o,r casesE M,r hand$,l o$ minority s,''orters seemed to wholeheartedly agree, and 'romised to bac< o,t initiatives.)In the end we got absol,tely nothing. We were told re'eatedly that as long as the "e',blican maBority remained in %ongress we had no chance whatsoeverE. the *emocrats won F2006 midtermsG, and became the maBority in both Ho,se and Senate. We tho,ght we had wonE)I called Fin Cebr,ary 200AG and emailed o,r $ormerly $iery and s,''ortive sta$$ members $rom Henry Wa2man9s o$$ice many times. I received no res'onseE 0he new maBority *emocrats, incl,ding o,r )hand$,l- o$ bac<ers, didn9t even want to hear abo,t the hearings they had 'romised ,sE e2ce't $or that ca'ital *, wo,ld contin,e to a tee the 'ractice o$ their 'redecessors..2

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

May A<<; !! The Em)eror'# General

Mc/hrystal *rote 0Mc/hrystal, pp.2@@.2@>2O %=enate confirmation [for 'resi"ent ?bama4s May 11, 200> nomination to comman" the Afghan 8ar$ *as reAuire" an" it *as easier than it ha" been coming out of (F 11# [;=?/$ the year before, although 3 again a""resse" Auestions surroun"ing /orporal (illman4s "eath [an" treatment of "etainees$. 3 appreciate" concerns raise" by the (illman family an" others, but after multiple in)estigations an" testimony the year prior, 3 +ne* that 3 ha" alrea"y pro)i"e" full an" forthright insights on my role an" all 3 ha" obser)e". ?n ;une 2, 200>, 3 testifie" in front of the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee.-

Gates *rote 0p. B50, %Euty-2O /Mc%hrystal )as confir ed as co ander 5of the 'f$han War9 G and authoriHed for a fourth star G by the Senate 5on June A7, 677@91 My strate$y of $ettin$ hi confir ed as director of the Joint Staff and takin$ care of any potential Senate issues at that ti e 5677D9 paid off ? it )ould be hard for the Senate to oppose hi )ithout su$$estin$ they had done an inadeCuate 3ob of -ettin$ hi pre-iously1&

000

3n May 200>, Gates fire" Gen. Mc<iernan from his comman" of the Afghan 8ar. Michael 6astings *rote in his boo+, %The Operators,- that %A ne* general [Mc/hrystal$ ... presents a ne* opportunity to as+ for more boots on the groun". 9Gates *as the mastermin" behin" the *hole thing [the May 200> firing of Gen. Mc<iernan M the Afghan 8ar surge$9 ... Maybe ?bama9s 7o"a has a bit of Va"er in him after all.-

..

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G?n May 11, 200>, "espite Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the (illman co)er.up. 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" Mc/hrystal 0on the recommen"ation of Gobert Gates2 to be his ne* comman"er of the Afghan 8ar.

3n response to accusations by the (illman family that Mc/hrystal ha" been in)ol)e" in a co)er. up of 'at (illman4s "eath, 'entagon spo+esman Geoff Morrell15 sai"O Nthis matter has been in)estigate" thoroughly by the 'entagon, by the /ongress, by outsi"e ePperts, an" all of them ha)e come to the same conclusionO that there *as no *rong"oing by Gen. Mc/hrystal.N

A fe* "ays later, on May 1Bth, ?bama ga)e the AriLona =tate !ni)ersity commencement a""ress at =un Ee)il =ta"ium 0*here 'at ha" playe" college ball2 *ithout once mentioning his name 0presumably to a)oi" embarrassing Auestions about his nomination of Mc/hrystal2.

(hat same "ay, ?bama bac+.pe"ale" on his pre)ious "ecision to allo* the court.or"ere" release of torture photos, presumably because they sho*e" "etainee abuse by ;=?/ forces un"er Mc/hrystal4s comman". ?n May 20th, =enators Hieberman, Graham, an" Mc/ain 0*or+ing *ith the 8hite 6ouse2 intro"uce" a bill to change the F?3A la* to bloc+ the photo release. (he =enate unanimously passe" it the nePt "ay

/on)eniently, on May 25, 200>, shortly before Mc/hrystal4s =enate confirmation hearing, The (e) *ork Ti es4 'entagon reporter (hom =han+er -ePonerate"- Mc/hrystal of all 5*rong"oing- in the (illman case. 6o*e)er, =han+er ignore" clear e)i"ence of Mc/hrystal5s central han"s.on role. Euring the *ee+ before the confirmation hearing, 3 correspon"e" *ith =han+er an" sent him material *hich "escribe" ho* the Eemocratic /ongress ha" *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal4s role. 6o*e)er, =han+er9s post.hearing piece continue" to parrot the go)ernment9s official line 0interestingly, the D7(9s e"itors %"isappeare"- his original ;une 2n" article from their *ebsite *ithin a fe* hours after it *as publishe"2.

U'date . 21 1(7 )I hired #eo$$ Morrell Fas my 'ress s'o<esmanG E He became a <ey member o$ my team. E one o$ the very $ew aro,nd whom I co,ld let down my hair and be mysel$, vent witho,t worry o$ a lea<, and B,st rela2. E NI tr,st this g,y to do and say what I wantE- So, I thin< it9s sa$e to say that #ates agreed with Morrell9s DS 'osition on the 0illman cover ,'.
18

.(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G/DA=4s An"re* CPum1J 0a former Army Ganger officer2 faile" to sho* genuine concern for the (illman family in his %Abu Muga*ama- blog %/onfirm 6imN 0;une 2, 200>2O %(he bottom line is, nothing is e)er going to heal the *oun"s inflicte" on the (illman Family & An" *hile 3 ha)e nothing but respect for the (illman Family&, their personal grief shoul" not be a )eto on the nomination of the man [Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal$ & more important than either the "eath of 'at (illman or the allege" abuse of "etainees [at /amp Dama$.?n ;une 2n" 200>, (he =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee hel" General Mc/hrystal4s confirmation hearing for his promotion to four.star general an" Afghan *ar comman"er. (he hearing *as strictly %pro.forma.- =enators He)in, Mc/ain, an" 8ebb tosse" Mc/hrystal a fe* softball Auestions. (he real hearing ha" been con"ucte" the pre)ious year, behin" close" "oors. General Mc/hrystal "enie" the phony narrati)e of a raging firefight *as anything more sinister than Nmista+esN ma"e to honor (illman. N3 "i"n9t see any acti)ity by anyone to "ecei)e,N he sai". N8e faile" the family. An" 3 *as a part of that.N 6e ePpresse" his N"eepest con"olencesN to (illman9s family. Mary (illman sai" she neither accepte" nor belie)e" Mc/hrystal9s [non. apology$ apology. NMc/hrystal *as lying,N she sai". 3n the For*ar" to her re)ise" paperbac+ 0at blurb.com2 of Boots on the Ground by Dusk, Mary (illman commente" on Mc/hrystal4s =enate confirmationO %3 ha" sent the 'resi"ent an email an" a letter remin"ing him of Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath.& 3 also contacte" the staffs of =enator 'atric+ Heahy an" =enator ;ames 8ebb & but it *as clear that neither senator *ante" to get in)ol)e". & Mc/ain *as alrea"y publicly en"orsing the Mc/hrystal appointment before the hearing e)en began. & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the hearing. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrysal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama &?n ;une 10th, General Mc/hrystal4s *as confirme" by the =enate after =enate MaKority Hea"er 6arry Gei" ma"e an impassione" plea on the =enate floor. =hortly after*ar", the =enate appro)e" 'resi"ent ,arac+ ?bama9s nomination of Mc/hrystal by unanimous consent 0that e)ening, Gen. Mc/hrystal ga)e D7( reporter (hom =han+er a personal tour of his ne* 'entagon hea"Auarters that night. 3sn4t %access- gran"T2. (he nePt "ay, =enator Guss Feingol" *rote that he %oppose["$ the nomination of H(G =tanley Mc/hrystal- because of a %classifie" matter- 8here *as his %opposition- *hen it *oul" ha)e mattere":
16

Later that year, in Se'tember 2005, %6!S9s !ndrew K2,m whitewashed Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman cover ,' with his horribly biased Washington /ost boo< review o$ >on ?ra<a,er9s boo< )Where Men Win #lory- @ 0he Mdyssey o$ /at 0illman 1the W/ omb,dsman later chastised him $or neglecting to reveal his n,mero,s 'ersonal and 'ro$essional con$licts o$ interest with #en. Mc%hrystal3

.8

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

I/ne A<8< !! "e'-$$air Rollin& Stan

.6

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G;ust a year later, on ;une 2#, 2010, 'resi"ent ?bama fire" Mc/hrystal suppose"ly for inappropriate remar+s ma"e by his staff to a #ollin$ Stone reporter1 6o*e)er, it appears other factors *ereO to sho* the generals he *as the boss, because Mc/hrystal *as %losing the *ar0subtitle of the %Golling =tone- Ha"y Gaga co)er2 by failing to %sho* progress- in MarKa, an" to punish Gen. 'etraeus. ?n ;uly 2#, 2010, Gen. Mc/hrystal retire" from the Army. =ince then, he4s has been a spea+er on the lecture circuit, ser)es on the boar" of "irectors of se)eral corporations, runs a consulting business, an" teaches at 7ale !ni)ersity. 11

I/ly A<8< * The Tillman Story

A fe* "ays after Mc/hrystal4s retirement, on ;uly 21, 2010, ;on <ra+auer publishe" his re)ise" paperbac+ e"ition of his 200> boo+ Where Men Win Glory G The Odyssey of Pat Till an1 (he pre)ious year, his =eptember 200> har"co)er e"ition "escribe" his frien"ly.fire "eath M the Army4s co)er.up. <ra+auer4s boo+ has great epigrams, "oes a goo" Kob of reconstructing the actual frien"ly.fire inci"ent 0an" the e)ents lea"ing up to it2 an" some aspects of the Army4s co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath 0but Mc/hrystal *as barely a footnote2. 6o*e)er, in his up"ate" e"ition, <ra+auer "escribe" Mc/hrystal as playing the %central role in the scan"al- an" inclu"e" much more "etail of the co)er.up by Mc/hrystal. ,ut, ;on <ra+auer *rote a "eceitful 'reface *here he claime" %3 "isco)ere"- ne* information. 3n reality, Kust t)o "ays after the release of his first e"ition, my Aunt /an"y literally place" t*o bin"ers of my research 0about 200 pages2 into <ra+auer4s han"s at his ,oul"er boo+ signing 0my "etaile" analysis sho*s my material *as the source of <ra+auer4s %a""itional e)i"ence of "eceit-2. 000 A fe* "ays after <ra+auer4s re)ise" paperbac+ *as release", in early August 2010 shortly before the theatrical release of Amir ,ar.He)4s "ocumentary %(he (illman =tory,- Mary (illman publishe" the re)ise" paperbac+ e"ition of her 200@ boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk. 3n her ne* Fore*or", she allu"e" to this %untol" story-O

%Mc/hrystal4s actions shoul" ha)e been groun"s for firing. (hat is *hy it *as so "isturbing to us *hen 'resi"ent ?bama instea" promote" Mc/hrystal to the position of top comman"er in Afghanistan.
1A

See the *ec 2012 Ceral Cire$ighter 'ost )My Share o$ the 0as<- $or more details and a disc,ssion o$ his memoir.

.A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

3 ha" sent the 'resi"ent an email an" a letter remin"ing him of Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath. & 3 also contacte" the staffs of =enator 'atric+ Heahy an" =enator ;ames 8ebb an" ePpresse" my concerns & but it *as clear that neither senator *ante" to get in)ol)e". & [=enator$ Mc/ain *as alrea"y publicly en"orsing the Mc/hrystal appointment before the hearing e)en began. & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the [;une 200> =enate hearing$. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrystal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama & ?)er the last fi)e years, the 'entagon an" /ongress ha)e ha" numerous opportunities to hol" accountable those responsible for the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath. Cach time they4)e faile". & The Till an Story ["ocumentary$ & illustrates the corruption, "eception, an" in"ifference that is systemic in our go)ernment. & (he co)er.up of 'at4s "eath *as orchestrate" at the )ery highest le)els of the 'entagon, an" else*here in our go)ernment & the go)ernment "i"n4t Kust lie to us it lie" to a nation.-

.4

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-)ril A<88 !! It'# a Sla) in the Fa%e to -))oint thi# Man

/Maybe ore i portant? , )ould accept First "ady Michelle Oba a!s reCuest to ser-e y country a$ain, this ti e on the board of ad-isors for Joinin$ Forces, a White 0ouse initiati-e for ser-ice e bers and their fa ilies1& .. from Gen. Mc/hrystal4s /My Share of the Task& 000

?n April @, 2011, the secon" %in)estigation- into the %Guna*ay General- *as complete" by the EoE 3G. ?n April 1@th, The (e) *ork Ti es stenographer reporter (hom =han+er *rote his in)estigation ha" %cleare"- Mc/hrystal of %all *rong"oing- in the #ollin$ Stone case 0?nce again, me"ia lap"og =han+er ha" "utifully carrie" *ater for Mc/hrystal an" the po*ers.that.be. ,ut the EoE report is total ,=, 3 guess they figure no reporter *oul" actually rea" itT2.

;ust t*o "ays after D7(4s reporter (hom =han+er suppose"ly cleare" Mc/hrystal of %all *rong"oing- in the /#ollin$ Stone& case, on April 10, 2011, Gen. Mc/hrystal4s reputation *as further %restore"- by 'resi"ent ?bama4s appointment of him to hea" up the ne* %;oining Forces- program to %support military )eterans an" their families.-

;ust t*o "ays later, on April 10th, Gen. Mc/hrystal4s reputation *as further %restore"- by 'resi"ent ?bama4s appointing him to hea" up the ne* %;oining Forces- program to support military )eterans an" their families.

3n response, Mary (illman sai", %3t4s a slap in the face to appoint this man- & %6e "eliberately helpe" co)er up 'at4s "eath-& someone *ho has a heartfelt "esire to help families *oul" not ha)e been in)ol)e" in the co)er.up of a sol"ier4s "eath&- & Michael 6astings *rote, %(hey [8hite 6ouse$ help to rehabilitate =tanley Mc/hrystal4s image, appointing him [April 2011$ to lea" a high.profile initiati)e [;oining Forces$ supporting military families I no nee" to ha)e a potential )oice criticiLing the a"ministration in the upcoming election.-

.5

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

8hen as+e" about Mary4s remar+s, Michelle ?bama sai" %*e4re prou" to ha)e him [Mc/hrystal$ on boar"- an" 8hite 6ouse 'ress =ecretary /arney sai" %that ['resi"ent$ ?bama is %)ery a*are & of the general4s rWsumW.- Hater he a""e", %8e ha)e enormous respect for the ser)ice an" sacrifice of 'at (illman an" his family. & (he circumstances surroun"ing 'at (illman9s "eath ha)e been thoroughly in)estigate", an" General Mc/hrystal *as foun" to ha)e acte" honorably "espite the fact that this trage"y *as mishan"le".-

April 22, 2011 *as the se)enth anni)ersary of 'at (illman4s "eath. 3ronically, that year, it happene" to fall on %Goo" Fri"ay.- ?n Caster =un"ay morning, the smiling faces of Michelle ?bama M ;ill ,i"en appeare" on the co)er of N'ara"e MagaLine- 0a puff piece inter)ie* about the 5;oining Forces- program, *ithout, of course, any mention of Mary (illman4s obKections2.

(hat Caster, *hile ta+ing /ommunion at my Cpiscopal church, a some*hat sacrilegious Cucharistic liturgy came to min"O 'at (illman %has "ie".- General =tanley Mc/hrystal %has risen- 0from his #ollin$ Stone %crucifiPion-2, but . . . 'at (illman *ill not %come again.As his brother Gichar" sai" at his brother4s memorial ser)ice in 200#, %&. than+s for your thoughts, but he4s fuc+ing "ea".-

000

%;oining Forces- is a"ministere" out of the influential 8ashington thin+ tan+, /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2. /DA= has close ties *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal an" le" the push in 8ashington for the Afghan 8ar %surge-.

After *riting his May 200> piece that %ePonerate"- Mc/hrystal, (e) *ork Ti es 'entagon Geporter (hom =han+er spent >0 "ays as a %*riter in resi"ence- at /DA= to *or+ on his boo+ %ounterstrike1 3t appears =han+er4s sabbatical *as yet another per+ for %ePoneratingMc/hrystal an" for being a loyal stenographer for the 'entagon an" the ?bama a"ministration. 0An" guess *ho hoste" his =eptember 2011 boo+ release party: /DA=, of courseT2
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G000

3n =eptember 200>, /DA=4s An"re* CPum 0a former Army Ganger officer2 *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up *ith his horribly biase" Washin$ton Post boo+ re)ie* of ;on <ra+auer4s boo+ %8here Men 8in Glory- I (he ?"yssey of 'at (illman 0the 8' ombu"sman later chastise" him for neglecting to re)eal his numerous personal an" professional conflicts of interest2.

An"re* faile" to sho* genuine concern for the (illman family in his blog post %/onfirm 6imN 0;une 2, 200>2O %(he bottom line is, nothing is e)er going to heal the *oun"s inflicte" on the (illman Family & An" *hile 3 ha)e nothing but respect for the (illman Family&, their personal grief shoul" not be a )eto on the nomination of the man [Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal$ & more important than either the "eath of 'at (illman or the allege" abuse of "etainees [at /amp Dama$.-

3n other *or"s, the (illman family can go to hell. An" /DA= runs this program to NsupportN military familiesT /onsi"ering their past betrayal of the (illman family, Gen. Mc/hrystal an" /DA= *as a shameful choice by 'resi"ent ?bama to run the %;oining Forces- program. As Dar"a Racchino sai", %3t is be*il"ering an" tasteless, after Mc/hrystal4s callous "isregar" for the (illman family throughout this entire episo"e, that ,arac+ ?bama shoul" appoint him to a high.profile position ha)ing anything to "o *ith helping military families.-

-)ril A<88 !! +ith Three 2/)# o$ "/%(L

3n April 2011, ;on <ra+auer accuse" Greg Mortenson of "eceit [see the chapter %8ith (hree /ups of Huc+:- in N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblem-$. 6o*e)er, it appears that <ra+auer4s e.boo+, %Three %ups of Deceit,- *as largely a publicity stunt time" *ith the %J0 Minutes- April 2011 broa"cast to raise the %buLL- 0an" in)estment capital2 for his frien" Mar+ ,ryant4s ne* on. line publishing startup ,yliner.com$ .

(1

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G6o*e)er, <ra+auer himself certainly "isplaye" "eceit by embellishing his story of ho* he %"isco)ere"- Mc/rystal4s central role. 8as <ra+auer embarrasse" to a"mit that he ha" faile" to unco)er this ne* material by himself: An" misse" it the first time aroun": Hi+e Mortenson, it appears that ;on <ra+auer embellishe" his story to boost his esteem an" protect his ego. 3 "on4t care 0much2 about <ra+auer stealing my cre"it. ,ut, his greater act of "eceit *as one of omission. After rea"ing his boo+, you4" belie)e the Eemocratic /ongress *as %stone*alle"- by 'resi"ent ,ush. ,ut, e)en after being han"e" my %untol" story,- <ra+auer still faile" to "escribe in his up"ate" 2010 paperbac+ e"ition ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. Furthermore, Where Men Win Glory is a fla*e" biography since 0after losing their trust2 <ra+auer lost access to the (illman family 0ePcept for his *i"o* Marie2. ...

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Mar%h A<8A !! Got M/e#tion# $or Gen0 M%2hry#talL

?n March 1>, 2012, ne*s*or+s.org poste" %Got Auestions for the former comman"er of !.=. forces in Afghanistan: & %Gi)e us your Auestions belo* for the general, an" *e9ll try to get a couple of them in "uring the UMA session follo*ing his remar+s.-

=ure, 3 coul" come up *ith some Auestions for Mc/hrystal ... but, *hy bother: 3 figure" sen"ing Auestions *oul" be a *aste of time. ,ase" on my personal ePperience, 3 no longer ha)e much faith in the the me"ia to as+ tough Auestions of the po*ers.that.be. 6o*e)er, Mary (illman emaile" me the lin+ to that post. =o, for her sa+e, 3 figure" 3 *oul" gi)e it a try. 6ere are the t*o Auestions 3 submitte" 0along *ith lin+s to pro)i"e bac+groun"2O

M/e#tion 485 "ast year, President Oba a appointed you to o-ersee the /Joinin$ Forces& pro$ra to support ilitary fa ilies1 ,n response, Mary Till an said, /,t!s a slap in the face to appoint this an& ? /0e deliberately helped co-er up Pat!s death&?&?so eone )ho has a heartfelt desire to help fa ilies )ould not ha-e been in-ol-ed in the co-erBup of a soldier!s death?& For er San Francisco %hronicle .ditor (arda Iacchino )rote, /,t is be)ilderin$ and tasteless, after Mc%hrystal!s callous disre$ard for the Till an fa ily throu$hout this entire episode, that Barack Oba a should appoint hi to a hi$hBprofile position ha-in$ anythin$ to do )ith helpin$ ilitary fa ilies1 Why ha-en!t you e-er spoken )ith Mary Till an to try to ans)er her Cuestions about your handlin$ of her son!s deathE Note5 see ;a+e (apper4s %A,/ De*s CPclusi)eO 'at (illman4s Mom 8ants General =tanley Mc/hrystal Gemo)e" From 8hite 6ouse 'ost- 0April 1B, 20112 an" Dar"a Racchino, in %8hat =tanley Mc/hrystal Ei" to 'at (illman4s Family- 0(ruth"ig.com, April 1B, 20112. My ta+e on the matter can be foun" on pp. 2B.25 of N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN. 000 Question #2: ' Depart ent of Defense ,nspector General!s in-esti$ation found you )ere /accountable for the inaccurate 5Sil-er Star9 a)ard reco endation& for Pat Till an1 Durin$

(.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gyour 677@ Senate confir ation hearin$, you testified your reco )ritten& )ith / istakes& that )ere /)ell intentioned1& endation /)as not )ell

0o)e-er, Mary Till an, Pat Till an!s other, )rote you )ere /? proposin$ false lan$ua$e for the Sil-er Star narrati-e1& +e-in Till an ;his brother )ho ser-ed )ith hi as a #an$er in ,raC J 'f$hanistan= testified before %on$ress> /These are deliberate acts of deceit1& ? /To falsify a )itness state ent in a Sil-er Star a)ard, fabricatin$ it )ith these kids! na es on it& 'nd, Jon +rakauer ;in his book, /Where Men Win Glory&, pp1 FF< G F<8 of his paperback edition= described ho) you personally Kad inistered the edal reco endation processK and directly super-ised the #an$er #e$i ent co anders )ho altered the t)o Sil-er Star )itness state ents1 %ould you please e:plain ho) your erely /)ellBintentioned istakes& could possibly account for the t)o for$ed )itness state ents for Pat Till an!s Sil-er Star edalE 000

Note5 (he Eepartment of Eefense 3nspector Generals4 March 2001 report foun" that Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal *as %accountable for the inaccurate [=il)er =tar$ a*ar" recommen"ation[see Appen"iP A1, EoE 3G (illman 3n)estigation an" pp. #J I 5J, %Mislea"ing 3nformation from the ,attlefiel"- in(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$

3n 2001, /ongressman 6enry 8aPman4s 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee hel" t*o (illman hearings. At the April 2#, 2001 /ongressional hearing, <e)in (illman sai", %& *hile each in)estigation gathere" more information, the mountain of e)i"ence *as ne)er use" to arri)e at an honest or e)en sensible conclusion & (hese are "eliberate acts of "eceit.- & %(o falsify a *itness statement in a =il)er =tar a*ar", fabricating it *ith these +i"s4 names on it & 6o* come no one is hel" accountable for this: (he *hole thing is ri""le" *ith nonsense, sir- [see pp. #J I 5J in (he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$.

6o*e)er, on ;uly B1, 2001, Gen. 8illiam 8allace o)errule" the 3G4s fin"ings, an" cleare" Mc/hrystal of all *rong"oing in the (illman co)er.up 0se)eral other officers in)ol)e" *ere gi)en slaps on the *rist an" ha)e since been promote" to General. Getire" Gen. <ensinger *as ma"e the official scapegoat he lost a star an" a little pension money2. [see pp. 51 . JJN (he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$.

((

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G(he follo*ing "ay, August 1, 2001, /ongressman 6enry 8aPman4s 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee hel" the secon" hearing of their (illman %in)estigation.- 6o*e)er, 8aPman allo*e" Gen. Mc/hrystal to %"ecline- to appear 0he *as ne)er later inter)ie*e"2, an" ne)er trie" to "etermine if he *as responsible for the altere" =il)er =tar *itness statements an" pp. J1 I @J, %(he (illman Fratrici"eO 8hat the Hea"ership of the Eefense Eepartment <ne*- in N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$. 000

Mary (illman emaile" me that my %&Auestions are )ery soun".- After Mc/hrystal4s 8i"ener !ni)ersity presentation on March 2J, 2012, instea" of as+ing one of my har".hitting Auestions, Mc/hrystal *as tosse" a soft.ball AuestionO N8hat about 'at (illman:N

Mc/hrystal replie" 0De*s*er+9s (*itter fee"2, NFrien"ly fire happens...as soon as *e foun" out, that9s *hat *e sai" ...N3 +no* there9s no conspiracyN Alerting family *as [the responsibility of the$ other chain of comman" [i.e. Gen. <ensinger$.N

(he (illman4s come from a military family, they +no* %frien"ly fire happens.- (hey un"erstan" that. (hey Kust got pisse" *hen the Generals +ept lying to their face about *hat happene"T Mc/hrystal4s response echoe" the ,.=. of the Army4s 8allace briefing. 3n reality, Mc/hrystal *as tol" of confirme" frien"ly.fire Kust t*o "ays after*ar"s but it too+ the Army fi)e *ee+s to tell his family. An" accor"ing to a EoE 3G report appen"iP, Mc/hrystal )as in the operational chain of comman" that *as responsible to tell the family [=ee pp. 5J.JJ, N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN at httpOSS***.feralfirefighter.blogspot.com$.

-)ril A<8A * - Boo#t $or Bara%( O.ama'# Re!Ele%tion 2am)ai&n

?n April 11, 2012, the 8hite 6ouse *ill announce the fi)e *inners of their %;oining Forces /ommunity /hallenge.- All t*enty finalists *ill be honore" by Michelle ?bama at the 8hite 6ouse. (he 'at (illman Foun"ation *hich helps returning )eterans go bac+ to college is one of the finalists. (he Foun"ation4s presi"ent is Marie (illman 0'at (illman4s *i"o*2 & Marie *ill
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gprobably be at the 8hite 6ouse to accept the honors. 8ill she meet face.to.face *ith =tanley Mc/hrystal:

(hat could be interesting & but Marie has chosen to focus on other people4s futures an" %not get stuc+ in the past & 3 "i"n4t *ant to become bitter because of all that ha" happene". 3 sa* that 3 ha" an opportunity to "o something positi)e.- [%'at 8oul" be 'rou"- ..%'eople-, March 12, 2012 an" her poignant March 2, 2011 6ar)ar" speech Marie (illman on Fin"ing 'urpose-] 000

3o#t#%ri)t5 ?n April 11, 2012, Marie (illman *as present at the 8hite 6ouse for First Ha"y Michelle ?bama4s celebration of the 1st anni)ersary of the ;oining Forces program 03 "on4t +no* *hether or not Gen. Mc/hrystal *as in the au"ience2. 3n her remar+s, the First Ha"y "i"n4t mention the 'at (illman Foun"ation although she "i" than+ (om ,ro+a*O %&*e are pri)ilege" to ha)e him *ith us to"ay an" ha)e his )oice out there so passionately on behalf of families an" troops-

3ts *orth noting, that ,ro+a* *as one of the Ku"ges *ho pic+e" the fi)e *inners out of the t*enty finalists. ;ust a couple of *ee+s ago on March 2Jth, ,ro+a* inter)ie*e" Mc/hrystal about returning )eterans struggles to fin" Kobs struggles. 'erhaps he a)oi"e" )oting for the 'at (illman Foun"ation because of his a"miration for Mc/hrystal:2.

'erhaps 34m too cynical in my ol" age, but 3 agree" *ith the A'4s assessment of the e)entO %the initiati)e can be a boost for 'resi"ent ,arac+ ?bama4s re.election campaign& Mrs. ?bama an" ;ill ,i"en& set out on a t*o."ay anni)ersary tour & to celebrate all things military& (he first la"y also *ill tal+ up the program 8e"nes"ay night on =tephen /olbert4s (V sho*&- ;ust as *ith Michelle4s appearance on the co)er of %'ara"e- magaLine last Caster, ;oining Forces is being use" to help +ic+ off 'resi"ent ?bama4s reelection campaign.

6ere is the comment about the 1st anni)ersary of ;oining Forces that 3 poste" on the 8ebO

*esterday, Marie Till an represented The Pat Till an Foundation at First "ady Michelle Oba a!s /Joinin$ Forces& cere ony at the White 0ouse1 Marie is the )ido) of Pat Till an, the (F" player killed in 677< by friendly fire in 'f$hanistan ;his death
(6

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G)as co-ered up by the 'r y1 Those responsible )ere )hite)ashed by both the Bush and Oba a ad inistrations=1

"ast year, President Oba a appointed Gen1 Stanley Mc%hrystal to head the ad-isory board of the ne) /Joinin$ Forces& pro$ra 1 ,n response, Mary Till an 5Pat Till an!s other9 said, /,t!s a slap in the face to appoint this an& ? /0e deliberately helped co-er up Pat!s death&? so eone )ho has a heartfelt desire to help fa ilies )ould not ha-e been in-ol-ed in the co-erBup of a soldier!s death?&

'nd for er San Francisco %hronicle .ditor (arda Iacchino said, /,t is be)ilderin$ and tasteless, after Mc%hrystal!s callous disre$ard for the Till an fa ily throu$hout this entire episode, that Barack Oba a should appoint hi to a hi$hBprofile position ha-in$ anythin$ to do )ith helpin$ ilitary fa ilies1&

When asked about Mary!s re arks, Michelle Oba a said, /)e!re proud to ha-e hi 5Mc%hrystal9 on board& and White 0ouse Press Secretary Jay %arney said /that 5President9 Oba a is /-ery a)are ? of the $eneral!s rLsu L1&

-)ril A<8A !! The Story i# Not O>er 7et

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3t appears Gen. Mc/hrystal orchestrate" much of the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s 200# frien"ly.fire "eath. 8hy: 8ell, the Army 0almost2 al*ays lies about ba" ne*s. 3n 200#, the ,ush A"ministration use" (illman4s %heroic- "eath to "istract attention from the Abu Gharaib images. (he Eefense Eept. "ragge" out their %in)estigations- o)er the course of three years until it *as no longer a 'G threat to the ,ush a"ministration.

3n 2001, the Eemocratic /ongress *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal because he *as the hero of the "ar+ si"e of the 3raA =urge. 3n 200@, the =enate *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal so he coul" continue as one of the rising stars in the Army an" be promote" as the Eirector of the ;oint =taff, the right. han" to the /hairman of the ;oint /hiefs of =taff. 3n 200>, Mc/hrystal actions 0/amp Dama M (illman2 *ere *hite*ashe" by 'resi"ent ?bama an" the =enate so he coul" be the sa)ior to lea" the Afghan =urge. 3n 2010, ?bama fire" Mc/hrystal for losing the *ar 0an" for ma+ing him loo+ ba"2. 3n 2011, in part to men" fences *ith the military, 'resi"ent ?bama continue" the Mc/hrystal *hite*ash by appointing him hea" up the ;oining Forces program.

(he 'at (illman story is not o)er yet. ?ur go)ernment an" the me"ia ha)e continue" the *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s 0among others2 +ey role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath an" "etainee abuse at /amp Dama up to the present "ay. ?n the lecture circuit, =tanley Mc/hrystal +eeps trotting out his line of bullshit, an" no one in the press calls him on it. 000

Michael 6astings *rote that the D7(S'entagon4s April 2011 %ePoneration- of Mc/hrystal %He4Affair Golling =tan- *as %the last *hite*ash- of Mc/hrystal4s military career. 6o*e)er, 8ashington 'ost reporter Eana 'riest *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in torture at /amp Dama in her Top Secret ' erica boo+.

=pencer Ac+erman Auote" Eana 'riest4s boo+ Top Secret ' erica in his piece, %6o* =pecial ?ps /opie" al.Uai"a to <ill 3t- 0=ept. >, 20122O %Mc/hrystal reporte"ly sai" 5(his is ho* *e lose,4 [DoteO "i"n4t he actually say that about ci)ilian casualties:$ *hen he toure" the [/amp Dama$ facility for the first time [in Fall 200B$. 6e assigne" his top intelligence officer, then. ,rig. Gen. Michael Flynn, to professionaliLe [DoteO isn4t that *hat Gen. Miller "i" at Abu

(4

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GGharaib after his stint at Gitmo:$ ;=?/ interrogations- [but Flynn "i"n4t arri)e until May 200#T$. Mc/hrystal ga)e similar testimony at his ;une 200> =enate confirmation hearing.

6o*e)er, accor"ing to a 200J CsAuire profile, torture *as still practice" at /amp Dama in the =pring of 200#. An", Mar+ !rban4s boo+ about the ,ritish =A= in 3raA, %(as+ Force ,lac+,ePplains the ,ritish *eren4t satisfie" *ith con"itions in ;=?/ interrogation facilities until the en" of 2005. /orrespon"ingly, Air Force interrogator Matthe* AlePan"er4s boo+s suggest that torture ha" en"e" not long before he arri)e" in =pring 200J 0his 200@ piece is more ePplicit2. An", =enator Feingol" *rote that Mc/hrystal4s 200> =enate testimony concerning interrogation %appears incomplete, at best.000

'.=. 7ester"ay 0April 12, 20122 3 "isco)ere" that Amir ,ar.He) has starte" *or+ing on %(he (illman =tory 3nteracti)e C"ition.- 6e en)isions it as %a na)igable *eb.base" platform that *ill enable )ie*ers to pause an" brea+ a*ay from the film at any point *hile they *atch it & 3t *ill ser)e as a frame aroun" the film, popping open a stream of interacti)e graphics, resource *i+is, )i"eo footage, searchable "ocuments, au"io files, photographs an" action lin+s in concert *ith the original footage. (his acti)e %annotation- of the film *ill tether seamlessly *ith social me"ia an" the *eb& 3n this *ay, it4s our hope that )ie*ers themsel)es *ill be able to "ig into the facts about the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath, access an" create up"ates to the story-

An", on April 22n", 3 "isco)ere" that =tanley Mc/hrystal4s memoir, My =hare of the (as+, is no* sche"ule" for release on Do)ember 1B, 2012. =uppose"ly Mc/hrystal4s %insightful memoir she"s light on the maKor episo"es an" contro)ersies of his career.- ,ut, 34m s+eptical that Mc/hrystal4s much )aunte" %can"or- *ill be on "isplay concerning his central role in the (illman co)er.up. 000

U3D-TE 9!98!895 =ee my Eecember 2@, 2012 post %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es- for up"ates on the (illman story an" my ta+e on Mc/hrystal4s memoir.

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-)ril A<8: !8< 7ear# On1 3at Tillman'# +ido at 3ea%e ith 3a#t
April 22, 201# *ill be the 10th anni)ersary of 'at (illman4s "eath. 3n the "ays lea"ing up to the anni)ersary, there has been some me"ia co)erage of the "ate. %!=A (o"ay- publishe" a profile of his *i"o*, Marie (illman, %8< year# on1 3at TillmanJ# ido at )ea%e ith )a#t-O %(he country celebrate" the story as one of patriotismO the football star *ho turne" "o*n the QB.J million contract to become a sol"ier. ,ut Marie +ne* 'at9s reasoning *as more about fulfilling a purpose higher than a football career.%& the April "ay 10 years ago *hen he *as +ille" in Afghanistan, a )ictim of frien"ly fire. & the story of his "eath *as frame" as a heroic battle *ith the enemy. (he (illman family an" Marie later fought for the release of reports that *oul" unco)er the truth. (he Army later re)eale" that (illman9s "eath *as the result of fratrici"e, an" later in)estigations *oul" point to a co)er.up through the ran+s. (o this "ay, the full "etails remain unclear.?n April 20th, the C='D %?utsi"e the Hines- program tele)ise" an inter)ie* %=hooter fears he +ille" 'at (illman- *ith =te)en Clliot, one of the shooters in ,a+er4s 6um)ee, an" ,ryan ?4Deal 0*ho *as nePt to 'at (illman2. 3 *as "isappointe" that Mi+e Fish4s C='D piece "i"n4t e)en mention the 'entagon4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. Dor "oes his piece mention the subseAuent bipartisan 'resi"ential an" /ongressional *hite*ash of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal. ?n April 22n", C='D *ill publish a story an" )i"eo pac+age an" a one.hour, prime.time special, N'at (illmanO (en 7ears Hater, An Cn"uring (rage"yNO
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%Former /ar"inals Auarterbac+ ;a+e 'lummer, *ho playe" *ith 'at (illman in college at AriLona an" *ith the /ar"inals, opens the special *ith an intro"uctory essay about *ho (illman *as to him. & (his special *ill inclu"e a li)e, in.stu"io inter)ie* by ?(H host ,ob Hey *ith Marie (illman. & Along *ith the tele)ision component, C='D.com *ill run ne* reporting on the story unco)ere" by Fish.-

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THE TI""M-N STOR7

April 200@ 0;uly 20102

=eptember 200> 0;uly 20102

;une 2012

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;an. 2010 EVE Feb. 2011

;anuary 2012

;anuary 201B

;anuary 201#

Thi# i# an /n#ol>ed my#teryN no.ody ha# e>er really )aid a )ri%e $or hat a# done to the Tillman#1 he #aid0 No one ha# ta(en a%%o/nta.ility or made an admi##ion $or a deli.erate attem)t to %on%eal the tr/th0 Thi# #tory i# not o>er yet0 .. Amir ,ar.He), Eirector of the "ocumentary %(he (illman =tory- 0;une 2#th 20102

"ie# Borne O/t .y Fa%t#1 I$ Not the Tr/th

* The Media'# 3ortrayal o$ the Tillman Story
?)er the years, the maKor ne*spapers ha)e largely ignore" the (illman story. As /arl 'rine sai" in his recent post 0%Green*al" 3s 8rongT- ;an. 1, 20122O %(oo many reporters in an" out of E/ are stenographers& (hat4s one reason *hy C='D "i" better reporting on the "eath of 'at (illman than e)eryone in E/ I Mi+e Fish an" the sports guys *ere outsi"ers not only to "efense reporting but also the faile" ,elt*ay nePus of Kournos an" generals, so they ha" no sacre" co*s to spare or V3's to curry. (hey care" only about the truth.?r *orse yet, the (e) *ork Ti es 'entagon reporter (hom =han+er has repeate"ly *hite*ashe" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s central role in the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 3n 200>, Kust prior to Mc/hrystal4s =enate /onfirmation hearing (hom =han+er -ePonerate"0ignoring clear e)i"ence of Mc/hrystal5s han"s.on role that 3 sent him2 Mc/hrystal of all 5*rong"oing- in the (illman case 0after*ar"s Mc/hrystal ga)e =han+er a personal tour of his ne* 'entagon hea"Auarters2 [see post %Hies ,orne ?ut by Facts, 3f Dot the (ruth-$. 3n April 2011, stenographer reporter (hom =han+er *rote that a EoE in)estigation 0although the EoE
8.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Greport *as complete ,=2 ha" %cleare"- Mc/hrystal of %all *rong"oing- in the #ollin$ Stone case. ,esi"es C='D4s Mi+e Fish pre)iously mentione" by /arl 'rine, 3 *oul" gi)e a shout out to Ea)i" Ririn, Sports ,llustrated4s Gary =mith, =tan Goff, an" San Francisco %hronicle4s Gob /ollier *ho all "i" a fine Kob of reporting the (illman story [see lin+s to them an" others in my feral firefighter post %Gemember the 3conoclast, Dot the 3con-$. 3 *oul" also highly recommen" Mic+ ,ro*n4s more recent %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero- 0!< Guar"ian, ?ct. 1, 20102. 000 (o"ay, eight years after his "eath, ho* is 'at (illman remembere": 0if at all, %'at *ho:-2. 8hat is 'at (illman4s legacy: /urrently, most press accounts "escribe 'at (illman asO %the DFH star *ho left behin" an DFH career to ser)e his country.- & %so mo)e" by the trage"y of >S11 that he *al+e" a*ay from his multimillion."ollar contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to become a !.=. Army Ganger.- & %+ille" in the line of "uty in Afghanistan in 200#.- (hat is, 'at (illman has been re"uce" to a patriotic icon 0*hose name is use" as a fun".raising tool to raise money for %military scholars,- to celebrate military %ser)ice,- an" promote min"less patriotism2. /urrent press accounts often neglect to mention that 'at (illman %*as +ille" in a frien"ly fire inci"ent.- (hey almost ne)er mention the %untol"- story of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the Army4s co)er.up of his "eath 0after all, *asn4t Mc/hrystal officially %cleare" of all *rong "oing-:2 an" his in)ol)ement in torture at /amp Dama.

The Tillman Story

Done of the boo+s *ritten by officials from the ,ush a"ministration e)en mention 'at (illman4s name he4s not e)en a footnote in the %big.name- biographies: 0e.g. 'resi"ent ,ush, Vice 'resi"ent Eic+ /heney, =ecretary of Eefense Eonal" Gumsfel", 8hite 6ouse press secretaries, etc.2 'at 8ho: 8hat co)er.up: =o much for the history boo+sT 6o*e)er, since 200@, se)eral boo+s 0an" one EVE2 ha)e "escribe" the 'at (illman story in "etail. 6o*e)er, none of them ha)e tol" much of the %untol"- story of the bi.partisan *hite*ash of those responsible for the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 000 Mary (illman publishe" her memoir Boots on the Ground by Dusk in 200@. 3t is a first.person account of her 0an" her families2 her battle for the truth about her son4s "eath in Afghanistan. 3ntersperse" *ithin her account are biographical s+etches of his upbringing in De* Alama"en /A, his football career, an" his ePperience in the Army. 6er boo+, more than any other account, "escribes Kust ho* the Army, the Generals, /ongress, etc. +ept lying to the (illman family o)er se)eral years *hile suppose"ly %in)estigating- 'at (illman4s "eath. 000
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;on <ra+auer publishe" his har"co)er e"ition of Where Men Win Glory G The Odyssey of Pat Till an in =eptember 200>. <ra+auer4s boo+ has great epigrams, "oes a goo" Kob of reconstructing the actual frien"ly.fire inci"ent 0an" the e)ents lea"ing up to it2 an" some aspects of the Army4s co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath2. 6o*e)er, <ra+auer4s boo+ is a fla*e" biography since 0after losing their trust2 <ra+auer lost the cooperation of the (illman family his boo+ reflects that loss of access 0Mary4s boo+ is the better biography2. 3n a""ition, his har"copy e"ition faile" to "escribe Gen. Mc/hrystal4s central role in the Army4s co)er.up 0he *as barely a footnote2. An" e)en after being literally han"e" my %untol" story,- in his re)ise" paperbac+ e"ition, <ra+auer still faile" to tell ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 000 Amir ,ar.He) premiere" his "ocumentary, NThe Tillman Story1K at the 2010 =un"ance Film festi)al. %(he (illman =tory is an apt title. (he film largely follo*s the outline of Mary (illman9s memoir, many of the inter)ie*s are *ith members of the (illman family 0mother, father, brother, an" *ife2 an" the film is centere" on the (illman family4s ePperience in the aftermath of 'at (illman9s "eath. 6o*e)er, the film misse" telling the Nuntol" storyN that the co)er.up *as a thoroughly bi.partisan affair. 3t *asn9t Kust a case of the ,ush a"ministration an" the Army stone*alling the Eemocratic /ongress. /ongress "i"n9t Kust NfumbleN the ball, they thre* the game. ?)erall, The Till an Story is a goo" intro"uction, although it misse" much of the %untol"- story, an" trie" to pac+ too much into only >0 minutes of film. %(he (illman =tory- *as release" on EVE in ;anuary 2011. 3 *as surprise" to fin" the only EVE %ePtra- *as a )oice.o)er commentary. 8hat happene" to the ePtra features ,ar.He) sai" he *as *or+ing on: (he film co)ere" a lot of groun" an" nee"e" ePtras to fill in "etails, an" to up"ate the story *ith ne* "e)elopments of the past years. 3n his commentary, Amir ,ar.He) sai" that Gen. 'hilip <ensinger *as %one of the most important figures in the story an" *as scapegoate" to protect Gumsfel"S,ush. 6o*e)er, 3 belie)e he *as scapegoate" primarily to protect Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal 0unli+e <ensinger, Mc/hrystal *as not retire". 6e *as a rising star in the Army an" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en chil"-2. Eespite <ensinger4s prominence in the film, he actually playe" a minor role in the co)er.up. 3n reality, Gen. Mc/hrystal *as the +ey figure in the co)er.up 0but barely a footnote in the film2. 000 ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s Obamas Wars 020102 primarily "escribes the bac+story of the policyma+ing behin" 'resi"ent ?bama4s 200> "ecision to launch the Afghanistan 8ar %surge.- 06is boo+ co)ers much of the same groun" as Michael 6asting4s boo+ The Operators. ,oth Micheal M 3
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gfoun" 8oo"*ar"4s boo+ to be )aluable2. 6o*e)er, 8oo"*ar" only briefly "iscusses Gen. Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up. 3t appears that ,ob 8oo"*ar" *hite*ashe" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s role in co)er.up in his boo+ 0an" in an D'G inter)ie*2. 8oo"*ar" *rote that Mc/hrystal merely %signe" off- on the false =il)er =tar citation an" *asn4t %the han"s.on person ma+ing that "ecision.- 6o*e)er, Mc/hrystal actually super)ise" the *riting of the false =il)er =tar an" much of the Army4s co)er.up on the groun" in Afghanistan. 000 Michael 6asting4s boo+, The Operators, *as publishe" in ;anuary 2012. 6asting4s boo+ portrays his April 2010 %Golling =tone- reporter %roa" trip- *ith Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal an" his staff. 6e use" his profile of Mc/hrystal to frame his broa"er narrati)e of %?bama4s 8ar- in Afghanistan . 6is boo+ also presents a brief account of the (illman story up to Mc/hrystal being appointe" to hea" up the %;oining Forces- program in 2011. 6astings "oes a "ecent Kob of mentioning Mc/hrystal4s actions in the (illman co)er.up. 6o*e)er, his account misse" 0or only briefly allu"e" to2 much of the %untol"- (illman story 0such as the /ongressional (illman hearings2. =till, his boo+ is )aluable an" has the most integrity of those 34)e rea" on Afghanistan 0Hater in this "ocument, 34)e a""e" my annotations to my notes from The Operators to fill out the (illman story bet*een.the.lines of his boo+2. 000 All the boo+s mentione" abo)e are *orth rea"ing 0or )ie*ing2 to learn more about the (illman story. 6o*e)er, Mary (illman, ;on <ra+auer, an" Amir ,ar.He) en" their telling of the story *ith the August 2001 /ongressional hearing. 8oo"*ar"4s an" 6asting4s boo+ only briefly "iscuss the (illman story. All of these accounts misse" telling the %untol"- story of ho* the Eemocratic /ongress an" 'resi"ent ?bama continue" the ,ush a"ministration *hite*ash of those responsible for the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan. 000

3n a""ition, three ne* account of the (illman sche"ule" for publication 0or in.process2 this yearO Marie (illman4s memoir The "etter, Amir ,ar.He)4s The Till an Story ,nteracti-e .dition, an" =tanley Mc/hrystal4s memoir My Share of the TaskO Marie (illman4s memoir, The "etter, is sche"ule" for release on ;une 2J, 2012. Accor"ing to the AmaLon boo+ blurb, %& Marie tal+s for the first time about her Kourney to rema+e her life after 'at9s "eath. & =he "escribes ho* she *ith"re* from the public spotlight to grie)e, learning along the *ay the )alue of solitu"e, self.a*areness an" integrity in the healing process. An", finally, Marie recounts her *or+ to rebuil" her life, inclu"ing foun"ing (he 'at (illman Foun"ation&- 3t4ll be interesting to see ho* much of the %untol"- story she4ll tell in her boo+.
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G;ust a fe* "ays ago 0April 12, 20122 3 "isco)ere" that Amir ,ar.He) is currently *or+ing on (he (illman =tory 3nteracti)e C"ition0 6e en)isions this e"ition as %a na)igable *eb.base" platform that *ill enable )ie*ers to pause an" brea+ a*ay from the film at any point *hile they *atch it & 3t *ill ser)e as a frame aroun" the film, popping open a stream of interacti)e graphics, resource *i+is, )i"eo footage, searchable "ocuments, au"io files, photographs an" action lin+s in concert *ith the original footage. (his acti)e %annotation- of the film *ill tether seamlessly *ith social me"ia an" the *eb& 3n this *ay, it4s our hope that )ie*ers themsel)es *ill be able to "ig into the facts about the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath, access an" create up"ates to the storyFinally, =tanley Mc/hrystal4s memoir My Share of the Task %is anticipate" to become one of the biggest releases of 2012 & 6is fran+ an" insightful memoir she"s light on the maKor episo"es an" contro)ersies of his career.- 8ell, ob)iously 3 ha)e my "oubts about the "egree of his so. calle" %can"or- that *ill be sho*n in his boo+. ,ase" on his bullshit ans*er to the 'at (illman Auestion at his March 2012 'hila"elphia lecture, 34" guess his boo+ isn4t going to she" much light on the (illman story. 34m betting the Mc/hrystal4s boo+ *ill be his final *hite*ash of his central role in the (illman co)er.up an" his comman" of forces in)ol)e" in torture at /amp Dama.

M-R7 TI""M-N'S BOOTS ON THE GROUND B7 DUS=

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%8e ha" spent *ee+s helping getting Auestions prepare" an" sen"ing information. (he Gepublicans on the [6ouse ?)ersight$ committee *ere at best in"ifferent & Most of the Eemocrats "isappointe" us as *ell. (hey *ere not prepare" &. 8e ePpecte" more from /ongress.- & %3 thin+ of the Gepresentati)e 6enry 8aPman4s *or"s at the close of the [April 2#, 2001$ hearingO & 58hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho4s responsible an" hol" them accountable:4 & it occurs to me that it4s so har" & because no one in a position of authority has the *ill or courage to "o so... Mary (illman, Boots on the Ground by Dusk 06ar"co)er, 200@2

%Mc/hrystal4s actions shoul" ha)e been groun"s for firing. (hat is *hy it *as so "isturbing to us *hen 'resi"ent ?bama instea" promote" Mc/hrystal to the position of top comman"er in Afghanistan & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the [;une 200> =enate hearing$. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrystal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama & ?)er the last fi)e years, the 'entagon an" /ongress ha)e ha" numerous opportunities to hol" accountable those responsible for the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath. Cach time they4)e faile". & The Till an Story ["ocumentary$ & illustrates the corruption, "eception, an" in"ifference that is systemic in our go)ernment. & (he co)er.up of 'at4s "eath *as orchestrate" at the )ery highest le)els of the 'entagon, an" else*here in our go)ernment & the go)ernment "i"n4t Kust lie to us it lie" to a nation... Mary (illman, Boots on the Ground by Dusk 0'reface to =oftco)er, 20102

Mary Tillman'# Boot# on the Gro/nd .y D/#( ?A<<COA<8<@

[A"apte" from the Feral Firefighter posts %A =ense of 6onorN an" N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN$
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3n April 200@, Mary (illman publishe" her boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk I My (ribute to 'at (illman. 6er boo+ is a first.person account of her 0an" her families2 ePperience after her son4s "eath in Afghanistan an" her battle for the truth about his "eath. 3ntersperse" *ithin her account are biographical s+etches of his upbringing in De* Alama"en /A, his football career, an" his ePperience in the Army. Mary (illman "iscusse" ho* military ser)ice *as pre)alent an" respecte" in the (illman family. 6er uncles *ere at 'earl 6arbor, her brother *as a Marine, an" her father *as a Marine "uring the <orean 8ar. Mary *rote, %From the time 3 *as )ery little, 3 *as a*are of my father4s pri"e in being a Marine. 8hen 3 *as three years ol" & 3 *oul" stan" bet*een my parents, feet "igging into the soft leather of the big front seat, an" sing the entire Marine /orps 6ymn at the top of my lungs.6er boo+, more than any other account, "escribes Kust ho* the Army, the Generals, etc. +ept lying to the face of the (illman family o)er se)eral years *hile suppose"ly %in)estigating- 'at (illman4s "eath. As *as Kust mentione", 'at (illman *as from a military family. (hey un"erstoo" that fratrici"e is a fact of *ar. 8hat they coul" not un"erstan", or tolerate, *as ho* all those responsible for telling them the truth +ept lying to their face about *hat ha" happene". ;on <ra+auer4s boo+ "escribes the actual frien"ly.fire inci"ent, the F!,AG e)ents lea"ing up to it, an" the Army4s co)er.up 0especially in his re)ise" e"ition2 in more "etail than Mary (illman4s boo+. 6o*e)er, her boo+ is a much better biography 0<ra+auer lost the trust, cooperation, an" %on the recor"- inter)ie*s *ith the (illman family2 an" his account is the *orse for it.

The Untold Tillman Story in the Hard%o>er Edition of Boots on the Ground By Dusk5 3n the April 200@ har"co)er e"ition of her boo+, Mary briefly mentione" the %untol"- (illman story *here she "escribe" the failure of the /ongressional %?)ersight- /ommittee to "o their Kob %to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at- "uring the August 1, 2001 hearingO 53n ;uly, *e learn there *ill be another hearing on August1. 8e are tol" Gumsfel" an" retire" generals <ensinger, AbiLai", an" ,ro*n are being in)ite" [Mc/hrystal *as also in)ite" he %"ecline"-$. 8e are also tol" Gumsfel" *on4t be coming an" <ensinger probably *on4t either [he "o"ge" a subpoena$.%General ,ro*n, retire" generals Meyers an" AbiLai", an" Gumsfel" ["uring their /ongressional testimony August 1, 2001$ ha)e great "ifficulty remembering *hat they +ne* an" *hen they +ne* it& 3t is "isturbing to me that the panel +eeps blaming General <ensinger for the fact *e *eren4t notifie". 3 thin+ <ensinger is culpable to a
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gpoint, but he is not the ultimate ba" guy. 6e *oul" not ha)e been the one to ma+e the "ecision not to tell us. & 3 "on4t un"erstan" *hy Mc/hrystal *as not punishe" more se)erely. 6is '# memo is ePtremely "amning& C)eryone sees it as an attempt on Mc/hrystal4s part to "o the right thing. & 3n closing, 8aPman harshly says, %(he system "i"n4t *or+, errors *ere ma"e I that4s too passi)e. =omeone shoul" be responsible.%& *e *ere not happy *ith the hearing at all. 8e ha" spent *ee+s helping getting Auestions prepare" an" sen"ing information. (he Gepublicans on the committee *ere at best in"ifferent & Most of the Eemocrats "isappointe" us as *ell. (hey *ere not prepare" an" they "i"n4t thin+ on their feet. 8e ePpecte" more from /ongress.%3 thin+ of the Gepresentati)e 6enry 8aPman4s *or"s at the close of the [April 2#, 2001$ hearingO & 5his [='# ?4Deal4s =il)er =tar *itness$ statement *as "octore". 3t *as re*ritten by somebo"y. (hese things aren4t "one by mista+e& 58hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho4s responsible an" hol" them accountable:4 & it occurs to me that it4s so har" & because no one in a position of authority has the *ill or courage to "o so.6o*e)er, 3 "isagree *ith Mary (illman4s assertion that /ongress %lac+e" the *ill or courage- to hol" someone accountable. !nfortunately, at the time she "i"n4t realiLe 0nor "i" 32 Gen. Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up an" "i"n4t realiLe that /ongressman 6enry 8aPman 0/hair of the so.calle" %?)ersight- committee2 ha" intentionally protecte" Gen. Mc/hrystal from scrutiny "uring that hearing 0e.g. "i"n4t "ig into his role in fabricating the =il)er =tar, allo*e" him to %"ecline- to appear at his hearing2. 3t *asn4t Kust a case of the 8hite 6ouse stone*alling the /ongress. 3t *asn4t a lac+ of courage or *ill. 3t *asn4t a loathing to call them out on their bullshit. 3n actuality, /ongress "i"n4t Kust %fumble- the ball, they thre) the game.

The Untold Tillman Story in the Hard%o>er Edition o$ Boots on the Ground By Dusk5 Mary4s "escription of the e)ents of the (illman story en"s shortly after the August 1, 2001 /ongressional hearing. 6o*e)er, in August 2010, Kust before the limite" theatrical release of the "ocumentary film The Till an Story, a paperbac+ e"ition of her boo+ *as publishe" 0a)ailable *ith pre)ie* at blurb.com2. 3t appears the bo"y of the boo+ *as unchange". 6o*e)er, Mary (illman a""e" a ne* Fore*or" *here she "iscusse" 'resi"ent ?bama4s May 200> nomination of Gen. Mc/hrystal an" his ;une 200> =enate confirmation hearingO %Mc/hrystal4s actions shoul" ha)e been groun"s for firing. (hat is *hy it *as so "isturbing to us *hen 'resi"ent ?bama instea" promote" Mc/hrystal to the position of top comman"er in Afghanistan last year [200>$. 3 ha" sent the 'resi"ent an email an" a letter remin"ing him of Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath.%3 also contacte" the staffs of =enator 'atric+ Heahy an" =enator ;ames 8ebb an" ePpresse" my concerns. 3 ha" se)eral con)ersations *ith members of the staffs of both senators, but it *as clear that neither senator *ante" to get in)ol)e".- & [=enator$
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMc/ain *as alrea"y publicly en"orsing the Mc/hrystal appointment before the hearing e)en began. & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the hearing. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrytsal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama &%?)er the last fi)e years, the 'entagon an" /ongress ha)e ha" numerous opportunities to hol" accountable those responsible for the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath. Cach time they4)e faile". & The Till an Story ["ocumentary film release" August 2010$ illustrates the corruption, "eception, an" in"ifference that is systemic in our go)ernment. & (he co)er. up of 'at4s "eath *as orchestrate" at the )ery highest le)els of the 'entagon, an" else*here in our go)ernment & the go)ernment "i"n4t Kust lie to us it lie" to a nation.3 belie)e Mary *as allu"ing to the Eemocratic continuation of the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal *here she *rote, %& /ongress & ha" numerous opportunities to hol" accountable those responsible for the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath. Cach time they4)e faile".'erhaps Mary is a bit more charitable than 3 am. 3 *oul"n4t say /ongress %faile"-. 3 *oul" say they betraye" her an" our nation. (hey protecte" him from accountability for his central role in the co)er.up by intentionally *hite*ashing Mc/hrystal4s actions an" shiel"ing him from public scrutiny,

ION =R-=-UER'S +HERE MEN +IN G"OR7

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* THE OD7SSE7 OF 3-T TI""M-N

06ar"co)er, =eptember 200>2

0Ge)ise" =oftco)er, ;uly 20102

%An hour or t*o after [General 'hilip$ <ensinger an" Mc/hrystal *ere informe" that (illman *as +ille" by frien"ly fire, *or" of the fratrici"e *as sent )ia bac+ channels to the highest le)els of the 'entagon an" the 8hite 6ouse. & Eespite these falsifie", unsigne" [*itness$ statements, the [=il)er =tar$ recommen"ation *as ePpe"ite" by MG Mc/hrystal, /?H DiPon, an" H(/ ,ailey&.. ;on <ra+auer, Where Men Win Glory 06ar"co)er, 200>2

%(his substantially re)ise" e"ition of Where Men Win Glory inclu"es ne* material that & lea)es little "oubt about *ho "irecte" the co)er.up of the fratrici"e.& 3 "isco)ere" a""itional e)i"ence of "eceit by high.ran+ing Army officers & one of the most culpable malfeasants [Mc/hrystal$ turns out to be an ePalte" military lea"er *ho4s been shiel"e" from accountability or punishment for the past siP years.%Mc/hrystal a"ministere" the [=il)er =tar$ me"al recommen"ation process & all the recommen"ation material that Mc/hrystal appro)e" an" submitte" to =ecretary [of the Army$ ,ro*nlee *as painsta+ingly *ritten to create the impression that (illman *as +ille" by enemy fire. ,y any obKecti)e measure, the recommen"ation *as frau"ulent. & [Gen. Mc/hrystal ha"$ Norchestrate["$ *hat can only be "escribe" as a broa" conspiracy to conceal (illman9s fratrici"e ..... ;on <ra+auer, Where Men Win Glory 0'aperbac+, 20102

Ion =ra(a/er'# +here Men +in Glory ?A<<;OA<8<@

[A"apte" from the Feral Firefighter post N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN$
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G;on <ra+auer release" his har"co)er e"ition of Where Men Win Glory G The Odyssey of Pat Till an in =eptember 200>. 6is boo+ presents a biography of 'at (illman, "escribes his frien"ly.fire "eath M the Army4s co)er.up, an" "escribes the 200B ;essica Hynch M the Marine frien"ly.fire inci"ent "uring the ,attle of Dasiriyah. <ra+auer4s boo+ has great epigrams, "oes a goo" Kob of reconstructing the actual frien"ly.fire inci"ent 0an" the e)ents lea"ing up to it2 an" some aspects of the Army4s co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 6o*e)er, Where Men Win Glory is a fla*e" biography since 0after losing their trust2 <ra+auer lost access to the (illman family. 3n a""ition, his har"copy e"ition faile" to "escribe Gen. Mc/hrystal4s central role in the Army4s co)er.up 0he *as barely a footnote2. An" e)en after being literally han"e" my %untol" story,- <ra+auer still faile" to tell ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath.

That G/y'# a 3ie%e o$ E

Mary (illman *rote in her boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk, %3n ;anuary [200J$, author ;on <ra+auer contacte" Marie, 'atric+, an" me about *riting a boo+ about 'at. ?)er se)eral months ;on has met the *hole family, an" *e ha)e come to consi"er him a goo" frien".- 6o*e)er, sometime bet*een 200J an" 200@, <ra+auer clearly lost the trust of Mary her family. 3n his Ac+no*le"gements ;on <ra+auer *rote that Marie (illman4s 0'at (illman4s *i"o*2 %contributions & *ere beyon" measure.- 6o*e)er, he goes on to *rite that %other members of the (illman family "ecline" to be inter)ie*e" on the recor" for this boo+&-

;on <ra+auer sai" in a 200> /='AD inter)ie*, %Actually, 3 tal+e" to them [the (illman family$ Auite a bit. ,ut they "eci"e" they "i" not *ant to be Auote" in the boo+. 3 sho*e" them an early "raft, a )ery rough "raft, they Kust *eren4t happy *ith that, they *ante" Mary4s boo+ [mother$ to be their statement.- 3 "on4t +no* *hy the (illman4s *eren4t happy *ith his "raft. 3 "on4t +no* *hy Gichar" (illman sai" <ra+auer %*as a piece of &- at the =un"ance premiere of the "ocumentary The Till an Story.

6o*e)er, 3 *oul" speculate that part of the (illman family4s "issatisfaction *as <ra+auer4s one. si"e" portrayal of the %Goun" (able bra*l- 0"escribe" in /6 5 M J2, *here <ra+auer only Auote" inter)ie*s from Earin Gosas an" his frien"s 0it "iffers significantly from Mary (illman4s account2. An" 3 *oul" speculate the (illman family *eren4t please" *ith <ra+auer publishing Auotes from 'at (illman4s Kournals 0later, they refuse" to let the "irector of The Till an Story, Amir ,ar.He), e)en loo+ at them "uring the ma+ing of his "ocumentary=.
6.

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Although <ra+auer4s boo+ *as suppose" to be publishe" in 200@, he "elaye" publication of his boo+ o)er a year until =eptember 200>. <ra+auer sai" in a /='AD inter)ie* [my notes from au"io$O 5Eelaye" boo+ "ue about 2S200@ to pursue ;essica Hynch angle M frien"ly.fire of Marines that same "ay, spent B months in)estigating that, frie", too+ brea+ for a couple of months, 0about time Mary4s boo+ came out2, then too+ another year.4 ,ut, 34" guess some of the "elay in the boo+4s publication *as also "ue to <ra+auer4s loss of the trust of the (illman family an" the "ifficulties associate" *ith *riting a biography of 'at (illman *ithout ha)ing the insight an" support of 'at (illman4s family an" frien"s.

General M%2hry#tal'# 2redi.ility 3ro.lem

?n =eptember 15, 200>, ;on <ra+auer release" the first e"ition of his boo+ Where Men Win Glory G The Odyssey of Pat Till an. 3n his har"co)er e"ition, Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal *as barely a footnote. 6e *as mentione" only as being among the Army officers *ho %ePpe"ite"the =il)er =tar recommen"ation 0"espite +no*ing about 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath2, an" *ho sent a '# memo to %alert his superiors that someone nee"e" to *arn 'resi"ent ,ush.,ut Kust t*o *ee+s later, <ra+uauer *as on ;on =te*art4s %(he Eaily =ho*- saying that Mc/hrystal *as %probably the point man for this co)er.up- an" *as %the guy they put in charge of ma+ing this happen [false =il)er =tar recommen"ation$.- An", Kust a month later, <ra+auer publishe" %Gen. Mc/hrystal4s /re"ibility 'roblem.- 3n his %Eaily ,east- piece, he %ePpresse" s+epticism about Mc/hrystal4s honesty.- 6e *rote that Mc/hrystal %ha" "issemble" to the =enate- & %he closely super)ise" the "rafting of these [=il)er =tar$ "ocuments-& %a"ministere" a frau"ulent me"al recommen"ation & thereby concealing the cause of (illman4s "eath.,ut none of this ne* material appeare" in <ra+auer4s first e"ition. 8hy "i" he su""enly begin tal+ing about Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up shortly after his boo+ *as release":

Re>i#ed Edition !! =ra(a/er Di#%o>er# Im)ortant Ne In$ormation5

About half a year later 0;uly 21, 20102 <rau+auer publishe" the re)ise" paperbac+ e"ition of Where Men Win Glory. 3n this up"ate" e"ition, <ra+auer "escribe" Mc/hrystal as playing a %central role in the scan"al- an" inclu"e" much more "etail of the co)er.up by Mc/hrystal an" other Army officers.

6(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G,ut, ;on <ra+auer *rote a "eceitful 'reface to his re)ise" paperbac+ e"ition. 6e pre)aricate", at best, *hen he *rote, %&too late to ma+e changes, 3 learne" important ne* information&- an" follo*ing %publication of the first e"ition in =eptember 200>, 3 "isco)ere" a""itional e)i"ence of "eceit by high.ran+ing Army officers.%3 "isco)ere"-: 3n reality, Kust t)o "ays after the release of the first e"ition, my Aunt /an"y literally place" t*o bin"ers of my research 0about 200 pages2 into <ra+auer4s han"s at his ,oul"er boo+ signing 0my "etaile" analysis sho*s my material *as the source of <ra+auer4s %a""itional e)i"ence of "eceit-2. Hast year, ;on <ra+auer accuse" Greg Mortenson of "eceit [see %8ith (hree /ups of Huc+:- in N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN$. 6o*e)er, <ra+auer himself certainly "isplaye" "eceit by embellishing his story of ho* he %"isco)ere"- Mc/rystal4s central role. 8as <ra+auer embarrasse" to a"mit that he ha" faile" to unco)er this ne* material by himself: An" misse" it the first time aroun": Hi+e Greg Mortenson, it appears that ;on <ra+auer embellishe" his story to boost his esteem an" protect his ego. 3 "on4t care 0much2 about <ra+auer stealing my cre"it. ,ut, his greater act of "eceit *as one of omission. After rea"ing his boo+, you4" belie)e the Eemocratic /ongress *as %stone*alle"- by 'resi"ent ,ush. ,ut, e)en after being han"e" my %untol" story,- <ra+auer still faile" to "escribe in his up"ate" e"ition ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s central role in the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly. fire "eath.

=ra(a/er Omit# O.ama , Demo%rat 2on&re##'# +hite a#h o$ M%2hry#tal5

3n his ;uly 2010 'reface to the re)ise" e"ition of Where Men Win Glory, ;on <ra+auer *rote %one of the most culpable malfeasants turns out to be an ePalte" military lea"er [Gen. Mc/hrystal$ *ho4s been shiel"e" from accountability or punishment for the past siP years.- ,ut *ho %shiel"e"- Mc/hrystal:

/ertainly, the ,ush a"ministration, the Army, an" the Eepartment of Eefense protecte" Mc/hrystal. ;on <ra+auer note", %(he Army & too+ no action against Mc/hrystal "espite his
68

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gcentral role in the scan"al.- an" %& the 8hite 6ouse & use" e)ery means at its "isposal to obstruct the congressional in)estigation into (illman4s "eath an" its aftermath&-

An", in his Daily Beast piece, <ra+auer "i" briefly allu"e to the Eemocratic =enate4s pro for a hearingO %Euring the committee hearing [;une 2, 200> =enate confirmation$ & none of Mc/hrystal4s inAuisitors probe" "eeply into either of these issues ['at (illman co)er.up an" torture by Mc/hrystal4s ;=?/ forces at /amp Dama$.% ,ut, in his re)ise" e"ition, e)en after being han"e" copies of my bin"ers [NEi" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:N an" NHies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthG, <ra+auer still faile" to "escribe ho* the Eemocratic /ongress an" 'resi"ent ?bama continue" the ,ush a"ministration4s *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal.

<ra+auer ne)er "iscusse" 'resi"ent ?bama4s May 200> promotion of Gen. Mc/hrystal o)er the protests of the (illman family 0or ?bama4s passage of a F?3A la* to co)er.up torture photos by ;=?/ forces un"er Mc/hrystals4 comman"2. ?r ho* =enators ;ohn Mc/ain, /arl He)in, an" ;ames 8ebb "i"n4t %probe "eeply- into Mc/hrystal4s role "uring the ;une 200> =enate confirmation hearing. Dor "i" <ra+auer "iscuss =enator 8ebb4s secret 200@ =enate re)ie* an" the May 200@ =enate hearing "uring *hich Mc/hrystal "escribe" his actions %in "etail- behin" close" "oors. An", incre"ibly, <ra+auer neglecte" to e)en ention the secon" /ongressional (illman hearing. At this August 2001 hearing, /ongressman 6enry 8aPman allo*e" Mc/hrystal to %"ecline- to testify, "espite Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in *riting both the frau"ulent =il)er =tar an" the '# memo that *as the focus of much of that hearing. 000

=o *hy "i" <ra+auer choose to omit 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress4s role in continuing the ,ush a"ministration4s co)er.up: 3 "on4t +no*. 'erhaps <ra+auer ha" a partisan bias for the Eemocratic 'arty: Maybe he "i"n4t *ant to piss off a sitting 'resi"ent or his 6olly*oo" bu""ies: Maybe he *as simply *as too laLy to ha)e to re)isit his story an" "o the *or+ necessary to tell the full truth: Maybe %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- simply "i"n4t fit *ith his simple blac+.an".*hite storyline of the %Goo" Eemocrats- stone.*alle" by the %,a" ,ush a"ministration-: 'erhaps, once again, it *oul" ha)e bruise" <ra+auer4s ego to a"mit he ha" faile" to "isco)er this %untol" story- an" ha" 0once again2 gotten the story *rong the first time aroun":

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GGegar"less of his moti)ations, <ra+auer coul"n4t Kust steal my cre"it, he felt compelle" to pre)aricate about it as *ell in his 'reface. ,ut more important, his greater act of "eceit *as one of omission. 3n Where Men Win Glory, <ra+auer *hite*ashe" 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress4s role in shiel"ing Gen. Mc/hrystal. <ra+auer certainly "i"n4t %*in glory- *ith his "eceit an" his omission of the %untol"- (illman story. 000 Note5 see N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN for much more "etaile" "ocumentation an" a "escription of ho* <ra+auer *rote his ta+e."o*n of Greg Mortenson, %(hree /ups of Eeceit,as a publicity stunt to launch his frien" Mary ,ryant4s 0former %?utsi"e- MagaLine e"itor2 ne* e.publishing )enture ,yliner.com 000 9!A:!89 U3D-TE5 ?n Eecember #, 2012 3 han"e" a copy of my %(he [MissingX 'at (illman Hegacy- letter to Marie (illman after a presentation in /hicago. After getting my boo+ signe", 3 ha" a pleasant short con)ersation *ith Marie about my )isit to the ,ahai temple. ,ut, 3 ne)er recei)e" a response bac+ from her. 6ere4s the lin+ to the au"io recor"ingO Marie (illman in /on)ersation *ith ;on <ra+auer 8,CR>1.5 httpOSS***.*beL.orgSseriesSchicago.amplifie"Smarie.tillman.con)ersation.Kon. +ra+auer.10##2> 0My Auestion for <ra+aauer is at about B5OB02 ?n the other han", <ra+uaer signe" my boo+, but he trie" aggressi)ely trie" to ,= me about ho* 3 *as *rong about %;on <ra+auer4s /re"ibility 'roblem.- 6is outrage appeare" so sincere that he almost succee"e" 0in my rush to finish %(he [MissingX 'at (illman Hegacy- 3 ha"n4t prepare" to confront him about it an" "i"n4t ha)e my har"copy *ith me2. Maybe he belie)es his o*n ,=. 6e almost con)ince" me, until 3 got home, "ouble.chec+e" my *or+, an" hunte" "o*n the D'G Eiane Ghem =ho* recor"ing 0=eptember 1J, 200>2 from the day before my Aunt han"e" him my material 0it *as the sa e stuff he sai" before he change" his tune after getting my material2. 6e4s a shameless bullshit artist.

6A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-MIR B-R!"EH'S DO2UMENT-R7 THE TI""M-N STOR7

0Amir ,ar.He), Eirector of %(he (illman =tory-2

0=un"ance 2010, EVE 20112

%General Mc/hrystal is Kust one of se)eral high.ran+ing figures *ho4s ne)er been calle" to account for his role, an" the story continues to this )ery moment. 6e gets up there at his s*earing.in [=enate confirmation hearing ;une 2, 200>$ an" basically says & 53 +no* *hat it loo+s li+e. 3 +no* that it loo+s li+e *e "eliberately co)ere" it up, but belie)e us that it *as this Gube Gol"berg.esAue chain of mista+es, blun"ers, an" errors that loo+ li+e a co)er.up.4%(he only fV.ing i"iots *ho buy that, the only fools *ho belie)e that, are the mainstream press. 3t4s Kust so clear to e)eryone else, an" it4s the eAui)alent of saying, %6oney, 3 +no* that it loo+s li+e 34m fV.ing 64

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gyour sister, but actually 3 "roppe" my *allet, an" then my belt fell "o*n, an" she happene" to be there.(hat4s *hat the military has "one in the 'at (illman case... Amir ,ar.He), ;an. 2@, 2010 %& there4s been no culpability on the secon" half of this trage"y, *hich is the higher ups trying to co)er it up& to borro* a football metaphor, they [(illman family$ ran the ball >> yar"s o)er four years4 time, they han"e" it off at the one.yar" line to /ongress an" they fumble" it... Amir ,ar.He), ;uly 20th 20102 %(his is an unsol)e" mystery nobo"y has e)er really pai" a price for *hat *as "one to the (illmans,- he sai". %Do one has ta+en accountability or ma"e an a"mission for a "eliberate attempt to conceal the truth. (his story is not o)er yet. & (he people *ho lie" about it shoul" begin by a"mitting they lie" an" stop apologiLing to the family... Amir ,ar.He), ;une 2#th 2010

-mir Bar!"e>'# The Tillman Story ?A<8<@

[A"apte" from the Feral Firefighter post N(he (illman =toryN I FilmSEVE Ge)ie*s, 3nter)ie*s$

3n ;anuary 2010, Eirector Amir ,ar.He) premiere" his "ocumentary, N(he (illman =tory,N at the =un"ance Film festi)al. 6is "ocumentary contribute" to the restoration of 'at (illman9s legacy by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon. As his mother sai", N'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.N Amir ,ar.He) tells three stories that inter*ea)e throughout his filmO a biography of 'at (illman 0gro*ing up, playing in the DFH, Koining the Army Gangers *ith his brother <e)in after >S112, ho* he *as +ille" in Afghanistan in 200# an" ho* his frien"ly.fire "eath *as co)ere" up by the Army, an" his family9s battle to learn the truth after smo+escreens *ere thro*n in their face by the highest le)els of the Army an" go)ernment. N(he (illman =toryN is an apt title. (he film largely follo*s the outline of Mary (illman9s memoir N,oots on the Groun" by Eus+N 0at blurb.com *ith pre)ie*2, many of the inter)ie*s are *ith members of the (illman family 0mother, father, brother, an" *ife2 an" the film is centere" aroun" the (illman family4s ePperience in the aftermath of 'at (illman9s "eath. (he film uses *ell selecte" film clips an" inter)ie*s to portray an iconoclastic 'at (illman not *i"ely +no*n to the public . a fiercely in"epen"ent thin+er, an a)i" rea"er, an" critic of the 3raA *ar 0N...this *ar is so ....ing illegalN2. 'at *as a remar+able man *ho *as "ri)en by a core of honesty an" integrity, le" by personal ePample, an" li)e" his life intensely.

65

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GDearly e)erything most people thin+ they +no* about 'at (illman, his family, an" the story is *rong. An" the film has more humor an" laughs than you *oul" ePpect, especially if you "on9t min" a fe* F.bombs 0the original title of the film *as N39m 'at ....ing (illmanTN *hich also fitsO those *ere 'at (illman9s last *or"s, the (illman family "rops F.bombs *here appropriate 0or not2, an" it suggests that 'at (illman *as more compleP than his iconic image2. (he film co)ers a lot of groun" in only ># minutes 0the film *as cut from 2 1S2 hours2, it rushes through the material an" lea)es out many "etails. (o fill in the "etails, 39" suggestO Gary =mith9s NGemember 6is DameN 0=ports 3llustrate", >.11.0J2, Mi+e Fish9s NAn !n.American (rage"yN series 0200J, C='D2, Mic+ ,ro*n4s N,etrayal of an All.American 6eroN 0(he (elegraph 10.01. 102, Mary (illman4s boo+, an" ;on <ra+auer9s N8here Men 8in GloryN. For blogs, see ;ohn (. Gee"9s Nmilitary articlesN 0at his Kohntree" site2 an" the posts at the feralfirefighter blog. 000 =hortly after =un"ance, ,ar.He) emaile" me that Nhe *as pretty har" on the Eemocratic /ongress in his film.N (rue, his film "oes portray /ongressman 6enry 8aPman9s ?)ersight /ommittee as ineptly failing to get ans*ers from the top military lea"ership "uring the hearing. 6o*e)er, the film misse" telling the Nuntol" storyN that 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush M Army co)er.up by *hite*ashing the actions of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal 0an" other officers2 an" shiel"ing him from public scrutiny of his central role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman9s frien"ly.fire "eath. (his co)er.up *as a thoroughly bi.partisan affair. 3t *asn9t Kust a case of the ,ush a"ministration an" the Army stone*alling the Eemocratic /ongress. /ongress "i"n9t Kust NfumbleN the ball, they thre* the game. 3n ;uly 2010, after "ri)ing to E/ to see the film, 3 sent Amir ,ar.He) a letter [see p. 10 I 15, N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$ arguing that his film *oul" ha)e greater NimpactN if he also tol" the Nuntol" storyN of the complicity of 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress. ,ut, he "i"n9t, an" his film en"s *ith the August 2001 /ongressional hearing instea" of continuing to co)er e)ents through Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal9s ;une 200> =enate confirmation. /onseAuently, the release of N(he (illman =toryN *as largely ignore" by the ne*s me"ia, partly because it *asn9t )ery contro)ersial an" "i"n9t re)eal any Nne*sN about the (illman story. Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal, *ho super)ise" much of the Army9s co)er.up, *as barely a footnote in the film. An", the film faile" to sho* ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush a"ministration an" Army co)er.up to protect Gen. Mc/hrystal 0among others2. (he film *as release" to the theaters on August 20, 2010. 'artly because of a lac+ of publicity M contro)ersy, the film ha" a pea+ sho*ing at only 2@ theaters across the country 0*ith a gross of only Q@00,0002 000

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%(he (illman =tory- *as release" on EVE in ;anuary 2011. Although 3 ha" alrea"y seen the film, 3 anticipate" )ie*ing it again, especially *ith its %EVE ePtras-. 6o*e)er, 3 *as surprise" to fin" the only EVE %ePtra- *as a )oice.o)er commentary by the Eirector Amir ,ar.He). 8hat happene" to the ePtra features ,ar.He) ha" sai" he *as *or+ing on: 8hy "i"n4t any of the ePtra material ,ar.He) *as eager to place into the public recor" appear on the EVE:

Gegar"less of the reasons behin" the missing EVE ePtras, it4s "isheartening the EVE faile" ha" no ePtras beyon" the commentary. Amir ,ar.He)4s film co)ere" a lot of groun" in only ># minutes an" passe" o)er many "etails. 3 belie)e %(he (illman =tory- is a film that nee"e" ePtras to fill in "etails, to up"ate the story *ith ne* "e)elopments of the past four years, an" to "escribe at least some of the %untol" story- of ho* the ?bama A"ministration an" Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush A"ministration4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath to protect Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal 0among others2.

-mir Bar!"e>'# The Tillman Story DHD 2ommentary

(he only bonus feature on %(he (illman =tory- EVE is the %/ommentary *ith Amir ,ar.He).Amir ,ar.He), the "irector of the film, narrates a solo au"io commentary an" "iscusses the original title of the film, bac+groun" on the (illman family an" other figures in the film, ho* people from the left an" right trie" to fit 'at into a boP, ho* the me"ia echoe" the military4s message, etc [Much of his commentary echoe" his pre)ious inter)ie* remar+s see his e"ite" inter)ie*s in N(he (illman =tory- at the Feral Firefighter blog$.

M%2hry#tal1 Not =en#in&er1 +a# the Mo#t Im)ortant Fi&/re in the Story5

3n his commentary, Amir ,ar.He) says that Gen. 'hilip <ensinger *as %one of the most important figures in the story an" film.- 6is film sho*s the ;uly 2001 Army press briefing *here <ensinger 0*ho happene" to be retire"2 is %blame" for e)erything- an" ma"e the Army4s scapegoat to protect those higher on the chain of comman" 0i.e. Gumsfel" M ,ush2. ,ut, 3 belie)e <ensinger *as scapegoate" primarily to protect Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal 0,ar.He)
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gfaile" to inclu"e footage from the sa e press briefing that sho*e" the Army ha" %cleare"- him of all *rong."oing an" a reporter as+ing *hy nothing happene" to him2.

!nli+e <ensinger, Mc/hrystal *as not retire". 6e *as a young general an" a rising star in the Army *ho le" the =pecial Forces of the ;oint =pecial ?perations /omman" 0;=?/2 an" *ho *as cre"ite" *ith much of the so.calle" %success- of the 2001 3raA =urge. 3n her boo+ Mary (illman *rote that Mc/hrystal *as clearly the %gol"en chil"- of ,ush an" Gumsfel". An" ;eremy =chahill spo+e of %an incre"ibly coLy relationship bet*een & Gumsfel", & /heney an" General Mc/hrystal, & 39)e also hear" from people & that /heney actually collu"e" *ith General Mc/hrystal to attempt to co)er up that [(illman$ "eath.-

,ut, "espite <ensinger4s prominence in the film, he actually playe" a minor role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 3n contrast, Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal *as actually the +ey figure in the co)er.up 0he super)ise" the Ganger GG(4s co)er.up on the groun" in Afghanistan, the *riting of the frau"ulent =il)er =tar recommen"ation, the alteration of =G( ?4Deal4s =il)er =tar *itness statement, an" *rote the ass.co)ering pre)aricating '# memo2. Mc/hrystal *as the central figure lin+ing the bottom to the )ery top of the chain of comman" 0/heneySGumsfel"2.

Deither the film 0nor ,ar.He)4s commentary0 "iscusse" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s apparent in)ol)ement in the alteration of =G( ?4Deal4s =il)er =tar *itness statement. Euring the April 2001 hearing, 3G Gimble *as as+e" %*ho *oul" ha)e been the most li+ely person to ha)e ma"e alterations:- 6e replie", %8e *ere unable to "etermine *ho in the chain of comman" actually "i" the alterations of it. 3 coul" speculate, but 3 Kust prefer not to. 3t is so e)here in the appro-al chain that it got e"ite".- 0Gen. Mc/hrystal, /?H DiPon, an" H(/ <auLlarich *ere the officers in that appro)al chain2. (here is some great footage of Mary (illman, <e)in (illman, =G( ?4Deal, 3G Gimble, etc. tal+ing about the =il)er =tar that shoul" ha)e been inclu"e" in the ePtras.

7et, "espite Mc/hrystal4s central role, he *as barely a footnote in the film. Mc/hrystal *as only mentione" once 0as the author of the '# memo2, an" his only appearance is a brief glimpse of his face as the camera pans from Gen. <ensinger up a chain of comman" chart to 'resi"ent ,ush0

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

M%2hry#tal De%lined to -))ear at the -/&/#t A<<6 2on&re##ional Hearin&5

3n his commentary feature, ,ar.He) "iscusses /DD4s 8olf ,litLer summation of the August 2001 /ongressional hearing asO %Generals apologiLe to (illmans for errors in bungling the (illman case&- 6o*e)er, ,ar.He) faile" to inclu"e ,arbara =tarr4s /DD footage that sho*e" t/ongressman 8aPman allo*e" Mc/hrystal 0although in)ite" to testify2 to %"ecline- to appearO

%& let9s be clear, there9s a couple of people *ho *ill not be in the room to"ay. =o *hat is not being sai" may be eAually interesting. Hieutenant General 'hillip <ensinger & (here is another man *ho *ill not be in the room. (hat is Hieutenant General =tan Mc/hrystal. & *as cleare" of any *rong"oing & yester"ay. =till, because of his ePtraor"inarily sensiti)e position *ith co)ert special forces, he is not appearing in public. An" so he *ill not be Auestione" further by the committee in an open hearing.- & %8hile *e hear" from Gumsfel" to"ay, *e "i" not hear from 'hilip <ensinger, & ;ust yester"ay, he *as censore" for Na failure of lea"ershipN & /ommittee /hairman 6enry 8aPman says <ensinger *as in)ite" to testify, refuse" to appear. 6e *as subpoenae", but coul" not be locate".-

+hat Ha))ened -$ter the S%o)e o$ the Film5

%(he (illman =tory- en"s *ith =ecretary of Eefense Gumsfel" an" the Generals lea)ing after the August 2001 /ongressional hearing. /ongress is portraye" as ineptly allo*ing their %in)estigation- to be stone*alle" *ith a chorus of %3 "on4t recall- from =ecretary Gumsfel" an" the top generals. 6o*e)er, the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath *as actually a thoroughly bi.partisan affair. /ongress "i"n4t Kust %fumble- the ball, they thre* the game.

3 belie)e Amir ,ar.He), the film4s "irector, shoul" ha)e inclu"e" ne* footage in his EVE ePtras to sho* it *asn4t Kust a case of the ,ush a"ministration an" the Army stone*alling the Eemocratic /ongress. (his is a film that nee"e" ePtra footage to fill in "etails about the (illman story, to up"ate the story *ith ne* "e)elopments, an" to "escribe at least some of the %untol" story- of ho* the ?bama A"ministration an" Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush A"ministration co)er.up to protect Gen. Mc/hrystal.

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

3n his commentary, ,ar.He) "iscusse" only one e)ent %of *hat happene" after the scope of the film.- 6e "iscusse" 'resi"ent ?bama4s promotion of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal an" "escribe" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s ;une 200> =enate testimony 0Mc/hrystal sai" he ha" ma"e %mista+es- an" someho* faile" to catch that the =il)er =tar citation he %signe" off on- "i"n4t mention frien"ly fire2. ,ut, instea" of merely tal+ing about Mc/hrystal4s testimony, *hy "i"n4t ,ar.He) put Mc/hrystal4s testimony into his ePtras: An" sho* =enators He)in, Mc/ain an" 8ebb tossing soft.ball Auestions at Mc/hrystal "uring their pro.forma hearing:

3n a""ition, ,ar.He) faile" to comment on any of the other e)ents %after the scope of the filminclu"ingO =enator 8ebb4s secret 200@ =enate re)ie* of the (illman case, Mc/hrystal4s close" 200@ =enate hearing, ho* 'resi"ent ?bama co)ere".up torture photos to protect Mc/hrystal after he nominate" him to hea" the Afghan 8ar in 200>, etc 000 3ts4 unfortunate Amir ,ar.He) faile" to place any ePtras on %(he (illman =tory.- (his film nee"e" ePtras to fill in the "etails about the (illman story, an" to up"ate the story *ith "e)elopments o)er the past four years, an" to "escribe at least some of the %untol" story- 0of ho* the ?bama A"ministration an" Eemocratic /ongress continue" the ,ush A"ministration *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s actions in the (illman co)er.up. [For some specific ePamples, seeO %Ge)ie* of %(he (illman =tory- EVE ,onus FeaturesO 'art 333O %/ongress Ei"n4t Fumble, (hey (hre* the Game- 0ePpan"e"2- an" %'art VO %?bama4s ,ig.(ime Fumble-in N(he (illman =toryN, an" the %script- portions of N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$ 000 3o#t#%ri)t5 ?n April 12, 2012, 3 "isco)ere" that Amir ,ar.He) has starte" *or+ing on %(he (illman =tory 3nteracti)e C"ition- 0(his appears to ePplain the mystery of the %missing- (illman EVE ePtras2. Amir en)isions it as %a na)igable *eb.base" platform & 3t *ill ser)e as a frame aroun" the film, popping open a stream of interacti)e graphics, resource *i+is, )i"eo footage, searchable "ocuments, au"io files, photographs & (his acti)e %annotation- of the film *ill tether seamlessly *ith social me"ia an" the *eb& )ie*ers themsel)es *ill be able to "ig into the facts about the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath, access an" create up"ates to the story.- 34m loo+ing for*ar" to the 3nteracti)e C"ition1@ 0an" hope that Amir ,ar.He) *ill inclu"e material from my (illman files, especially from N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN *hich inclu"es outlines of potential scripts2.
!'ril 20, 201( U'date7 It doesn9t a''ear this 'roBect has moved $orward at all d,ring the 'ast year. 6othing $,rther abo,t it at a2is$ilms.net
14

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

BOB +OOD+-RD'S BOO= OB-M-'S +-RS

0,ob 8oo"*ar"2

0=eptember 20102

%/hairman of the ;oint /hiefs [A"m. Mi+e$ Mullen re)ere" Gen. Mc/hrystal, an" ha" ma"e him "irector of the ;oint =taff & so that the 200@ =enate confirmation coul" *ipe a*ay the role Mc/hrystal ha" playe" in the co)er.up of the 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan of 'at (illman.-

%(he 'at (illman issue resurface" "uring Mc/hrystal4s confirmation hearings for 3=AF. ?n (ues"ay ;une 2, 200>, Mc/hrystal sat "o*n for his =enate confirmation hearing. Mc/hrystal assure" the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee that he ha" recommen"e" the =il)er =tar *ith the best of intentions, but he ha" been too hasty in the in)estigati)e process- & %Mc/hrystal ha" signe" off on the =il)er =tar recommen"ation that suggeste" (illman ha" been +ille" by the enemy, a choice he regrette".-

.. ,ob 8oo"*ar", Oba a!s Wars 020102

558ell, they [8ashington establishment$ "i"n9t ["ig into Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up )ery much$. An", of course, Mc/hrystal *as in the chain of comman", an" 3 thin+ he apologiLe" for *hat he

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G"i" in this. ,ut he *as not the han"s.on person ma+ing that "ecision. ,ut that *hole thing is a sa" chapter in Army history.-

.. ,ob 8oo"*ar", D'G4s %(al+ of the Dation- 020102

Bo. +ood ard'# O.ama'# +ar# ?A<8<@

[A"apte" from the Feral Firefighter post N(hro*ing My =hoe at ,ob 8oo"*ar" ... DotN$ 3n his boo+ %?bama4s 8ars- 0an" "uring an D'G inter)ie*2 it appears ,ob 8oo"*ar" *hite*ashe" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s role in the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath .8oo"*ar" *rote that Mc/hrystal merely %signe" off- on the false =il)er =tar citation. 6o*e)er, it appears Mc/hrystal actually super)ise" the *riting of the false =il)er =tar an" much of the Army4s co)er.up on the groun" in Afghanistan.

KThro in& My Shoe at Bo. +ood ard 000 NotK5

?n Eecember 1B, 2010, 3 spo+e briefly *ith ,ob 8oo"*ar" on D'G4s %(al+ of the Dation.First, 3 as+e" 8oo"*ar" about the bac+.story to Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s ;une 2011 firing by 'resi"ent ?bama 0referring to the meetings on May J an" 11th "uring *hich Mc/hrystal recei)e" a %stri+e one- an" %stri+e t*o-2. !nfortunately, 8oo"*ar" either "o"ge" or misun"erstoo" my Auestion.

=econ", 3 as+e" ,ob 8oo"*ar" to comment on ho* Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up *as %passe" o)er by the 8ashington establishment.- 8oo"*ar" respon"e", 558ell, they "i"n9t ["ig into Mc/hrystal4s role )ery much$. An", of course, Mc/hrystal *as in the chain of comman", an" 3 thin+ he apologiLe" for *hat he "i" in this. ,ut he *as not the han"s.on person ma+ing that "ecision. ,ut that *hole thing is a sa" chapter in Army history.%Dot the %han"s on person-T Geally: 3t appears Mc/hrystal super)ise" much of the co)er.up 0an" it *oul" be interesting to as+ *ho he ha" in min" instea" Gumsfel": /heney:2. !nfortunately, 3 ha" calle" up on the fly an" ha"n4t prepare" my Auestion. 6ere4s the Auestion 3 shoul" ha)e as+e" ,ob 8oo"*ar", to %thro* my shoe at him-, to put the lea"ing insi"e 8ashington Kournalist on the spot about the (illman caseO
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G3n your boo+, %?bama4s 8ars- 0p.15#2, you *rote that Gen. Mc/hrystal ha" merely N... signe" off on the =il)er =tar recommen"ation that suggeste" (illman ha" been +ille" by the enemy ...N 6o*e)er, ;on <ra+auer in his boo+, N8here Men 8in GloryN 0pp. BB# I B#1 paperbac+ e"ition2, "escribe" ho* Gen. Mc/hrystal personally Na"ministere" the me"al recommen"ation processN *ith a false narrati)e that N*as painsta+ingly *ritten to create the impression 'at (illman *as +ille" by enemy fireN an" "irectly super)ise" the Ganger GG( officers *ho altere" the t*o =il)er =tar *itness statements. (he =il)er =tar recommen"ation *as Nfrau"ulentN by Nany obKecti)e measure.N 3nstea" of merely ha)ing Nsigne" offN on a piece of paper that lan"e" on his "es+, Gen. Mc/hrystal ha" Norchestrate["$ *hat can only be "escribe" as a broa" conspiracy to conceal (illman9s fratrici"e ...N An", in response to 'resi"ent ?bama4s May 200> nomination of Gen. Mc/hrystal as Afghan *ar comman"er, Mary (illman *rote in her boo+, %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+-O %Dot only is he [Mc/hrystal$ lying about the circumstances surroun"ing 'at4s "eath, & he is proposing false language for the =il)er =tar narrati)e.Mr. 8oo"*ar", my Auestion for you isO *ere you ignorant of these facts of the (illman story, "i" your high.le)el sources "ecei)e you, or *ere you *hite*ashing Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s han"s.on role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman frien"ly.fire "eath:

+ood ard'# 3ortrayal o$ M%2hry#tal'# Role in the Tillman 2o>er!U)5

3 e"ite" a "escription of ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s portrayal of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s role using Auotes from %?bama4s 8ars- an" 8oo"*ar"4s remar+s on D'G4s (al+ of the Dation [for page citations see my %Dotes from Oba a!s War!s- an" %lashes )ith Penta$on 0D'G4s (al+ of the Dation 12.1B. 102 in my Feral Firefighter post, N(hro*ing My =hoe at ,ob 8oo"*ar" ... DotN$O

/hairman of the ;oint /hiefs [A"m. Michael$ Mullen re)ere" Gen. Mc/hrystal, an" ha" ma"e him "irector of the ;oint =taff I his pre)ious assignment I in part so that the 200@ =enate confirmation coul" *ipe a*ay the role Mc/hrystal ha" playe" in the co)er.up of the 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan of 'at (illman. &-?f course, Mc/hrystal *as in the chain of comman". ,ut he *as not the handsBon person ma+ing that "ecision- & Mc/hrystal ha" si$ned offM on the =il)er =tar recommen"ation that su$$ested (illman ha" been +ille" by the enemy, a choice he regrette".

Mc/hrystal *as essentially the chairman4s "eputy. Eirector of the ;oint =taff *as the premier assignment for a three.star, an almost certain path to four.star ran+. Among Mc/hrystal4s pre"ecessors in the post *ere ED3 Eennis ,lair, former /entcom comman"er AbiLia", an" the current Army chief Gen /asey. Mullen realiLe" that the solution to Afghanistan *as right before his eyes. ?n Mon"ay May 11, 200> [Eefense
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G=ecretary$ Gates announce" Mc/hrystal *oul" be the ne* comman"er. A *ee+ later, ?bama met for 10 minutes in the ?)al ?ffice *ith Mc/hrystal.

(he 'at (illman issue resurface" "uring Mc/hrystal4s confirmation hearings for 3=AF. ?n (ues"ay ;une 2, 200>, Mc/hrystal sat "o*n for his =enate confirmation hearing. Mc/hrystal assure" the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee that he ha" recommen"e" the =il)er =tar *ith the best of intentions, but he ha" been too hasty in the in)estigati)e process & %an" 3 thin+ he apologiLe" for *hat he "i" in this.-

%8ell, they [8ashington establishment$ "i"n9t.- ["ig into Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er. up )ery much, Kust hel" some %pro forma- hearings$. & %,ut that *hole thing is a sa" chapter in Army history.-

Y/itationO p. 15# Mc%hrystal had si$ned off> Ann =cott (yson, %> ?fficers ,lame" in (illman Eeath, but Do /o)erup Foun",- (he 8ashington 'ost, March 21, 2001, p.A2

Re./ttal o$ Bo. +ood ard'# 3ortrayal o$ Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# Role5

3n my Feral Firefighter post, N(hro*ing My =hoe at ,ob 8oo"*ar" ... DotN, 3 *rote a point.by. point rebuttal of 8oo"*ar"4s portrayal of Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up. 6ere, 3 Kust *ant to "iscuss 8oo"*ar"4s assertion that Mc/hrystal ha" merely %signe" off- on the =il)er =tarO

,ob 8oo"*ar" ha" cite" a 8ashington 'ost article for his statement. 6o*e)er, that article "i"n4t say anything about Mc/hrystal Kust %signing off- on the =il)er =tar. 3nstea", Ann (yson *rote that the E?E 3G in)estigation foun" %[/ol.$ DiPon [/omman"er of the Ganger GG($, along *ith Ht. Gen. =tanley A. Mc/hrystal,&*ere responsible for submitting a =il)er =tar recommen"ation for (illman that inclu"e" Ninaccurate information an" a mislea"ing citation that implie" /'H (illman "ie" by enemy fireN&- 0i.e. false =il)er =tar citation, fabricate" *itness statements, etc2. (hen *here "i" 8oo"*ar" get the phrase %signe" off-: 3ronically, 3 belie)e it may ha)e been from the De* 7or+ (imes or from the first e"ition of ;on <ra+auer4s boo+.

Another irony is the title of the cite" article is, %&Do /o)erup Foun"- 0(yson *rote, %Eespite fin"ing se)eral errors, the report "i" not fin" e)i"ence of a co)erup- instea", the Army
A4

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%committe" 5critical errors4 in Ku"gment in han"ling the 5frien"ly fire4 of 'at (illman-2. =o, *e ha)e ,ob 8oo"*ar" *riting about the %co-erup of the 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan of 'at (illman- *hile citing a 8ashington 'ost article entitle" %& (o %o-erup-T =o *hich is it: 7ou *oul" thin+ that 8oo"*ar" +ne* *hat he *as tal+ing about *hen he *rote %co)erup.-

8oo"*ar" sai" that Mc/hrysal *as %not the %han"s on person ma+ing that "ecision- 0if not Mc/hrystal, it *oul" be interesting to *ho he ha" in min" possibly =ecretary of Eefense Gumsfel": Vice 'resi"ent /heney:2. 6o*e)er, Gen. Mc/hrystal ha" a %han"s on- role in the (illman co)er.up. Mc/hrystal "i" not merely Nsign offN on a piece of paper that lan"e" on his "es+ as it *or+e" its *ay up the chain of comman". ;on <ra+auer in his boo+, N8here Men 8in GloryN 0pp. BB# I B#1 paperbac+ e"ition2, "escribe" ho* Gen. Mc/hrystal ha" Norchestrate["$ *hat can only be "escribe" as a broa" conspiracy to conceal (illman9s fratrici"e ...N

Finally, the =il)er =tar recommen"ation har"ly %suggeste"- (illman ha" been +ille" by the enemy. (he citation rea"s, %for gallantry in action &. against an arme" enemy & enemy fire & /pl. (illman put himself in the line of "e)astating enemy fire & +no*n enemy positions & enemy9s *ith"ra*al an" his platoon9s safe passage from the ambush +ill Lone.- ?nly, there *as no enemy fire, no enemy *ith"ra*al an" no ambush +ill Lone. (he =il)er =tar citation *as carefully e"ite" to imply (illman "ie" by enemy fire *ithout actually coming out an" saying that. Anyone rea"ing the citation *oul" thin+ (illman *as +ille" by enemy fireT

MI2H-E" H-STING'S BOO= THE O3ER-TORS

A5

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

%Mc/hrystal4s career shoul" ha)e been o)er at least t*o times by no*. 6e is tainte" by one of the most contro)ersial scan"als of the pre)ious a"ministrationO "etainee abuse an" torture at prisons in 3raA, an" the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s "eath. & /oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role. (here *as an Army re)ie*, an" Mc/hrystal escape" any repriman", "espite his lea"ership position. & Mary (illman belie)es that Mc/hrystal got a*ay *ith it because he *as Eic+ /heney4s an" Eonal" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en boy-

%C)erybo"y is mentioning the (illman thing, but e)erybo"y is also saying that the [200> =enate$ confirmation is going to go smoothly. & (illman4s parents & aren4t getting much traction in the press. (hey are more or less ignore". & (he hea"lines from the confirmation reflect that Mc/hrystal is preor"aine"& Mc/hrystal gets unanimous confirmation from the =enate. ?n ;une >, 200>, he gets his fourth star.-

%[=ecretary of Eefense$ Gates *ill bemoan the fact that Americans ha)e lost a hero, someone *hose recor" of ser)ice is unmatche". 0Forget (illman, forget /amp Dama, forget the negati)e comman" climate&2 & Men li+e [=A= /omman"er$ Hamb an" Mc/hrystal tol" themsel)es they operate" *ithin a strict co"e of honor ... 6o* coul" they, at the same time, be in)ol)e" in co)er.ups I *ith (illman, *ith torture, *ith en"less allegations of rec+less ci)ilian +illings:-

40

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. Michael 6astings, %(he ?perators- 020122

Mi%hael Ha#tin&'# The O)erator# ?A<8A@

[A"apte" from %(he Feral Firefighter4s Annotations to Michael 6asting4s 5(he ?perators4-$

Michael 6asting4s boo+, %(he ?perators,- *as publishe" in ;anuary 2012. 6asting4s boo+ portrays his April 2010 %Golling =tone- reporter %roa" trip- *ith Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal an" his staff. 6e use" his profile of Mc/hrystal to frame his broa"er "iscussion of %?bama4s 8arin Afghanistan . 6is boo+ also presents a brief account of Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er. the *hite*ash of his actions up to the present "ay. 6astings "oes a "ecent Kob of outlining some of Mc/hrystal4s actions in the (illman co)er.up. 6o*e)er, his account misse" 0or only briefly allu"e" to2 much of the %untol"- (illman story 0such as the /ongressional (illman hearings2. 6ere are my notes 0e"ite" M *ithout page references italics a""e"2 from The Operators of Michael 6asting4s portrayal of the (illman story. 34)e a""e" a fe* brief remar+s to fill in the %untol"- story bet*een.the.lines of his boo+ 0see my annotations later in this "ocument for more "etails2O

A<<: * A<<C5 Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# Role in the 3at Tillman 2o>er!U)

Mc/hrystal4s career shoul" ha)e been o)er at least t*o times by no*. 6e is tainte" by one of the most contro)ersial scan"als of the pre)ious a"ministrationO "etainee abuse an" torture at prisons in 3raA, an" the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s "eath.

'at (illman ha" been +ille" by frien"ly fire in Afghanistan in April 200#. Mc/hrystal +ne* about it almost imme"iately, but he still *ent ahea" an" si$ned offA@ on a falsifie" recommen"ation for (illman4s =il)er =tar that suggeste" he *as +ille" by the enemy. A *ee+ after (illman4s "eath, Mc/hrystal sent a ['#$ memo up the chain of comman", specifically *arning that 'resi"ent ,ush shoul" a)oi" mentioning the cause of (illman4s "eath.

Mc%hrystal did m,ch more than B,st )sign o$$- on the Silver Star. /erha's Hastings only read the hardcover edition o$ ?ra<a,er9s boo<I 0he 'a'erbac< edition describes in detail on how Mc%hrystal orchestrated m,ch o$ the cover ,'
15

41

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G'at (illman4s family *oul" later accuse Mc/hrystal of a %co)er.up- an" trying to %co)er his ass.- %(he false narrati)e, *hich Mc/hrystal clearly helpe" construct, "iminishe" 'at4s true actions,- *rote Mary (illman&1 Mary (illman, sen"s a letter to 'resi"ent ?bama, saying Mc/hrystal shoul" be %scruntiniLe" )ery carefully.- 6er husban" ['atric+ (illman, =r.$ says Mc/hrystal participate" in a %falsifie"- homici"e in)estigation.N

/oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role. (here *as an Army re)ie*20, an" Mc/hrystal escape" any repriman", "espite his lea"ership position. & Mary (illman belie)es that Mc/hrystal got a*ay *ith it because he *as Eic+ /heney4s an" Eonal" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en boy- & a number of times throughout the ,ush a"ministration Mc/hrystal got or"ers "irectly from /heney. & Gumsfel" an" /heney embrace Mc/hrystal4s *illingness to get things "one, e)en if it inclu"es ben"ing the rules or s+ipping the chain of comman".

I/ne A<<; !! Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# Senate 2on$irmation to "ead -$&han +ar

[Mc/hrystal4s 'G man Euncan ,oothby$& starts *or+ing on Mc/hrystal4s congressional confirmation. & Euncan +no*s it coul" be a tough fight. Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up of the frien"ly.fire "eath of 'at (illman & is going to come up /amp Dama, a base in 3raA that Mc/hrystal *as lin+e" to after allegations of torture there *ere reporte", is going to come up. (hese t*o re" flags, seemingly ignore" by Gates an" ?bama, *oul"n4t li+ely be "ismisse" by the me"ia.21 & [,ut, later$ C)erybo"y is mentioning the (illman thing22, but e)erybo"y is also
Hasting9s )!rmy review- re$erred to the $ive !rmy )investigations- $rom 200( to 200A. However, he didn9t mention the 200A %ongressional 0illman hearings at which %ongressman Wa2man allowed Mc%hrystal to )decline- to attend.
20

6+0 re'orter 0hom Shan<er didn9t )ignore- the 0illman thing. He )dismissed- the )red $lagsand wrote a whitewash o$ #en. Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman cover ,'. !nd, Hastings missed how /resident Mbama and the Senate changed the CMI! law to 'revent the release o$ tort,re 'hotos.
21

6o mention in the boo< o$ how Senator Webb cond,cted a 2004 secret review o$ Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman cover ,' $or the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee 1led by Senator Levin ; Mc%ain3. 0he real con$irmation hearing had been held the year be$ore, behind closed doors.
22

42

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gsaying that the confirmation is going to go smoothly. & (illman4s parents & aren4t getting much traction in the press. (hey are more or less ignore".

Mc/hrystal4s staff is *orrying too much. 6e gets only one Auestion about /amp Dama & & 6e4s got a line prepare" on (illmanO %8e faile" the family&- (he hea"lines from the confirmation reflect that Mc/hrystal is preor"aine"& Mc/hrystal gets unanimous confirmation from the =enate. ?n ;une >, 200>, he gets his fourth star

Note5

Fall A<<; * General M%2hry#tal'# 2redi.ility 3ro.lem

Mc/hrystal4s allies in the me"ia rally to push his [Afghan surge$ plan I in)iting influential thin+ers to the assessment team pays "i)i"en"s. & For The Washin$ton Post, [/DA=4s$ An"re* CPum re)ie*s a ne* boo+ about 'at (illman by ;on <ra+auer.? CPum pans the boo+. 6e "oesn4t mention Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up, or mention him by name. CPum fails to "isclose the fact he *or+e" for Mc/hrystal as an a")isor. 0(he "eception is egregious enough that the Washin$ton Post ombu"sman is force" to apologiLe for the o)ersight2.

Author ;on <ra+auer, *ho4s *ritten the most "efiniti)e account2B of (illman4s "eath [Where Men Win Gloru9 *ill accuse [?ct. 15, 200> .. %Gen. Mc/hrystal4s /re"ibility 'roblem,- Daily Beast$ Mc/hrystal of ha)ing a %cre"ibility problem.- & (he boo+ is hard on Mc/hrystal, accuses him of being in)ol)e" in the (illman co)er.up.

-)ril A<88 !! M%2hry#tal'# Gra%e$/l "andin&

!s 'revio,sly mentioned in the 'receding section, I certainly don9t consider ?ra<a,er9s boo< to be the )de$initive acco,nt.- !ltho,gh it9s a val,able boo<, it is a $lawed biogra'hy and intentionally omits describing /resident Mbama and the *emocratic %ongress9s whitewash o$ Mc%hrystal. !nd, ?ra<a,er9s hardcover edition was not )hard- on Mc%hrystal& he was barely a $ootnote. However, later ?ra<a,er did ,se my material, in his revised 'a'erbac< edition, to describe how Mc%hrystal 'layed a leading role in orchestrating the cover ,'.
2.

4.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

[=ecretary of Eefense$ Gates *ill bemoan the fact that Americans ha)e lost a hero, someone *hose recor" of ser)ice is unmatche". 0Forget (illman, forget /amp Dama, forget the negati)e comman" climate&2 & Men li+e [=A= /omman"er$ Hamb an" Mc/hrystal tol" themsel)es they operate" *ithin a strict co"e of honor ... 6o* coul" they, at the same time, be in)ol)e" in co)er.ups I *ith (illman, *ith torture, *ith en"less allegations of rec+less ci)ilian +illings:

Mc/hrystal spen"s his first fall out of the !nite" =tates military teaching at 7ale !ni)ersity. & (here is a contro)ersy *hen a screening of a "ocumentary about 'at (illman is sche"ule" to air the 7ale /ollege Eemocrats bac+ a*ay from en"orsing it. & he4s reportingly getting QJ0,000 a spea+ing engagement. &. 3n February [2011$, he gi)es a speech *ith Greg Mortenson at 7ale. 000

?n April @, the Eefense Eepartment in)estigation into Mc/hrystal an" his staff is complete". & (he in)estigation rea"s comically& 3t is the last *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s military career.

(*o "ays after the [Eept. of Eefense$ report is finishe", the 8hite 6ouse announces that 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" Mc/hrystal as an unpai" a")isor to military families. (hey [8hite 6ouse$ help to rehabilitate =tanley Mc/hrystal4s image, appointing him to lea" a high.profile initiati)e [;oining Forces$ supporting military families2# I no nee" to ha)e a potential )oice criticiLing the a"ministration in the upcoming election. Mary (illman, 'at (illman4s mother, is outrage". %3t4s a slap in the face to all sol"iers,- she says of the choice. %6e "eliberately helpe" co)er up 'at4s "eath. An" he has ne)er a"eAuately apologiLe" to us.000 :!A<!8: U)date5 Michael 6astings "ie" in a car crash in ;une 201#. My tribute to him, "iscussion of the D7(4s "isingenuous obituary, an" a "iscussion of his crash can be foun" in my ;une 201# post More Hies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot (he (ruth- an" my =ept 201# post %8hat ,urns Faster, Memories ?r Flames:-

6ice Bob by Hastings on describing Mc%hrystals )grace$,l landing.- !nd, it was nice to see his mention o$ )>oining Corces- 1altho,gh he didn9t mention this 'rogram is administered by %6!S3.
2(

4(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

M-RIE TI""M-N'S BOO= THE "ETTER

48

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

3n 200B, 'at (illman, ser)ing in the != Army, hastily *rote a NKust in caseN letter to his *ife, Marie. 8hen he returne" on lea)e before his "eparture to Afghanistan, he place" the letter on top of their be"room "resser. For months it sat there, seale" an" e)er.present, li+e a blac+ hole through *hich Marie +ne* her stable life *oul" be pulle" if she e)er ha" reason to open it. (hen, in April 200#, Marie9s *orst nightmare came true. 3n the "ays follo*ing his "eath, it *as 'at9s letter that +ept her going an", more than that, it *as his *or"s that *oul" help her learn to na)igate a *orl" she coul" no longer share *ith her husban". 3n The "etter, Marie9s tal+s for the first time about her Kourney to rema+e her life after 'at9s "eath. & =he "escribes ho* she *ith"re* from the public spotlight to grie)e, learning along the *ay the )alue of solitu"e, self.a*areness an" integrity in the healing process. An", finally, Marie recounts her *or+ to rebuil" her life, inclu"ing foun"ing (he 'at (illman Foun"ation, an organiLation establishe" to carry forth 'at9s legacy of lea"ership, an" her "ecision to step bac+ into the public eye in or"er to inspire people to li)e *ith meaning an" purpose. .. from AmaLon boo+ "escription of (he Hetter 0to be release" ;une 2J, 20122

Marie Tillman'# Memoir The "etter

[A"apte" from the post %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy-$
46

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMarie (illman4s memoir, %(he Hetter,- *as release" on ;une 2J, 2012. Marie4s memoir paints a portrait of 'at (illman4s iconoclastic character 0yet *ith a %gentle soul-2, "iscusses ho* his sense of honor M integrity "ro)e his "ecision to Koin the Army, "escribes his struggles *ith fighting a %*ar he "i"n4t belie)e in,- an" *rites of her ePperience after his "eath an" the subseAuent in)estigations. =he en"s *ith "escribing ho* she refocuse" the 'at (illman Foun"ation to in)est in military )eterans.

The Untold Tillman Story in Marie Tillman'# Memoir The etter!5

For those *ho ha)e follo*e" the (illman story o)er the years, Marie4s boo+ a""s Kust a little more ne* information 0although her memoir complements both Mary (illman an" ;on <ra+auer4s boo+s Auite *ell *ith her honest an" intimate portrayal of her Kourney *ith 'at2. For ePample, she "escribes ho* the /asualty Assistance team trie" to force a military funeral on her, an" her tal+ *ith =G( Greg ,a+erO My relationship )ith the ilitary o-er the past se-eral years had $otten co ple:, to say the least1 ,t started 3ust a fe) days after Pat died, )hen e bers of the %asualty 'ssistance tea ca e to the cotta$e ? /? and there!s $oin$ to be his ilitary funeral1& ? , retrie-ed the paper)ork 5copy of Pat!s )ishes91 /%learly, , said, sho-in$ it in front of hi , /you can see that a ilitary funeral is not )hat he )anted1& , )as furious1 /So )hy don!t you lea-eE& 5/The Till an Story! DND also briefly described this episode91 Shortly after Pat )as killed ? , decided , needed to eet )ith Gre$ Baker, the soldier )ho had issued the /fire& order that day in the canyon1 ? +e-in and Pat had considered hi a $ood person and a s art soldier ? , asked hi to tell e his -ersion of )hat happened the day Pat )as killed, and he did1 ,t sounded a bit recited and )as the sa e $eneral story the ilitary had fed us1 3n her boo+, Marie "escribes %(he (illman =tory- an" the %shameful co)er.up- of her husban"4s frien"ly.fire "eathO The )ar )as $oin$ badly )hen he died G -ery badly1 5e1$1 'bu Gharaib photos, Fallu3ah9 ? The oti-ation 5to co-erBup his friendlyBfire death9 )as not hard to understand 111 Pat!s e orial 5ser-ice9 G it )ould ser-e the public relations ar of the )ar effort -ery nicely1 ,t ade e sick that people had tried to t)ist Pat!s -irtue to fit a oral narrati-e of their choosin$1 ? a sha eful co-erBup had taken place ? it beca e clear to e that $ross ne$li$ence )as behind the accident1 ? ,t also beca e clear that if the ilitary hadn!t felt it i possible to co-er up, )e ne-er )ould ha-e learned that Pat!s death )as a fratricide1 6o*e)er, "uring her inter)ie*s *ith the press, Marie tries to %steer the con)ersation in the "irection 3 *ant to go- an" a)oi"s %Auestions about ho* 3 felt about the fratrici"e- 0she *oul" rather %focus on the *or+ the foun"ation *as "oing to help this generation of )eterans get an
4A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Ge"ucation-2. For ePample, "uring her ;une 2#, 2012 %(o"ay =ho*- inter)ie* *ith ;enna ,ush ["aughter of 'resi"ent ,ush$, Marie chose to si"e.step the contro)ersyO

[;enna ,ush as+sO$ %A Eepartment of Eefense 3nspector General report [March 2001$ ultimately foun", although there *ere critical errors by the military in its reporting of 'at9s "eath, there *as no "eliberate co)er.up. 7ou *ere part of a story *here they use" *or"s li+e co)er.up, "eceit. 6o* "o you reconcile that to"ay:/*ou kno), , think that for e, in order to o-e for)ard, , realiHed , had a choice1 , could, you kno), re ain an$ry and full of hate and sort of bitter, or , could find a )ay to put all of those thin$s in a place that , could deal )ith the and o-e for)ard in a positi-e )ay1& Note5 'resi"ent ,ush4s "aughter saying %no "eliberate co)er.up-: 8hat ,=T 3nstea" of "o"ging the Auestion, perhaps Marie coul" ha)e retorte" there )as a co)er.up an" suggest ;enna as+ her Ea""y about the itT 000 Marie4s boo+ "oes not "escribe the %untol"- (illman story of ho* both the ,ush a"ministration an" Eemocratic /ongress *hite*ashe" those responsible for the co)er.up of her husban"4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 6o*e)er, Marie appears to refer to the %untol"- story *here she "escribe" the %,ullshitT- an" %moc+ery- of the /ongressional (illman hearingsO Pat!s entire fa ily fle) to D% for the 5first9 con$ressional hearin$s 5'pril 6<, 67789 ? , sat behind +e-in as he ade the openin$ state ent1 ? +e-in )ent on eloCuently ? /The fact that the 'r y and )hat appears to be others, atte pted to hi3ack his -irtue and his le$acy is si ply horrific1 The least this country can do for hi in return is to unco-er )ho is responsible for his death, )ho lied and )ho co-ered it up, and )ho insti$ated those lies and benefited fro the 1 Then ensure that 3ustice is eted out to the culpable1& ? %on$ress an 0enry Wa: an headed the 5O-ersi$ht9 co ittee sponsorin$ the hearin$, and as the hearin$ closed, he said, /What )e ha-e here is a -ery clear, deliberate abuse intentionally done1 Why is it so hard to find out )ho did itE& My senti ents e:actly1 We )ere in Washin$ton, D%, for the second con$ressional hearin$ 5'u$ust 6, 67789 about the fratricide co-erBup1 ? The final hearin$ )as an outra$e1 When #u sfeld testified, he said he couldn!t re e ber )hen he )as first notified about the fratricide1 0o) could that beE ? .-ery fiber of y bein$ )as cryin$ BullshitO But , kept a stone face )hile re ainin$ ri$id and un o-in$ in y seat1 One after another, the $enerals testified that they didn!t re e ber anythin$1 ? 'nd )orse, the con$ress en and con$ress)o en )ho Cuestioned the see ed ready to let the off the hook, praisin$ the for their ser-ice ? So it!s patriotic to lie to the public about ho) a soldier is killedE Thou$h , had tried to co e prepared for anythin$, , couldn!t belie-e this )as )here all Dannie!s hard )ork, all the phone calls and FO,' reCuests and in-esti$ations and ener$y, had led us1 ,t )as a ockery, and , )as furious1

44

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G3n a""ition, "uring her ;uly 2012 D'G inter)ie*, Marie "escribe" the lac+ of %truth or accountability- that came out of the /ongressional hearingsO The 56778 %on$ressional9 hearin$s )ere a lo) pointPthat feelin$ of bein$ po)erless o-er the situation/ ? /To sit in the hearin$s and see it all unfold in a )ay that )e still )eren!t able to $et any sense of the truth or accountability for )hat had happened1 There )as definitely this hu$e sense of frustration and a feelin$ that there )ere forces at )ork that )ere uch $reater than )e )ere eCuipped to fi$ht1 ? That )as an e:tre ely frustratin$ ti e for all of us? , didnQt feel like in the end there )as uch accountability that )as acco plished1 000

Marie (illman4s battle for accountability en"e" in August 2001. After the %moc+ery- of the secon" /ongressional hearing she ma"e the "ecision, %3t en"s here,- an" ma"e the %choice 3 +ne* that 3 ha" to ma+e in or"er to mo)e for*ar".- 3ronically, although %(he (illman =tory0both the film an" Mary (illman4s boo+ %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+-2 en"s *ith that 2001 hearing, 3 later "isco)ere" that4s ePactly *hen %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- be$an.

3n February 200@, 3 *as pulle" entirely into the orbit of his %untol"- story after a phone call from Mary (illman moti)ate" me to *rite =enator ;ames 8ebb to as+ his help *ith Mary4s battle for the truth. (he follo*ing year, after 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal to hea" up the Afghan 8ar, 3 finally realiLe" that instea" of helping Mary, =enator 8ebb ha" been part of the bipartisan *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath.

?)er the past four years, at httpOSS***.feralfirefighter.blogspot.com, 34)e ePtensi)ely "ocumente" this %untol"- story 0for an intro"uction, see my April 2012 post, %=omething to Eie For-2. Do one else, inclu"ing ;on <ra+auer, has "escribe" this %untol"- story 0although 3 ha" gi)en him my material *hich le" him to ePtensi)ely re)ise his paperbac+ e"ition ho*e)er, he still "i"n4t "escribe the Eemocratic *hite*ash2. 000

45

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G?n ;uly 5, 2012 3 *as in the +itchen listening to D'G ra"io *hen 3 hear" that Marie (illman *as going to be inter)ie*e" on the Eiane Ghem =ho* in Kust a fe* minutes. 3 Auic+ly prepare" a Auestion, emaile" it to the sho*, an" =usan 'age rea" it on the airO

%8e ha)e a & email from Guy [Montag$ *ho *rites that 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" General Mc/hrystal to hea" the a")isory boar" for the ;oining Forces program, "espite his role in the co)er up of your husban"9s frien"ly fire "eath. An" he notes that 'at9s mother, Mary, calle" that a slap in the face to appoint this man. Guy as+e", ha)e you e)er spo+en to General Mc/hrystal about his role.- Marie replie", %(o, , ha-enQt1&

An" =usan 'age as+e" Marie, %6a)e you e)er ha" an apology from the Army: 8oul" you li+e to ha)e an apology:-

(o, ,Q-e ne-er seen an apolo$y1& ? "*ou kno), at this point in ti e, to e itQs a little too little too late1 *ou kno), certainly ,Q-e co e to ter s )ith )hat has happened and chosen to o-e for)ard in y life1 'nd really thatQs )hat this book is about1 ,tQs ho) do you put your life back to$ether1 0o) do you find the li$ht in the little thin$s BB in the e-ery day BB and really find a sense of peace and happiness to o-e for)ard1&

### 9!A:!89 U3D-TE5 ?n Eecember #, 2012 3 han"e" a copy of my letter from %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy- to Marie (illman after a presentation in /hicago. After getting my boo+ signe", 3 ha" a pleasant short con)ersation *ith Marie about my )isit to the ,ahai temple. ,ut, 3 ne)er recei)e" a response bac+ from her. 6ere4s the lin+ to the au"io recor"ingO Marie (illman in /on)ersation *ith ;on <ra+auer 8,CR>1.5 httpOSS***.*beL.orgSseriesSchicago.amplifie"Smarie.tillman.con)ersation.Kon. +ra+auer.10##2> 0My Auestion for <ra+aauer is at about B5OB02

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

ST-N"E7 M22HR7ST-"'S MEMOIR M7 SH-RE OF THE T-S=

AD

/There )ill be fe) arkers fro this )ar and uch of the history )ill be inaccurate or inco plete? "eaders ake istakes, and they are often costly1 The first refle: is nor ally to deny the failure to the sel-esR the second is to hide it fro others, because ost leaders co-et a reputation for infallibility1 But it!s a fool!s drea and is inherently dishonest1&
28

Mc%hrystal is wearing his )#ot +o,r Si2- 'in on his label. He s,re had the 0illman $amily9s bac<J Hell, he was on itJ

51

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. Gen. Mc/hrystal, %My Share of the Task& ;67AF= %A great many things *ent unsai" both "uring Mc/hrystal4s [April 2012 'ittsburgh$ a""ress an" the UMA& (here *as no mention of his role in the co)er up of the %frien"ly.fire- slaying of 'at (illman, inclu"ing issuing a bogus =il)er =tar citation for the Ganger. Do one as+e" him about the pattern of "etainee abuse in 3raA by [;=?/$ units o)erseen by Mc/hrystal4s comman" & Mc/hrystal fiLLle" ba"ly in Afghanistan, an" e)eryone seems to *ant to "ub him a 21st century =ir Ga*ain& %

.. /arl 'rine, %Mc/hrystal /lear- 0%Hine of Eeparture- blog, ;une B, 20122

%3 am concerne" about General Mc/hrystal4s public [=enate$ testimony, *hich sought to con)ey that he *as 5uncomfortable4 *ith )arious interrogation [torture$ techniAues an" sought to 5re"uce4 their use. Gi)en the full history of his approach to interrogations, this testimony appears to be incomplete, at best.-

.. =enator Guss Feingol", %on$ressional #ecord 0;une 11, 200>2

%?f the se)eral occasions *hen he himself attracte" critical attention V the 'at (illman affair, for ePample, or the lea+ing of his Afghan strategic assessment V Mc/hrystal offers ePplanations [in his memoir My Share of the Task$ that fall some*here bet*een perfunctory an" "isingenuous. %

.. An"re* ,ace)ich, De* 7or+ (imes boo+ re)ie* % '-oidin$ Defeat& 0February @, 201B2

ST-N"E7 M22HR7ST-"'S MEMOIR M7 SH-RE OF THE T-S=

[A"apte" from the Eecember 2012 post, %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es-$

/? in 'f$hanistan , )atched the #an$ers deal )ith the loss of a co rade, and , sa) nothin$ but $enuine efforts to take care of a co rade, and , sa) nothin$ but $enuine efforts to take care of a fallen #an$er and his fa ily in )ays that reflected the deep -alues of the force1&

/? contro-ersy arose and continued o-er the circu stances of Pat Till an!s death by friendly fire? Sadly, truth and trust )ere lost in the process? %oncerns )ere raised o-er the )ordin$ in the Sil-er Star narrati-e, )hich so e found isleadin$? 'ny errors, )hich , should ha-e cau$ht, )ere not the result of any intention to isrepresent or islead? To this day, , a saddened by #an$er Till an!s death, as , a for the loss of e-ery ser-ice e ber , ser-ed )ith, and for the pain such losses cause each fa ily1&

52

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal, SMy Share of the Task& 0201B2 000

(he boo+ Kac+et for /My Share of the Task& promises to %fran+ly ePplore the maKor episo"es an" contro)ersies of his e)entful career.- ,efore rea"ing the boo+, 3 ha" anticipate" Mc/hrystal *oul" ignore or only briefly mention.in.passing his contro)ersies 0*ith a bit of pre)arication2. 3nstea", it appears he4s a"opte" Goering4s %big lie- propagan"a techniAue an" "eci"e" to "isingenuously *hite*ash his contro)ersies *ith a thic+ layer of bullshit an" confabulation. Mc/hrystal has sai", /The one thin$ you can ne-er, and should ne-er )ant to dod$e, is responsibility1& 6o*e)er, Mc/hrystal has %"o"ge"- responsibility for his role in formally importing torture to Abu Gharib, for the use of routine torture by ;=?/ forces un"er his comman", an" for his central role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan.

?n Memorial Eay 2012, Mary (illman calle" me an" *e spo+e for about an hour. After spea+ing briefly *ith Mc/hrystal in April1 she sai" she ha" consi"ere" meeting face.to.face *ith him in E/, but she figure" they %*oul" probably *al+ a*ay more frustrate" than *hen *e *al+e" in.- After rea"ing Mc/hrystal4s memoir, 3 belie)e she *as right. Eespite Mc/hrystal4s platitu"es about the Ganger /ree" an" ta+ing %care of a fallen Ganger an" his family,- it appears this guy is a master of confabulation *ho Kust *on4t genuinely a"mit a mista+e, genuinely ta+e responsibility for his actions, or be genuinely truthful about the contro)ersies of his career. 6is hypocrisy is pathetic. Mary also tol" me that seeing Mc/hrystal on the ne*s *as %li+e rubbing salt in a *oun".!nfortunately, this ol" general Kust *on4t fa"e a*ay he4s been ma+ing the roun"s of the tal+ sho* circuit pe""ling his boo+ 03 guess he figures no one *ill call him on his bullshit, an" so far, he4s been right2.

The Untold Tillman Story in M%2hry#tal'# Memoir My $hare of the Task!5

Gen. Mc/hrystal super)ise" much of the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s 200# frien"ly.fire "eath 0probably un"er the or"ers of /heney an"Sor Gumsfel"2. 8hy: 8ell, the Army 0almost2 al*ays lies about ba" ne*s. 3n 200#, the ,ush A"ministration use" (illman4s %heroic- "eath to "istract attention from the Abu Gharib images that *ere broa"cast shortly after*ar"s. (hen, the

5.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GEefense Eept. "ragge" out their so.calle" %in)estigations- o)er the course of the nePt three years until it *as no longer a 'G threat to the Army or the ,ush a"ministration.

3n 2001, it appears the Eemocratic /ongress *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal because he *as the hero of the %"ar+ si"e- of the 3raA =urge. 3n 200@, the =enate *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal so he coul" continue his rise as one of the stars in the Army an" be promote" as the Eirector of the ;oint =taff, the right.han" to the /hairman of the ;oint /hiefs of =taff. 3n 200>, Mc/hrystal actions 0/amp Dama M (illman2 *ere *hite*ashe" by 'resi"ent ?bama an" the =enate so he coul" be the sa)ior to lea" the Afghan =urge. 3n 2010, ?bama fire" Mc/hrystal for failing to ma+e the progress he ha" promise" 0an" to sho* the Army brass he *as the ,oss2. 3n 2011, in part to men" fences *ith the military, 'resi"ent ?bama continue" the Mc/hrystal *hite*ash by appointing him hea" up the ;oining Forces program. 000

Mc/hrystal4s response to a Auestion about 'at (illman on the Eiane Ghem =ho* 0;anuary 1J, 201B2 at #0O00 0%General =tanley Mc/hrystalO NMy =hare of the (as+N2 generally follo*e" the account he *rote in his boo+O

/? there )as not an atte pt to hide the fact that Pat Till an )as killed by friendly fire1 found out about 6< hours after his death that, in fact, the suspected cause of death )as fratricide? So about 6< hours after he )as killed, , )ent up the chain of co and and said preli inary in-esti$ations tells us it )as fratricide1 So there )as no atte pt to hide it because the first thin$ )e did )as report it1 'nd )e reported it up the chain1& /There are t)o chains of co and for a unit in co bat1 There )as the operational chain )hich , )as responsible for in the fi$ht1 'nd then thereQs an ad inistrati-e chain )hich handles all of the thin$s around the disposal of the re ains, handlin$ of the fa ily and )hat not, notification, )hatnot1 , )as not part of the latter?& /?you ha-e to do a full in-esti$ation on fratricide1 's it )as $oin$ alon$, , assu e that the fa ily )as bein$ kept infor ed, because, in fact, %orp1 Till anQs brother )as in the platoon )hen the fire fi$ht occurred1 'nd , suspect he had pretty $ood kno)led$e of )hat had happened1 There subseCuently $re) the perception that there )as a BB that there )as a co-er up or an atte pt to deny the fact that he )as killed by friendly fire1 , didnQt e-er see that personally1 , didnQt e-er kno) anybody that did anythin$ that , thou$ht reflected that1 , didnQt see e-erythin$1 , canQt speak )ith full kno)led$e, but e-erythin$ , sa) )as not that1 'nd , can say that uneCui-ocally1&
5(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

/0e )as a)arded a Sil-er Star because he )as aneu-erin$ in a situation )hich he thou$ht he )as aneu-erin$ a$ainst one situation1 ,t took coura$e to do that aneu-er1 When , si$ned the Sil-er Star reco endation, , did that kno)in$ that he )as likely killed by friendly fire1 But the fact he )as killed by friendly fire doesnQt in any )ay take a)ay fro his coura$e in y -ie)? it did not ake hi any less of a hero in y ind? 'nd so it )as i portant to e that )e not take a)ay fro Pat Till an, )hat he had earned and done, because there )as a istake ade1 '$ain, a istake BB a $rie-ous istake, but an honest one by fello) ran$ers1&

,ut, in reality, Mc/hrystal ha" %orchestrate"- the (illman co)er.up. Although he ha" early +no*le"ge of the frien"ly.fire "eath M *as responsible to notify the family, he faile" to inform the (illman family of the frien"ly.fire, he super)ise" the *riting of the frau"ulent =il)er =tar recommen"ation, (illman4s uniform an" eAuipment *ere "estroye", an" his o*n legal officer conceale" the fratrici"e from the me"ical ePaminer an" a /3E in)estigator2.

Note5 for "etails, see the posts %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- an" %Ei" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:,- an" %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es.-

I/ly A<<6 !! - 3er$e%t Storm o$ Mi#ta(e#

Eespite much of its %nonsense- the EoE 3G4s March 2001 report a"mitte" that Gen. Mc/hrystal *as %accountable for the inaccurate [=il)er =tar$ a*ar" recommen"ation.- 3G Gimble testifie" before /ongress that the =il)er =tar *itness statements *ere altere" %some*here in the appro)al chain- 0/?H DiPon, H(/ <auLlarich, an"Sor H(G Mc/hrystal *ere in that chain2. (he citation itself *as carefully *ritten to falsely imply that (illman *as +ille" by %"e)astating enemy fire.?n ;uly B1, 2001, =ecretary of the Army 'ete Geren briefe" the press on Gen. 8allace4s re)ie* of the Army M EoE 3G in)estigations. Geren apologiLe" for %a perfect storm of mista+es- that %create" in the min" of many a perception that the Army inten"e" to "ecei)e the public an" the (illman family.- 6o*e)er, 8allace M Gren cleare" Mc/hrystal of all *rong"oing in the (illman co)er.up. (he other officers in)ol)e" *ere gi)en slaps on the *rist 0se)eral ha)e since been promote" to General ran+2. Getire" Gen. <ensinger *as ma"e the official scapegoat 0he *as the *orst liar2 he lost a star an" a little pension money.
58

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G(he follo*ing "ay, August 1, 2001, /hairman /ongressman 6enry 8aPman close" his ?)ersight 0sic2 /ommittee4s (illman hearing by saying, %8e are ob)iously trying to fin" out *hat *ent on an" *ho ha" responsibility.- ,ut, it4s not ob)ious that he an" his /ommittee ma"e a goo" faith effort to unco)er the truth. (hey faile" to Auestion Gen. Mc/hrystal about his +ey role in *riting the frau"ulent =il)er =tar, altere" *itness statements, early +no*le"ge of fratrici"e, failure to inform the family, an" his "ecepti)e '# memo. Most importantly, they chose not to ha)e Gen. Mc/hrystal testify. 8aPman has ne)er ePplaine" *hy Mc/hrystal *as "roppe" from the hearing *itness list 0an" ne)er inter)ie*e"2. 3f the /ommittee *as %ob)iously trying to fin" out *hat *ent on- they *oul" ha)e loo+e" into Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the co)er.up. 3nstea", it appears the /ommittee chose to shiel" Mc/hrystal from public scrutiny. 8hy: 8ell, "uring the summer of 2001 the 3raA %surge- *as at its pea+. Mc/hrystal *as a rising star in the Army *ho le" the ;oint =pecial ?perations /omman" 0;=?/2 forces to *hom many attribute" much of the %success- of the 3raA %=urge.- 3t appears lea"ers of the Eemocratic /ongress ma"e a "ecision to shiel" Gen. Mc/hrystal from accountable for his central role in the (illman co)er.up because of his +ey role in the 3raA *ar an" his frien"s in high places.

3n Eecember 2012, 3 foun" a +ey piece of ne* information in another boo+. Fre" <aplan *rote 0pp. 21> I 2@2, %The ,nsur$ents-2O %,ac+ in the fall of 200# & ['ete$ Geren *as one of Gumsfel"4s special assistants& Geren *as confirme" as =ecretary of the Army on ;uly 1J, 2001. Dot long after, he recei)e" [the memo$ listing the generals *ho4" be nominate" to sit on the upcoming promotion boar"&. he sent it bac+ *ith a reKection note an" sai" he4" pic+ them himself. Geren spent the nePt *ee+& assembling a list of the Army4s most "ynamic generals. 6e *hittle" that list "o*n to fifteen an" as+e" them all to ser)e on his promotion boar". (hey inclu"e"&. =tanley Mc/hrystal&-

3 assume Geren as+e" /ongressman 8aPman to "rop Mc/hrystal from August 1, 2001 *itness list an" hel" his August B1st press briefing to %officially- clear Mc/hrystal an" ma+e Gen. <ensinger the official scapegoat Kust in time for the /ongressional hearing.

May A<<C !! Did They Tea%h 7o/ Ho to "ie 7etL

56

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMc/hrystal *rote 0Mc/hrystal, pp.21@.21>2O /On Friday, June AF, 677D ? , passed co and of TF 8A< ;JSO%= to y friend and for er deputy, then G Nice 'd iral Bill Mc#a-en1 ? ' fe) )eeks earlier 5May 66nd9, , had been confir ed by the Senate to beco e director of the Joint Staff, essentially chief of staff to the chair an of the 3oint chiefs1 DJS ? )as a presti$ious post, one John 'biHaid and then Geor$e %asey had held ? ,!d been told that the chair an, 'd iral Mike Mullen, had sou$ht e for the position1&

/The Senate confir ation process had been une:pectantly 3arrin$1 ? y e:perience prior to that point in y career had been as a na e of a lon$ pro otion lists that the White 0ouse reco ended and the Senate confir ed1?1 had not in-ol-ed indi-idual testi ony or si$nificant issues1 This ti e the e:perience )as uch different1 ?1 ,n the end the process took until the first )eek of June1 , reported for duty to the Joint Staff on 'u$ust AF, 677D1&

/Tuestions surroundin$ the death of Pat Till an )ere raised 5May 677D9 and , addressed the 1 The a3or issue re$arded TF 8A<!s 5JSO%!s9 detention operations1 "e$iti ate Cuestions and concerns )ere intert)ined )ith an on$oin$ inCuiry 5S'S% AAU7D Torture #eport9 into the Bush ad inistrations o-erall detention policies led by Senator "e-in1 ,!d been happy for the opportunity to address any Cuestions about TF 8A< headBon, but it felt as thou$h the delay )as the product of a lar$er political issue1& ###

Euring the =pring of 200@ 0after recei)ing my April Br" letter as+ing him to help Mary (illman2, =enator ;ames 8ebb con"ucte" a secret %re)ie*- of Mc/hrystal4s role. ?n May 15th 200@, Kust after Mary (illman *as in 8ashington, E./. on her boo+ tour, the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee 0hea"e" by He)in an" Mc/ain2 hel" a secret %ePecuti)e session- *here Mc/hrystal testifie" %in "etail- about his actions in %ePecuti)e session- behin" close" "oors. =hortly after*ar"s, the =enate promote" him to Eirector of the ;oint =taff.

May A<<; !! The Em)eror'# General5

Mc/hrystal *rote 0Mc/hrystal, pp.2@@.2@>2O /Senate confir ation 5for President Oba a!s May AA, 677@ no ination to co and the 'f$han War9 )as reCuired and it )as easier than it had been co in$ out of TF 8A< 5JSO%9 the year before, althou$h , a$ain addressed Cuestions surroundin$ %orporal Till an!s death 5and treat ent of detainees91 , appreciated concerns raised by the Till an fa ily and others, but after ultiple in-esti$ations and testi ony the year
5A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gprior, , kne) that , had already pro-ided full and forthri$ht insi$hts on y role and all , had obser-ed1 On June 6, 677@, , testified in front of the Senate 'r ed Ser-ices %o ittee1& 000

(he hearing *as strictly %pro.forma.- =enators He)in, Mc/ain, an" 8ebb tosse" Mc/hrystal a fe* softball Auestions. (he real hearing ha" been con"ucte" the pre)ious year, behin" close" "oors. General Mc/hrystal "enie" the phony narrati)e of a raging firefight *as anything more sinister than Nmista+esN ma"e to honor (illman. N3 "i"n9t see any acti)ity by anyone to "ecei)e,N he sai". N8e faile" the family. An" 3 *as a part of that.N 6e ePpresse" his N"eepest con"olencesN to (illman9s family. Mary (illman sai" she neither accepte" nor belie)e" Mc/hrystal9s [non.apology$ apology. NMc/hrystal *as lying,N she sai". 3n the For*ar" to her August 2010 re)ise" paperbac+ 0at blurb.com2 of her 200@ boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk, Mary (illman commente" on Mc/hrystal4s =enate confirmationO %3 ha" sent the 'resi"ent an email an" a letter remin"ing him of Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in the co)er. up of 'at4s "eath.& 3 also contacte" the staffs of =enator 'atric+ Heahy an" =enator ;ames 8ebb & but it *as clear that neither senator *ante" to get in)ol)e". & Mc/ain *as alrea"y publicly en"orsing the Mc/hrystal appointment before the hearing e)en began. & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the hearing. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrysal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama &-

SE2RET-R7 OF DEFENSE ROBERT G-TE'S MEMOIR DUT7 * - SE2RET-R7 -T +-R

0May 200> 8est 'oint /ommencement2

0;uly 2010 Gates at Mc/hrystal4s Getirement2

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

/, had co e to kno) and ad ire Mc%hrystal durin$ y first year as secretary, and , belie-ed he )as perhaps the finest )arrior and leader of en in co bat , had e-er et1 ? , had looked into Mc%hrystal!s actions in the Till an case and the alle$ations of detainee abuse and ? deter ined to o-e for)ard )ith his ad-ance ent 5in May 677D91 ? , told the president 5Bush9 /Mc%hrystal is one of the heroic fi$ures of these )ars, and if )e )on!t stand and fi$ht for hi , then )hoE 'nd so )e fou$ht1& .. Gobert Gates, %Euty- 0201#2 %6e +no*s the a"ministration4s position on the matter *as a co)er.up& a mista+e. ,ut it *or+e". An" they "i"n4t *ant the presi"ent to loo+ ba". & [(he =ecretary of Eefense$ ne)er tol" a lie, at least not in the *ay he coul" be caught in it. & An" any*ay, his )ersion coul" ne)er be challenge"& [it$ *oul" become the go)ernment4s official pronouncement. & An" the me"ia ga)e them their forum, al*ays ascertaining beforehan" that their allegations *ere borne out by facts if not the truth... [=enator$ ;ames 8ebb, So ethin$ to Die For 01>>12 (he co)er.up of 'at4s "eath *as orchestrate" at the )ery highest le)els of the 'entagon & Mc/hrystal4s actions shoul" ha)e been groun"s for firing. (hat is *hy it *as so "isturbing to us *hen 'resi"ent ?bama [on the recommen"ation of Gates$ instea" promote" Mc/hrystal to the position of top comman"er in Afghanistan & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione" long before the [200> =enate$ hearing. Done of the congressmen [=enators /arl He)in, ;ames 8ebb, ;ohn Mc/ain$ presse" Mc/hrystal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama &

.. Mary (illman, %Boots on the Ground by Dusk- 020102 %(he Mc/hrystal thing [fire" after %He4Affair Golling =tan-$ I that burns Gates up. & [,ut$ 6e tosses [Gen.$ Mc<iernan *ithout a *or" of remorse. & at Mc/hrystal4s retirement ceremony in ;uly [2010$, Gates *ill bemoan the fact that Americans ha)e lost a hero, someone *hose recor" of ser)ice is unmatche". 0Forget (illman, forget [;=?/ torture at$ /amp Dama, forget the negati)e comman" climate&2 .. Michael 6astings, %(he ?perators- 020122

Se%retary O$ De$en#e Ro.ert Gate'# Memoir D/ty * - Se%retary -t +ar

[A"apte" from the April 201# post %Eefen" 7our 3ntegrity- see that post for "etails$ 3n the past "eca"e, se)eral boo+s 0an" se)eral "ocumentaries inclu"ing Amir ,ar.He)4s film %The Till an Story-2 ha)e tol" the 'at (illman story. 6o*e)er, none of these accounts ha)e "escribe" the %untol"- story of the bi.partisan *hite*ash of those responsible for the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath 0although Mary (illman allu"e" to it in her Fore*or" to the 2010
55

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Ge"ition of %Boots on the Ground by Dusk- an" Michael 6astings allu"e" to it in his boo+ %The Operators&2. 3n his 201B memoir, %My Share of the Task,- Gen. Mc/hrystal briefly 0albeit "isingenuously2 "iscusse" his 200> =enate confirmation hearing an" the (illman story, but he only mentione" his secret 200@ =enate confirmation hearing in passing. Done of the boo+s *ritten by former ,ush a"ministration officials e)en mentione" 'at (illman4s name he4s not e)en a footnote in the %big.name- biographies 0e.g. 'resi"ent ,ush, Vice 'resi"ent Eic+ /heney, =ecretary of Eefense Eonal" Gumsfel", etc2. ,ut, on ;anuary 1#, 201#, former =ecretary of Eefense Gobert Gates publishe" his memoir, %Duty- I A =ecretary at 8ar, that fille" in some of the blan+s of the %[!ntol"$ (illman =tory.Gates *rote about his lea"ership 0along *ith 'resi"ent ,ush2 of the bipartisan *hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s comman" of the (illman co)er.up M ;=?/ torture 0*hat 34)e calle" %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory-2, he re)eale" that Mc/hrystal4s staff lea+e" the Afghan *ar assessment to ,ob 8oo"*ar", an" he "escribe" the bac+.story behin" ?bama4s firing Mc/hrystal "uring %He4Affair Golling =tan.- ,ut, Gate4s claim that he only reluctantly came to support the Afghan 8ar %surge- appears rather "isingenuous. 000 3n March 2001, the Eepartment of Eefense 3nspector General 0EoE 3G2 an" the Army4s /riminal 3n)estigation Ei)ision 0/3E2 finally complete" their in)estigations. 6o*e)er, the (illman family *as furious *ith being presente" *ith yet another "eceitful briefing.2J A year later, in ;uly 200@, the ?)ersight /ommittee finally release" their report. C='D reporter Mi+e Fish *rote the the 8hite 6ouse an" Gate4s Eepartment of Eefense ha" effecti)ely %stone*alle" the in)estigation.- (he /ommittee blame" %stone*alling- by the ,ush 8hite 6ouse an" Gate4s Eepartment of Eefense for their failure to hol" anyone accountable 0an" appeare" to suggest that Gate4s *as less than forthcoming *ith EoE "ocuments reAueste" by /ongress2.

3n ;une 200@, Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal *as en"ing his fi)e.year comman" of ;=?/. Gate *ante" to get Mc/hrystal promote" to higher ran+ since he %belie-ed he )as perhaps the finest
0he *o* I# investigation began in 2008 d,ring ",ms$eld9s reign as Secretary and it9s re'ort was ',blished a $ew months a$ter #ates became Secretary o$ *e$ense. I9d s'ec,late that #ate9s desire that the *o* ; Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman case be whitewashed tric<led down to the *o* investigators.
26

100

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G)arrior and leader of en in co bat , had e-er et,& "espite Mc/hrystal4s %ba$$a$e- of his super)ision of the (illman co)er.up 0for *hich =enator ;ohn Mc/ain oppose" him2 an" his comman" of ;=?/ torture in 3raA 0*hich =enator /arl He)in, hea" of the =enate Arme" =er)ice /ommittee 0=A=/2 *as in)estigating2. Gates claime" that %[=enator$ "e-in )as stron$ly partisan ? his in-esti$ations )ere atte pts to scape$oat y predecessor 5#u sfeld9 and others1 ? based on personal e:perience, this )as all about politics1& 3 guess he coul" try to ma+e that argument since He)in is a Eemocrat 0although He)in4s concerns *ere legitimate an" base" on fact212. ,ut, 3 *oul" lo)e to hear Gates try to ePplain ePactly ho* =enator ;ohn Mc/ain4s opposition to Mc/hrystal *as %political-: Mc/ain *as a #epublican last time 3 chec+e"T Gates *rote that he /had looked into Mc%hrystal!s actions in the Till an case6D and the alle$ations of detainee abuse ? and deter ined to o-e for)ard )ith his ad-ance ent1 (hen, Gates *ent to 'resi"ent ,ush an" tol" him, /Mc%hrystal is one of the heroic fi$ures of these )ars, and if )e )on!t stand and fi$ht for hi , then )hoE (hen Gates a""e", %'nd so )e fou$ht-& 8hat ePactly "oes that mean: 3 *oul" speculate that 'resi"ent ,ush an" Gates put hea)y pressure 0an"Sor calle" in some %mar+ers-2 on =enators He)in an" Mc/ain 0an" =enator 8ebb2 to get them to roll o)er an" bac+ "o*n. 3n 8ebb4s case, 3 *oul" presume that he relente" so that his precious %De* G3 ,ill- coul" get passe" through /ongress an" get ,ush4s signature 0it "i"2.2> 'erhaps Mc/ain rolle" o)er since he *as running for 'resi"ent that year an" "i"n4t *ant to cross ,ush: ,ut, 3 "on4t un"erstan" He)in4s re)ersal, since he *as a Eemocrat. Euring the =pring of 200@, =enator 8ebb con"ucte" a secret %re)ie*- of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s actions in the (illman case. ?n May 15, 200@, the =A=/ hel" a secret %ePecuti)e session*here Mc/hrystal 0an" A"miral 8illiam McGa)en *ho ha" comman"e" torture by (F 121 an" succee"e" Mc/hrystal as ;=?/ comman"er2 testifie" %in "etail- about his actions behin" close" "oors. =hortly after*ar"s, the =enate promote" him to Eirector of the ;oint =taff.

See the cha'ter )6o Dlood, 6o Co,l- in the Ceral Cire$ighter 'ost N6ever Shall I Cail My %omrades2A

6ote that in his memoir #ates side ste''ed the iss,e o$ Mc%hrystals g,ilt. However, in res'onse to Mary 0illman9s obBection to Mc%hrystal9s 'romotions, #eo$$ Morrell 1#ate9s /ress Secretary3 wrote7 =this matter has been investigated thoro,ghly by the /entagon, by the %ongress, by o,tside e2'erts, and all o$ them have come to the same concl,sion7 that there was no wrongdoing by #en. Mc%hrystal.=
24 25

See !''endi2 )D- o$ this 'ost. 101

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GGates *rote, %The path )as clear for ore senior co and and a fourth star, )hich )ould follo) in less than a year1& 3n May 200> Gates fire" the Afghan 8ar comman"er Gen. Mc<iernan an" replace" him *ith Mc/hrystal. Michael 6astings *rote in his boo+, %The Operators,- that %A ne* general [Mc/hrystal$ ... presents a ne* opportunity to as+ for more boots on the groun". 9Gates *as the mastermin" behin" the *hole thing [the May 200> firing of Gen. Mc<iernan M the Afghan 8ar surge$9 ... Maybe ?bama9s 7o"a has a bit of Va"er in him after all.-

3n response to accusations by the (illman family that Mc/hrystal ha" been in)ol)e" in a co)er. up of 'at (illman4s "eath, 'entagon spo+esman Geoff MorrellB0 sai"O Nthis matter has been in)estigate" thoroughly by the 'entagon, by the /ongress, by outsi"e ePperts, an" all of them ha)e come to the same conclusionO that there *as no *rong"oing by Gen. Mc/hrystal.NB1

(hat ;une 200> =enate hearing to promote Mc/hrystal to comman"er of the Afghan 8ar *as strictly %pro.forma.- =enators He)in, Mc/ain, an" 8ebb tosse" Mc/hrystal a fe* softball Auestions. (he real hearing ha" been con"ucte" the pre)ious year, behin" close" "oors. Gates *rote, %My strate$y of $ettin$ hi confir ed as director of the Joint Staff and takin$ care of any potential Senate issues at that ti e 5677D9 paid off1&

3n the For*ar" to her re)ise" paperbac+ 0at blurb.com2 of her 200@ boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk, Mary (illman mentione" ho* 'resi"ent ?bama an" the Eemocratic /ongress ha" continue" Gates M ,ush4s Mc/hrystal *hite*ashO

%3 ha" sent the 'resi"ent an email an" a letter remin"ing him of Mc/hrystal4s in)ol)ement in the co)er.up of 'at4s "eath.& 3 also contacte" the staffs of =enator 'atric+ Heahy an" =enator ;ames 8ebb & but it *as clear that neither senator *ante" to get in)ol)e". & Mc/ain *as alrea"y publicly en"orsing the Mc/hrystal appointment before the hearing e)en began. & =a"ly, Mc/hrystal4s promotion ha" been sanctione"
Crom #ate9s memoir7 )I hired #eo$$ Morrell Fas my 'ress s'o<esmanG E He became a <ey member o$ my team. E one o$ the very $ew aro,nd whom I co,ld let down my hair and be mysel$, vent witho,t worry o$ a lea<, and B,st rela2. E NI tr,st this g,y to do and say what I wantE- So, I thin< it9s sa$e to say that #ates agreed with Morrell9s DS 'osition on the 0illman cover ,'.
.0

What DSJ How abo,t Mary 0illman, ?evin 0illman, >on ?ra<a,er, and mysel$I Kven the o$$icial 200A *o* I# re'ort $o,nd wrongdoing by Mc%hrystal and recommended disci'line.
.1

102

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Glong before the hearing. Done of the congressmen presse" Mc/hrysal about 'at4s case & or "etainee abuse an" torture at /amp Dama &000 3 fin" it rather galling that Gates ha" the au"acity to practically brag in his memoir about ho* he %stoo" an" fought- for Mc/hrystal an" le" the bipartisan *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal. 3 *oul" prefer, instea", that he *oul" ta+e his o*n a")ice 0p. 5#52 an" %=hut the fuc+ upT-B2

#ates, '. 8(87 )I was o,traged Fabo,t Din Laden raid lea<sG and, at one 'oint, told *onilon, )Why doesn9t everybody B,st sh,t the $,c< ,'I- 0o no avail..2

10.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

B-RE"7 - FOOTNOTE
The NF"'# Betrayal o$ 3at Tillman

!n)eiling of 'at (illman statue at !ni)ersity of 'hoeniP =ta"ium

General 'etraeus performs the coin toss before =uper ,o*l ZH333

10(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%7ou coul"n9t help but notice in the "ays before tonight9s =uper ,o*l that the memory of 'at (illman feels li+e barely a footnote. 3n fact, the DFH sent out a ne*s release a couple of "ays ago, *ith the trumpeting hea"lineO NDFH salutes ser)ice, courage an" bra)ery in =uper ,o*l ZH333.N ,ut it ha" nothing to "o *ith (illman. & the DFH pic+e" a beautiful theme for the =uper ,o*l & 3t9s "ifficult to thin+ of better *or"s to "escribe the most important /ar"inal any of us *ill e)er +no*.-

.. Gic+ Maese, ,altimore =un 2.01.0>

6e ['at (illman$ might ha)e been the most celebrate" story of this year9s =uper ,o*l bet*een his ol" AriLona team an" the 'ittsburgh =teelers. 3nstea", he9s the sa""est. An" also the most a*+*ar" & & *hat shoul" ha)e been the "ream story that cemente" the marriage bet*een the DFH an" the != Army, turne" into a terrible trage"y an" a mortifying embarrassment. & *hen the =tealth ,omber roars o)erhea" before the game on =un"ay & maybe people *ill remember that American sport9s connection *ith its arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.

.. ?li)er 6olt, (he Mirror 1.2@.0>

%3 thin+ they [DFH$ ha)en9t gone out of their *ay to help they9)e ePploite" 'at, Kust li+e the military. & they ha)e a beautiful statue to him at /ar"inal =ta"ium. 3 "on9t +no* if that9s more for us or him 3 feel li+e it9s more for them. & (hey ha)en9t really helpe" to try to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at. &3t9s li+e, N?+ay, *e ha" the Kersey "e"ication, *e "i" this, let9s mo)e on.N

.. Mary (illlman, J.02.0@

Barely a Footnote * The NF"'# Betrayal o$ 3at Tillman

[a"apte" from the Feral Firefighter post N,arely a FootnoteN$

Euring his 200# re.election campaign, 'resi"ent ,ush a""resse" /ar"inal fans on the ;umbotron "uring an emotional halftime ceremony in *hich the AriLona franchise retire" 'at (illman9s Kersey number. 7et, "uring the 200> =uperbo*l *ith his team 0the AriLona /ar"inals2 playing the =teelers, 'at (illman *as barely a footnote. ?l" ne*s. A bit troublesome for the me"ia an" DFH to "*ell upon. A bit of an embarrassment. ,est ignore"O
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

From the ,altimore =un4s Gic+ Maese4s %/ar"inals stan" as en"uring tribute to (illman- O %Faith 6ill *ill sing NAmerica the ,eautiful.N ;ennifer 6u"son *ill belt out the national anthem. Fighter Kets *ill fly o)erhea". Gen. Ea)i" 'etraeus, comman"er of the !.=. /entral /omman", *ill toss the coin. & ,ut something9s missing. 7ou coul"n9t help but notice in the "ays before tonight9s =uper ,o*l that the memory of 'at (illman feels li+e barely a footnote. 3n fact, the DFH sent out a ne*s release a couple of "ays ago, *ith the trumpeting hea"lineO NDFH salutes ser)ice, courage an" bra)ery in =uper ,o*l ZH333.N ,ut it ha" nothing to "o *ith (illman. 6e "eser)es to be remembere" to"ay. & (hough it has announce" no plans to pay tribute to (illman to"ay, the DFH pic+e" a beautiful theme for the =uper ,o*l . ser)ice, courage an" bra)ery. 3t9s "ifficult to thin+ of better *or"s to "escribe the most important /ar"inal any of us *ill e)er +no*.From (he 'ittsburgh 'ost.GaLette4s /huc+ Fin"er4s %'layers sense hero9s presence-O %An @.foot bronLe statue, hair flying, a"orns a NFree"om 'laLaN outsi"e !ni)ersity of 'hoeniP =ta"ium. 6is retire" Do. #0 an" name appears in their Ging of 6onor. 6is photo hangs in the trainer9s room an" else*here aroun" the team9s (empe, AriL., facility. & 7et no* that the /ar"inals& ha)e reache" the summit of =uper ,o*l ZH33 & 8hat about honoring (illman here: & Marie (illman, his *i"o* an" no* chairman of the 'at (illman Foun"ation, has been in)ite" to sit *ith the /ar"inals9 o*ners & ,ut beyon" that, no patches: Do stic+ers on helmets: Do ... something:From ,ill 'lasch+e4s 1.25.0> column, %'at (illman4s Frien" 6asn4t Forgotten 6im-O %(his is a story not only about a missing tag ["ogtag gi)en to a teammate$, but a missing legacy. (he =uper ,o*l is here, but any mention of the most nationally belo)e" alumnus of either team is not. 'at (illman playe" for the AriLona /ar"inals from 1>>@ through 2001, yet, as you *atch the /ar"inals play the 'ittsburgh =teelers on =un"ay, you might ne)er +no* it & (he DFH lo)es to *rap itself in the flag, yet the league has no plans to remember him. (he /ar"inals ha)e a statue an" reflecting pool "e"icate" to (illman outsi"e their sta"ium, but nothing on their Kerseys. 5Gi)en *hat 'at represente", you *oul" thin+ they *oul" "o something.4The Mirror 2+!s Oli-er 0olt )rote in /The tra$ic de ise of Pat Till an is the Star Span$led Tra$edy of the Super Bo) l& ;AB6DB7@=> %,ut gi)en the sacrifice (illman ma"e & there has been little mention of him here in (ampa. & the DFH says nothing is planne". & (hat is Kust part of (illman9s trage"y. 6e might ha)e been the most celebrate" story of this year9s =uper ,o*l bet*een his ol" AriLona team an" the 'ittsburgh =teelers. 3nstea", he9s the sa""est. An" also the most a*+*ar" & *hat shoul" ha)e been the "ream story that cemente" the marriage bet*een the DFH an" the != Army, turne" into a terrible trage"y an" a mortifying
106

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gembarrassment. & *hen the =tealth ,omber roars o)erhea" before the game on =un"ay, e)en in the ePcitement of the moment, maybe people *ill remember that American sport9s connection *ith its arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.3ronically, "uring =uperbo*l ZH333, Gen. Ea)i" 'etreaus 0*ho *or+e" closely *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal2 performe" the coin toss at the beginning of the game an" *as honore" for his %ser)ice, courage an" bra)ery.- 7et, "uring the 200> =uperbo*l not a *or" about 'at (illman 0*ho ePemplifie" those )alues2 *as tele)ise" 0although a short )i"eo *as sho*n on the scoreboar"2. 000 (he Me"ia, Army, /ongress, an" the 'resi"ency 0both ,ush an" ?bama a"ministrations2 ha)e betraye" the (illman family by their failure to hol" accountable those responsible for the co)er. up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 3n a""ition, the DFH betraye" the (illman family. Although they ePploite" the "eath of 'at (illman, they later refuse" to help the (illman family in their battle for the truth about his "eathO From Ea)e Ririn4s J.0@.0@ column, %(he DFH9s (illman ?ffenseO (he Heague =creams 'atriotism ,ut is =ilent 8hen the Family of a 'atriot =ee+s its 6elp-O %Mary (illman has a message for the Dational Football HeagueO 6elp me fin" out *hat happene" to my son. & 3n a recent inter)ie* *ith me, she *as highly critical of the actions of the DFH because she belie)es it continues to bathe in the glory of her son9s patriotic sacrifice *hile "oing little to help the (illman family fin" out ho* 'at "ie". & (he league certainly seems to ha)e the clout to get things mo)ing.& 20 )eterans *ho sa* combat in 3raA an" Afghanistan too+ the ePtraor"inary step last August of *riting a letter to DFH /ommissioner Goger Goo"ell, as+ing his help in securing the release of the reAueste" "ocuments. !nfortunately, the league has not respon"e" to Mary (illman or the )eterans.-

3n a 200@ inter)ie* 0%Hi+e 6e Eie" (*ice9O Mary (illman9s Honesome Goa"-. ;une 2, 200@2 Mary (illman criticiLe" the DFH lea"ership for their failure to help her unco)er the truthO

%3 thin+ they [DFH$ ha)en9t gone out of their *ay to help they9)e ePploite" 'at, Kust li+e the military. 3 "o belie)e that. 3 mean, they ha)e a beautiful statue to him at /ar"inal =ta"ium. 3 "on9t +no* if that9s more for us or him 3 feel li+e it9s more for them. & (hey ha)en9t really helpe" to try to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at. (hey ha)e tremen"ous po*er. ?h, absolutely. ,ut there has been no effort to fin" out. & 3t9s li+e, N?+ay, *e ha" the Kersey "e"ication, *e "i" this, let9s mo)e on.-

10A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

/,f you could say so ethin$ to the last t)o (F" co issioners #o$er Goodell and Paul Ta$liabue if they )ere here ri$ht no), )hat )ould that beE> %8ell, 3 *oul" say to them that they ePploite" 'at no "ifferently than the military. 7ou +no*, this is a young man *ho *as Auite uniAue. 6e *as trying to "o the right thing an" it *oul" be the right thing to try an" fin" out *hat happene" to him.-

3 guess the DFH figures they4)e pai" for a statue, ha" a Kersey "e"ication, pai" for a (illman !=? in Afghanistan & time to mo)e on. (he DFH has turne" 'at (illman into a lifeless patriotic icon, instea" of remembering his iconoclastic nature. 000 U)date5 From a February 1, 201B Faceboo+ post at the 'at (illman Foun"ationO %(he DFH 6ea"Auarters in De* 7or+ no* features a tribute honoring 'at (illman. (a+e a loo+ at the great "isplay )isitors see. (han+ you, /ommissioner Goo"ell.-

THE NF"'S S-"UTE TO SERHI2E

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

33

%Euring these [=alute to =er)ice$ games, teams *ill "isplay & bran"e" elements & inclu"e goal post *raps, pylons *ith camouflage ribbon "ecals, *all banners & ribbon lapel pins, Gatora"e to*els, Di+e an" !n"er Armour glo)es for players, captain9s patches an" camouflage ribbon footballs use" "uring e)ery play. & =ergeant Cmily (hompson =chelberg & has been selecte" as the 2012 DFH.(illman Military =cholar. & [At$ (he /ar"inals =alute to =er)ice game & a fiel" siLe flag *ill be unfurle" "uring the Anthem& /ar"inals players *ill *ear special stic+ers *ith the number #0 on them "uring the game, in memory of 'at (illman.!! DFH recogniLes Veterans Eay an" honors military *ith a 9=alute to =er)ice9 0Do).1, 20122 %=omeho* bac+ at home, support for the sol"iers meant & slapping [%=upport ?ur (roops$ stic+ers on cars & 3t4s interesting that a sol"ier on his thir" or fourth tour shoul" care about & a fa"e" stic+er on a car as his frien"s "ie aroun" him&.. <e)in (illman, %After 'at4s ,irth"ay- 0truth"ig.com, ?ctober 1>, 200J2

The NF"'S Sal/te to Ser>i%e

..

Mn 6ovember 1., 2012, the /0C headlined their Caceboo< site with this )Sal,te to Service- banner.

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Although 'at (illman *as %barely a footnote- at the 200> =uperbo*l, t*o members of the DFH4s top lea"ership are no* ser)ing on the boar" of "irectors of the 'at (illman Foun"ation. Michael ,i"*ill is 'resi"ent of the AriLona /ar"inals an" Koine" the 'at (illman Foun"ation boar" of "irectors in April 2010. ;oe ,ro*ne Koine" the 'at (illman Foun"ation boar" in =eptember 2010. 6e is a senior a")isor to DFH /ommissioner Goo"ell. 3n 2010, after ,i"*ell an" ,ro*ne Koine" the boar" , the DFH teame" up *ith the 'at (illman Foun"ation an" establishe" the DFH.(illman Military =cholars programO %=ince the Foun"ation4s inception, the Dational Football Heague has graciously recogniLe" 'at4s heroic sacrifice for his country in a )ariety of *ays that celebrate his memory. (he legacy of 'at (illman an" his connection to the DFH is an important American story that continues to be tol" by a)i" football fans an" e)ery"ay Americans ali+e. <no*n for its rich history of honoring the !.=. Arme" =er)ices, o)er the past fe* *ee+s [Eec. 2, 2010$ the DFH has teame" up *ith the 'at (illman Foun"ation to recogniLe acti)e "uty ser)icemembers, )eterans an" military families%?ne of the DFH9s primary military partners is the 'at (illman Foun"ation. & /reate" to honor 'at4s legacy &. 3n 2010, the DFH an" the 'at (illman Foun"ation establishe" the DFH.(illman Military =cholarship *hich annually recogniLes an in"i)i"ual *ho ePemplifies 'at (illman9s en"uring legacy of ser)ice. (he scholarship is part of the (illman Military =cholars program & %8e are please" to continue our *or+ *ith the (illman Foun"ation on the DFH.(illman Military =cholar program,- sai" DFH /ommissioner Goger Goo"ell. %'at (illman means so much to the DFH family&[,=T$ ?n Do)ember 1, 2012, the DFH recogniLes Veterans Eay an" honors military *ith a 9=alute to =er)ice9 an" announce" the 2012 DFH.(illman Military =cholar *ith a press releaseO (he Dational Football Heague *ill continue its long history of honoring )eterans an" acti)e "uty members of the military *ith its annual =alute to =er)ice campaign. For e)ery point score" "uring the DFH9s B2 "esignate" =alute to =er)ice games, the league *ill "onate Q100 to each of its three core, military non.profit partners .. Pat Till an Foundation, !=? an" the 8oun"e" 8arrior 'roKect[ 088'2. Euring these games, teams *ill "isplay a number of =alute to =er)ice.bran"e" elements & inclu"e goal post *raps, pylons *ith camouflage ribbon "ecals, *all banners an" the *or"s =alute to =er)ice *ritten in the bac+ of the en" Lone. A""itional on fiel" elements featuring camouflage inclu"e ribbon lapel pins, Gatora"e to*els, Di+e an" !n"er Armour glo)es for players, captain9s patches an" camouflage ribbon footballs use" "uring e)ery play. & (eams *ill *ear helmet "ecals honoring military branches *ith their insignia &

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G=ergeant Cmily (hompson =chelberg of (o*son, Marylan" has been selecte" as the 2012 DFH.(illman Military =cholar. =he *ill be recogniLe" in Do)ember at a ,altimore Ga)ens game. 'riHona %ardinals .. (he /ar"inals =alute to =er)ice game *ill be hel" on Eecember 1J. AriLona =tate !ni)ersity9s Army G?(/ /olor Guar" *ill present our nation9s colors, *hile a fiel" siLe flag *ill be unfurle" "uring the Anthem& /ar"inals players *ill *ear special stic+ers *ith the number #0 on them "uring the game, in memory of 'at (illman.

?n Do)ember 1, 2012 the 'at (illman Foun"ation poste" =alute to =er)ice on their *ebsiteO 3n Do)ember the Dational Football Heague is teaming up *ith the 'at (illman Foun"ation, 8oun"e" 8arrior 'roKect an" !=? & in conKunction *ith Veterans Eay celebrations nation*i"e. (hese acti)ities *ill highlight the bra)ery an" "e"ication of these heroic Americans an" bring attention to the nee"s of returning ser)icemembers an" their families& =ince the 'at (illman Foun"ation4s inception in 200#, the DFH, its teams, management, current an" retire" players an" fans nation*i"e ha)e recogniLe" 'at4s heroic sacrifice for his country in a )ariety of *ays that celebrate his memory inclu"ingO &"isplaying a memorial \#0 "ecal on each player4s helmet & "onating Q250,000 to honor 'at4s ser)ice by constructing the 'at (illman Memorial !=? /enter at ,agram Air ,ase & un)eile" the 'at (illman Memorial sculpture. & in"ucte" 'at into the Ging of 6onor an" retire" his \#0 Kersey & 'at4s former coaches an" teammates participate at 'at4s Gun & DFH lea"ership an" the AriLona /ar"inals (eam 'resi"ent Michael ,i" *ill ser)e on the Foun"ation4s ,oar" of Eirectors. &. 3n 2012, the DFH *ill "onate Q100 to each of its three charity partners for e)ery point score" in "esignate" %=alute to =er)ice- games league *i"e. 000 (he DFH 0an" the 'at (illman Foun"ation2 ha)e turne" 'at (illman into a lifeless patriotic icon 0number %#2-2, instea" of celebrating his iconoclastic nature 0e.g. the man *ho tol" a fello* Ganger in 3raA that %(his *ar is so ....ing illegalT2. (hey4)e enshrine" 'at (illman as a icon, *hile the man has fallen by the *aysi"e, his name M image use" as a fun"raising prop at football games. 3nstea", *e shoul" honor 'at (illman4s legacy by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon. 8e shoul" remember that the %& arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.4 As his mother sai" in 200#, %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.111

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

THE 3-T TI""M-N FOUND-TION , THE [MISSING] 3-T TI""M-N "EG-27

FoP =ports AriLona %(he 'at (illman Hegacy- Film

(illman Military =cholars honore" at Eallas 0?ct. 20112

%'at4s Gun- en"s at =un Ee)il =ta"ium 0April 21, 20122

,illboar" at A=! =ta"ium %'at4s Gun- 0April ::2

%['at (illman *as$ the DFH star *ho left behin" an DFH career to ser)e his country.- & so mo)e" by the trage"y of >S11 that he *al+e" a*ay from his multimillion."ollar contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to become a !.=. Army Ganger. & +ille" in the line of "uty in Afghanistan in 200#... %'at4s Hegacy-, 'at (illman Foun"ation *ebsite N7ear one& 3t *as really about & people honoring an" remembering 'at (illman. ... [Do*$ 8e9re here [2012 'at4s Gun$ to honor those *ho ha)e ser)e" an" sacrifice" for this nation & ,ecause of that it9s beyon" 'at right no* & 8e9re selecting (illman Military =cholars to continue the legacy of 'at (illman by also creating their o*n legacy.N .. 6unter Giley, Eirector of 'rograms 'at (illman Foun"ation %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.-

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. Mary (illman 0200#2

The 3at Tillman Fo/ndation , The [Mi##in&] 3at Tillman "e&a%y

(he mission of the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0'(F2 is to in)est in military )eterans an" their spouses through e"ucational scholarships an" to buil" a "i)erse community of lea"ers committe" to ser)ice to others. Marie (illman 0'at (illman4s *i"o*2 is the 'resi"ent of the Foun"ation 0although none of the (illman family members are no* on the boar" of "irectors2. (o"ay, eight years after his "eath, ho* is 'at (illman remembere" by the Foun"ation: 6ere4s ho* its *ebsite "escribes %'at4s Hegacy-O %Ans*ering the /all to =er)eO 3n the aftermath of the attac+s on =eptember 11, 2001, 'at prou"ly put his DFH career *ith the AriLona /ar"inals on hol" to ser)e his country- & 'at4s HegacyO 8hile the story of 'at4s "eath may ha)e been the most publiciLe" in the 8ar on (error, sa"ly, it is merely one of the thousan"s of tragic stories that "eser)e recognition.,ut someho* the 'at (illman Foun"ation4s account 0an" their %'at (illman =tory- )i"eo along *ith the /ar"inal4s >S11 Generation fun"raiser )i"eo2 "oesn4t e)en mention his frien"ly.fire "eath, nor the co)er.up of his "eath, an" the *hite*ash of those responsible. (he Foun"ation has Kust erase" those incon)enient truths from its4 %'at4s Hegacy.- Apparently, Kust as 'resi"ent ?bama4s has o)erloo+e" those responsible for torture, etc. the 'at (illman Foun"ation is also %mo)ing for*ar", not loo+ing bac+*ar"s.3t4s "isturbing to me that the Foun"ation has burie" the sha"o* si"e of the (illman story. An" 3 fin" it unsettling that 'at (illman has been portraye" as a patriotic icon by the foun"ation bearing his name. 6is name 0an" number %#2-2 is use" as a fun"raising tool, to 5support our troops,an" to celebrate the %ser)ice- M %sacrifice- of )eterans. 3sn4t that Kust *hat 'at (illman refuse" to "o *hile still li)ing: For ePample, from %'at9s Gun More 'opular, Gele)ant (han C)er- 0April 1@, 20122O %?ne night in ;anuary 200#, AriLona =tate sports information "irector Eoug (ammaro & as+e" for a small fa)or & to put a picture of (illman ... *earing his military uniform in the football team9s me"ia gui"e. N6e sai", 9Do, no, 3 "on9t *ant that.9N An", gi)en 'at (illman4s iconoclastic nature, instea" of Kust supporting %(illman Military =cholars,- perhaps the Foun"ation shoul" also support conscientious obKectors: ?r the *histleblo*ers that ha)e been persecute" by the ?bama a"ministration: 6o* about supporting ,ra"ley Manning: ?r /3A officer ;ohn <iria+ou: ?r 'eter Van ,uren: ?r /ol. Eaniel Ea)is: ?r the parents of 'at4s hero, Gachel /orrie, in their battle for the truth about her "eath:
11.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G3n 2012, the Foun"ation4s @th Annual %'at4s Gun- fun"raiser on April 21st *as sol" out *ith 2@,000 entrants. Marie (illman sai", %'at9s Gun really spea+s to, not Kust the spirit of 'at, but also to the spirit of the military community an" ho* they come together.N An", Eianna DaneL *rote, %Marie sai" 'at9s Gun has gro*n to represent something much more important than one man9s legacy. 53 thin+ people see it 0'at9s Gun2 as a *ay to than+ e)ery sol"ier an" their family,4 she sai".4 =imilarly, 6unter Giley, Eirector of 'rograms for the Foun"ation sai", N7ear one, less than 5,000 & 3t *as really about Kust a group of people honoring an" remembering 'at (illman. ... 8e9re here to honor those *ho ha)e ser)e" an" sacrifice" for this nation & ,ecause of that it9s beyon" 'at right no* & 8e9re selecting (illman Military =cholars to continue the legacy of 'at (illman by also creating their o*n legacy.N Geally: %3t4s beyon" 'at right no*&-: 8(FT 3 *oul" argue that the Foun"ation has %hiKac+e"- 'at4s legacy by portraying his "eath as an ePample of patriotic heroic sacrificeO +e-in Till an testified before %on$ress in 6778 that, /the one bit of truth that did sur-i-e these anipulations is that Pat )as and still is a $reat an1 ? Pat )anted to lea-e a positi-e le$acy based on his actions, and he did that1 ? But the fact that the 'r y ? atte pted to hi3ack his -irtue and his le$acy is si ply horrific1 ? 'nythin$ less than the truth is a betrayal of those -alues that all soldiers )ho ha-e fou$ht for this (ation ha-e sou$ht to uphold1& 't the sa e %on$ressional hearin$, Mary Till an said> /? ,t isn!t 3ust our fa ily1 .-ery ti e they betray a soldier, they betray all of us1 ? But )hat is so outra$eous is this isn!t about Pat1 This is about )hat they did to Pat and )hat they did to the (ation1 ?By akin$ up these false stories ? *ou are di inishin$ their 5soldiers9 true herois 1 ,t ay not be pretty1 ,t ay not be like out of a John Wayne o-ie, but that is not )hat )ar is all about1 ,t is u$ly1 ,t is bloody1 ,t is painful1 'nd to )rite these $lorious tales is really a disser-ice to the (ation?& 'nd in her book, Boots on the Ground by Dusk, Mary )rote> /People ha-e asked, SWhy is Pat so special that so uch attention is $i-en to his death1! , understand that Cuestion1 Thousands of soldiers and Marines ha-e died in ,raC and 'f$hanistan1 ? Pat is not ore i portant or special than any of the others )ho ha-e fou$ht in these )ars, but the truth of )hat happened to Pat is i portant1 The truth shines a li$ht on the corruption, inco petence, and lack of accountability in the ilitary and in $o-ern ent that is syste ic, and affects us all?1 The $o-ern ent didn!t 3ust lie to usR it lied to a nation1& Finally, Mick Bro)n Cuotes Mary Till an in his 67A7 piece, /Betrayal of 'n 'llB' erican 0ero&> /!We can find 3oy in our li-es a$ain, but still not lose si$ht of the i portance of $ettin$ at the truth, for Pat!s le$acy, and for all the other soldiers and their fa ilies1 ' lot of people don!t really understand the depth of )hat happened to Pat G /Oh, he!s not the only one to die of friendly fire1 But it has absolutely nothin$ to do )ith the friendly fireR it!s all the deceptions around it1!? She pauses1 Q(othin$ is $oin$ to brin$ Pat back, but at the sa e ti e, because of

11(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gthe person he )as, )e had to $o to the $reatest len$ths )e could to do as uch as )e could1 'nd , think he )ould nod his head and say, yes that!s a $ood thin$1!& 000 6o*e)er, instea" of remembering the full truth of %'at4s Hegacy- the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0an" its 'resi"ent Marie (illman2 has chosen not to %get stuc+ in the past-O %3 *as trying to fin" my *ayVho* "o 3 li)e *ith this an" not get stuc+ in the past:- =he has chosen to focus on other people4s futures an" not "*ell on *hat might ha)e been for 'at. %3 "i"n4t *ant to become bitter because of all that ha" happene". 3 sa* that 3 ha" an opportunity to "o something positi)e [*ith the 'at (illman Foun"ation helping military )eterans *ith going bac+ to college$.'erhaps 3 ha)e become %bitter.- ?b)iously, 3 "on4t agree *ith the '(F4s stance of burying the contro)ersies surroun"ing 'at4s life an" "eath, but 3 "o respect Marie4s efforts to help returning )eterans. 000 3 belie)e the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0an" the DFH2 ha)e turne" 'at (illman into a lifeless icon 0number %#2-2, instea" of "escribing his compleP reality 0e.g. his opposition to the *ars, his betrayal by the Army, the *hite*ash of those responsible by the go)ernment2. (hey4)e enshrine" 'at (illman as a patriotic icon, *hile the man has fallen by the *aysi"e, his name M image use" as a fun"raising prop at DFH football games to raise money for %(illman military scholars,- to celebrate of %heroic sacrifice- of %military ser)ice,- an" to promote min"less %patriotism-. 8e shoul" honor 'at (illman4s legacy by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon. 8e shoul" remember that the %& arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.4 As his mother sai" in 200#, %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.3 belie)e *e shoul" remember 'at4s legacy as a cautionary tale of %secrets, lies, an" "eath,- not as a patriotic fable. (he (illman story is a metaphor for the betrayal of all the patriotic young Americans *hose li)es ha)e been *aste" in the so.calle" Global 8ars on (error of the past "eca"e. (he least the Foun"ation coul" "o in return is to tell the %ugly- truths of the (illman story.

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THE [MISSING] 3-T TI""M-N "EG-27

%['at (illman *as$ the DFH star *ho left behin" an DFH career to ser)e his country.- & so mo)e" by the trage"y of >S11 that he *al+e" a*ay from his multimillion."ollar contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to become a !.=. Army Ganger & +ille" in the line of "uty in Afghanistan in 200#... %'at4s Hegacy- 0'at (illman Foun"ation2 N7ear one& 3t *as really about & people honoring an" remembering 'at (illman. ... [Do*$ 8e9re here [2012 'at4s Gun$ to honor those *ho ha)e ser)e" an" sacrifice" for this nation & it9s beyon" 'at & (illman Military =cholars & continue the legacy of 'at (illman by also creating their o*n legacy.N .. 6unter Giley, Eirector of 'rograms 'at (illman Foun"ation %3 thin+ they [the DFH$ ha)en9t gone out of their *ay to help they9)e ePploite" 'at, Kust li+e the military. & they ha)e a beautiful statue to him at /ar"inal =ta"ium.& (hey ha)en9t really helpe" to try to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at. &3t9s li+e, N?+ay, *e ha" the Kersey "e"ication, *e "i" this, let9s mo)e on.N

.. Mary (illman 0;une 200@2

%&*hat shoul" ha)e been the "ream story that cemente" the marriage bet*een the DFH an" the != Army, turne" into a terrible trage"y an" a mortifying embarrassment& *hen the =tealth ,omber roars o)erhea" before the game [=uper ,o*l 200>$& maybe people *ill remember that American sport9s connection *ith its arme" forces is not all about glory& 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.-

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. ?li)er 6olt, (he Mirror 0;anuary 200>2

%'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as... Mary (illman 0200#2

The [Mi##in&] 3at Tillman "e&a%y

[A"apte" from a letter han"e" to Marie (illman on Eecember #, 2012 at a boo+ signing see the post %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy-$ (han+s for *riting your boo+, /The "etter> My Journey Throu$h "o-e, "oss J "ife1& 3 foun" it to be an honest M heartfelt memoir an" a *orthy complement to the boo+s %Boots on the Ground by Dusk& M %Where Men Win Glory.- 3 especially appreciate your portrayal of 'at as a %gentle soul- to *hom the *or" honor %meant the *orl".3n my #1 years of life, 34)e yet to suffer the loss of a lo)e" one. Although 3 spent eight years as an Airborne Ganger HGG', an" the past t*enty.one years as a firefighter, my closest brush *ith mortality *as *hen 3 *as "iagnose" *ith cancer 03 *as BJ years ol" an" my "aughter *as Kust a B.month ol" baby2. 34)e only rea" t*o other %berea)ement- memoirsO Hisa Diemi =*ayLe4s /Worth Fi$htin$ For> "o-e, "oss, and Mo-in$ For)ard& 0about 'at =*ayLe4s battle *ith cancer2 an" Michael 6asting4s /, "ost My "o-e in Ba$hdad& 0his account of flying bac+ to the =tates besi"e her cas+et is haunting2. 000 3n April 200#, 3 belie)e" 'at (illman *as a blin"ly patriotic %"umb Koc+.- 3 a)oi"e" *atching his memorial ser)ice that seeme" to be a "istraction from the ne*s an" images of Abu Ghraib. 6o*e)er, in ?ctober 2005, after rea"ing Ea)i" Ririn4s profile, %?ur 6ero,- 3 *as pulle" into the %periphery of his orbit.- 3 learne" that 'at *as a remar+able man *ith a core of honesty M integrity, *ho le" by personal ePample, an" li)e" his life intensely. 6is iconoclastic reality *as much "eeper than that of the patriotic icon portraye" by the press. Hi+e =tan Goff, 3 felt a sense of +inship *ith him. =hortly after*ar"s, 3 *rote a letter to the e"itor of my ne*spaper, %& 3 *as angere" the truth about 'at4s life an" "eath ha" been burie" by the me"ia an" go)ernment. (illman *as enshrine" as an icon *hile the man fell by the *aysi"e& 'at (illman, ne)er at a loss for *or"s himself, is no* silent. ?f the many tragic aspects surroun"ing his "eath, one is that he cannot "efine his o*n legacy. Do*, it4s up to his family an" frien"s to reclaim the truth an" integrity of 'at4s life an" "eath.-

11A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G=ince then, 34)e continue" to follo* the t*ists an" turns of the (illman story. 7ou *rote ho* your battle for truth an" accountability en"e" in August 2001. After the %moc+ery- of the secon" /ongressional hearing, you ma"e the choice %to mo)e for*ar"- *ith your life 0%3t en"s here-2. Amir ,ar.He) also en"e" his film, %(he (illman =tory,- *ith that hearing 0as "i" Mary (illman M ;on <ra+auer in their boo+s2. 6o*e)er, in 200@ 3 "isco)ere" %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- actually be$an "uring that last hearing 0an" *ill probably en" *ith the ;anuary 201B publication of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s memoir2. 3n February 200@, 3 *as pulle" entirely into the orbit of the 'at (illman story after Mary (illman calle" me on the phone. 6er call moti)ate" me to *rite =enator ;ames 8ebb to as+ for his help *ith her battle for the truth. ,ut, in May 200> after 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal to comman" the Afghan 8ar, 3 finally realiLe" =enator 8ebb ha" instea" helpe" *hite*ash Gen. Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 3 ha" stumble" upon %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory.(hat is, the ,ush a"ministration han"e" off their *hite*ash to the Eemocratic /ongress. 3n 2001, 8aPman4s /ommittee preten"e" to in)estigate, *hile in reality they shiel"e" Gen. Mc/hrystal from public scrutiny 08aPman allo*e" Gen. Mc/hrystal to %"ecline- to appear "espite being on the *itness list2. Euring Mc/hrystal4s 200@ an" 200> confirmation hearings, the =enate 0particularly =enators Mc/ain, 8ebb, an" He)in2 continue" the Mc/hrystal *hite*ash. Finally, in 2011 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" him, "espite Mary (illman4s obKections, to hea" %;oining Forces- 0Michelle ?bama sai" %*e4re prou" to ha)e him on boar"- an" the 8hite 6ouse sai", %General Mc/hrystal *as foun" to ha)e acte" honorably "espite the fact that this trage"y *as mishan"le"-2. ?)er the past four years, 34)e "ocumente" %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory- at httpOSS ***.feralfirefighter.blogspot.com. Do one else, inclu"ing ;on <ra+auer, has *ritten about it 0e)en after 3 han"e" <ra+auer my research in 200>, he faile" to tell this story, although he use" my research *ithout attribution to ePtensi)ely re)ise his paperbac+ e"ition2. ?n Memorial Eay, Mary (illman calle" me an" *e tal+e" for about an hour. =he sai" she spo+e briefly *ith Mc/hrystal last April 0he claime", %3 mourn your son e)ery "ay-2, she *as consi"ering tra)eling *ith <e)in to meet him in E/, an" she as+e" if 3 *oul" help them prepare Auestions. ,ut, the nePt "ay, they "eci"e" not to go. Mary ha" hope" meeting him face.to.face might bring her some measure of %closure.- ,ut, they figure" they %*oul" probably *al+ a*ay more frustrate" than *hen *e *al+e" in.- Mary sai" that seeing Mc/hrystal in the ne*s *as %li+e rubbing salt in a *oun".!nfortunately, this ol" general Kust *on4t fa"e a*ay. Mc/hrystal4s memoir, /My Share of The Task,& *ill be release" on ;anuary 1, 201B. My last proKect *ill be my rebuttal of his memoir. (hen, it4ll finally be time for me to stop %googling- %'at (illman- each "ay, to boP up my (illman files, an" put them in my basement 0%3t en"s here-2.
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=e)en years ago 3 *rote, %?f the many tragic aspects surroun"ing his "eath, one is that he cannot "efine his o*n legacy. Do*, it4s up to his family an" frien"s to reclaim the truth an" integrity of 'at4s life an" "eath.- ,y telling the %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory,- 34)e trie" to follo* my o*n sense of integrity M loyalty, my %internal compass,- an" to "o %my share of the tas+- to reclaim the truth of 'at (illman4s legacy. 3n your boo+, %(he Hetter,- you4)e portraye" 'at (illman as the %flesh.an".bloo" man- +no*n to his family an" frien"s as a curious iconoclast *hose %imposing ePterior mas+e" the most gentle soul- an" to *hom honesty, honor, an" integrity %meant the *orl" to him.- 7our memoir has helpe" reclaim the compleP truth of 'at4s life an" "eath from the me"ia4s simple portrayal of him as an icon of patriotic sacrifice. 7our boo+ "escribe" %(he (illman =tory- from your intimate perspecti)e. 7ou *rote ho* 'at4s %family ingraine" in 'at the honor of ser)ing in the military.- 7ou ePplaine" ho* his "ecision to Koin the Army *as "ri)en by his %internal compass- 0his core sense of honor, honesty, an" integrity2 that pointe" his life to a larger calling. ,ut 'at4s opposition to the 3raA *ar "ampene" his enthusiasm for military ser)ice 0%a *ar he "i"n4t belie)e in- & %felt it *as illegal an" unKust-& %3 "on4t thin+ our role there is )irtuous at all- & %the 5cause4& 3 "elu"e" myself into belie)ing 3 *as stan"ing for. 34m a fool. 6o* 3 manage" to fin" a *ay out of our perfect ePistence is incre"ibleT-2. 7ou briefly "escribe" the Army an" ,ush a"ministration4s %shameful co)er.up- of 'at4s frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan 0%(he *ar *as going ba"ly *hen he "ie" I )ery ba"ly. ... 'at4s memorial [ser)ice$ I it *oul" ser)e the public relations arm of the *ar effort )ery nicely & a shameful co)er.up ha" ta+en place& became clear that if the military ha"n4t felt it impossible to co)er up, *e ne)er *oul" ha)e learne" that 'at4s "eath *as a fratrici"e.- 7ou *rote, %'at4s family an" 3 "eci"e" to& see+ resolution about ho* 'at ha" "ie" an" *hy *e ha"n4t been tol" the truth from the beginning.7ou "escribe" ho* the Army an" go)ernment4s treatment of you an" rest of the (illman family %felt li+e such a betrayal- an" short.circuite" your grie)ing process 0%once you4)e been lie" to, you start to thin+ no one4s telling the truth& complicate" grief, you ha)e trouble accepting the "eath an" resuming your o*n life-2. An" finally, you *rote ho* the Eemocratic /ongressional hearings faile" [in <e)in4s *or"s$ to %unco)er *ho is responsible for his "eath, *ho lie" an" *ho co)ere" it up, an" *ho instigate" those lies- 0%(he final hearing *as an outrage. & ,ullshitT ... 3 coul"n4t belie)e this *as *here all Eannie4s har" *or+ &in)estigations an" energy, ha" le" us. 3t *as a moc+ery, an" 3 *as furious. & 3 "i"n9t feel li+e in the en" there *as much accountability that *as accomplishe"-2.
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6o*e)er, the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0'(F2 only "escribes %(he (illman =tory- asO ['at$ left behin" an DFH career to ser)e his country.- & so mo)e" by the trage"y of >S11 that he *al+e" a*ay from his multimillion."ollar contract *ith the AriLona /ar"inals to become a !.=. Army Ganger & +ille" in the line of "uty in Afghanistan in 200#.8hatT (hat4s itT =omeho* the Foun"ation that bears his name "oesn4t tell %(he (illman =toryany more truthfully than the me"ia4s simple portrayal of him as an icon of patriotic sacrificeT (he Foun"ation4s %'at4s Hegacy- "oesn4t mention any of the incon)enient, contro)ersial truths you4)e "escribe" in your boo+ 0e.g. his opposition to the 3raA *ar, his frien"ly.fire "eath, the Army4s shameful co)er.up an" mistreatment of the (illman family, the *hite*ashe" Army %in)estigations,- nor the moc+ery of the /ongressional hearings2. George ?r*ell *rote, %(he most po*erful form of lie is the omission, an" it is the "uty of the historian to ma+e sure those lies "o not creep into the history boo+s.- (he '(F has burie" the compleP truths of 'at (illman 0an" his story2. 3 belie)e the '(F has %hiKac+e" his )irtue an" legacy- by re"ucing 'at (illman to a simple icon of heroic patriotic sacrifice 0particularly in the AriLona /ar"inals4s %'(F >S11 Generation Fun"raiser- )i"eo2. 'at (illman4s name 0an" \#0S#22 has been use" as a fun"raising tool, to glorify military ser)ice, an" to promote thoughtless patriotism at DFH football games. ,ut isn4t being ePploite" as a propagan"a tool 0e)en for a goo" cause2 precisely *hat 'at (illman refuse" to "o *hile ali)e: 0-'at ha" become an icon& 6e +ne* the press *oul" ma+e him a symbol an" he "i"n4t *ant that *hen the truth *as much more nuance"2. 3n 200#, *hen as+e" by Eoug (ammaro to put a picture of (illman *earing his military uniform in the A=!4s football team9s me"ia gui"e, N6e sai", 9Do, no, 3 "on9t *ant that.9N =e)en years ago 3 *rote, %?f the many tragic aspects surroun"ing his "eath, one is that he cannot "efine his o*n legacy. Do*, it4s up to his family an" frien"s to reclaim the truth an" integrity of 'at4s life an" "eath.- 3 belie)e *e shoul" honor 'at (illman4s legacy by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon. As his mother Mary sai", %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.3n your boo+ you4)e tol" the compleP truth of 'at4s life an" "eath an" helpe" reclaim the flesh. an".bloo" man from the patriotic icon painte" by the me"ia. 8hy can4t the 'at (illman Foun"ation also tell the compleP truths of 'at4s Hegacy: 0something li+eO tragic frien"ly.fire "eath, shameful co)er.up by Army cause" complicate" grief for family, *hite*ashe" in)estigations. & =ystem faile" (illman family, our country nee"s to ta+e better care of other )eterans an" their families an" help them to rebuil" their li)es &2.

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G'ortraying 'at4s Hegacy as a patriotic fable 0*ith the lies of omission2 "ishonors his memory. 'at li)e" his life *ith honesty an" integrity. 3 belie)e the least the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0an" the DFH2 coul" "o in return is to portray 'at4s Hegacy *ith the same honesty an" integrity *ith *hich he li)e" his life. 3n your boo+, %(he Hetter,- you ePtolle" the )alue of military ser)ice 0%something that people shoul" )alue an" ta+e pri"e in & its great purpose an" potential& sense of )alues an" character in the men an" *oman *ho )olunteere" to ser)e& 3 ha" been prou" of him, an" 3 *as no* prou" of them. & remin"e" me of *hat ha" been at the core of 'at4s "ecision to ser)e2. Euring your !=? trip to Afghanistan, you sat by a sol"ier for brea+fast. 7ou *rote that you %*ante" to instill in this sol"ier the same confi"ence that as har" as it *as, he *as "oing a great thing.%&"oing a great thing.- Geally: 3nstea", 3 belie)e the li)es of the %>S11 generation- ha)e been *aste" in the 3raA M Afghan *ars of the past "eca"e. (housan"s of young sol"iers ha)e been +ille", *oun"e", an" or suffer from (,34s M '=(E. For nothing. As Michael 6astings *rote in his boo+, /The Operators,& %8e4" been fighting the *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country- 0my post %=omething to Eie For- a""s my annotations to his boo+ about the Afghan 8ar an" his roa" trip *ith Gen. Mc/hrystal2. =e)en years ago, the Afghan 8ar *as Kust an abstraction to me. Do*, my step.brother, an Army /olonel, Kust returne" from his hopeless tas+ of trying to train the Afghan police. 6is boy 0a ne*.born baby *hen 3 crashe" at his place at Ft. ,enning after gra"uating from Ganger =chool in 4@52 is %young an" "umb- 0as 3 *as then2 an" Koine" the 3nfantry. 6e4s no* "eploye" *ith a =try+er unit from Fort Mc/hor" in <an"ahar pro)ince 03 tal+e" to him after he returne" from patrol on (han+sgi)ing Eay2. 3 pray he "oesn4t become another statistic. %(he *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country- has no* become personal to me. 3 belie)e the 'at (illman story can be )ie*e" as a metaphor for the >S11 generation. Hi+e others, after >S11 he %ans*ere" the call to ser)ice.- 6o*e)er, the %reality- of his ser)ice "i"n4t match his i"eals 0%felt it *as illegal an" unKust-& %3 "on4t thin+ our role there is )irtuous at all-2. (illman "i"n4t "ie heroically sacrificing himself to sa)e his comra"es 0after senseless or"ers to split his platoon an" get %boots on the groun"- he *as +ille" by his mates in a F!,AG minor ambush in a strategically botche" *ar2. After*ar"s, the Army an" our go)ernment betraye" him an" his family 0Kust as many returning )eterans an" their families ha)en4t gotten the proper support to help them rebuil" their li)es2. 7ou4)e sai", %'at4s chil"hoo" *as full of stories of ser)ice an" sacrifice, his family ingraine" in him the honor of ser)ing in the military.- 6o*e)er, Mary (illman *rote, %My sons *ere influence" by these stories& [my father$ an" 3 ha" been at o""s o)er Vietnam. &(he senseless "estruction, loss of life, an" go)ernment "eception clashe" *ith his belief that ours is a righteous country. 8oul" he [her father$ ha)e encourage" 'at an" <e)in: ?r *oul" he ha)e feare" & that our family ha" glamoriLe" the honor of military ser)ice:121

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

,oth you an" <e)in [in his 200J (ruth"ig essay %After 'at4s ,irth"ay-$ *rote that 'at un"erstoo" that sol"iers lose their public )oice after they sign up for the military, an" you sai", %3 rea" up on *hat going on politically, no) these "ecisions *ere personally affecting me. ,ut e)erybo"y *as really apathetic an" not engage". & far from feeling 3 nee"e" to be loyal, 3 felt & 3 nee"e" to remin" remo)e" "ecision ma+ers that there *ere flesh.an".bloo" in"i)i"uals4 li)es at sta+e.- 3 agree *ith you that *e ought to be more engage" *ith the "ecisions our go)ernment ma+es about *ar blin" patriotic support, slapping a ribbon on your car isn4t enough. 7ou *rote ho* you e)en consi"ere" Koining an anti*ar protest in 200B, %?nce, after 'at an" <e)in ha" left, 3 *as "ri)ing home an" 3 passe" an anti*ar protest outsi"e Fort He*is. 3 *as struc+ by a protester *ho i"entifie" herself as the mother of a sol"ier. /oul" 3 stan" *ith her: 3 *ante" to & 3 fully felt you coul" support the troops an" yet not the military actions. & ,ut at this point in time, the anti*ar platform *as ra*, sha+y groun" to stan" on. 'at *as alrea"y treate" "ifferently& 3 "i"n4t *ant to ma+e it *orse for him. 3 "ro)e past an" *ent home.3n my 200@ letter to Mary (illman 3 *rote, %8hen 3 *as %young an" "umb- 3 Koine" an Airborne Ganger Hong.Gange Gecon 0HGG'2 unit. & 3 *as 11 years ol" *hen 3 enliste". 3 gre* up in the Army, enKoye" the challenges, an" being *ith the guys. ,ut, the lies of the first Gulf 8ar *ere the last stra* for me. 3 no longer *ante" to be in *hat Eonal" Euncan [=pecial Forces HGG', one of the first )eterans to protest Vietnam$ calle" /The (e) "e$ions&$. A sla)e *ho *oul" be tol" *ho to +ill for oil or other 5national interests.4- 3 "i"n4t re.enlist for the thir" time, instea" 3 chose to spen" my life "oing something more *orth*hile 0being a firefighter has *or+e" for me2. 7ou4)e *ritten that 'at (illman also ha" secon".thoughts about his "ecision to enlist in the Army 0%6e *on"ere" if he coul" ha)e contribute" to the cause in another *ay-2. 3f he ha" the chance to "o it again, "o you belie)e 'at (illman *oul" ha)e enliste": ?r encourage others to see+ %the honor of military ser)ice-: 7ou Auote" his letter from 3raA, %the 5cause4 & 3 "elu"e" myself into belie)ing 3 *as stan"ing for. 34m a fool. 6o* 3 manage" to fin" a *ay out of our perfect ePistence is incre"ible.7ou4)e sai", %8hen you sign up an" "eci"e to ser)e, you gi)e your li)es up to the American people an" politicians. 8hat *e nee"e" *as for them to not nee"lessly put their li)es in harm4s *ay.- 3 agree *ith you. As =enator ;ames 8ebb *rote in his no)el, /So ethin$ to Die For,& 6a)ing spent three years *atching the 8iLar"s of ?L in 8ashington, he staye" up nights *on"ering about the uses to *hich they *oul" be put. %& it4s going to cost us. An" 34" li+e to be able to tell my men that the price they4re going to pay is *orth it. (hat it4s important to the country. Vital. =omething to "ie for.122

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G3 belie)e %(he (illman =tory- can be )ie*e" as a metaphor [Army has Kust close" F?, (illman$ for the betrayal of the other thousan"s of patriotic young sol"iers *hose li)es ha)e been *aste" o)er the past "eca"e in our faile" *ars. 3 belie)e *e shoul" remember %'at4s Hegacy- as a cautionary tale, not as a patriotic fable. 8e shoul" remember that the %& arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.- ,efore blin"ly %ans*ering the call to ser)e3 belie)e both sol"iers an" citiLens shoul" first Cuestion the call to ser)e 0an" consi"er other *ays to ser)e a larger calling2 an" not blin"ly follo* our politicians an" generals. 3 "oubt 'at (illman *oul" appro)e ho* the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0an" the DFH2 has burie" the compleP truths of his life M "eath an" re"uce" him to being a symbolic icon of heroic patriotic sacrifice. 3nstea", 3 belie)e *e shoul" honor 'at (illman4s legacy by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon 0his mother Mary sai", %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as-2. 'ortraying 'at4s Hegacy as a patriotic fable "ishonors his memory. 'at li)e" his life *ith honesty an" integrity. 3 belie)e the least the 'at (illman Foun"ation 0an" the DFH2 can "o in return is to portray 'at4s Hegacy *ith the same honesty an" integrity *ith *hich he li)e" his life. 6o*e)er, 3 belie)e that 'at (illman *oul" be prou" that you4)e listene" to his *or"s in %(he Hetter- an" mo)e" on *ithout him to ma+e your o*n life. As you4)e pointe" out, it4s easy to get stuc+ in bitterness an" anger. For ePample, the parents of Gachel /orrie are still tie" up in the 3srael courts ten years after the "eath of their "aughter [Gachel *as 'at4s heroO Mary *rote, %& his special +eepsa+es "isplaye" in the "ining room hutch&3 fin" a small ne*spaper &%8ho4s this:- [as+s Mary$. %(hat4s my hero,- 'at sai". %=he *as a stu" she ha" a lot of guts-$. !nfortunately, Mary (illman still hasn4t yet reache" %closure- eight years after her betrayal by our go)ernment. An" perhaps 34)e also been stuc+ in anger M bitterness, although 34" hope 34)e acte" out my sense of integrity an" loyalty to 'at (illman. An", 3 belie)e 'at (illman *oul" be prou" that you4re spen"ing your life for a cause larger than yourself. 6e *oul" probably agree *ith (he 'at (illman Foun"ation4s *or+ a")ocating for returning )eterans an" pro)i"ing scholarships 0although gi)en his iconoclastic nature, perhaps he *oul" *ant to support other %beautiful souls- [see Cyal 'ress4s %Beautiful Souls& G Sayin$ (o, Breakin$ #anks, and 0eedin$ the Noice of %onscience in Dark Ti es$ *ho ha)e also acte" out of their sense of integrity2. 000 Finally, 34)e one reAuest to as+ of you. 8oul" you consi"er getting in touch *ith /arl 'rine: 6e4s a )eteran 0an" '(F Faceboo+ %fan-2 *ho might appreciate a *or" from you 0an" perhaps a")ocacySassistance from the '(F2. /arl4s an eP.Marine *ho re.enliste" at a$e F8 in the Army reser)e an" "i" a 2005 tour 3raA 0he suffere" (,34s from multiple 3CE blasts in the Anbar pro)ince of 3raA he4s mentione" in ?*en 8est4s boo+ /The Snake .aters&2. /arl is an
12.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gin)estigati)e reporter 0specialiLing in military an" )eterans issues2 for the 'ittsburgh (ribune. Ge)ie*. 6e also *rote the blog -Hine of Eeparture-, but ha" to Auit this summer after "isabling migraines from his (,34s returne" in full force. <elly Vahlos *rote a touching tribute to him, %/arl 'rine4s Hine of Eeparture- 01.11.122. =he *rote that he is %one of the goo" guys, a )eteran *ho ob)iously lo)es the military for *hat it could be an" loathes it for *hat it has been use" for& ,ut he4s al*ays consistent *hen it counts V in his loyalty to the ran+ an" file an" ePposing the corruption of po*er. An" that ma+es him tops *ith me & because there aren4t a lot of )eteran.Kournalist.critics *ith his talent *illing to *rite the things he "oes.000 34)e Kust poste" my 10 page "ocument %(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy- at httpOSS ***.feralfirefighter.blogspot.com. (his post inclu"es a )ersion of this letter, e"ite" notes 0from your boo+, your 6ar)ar" speech, an" your inter)ie*s2, an" my comments on the 'at (illman Foun"ation an" the DFH 0most those comments are an unfinishe" rough "raft, "ating from May 2012 before 3 rea" your boo+2. =incerely, YYYYYYYYY 0a+a %Guy Montag-2 =G(, /o. %F- 0Ganger2 #25th 3nfantry M3 AGDG, 1>@B I 1>>1 Firefighter, 1>>1 I 'resent, /ity of Gran" Gapi"s, M3

THE FER-" FIREFIGHTER'S -NNOT-TIONS TO MI2H-E" H-STING'S THE O3ER-TORS *

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

THE +I"D , TERRIF7ING INSIDE STOR7 OF -MERI2-'S +-R IN -FGH-NIST-N

%For Mary (illman, *hat the army "i" to her son ma"e a moc+ery of e)erything he *ent to *ar for I honesty, integrity, the "efence of the truth. 93f you as+ me if 3 trust our system no*, the ans*er is 34m pretty "isguste" by it. !nfortunately in our culture people sur)i)e more effecti)ely through lies an" "eception an" "ishonourable beha)iour than they "o the re)erse. An" that4s )ery sa". '

.. Mic+ ,ro*n, %Betrayal o$ an -ll!-meri%an Hero,- !< Guar"ian 0?ct. 1, 20102

N7ou are a General. (here is no *ay a man li+e you, *ith your intelligence, e"ucation,&an" ran+ ... belie)es the conclusions reache" in the March B1, 2005 ,riefing ,oo+ [B r" Army 15.J in)estigation into his son4s "eath$ . ,ut your signature is on it. 3 assume, therefore, that you are part of this shameless bullshit. & 3n sum .. Fuc+ you & an" yours... 'atric+ (illman, =r. 0Hetter to ,G General M. ;ones 0April 21, 20052 %&3 *ante" ,arac+ ?bama to *in the presi"ency in 200@. Among my reasons *as his outspo+en opposition to ,ush4s "isastrous, unnecessary an" probably illegal *ar in 3raA. & =o *hat "oes ?bama "o: 6e sen"s B0,000 more troops to Afghanistan. 6a)ing inter)ie*e" 'at (illman, =r. 0father of 'at ;r.2 3 calle" him for a Auote. %My con"olences to the families in a")ance,- he sai"... ;ac+ De*orth, %/areful 8hat 7ou 8ish For,- Santa Monica Daily Press, 0;an. 2>, 20112

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%=ince ?bama became presi"ent, a thousan" sol"iers *ere +ille" in Afghanistan, more than "ouble the total in the years un"er ,ush&. let4s "eclare )ictory an" go home. & 3t only too+ an a""itional 111 American li)es & for the 8hite 6ouse to arri)e at this conclusion. &8e4" been fighting the *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country... Michael 6astings, The Operators 0;anuary 20122

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+E SHOU"DN'T BE -""O+ED TO H-HE SMO=ES2REENS THRO+N IN OUR F-2E

Marie (illman 0*i"o*2, Mary (illman 0mother2, Gichar" (illman 0brother2, <e)in (illman 0brother2, 'atric+ (illman, =r. 0father2

'atric+ (illman, =r.V'at (illman Memorial =er)ice 0May #, 200#2

6ere is the stea+ "inner, but *e4re gi)ing it to you on this & garbage can co)er. 7ou +no*, you got it, you *or+ it.412A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. ,riga"ier General 6o*ar" 7ellen 0May 200#2

-)ril AA1 A<<: !! Here i# the Stea( Dinner1 B/t +e're Gi>in& It to 7o/ on Thi# E Gar.a&e 2an 2o>er0 7o/ =no 1 7o/ Got It1 7o/ +or( It0
51 'at (illman ha" been +ille" by frien"ly fire in Afghanistan in April [22,$ 200#. Mc/hrystal +ne* about it almost imme"iately [April 22 I 2#$B#, but he still *ent ahea" an" signe" offB5 on a falsifie" recommen"ation for (illman4s =il)er =tar that suggeste" he *as +ille" by the enemy.

51

A *ee+ after (illman4s "eath [April 2>$, Mc/hrystal sent a ['#$ memo up the chain of comman", specifically *arning that 'resi"ent ,ush shoul" a)oi" mentioning the cause of (illman4s "eath. &BJ

11B At the time, (illman4s "eath also re)eale" ho* sa))y Mc/hrystal coul" be *hen he *as incline" to ser)e his political masters.. & a number of times throughout the ,ush
%/0 Scott, the $irst !rmy 18 6 investigator 'assed verbal con$irmation 1)I9m certain, I9m s,re-3 o$ $riendly $ire ,' the chain o$ command B,st two days a$ter 0illman9s death. +et, ",ms$eld said it too< five weeks $or him to get the word. Fsee '.61, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G
.(

D,t Mc%hrystal did not merely =sign o$$= on a 'iece o$ 'a'er that landed on his des< as it wor<ed its way ,' the chain o$ command. >on ?ra<a,er described F''. ..( @ .(A, 'a'erbac< edition of Where Men Win GloryG how #en. Mc%hrystal had =orchestrateFdG what can only be described as a broad cons'iracy to conceal 0illmanOs $ratricide ...=. He wrote that #en. Mc%hrystal 'ersonally =administered the medal recommendation 'rocess= with a $alse narrative that =was 'ainsta<ingly written to create the im'ression /at 0illman was <illed by enemy $ire= and directly s,'ervised the "anger "#0 commanding o$$icers in !$ghanistan who a''arently altered the two Silver Star witness statements to remove any mention o$ $riendly $ire and contained $alse statements. )0he Silver Star recommendation was =$ra,d,lent= by =any obBective meas,re.= Fsee ''. 61@68, ''. 122@12( in =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story= and )Dob Woodward9s Whitewash E- in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G
.8

I believe Mc%hrystal sent the /( memo to 'rovide a 'a'er trail he ,sed later to cover his ass. 0he /( 'rovided a 'a'er trail that he told his s,'eriors abo,t $ratricide, it allowed him to arg,e that he tho,ght 0illman deserved the Silver Star even i$ it was $rom $riendly $ire. !nd he co,ld arg,e that he had a''roved the Silver Star be$ore he was in$ormed abo,t 'ossible $riendly $ire Fsee ''. 66 AA, )Hearing7 )What the Leadershi' o$ the *e't. o$ *e$ense ?new- in =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G.
.6

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Ga"ministration Mc/hrystal got or"ers "irectly from /heney. & Gumsfel" an" /heney embrace Mc/hrystal4s *illingness to get things "one, e)en if it inclu"es ben"ing the rules or s+ipping the chain of comman".B1

The +hole Thin& i# Riddled ith Non#en#e0

?Ho/#e O>er#i&ht 2ommittee Hearin&1 -)ril A:th A<<6@

'atric+ (illman, =r. M <e)in (illman testifying before /ongress 0April 2#, 20012

%& *hile each in)estigation [three Army 15.J, EoE 3nspector General, an" EoE /3E$ gathere" more information, the mountain of e)i"ence *as ne)er use" to arri)e at an honest or e)en sensible conclusion & (o falsify a *itness statement in a =il)er =tar a*ar", fabricating it & 6o* come no one is hel" accountable for this: (he *hole thing is ri""le" *ith nonsense.-

.. <e)in (illman, 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee 0April 2#, 20012

>eremy Schahill said )IOve also heard $rom 'eo'le that %heney hel'ed coordinate the testimony o$ #eneral Mc%hrystal abo,t the death o$ /at 0illman in !$ghanistan, which was determined to be a $riendly $ire incident, and that %heney act,ally coll,ded with #eneral Mc%hrystal to attem't to cover ,' that death.- F'. 12, =0he Km'erorOs #eneral=G
.A

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Mary (illman testifying before /ongress 0April 2#, 20012

%An" *e shoul"n4t be allo*e" to ha)e smo+escreens thro*n in our face. & in e)ery *ay, they [Army in)estigators$ "o"ge". (hey are "o"ging us, an" the [Eepartment of Eefense$ 3G [March B1, 2001 report$ con"one" that & an" your Kob is to fin" out *hat happene" to 'at. & an" that is *hy *e are in front of /ongress because /ongress is suppose" to ta+e care of their citiLens.-

.. Mary (illman, 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee 0April 2#, 20012

-)ril A:1 A<<6 !! The +hole Thin& I# Riddled +ith Non#en#e0

11# (illman4s family *oul" & accuse Mc/hrystal of a %co)er.up- an" trying to %co)er his ass.- %(he false [=il)er =tar$ narrati)e, *hich Mc/hrystal clearly helpe" construct, "iminishe" 'at4s true actions,- *rote Mary (illman in her 200@ boo+, Boots on the Ground by DuskFD

0he 2010 ,'dated 'a'erbac< edition o$ Boots on the Ground by Dusk has a new $orward 1'review at www.bl,rb.com3. Mary9s boo< 'resents her $amily9s battle $or the tr,th abo,t her son9s death with the !rmy and government. ! more intimate 'ortrayal than >on ?ra<a,er9s boo<, Where Men Win Glory (a $lawed boo< ham'ered by his loss o$ access to the 0illman $amily 1e2ce't his widow Marie3 a$ter he lost their tr,st& "ichard 0illman said, =that g,yOs a 'iece o$ E-3. FSee )0hat #,y9s a /iece o$ E- in =>on ?ra<a,erOs %redibility /roblem=G
.4

1.0

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51

/oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role. (here *as an Army re)ie*B> [an" t*o /ongressional hearings in 2001$ &-

General +alla%e'# Re>ie o$ -rmy , DoD IG Tillman Fratri%ide In>e#ti&ation#

?3re## Brie$in& I/ly 98#t A<<6@

Crom 200( to 2004, the !rmy cond,cted three 18 6 investigations, the *e'artment o$ *e$ense 1*o*3 cond,cted an Ins'ector #eneral 1I#3 and %riminal Investigations *ivisions 1%I*3 investigations, and #en. 0he *o* I#9s March 200A re'ort $o,nd that #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal was )acco,ntable $or the inacc,rate FSilver StarG award recommendation.- #en. Wallace reviewed all these 'revio,s investigations and recommended disci'linary action 1or more acc,rately, lac< thereo$3.
.5

In 200A, %ongressman Henry Wa2man9s Ho,se Mversight %ommittee held two 0illman hearings. !t the !'ril 2(, 200A %ongressional hearing, ?evin 0illman said, )E while each investigation gathered more in$ormation, the mo,ntain o$ evidence was never ,sed to arrive at an honest or even sensible concl,sion E 0hese are deliberate acts o$ deceit.- E )0o $alsi$y a witness statement in a Silver Star award, $abricating it with these <ids9 names on it E How come no one is held acco,ntable $or thisI 0he whole thing is riddled with nonsense, sir.Mary 0illman said, )!nd we sho,ldn9t be allowed to have smo<escreens thrown in o,r $ace. E in every way, they F!rmy %I* investigatorsG dodged. 0hey are dodging ,s, and the F*e'artment o$ *e$enseG I# condoned that E and yo,r Bob F%ongressG is to $ind o,t what ha''ened to /at.Fsee !''endi2 !1, *o* I# 0illman Investigation, and ''. (8 @ 88, )Hearing7 NMisleading In$ormation $rom the Dattle$ield9- =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G.

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=ecretary of the Army 'ete Geren M Army /hief of =taff Gen. Gichar" /o"y 0;uly B1, 20012

%(he errors *e ma"e & create" in the min" of many a perception that the Army inten"e" to "ecei)e the public an" the (illman family & there *as a perfect storm of mista+es, misKu"gments, an" a failure of lea"ership that brought us *here *e are to"ay& For casualty notification, safety in)estigation an" a"ministrati)e control of the 2n" ,attalion, 15th Ganger Gegiment, General <ensinger *as the captain of that ship, an" his ship ran agroun". 3t ran agroun" because he faile" to "o his "uty.-

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. =ecretary of the Army 'ete Geren 0;uly B1, 20012

I/ly 981 A<<6 !! General +alla%e'# Re>ie o$ -rmy , De)t0 o$ De$en#e I0G0 Tillman Fratri%ide In>e#ti&ation#
51 /oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role. (here *as an Army re)ie*#0, an" Mc/hrystal escape" any repriman", "espite his lea"ership position.#1

Crom 200( to 2004, the !rmy cond,cted three 18 6 investigations, the *e'artment o$ *e$ense 1*o*3 cond,cted an Ins'ector #eneral 1I#3 and %riminal Investigations *ivisions 1%I*3 investigations. 0he *o* I#9s March 200A re'ort $o,nd that #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal was )acco,ntable $or the inacc,rate FSilver StarG award recommendation.- #en. Wallace reviewed all these 'revio,s investigations, overr,led the I#9s $inding and did not reccommen any disci'linary action $or #en. M%hrystal.
(0

Mn >,ly .1, 200A, #en. William Wallace overr,led the I#9s $indings, and cleared Mc%hrystal o$ all wrongdoing in the 0illman cover ,' 1several other o$$icers involved were given sla's on the wrist and have since been 'romoted to #eneral. "etired #en. ?ensinger was made the o$$icial sca'egoat& he lost a star and a little 'ension money3. Fsee )#eneral Wallace9s "eview o$ 0illman Cratricide Investigations- , ''. 86 68=0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G.
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The Tillman Fratri%ide5 +hat the "eader#hi) o$ the De)t0 o$ De$en#e =ne
?Ho/#e O>er#i&ht 2ommittee Hearin&1 -/&/#t 8#t A<<6@

6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee /hairman 6enry 8aPman 0August 1, 20012

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=ecretary Eonal" Gumsfel", Gen. Meyers, Gen. AbiLai", an" Gen. ,ro*n 0August 1, 20012

N(here is another man [besi"es Gen. <ensinger *ho e)a"e" a subpeona$ *ho *ill not be in the room. (hat is Hieutenant General =tan Mc/hrystal. 3t shoul" be )ery clear to e)eryone, General Mc/hrystal is the hea" of co)ert special forces. (he so.calle" "ar+ or blac+ forces. (he ones *ho stay un"erco)er ... ,ecause of his ePtra.or"inarily sensiti)e position *ith co)ert special forces, he is not appearing in public. An" so he *ill not be Auestione" further by the committee in an open hearing.-

.. ,arbara =tarr, /DD correspon"ent, 0/DD, Aug. 1, 20012

-/&/#t 81 A<<6 !! The Tillman Fratri%ide5 +hat the "eader#hi) o$ the De)t0 o$ De$en#e =ne

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G51 /oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role.#2 (here *as an Army re)ie*#B[an" t*o /ongressional hearings$, an" Mc/hrystal escape" any repriman", "espite his lea"ership position.##

Mn >,ly 1.th 200A, #eneral Mc%hrystal was )invited9 by the %ommittee to testi$y at the second 0illman hearing. However, Mc%hrystal )declined- to a''ear. %66 re'orter Darbara Starr said, )0here is another man who will not be in the room. 0hat is Lie,tenant #eneral Stan Mc%hrystalE )Deca,se o$ his e2traordinarily sensitive 'osition with covert s'ecial $orces, he is not a''earing in ',blic. !nd so he will not be P,estioned $,rther by the committee in an o'en hearing.- F''. 40 41, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G. %ongressman Henry Wa2man never e2'lained why Mc%hrystal didn9t show ,' $or his hearing.
(2

Crom 200( to 2004, the !rmy cond,cted three 18 6 investigations, the *e'artment o$ *e$ense 1*o*3 cond,cted an Ins'ector #eneral 1I#3 and %riminal Investigations *ivisions 1%I*3 investigations, and #en. 0he *o* I#9s March 200A re'ort $o,nd that #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal was )acco,ntable $or the inacc,rate FSilver StarG award recommendation.- #en. Wallace reviewed all these 'revio,s investigations and recommended disci'linary action 1or more acc,rately, lac< thereo$3.
(.

0he $ollowing day, on !,g,st 1, 200A, %ongressman Henry Wa2man9s Ho,se Mversight %ommittee held held his second 0illman hearing. %hairman Wa2man closed his hearing by saying, )We are obvio,sly trying to $ind o,t what went on and who had res'onsibility.- D,t, it9s not obvio,s that the %ommittee made a good $aith e$$ort to ,ncover the tr,th. !s 'revio,sly disc,ssed, by de$ining the sco'e o$ the investigation only to loo< ),'- the chain o$ command, the %ommittee $ailed to 'rovide oversight over the !rmy9s actions and investigations. 0hey $ailed to $,rther investigate the altered Silver Star statements. Most im'ortantly, they either chose not to have #en. Mc%hrystal testi$y or he testi$ied d,ring a secret hearing. I$ the %ommittee was )obvio,sly trying to $ind o,t what went on- they wo,ld have loo<ed into Mc%hrystal9s <ey role in the cover ,'. Instead, it a''ears the %ommittee chose to shield Mc%hrystal $rom ',blic scr,tiny. Fsee ''. 6A 4., =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G. Mn >,ly .1, 200A, #en. William Wallace overr,led the I#9s $indings, and cleared Mc%hrystal o$ all wrongdoing in the 0illman cover ,' 1several other o$$icers involved were given sla's on the wrist and have since been 'romoted to #eneral. "etired #en. ?ensinger was made the o$$icial sca'egoat& he lost a star and a little 'ension money3. Fsee )#eneral Wallace9s "eview o$ 0illman Cratricide Investigations- , ''. 86 68=0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G.
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Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# A<<C Senate 2on$irmation Hearin& Behind 2lo#ed Door#

?Senate -rmed Ser>i%e# 2ommittee1 May 8Dth A<<C@
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] (here *ill be a meeting of the /ommittee on

-RMED SERHI2ES
(hurs"ay, May 15, 200@ 2OB0 'M =G.222 Gussell =enate ?ffice ,uil"ing CZC/!(3VCY (o consi"er pen"ing military nominations. Y=taff atten"ance *ill be restricte". ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

/hairman =enator /arl He)in

=enator ;ames 8ebb

Gan+ing Member =enator ;ohn Mc/ain

8hen 3 as+e" Geral" Heeling [legal counsel for /hairman /arl He)in$ Auestions about the /ommittee4s May 15th hearing, he only repeate"ly replie", %3t *as in ePecuti)e session- an" the (illman case ha" %been thoroughly re)ie*e" *ith the information a)ailable to us at the time.

.. Guy Montag 0;une 1, 200>2

1.A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%7ou ga)e me the opportunity to "iscuss in "etail one of those fallen, /orporal 'at (illman, in close" session *ith this committee a year ago [200@$, in a")ance of my confirmation as Eirector of the ;oint =taff, *hich 3 appreciate". 3 stan" rea"y to ans*er any a""itional Auestions you may ha)e... Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal 0;une 2, 200>2

May 8D1 A<<C !! Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# A<<C Senate 2on$irmation Hearin& Behind 2lo#ed Door#
11# (illman4s family *oul" & accuse Mc/hrystal of a %co)er.up- an" trying to %co)er his ass.- %(he false [=il)er =tar$ narrati)e, *hich Mc/hrystal clearly helpe" construct, "iminishe" 'at4s true actions,- *rote Mary (illman in her [May$ 200@ boo+, Boots on the Ground by Dusk<4

B5

For the past year [since 200@$, Mc/hrystal has *or+e" "o*n the hall from [;oint /hief of =taff$ A"miral Mullen in the 'entagon as the "irector of his [Koint$ staff.#J

0he 2004 boo< Boots on the Ground by Dusk 'resents Mary 0illman9s battle $or the tr,th abo,t her son9s death with the !rmy and government. Mary was on her boo< to,r in Washington *% aro,nd the same time as Senator Webb $inished his secret review o$ the 0illman cover ,'.
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Mc%hrystal9s 2004 nomination to become !dmiral M,llen9s *irector o$ the >oint Sta$$ was held ,' while the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee investigated detainee ab,se by s'ecial $orces ,nder Mc%hrystal9s command and his role in the 0illman cover ,'.
(6

U'date ( 20 1(7 Secretary "obert #ates was )determined to move $orward with his advancement. 0hen, #ates went to /resident D,sh and told him, )Mc%hrystal is one o$ the heroic $ig,res o$ these wars, and i$ we won9t stand and $ight $or him, then whoI !nd then #ates added, )And so we fou ht-E What e2actly does that meanI I wo,ld s'ec,late that D,sh and #ates ',t heavy 'ress,re 1and:or called in some )mar<ers-3 on Senators Levin and Mc%ain 1and Senator Webb3 to get them to roll over and bac< down. In Webb9s case, I wo,ld 'res,me that he relented so that his 'recio,s )6ew #I Dill- co,ld get 'assed thro,gh %ongress and get D,sh9s signat,re 1it did3. /erha's Mc%ain rolled over since he was r,nning $or /resident that year and didn9t want to cross D,shI Fsee the !'r. 201( 'ost )*e$end +o,r Integrity-G

*,ring S'ring 2004, a$ter Senator >ames Webb received my letter Fsee )! Sense o$ Honor-G as<ing him to hel' Mary 0illman in her battle $or the tr,th, he cond,cted a secret )review- o$ Mc%hrystal9s role. Mn May 18th 2004, while Mary 0illman was in Washington, *.%. on her boo< to,r, the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee 1headed by Senator Levin and Mc%ain3 held a secret )e2ec,tive session- where Mc%hrystal testi$ied )in detail abo,t his actions behind closed doors. 1.4

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11# Mary (illman belie)es that Mc/hrystal got a*ay *ith it because he *as Eic+ /heney4s an" Eonal" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en boy-& /ertainly, ha)ing frien"s in high places helps him s+ate.#1

Shortly a$terwards, he was con$irmed as *irector o$ the >oint Sta$$. Fsee )Senate !rmed Services %ommittee9s Secret Mc%hrystal Hearing- in )0he FUntoldG 0illman Story, =*id 0hey 0each +o, How to Lie +etI=, and Lies Dorne M,t Dy Cacts, I$ 6ot the 0r,th=G. Senator >ames9s Webb betrayal o$ the 0illman $amily c,ts dee'est. I9ve read his boo<s and tr,sted his sense o$ honor $or twenty $ive years. I$ anyone in %ongress sho,ld have cared, it wo,ld have been him. Cor e2am'le, Webb, as a yo,ng Marine Vietnam veteran, s'ent 4 years to clear the name o$ a dead Marine $or his mother9s sa<eJ I9m hard on Webb not beca,se I disli<e the man, b,t that I9m disill,sioned by him. !s an old man and 'olitician, he9s t,rned into e2actly what he once reviled as a yo,ng manJ (A Mn !,g,st 1, 200A, %ongressman Henry Wa2man9s Ho,se Mversight %ommittee held the second hearing o$ their 0illman )investigation.- ! year later, the %ommittee9s >,ly 2004 re'ort blamed )stonewalling- by the D,sh !dministration ; "obert #ate9s *e't. o$ *e$ense $or their $ail,re to hold anyone acco,ntable. In reality, the *emocratic %ongress ; "obert #ates 1and later, /resident Mbama3 had contin,ed the D,sh administration whitewash that 'rotected #en. Mc%hrystal $rom acco,ntability $or his central role in the 0illman cover ,' F''. 86 @ 4(, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story= and =*id 0hey 0each +o, How to Lie +etI=G 1.5

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The Em)eror'# General

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'resi"ent ?bama meets *ith Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal at the 8hite 6ouse 0May1>, 200>2

%&;=?/ [un"er Mc/hrystal4s comman" *as$ operating as an ePtension of the [a"ministration$ "oing things the ePecuti)e branch .. rea"O /heney an" Gumsfel"..*ante" it to "o. &7ou nee" to "o it, "o it... ;eremy =cahill, %(he =ecret != 8ar in 'a+istan- 0 The (ation, Do). 2B, 200>2 %& at the )ery same time the Army *as cleaning up Abu Ghraib &at an elite secret interrogation facility [/amp Dama$& nu"ity an" hoo"ing an" stress positions *ere still routine, *here ran+ing officers +ne* ePactly *hat *as going on an" promise" to protect the interrogators at all costs. & NEo you +no* *here the colonel *as getting his or"ers from:N he as+s. & N3 belie)e it *as a t*o.star general. 3 belie)e his name *as General Mc/hrystal. 3 sa* him there a couple of times.N .. ;ohn Gichar"son, %Acts of /onscience- 0%CsAuire-, Aug. 200J2 %& 39)e also hear" from people that /heney helpe" coor"inate the testimony of General Mc/hrystal about the "eath of 'at (illman in Afghanistan, *hich *as "etermine" to be a frien"ly.fire inci"ent, an" that /heney actually collu"e" *ith General Mc/hrystal to attempt to co)er up that "eath... ;eremy =cahill, %,lac+*aterO 'ri)ate Army 3n the De*s Again- 0 (P# Eec. 1J, 200>2

[Mary (illman sai"$ 5!nfortunately in our culture people sur)i)e more effecti)ely through lies an" "eception an" "ishonourable beha)iour than they "o the re)erse. An" that4s )ery sa". '

.. Mic+ ,ro*n, %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero,- !< Guar"ian 0?ct. 1, 20102

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%3 foun" myself a*ash *ith a sense of inKustice that 3 coul" not "efine. ?r perhaps it *as merely that 3 *as young. 3 ha" ne)er seen *ith such clarity that & courage coul" "estroy one man *hile flight coul" ma+e another man +ing... ;ames 8ebb, The . peror!s General 01>>>2

The Em)eror'# General:C * Gen0 Stanley M%2hry#tal1 A<<9 * A<<C

J1 (he general [Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal$ &*as a li)ing legen" in the =pecial ?perations community#>, a giant leap abo)e the office.boun" "ipshits *ho usually ha" four stars on their shoul"ers.

11B Mc/hrystal4s career shoul" ha)e been o)er at least t*o times by no*. 6e is tainte" by one of the most contro)ersial scan"als of the pre)ious a"ministrationO "etainee abuse an" torture at prisons in 3raA [e.g. /amp Dama$, an" the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s "eath.50
(4

)0he Km'eror9s #eneral- is the title o$ a >ames Webb novel abo,t #en. Mc!rth,r9s e2cec,tion o$ a >a'anese general a$ter WWII. In a bit o$ synchronicity, on the )"olling Stone- Lady #aga cover, the Mc%hrystal 'ro$ile is titled7 )Mbama9s #eneral- @ Why He9s Losing the War.

e.g. see )0he /o'e9 by *elta commander *alton C,ry. His admiration was also shared by the Dritish S!S, )"ichard Williams F%M reg,lar S!SG )had come to loo< ,'on Mc%hrystal with intense admiration- 1'.51, Mar< Urban9s !ask "orce Black3. Dac< in the 409s, I was $ort,nate to r,b elbows with S!S instr,ctors at the International L""/ School and d,ring an e2change 'rogram with the 0erritorial 22nd S!S. 0hose g,ys were e2tremely sP,ared away and didn9t tolerate any DS. Hard to win their res'ect.
(5

0o some degree, I share their admiration. /,tting aside hagiogra'hic 'ro$iles by US Bo,rnalists, I9ve read mostly good things abo,t Mc%hrystal9s talents. However, in 200( Mc%hrystal orchestrated the !rmy9s cover ,' o$ /at 0illman9s $riendly $ire death in !$ghanistan. M,ch o$ my 0illman research has $oc,sed on Mc%hrystal. 6ot beca,se he9s the biggest c,l'rit in that a$$air 1he )was B,st $ollowing orders- $rom ",ms$eld ; %heney3, b,t beca,se he9s the lynch 'in at the center o$ the ),ntold- 0illman story. I9ve more contem't $or /resident Mbama ; members o$ the *emocratic %ongress 1and %6!S3 who contin,ed the !rmy ; D,sh administration9s cover ,' by whitewashing Mc%hrystal. !nd $or members o$ o,r la' dog media who are merely the #enta on 'ress cor'. /at 0illman was the 6CL %ardinals $ootball 'layer who 1with his brother ?evin3 enlisted with the !rmy "angers in 2002, did a to,r in IraP, and was <illed by $riendly $ire in !$ghanistan on !'ril 22, 200(. Since 2004, I9ve written several boo< length 'osts abo,t the ),ntold- 0illman at my $eral$ire$ighter blog.
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112 3n 200B, he ser)es as 'entagon spo+esperson & at the start of the 3raA 8ar. (he stint is memorable for Auotes that *oul" ha)e acte" as albatrosses to most others, li+e bac+ing up Eonal" Gumsfel"4s infamous remar+ about looting in ,agh"a" I %=tuff happens.- & 6e also, unfortunately, mentions that maKor combat operations in 3raA are o)er, a *ee+ before ,ush4s %Mission Accomplishe"- speech.

15 15

For fi)e years [200B I 200@$, Mc/hrystal *as America4s top hunterS+iller 51 & 6e o)ersa* a net*or+ of prison camps in 3raA *here "etainees *ere regularly torture"52 6e4" been cre"ite" *ith ta+ing one of the biggest terrorists scalps of them all, Abu Musab al.RarAa*i.5B

20J ,ehin" the scenes [of the 2001 3raA =urge$, Mc/hrystal, operating his o*n 'hoeniP.li+e =pecial ?ps program, *ipes out %thousan"s- & %;=?/ [;oint =pecial ?perations /omman"$ *as a +illing machine.- & able to ta+e cre"it for creating the con"itions for a face.sa)ing *ith"ra*al [from 3raA$.5#
Cor more biogra'hical in$o, see )Who the Hell Is Stanley Mc%hrystalI- in my 'ost )0he Km'eror9s #eneral- /resident Darac< Mbama and the Whitewash o$ #eneral Stanley Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly Cire *eath. Cor more on >SM%, see Mar< Urban9s boo< !ask "orce Black$ *ana /riests9s !op %ecret America , and 0hom Shan<er9s Counterstrike.
81

In 2006, H,man "ights Watch released a maBor re'ort. =6o Dlood, 6o Co,l= revealed that s'ecial $orces at %am' 6ama 1short $or 6asty !ss Military !rea3 committed systematic ab,se o$ 'risoners at $acilities across IraP. Whether or not he was 'resent d,ring the act,al ab,se as commander o$ >SM%, #eneral Mc%hrystal oversaw them. In 2006, =>e$$,= an !rmy interrogator, told KsP,ire that Mc%hrystal himsel$ was 'resent at %am' 6ama. F'. 16, )0he Km'eror9s #eneral-G
82

Matthew !le2ander was an !ir Corce interrogator assigned to >SM% $rom March 2006 to !,g,st 2006. In his two boo<s 1&ow to Break a !errorist ; 'ill or Capture3 he claimed his relationshi' based interrogations were largely res'onsible $or getting QarPawi, despite inter$erence $rom )old school- >SM% interrogators and high ran<ing >SM% intelligence o$$icers 1a''arently %ML Michael Clynn and:or his RM3. Fhis acco,nt is bac<ed ,' by Mar< Dowden and Mar< Urban9s acco,ntsG
8.

!ndrew K2,m, a Cellow at the %enter $or a 6ew !merican Sec,rity 1%6!S3, wrote,= I do <now that many 'olicy ma<ers and Bo,rnalists thin< that Mc%hrystalOs wor< as the head o$ the s,'er secret >oint S'ecial M'erations %ommand was the ,ntold s,ccess story o$ the S,rge and the greater war on terror cam'aigns.= F'. 11, )0he Km'eror9s #eneral-G
8(

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11B (hough personally a Eemocrat, Mc/hrystal felt great loyalty to Gumsfel", /heney, an" ,ush. & he *as Eic+ /heney4s an" Eonal" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en boy-55

11B 6e4s close to /heney& a number of times throughout the ,ush a"ministration Mc/hrystal got or"ers "irectly from /heney. 5J & Gumsfel" an" /heney embrace Mc/hrystal4s *illingness to get things "one, e)en if it inclu"es ben"ing the rules or s+ipping the chain of comman".51

121 6e [Mc/hrystal$ *as the ultimate operator. & (he other operators out there, the politicians, the pun"its, the sol"iers, the "iplomats, the spies, the insurgents, the hac+s, an" the flac+s, s*arming him, lo)ing him, hating him, *or+ing against him, all playing the game.

Cor a contrary o'inion, see ?elly D. Vlahos9s 'iece )S,rge Cinally #etting a Second Loo<I- 1Se't.
1.. 20113

Cormer Secretary o$ State %olin /owell sta$$er %ol. Lawrence Wil<erson described )an e2tremely coSy relationshi' that develo'ed between the e2ec,tive branch 1'rimarily thro,gh Vice /resident *ic< %heney and *e$ense Secretary *onald ",ms$eld3 and >SM% Fi.e. #en. Mc%hrystalG. E )I thin< %heney was act,ally giving Mc%hrystal instr,ctions E !t that 'oint yo, had >SM% o'erating as an e2tension o$ the FadministrationG doing things the e2ec,tive branch read7 %heney and ",ms$eld wanted it to do. 0his wo,ld be more or less carte blanche. +o, need to do it, do it.- F'. 12, )0he Km'eror9s #eneral-G
88 86

)F>SM%G was a strange animal. It didn9t re'ort to the /entagon hierarchy or to one o$ the combatant commands, even tho,gh most 'eo'le tho,ght it re'orted to US SM%MM E >SM% came directly ,nder the 6ational %ommand !,thority, which translated to the /resident and the secretary o$ de$ense.- F$rom )?ill Din Laden- 120123 >ohn WeismanG
8A

>o,rnalist >eremy Schahill said )IOve also heard $rom 'eo'le that %heney hel'ed coordinate the testimony o$ #eneral Mc%hrystal abo,t the death o$ /at 0illman in !$ghanistan, which was determined to be a $riendly $ire incident, and that %heney act,ally coll,ded with #eneral Mc%hrystal to attem't to cover ,' that death.- F'. 12, )0he Km'eror9s #eneral-G 1((

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May 881 A<<; !! 3re#ident O.ama Nominate# Gen0 Stanley M%2hry#tal -# Ne 2ommander o$ the -$&hani#tan +ar

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

'resi"ent ?bama salutes G?(/ gra"uates at AriLona =tate !ni)ersity 0May1B, 200>2

%'resi"ent ,arac+ ?bama "eclare" 8e"nes"ay [May 12, 200>$ he *oul" try to bloc+ the court.or"ere" release of photos that sho* !.=. troops abusing prisoners. &(he 8hite 6ouse ha" sai" last month it *oul" not oppose an appeals court ruling & (he effort to +eep the photos from becoming public represente" a sharp re)ersal from ?bama9s repeate" ple"ges for open go)ernment&.. %3n re)ersal, ?bama see+s to bloc+ abuse photos- 0 'ssociated Press, May 1B, 200>2 %?bama ha" a *i"e.open opportunity [at May 1B, 200> A=! commencement$ to remin" us that (illman coul" be the best ePample in our lifetimes of someone *ho esche*e" popularity an" personal a")ancement to "e)ote himself to a bigger purpose. For some reason, the presi"ent passe". & Maybe it simply *as an o)ersight that ?bama forgot (illman, although & he *al+e" right up an" out of (illman (unnel to reach the stage. & 'erhaps ?bama *as sensiti)e to the fact that the speech came shortly after the announcement that Gen. =tanley A. Mc/hrystal *oul" become the top American comman"er in Afghanistan. .. ,ob 7oung, %?bama4s ,ig.(ime Fumble at A=!- 0 'riHona #epublic, May 11, 200>2 %& nothing is e)er going to heal the *oun"s inflicte" on the (illman Family & *hile 3 ha)e nothing but respect for the (illman Family& their personal grief shoul" not be a )eto on the nomination of the man [General Mc/hrystal$ the 'resi"ent, the =ecretary of Eefense [Gates$, an" General 'etraeus all feel gi)es the !nite" =tates & the best chance of )ictory in Afghanistan & (hese are serious Auestions an" are more important than either the "eath of 'at (illman or the allege" abuse of "etainees... /DA= Fello* An"re* CPum, %Abu MuAa*ama- blog, %/onfirm 6im- 0;une 2, 200>2

May 881 A<<; !! 3re#ident O.ama Nominate# Gen0 Stanley

1(6

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

M%2hry#tal -# Ne 2ommander o$ the -$&hani#tan +ar

21

(he *ars, to ?bama, are campaign issues. & ho* they affect his electoral fortunes & 6e *ants to firm up his national security cre"entials, so he says he4ll focus on Afghanistan, %the right *ar.-

20J

[Gen.$ 'etraeus I an" counterinsurgency I is able to ta+e cre"it for creating the con"itions for a face.sa)ing *ith"ra*al [from 3raA$. /?3D [/ounter.3nsurgency$, it appears, if finally )in"icate". (he surge becomes a mo"ern military myth &. A closer inspection of the surge myth re)eals a mur+ier set of factors.5@

201 & it4s not *hat happens that matters it4s *hat policy ma+ers thin+ happens I the +ey is %perception,- he ['etraeus$ *rites. An" the perception in 8ashington is that the surge is a triumph. & 3f the /?3D"inistas ha" stoppe" at 3raA, perhaps the chara"e *oul" ha)e hel" up o)er time & 'etraeus an" the /?3D"inistas, *ith a ne* lea"ing figure in the guise of General =tanley Mc/hrystal, *oul" soon push their theories on Afghanistan in full force.5>

S,ch as the S,nni !wa<ening, the Sadr Shiite cease $ire, and $inishing ethnic cleansing in Daghdad. In addition, 6+09s 0hom Shan<er,- described two l,c<y intelligence co,'s that also contrib,ted to the )s,ccess- o$ the s,rge7 )What was ',lled o,t o$ the 0aBi trove was so val,able that one military o$$icer com'ared it to the allies s,ccess in brea<ing the 6aSis9 Knigma codes d,ring WWII- and )#eneral /etrea,s said the overall SinBar e$$ort did more to halt the terror networ<s that $lowed $oreign $ighters and s,icide bombers into IraP than any other o'eration.- 1''. 6A, A5 Counterstrike3.
84

!nd see the !'r. 26, 2012 'iece, Lie,tenant %olonel *avis Says Leaders Cailed 0o !c<nowledge 0he
"eal "eason Why IraP S,rge OS,cceededO, where he said7 )E the 200A IraP s,rge only s,cceeded beca,se the br,tality o$ the al T,eda in IraP 1!TI3 ca,sed its allies to t,rn on them and not beca,se o$ the =grossly inacc,rate= claims 'ro'agated by celebrated U.S. military leaders.-

Several 'rominent %MI6dinista9s 1e.g. >ohn 6agl, *avid ?ilc,llen, !ndrew K2,m3 wor< o,t o$ the %enter $or a 6ew !merican Sec,rity 1%6!S3 which has been called =WashingtonOs go to thin< tan< on military a$$airs.= %6!S s'earheaded the advocacy o$ the 2005 !$ghan war =s,rge= and had close ties with both #eneral Mc%hrystal and #eneral /etrae,s. Fsee %oalition o$ the Shilling 10he 6ation, Mar. 11, 20103 and )#eneration ?ill- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed %6!S9S !ndrew K2,m and the Whitewash o$ #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly Cire *eathG
85

1(A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G@ [Gen.$ Mc<iernan [/omman"er of Afghan 8ar May 200@ I ;une 200>$ is ol".school... 6e4s not one of those ne*.school generals, li+e a Ea)e 'etraeus or a =tan Mc/hrystal. 'etraeus alrea"y has a historic reputation, an" Mc/hrystal is an up.an".coming star, currently *or+ing [=ept. 200@$ on the ;oint =taff at the 'entagon.

B#> 3n [February$ 200>, he [Gen. 'etraeus$ flips the coin before the opening +ic+off at the =uper ,o*l.J0

B@

Mc<iernan is no =tan Mc/hrystal, another rising star an" /?3D acolyte. ,oth 'etreaus an" Mc/hrystal are /?3D"inistas & Mc<iernan is the ,.(eam, an" & Mc/hrystal is %the A.(eam.-J1 Mc/hrystal ha" & been successful at *aging a counterterrorism campaign in 3raA he4" ingratiate" himself *ith Gumsfel", ,ush, an" /heney, an" later *ith Mullen an" Gates.

B5

Mullen4s number.one choice to replace Mc<iernan is =tanley Mc/hrystal. 6e4s +no*n him for years an" has personally groome" him& For the past year, Mc/hrystal has *or+e" "o*n the hall from Mullen in the 'entagon as the "irector of his staff & ?bama signs off on Mc/hrystal, ta+ing Mullen4s an" Gate4s *or" that he4s the best choice.J2

*,ring his 200( re election cam'aign, /resident D,sh addressed %ardinal $ans d,ring a hal$time ceremony in which /at 0illmanOs Bersey n,mber was retired. +et, d,ring the 2005 S,'erbowl with his team 1the !riSona %ardinals3 'laying the Steelers, /at 0illman was )barely a $ootnote-. Ironically, d,ring S,'erbowl RLIII, #en. *avid /etrea,s did the coin toss at the beginning o$ the game and was honored $or his )service, co,rage and bravery.- +et, d,ring the S,'erbowl not a word abo,t /at 0illman 1who e2em'li$ied those val,es3 was televised. 0he 6CL e2'loited the death o$ /at 0illman, yet re$,sed to hel' the 0illman $amily in their search $or the tr,th. 0he 6CL has t,rned /at 0illman into an icon, instead o$ recogniSing his iconoclastic nat,re. Fsee )Darely a Cootnote- S,'erbowl RLIII and the 6CL9s Detrayal o$ /at 0illmanG
60

E =0here is a realiSation that the sit,ation in !$ghanistan is so dire, and the challenges so com'le2, that you really need a silver b,llet,= F!ndrewG K2,m said. =+o, have one chance to get this right, and yo,Od better get yo,r A(team on the $ield.= F'.61, )He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed-G
61

See '. 120 o$ Dob Woodward9s boo< )bama*s Wars and my notes in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=@ )Mbama9s Wars- and the Washington /ost9s Dob Woodward9s Whitewash o$ #en. Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly Cire *eath
62

1(4

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GBJ [=ecretary of Eefense Gobert$ Gates says he4ll fire him [Mc<iernan$ if he "oesn4t resign. 6e "oesn4t, an" Gate fires him [May 11, 200>$. & 3t4s the 5first sac+ing of a *artime theater comman"er- & since Eouglas McArthur *as fire" by (ruman & (he me"ia4s response to Mc<iernan4s firing is )icious an" s*ift. & a loser, a "u" & (he meme forms Auic+ly in the blogosphere & he doesn!t $et %O,( &

BBB Gates fires people all the time, for infractions of )arying scale. 6e tosses Mc<iernan *ithout a *or" of remorse.

B>

'ri)ately, Mc<iernan *ill tell frien"s that it *as 'etraeus *ho *as behin" getting ri" of him & a %"irty- mo)e to get a public relations bump that comes from the %strong mo)e of s*itching generals to *in the *ar.- & a ne* opportunity to as+ for more boots on the groun". %Gates *as the mastermin" behin" this *hole thing.-

55

& ?n May 1>, 200>, =tan Mc/hrystal *al+s into the ?)al ?ffice. & the 8hite 6ouse photographer snaps a shotJB & ?bama4s *ar: Do longer, Mc/hrystal realiLesO 3t4s going to be my *ar no*. 8hen the music stops in 8ashington, it4s Mc/hrystal *ho4s going to be left stan"ing *ithout a chair. & ?bama Kust gi)es him a perfunctory han"sha+e an" sen"s him on his *ay.

6.

/hoto on 0itle /age $or )May 11, 2005 /resident Mbama 6ominates #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal !s 6ew %ommander o$ the !$ghanistan War-. 1(5

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

I/ne 8<1 A<<; * Gen0 M%2hry#tal 2on$irmed .y the Senate

180

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G=enator ;ames 8ebb, E.VA General =tanley Mc/hrystal

%6o* lofty it must ha)e been to ha)e burnt *ith the purity of the Ge)olutionT ,efore the "ays of multi million "ollar election campaigns that brought politicians to their +nees before the monie" temple of the contributors. ,efore the time of computeriLe" politics that cause them to a*ait the *is"om of those oracles +no*n as pollsters before they spo+e. ?r maybe it ha" been trash from the get.go, myths to fee" the public... ;ames 8ebb, %=omething to Eie For- 01>>12

%(hey ought to ma+e a mo)ie about this. Mr. =mith comes to 8ashington.- %7eah, 3 calle" my pa last night an" he says, ;u"" boy [ne*ly.electe" =enator$, you been up there *ith them muc+.a.muc+s t*o "ays, no*. Ei" they teach you ho* to lie yet:.. ;ames 8ebb %A /ountry =uch As (his- 01>@12

%Across the room [in my =enate office$ & my mother4s father, ,.6. 6o"ges, stares out at me & as he has "one in e)ery office 3 ha)e occupie" for more than t*enty years. & Eefiant he *as, an" tragic too. 6e *as a fighter, a lonely champion of lost causes *ho himself lost e)erything because of the causes he champione"... =enator ;ames 8ebb, %A (ime to Fight- 0200@2

%3f nothing e)er *or+s out all the *ay, an" if all things change, *hat4s left: 7our family an" your frien"s an" your )alues, that4s *hat4s left. An" your "uty to them & (hey4re the only important things in life. & An" that the rest of it might change a million times, be calle" *rong or right or anything else, but you must ne)er )iolate your loyalty if you *ishe" to sur)i)e the Ku"gment of the ages.-

.. ;ames 8ebb %A /ountry =uch As (his- 01>@B2

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I/ne 8<1 A<<; * Gen0 M%2hry#tal 2on$irmed .y the Senate

5J [Gen. Mc/hrystal4s =enate confirmation$& hearings are sche"ule" for the first *ee+ of ;une [;une 2, 200>$.

#@

[Euncan ,oothby$ & starts *or+ing on Mc/hrystal4s congressional confirmation. Euncan +no*s it coul" be a tough fight. Mc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up of the frien"ly.fire "eath of 'at (illman & is going to come up /amp Dama, a base in 3raA that Mc/hrystal *as lin+e" to after allegations of torture there *ere reporte", is going to come up. (hese t*o re" flags, seemingly ignore" by Gates an" ?bamaJ#, *oul"n4t li+ely be "ismisse" by the me"ia.J5

Cirst, on May 12th, the day a$ter Mbama9s nomination o$ Mc%hrystal, /resident Mbama bac< 'edaled on his !'ril 2.rd decision to allow the co,rt ordered release o$ 'hotos showing detainee ab,se at $acilities other than !b, #haraib 1'res,mably, some o$ the 'hotos showed ab,se by >SM% $orces ,nder Mc%hrystal9s command 1e.g. %am' 6ama3 that wo,ld have led to di$$ic,lties with his con$irmation3. !ntici'ating they wo,ld lose their co,rt a''eal, the White Ho,se wor<ed with the Senate to dra$t a bill to bloc< the release o$ the detainee 'hotos by changing the lang,age o$ the Creedom o$ In$ormation !ct. Mn May 20th, the )*etainee /hotogra'hic "ecords /rotection !ct- was introd,ced, and 'assed by the Senate the ne2t day by ,nanimo,s consent 1this bill was $inally signed into law by /resident Mbama on Mctober 24, 20053. !ltho,gh #lenn #reenwald Fsalon.com3 railed against /resident Mbama9s actions, he $ailed to ma<e the connection between Mc%hrystal9s nomination, Mbama9s abr,'t bac< 'edaling on the release o$ the 'hotos, the introd,ction o$ the )Mc%hrystal /rotection !ct-, and Mc%hrystal9s 'ending Senate con$irmation hearing.
6(

Second, I $ind it di$$ic,lt to believe that no one warned Mbama that Mc%hrystal was at the center o$ the !rmy9s cover ,' o$ /at 0illman9s $riendly $ire death. Ironically, on May 1., 2005, B,st a co,'le o$ days a$ter his nomination, /resident Mbama gave a commencement address at !riSona State University held inside S,n *evil Stadi,m witho,t once mentioning /at 0illman9s name. !''arently, /resident Mbama didn9t want to ris< raising the iss,e o$ Mc%hrystal9s role in the cover ,' by mentioning /at 0illman at the very stadi,m in which he had once 'layed 1Dob +o,ng, a s'ortswriter $or 0he !riSona "e',blic, was the only Bo,rnalist who wrote abo,t this omission in his 'iece, )Mbama9s Dig 0ime C,mble-3. FCor more details, see ''. 14 21, )0he Km'eror9s #eneral-G
68

Mn the contrary, shortly be$ore Mc%hrystal9s Senate hearing, !he +ew ,ork !imes ',blished their /entagon re'orter 0hom Shan<er9s 'iece, )6omination o$ U.S. !$ghan %ommander "evives T,estions on 0illman %ase- 1May 28, 20053. His 'iece s,''osedly )e2onerated#eneral Mc%hrystal o$ all wrong doing in the 0illman scandal. However, Shan<er ignored clear evidence o$ Mc%hrystal Ns central hands on role. *,ring the wee< be$ore the con$irmation hearing, I corres'onded with Shan<er and sent him material which described in how the *emocratic %ongress had whitewashed Mc%hrystal9s role. However, Shan<erOs 'ost hearing 'iece contin,ed to 'arrot the governmentOs o$$icial line 1interestingly, the 6+0Os editors 182

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G5J Mc/hrystal4s team +no*s that "etainee abuse is going to come up & [e.g. 200J 6uman Gights report, D7( piece, in)estigation by Vice A"miral Ho*ell ;acoby$.

51

?ne of the interrogators from 3raAJJ *on4t shut up either I he4s been tal+ing to 6ill staffers&

51

6is ['at (illman4s$ mother, Mary (illman, sen"s a letter to 'resi"ent ?bama, saying Mc/hrystal shoul" be %scrutiniLe" )ery carefully.- J1 6er husban" ['atric+ (illman, =r.$ says Mc/hrystal participate" in a %falsifie"- homici"e in)estigation.NJ@

51

(he (illman thingO 6o* best to han"le it: 'at (illman ha" been +ille" by frien"ly fire in Afghanistan in April 200#. Mc/hrystal +ne* about it almost imme"iatelyJ>, but he still *ent ahea" an" signe" off10 on a falsifie" recommen"ation for (illman4s =il)er =tar that suggeste" he *as +ille" by the enemy.

)disa''eared- his original >,ne 2nd article $rom their website within a $ew ho,rs a$ter it was ',blished3. FSee )Lies Dorne M,t Dy Cacts, I$ 6ot the 0r,th= Senator >ames Webb, 0hom Shan<er ; 0he 6ew +or< 0imes and the Whitewash o$ #eneral Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the !$termath o$ /at 0illman9s *eath or the condensed version in ''. 5( 101, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G Matthew !le2ander9s 1see Cootnote U83 May 1., 2005 Senate testimony on interrogation can be $o,nd in the !''endi2 o$ his boo< 'ill or Capture and a 2004 'iece, IOm Still 0ort,red by What I
66

Saw in IraP.

In >,ne 2010, Mary 0illman wrote7 )I had sent the /resident an email and a letter reminding him o$ Mc%hrystal9s involvement in the cover ,' o$ /at9s death. In the letter, I s,ggested Mc%hrystal sho,ld be )scr,tiniSed very care$,lly- by the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee. I also contacted the sta$$s o$ Senator /atric< Leahy and Senator >ames Webb and e2'ressed my concerns. I had several conversations with members o$ the sta$$s o$ both senators, b,t it was clear that neither senator wanted to get involved.- FBoots on the Ground by Dusk 12010, www.bl,rb.com3
6A

/atric< 0illman, Sr.9s 2008 letter to Drigadier #eneral #ary M. >ones ends with this s,mmation7 =+o, are a #eneral. 0here is no way a man li<e yo, ... believes the concl,sions reached in the March .1, 2008 Drie$ing Doo<. D,t yo,r signat,re is on it. I ass,me, there$ore, that yo, are 'art o$ this shameless b,llshit. E In s,m C,c< yo,E and yo,rs.- F/at 0illmanOs Cather 0o !rmy Investigator7 OC +o,... !nd +o,rsO - H,$$ /ost 1!,g. 12, 20103G
64

%/0 Scott, the $irst !rmy 18 6 investigator 'assed verbal con$irmation 1)I9m certain, I9m s,re-3 o$ $riendly $ire ,' the chain o$ command B,st two days a$ter 0illman9s death. +et, ",ms$eld said it too< five weeks $or him to get the word. Fsee '.61, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G
65

18.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G51 /oming from the secreti)e =pecial Forces *orl", he4" been able to a)oi" most Auestions on his role.11 (here *as an Army re)ie*12[an" t*o /ongressional hearings in 2001$, an" Mc/hrystal escape" any repriman", "espite his lea"ership position.1B

11# Mary (illman belie)es that Mc/hrystal got a*ay *ith it because he *as Eic+ /heney4s an" Eonal" Gumsfel"4s %gol"en boy-& /ertainly, ha)ing frien"s in high places helps him s+ate.1#
D,t Mc%hrystal did not merely =sign o$$= on a 'iece o$ 'a'er that landed on his des< as it wor<ed its way ,' the chain o$ command. >on ?ra<a,er described F''. ..( @ .(A, 'a'erbac< edition of Where Men Win GloryG how #en. Mc%hrystal had =orchestrateFdG what can only be described as a broad cons'iracy to conceal 0illmanOs $ratricide ...=. He wrote that #en. Mc%hrystal 'ersonally =administered the medal recommendation 'rocess= with a $alse narrative that =was 'ainsta<ingly written to create the im'ression /at 0illman was <illed by enemy $ire= and directly s,'ervised the "anger "#0 commanding o$$icers in !$ghanistan who a''arently altered the two Silver Star witness statements to remove any mention o$ $riendly $ire and contained $alse statements. )0he Silver Star recommendation was =$ra,d,lent= by =any obBective meas,re.= Fsee ''. 61@68, ''. 122@12( in =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=
A0

Mn >,ly 1.th 200A, #eneral Mc%hrystal was )invited9 by the %ommittee to testi$y at the second 0illman hearing. However, Mc%hrystal )declined- to a''ear. %66 re'orter Darbara Starr said, )0here is another man who will not be in the room. 0hat is Lie,tenant #eneral Stan Mc%hrystalE )Deca,se o$ his e2traordinarily sensitive 'osition with covert s'ecial $orces, he is not a''earing in ',blic. !nd so he will not be P,estioned $,rther by the committee in an o'en hearing.- F''. 40 41, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G. %ongressman Henry Wa2man never e2'lained why Mc%hrystal didn9t show ,' $or his hearing.
A1

Crom 200( to 2004, the !rmy cond,cted three 18 6 investigations, the *e'artment o$ *e$ense 1*o*3 cond,cted an Ins'ector #eneral 1I#3 and %riminal Investigations *ivisions 1%I*3 investigations, and #en. 0he *o* I#9s March 200A re'ort $o,nd that #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal was )acco,ntable $or the inacc,rate FSilver StarG award recommendation.- #en. Wallace reviewed all these 'revio,s investigations and recommended disci'linary action 1or more acc,rately, lac< thereo$3.
A2

In 200A, %ongressman Henry Wa2man9s Ho,se Mversight %ommittee held two 0illman hearings. In 2004, Senator >ames Webb cond,cted a secret )review- o$ Mc%hrystal9s actions $or the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee. !t the !'ril 2(, 200A %ongressional hearing, ?evin 0illman said, )E while each investigation gathered more in$ormation, the mo,ntain o$ evidence was never ,sed to arrive at an honest or even sensible concl,sion E 0hese are deliberate acts o$ deceit.- E )0o $alsi$y a witness statement in a Silver Star award, $abricating it with these <ids9 names on it E How come no one is held acco,ntable $or thisI 0he whole thing is riddled with nonsense, sir.Mary 0illman said, )!nd we sho,ldn9t be allowed to have smo<escreens thrown in o,r $ace. E in every way, they F!rmy %I* investigatorsG dodged. 0hey are dodging ,s, and the F*e'artment o$ 18(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

5J

C)erybo"y is mentioning the (illman thing, but e)erybo"y is also saying that the confirmation is going to go smoothly.

5@

Mc/hrystal4s staff is *orrying too much. 6e gets only one Auestion about /amp Dama15 & 6e4s got a line prepare" on (illmanO %8e faile" the family-&1J

*e$enseG I# condoned that E and yo,r Bob F%ongressG is to $ind o,t what ha''ened to /at.Fsee !''endi2 !1, *o* I# 0illman Investigation, and ''. (8 @ 88, )Hearing7 NMisleading In$ormation $rom the Dattle$ield9- =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G. Mn >,ly .1, 200A, #en. William Wallace overr,led the I#9s $indings, and cleared Mc%hrystal o$ all wrongdoing in the 0illman cover ,' 1several other o$$icers involved were given sla's on the wrist and have since been 'romoted to #eneral. "etired #en. ?ensinger was made the o$$icial sca'egoat& he lost a star and a little 'ension money3. Fsee )#eneral Wallace9s "eview o$ 0illman Cratricide Investigations- , ''. 86 68=0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G.
A.

0he $ollowing day, !,g,st 1, 200A, %ongressman Henry Wa2man9s Ho,se Mversight %ommittee held the second hearing o$ their 0illman )investigation.- However, Wa2man allowed #en. Mc%hrystal to )decline- to a''ear 1he was never later interviewed3, and never tried to determine i$ he was res'onsible $or the altered Silver Star witness statements. ! year later, the %ommittee9s >,ly 2004 re'ort blamed )stonewalling- by the D,sh !dministration $or their $ail,re to hold anyone acco,ntable. In reality, the *emocratic %ongress 1and later, /resident Mbama3 had contin,ed the D,sh administration whitewash that 'rotected #en. Mc%hrystal $rom acco,ntability $or his central role in the 0illman cover ,' F''. 86 @ 4(, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story= and =*id 0hey 0each +o, How to Lie +etI=G.
A(

Mn >,ne 2nd 2005, the Senate !rmed Services %ommittee held #eneral Mc%hrystal9s con$irmation hearing. %hairman Senator %arl Levin didnOt 'ress Mc%hrystal abo,t ab,sive interrogations by >SM% $orces. Mn >,ne 11th 1after Mc%hrystal was con$irmed on >,ne 10th3, Senator ",ss Ceingold inserted into the %ongressional "ecord that he )o''oseFdG the nomination o$ L0# Stanley Mc%hrystal- beca,se o$ a )classi$ied matter- and beca,se Mc%hrystal9s testimony concerning interrogation )a''ears incom'lete, at best.- F''. 114 121, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story- and ''. 5, 25 .0 =0he Km'erorOs #eneral=G.
A8

Mary 0illman said she neither acce'ts nor believes Mc%hrystalOs a'ology. =Mc%hrystal was lying,= she said. !nd Mc%hrystal never act,ally a'ologiSed $or orchestrating the cover ,'. I$ Mc%hrystal has any )regrets- it9s $or how his role in the scandal a$$ected his re',tation. I do,bt he gives a damn abo,t the years o$ heartache he9s ca,sed the 0illman $amily. F''.116, 126 =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story- and =*id 0hey 0each +o, How to Lie +etI=G.
A6

188

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G5@ (illman4s parents an" the interrogator [Matthe* AlePan"er$ aren4t getting much traction in the press. (hey are more or less ignore". (he hea"lines from the confirmation reflect that Mc/hrystal is preor"aine"11 Mc/hrystal gets unanimous confirmation from the =enate1@. ?n ;une >, 200>, he gets his fourth star.1>

5@

%6!S9s !ndrew K2,m wrote a >,ne 2, 2005 blog 'ost,=%on$irm Him=7 )0he bottom line is, nothing is ever going to heal the wo,nds in$licted on the 0illman Camily E !nd while I have nothing b,t res'ect $or the 0illman CamilyE, their 'ersonal grie$ sho,ld not be a veto on the nomination o$ the man F#en. Stanley Mc%hrystalG E 0hese are serio,s P,estions and are more im'ortant than either the death o$ /at 0illman or the alleged ab,se o$ detainees.- In other words, the 0illman $amily can go to hell. Fsee )%on$irm Him- in )He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed-G
AA

Mn /DS9s 6ews Ho,r, *avid %orn commented7 )!nd so the /at 0illman P,estioning, the P,estioning abo,t detainee ab,se, I tho,ght, seemed very orchestratedE , a lot o$ what ha''ened today made it clear to me that *emocrats and "e',blicans had both decided, =HeOs o,r g,y in !$ghanistan.- 0he >,ne 2nd con$irmation hearing was strictly )'ro $orma-. Mbvio,sly, the real Senate con$irmation hearing too< 'lace d,ring the secret 2004 )e2ec,tive sessionbehind closed doors F''. 118 1.., =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story-G !nd, Mary 0illman wrote7 )E I had always believed /at9s case was 'olitically aw<ward $or him FSenator Mc%ainG and so he9d chosen to distance himsel$ $rom the entire a$$air. E Mc%ain was already ',blicly endorsing the Mc%hrystal a''ointment be$ore the hearing even began. E Sadly, Mc%hrystal9s 'romotion had been sanctioned long be$ore the hearing. 6one o$ the congressmen 'ressed Mc%hrysal abo,t /at9s case E or detainee ab,se and tort,re at %am' 6ama E Mver the last $ive years, the /entagon and %ongress have had n,mero,s o''ort,nities to hold acco,ntable those res'onsible $or the cover ,' o$ /at9s death. Kach time they9ve $ailed. !he !illman %tory ill,strates the corr,'tion, dece'tion, and indi$$erence that is systemic in o,r government. E 0he cover ,' o$ /at9s death was orchestrated at the very highest levels o$ the /entagon, and elsewhere in o,r government E the government didn9t B,st lie to ,s& it lied to a nation.- F$rom Coreword. Boots on the Ground by Dusk 120103G !t the end o$ his !'ril 200A 0illman hearing, %ongressman Wa2man stated in $r,stration, )What we have is a very clear, deliberate ab,se intentionally done. Why is it so hard to $ind o,t who did itI- D,t, his blaming the D,sh administration and the !rmy $or the cover ,' is disingen,o,s. In reality, the cover ,' has been a thoro,ghly bi'artisan a$$air, with the *emocratic %ongress and the Mbama /residency contin,ing to 'rotect #eneral Mc%hrystal. It wasn9t B,st a case o$ the White Ho,se stonewalling the %ongress. It wasn9t a lac< o$ co,rage or will. It wasn9t a loathing to call them o,t on their b,llshit. In act,ality, %ongress didn9t B,st )$,mble- the ball, they threw the game. Senate MaBority Leader Harry "eid received a tele'hone call $rom !dmiral M,llen who told him, =Senator, there is a sense o$ ,rgency that #eneral Mc%hrystal be able to go to !$ghanistan
A4

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#1

/harlie [Flynn$ opens up an office in the basement of the 'entagon. 3t4s "o*n in the Dational Military /omman" /enter 0DM//2 &@0

tonight. ... Mc%hrystal is literally waiting by an air'lane.= E =LetOs get the man a''roved tonight so he can go.= F''. 24 .1, =0he Km'erorOs #eneral=G. 0he $ollowing day, Senator ",ss Ceingold inserted into the %ongressional "ecord that he )o''oseFdG the nomination o$ L0# Stanley Mc%hrystal- beca,se o$ a )classi$ied matter1conveyed in a letter to /resident Mbama3 and beca,se Mc%hrystal9s testimony concerning interrogation )a''ears incom'lete, at best.- +et, the 'revio,s day Mc%hrystal9s nomination was a''roved by the Senate9s ,nanimo,s consent. Where was Ceingold9s o''osition when it wo,ld have matteredI Kight years ago, /at 0illman9s $amily were handed a tarnished Silver Star. It was a travesty o$ B,stice that Mc%hrystal was con$irmed by the Senate, 'romoted to the !rmy9s highest ran<, and handed his $o,rth star.
A5

!s 'revio,sly mentioned, 6+0 /entagon re'orter 0hom Shan<er had s,''osedly )e2onerated- #en. Mc%hrystal o$ all wrong doing in the 0illman cover ,' B,st be$ore the con$irmation hearing. !$terwards, Shan<er enBoyed e2ce'tional )access- to #eneral Mc%hrystal. Cor e2am'le, he wrote, )Mn the day F>,ne 10, 2005G in the s,mmer o$ 2005 that a Senate vote con$irmed #eneral Mc%hrystal and elevated him to his new command and he de'loyed to !$ghanistan, he too< two re'orters $rom the 6ew +or< 0imes F0om Shan<er ; Kric SchmittG on a to,r o$ his new )rear headP,arters- in a sealed corridor o$ the /entagon basement E- F'.4., CounterstrikeG
40

IsnOt =access= grandI !s Shan<er wrote, =! boo< li<e this sim'ly is not 'ossible witho,t the coo'eration and tr,st o$ a large n,mber o$ government o$$icials and military o$$icers.= IOm s,re Shan<er9s whitewash o$ Mc%hrystal hel'ed to gain the =tr,st= o$ Mc%hrystal and others. Fsee ''.5( @ 10(, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story- and $or e2ha,stive detail, )Lies Dorne M,t Dy Cacts, I$ 6ot the 0r,th= Senator >ames Webb, 0hom Shan<er ; 0he 6ew +or< 0imes and the Whitewash o$ #eneral Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the !$termath o$ /at 0illman9s *eathG 18A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

I/ne A91 A<<; * M%2hry#tal'# In>ite# 2N-S'# -./ M/Pa ama to Hel) +rite hi# -$&han +ar -##e##ment

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Dathaniel Fic+, /C? /DA=

An"re* CPum, /DA= Fello*

%8e9)e sent one of our fello*s, An"re* CPum, to ser)e on General Mc/hrystal9s assessment team, an" *e meet *ith General Mc/hrystal )ia )i"eoconference once a *ee+ to tal+ about strategy there.-

.. /DA= 'resi"ent Dathaniel Fic+ 0GT, Do). 200>2

%General Mc/hrystal has assemble" a team of smart officers an" a")isers *ho un"erstan" the challenges of Afghanistan an" are *illing to spea+ unpleasant truths. & My ePperience in Afghanistan *as ma"e great by the incre"ible team *ith *hom 3 *or+e" &-

.. An"re* CPum, %,ac+ from Afghanistan- 0'bu MuCa)a a blog, ;uly 22, 200>2

%CPum fought in Afghanistan in 2002, but since returning from his latest ci)ilian soKourn, the normally *itty an" sarcastic Abu MuAa*ama has turne" into a *al+ing billboar" for Gen. Mc/hrystal &. 'he*, tal+ about a man crush.-

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.. ;ari, %,rea+ingO Abu MuAa*ama Goes All Mushy on Mc/hrystal- 0;uly 2#, 200>2 %8hen reporting as a %Kournalist4 for the army, you Auic+ly learn there is no ne*s but goo" ne*s. & 3 put my 3)y Heague Cnglish "egree to use *riting shallo* propagan"a. & 3 ma"e it a game to see Kust ho* falsely positi)e 3 coul" be... An"re* CPum, %(his Man4s Army- 0200#2

I/ne A91 A<<; * M%2hry#tal'# In>ite# 2N-S'# -./ M/Pa ama to Hel) +rite Hi# -$&han +ar -##e##ment

J1

?n ;une 12 [200>$, /harlie Flynn ta+es a bus from the 'entagon to An"re*s Air Force ,ase. & (hey4re [Mc/hrystal M staff$ ta+ing off for <abul.

J@

3t4s been eight years. (hese motherfuc+ers are acting li+e the *ar starte" yester"ay. & 6e [Mc/hrystal$ issues a series of ne* "irecti)es.

10

6e is praise" in the me"ia an" among /?3D"inistas@1 for %curtailing con)oy4s rec+less "ri)ing.-

B>

'ri)ately, Mc<iernan *ill tell frien"s that it *as 'etraeus *ho *as behin" getting ri" of him & a %"irty- mo)e to get a public relations bump that comes from the %strong mo)e of s*itching generals to *in the *ar.- & a ne* opportunity to as+ for more boots on the groun". %Gates *as the mastermin" behin" this *hole thing.-

1@

?n ;une 2J [200>$, Gates as+s Mc/hrystal to *rite a strategic assessment of the *ar. & 6e "eci"es to bring in a group of outsi"e military ePperts to help *rite it. & to bring in

)!$ter one o$ the SUV9s ran a bicyclist o$$ the road, !ndrew K2,m, a $ellow at the %6!S and a $ormer US !rmy "anger, as<ed the driver, )What are yo, doing, manI- E K2,m wrote a one 'ager $or Mc%hrystal abo,t aggressive driving entitled )0o,ring !$ghanistan by S,bmarineE. )Mc%hrystal soon became the chie$ tra$$ic co' and iss,ed a written directive to all his troo's in the theater )to drive in ways that res'ect the sa$ety and well being o$ the !$ghan 'eo'le.- F'. 182, )bama*s Wars& see my notes in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G
41

160

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Ginfluential 8ashington )oices *ho4ll be able to help sell the plan bac+ home. & About a "oLen ci)ilians get the in)ite, inclu"ing & An"re* CPum@2. 1@ CPum is the youngest member of the team at thirty.one. CPum "i" t*o tours in Afghanistan@B, the first *hen he *as t*enty.t*o. %3 *as bac+ to sa)e the *ar-

@0

CPum & is part of the /enter for a De* American =ecurity, or /DA=@# & 3t4s the hottest thin+ tan+ in to*n, an" they4)e stoc+e" up on influential reporters & (om Gic+s is on the

In March 2005, Andrew K2,m Boined %6!S as a Cellow who $oc,ses on the Middle Kast region, irreg,lar war$are and !$ghanistan. %6!S /resident >ohn 6agl said, =!ndrew K2,m is one o$ the worldOs brightest thin<ers and 'ractitioners on irreg,lar war$are...- His blog, !b, M,Pawama, is considered a )m,st visit daily- blog in de$ense 'olicy circles. *,ring a 2005 Ginterview, %6!S %KM 6athaniel Cic< said7 )WeOve sent one o$ o,r $ellows, !ndrew K2,m, to serve on #eneral Mc%hrystalOs assessment team, and we meet with #eneral Mc%hrystal via videocon$erence once a wee< to tal< abo,t strategy there.- Fsee )#eneration ?ill- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed %6!S9S !ndrew K2,m and the Whitewash o$ #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly Cire *eathG
42

K2,m )s'ent a month with a )E doSen talented and good nat,red co a,thors 1and the worldOs most intense lead a,thor F#eneral Mc%hrystalG3 who ',t ,' with my smart assery o$ten in enclosed s'aces $or a whole month.- E )#eneral Mc%hrystal has assembled a team o$ smart o$$icers and advisers who ,nderstand the challenges o$ !$ghanistan and are willing to s'ea< ,n'leasant tr,ths E My e2'erience in !$ghanistan was made great by the incredible team with whom I wor<ed E- 1a blogger observed that )E since ret,rning $rom his latest civilian soBo,rn, the normally witty and sarcastic !b, M,Pawama has t,rned into a wal<ing billboard $or #en. Mc%hrystal and his new command ... /hew, tal< abo,t a man cr,sh.- Fsee )!b, M,Pawama #oes !ll M,shy on Mc%hrystal- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed-G K2,m was an o$$icer in the U.S. !rmy $rom 2000 ,ntil 200(. He led a 'latoon o$ the 10th Mo,ntain in$antry in !$ghanistan in 2002 1reco,nted in his 200( boo<, !his Man.s Army/ A %oldier.s %tory from the "rontlines of the War on !error3 and a 'latoon o$ !rmy "angers in IraP and !$ghanistan in 200. and 200(, res'ectively.
4.

In his Washington /ost boo< review o$ >on ?ra<a,er9s boo< Where Men Win Glory, K2,m wrote7 )Mn !'ril 22, 200(, I was standing in an o'erations center in Dagram, !$ghanistan, watching two $ire$ights on the monitorsE. ! 'latoon o$ U.S. !rmy "angers and a s'ecial o'erations reconnaissance $orce were both ,nder $ireE Mn the way so,th $rom Dagram Fleading his "anger T,ic< "eaction Corce 'latoon to hel' o,t the recon 'atrolG, I listened on the radio to the U.S. cas,alty re'ort $rom the other $ire$ight7 Mne <illed in action, two wo,nded. E I arrived bac< in Dagram to learn the name o$ that "anger <illed in action7 S'ec. /atric< *aniel 0illman.D,t, K2,m m,st have been hall,cinating, since the !rmy says no s,ch /redator $ootage o$ the 0illman $ire$ight e2ists. I g,ess that $ootage B,st ha''ened to )disa''ear,- B,st li<e all co'ies o$ %/0 Scott9s $irst 18 6 re'ort. Fsee )Dlame to Share on a Doo< "eview-, =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G 161

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gpayroll, Koine" by a rotating cast of other prominent national security Kournalists inclu"ing (e) *ork Ti es 'entagon correspon"ent (hom =han+er@5. 20# Ea)i" <ilcullen@J gets flattere" in a series of me"ia profiles an" becomes a top a")isor to General 'etraeus. & he4ll *rite t*o boo+s &ma+ing the case not Kust for counterinsurgency in 3raA, but /?3D in Afghanistan, 'a+istan, &

20# & he4s [<ilcullen$ embrace" by a ca"re of American officers & one of these officers, ;ohn Dagl@1, *rites another boo+ that fuels the /?3D"inista re)olution, calle" "earnin$ to .at Soup )ith a +nife &

@B

,y early August, the assessment is close to being complete. Mc/hrystal flies & for a secret meeting *ith Gates, Mullen, an" 'etraeus. & 6e tells them his star+ assessment, tells them the situation is "eteriorating, & the serious nePt step is as+ing for more troops.

%6!S has been called =WashingtonOs go to thin< tan< on military a$$airs.= 6athaniel Cic< is the %KM o$ %6!S. He was a Marine L0 in !$ghanistan in 2001, and in 200. led a Marine "econ 'latoon d,ring the invasion o$ IraP 1described in his boo< )Mne D,llet !way,- in )"olling Stone- re'orter Kvan Wright9s boo< )#eneration ?ill, - and in HDM9s e2cellent )#eneration ?illmini series3.
4(

+ew ,ork !imes /entagon "e'orter 0hom Shan<er wrote F'..05, CounterstrikeG, )%6!S in Washington allowed each o$ ,s FShan<er ; co a,thor 6+0 re'orter Kric SchmittG to s'end 50 days as a )writer in residence- FCall 2005G to wor< on Counterstrike E it is a 'lace where many o$ the shar'est thin<ers on national sec,rity hang their hat or 'ass thro,gh $or co$$ee or l,nch.1Wow, can yo, hear the s,c<ing so,ndI3 It a''ears Shan<er9s %6!S sabbatical was yet another 'er< $or )e2onerating- Mc%hrystal and $or being a loyal stenogra'her $or the /entagon and the Mbama administration. Fsee )%o,rt Stenogra'her in "esidence- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
48

Wow, IsnOt the Washington establishment so coSyI WhatOs the di$$erence between the media, the government, and =inde'endent= thin< tan<s s,ch as %6!SI It a''ears to be all one big incest,o,s blob. I didn9t come away $rom my 'ersonal e2'erience with 0hom Shan<er with any con$idence in o,r )watchdog- media. 10hom Shan<er also 'artici'ated in the misin$ormation abo,t the >essica Lynch story in 200.3. In >,ne 2005, %6!S 'resented its re'ort$0!ria e/ !he +e1t !welve Months in Af hanistan and #akistan$0 written by !ndrew K2,m, 6athaniel Cic<, E and *avid 'ilcullen. 0he <eynote s'ea<er was none other than #eneral *avid /etrae,s, %K60%MM commander.
46 4A

>ohn 6agl was the /resident o$ the Washington thin< tan< %6!S ,ntil >an,ary 2012. 162

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G(he serious nePt step is *hat the assessment conclu"esO 8e4re losing. & (his assessment isn4t going to be *ell recei)e", Mc/hrystal is tol". 6ol" onto it. 6e "oesn4t.@@

Se)t0 A81 A<<; * M%2hry#tal'# -$&han -##e##ment "ea(ed to Bo. +ood ard

Michael Hasting s,ggests here 1and elsewhere3 that Mc%hrystal lea<ed the assessment to Woodward. It9s not clear to me why he thin<s Mc%hrystal was the so,rce o$ the lea<.
44

16.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

%(he 'entagon recei)e" Mc/hrystal4s classifie" assessment of the Afghanistan 8ar on Mon"ay, August B1. 200>& 3t angere" ?bama that 'etraeus *as publicly lobbying an" preKu"ging a presi"ential "ecision. & (he 8hite 6ouse *as upset because it loo+e" li+e the generals *ere trying to boP in the presi"ent. & [,ob$ 8oo"*ar" publishes the lea+e" Mc/hrystal4s assessment in the Washin$ton Post =eptember 21, 200>.. ,ob 8oo"*ar", Oba a!s Wars 020102

16(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

Se)t0 A81 A<<; * M%2hry#tal'# -$&han +ar -##e##ment "ea(ed to Bo. +ood ard

12> (here4s a funny thing about these *ars in 3raA an" AfghanistanO 8hat "ri)es the policy "ebate an" me"ia co)erage is rarely *hat4s actually happening on the groun".@> &(hat changes on =eptember 21, 200>. 8ashington 'ost reporter ,ob 8oo"*ar" publishes Mc/hrystal4s confi"ential assessment of the *ar.>0 & ?)ernight, Afghanistan starts to matter in 8ashington.

1B0 (here4s a lot of lea+ology about the "ocument. 8ho lea+e" it: 3t lea+s four "ays after after & brought copies to members of /ongress I maybe /ongress lea+e" it & Maybe ;im

45

)E yo, can get a 'retty good sense o$ whatOs going on E $rom re'orters in the $ield. D,t ,n$ort,nately, in this war'ed Deltway view o$ the world, what ha''ens on the gro,nd matters m,ch less than what ha''ens in Washington. I mean, the great catalyst E $or the !$ghanistan debate was not what was ha''ening in !$ghanistan, it was the $act that Dob Woodward ',blished a re'ort in Washington. It was the lea<. 0hat was the great catalyst o$ the !$ghanistan debate in the $irst year o$ /resident MbamaOs administration.- F)"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine-G Dob Woodward has a bit o$ blood on his hands $or 'rinting the assessment. I$ I recall, it was even given to him o$$ the record.

0hat same day, !ndrew K2,m 'osted How I S'ent My S,mmer on his %6!S blog, incl,ding a lin< to the !$ghan war assessment7 )0his F!$ghan War assessmentG was written with abo,t a doSen talented and good nat,red co a,thors 1and the worldOs most intense lead a,thor F#eneral Mc%hrystalG3 who ',t ,' with my smart assery o$ten in enclosed s'aces $or a whole month. I loo< $orward to both yo,r B,dgment o$ o,r e$$orts and the e$$ect it has on the 'olicy debate in Washington and the allied ca'itals.50

168

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G;ones>1 & Maybe Mc/hrystal lea+e" it>2, or Gates, or Mullen, so they coul" put pressure on ?bama.>B

1BB (he first "etaile" account of this fall [Afghan *ar$ re)ie* appears a fe* months later in a boo+ calle" The Pro ise *ritten by ;onathan Alter. & 6e4s got the sources an" lays it out from 'resi"ent ?bama4s perspecti)e.

B@1 (hree other boo+.length insi"e accounts of the ?bama a"ministration4s "ecision ma+ing in Afghanistan *ere particularly helpful>#O ;onathan Alter4s The Pro ise, Gichar" 8olfe4s #e-i-al, an" ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s Oba a!s Wars.>5
Matthew M. !id wrote that the )administration E P,ietly $ired a n,mber o$ o$$icials, some o$ them P,ite senior, who 'rovided in$ormation to a,thor Dob Woodward $or his 2010 boo< )bama*s Wars. #en. >im >ones was $ired in Mctober 2010 1'. 228, 2ntel Wars34
51 52

( 20 1( U'date7 #ates wrote 1'..6437 )!$ter I le$t o$$ice, I was chagrined to hear $rom an insider I tr,st that Mc%hrystal9s sta$$ had lea<ed the assessment o,t o$ im'atience with both the /resident and the White Ho,se. I$ so, I9d be very s,r'rised i$ Stan <new abo,t it.- Maybe *ave SilvermanI

/erha's it was Senator Mc%ain, Lieberman, or #raham who lea<ed itI 1see '. 1.0, !he )perators3. M$ co,rse, one o$ the #enerals 1/etrae,sI3 co,ld9ve given it to the Senators. Michael Hasting s,ggested on '.4. 1and elsewhere3 that Mc%hrystal lea<ed the assessment to Woodward. However, Mc%hrystal claims he never s'o<e with Woodward 1Woodward wrote his so,rce handed it to him d,ring an interview3.
5. 5(

I wo,ld also add Matthew M. !id9s recent boo<, 2ntel Wars 120123 to the list.

Li<e Hastings, I also $o,nd )bama*s War*s very hel'$,l in ,nderstanding the !$ghan s,rge bac< story. However, I $o,nd that Woodward 'aints a b,nch o$ dots, s'reads them thro,gho,t his boo<, b,t never connects them together 1I a''reciate that Michael Hastings connects the dots in his boo<, and incl,des all the C bombs3. . In >an,ary 2010, I edited my boo< notes to try to $ig,re o,t what was going on behind the scenes o$ the !$ghan s,rge Fsee )Mbama9s Warsboo< notes in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=1*ra$t3 @ )Mbama9s Wars- and the Washington /ost9s Dob Woodward9s Whitewash o$ #en. Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly Cire *eathG
58

Mn *ecember 1., 2010, I as<ed Dob Woodward abo,t the 0illman cover ,' on 6/"9s )0al< o$ the 6ation.- Dob Woodward res'onded,=...o$ co,rse, Mc%hrystal was in the chain o$ command, E D,t he was not the hands on 'erson ma<ing that decision.= )6ot the )hands on) 'ersonJ "eallyI Un$ort,nately, I had called in on the $ly witho,t 're'aring my P,estion in advance. I missed my chance to )throw my shoe- at Woodward. !$terwards, based ,'on his 6/" comments and )bama*s Wars$ I wrote a reb,ttal o$ )Dob Woodward9s )Whitewash o$ #en. Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the 0illman %over U'- Fsee =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot= 1*ra$t3 @ )Mbama9s Wars- and the Washington /ost9s Dob Woodward9s Whitewash o$ #en. Mc%hrystal9s "ole in the %over U' o$ /at 0illman9s Criendly 166

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No>0 A1 A<<; !! On Martial Hirt/eE-nd Ion =ra(a/er'# 2ra))y Ne Boo( Re)ort

An"re* CPum, /enter for a De* American =ecurity

;on <ra+auer, author of %8here Men 8in Glory-

Cire *eathG 16A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G%(he bottom line is, nothing is e)er going to heal the *oun"s inflicte" on the (illman Family & An" *hile 3 ha)e nothing but respect for the (illman Family&, their personal grief shoul" not be a )eto on the nomination of the man [General Mc/hrystal$ the presi"ent, the =ecretary of Eefense, an" General 'etraeus all feel gi)es the !nite" =tates & the best chance of )ictory in Afghanistan & (hese are serious Auestions an" are more important than either the "eath of 'at (illman or the allege" abuse of "etainees... An"re* CPum, %/onfirm 6im- 0'bu MuCu)a a blog, ;une 2, 200>2

%&some may *on"er *hy his "ishonesty about (illman shoul" matter. 3t matters because "eceit by a military officer of Mc/hrystal4s ran+ is a poisonous betrayal of trust that shoul"n4t be countenance".-

.. ;on <ra+auer, %Gen. Mc/hrystal4s /re"ibility 'roblem- 0 Daily Beast, ?ct. 1#, 200>2

.. ;on <ra+auer, %Gen. Mc/hrystal4s /re"ibility 'roblem- 0?ct. 1#, 200> %A fe* months ago [=ept. 1B, 200>$, 3 *as as+e" to re)ie* ;on <ra+auer9s ne* boo+ by the Washin$ton Post ... the boo+ *as a*ful. <ra+auer *rote a crappy boo+, an" no* he has to mar+et it. An" ho* is he "oing that: ,y going after =tan Mc/hrystal, *ho is probably the least culpable guy in (illman9s chain of comman" ... =tan Mc/hrystal is one of the finest men 3 ha)e e)er +no*n, an" 3 hope 3 ha)e sons *ho ser)e un"er men li+e him. ;on <ra+auer is going after him no* because he has *ritten a crappy boo+ an" no* has to sell it. % .. An"re* CPum, %?n Martial Virtue &- 0Do)ember 2, 200>2 (his substantially re)ise" e"ition [;uly 2010$ of Where Men Win Glory inclu"es ne* material that & lea)es little "oubt *ho "irecte" the co)er.up of his fratrici"e. & Follo*ing publication of the first e"ition in =eptember 200>, 3 "isco)ere" a""itional e)i"ence of "eceit by high.ran+ing Army officers... ;on <ra+auer, from 'reface to Where Men Win Glory 020102

No>0 A1 A<<; !! On Martial Hirt/eE-nd Ion =ra(a/er'# 2ra))y Ne Boo( Re)ort

1B0 ?n =eptember 21, siP "ays after the lea+, a Mc/hrystal inter)ie* airs on V7 Minutes. & (he 8hite 6ouse "oesn4t li+e *hat happene" in Hon"on, either. Four "ays after the V7 Minutes inter)ie*, Mc/hrystal & is as+e" about a & [counterterrorism plus$ option that Vice 'resi"ent ;oe ,i"en has been a")ocating. %(he short ans*er isO no,- he tells the au"ience. (his time, ?bama summons him to a face.to.face meeting aboar" Air Force
164

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G?ne. & (he inci"ent & re)eals that Mc/hrystal can use the me"ia to get *hat he *ants I Kust fire up that 8ashington me"iaT

1B2 Mc/hrystal4s allies in the me"ia rally to push his plan I in)iting influential thin+ers to the assessment team pays "i)i"en"s. & For The Washin$ton Post, [/DA=4s$ An"re* CPum re)ie*s a ne* boo+ about 'at (illman by ;on <ra+auer I Where Men Win Glory.>J (he boo+ is har" on Mc/hrystal>1, accuses him of being in)ol)e" in the (illman co)er.up. 1B2 For The Washin$ton Post, An"re* CPum re)ie*s a ne* boo+ about 'at (illman by ;on <ra+auer I Where Men Win Glory. & CPum pans the boo+.>@ 6e "oesn4t mention
>on ?ra<a,er9s boo<, Where Men Win Glory 5 !he )dyssey of #at !illman, was ',blished in Se't. 2005. Its ',blication was delayed $or over a year, 'robably beca,se ?ra<a,er lost the tr,st o$ the 0illman $amily and the di$$ic,lties associated with writing a biogra'hy witho,t the insight and s,''ort o$ his $amily and $riends. 0he boo< is a $lawed biogra'hy 1instead, I9d recommend Mary 0illman9s Boots on the Ground by Dusk3. However, ?ra<a,er did a decent Bob o$ describing the act,al $riendly $ire incident and the CUD!" orders $rom the Cobbits HT that led ,' to it. F'. .2=He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
56

6o, the $irst edition o$ )Where Men Win #lory- was not )hard- on Mc%hrystal. Mc%hrystal was barely a $ootnote. D,t B,st two wee<s later, ?ra<,a,er was on >on Stewart9s )0he *aily Showsaying Mc%hrystal was )'robably the 'oint man $or this cover ,'.- !nd, B,st a month later, he ',blished )#en. Mc%hrystal9s %redibility /roblem- where he )e2'ressed s<e'ticism abo,t Mc%hrystal9s honesty.- He wrote that Mc%hrystal )had dissembled to the Senate- E )he closely s,'ervised the dra$ting o$ these FSilver StarG doc,ments-E )administered a $ra,d,lent medal recommendation E thereby concealing the ca,se o$ 0illman9s death.- D,t none o$ this new material a''eared in ?ra<a,er9s $irst edition.
5A

Why did ?ra<a,er s,ddenly begin tal<ing abo,t Mc%hrystal9s central role in the cover ,' shortly a$ter his $irst edition was ',blishedI Well, B,st two days a$ter the release o$ the $irst edition, my !,nt %andy literally 'laced two binders o$ my research 1abo,t 200 'ages3 into ?ra<a,er9s hands at his Do,lder boo< signing. Mn >,ly 2A, 2010, ?ra,<a,er ',blished his revised 'a'erbac< edition o$ Where Men Win Glory. 0his e2tensively revised edition was )hard- on Mc%hrystal. ?ra<a,er described how Mc%hrystal 'layed a )central role in the scandal- and incl,ded m,ch more detail abo,t the !rmy9s cover ,'. My analysis shows my material was the so,rce o$ ?ra<a,er9s )additional evidence o$ deceit.FSee ''.10, 2A 24, =>on ?ra<a,erOs %redibility /roblem=G !ndrew K2,m9s review 'ortrayed ?ra<a,er as a n,t Bob cons'iracy theorist with a )visceral hatred o$ the D,sh administration- who lac<ed the e2'erience or <nowledge to criticiSe the decisions o$ !rmy o$$icers. He br,shed aside the ab,ndance o$ damning evidence ?ra<a,er 'resented abo,t the !rmyOs cover ,' o$ /at 0illman9s $riendly $ire death. Instead o$ addressing the evidence, he e2c,sed the actions o$ his $ellow "anger o$$icers as )a series o$ bl,nders1never even mentioning #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal des'ite his hands on role directing the cover ,'3. FSee )Dlame to Share on a Doo< "eview- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
54

165

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMc/hrystal4s role in the co)er.up, or mention him by name. CPum fails to "isclose the fact he *or+e" for Mc/hrystal as an a")isor.>> 0(he "eception is egregious enough that the Washin$ton Post ombu"sman is force" to apologiLe for the o)ersight2.100

11# Author ;on <ra+auer, *ho4s *ritten the most "efiniti)e account101 of (illman4s "eath, *ill accuse Mc/hrystal of ha)ing a %cre"ibility problem.-102

K2,m did mention he was a )civilian advisor- in !$ghanistan d,ring 2005. However, $ailed to mention he had been an advisor to #en. Mc%hrystal, or mention his close 'ersonal and 'ro$essional ties 1%6!S %KM 6ate Cic< said, )F%6!SG meetFsG with #eneral Mc%hrystal E once a wee< to tal< abo,t strategy there-3 with #eneral Mc%hrystal and the "anger "#0 o$$icers involved in the cover ,' 1K2,m was a "anger o$$icer in !$ghanistan in 200(. K2,m9s boo< review )a''ears to be a calc,lated e$$ort on K2,mOs 'art to ,ndermine ?ra<a,erOs credibility and ,ndermine his valid criticisms o$ Mc%hrystal Fand the "anger "#0 o$$icersG. K2,m wasnOt merely =an ,n'aid adviser to Mc%hrystal= K2,m was one o$ Mc%hrystalOs biggest cheerleaders.- FSee )Dlame to Share on a Doo< "eview- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
55

0he Washin ton #ost*s Mmb,dsman, !ndrew !le2ander, wrote a brie$ correction all,ding to !ndrew K2,m9s )a''earance o$ a con$lict o$ interest- in his col,mn )Dlame to S'are on a Doo< "eview- 16ov. 18, 20053. He wrote abo,t K2,m9s $ailed to disclose he s'ent a month wor<ing closely with Mc%hrystal in !$ghanistan a$ter being as<ed by Mc%hrystal to Boin his !$ghan war assessment team 'rior to writing his boo< review7 )?ra<a,er is angry. He told me that beca,se K2,m is Nenthralled9 with Mc%hrystal, he wrote a =will$,lly dece'tive= review that 'rotected him. E I also thin< K2,m deserves blame. 0he contract lang,age is e2'licit. *es'ite media coverage o$ his role in !$ghanistan, the contract ',ts the on,s on the reviewer to noti$y 0he /ost i$ there is an =a''earance o$ a con$lict o$ interest.= FSee )Dlame to Share on a Doo< "eview- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
100

I don9t agree that ?ra<a,er wrote the )most de$initive acco,nt- abo,t /at 0illman. 0r,e, Where Men Win Glory does a good Bob o$ describing the CUD!" orders $rom the "anger "#0 Cobbits that led to 0illman9s death, the act,al $riendly $ire incident, and 1in his revised 'a'erbac< edition3 how #en. Mc%hrystal and other !rmy o$$icers covered ,' 0illlman9s $riendly $ire death. However, a$ter ?ra<a,er lost the tr,st o$ the 0illman $amily, he was $aced with the di$$ic,lt tas< o$ writing witho,t the insight and s,''ort o$ his $amily, $riends, and $ellow "angers 1?evin 0illman was the )gatemaster-3.
101

I don9t care 1m,ch3 abo,t ?ra<a,er stealing my credit. D,t, his greater act o$ deceit was one o$ omission. !$ter reading his boo<, yo,9d believe the *emocratic %ongress was )stonewalled- by /resident D,sh. D,t, even a$ter being handed my ),ntold story,- ?ra<a,er still $ailed to describe in his ,'dated edition how /resident Mbama and the *emocratic %ongress contin,ed the D,sh admin istration9s whitewash o$ Mc%hrystal9s central role in the cover ,' o$ 0illman9s $riendly $ire death. Incredibly, ?ra<a,er neglected to even mention the second %ongressional 0illman hearing on !,g,st 1, 200A. /erha's ?ra<a,er choose to omit this ),ntold story- beca,se it didn9t $it into his sim'le blac< and white $ableI Mr o,t o$ *emocratic biasI Mr a lac< o$ co,rageI /erha's, his ego wo,ld be br,ised to admit he 1once again3 had gotten his story 1A0

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G1B2 (he same boo+ is also re)ie*e" in The (e) *ork Ti es I the reporter trashes the boo+ as *ell. (he re)ie*, strangely, "oesn4t mention Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up either. (his reporter, EePter Fil+ins, publishes a glo*ing (e) *ork Ti es Ma$aHine co)er story on Mc/hrystal the nePt month.

De%0 81 A<<; * 3re#ident O.ama BoGed In By General#1 -nno/n%e# -$&han +ar S/r&e

wrong the $irst time aro,ndI Mr maybe sim'ly laSinessI F''. 10 11, 26 .1 =>on ?ra<a,erOs %redibility /roblem=G 0here is no )de$initive acco,nt- o$ the 0illman story. 0he best introd,ction to the story is the doc,mentary )0he 0illman Story-, #ary SmithOs ="emember His 6ame= 1S'orts Ill,strated, 5 11 063,
Mi<e CishOs =!n Un !merican 0ragedy= series 12006, KS/63, and Mic< Drown9s =Detrayal o$ an !ll !merican Hero= 10he 0elegra'h 10 0A 103,.

0o dig dee'er, besides ?ra<a,er9s $lawed boo<, I wo,ld recommend, Mary 0illman9s boo< Boots on the Ground by Dusk 1at bl,rb.com3, >ohn 0. "eedOs =military articles= at his Bohntreed.com
site, and my ),ntold- 0illman story 'osts at the $eral$ire$ighter.blogs'ot.com

!s 'revio,sly mentioned, on Mct. 1(, 2005, ?ra<a,er ',blished )#en. Mc%hrystal9s %redibility /roblem- in )0he *aily Deast.- ! month and a hal$ later, on =Meet the /ress- 16ov. 1, 20053, ?ra<a,er acc,sed #eneral Mc%hrystal o$ lying abo,t his central role in the !rmy9s cover ,' o$ /at 0illman9s $riendly $ire death. 0he ne2t day, in res'onse, %6!S9s !ndrew K2,m 'osted, )Mn Martial Virt,e E and Selling >on ?ra<a,er9s %ra''y 6ew Doo<,- writing, )Stan Mc%hrystal stands o,t as E 'robably the least c,l'able g,y in 0illman9s chain o$ command E Stan Mc%hrystal is one o$ the $inest men I have ever <nown, and I ho'e I have sons who serve ,nder men li<e him.102

I added a lengthy comment to his blog 'ost, )$is<ing- him thoro,ghly. K2,m was either aw$,lly good at $eigning sel$ righteo,s o,trage or was woe$,lly 1and will$,lly3 ignorant o$ the most basic $acts o$ the 0illman case. It9s 'ossible K2,m believes his own b,llshit abo,t #eneral Mc%hrystal. !s the saying goes, =It is di$$ic,lt to get a man to ,nderstand something, when his salary de'ends ,'on his not ,nderstanding it.= F See )Mn Martial Virt,e E and Selling >on ?ra<a,er9s %ra''y 6ew Doo<- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G !''arently, some )shit rolled downhill- $rom my 'ost and:or the Washington /ost9s cens,re& on 6ovember 2., 2005, !ndrew K2,m anno,nced that he had )decided to sto' daily blogging.- I li<ed )b-s s,ccinct res'onse to !M9s anno,ncement7 )Shorter K2,m7 Loo<, I seem to have 'roblems to stay on the o$$icially demanded message whenever I s'ontaneo,sly blog abo,t some c,rrent develo'ment or event. My boss told me to either P,it ',blishing my real o$$ message tho,ghts or to P,it the Bob at %6!S. Me and my $amily do 're$er the money over ',blishing my s'ontaneo,s o'inion. 0here$ore IOll P,it blogging.- Fsee )/,blic Service !nno,ncement- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed= 1A1

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

& Mc/hrystal4s [?ct. 1, 200>$ speech *as either %insubor"ination or stupi".- & the presi"ent raise" Mc/hrystal4s remar+s. (his *as something that really put me in a boP, ?bama sai", an" 3 "on4t li+e to be boPe" in. ?bama felt "isrespecte" an" trappe". & %Mc/hrystal *as har"ly an innocent. 6e too+ comman", got out first by *riting his long, classifie" assessment, sta+ing his groun" an" then hi"ing behin" the uniform an" the flag. 'etraeus an" Mullen ha" Koine" in after that.-

(urning to 'etreaus, he [?bama$ sai", %Eon4t clear an" hol" *hat you cannot transfer. Eon4t o)erePten" us.-& 3f you ha)e any personal misgi)ings or any professional "oubts about *hat *e4re about to "o, tell me no*- &-3f the t*o.year time frame for accomplishing these goals is not possible, 3 *ant to hear it no*.- & %3 *ant to be clear about *hat *e are not "oing. (his is not a nation*i"e counterinsurgency strategy.4 &

%All *e ha)e to "o is begin to sho* progress,- 'etreaus sai", %an" that4ll be sufficient to a"" time to the cloc+ an" *e4ll get *hat *e nee" [more troops for /?3D strategy:$.- %(hat4s a "ramatic misrea"ing of this presi"ent-, [Gen.$ Hute sai".

%[?n Eecember 1, 200>$ 6e [?bama$ announce" he *as sen"ing B0,000 more != troops. & 5begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in ;uly of 2011 & *e *ill ePecute this transition responsibly, ta+ing into account con"itions on the groun".-

.. ,ob 8oo"*ar", Oba a!s Wars 020102 1A2

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

De%0 81 A<<; * O.ama E#%alate# the -$&han +ar

1BB ?bama isn4t going to stan" up to all that shiny brass. 6e "oesn4t *ant to loo+ *ea+. 6e4s intimi"ate" by the cro*".

2@1 Eoes ?bama really belie)e in the *ar: Mc/hrystal an" his team ha)e their "oubts. & ?ne of the reasons he agree" to the escalation in Afghanistan *as because he felt he *oul" be politically )ulnerable if he "i"n4t I he might loo+ *ea+ on national security, he coul"n4t o)errule his generals. & Ei" he really go along *ith a *ar he "i"n4t belie)e *e coul" *in so he *oul"n4t get criticiLe" for losing it:

1B5 3n the en", ?bama attempts to split the "ifference I he gi)es the military the troops they *ant, but tells them they nee" to lea)e sooner than they4" li+e.

1#> ?bama chooses 8est 'oint to "eli)er his [Eec. 1, 200>$ speech on his ne* strategy. ?r, more accurately, Mc/hrystal an" 'etraeus4s strategy. 6e tells the au"ience of ca"ets all the reasons *hy fighting in Afghanistan is a ba" i"ea. 6e tells them that *e4re going to "o it any*ay.10B

20> (he escalation in Afghanistan is on an entirely "ifferent scale from the escalation in 3raA, ho*e)er I it creates a ne* *ar. (he surge in Afghanistan triples the number of forces an" more than Aua"ruples the cost of the conflict. 3ts chances of success are lo*, almost nonePistent.10#
>ac< 6eworth interviewed /atric< 0illman, Sr. abo,t his reaction to Mbama9s !$ghan troo' s,rge. In his col,mn 1)%are$,l What +o, Wish Cor- >an. 25, 2011, Santa Monica *aily /ress-3 he wrote7 )EI wanted Darac< Mbama to win the 'residency in 2004. !mong my reasons was his o,ts'o<en o''osition to D,sh9s disastro,s, ,nnecessary and 'robably illegal war in IraP. E So what does Mbama doI He sends .0,000 more troo's to !$ghanistan. Having interviewed /at 0illman, Sr. 1$ather o$ /at >r.3 I called him $or a P,ote. )My condolences to the $amilies in advance,- he said.10.

1A.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G1BJ ?bama gi)es Mc/hrystal *hat he *ants, *arning him o)er a V(/O %Eo not occupy *hat you cannot transfer.-

-)ril 8D1 A<8< * Mi%hael Ha#tin&# -lmo#t Famo/# Road Tri) -%ro## E/ro)e ith Gen0 M%2hry#tal'# Sta$$

2>

[Gear A"miral Gregory =mith$ %&Kust gotten in)ol)e" into a nasty ePchange *ith a popular freelance Kournalist name" Michael 7on.& [7on$ ha" Kust gotten +ic+e" off an embe". %DePt time military generals tal+ about poor press performance in Afghanistan,7on *rote & that April, %please remember that Mc/hrystal an" cre* lac+e" the "ePterity to han"le a single, unarme" *riter & 6o* can Mc/hrystal han"le the (aliban:

1B

?)er the past year, Kournalists ha" regularly been gi)en intimate access to Mc/hrystal an" his staff. A reporter for the (*T & a profile that foun" Mc/hrystal4s only fault *as that he *or+e" so har"& A *riter from The 'tlantic & as+e" if Mc/hrystal *as Afghanistan4s only hope& Ti e magaLine ha" put him as runner.up for 'erson of the 7ear & all tol" the same storyO Mc/hrystal as a mo"ern combination of saint an" ninKa, a %;e"i <night-&

110 =pecial Forces operators ha" a healthy "isrespect for authority #ollin$ Stone fit this self. style" image perfectly. (hey *ere buil"ing ,ran" Mc/hrystal I ballsy, en)elope.pushing, ris+.ta+ing. & 3t *as the natural e)olution of a )ery aggressi)e me"ia strategy to establish Mc/hrystal as a conten"er for the greatest general of his generation, on a par *ith 'etraeus.

1J

%3 "on4t care about the article,- Mc/hrystal sai", %;ust put me on the co)er.- 3 pause". 6e *as Ko+ing, sort of. 3 "i"n4t ha)e a clue *ho *as going to be on the co)er though. & (he name ,ono flashe" through my min". 3 reache" for something a little more current & %3t4s bet*een you an" Ha"y Gaga, sir.- & Mc/hrystal loo+e" at me an" smile". %'ut me in the

)0he $act that every Bo,rnalist in the /entagon /ress %or's wasnOt standing ,' when they were going to escalate in !$ghanistan and saying, Oare yo, g,ys $,c<ing <idding meI WeOre going to escalate in !$ghanistanI !re yo, g,ys n,tsI Have yo, all gone madIO D,t the maBority B,st re'orted that some ,nnamed military o$$icial says Mc%rystal wants more troo's, and Mbama better give them to him. +o, <nowI It was 'athetic. It was really, really 'athetic.Crom Michael Hastings9 interview, 1)"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine-, !lternet @ 1:2A:1237
10(

1A(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gheart.shape" bathtub *ith Ha"y Gaga,- he sai". %Maybe some rose petals. 3 Kust *ant to get on the co)e so 3 can finally gain my son4s respect.- 06is son *as in a ban".2

B2

34" spent many *ee+s aroun" the country4s most senior military officials, an" 34" ne)er hear" them tal+ li+e this before. 3t *as the +in" of banter 34" hear" on the front lines, but not insi"e hea"Auarters, *here blan"ness an" "iscretion often trumpe" colorful language an" obscene han" gestures, at least in front of reporters.105

J2

3 *as starting to li+e them, an" they seem to li+e me. (hey *ere cool. (hey ha" a rec+less, *ho.gi)es.a.fuc+ attitu"e. 3 *as getting insi"e the bubble &-

J2

%(his is beginning to soun" li+e fuc+ing 'l ost Fa ous.- &. (he mo)ie & his one."ay story turne" into a lengthy roa" trip on tour *ith the ban". & there *asn4t al*ays a happy en"ing if you *rote about people *ith brutal honestly. 10J

)He FL0% *,<eG starts saying things that I have never heard said so bl,ntly @ what observers and critics and analysts have worried abo,t, what those in the military have been 'rivately thin<ing, what I ass,med was ha''ening, b,t that he, an active d,ty lie,tenant colonel in Daghdad, is saying on the record. 1Sometimes re'orting is $inding o,t what yo, don9t <now, sometimes it9s hearing something said that everyone <nows, b,t that no one has had the g,ts to say, beca,se they aren9t s,''osed to say it.3 F'.15A, Michael Hastings, 2 6ost My 6ove in Ba hdad 120043G
108

)-I <now that FL0% >onG 6orris is not going to li<e the story when he reads it. M,ch o$ my material E was c,t. It also contains criticisms, $rom his men, o$ the D,sh administration and *onald ",ms$eld. I $eel ,neasy, beca,se I have res'ect $or 6orris, and I want him to li<e it. I <now he won9 t li<e it, tho,gh. D,t I <now most o$ the soldiers will. 0he story r,ns. 6orris is not ha''y with it. He sends me an email and says I betrayed his tr,st and as<s i$ my magaSine is ',shing a liberal media agenda. I say my story is based on interviews with doSens o$ soldiers over a month and it is acc,rate. It9s B,st not very good news.- F'. 185, Michael Hastings, 2 6ost My 6ove in Ba hdad 120043G
106

1A8

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-)ril A81 A<8< * To Be 2ontin/edE

1A6

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G15# (o be continue". [<erina$& 3 loo+e" o)er to the front "es+. <erina *as chec+ing out of the hotel. =he loo+e" at me an" smile".101

10A

W0CI Michael, How can yo, <ee' yo,r readers in limb with that sort o$ cli$$hangerI K2actly when will yo,r acco,nt o$ yo,r night with ?erina )be contin,ed-I What was her storyI S'y, hoo<er, or whatI InP,iring minds want to <nowJ Dare allJ

1AA

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-)ril A;1 A<8<!! Ho Do 7o/ -#( a Man to Be the "a#t Man to Die $or a Mi#ta(eL8<C

211 &Mc/hrystal4s comman" & style represente" an unprece"ente" "eparture from pre)ious != military history I a comman" ma"e up of elite =pecial Forces sol"iers & Generally, they4" been in charge of a fe* thousan" of the most brilliant people in the ser)ice, an" they *ere no* running an army that numbere" in the hun"re"s of thousan"s. & A "ra*bac+O Mc/hrystal an" Hamb *ere use" to "ealing *ith the best of the best, high 3Us, not the "umbness of the ,ig Army.

2@0 (he loyalty [of his staff$ to Mc/hrystal & often en"e" up *ith the general getting an inaccurate picture of *hat *as actually ta+ing place.

>1

3 as+e" [Mi+e Flynn$ about a report he ha" authore" in ;anuary [2010$. (he report, *hich he publishe" on a thin+ tan+4s [/DA=$ *ebsite & ha" "eclare" that your military intelligence *as %clueless- about Afghanistan.

104

Crom 1now Senator3 >ohn ?erry9s testimony be$ore the Senate in 15A1. 1A4

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G21@ 8hy are *e here: =pen"ing o)er a *ee+ [April 2010$ *ith Mc/hrystal an" his team in 8estern Curope ha" cause" me, briefly, to rethin+ my ans*ers. (he ePcitement an" the feeling of being on the insi"e ma"e me gi)e them the benefit of the "oubt. =ure, the *ar ha" become morally "ubious, ri"iculously ePpensi)e, an" *oul" li+ely fuel anti.American terrorism for years to come I but they *ere such cool guys, an" they *ere nice to me & 8hy not Kust gi)e them a chance, li+e a number of my colleagues al*ays "i": & (heir confi"ence an" ePpertise *ere persuasi)e. 3f they belie)e" in the mission, then *hy coul"n4t 3: &

21@ (he more time 3 spent outsi"e the bubble & 3 coul"n4t sha+e my o*n s+epticism. & Do matter ho* professional or competent or "ynamic Mc/hrystal an" his team *ere, the tas+ they ha" set out for themsel)es *as so ob)iously "oome".10> 2@B /=M Michael 6all compare" Mc/hrystal to ;ohn 'aul Vann & his life *oul" come to represent the trage"y of that *ar & the embrace of i"eas he once +ne* to be fla*e". & 3 *on"ere" *hy he *oul" ma+e the comparison, an" figure" that he "i"n4t really mean it.

On 3rin%i)le

105 ?n August 2#, Galbraith & tells 6olbroo+e *hat the !D position is going to beO 3gnore the [August 200> <arLai$ election frau".

120 %3t ga)e me great Koy to hear that you ['eter Galbraith$ got fire" [for raising a stin+ about the frau"ulent elections$ *hen 3 rea" it in the papers& 6a" you embeLLle" money, it *oul" ha)e ta+en the !D eighteen months to fire you & ,ut ta+e a stan" on principle: (he !D fires you o)ernight.!nother boo< whose 'essimistic 1realistic3 analysis o$ the !$ghan War mostly agrees with Michael Hasting9s analysis, is Matthew M. !id9s recent boo< 2ntel Wars 1201237 es'ecially %H 17 NLi'stic< on a /ig- and %H 87 )0he Sword o$ *amocles- @ 0he %ontin,ing 0ravails in !$ghanistan.105

!lso, see !ctive *,ty !rmy Whistleblower Lt. %ol. *aniel *avis7 U.S. *eceiving /,blic on !$ghan War
1*emocracy 6ow, !'r. 11, 201237 =Senior ran<ing US military leaders have so distorted the tr,th when comm,nicating with the US %ongress and !merican 'eo'le in regards to conditions on the gro,nd in !$ghanistan that the tr,th has become ,nrecogniSable.=

1A5

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

11@ 6is [Michael 6oh *ho *or+e" on a 'G( team in Afghanistan$ letter of resignation is publishe" in full of the [8ashington$ 'ost4s *ebsite & %&3 fail to see the )alue or the *orth in continue" !.=. casualties or ePpen"itures of resources in support of the Afghan go)ernment in *hat is, truly, a B5 year.ol" ci)il *ar& an unpopular an" corrupt go)ernment& families *ho must be reassure" their "ea" ha)e sacrifice" for a purpose *orthy of futures lost, lo)e )anishe", an" promise" "reams un+ept. 3 ha)e lost confi"ence such assurances can anymore be ma"e. As such, 3 submit my resignation.- & Michael 6oh110 is only the thir" senior American go)ernment official to ha)e resigne" to reasons of conscience.

15# ;ulian [German Kournalist$ *as prepare" to ta+e o*nership of the position he too+ an" the conseAuences of it. 34" rarely hear" an American Kournalist ePpress any such regrets or ta+e responsibility for the policies they ha" promote".

000

-n -rmy o$ None

2J1 H(G 8illiam ,. /al"*ell arri)es in late 200> at /amp Cggers [D(M.A /=(/.A$ to ta+e o)er *hat4s consi"ere" the most crucial mission of the *arO training the Afghan army an" police0111
/eter Van D,ren wor<ed as a State *e't. CSM with a /"0 team doing )reconstr,ction- wor< in IraP. His irreverent and 'athetically $,nny memoir is entitled )We Meant Well- 1201137 )FSecretary o$ State Hillary %lintonG greeted and congrat,lated the !$ghan /"0 class down the hall $rom ,s IraPis, then le$t. We didn9t even rate a wal< on. M,r war no longer really mattered E- He9s c,rrently being $ired by the State *e't, a $ew months shy o$ his retirement date. 6o 'ension $or that boy.
110

My ste' brother is $inishing his 24 year !rmy career wor<ing on the !$ghan 'olice 'rogram in ?ab,l. He doesn9t tal< m,ch abo,t his wor<.
111

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

B#0 & a militia lea"er name" Mohamme" Dabi & a %*arlor".- Dabi *as officially part of 'etraeus4s ne* program to start arming an" training Afghan Hocal 'olice, or AH'.

210 (he Afghan army & %Kust *asn4t *or+ing.- (he American an" the Afghan forces "on4t trust each other. Afghan sol"iers ha)e pic+e" up a )ery ba" habit of mur"ering American sol"iers there to train them.

2ome +al( in O/r Boot#

2BB 8ithin forty.eight hours [Feb. 21, 2010$ of the e.mail ePchange [*ith ==G Arroyo$, Mc/rystal "escen"s on a small combat outpost calle" ;FM. 6e goes on a four.+ilometer patrol in the most "angerous area of the country. 3t is an unprece"ente" ris+ for a four.star general to ta+e.

2BJ ?n April 1B, 2010, /orporal Michael 3ngram ;r. & he4s at combat outpost ;FM in Rhari, near <an"ahar & *rites & %Almost home.- & ?n the e)ening of =atur"ay, April 11, Micheal 3ngram, =r. & an" his *ife are hanging out *ith frien"s in ,ritton, Michigan. & (*o figures step out of the F.150 & one man an" one *oman *earing green.

2B@ 3t ta+es se)en "ays for his bo"y to arri)e in Eo)er, Eela*are. (he flight is hel" up because of an ash clou" from a )olcanic ePplosion in 3celan".

2J2 3 +ne* Mc/hrystal *as about to spea+ in front of a bunch of )ery angry men [3ngram4s platoon at ;FM$ *ho felt li+e their sacrifices *ere a complete *aste, *ho thought they *ere losing, an" *eren4t shy about ePpressing that feeling. Mc/hrystal4s staff al*ays cre"ite" themsel)es *ith an ability to face har" truths, yet here the har" truth *as being a)oi"e". ?r it *asn4t un"erstoo". ?r the bubble *as so po*erful that they coul"n4t see *hat Mc/hrystal *as about to *al+ into.

141

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G2JB %(his is the philosophical part that *or+s *ith thin+ tan+s,- Mc/hrystal Ko+e". %,ut it "oesn4t get the same reception from infantry companies.2J5 ?)er the past fe* *ee+s, he4" been comfortable *ith allo*ing almost e)erything to be out there, transparent an" open. 6e4" ne)er trie" to ta+e anything bac+ or personally spin me. C)en if his staff thought he4" naile" it, Mc/hrystal +ne* *hat 3 ha" seen & %(hat *as a ra* *oun" bac+ there. &-

2J5 (he tal+ ha" been an outright "isaster. 3srael Arroyo, the sol"ier *ho4" in)ite" Mc/hrystal "o*n, ha" been e)acuate" *ith another sol"ier for post.traumatic stress. Mi+ie 3ngram, the sol"ier he4" gone on his *ell.publiciLe" patrol *ith, ha" been +ille". (he platoon *as bor"erline mutinous. 7et Mc/hrystal an" Euncan *ere *orrie" that 3 *as going to *rite that the sol"iers "i"n4t un"erstan" the *ar.

In The -rena

211 3 ha" a sit."o*n *ith =ir Graeme Hamb, the ,ritish =pecial Forces [former =A= comman"er in ,agh"a"$ comman"o112 & (hey nic+name" him Hambo, li+e Gambo.

2@1 (hey *ere *illing to protect one another, to "ie for one another. (hat *as the )alue they cherishe". &. (he base reasons that "ro)e others I money an" po*er I *ere not *hat "ro)e them, or so they tol" themsel)es.

21> 6e [Hamb$ sai" that men li+e himself an" Mc/hrystal *ere ne)er "ri)en by money & but by something %mightier than the self, a great en"ea)or, un"erta+en by men *ho +ne* *hat it meant to be in the arena.- & (he arena acte" as a barrier, protecting their sacrifices from the uncomfortable realities of the current *ar I that it might be a total *aste of time an" resources that historians *oul" loo+ bac+ on cringing &

See Mar< Urban9s boo< !ask "orce Black $or more abo,t Lamb and the story o$ the Dritish S!S in IraP. 0here9s some in$ormation abo,t Mc%hrystal and *elta o'erations d,ring the IraP war as well.
112

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G21@ [Hamb$ &"escribing the situation [in Afghanistan$ as %li+e Apollo 1B, hea"ing out to the moon, *ith a bloo"y great hole in the si"e, blee"ing oPygen.-

2@1 Eoes ?bama really belie)e in the *ar: Mc/hrystal an" his team ha)e their "oubts. & ?ne of the reasons he agree" to the escalation in Afghanistan *as because he felt he *oul" be politically )ulnerable if he "i"n4t I he might loo+ *ea+ on national security, he coul"n4t o)errule his generals. & Ei" he really go along *ith a *ar he "i"n4t belie)e *e coul" *in so he *oul"n4t get criticiLe" for losing it:

May A:1 A<8< * M%2hry#tal 2all# MarBa1 Hi# 3roo$ o$ 2on%e)t1 - Bleedin& Ul%er
1JJ 8hat *as happening in MarKa [April 22, 200> offensi)e starte" on February 12, 200>$ "i"n4t bo"e *ell for the nePt maKor offensi)e planne" for <an"ahar. MarKa *as suppose" to be a %proof of concept-& an" the concept loo+e" li+e a failure.11B

221 MarKa is crucial because it4s a %proof of concept- for the larger operation to come this summer, Mc/hrystal says. 8e must push out the insurgents *ith a %rising ti"e of security,- then install a %go)ernment in a boP.- (he 8hite 6ouse an" the me"ia *ill be *atching closely. MarKa *oul" remin" ?bama a")isor Ea)i" APelro" of Vietnam, prompting him to cautionO %8e ha)e to be careful not to belie)e our o*n bullshit.-

2@5 <arLai )isits the 8hite 6ouse for a sit."o*n meeting *ith ?bama, ,i"en, an" their top a")isors. & Mc/hrystal [May 11, 2010$ ePplains to the presi"ent his plan for the upcoming operations in <an"ahar. ,i"en is shoc+e"O %(his loo+s li+e /(.'lus- & 8hat

11.

See Den !nderson9s boo<, )6o Worse Knemy,- $or a $irst hand acco,nt o$ the battle o$ MarBah. 0his Dritish Bo,rnalist was embedded on and o$$ $rom 200A to 2011 in Helmand 'rovince.

14.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GMc/hrystal is "oing in <an"ahar "oesn4t seem to be *hat he4" promise" the 8hite 6ouse earlier. 6e "oesn4t impress them I an" it *ill be hel" against him a fe* *ee+s later.11#

2>1 34" pic+e" up another )ibe in 8ashington, E/O ?fficials in the 8hite 6ouse *eren4t as enamore" *ith Mc/hrystal as those in the 'entagon. (hey *ere still pisse" about the lea+ of the strategic assessment an" the failure to ePplain the rationale of the <ana"ahar offensi)e to the presi"ent an" his staff.

2B1 3n May, Mc/hrystal *ill "escribe it [MarKa$ as %a blee"ing ulcer.-115 (he 8hite 6ouse *ill )ie* it as a failure. & A Ko+e goes aroun"O 7es, Afghanistan "oes ha)e a go)ernment in a boP. (hat boP is <abul.

I/ne AA1 A<8< * Rollin& Stone 3/.li#he# Mi%hael Ha#tin&'# )ro$ile1 The R/na ay General

Mn *ecember 1., 2010, I as<ed Dob Woodward abo,t the bac< story to #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal9s $iring on 6/"9s )0al< o$ the 6ation-. Later, I wrote that Woodward )either dodged or mis,nderstood my P,estion E %,rio,sly, Woodward said nothing in his boo< abo,t what was disc,ssed in those two meetings FMay 6 ; 11G, other than Mc%hrystal got a )stri<e one- and )stri<e two-. His so,rces held o,t on him, or Woodward was holding bac< in his boo<.- Fsee )May 20107 #en. Mc%hrystal #ets )Stri<e one- ; )Stri<e 0wo- in my )Mbama War9s- 6otes and )%lashes With /entagon Sha'ed NMbama9s Wars9 in 0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G
11(

*ion 6issenba,m, )Mc%hrystal %alls MarBah )Dleeding Ulcer,- McClatchy +ewspapers, May 2(, 2010
118

14(

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OB-M-'S GENER-"5 +hy He'# "o#in& the +ar

148

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

I/ne AA1 A<8< * Rollin& Stone'# The R/na ay General

JJ %8hat (om 6an+s sai" to 'ri)ate Gyan. 6e sa)e" his life. 6e [Ea)e =il)erman$ sai", %Carn it.-& -8ith your story. Carn it.-

2>1 (he )isionO Mc/hrystal on the co)er of #ollin$ Stone. & 6o* coul" you not *rite a 110 percent blo*Kob profile that Kust plainly fuc+ing roc+e": Carn it.

2># ?n a personal le)el, part of me "i"n4t *ant to "isappoint Mc/hrystal an" Ea)e an" /asey an" Flynn an" Euncan & (he month 3 spent *ith them *as ePciting, an" 34" gotten a pri)ilege" )ie* from the insi"e of a top military comman". 3f 3 *rote the story 3 *ante" to *rite, it *oul" be years before 3 e)er ha" that )ie* again. (he access 34" gotten *as unprece"ente". ,ut *hat "o you "o *ith it: ,ury the story: 8rite a puff piece to ensure further access: ?r *rite *hat actually happene": 3 +ne*, too, that Mc/hrystal an" his team coul" play rough *ith reporters an" ha"n4t hesitate" in the past to launch personal smear campaigns against them.

2>2 (he "raft [of %(he Guna*ay General-$ ePpresse" my conflicting feelings I 34" li+e" hanging out *ith Mc/hrystal an" his team, yet 3 hate" the *ar. C)erything 34" seen an" hear" an" +ne* about the *ar *oul" not reflect *ell on them I they *ere an unchec+e" force, steamrolling the ci)ilian lea"ership, flipping them the giant bir" along the *ay. & Dot that 3 "i"n4t thin+ all of their complaints unKustifie" ... & 34" probably be pisse" if 3 thought that the ci)ilians *ho ga)e the or"ers "i"n4t actually appear to be committe" to the *ar. ?n the other han", Mc/hrystal an" other military officials ha" pushe" ?bama to get the mission they *ante". & (he military lea"ership pushe" har" an" playe" "irty to get the *ar in Afghanistan they *ante".

2@0 Men li+e [=A= /omman"er Graeme$ Hamb an" Mc/hrystal tol" themsel)es they operate" *ithin a strict co"e of honor ... An" this is *here 3 sa* the fla*. 6o* coul" they, at the same time, be in)ol)e" in co)er.ups I *ith (illman, *ith torture, *ith en"less allegations of rec+less ci)ilian +illings: & (he ans*er, 3 belie)e, *as that they consi"ere" the loyalty that they felt for one another as the highest measure of integrity. & any action & to complete the mission an" protect their pac+ I *hether it *as lea+ing to the press or forcing a presi"ent "o*n a path he "i"n4t *ant to ta+e I they sa* as acceptable.
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2>1 & Euncan *as *orrie" about *hat the story *oul" say & %either be fun, or en" my career.-

2>1 #ollin$ Stone close" the story. 3t *as set for publication nePt *ee+ [;une 22, 2010$. Ha"y Gaga, not =tan Mc/hrystal, *as going to be on the co)er.

I/ne A91 A<8< * 3re#ident O.ama Fire# Gen0 M%2hry#tal1 Hand# O$$ -$&han +ar Tar Ba.y to Gen0 3etrae/#

Gen. Mc/hrystal *al+ing out of the 8hite 6ouse 0;une 2B, 20102

14A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

'resi"ent ?bama M Gen. Ea)i" 'etraeus *al+ing to 86 press conference 0;une 2B, 20102

%[/oul"$ ,ob 8oo"*ar" & elaborate a bit on the firing of General =tanley Mc/hrystal last ;une: &6e ha" mentione" a couple meetings 3 thin+ in April an" May of this year, in *hich he ha" a %stri+e one- an" %stri+e t*o- against him. An" it Kust seems to me there9s some sort of bac+ story, *hich *asn9t elaborate" upon in his [Oba a!s Wars$ boo+ or else*here. % .. Guy Montag, %/lashes *ith 'entagon =hape" %?bama4s 8ars- 0 (P# Eec. 1B, 20102

I/ne A91 A<8< * 3re#ident O.ama Fire# Gen0 M%2hry#tal1 Hand# O$$ -$&han +ar Tar Ba.y to Gen0 3etrae/#

2>@ 3 assume" the [%Guna*ay General4$ story *oul" get some attention in 8ashington, maybe get in the ne*s for a fe* hours. ,ut 3 "i"n4t ePpect much else. 34" been *riting about the *ars in 3raA an" Afghanistan for the past fi)e years. !sually, most ne*s stories an" the *ars themsel)es *ere ignore".11J

%oincidentally, the morning o$ >,ne 22nd I was B,st $inishing ,' my =0he Km'erorOs #eneral= when I read abo,t Hasting9s 'ro$ile at, o$ co,rse, !ndrew K2,m9s blog. ! bit o$ synchronicity with the timing 1and the title on the cover o$ )"olling Stone-7 )Mbama9s #eneral-3. Unremar<ed by the mainstream media was the s,btitle on the cover& )Why He9s Losing the War.- 6either did the media $oc,s on Hasting9s mention o$ Mc%hrystal9s role in tort,re at %am' 6ama or in the 0illman cover ,'.
116

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G250 (he real problem & *asn4t Kust the content of the story I it *as *ho rea" it. 6igh.ran+ing figures in 8ashington, mainly, pro)ing that both shit an" publicity rolls "o*nhill.111

B15 All that is ba" [stupi" things they sai"$ I it4s ba" too, that they thin+ *e4re *imps, a 8hite 6ouse insi"er *ill tell me. ,ut *hat4s most troubling to a fe* of the members of the national security teamO (he scene *here the troops are in near re)olt against Mc/hrystal.

B11 ?n the plane to 8ashington, Mc/hrystal gets e.mails of support from frien"s. ?ne is from Greg Mortenson, the author of the best.selling Three %ups of Tea. (he humanitarian *or+er an" the general ha)e been frien"ly o)er the past year.11@

@>

'etraeus & "i"n4t seem to *ant to get publicly attache" to the *ar in Afghanistan. 6e4s ha" his triumph in 3raA, an" military officials speculate" that he +ne* there *as no *ay the Afghanistan *ar *as going to turn out *ell. (hat it *as a loser, an" he *as happy enough to let Mc/hrystal be left hol"ing the bag.11>

11A

U'date ( 20 1(7 #ate wrote in his memoir 1'.(467 )!bo,t 8 'm, Stan called me to a'ologiSe $or the article. E )What the $,c< were yo, thin<ingI- Mc%hrystal o$$ered no e2'lanation, didn9t say he or his sta$$ had been misP,oted or that the article was distorted in any way.)1''.(4A 503 )I went in to see the 'resident E on the 22nd. 0he $irst words o,t o$ his mo,th were )I9m leaning toward relieving Mc%hrystal.- E I said I was going to see Stan the ne2t morning E NI believe i$ we lose Mc%hrystal, we lose the war.- E 0he 'resident told me my concerns were valid, b,t E )I don9t have the sense it9s going well in !$ghanistan. He doesn9t seem to be ma<ing 'rogress. Maybe his strategy is not wor<ing.- E 0hese $eelings did not s'ring $rom a magaSine article b,t had been there all along. E )What i$ /etrea,s too< commandI- E I still ,rged the 'resident to hear o,t Mc%hrystal. I said Mc%hrystal wo,ld o$$er a letter o$ resignation E I ,rged the 'resident to E t,rn down the resignation, and tell Stan he had one last chance. E I was 'retty s,re the 'resident wo,ld not do as I had s,ggested. E. !t 47.0 the ne2t morning, M,llen and I met with Mc%hrystal. E I told him the 'resident was leaning toward relieving him and that the 'ro'er thing to do was to o$$er to resign. Stan only said, )I9ll do what9s best $or the mission.- He then le$t to see Mbama. E >,st a$ter 10 a.m., the 'resident called to tell me he had relieved Mc%hrystal E the 'resident came in and told the assembled senior team that /etrae,s was the new commander.-

When #reg Mortenson got into tro,ble last year, Mc%hrystal didn9t ret,rn the $avor. !$ter )60 Min,tes- aired their !'ril 2011 e2'ose, )EMortenson9s biggest name s,''orters $rom the 'ast Vincl,dingE#en. Stanley Mc%hrysrtal basically ran $or the e2its. E Mc%hrystal didn9t res'ond to my reP,est $or an interview F!le2 Heard, 0he 0rials o$ #reg Mortenson, )M,tside- Ceb. 12, 2012G
114

In 2004 #en. /etrae,s )told his closest aides that !$ghanistan wo,ld be di$$erent $rom IraP, where he had become the 'oster boy o$ the war. )I do not want to be the $ace o$ 'olicy. 0hey can9t d,m' it on me. /etrae,s later denied this was his intent. He B,st wanted to be )a good
115

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GB1J 6illary *ants to +eep =tan. Mullen *ants to +eep =tan. Gates *ants to +eep =tan.

B1@ (he biggest reason for him [Mc/hrystal$ to stay, 8hite 6ouse officials thin+, is that it *on4t "isrupt the mission. & 'etraeus4s name comes up120 I that sol)es a bunch of problems.121

B21 (he 8hite 6ouse +no*s that if they are going to sac+ Mc/hrystal, they can4t put some no. name in his place. 3f 'etraeus can4t "o it, no one can, or so the thin+ing goes.122
soldier,- as he ',t it, and <ee' a very low ',blic 'ro$ile.- F'.1A, )bama*s Wars, or see my notes, )>,ne 20107 #en. /etrae,s Decomes the )Cace- o$ the !$ghan War-, in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G
120

)/erha's Mc%hrystal was $ired )to show Mbama was in charge.- He9s $ired several o$ his a''ointees merely beca,se o$ a comment that threatened to ca,se some 'olitical embarrassment. I wo,ldn9t be s,r'rised that B,st the perception by others that Mbama was once again being )bo2ed in- by his generals was eno,gh to let Mc%hrystal go. E /robably, it was a combination o$ the !$ghan war not going so well and the 'erce'tion o$ once again )bo2ing in- Mbama that got Mc%hrystal $ired. I$ Mc%hrystal was clearly winning the war, I thin< he wo,ld still be there. /olitically it wor<ed. Mbama showed that he was )in charge-, ',nished Mc%hrystal $or once again )bo2ing him in-E, and ',nished #en. /etrea,s $or E by demoting him $rom %K60%MM and handing him the tar baby o$ the !$ghan War 1)%MI69s the tric<, we9ll be drawing down in a yearI- M?, now it9s your baby.- F$rom my )May 2010 ; >,ne 2010 )Mbama War9s- 6otes and )%lashes With /entagon Sha'ed NMbama9s Wars9 ) in 0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G
121

!nd here9s my reaction $rom !,g,st 2010 F'.1(A, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story= G7 #eneral Mc%hrystal was $ired by /resident Mbama. 6ot $or his central role in the cover ,' o$ /at 0illman9s death or his com'licity in tort,re at %am' 6ama, b,t $or an embarrassing "olling Stone 'ro$ile, )0he ",naway #eneral-. !''arently, Mc%hrystal9s role in tort,re at %am' 6ama and his <ey role in the 0illman cover ,' was M?, b,t embarrassing /resident Mbama was an ,n$orgiveable sin. It9s tro,bling that Mbama shows no loyalty 1e.g. "ev. Wright or Shirley Sherrod3 to anyone who ca,ses him any 'olitical 'ain whatsoever7 =Well, Shirley, they want yo, to ',ll over to the side o$ the road and do it beca,se yo,Ore going to be on #lenn Dec< tonight= 1%66 6ewsroom3. ! telling remar< $rom Mbama on #ood Morning !merica, )Ewe9re $oc,sing on doing the right thing instead o$ what loo<s to be 'olitically necessary at the moment.- SoE. *oes that mean Mbama usually does what9s 'olitically-necessary-I )0he ne2t day F>,ne 2.G Mbama acce'ted Mc%hrystal9s resignation, and he 'ro'osed that /etrae,s ta<e over. 0ho,gh it wo,ld involve a technical demotion beca,se as central commander /etrae,s was the boss, it was an idea that wo,ld address both the military and
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B21 (he presi"ent sai" itO (his is 'etraeus4s plan too. 6e helpe" %"esign an" lea" our ne* strategy.- ?bama "oesn4t mention he ha" *or+e" along *ith Gates an" Mullen to %boP inthe presi"ent in the "ecision to escalate the *ar.12B

B2# (he me"ia attention on the story *as "ying "o*n. After a *ee+ of floo".the.Lone co)erage on Mc/hrystal,&the national agen"a "rifte" bac+ to the ,' oil spill an" other ne*s.12#

'olitical 'roblems. 0he IraP hero wo,ld come to the resc,e o$ !$ghanistan F'. .A., )bama*s Wars, or see,)>,ne 2010: /resident Mbama Cires Mc%hrystal, "e'laces with /etrea,s,- in =0hrowing My Shoe at Dob Woodward ... 6ot=G Here9s Michael Hasting9s ta<e $rom )0he Legend o$ *avid /etrae,s- @ Rollin %tone, >an. .1, 2012G7 )All 2n o'ens with /etrae,s sitting =dee' in tho,ght= on the way to the White Ho,se, where /resident Mbama is abo,t to o$$er him the !$ghanistan Bob. It9s one o$ the most dramatic moments in recent military history @ the 'resident handing the poisoned chalice o$ the war bac< to the man who designed the doomed strategy to win it.12.

It was am,sing to read !ndrew K2,m9s )weather vane- commentary on )Le9!$$air "olling Stan.- !s one blogger commented, )K2,m slowly began to throw Mc%hrystal ,nder the b,s over the 'ast $ew days. Might as well stic< with the winning horse.- Fsee NL9!$$air "olling Stanon ''. (0 (2, 184 164 =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G
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I/ly 9<1 A<8< * Ba%(la#h $rom the +a#hin&ton Media!Military!Ind/#trial 2om)leG

(hom =han+er, (e) *ork Ti es 'entagon Geporter

=ecretary Eonal" Gumsfel", 0 un+no*n reporter2. D7( reporter (hom =han+er

%Gon 6olcomb [=ecretary of Eefense$ ne)er tol" a lie, at least not in the *ay he coul" be caught in it. & As a conseAuence, his remar+s *ere a miP of bal" truth, "iplomatic half.truths, an" *hat 6olcomb ha" pri)ately calle" 5necessary, unconfirmable "istortions.4 Donetheless, they *oul" become the go)ernment4s official pronouncement on the "ay4s action.152

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%Allegations, lies, "enials, "issembling, "istortions & An" all the *hile they secretly *hispere" to the me"ia & An" the me"ia ga)e them their forum, al*ays ascertaining beforehan" that their allegations *ere borne out by facts if not the truth... =enator ;ames 8ebb, %=omething to Eie For- 01>>12

I/ly 9<1 A<8< * Ba%(la#h $rom the +a#hin&ton Media!Military!Ind/#trial 2om)leG

2@

(he tra"itional military style of public relations ... a combination of stone*alling, poorly *ritten press releases, an" ma+ing "emonstrably false claims &125

B21 (he [Army4s$ ban [on Michael 6astings embe""ing$ *as in clear )iolation of 3=AF4s o*n policy I to not punish reporters for publishing %embarrassing- information. & 3t *as clearly retribution. Failing to fin" factual fault in my story & the 3=AF "eci"e" to get their re)enge by not allo*ing me to embe". 000

B2> (he story ha" terrifie" them [the 8ashington cro*"$, stri+ing "eep.seate" fears in the 8ashington psyche. 3t "emonstrate" Kust ho* tenuous one4s o*n position coul" be I careers coul" flame out o)ernight. An" the political an" me"ia class sa* the story as a threat to their schmooLy relationship12J& (he un*ritten rule 34" bro+en *as a simple oneO
128

In their )!c<nowledgements- to their Counterstrike boo< 1'..103, 6+0 re'orters Kric Schmitt and 0hom Shan<er wrote, )! s'ecial than<s goes o,t to those in the government ',blic a$$airs comm,nity who tr,ly believe and act on the dict,m that their Bob is ma2im,m disclos,re with minim,m delay, all to better in$orm the !merican ',blic abo,t how its blood and treas,re are s'ent in de$ense o$ the nation.-

Is this an ironic Bo<eI !re we tal<ing abo,t the same !rmy /! o$$icers s,ch as those involved with the /at 0illman cover ,' who gave o,t minim,m disclos,re with ma2im,m delay to his $amily over the 'ast seven yearsI

"e'orter %arl /rine wrote in his col,mn 1)#reenwald Is WrongJ-, Line o$ *e'art,re >an,ary Ath, 201237 ) 0he con$l,ence o$ celebrity generals and syco'hantic *% re'orters has served 'oorly o,r democracy and contrib,ted to some o$ the worst Bo,rnalism on battle in a hal$
126

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G7ou really *eren4t suppose" to *rite honestly about people in po*er.121 Cspecially those the me"ia "eeme" untouchable. (rash =arah 'alin all you *ant, but trea" carefully *hen *riting about the sacre" co*s li+e Mc/hrystal an" 'etraeus. 7ou4re suppose" to +eep the myths going. 34" fuc+e" up I 3 *asn4t to be truste" because 3 ha" tol" the truth.

B2# A fe* of my colleagues in the me"ia e)entually got aroun" to attac+ing #ollin$ Stone. & 3t *as the beginning of a *hispering campaign that *oul" continue throughout the nePt year.12@

BB0 3 coul" un"erstan" *hy the go)ernment officials *oul" be pisse". 3 *as telling them their *hole strategy *as a *aste of time. ,ut the reaction from a number of Kournalists on the national security beat seeme" t*iste".

BB0 =trangely & 3 en"e" up on pretty goo" terms *ith a number of military officials. & 3t *as the other Kournalists *ho co)ere" the military an" politics that 3 clashe" *ith most often. A

cent,ry. 0oo many re'orters in and o,t o$ *% are stenogra'hers, and they 'lay to their so,rces instead o$ wor<ing hard on behal$ o$ their readers. 0his is tr,e not only o$ many re'orters covering de$ense iss,es, b,t also those on every beat at every news o,tlet in the co,ntry. 0hat9s one reason why KS/6 did better re'orting on the death o$ /at 0illman than everyone in *% @ Mi<e Cish and the s'orts g,ys were o,tsiders not only to de$ense re'orting b,t also the $ailed Deltway ne2,s o$ Bo,rnos and generals, so they had no sacred cows to s'are or VI/s to c,rry. 0hey cared only abo,t the tr,th.12A

See %harles *avis g,est 'ost, Ma<ing 'oliticians loo< bad7 N! $ireable o$$ense9 1!'r. 1., 201237 )In Washington, it doesn9t 'ay @ literally @ to P,estion 'ower. E i$ yo, de'end on getting P,otes $rom 'oliticians $or yo,r .0 second new re'orts, ma<ing them loo< bad is sim'ly bad $or b,siness.E this m,ch is clear7 *on9t e2'ect members o$ %ongress to do m,ch abo,t it. !nd don9t co,nt on the media to as< them why.124

U'date ( 20 1(7 Michael Hasting9s widow, Klise >ordan, has the notes and ta'es to 'rove what )act,ally ha''ened-7 She sent an email to the 6+0 obBecting to their obit,ary. She wrote, )I 'ersonally transcribed and have all the ta'e recordings o$ Michael9s interviews d,ring his time with Mc%hrystal and his sta$$. I can 'ersonally veri$y that some o$ the most damning comments were made by Mc%hrystal himsel$, and many others made by his aides in his 'resence were greeted with his enth,siastic a''roval.1See the >,ne 201. Ceral Cire$ighter 'ost More Lies Dorne M,t Dy Cacts, I$ 6ot 0he 0r,th-

15(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gnumber of reporters ha" pai" si"e gigs at "efense.in"ustry.fun"e" thin+ tan+s,12> essentially getting financial support from the )ery same people they *ere suppose" to be co)ering.1B0 BB0 (hey seeme" to ta+e my criticism of the military.in"ustrial compleP personally. 3t might as *ell be calle", 3 thought, the me"ia.military.in"ustrial compleP.1B1

>0

(he press ha" been %complicit enablers- before the 3raA in)asion, failing in their %*atch"og role1B2, focusing less on truth an" accuracy an" more on *hether the campaign [to sell the *ar$ *as succee"ing.-

I wo,ld bet that 6ew +or< 0ime /entagon re'orter 0hom Shan<er was one o$ the Bo,rnalists that Michael Hastings )clashed with most.- !s 'revio,sly mentioned, 0hom Shan<er has had a very coSy relationshi' with #en. Mc%hrystal and his $riends at %6!S.
125

+e'. >,st $o,nd Michael9s res'onse to the P,estion7 89are there individual reporters whom you want to call out publicly for their sort of followin the #enta on line and not doin their :ob;< )+eah. I saw a 'retty egregio,s e2am'le with the 6ew +or< 0imes /entagon corres'ondent F0hom Shan<erG who literally B,st ',blished the /entagon s'o<es'ersonOs anonymo,s P,otes when he was re'orting on my stories. !nd he didnOt bother to call "olling Stone $or a comment, o$ co,rse, beca,se, well, heOs got the o$$icial line $rom the /entagon. I wo,ld also call o,t a gro,' o$ very in$l,ential national sec,rity re'orters who wor< at most o$ the maBor media o,tlets. !nd i$ yo, loo< closely at their res,mes, they all belong or have been 'aid by, or have wor<ed $or very in$l,ential thin< tan<s E %enter $or 6ew !merican Sec,rity F%6!SG is sort o$ the most egregio,s e2am'le- F)"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine-, !lternet @ 1:2A:123G !s 'revio,sly mentioned 1U143, shortly be$ore Mc%hrystal9s 2005 Senate hearing, 0hom Shan<er wrote his analysis 'iece that s,''osedly )e2onerated- #en. Mc%hrystal o$ all wrong doing in the 0illman cover ,'. However, Shan<er ignored clear evidence o$ Mc%hrystal Ns central hands on role. FSee )Lies Dorne M,t Dy Cacts, I$ 6ot the 0r,th and ''. 5( 101, =0he FUntoldG 0illman Story=G !$terwards, Shan<er enBoyed e2ce'tional )access- to #eneral Mc%hrystal. Cor e2am'le, he wrote7 )Mn the day F>,ne 10, 2005G in the s,mmer o$ 2005 that a Senate vote con$irmed #eneral Mc%hrystal and elevated him to his new command and he de'loyed to !$ghanistan, he too< two re'orters $rom the 6ew +or< 0imes F0om Shan<er ; Kric SchmittG on a to,r o$ his new )rear headP,arters- in a sealed corridor o$ the /entagon basement E- F'.4., CounterstrikeG !s 'revio,sly mentioned 1UWW3 , +ew ,ork !imes /entagon "e'orter 0hom Shan<er wrote, )%6!S in Washington allowed each o$ ,s FShan<er ; co a,thor 6+0 re'orter Kric SchmittG to s'end 50 days as a )writer in residence- FCall 2005G to wor< on Counterstrike E it is a 'lace where many o$ the shar'est thin<ers on national sec,rity hang their hat or 'ass thro,gh $or co$$ee or l,nch- F'..05, CounterstrikeG 1Wow, can yo, hear the s,c<ing so,ndI3 It a''ears Shan<er9s %6!S sabbatical was yet another 'er< $or )e2onerating- Mc%hrystal and $or being a loyal stenogra'her $or the /entagon and the Mbama administration. Fsee )%o,rt Stenogra'her in "esidence- in =He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed=G 158

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15# ;ulian [German Kournalist$ *as prepare" to ta+e o*nership of the position he too+ an" the conseAuences of it. 34" rarely hear" an American Kournalist ePpress any such regrets or ta+e responsibility for the policies they ha" promote".1BB

!nd g,ess who hosted the boo< release 'arty $or %o,nterstri<eI %6!S, o$ co,rseJ !nd !ndrew K2,m 'osted an interview with Shan<er shortly be$ore the 'arty1S'ecial !b, M,Pawama T;!7 %o,nterstri<eJ3 "e'orter %arl /rine wrote in his col,mn 1)#reenwald Is WrongJ-, Line o$ *e'art,re >an,ary Ath, 20123 that )yo, always <now where I stand, es'ecially when it comes to celebrity generals and the stenogra'hic Deltway re'orters who ch,rn o,t their hagiogra'hies. E I thin< that some re'orters have been co o'ted by their so,rces. 0oo many also have acce'ted 'aid sinec,res or similar enticements $rom *% non'ro$its and that has colored their wor<, which e2'lains m,ch o$ my anim,s against the bearded mediocrity 0om "ic<s and his ,niP,ely ,nthin<ing brand o$ thin< tan< NBo,rnalism.9
1.0

Michael Hastings said F)"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine-, !lternet @ 1:2A:12G7 )E the reason I called it the )media military ind,strial com'le2,- E is that they call it the /entagon /ress %or's, rightI !nd yo, sort o$ thin<, oh, well it means the 'eo'le who <ind o$ watch over the /entagon and 'er$orm the mediaOs watchdog $,nction, b,t no, itOs an e2tension o$ the /entagon.1.1

I remember watching the hilario,s %olbert roast at the White Ho,se %orres'ondents dinner7 )LetOs review the r,les, hereOs how it wor<s. 0he /resident ma<es decisions, heOs the decider. 0he 'ress secretary anno,nces the decisions, and yo, 'eo'le o$ the 'ress ty'e these decisions down. Ma<e, anno,nce, ty'e. >,st ',t them thro,gh a s'ell chec< and go home.- 1I almost $eel sorry $or the 'oor /,blic relations SMD who made the decision to hire %olbertJ I imagine his career nosedived li<e Mc%hrystal9s /" g,r, *,ncan DoothbyJ3 I didn9t come away $rom my 'ersonal e2'erience with 0hom Shan<er with any con$idence in o,r )watchdog- media. Similarly, Michael Hastings said FScott Horton9s, )!he )perators& Si2 T,estions $or Michael Hastings,- >an. 20, 2012G7 )I also came to consider the /entagon 'ress cor's not as a watchdog o$ the /entagon, b,t an e2tension o$ the /entagon. 0his was a critical insight $or me.- !menJ
1.2

)0heyOre these $oreign 'olicy e2'erts who were B,st dead wrong. !nd so how do yo, deal with thatI How do yo, come to terms with thatI !nd my answer to that wo,ld be I donOt thin< they came to terms with it well. !s yo, see when they lash o,t.1..

)!nd yo, canOt ever $orget the im'act o$ the com'lete $ail,re o$ many o$ the to' names in the media when it comes to the IraP war. !nd weOve never come to terms with it. 0hey B,st canOt. 156

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-)ril 8<1 A<88 * Gen0 Stan the Man M%2hry#tal'# Gra%e$/l "andin&

0he g,ys who were the worst o$$enders cannot come to terms with their moral res'onsibility in terms o$ waging the war in IraP. E !nd yo, thin< they wo,ld have learned with !$ghanistan to P,estion more and to not B,st cheerlead the whole thing.)0he $act that every Bo,rnalist in the /entagon /ress %or's wasnOt standing ,' when they were going to escalate in !$ghanistan and saying, Oare yo, g,ys $,c<ing <idding meI WeOre going to escalate in !$ghanistanI !re yo, g,ys n,tsI Have yo, all gone madIO D,t the maBority B,st re'orted that some ,nnamed military o$$icial says Mc%rystal wants more troo's, and Mbama better give them to him. +o, <nowI It was 'athetic. It was really, really 'athetic.- F)"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine- 1!lternet @ 1:2A:123G 15A

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Gen. Mc/hrystal Getirement /eremony 0;uly 2#, 20102

Mc/hrystal at 8hite 6ouse 0Apr. 12, 20112

%Gen. =tanley A. Mc/hrystal& has been in)ite" bac+ to public ser)ice by the ?bama a"ministration. [6e$&*ill lea" the three.member a")isory boar" for& ;oining Forces& & [Mc/hrystal$ sai" %3t sen"s a strong, positi)e message that this is about ta+ing care of people.-

.. (hom =han+er, Mc/hrystal to Hea" 'rogram for Military Families 0D7(, April 10, 20112

%3 am prou" that & the /enter for a De* American =ecurity [/DA=$, has steppe" for*ar" to help coor"inate ;oining Forces. 3t4s going to be gui"e" by & General =tan Mc/hrystal. & *e4ll come closer to our )ision of a nation that truly recogniLes an" honors our military families. &an America *here e)ery sol"ier&can "eploy +no*ing that their family *ill be ta+en care of bac+ at home. &*here our )eterans an" their families, especially our Gol" =tar families *ho ha)e sacrifice" so much, are honore" throughout the entirety of their li)es.-

.. First Ha"y Michelle ?bama 0;oining Forces Haunch at 8hite 6ouse, April 12, 20112

%3t is be*il"ering an" tasteless, after Mc/hrystal4s callous "isregar" for the (illman family throughout this entire episo"e, that ,arac+ ?bama shoul" appoint him to a high.profile position ha)ing anything to "o *ith helping military families.-

154

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G.. Dar"a Racchino, %8hat =tanley Mc/hrystal Ei" to 'at (illman4s Family- 0(ruth"ig.com, April 1B, 20112

/,s the president a)are of the role that Gen1 Mc%hrystal played in the co-erBup )hen Pat Till an diedE& [86 'ress =ecretary$ /arney ans*ere" that ?bama is %)ery a*are & of the general4s rWsumW.- [8e ha)e enormous respect for the ser)ice an" sacrifice of 'at (illman an" his family. & (he circumstances surroun"ing 'at (illman9s "eath ha)e been thoroughly in)estigate", an" General Mc/hrystal *as foun" to ha)e acte" honorably "espite the fact that this trage"y *as mishan"le".-$

.. ;a+e (apper 0A,/ De*s, April 1#, 20112

-)ril 8<1 A<88 * Gen0 Stan the Man M%2hry#tal'# Gra%e$/l "andin&

BBB & (he Mc/hrystal thing I that burns Gates up. & [,ut$ 6e tosses [Gen.$ Mc<iernan *ithout a *or" of remorse. & at Mc/hrystal4s retirement ceremony in ;uly [2010$, Gates *ill bemoan the fact that Americans ha)e lost a hero, someone *hose recor" of ser)ice is unmatche". 0Forget (illman, forget /amp Dama, forget the negati)e comman" climate&2

B21 (he Army4s in)estigation [of the #ollin$ Stone article$ conclu"e" that no one in the Army *as at fault. & 3n =eptember, the 'entagon "eci"e" to launch a secon" in)estigation. (hey *oul" spen" eight months loo+ing for ans*ers, *hen all they really ha" to "o *as rerea" the story. (o me, both the in)estigations seeme" absur". My story ha" ne)er claime" Mc/hrystal an" his staff ha" )iolate" any la*s, yet the press co)erage of the in)estigation ma"e it appear as if the men *ere all being ePonerate".1B# CPonerate" from *hat: From
Mnce again, the 6+0 re'orter 0hom Shan<er carried water $or the 'owers that be7 )!n inP,iry by the *e$ense *e'artment ins'ector general into a magaSine 'ro$ile E has cleared the general E o$ all wrongdoing.- F/entagon InP,iry Into !rticle %lears Mc%hrystal and !ides , 6+0 !'r. 14, 2011G. ! re'rise o$ Shan<er9s 'revio,s e2oneration16+0 May 26, 20053, B,st be$ore his >,ne 2005 Senate con$irmation hearing, where his analysis $o,nd Mc%hrystal was )cleared o$ wrongdoing- in the /at 0illman case.
1.(

Michael Hastings said, )E the 6ew +or< 0imes /entagon corres'ondent F0hom Shan<erG E literally B,st ',blished the /entagon s'o<es'ersonOs anonymo,s P,otes when he was re'orting on my stories. !nd he didnOt bother to call Rollin %tone $or a comment, o$ co,rse, beca,se, well, heOs got the o$$icial line $rom the /entagon.- F"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine-, !lternet @ 155

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gloo+ing li+e Ker+s: For being illegally, rather than casually, insubor"inate: & 'entagon officials *oul" pri)ately tell Kournalists that the intent of the in)estigation *asn4t e)en to fin" *rong"oing it *as to %"amage- my cre"ibility.

B11 Mc/hrystal spen"s his first fall out of the !nite" =tates military teaching at 7ale !ni)ersity. & (here is a contro)ersy *hen a screening of a "ocumentary about 'at (illman1B5 is sche"ule" to air the 7ale /ollege Eemocrats bac+ a*ay from en"orsing it. & he4s reportingly getting QJ0,000 a spea+ing engagement.

B11 3n February [2011$, he gi)es a speech *ith Greg Mortenson1BJ at 7ale.

1:2A:123G !mir Dar Lev directed the )0he 0illman Story.- 0his doc,mentary 'remiered at the S,ndance Cilm Cestival in >an. 2005. )0he 0illman Story- is an a't title. 0he $ilm is centered aro,nd the 0illman $amily who dis'lay more honor, loyalty, and integrity than their co,ntry9s leadershi'. Still, I 're$er the original title7 )I9m /at C,c<ing 0illmanJ- 1his last words3. Ironically, the re titled $ilm was later given an )"- rating by the M/!! beca,se "ichard 0illman and a co,'le "angers dro''ed the C bomb a $ew times. Fsee my $ilm review in =0he 0illman Story=G
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!nd, here9s Dar Lev9s ta<e on o,r la'dog 'ress7 )Ethose generals basically say the eP,ivalent o$, N0he dog ate my homewor<9 E0hat was how it was re'orted. E 0he only $V ing idiots who b,y that, the only $ools who believe that, are the mainstream 'ress. It9s B,st so clear to everyone else, and it9s the eP,ivalent o$ saying, )Honey, I <now that it loo<s li<e I9m $,c<ing yo,r sister, b,t act,ally I dro''ed my wallet, and then my belt $ell down, and she ha''ened to be there.- 0hat9s what the military has done in the /at 0illman case.- Fsee )Interviews with )0he 0illman Story- *irector !mir Dar Lev ) in =0he 0illman Story=G K2actly two months a$ter the +ale s'eech, on !'ril 1A, 2011, %DS9s )60 Min,tes- aired their e2'ose o$ #reg Mortenson 1best selling a,thor o$ )0hree %,'s o$ 0ea-3. >on ?ra<a,er said that Mortenson tells a )bea,ti$,l story, and it9s a lie- and that Mortenson ),ses %entral !sia Instit,te 1%!I3 as his 'rivate !0M machine.- D,t, ?ra<a,er didn9t sim'ly )Boin in- with an on going )=> Minutes- investigation. Kleven months be$ore the broadcast, ?ra<a,er began his own investigation, s'oon $ed his story ) to )=> Minutes$< and months later timed the ',blication o$ his e boo<, )0hree %,'s o$ *eceit,- to )'iggy bac<- on the )60 Min,tes- broadcast.
1.6

>on ?ra<a,er was not B,st a )Bilted cran<- or )cr,sading do gooder- o,traged at Mortenson9s literary deceit and la2 acco,nting 'ractices. It a''ears that ?ra<a,er was also motivated to write his )ta<e down- o$ Mortenson as a ',blicity st,nt to create the )b,SS- to raise investment ca'ital $or the la,nch o$ Mar< Dryant9s 1an old $riend3 new e ',blishing vent,re Dyliner.com While it certainly a''ears #reg Mortenson con$ab,lated 'arts o$ his -ins'irational story,- >on ?ra<a,er dis'layed hy'ocrisy by )throwing stones- at Mortenson when his own hands were covered with literary sin. ?ra<a,er certainly didn9t )win glory- with his deceit and his omission o$ 200

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B11 3n March, he gi)es another speech at the prestigious (CE conference in Hong ,each, /alifornia. 6e tal+s about lea"ership& 6e gets a stan"ing o)ation.1B1

B11 ?n April @, the Eefense Eepartment in)estigation into Mc/hrystal an" his staff is complete". & (he in)estigation rea"s comically1B@

B12 3t [#ollin$ Stone %ePoneration-$ is the last *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s military career.1B>
the ),ntold- 0illman story. Fsee =>on ?ra<a,erOs %redibility /roblem=G
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Here9s my comment on !ndrew K2,m9s blog 'ost 1)Stan Mc%hrystal at 0K*-, !'ril 8, 20113:

)6ever shall I $ail my comrades. ...= 1)6- $rom the "anger %reed3. "eallyI %oming $rom the g,y who was at the center o$ the !rmyOs cover ,' o$ /at 0illmanOs $riendly $ire deathI WhereOs my bar$ bagI 0his is rich, =0he /o'e= tal<ing abo,t the ='romise= o$ the "anger %reed and ta<ing care o$ yo,r men 1and IOm s,re heOs been well com'ensated $or his e$$orts on the lect,re circ,it3. He certainly $ailed the 0illman $amily. However, I did li<e his descri'tion o$ !rmy 'arach,ting. 0oo< me bac< 28 years, to when I =waddled= to the door and $ell o,t with a heavy ass r,c< 1being the =new g,y= carrying the !M /"% A0 radio, batteries, *M*#, etc3. In an interview with Scott Horton 1)!he )perators& Si2 T,estions $or Michael Hastings,- >an. 20, 20123, Michael Hastings said7 )0he m,lti'le /entagon investigations into the Rollin %tone story were 'artic,larly abs,rd. E M$ co,rse, the res,lts o$ these investigations were invariably re'orted with 'ro /entagon s'in. !hom %hanker Fno s,r'riseJG the +ew ,ork !imes9s /entagon corres'ondent, didn9t even bother calling ,s $or comment be$ore he ran with the /entagon s'o<es'erson9s story )clearing- Mc%hrystal, whatever that meant. 1I re$er yo, to the statement Mbama made when he $ired Mc%hrystalVthat9s why he got $ired, not beca,se he e2'licitly bro<e any laws. 0he /entagon9s attem't at rewriting this history has been dist,rbing to observe.3- I s,ggest reading the re'ort o$ the investigations in $,ll, i$ yo, want some comic relie$.1.4

Michael Hastings said, )Is whitewash one or two wordsI In my e2'erience, when the *o* investigates itsel$Ves'ecially when 'ower$,l 'eo'le are involvedVthey $ind they did nothing wrong. Mr, they $ind some low level asshole to hang o,t to dry- FScott Horton9s, )!he )perators& Si2 T,estions $or Michael Hastings,- >an. 20, 2012G.
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Here9s a related comment on 0homas "ic<9s )Dest *e$ense- Dlog 1*ec. 1A, 201037 +o, F>im #o,rleyG mentioned =we hold Mc%hrystal ,' as a 'yrrhic hero against Mbama and a victim o$ a roc< mag hatchet Bob, b,t we donOt give a momentOs consideration to the gr,nts in the same article who say the #eneralOs "MK got their b,ddy <illed. Lindy Kngland, Dradley 201

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GB12 (*o "ays after the [Eept. of Eefense$ report is finishe", the 8hite 6ouse announces that 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" Mc/hrystal as an unpai" a")isor to military families. & (hey [8hite 6ouse$ help to rehabilitate =tanley Mc/hrystal4s image, appointing him [April 2011$ to lea" a high.profile initiati)e [;oining Forces$ supporting military families1#0 I no nee" to ha)e a potential )oice criticiLing the a"ministration in the upcoming election.

Manning, Steven #reen and everyone else below the ran< o$ K 5 get roasted as $ast as we can get them to a co,rt martial. D,t the o$$icers who $,dged the /at 0illman investigation ... What ha''ens to themI Somehow, the military $inds an e2'lanation $or their actions.= L0 Uthla,t 1Cirst %a'tain, to' o$ his West /oint %lass3 was ordered to s'lit his 'latoon, over his 'rotests. He was shot in the $ace by the same $riendly $ire that <illed /at 0illman. +et, he was o$$ered ,' as a low ran<ing sca'egoat and <ic<ed o,t o$ the "anger Dattalion $or his )$ail,re- to control his 'latoon d,ring the /at 0illmanOs )$riendly $ire- incident. What ha''ened to the o$$icers who had their =hands on= the ens,ing cover ,'I #en. Mc%hrystal was 'romoted three times ending ,' as a $o,r star. 0he "anger "#0 commanders have all been 'romoted7 %ML 6i2on got his star. L0% Dailey got $,ll bird 1recently got his star3. L0% ?a,Slarich got $,ll bird FCor more on )0he Lost ?a,S-, see Washington /ost re'orter *avid Cin<el9s 1%6!S writer in residenceI3 boo< !he Good %oldiers. 0his is a good boo< abo,t the IraP Daghdad 200A s,rge. My ta<e was that the act,al s,rge itsel$ didn9t contrib,te m,ch to the )s,ccess- in IraP. 0he g,ys B,st <e't riding aro,nd waiting to get hit by IK*s. %oincidentally, the D6 %M was %ML "al'h ?a,Slarich, the "#" "#0 RM who was involved in the 0illman cover ,'. M$ co,rse, there was no mention o$ his role in the boo<G. ... However, the 6+0:/entagon )e2oneration- in )Le9!$$air "olling Stan- was not )the last whitewash- o$ Mc%hrystal9s military career. It a''ears that Mc%hrystal9s involvement in tort,re at %am' 6ama has also been whitewashed. "ecent acco,nts in Counterstrike, !op %ecret America, and S'encer !c<ermann9s Se't. 5, 2011 blog 'ost 'ortray Mc%hrystal as immediately N'ro$essionaliSing- Fisn9t that what #en. Miller did at !b, #haraib a$ter his stint at #itmoIG >SM% interrogations in 200.. D,t, Senator Ceingold basically said Mc%hrystal lied abo,t the matter d,ring his >,ne 2005 Senate testimony. !nd, Matthew !le2ander9s boo<s s,ggest 1and his 2004 'iece, IOm Still 0ort,red by What I Saw in IraP3 is more e2'licit3 that tort,re had ended not long be$ore he arrived in S'ring 2006. %orres'ondingly, Mar< Urban9s boo< e2'lains the Dritish weren9t satis$ied with conditions at >SM% ,ntil the end o$ 2008. Mc%hrystal9s s'in in !c<erman9s 'iece is rather disingen,o,s7 )Mc%hrystal re'ortedly said N0his is how we lose,9 Fdidn9t he say that abo,t civilian cas,altiesIG when he to,red the $acility $or the $irst time Fin Call 200.G. He assigned his to' intelligence o$$icer, then Drig. #en. Michael Clynn, to 'ro$essionaliSe >SM% interrogations- Fb,t Clynn didn9t arrive ,ntil May 200(G. !nd, as 'revio,sly mentioned, the 2006 ?s@uire 'iece disc,ssed tort,re that was still ta<ing 'lace d,ring 202

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GB12 Mary (illman, 'at (illman4s mother, is outrage". %3t4s a slap in the face to all sol"iers,she says of the choice. %6e "eliberately helpe" co)er up 'at4s "eath. An" he has ne)er a"eAuately apologiLe" to us.-1#1

the S'ring o$ 200(. FSee !''endi2 C $or $,rther:$,t,re:$orthcoming disc,ssion o$ this iss,eG I believe =>oining Corces= is largely a /" cam'aign to rehabilitate the 'atriotic image o$ Michelle 1and to <ic< start Mbama9s re election cam'aign with a #arade magaSine cover story3. !s a bon,s, /resident Mbama mended $ences with the military leadershi' by a''ointing #en. Mc%hrystal to head the advisory board B,st 'rior to his being )cleared o$ all wrongdoing= in )LeO!$$air "olling Stan.1(0

See >a<e 0a''er9s )!D% 6ews K2cl,sive7 /at 0illman9s Mom Wants #eneral Stanley Mc%hrystal "emoved Crom White Ho,se /ost- 1!'ril 1., 20113 and 6arda Qacchino9s )What Stanley Mc%hrystal *id to /at 0illman9s Camily- 10r,thdig.com, !'ril 1., 20113.
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Here9s my ta<e on the matter Fnew material and see ''. 2. 28 =>on ?ra<a,erOs %redibility /roblem=G7 Mn !'ril 10th, #en. Mc%hrystal9s re',tation was $,rther )restored- by /resident Mbama9s a''ointment o$ Mc%hrystal to head ,' the new )>oining Corces- 'rogram to s,''ort military veterans and their $amilies. In res'onse, Mary 0illman said, )It9s a sla' in the $ace to a''oint this man- E )He deliberately hel'ed cover ,' /at9s death-E someone who has a heart$elt desire to hel' $amilies wo,ld not have been involved in the cover ,' o$ a soldier9s deathEWhen as<ed abo,t Mary9s remar<s, Michelle Mbama said )we9re 'ro,d to have him FMc%hrystalG on board- and White Ho,se /ress Secretary %arney said )that F/residentG Mbama is )very aware E o$ the general9s rXs,mX.- Later he added, )We have enormo,s res'ect $or the service and sacri$ice o$ /at 0illman and his $amily. E 0he circ,mstances s,rro,nding /at 0illmanOs death have been thoro,ghly investigated, and #eneral Mc%hrystal was $o,nd to have acted honorably des'ite the $act that this tragedy was mishandled.!nd, #en. Mc%hrystal9s re',tation was $,rther )rehabilitated- by his being o$$icially cleared by the *e'artment o$ *e$ense o$ )all wrongdoing- in Le9!$$air "olling Stan 1echoed by the 6+0 re'orter 0hom Shan<er who s,''osedly cleared Mc%hrystal o$ )all wrong doing- in the 0illman a$$air in 20053. 6ow, the newly rehabilitated Mc%hrystal is o,t on the lect,re circ,it 1e.g. )#et Motivated,- etc.3, ',lling down l,crative s'ea<ing $ees, etc. F0he 6+0 is hardly the )grey lady- o$ Bo,rnalism. More li<e the whore o$ war and government. !t least "S is still doing real Bo,rnalism.G

... Shortly a$ter Kaster S,nday, on !'ril 11, 2012, the White Ho,se will anno,nce the $ive winners o$ their )>oining Corces %omm,nity %hallenge.- !ll twenty $inalists will be honored by Michelle 20.

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Mbama at the White Ho,se. 0he /at 0illman Co,ndation which hel's ret,rning veterans go bac< to college is one o$ the $inalists. 0he Co,ndation9s 'resident is Marie 0illman 1/at 0illman9s widow3 E Marie will 'robably be at the White Ho,se to acce't the honors. Will Stanley Mc%hrystal be there as wellI 0hat could be interesting E b,t Marie has chosen to $oc,s on other 'eo'le9s $,t,res and )not get st,c< in the 'ast E I didn9t want to become bitter beca,se o$ all that had ha''ened. I saw that I had an o''ort,nity to do something 'ositive.- F)/at Wo,ld be /ro,d- )/eo'le-, March 12, 2012 and her 'oignant March 2, 2011 Harvard s'eech Marie 0illman on Cinding /,r'ose-]
P.S. Mn !'ril 11, 2012, Marie 0illman was 'resent at the White Ho,se $or Cirst Lady Michelle Mbama9s celebration o$ the 1st anniversary o$ the >oining Corces 'rogram 1I don9t <now whether or not #en. Mc%hrystal was in the a,dience3. In her remar<s, the Cirst Lady didn9t mention the /at 0illman Co,ndation& altho,gh she did than< 0om Dro<aw7 )Ewe are 'rivileged to have him with ,s today and have his voice o,t there so 'assionately on behal$ o$ $amilies and troo's- 1B,st a co,'le o$ wee<s ago, Dro<aw interviewed Mc%hrystal abo,t ret,rning veterans str,ggles to $ind Bobs str,ggles3. /erha's I9m too cynical in my old age, b,t I agreed with the !/9s assessment o$ the event7 )the initiative can be boost $or /resident Darac< Mbama9s re election cam'aignE Mrs. Mbama and >ill DidenE set o,t on a two day anniversary to,r E to celebrate all things militaryE 0he $irst lady also will tal< ,' the 'rogram Wednesday night on Ste'hen %olbert9s 0V showE- >,st as with Michelle9s a''earance on the cover o$ )/arade- magaSine last Kaster, >oining Corces is being ,sed to hel' <ic< o$$ /resident Mbama9s relection cam'aign. 0his was my reaction to the 1st anniversary o$ >oining Corces 'osted across the web7 +esterday, Marie 0illman re'resented 0he /at 0illman Co,ndation at Cirst Lady Michelle Mbama9s )>oining Corces- ceremony at the White Ho,se. Marie is the widow o$ /at 0illman, the 6CL 'layer <illed in 200( by $riendly $ire in !$ghanistan 1his death was covered ,' by the !rmy. 0hose res'onsible were whitewashed by both the D,sh and Mbama administrations3. Last year, /resident Mbama a''ointed #en. Stanley Mc%hrystal to head the advisory board o$ the new )>oining Corces- 'rogram. In res'onse, Mary 0illman F/at 0illman9s motherG said, )It9s a sla' in the $ace to a''oint this man- E )He deliberately hel'ed cover ,' /at9s death-E someone who has a heart$elt desire to hel' $amilies wo,ld not have been involved in the cover ,' o$ a soldier9s deathE!nd $ormer San Crancisco %hronicle Kditor 6arda Qacchino said, )It is bewildering and tasteless, a$ter Mc%hrystal9s callo,s disregard $or the 0illman $amily thro,gho,t this entire e'isode, that Darac< Mbama sho,ld a''oint him to a high 'ro$ile 'osition having anything to do with hel'ing military $amilies.When as<ed abo,t Mary9s remar<s, Michelle Mbama said, )we9re 'ro,d to have him FMc%hrystalG on board- and White Ho,se /ress Secretary >ay %arney said )that F/residentG Mbama is )very aware E o$

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the general9s rXs,mX.More Details: see Mic< Drown9s Mctober 2010 'ro$ile, )Detrayal o$ !n !ll !merican Hero-, >a<e 0a''er9s )!D% 6ews K2cl,sive7 /at 0illman9s Mom Wants #eneral Stanley Mc%hrystal "emoved Crom White Ho,se /ost- 1!'ril 1., 20113, 6arda Qacchino9s )What Stanley Mc%hrystal *id to /at 0illman9s Camily10r,thdig.com, !'ril 1., 20113, and the !'ril 2011 >on ?ra<a,er 'ost 1''. 2. 283 at htt'7::www.$eral$ire$ighter.blogs'ot.com ...

#en. Mc%hrystal was a''ointed by /resident Mbama to lead the advisory 'anel o$ the )>oining Corces- 'rogram which will be r,n o,t o$ the Washington thin< tan<, %enter $or a 6ew !merican Sec,rity 1%6!S3. %6!S has had close ties with both #en. /etrea,s and #en. Mc%hrystal and led the ',sh $or the !$ghan war s,rge. !nd, %6!S9s !ndrew K2,m 1a $ormer !rmy "anger o$$icer3 whitewashed Mc%hrystal9s role in the 0illman cover ,' with his horribly biased Washington /ost boo< review and his blog 'osts at !b, M,gawama 1disc,ssed in detail in )He Who Shall 6ot De Cact %hec<ed-3. HereOs an e2cer't $rom !ndrew K2,m9s >,ne 2, 2005 'ost =%on$irm Him=7 )0he bottom line is, nothing is ever going to heal the wo,nds in$licted on the 0illman Camily E !nd while I have nothing b,t res'ect $or the 0illman CamilyE, their 'ersonal grie$ sho,ld not be a veto on the nomination o$ the man F#en. Stanley Mc%hrystalG E 0hese are serio,s P,estions and are more im'ortant than either the death o$ /at 0illman or the alleged ab,se o$ detainees.In other words, the 0illman $amily can go to hell. !nd %6!S g,ys li<e him are going to r,n this new 'rogram to =s,''ort= military $amiliesJ %onsidering their 'ast betrayal o$ the 0illman $amily, #en. Mc%hrystal and %6!S was a shame$,l choice by /resident Mbama to r,n the )>oining Corces- 'rogram. 0his Kaster wee<end is $,ll o$ shar' irony $or me. %oincidentally, this year F2011G )#ood Criday- ha''ened to $all on the Ath anniversary o$ /at 0illman9s death. Mn Kaster S,nday morning, the smiling $aces o$ Michelle Mbama ; >ill Diden a''eared on the cover o$ =/arade MagaSine.- Inside was a ',$$ 'iece interview with them s'ea<ing abo,t the N>oining Corces- 'rogram 1witho,t, o$ co,rse, any mention o$ #en. Mc%hrystalOs controversial a''ointment or Mary 0illman9s obBections3. 208

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-/&/#t 981 A<88 * Gen0 =in& Da>id 3etrae/#'# Gra%e$/l EGit

0his Kaster, while ta<ing %omm,nion at my K'isco'al ch,rch, a somewhat sacrilegio,s K,charistic lit,rgy came to mind7 /at 0illman )has died.#eneral Stanley Mc%hrystal )has risen- 1$rom his Rollin %tone )cr,ci$i2ion-3 D,t . . . /at 0illman will not )come again.!s his brother "ichard said at his brother9s memorial service in 200(, )E. than<s $or yo,r tho,ghts, b,t he9s $,c<ing dead.206

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#eneral /etrae,s 'er$orms the coin toss be$ore S,'er Dowl RLIII .1. 20113

#en. *avid 1;Holly3 /etrae,s "etirement %eremony 1!,g.

& 6e ['at (illman$ might ha)e been the most celebrate" story of this year9s =uper ,o*l bet*een his ol" AriLona team an" the 'ittsburgh =teelers. 3nstea", he9s the sa""est. An" also the most a*+*ar" & & *hat shoul" ha)e been the "ream story that cemente" the marriage bet*een the DFH an" the != Army, turne" into a terrible trage"y an" a mortifying embarrassment. & *hen the =tealth ,omber roars o)erhea" before the game on =un"ay & maybe people *ill remember that American sport9s connection *ith its arme" forces is not all about glory. 3t9s about secrets, lies an" "eath, too.

.. ?li)er 6olt, The Mirror 0;an. 2@, 200>2

%&'etraeus ma"e his final battlefiel" circulation 0;uly 1, 20112, )isiting the /urrahee ,riga"e & of the 101st Airborne Ei)ision & (he unit *as the final briga"e "eploye" as part of ?bama4s surge & 53 *ant you, abo)e all, to ha)e pri"e, Auiet pri"e, in *hat it is that you ha)e achie)e"& 7ou ha)e all "one a magnificent Kob o)er the course of the last year& 7ou ha)e truly "istinguishe" yourself in that fight you4)e ma"e inroa"s, especially as you4)e come to the en" of your tour.4..'aula ,roa"*ell 0'll ,n, 20122

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-Eeaths represente" a statistic in 8ashington, but a face to him an" his fello* comman"ers. & 6e seeme" *eary of *ar & 58e4ll +eep "oing /?3D, all "ay long, but it4s har" to see the payoff,4 he [H(/ Ea)i" Fi)ecoat$ lamente". 5An" *e can continue to fight, but there4s & to use the Vietnam analogy, there4s no light at the en" of the tunnel. 8e4re all in, but 34m not sure the Afghans are all in. 7ou can e)en see it in the senior Afghan lea"ers as they4re all getting their houses in Eubai an" carting a *hole bunch of our cash out of the country.4..'aula ,roa"*ell 0'll ,n, 20122

-/&/#t 981 A<88 * Gen0 =in& Da>id 3etrae/#'# Gra%e$/l EGit

20J [Gen.$ 'etraeus I an" counterinsurgency I is able to ta+e cre"it for creating the con"itions for a face.sa)ing *ith"ra*al [from 3raA$. /?3D [/ounter.3nsurgency$, it appears, if finally )in"icate". (he surge becomes a mo"ern military myth &. A closer inspection of the surge myth re)eals a mur+ier set of factors.1#2

B#> 3n [February$ 200>, he [Gen. 'etraeus$ flips the coin before the opening +ic+off at the =uper ,o*l.1#B
S,ch as the S,nni !wa<ening, the Sadr Shiite cease $ire, and the acceleration o$ ethnic cleansing in Daghdad. In addition, 6+09s 0hom Shan<er -described two l,c<y intelligence co,'s that also contrib,ted to the )s,ccess- o$ the s,rge7 )What was ',lled o,t o$ the 0aBi trove was so val,able that one military o$$icer com'ared it to the allies s,ccess in brea<ing the 6aSis9 Knigma codes d,ring WWII- and )#eneral /etrea,s said the overall SinBar e$$ort did more to halt the terror networ<s that $lowed $oreign $ighters and s,icide bombers into IraP than any other o'eration.- 1''. 6A, A5 Counterstrike3. !nd see the !'r. 26, 2012 'iece, Lie,tenant %olonel *avis
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Says Leaders Cailed 0o !c<nowledge 0he "eal "eason Why IraP S,rge OS,cceededO, where he said7 )E the 200A IraP s,rge only s,cceeded beca,se the br,tality o$ the al T,eda in IraP 1!TI3 ca,sed its allies to t,rn on them and not beca,se o$ the =grossly inacc,rate= claims 'ro'agated by celebrated U.S. military leaders.-

*,ring his 200( re election cam'aign, /resident D,sh addressed %ardinal $ans d,ring a hal$time ceremony in which /at 0illmanOs Bersey n,mber was retired. +et, d,ring the 2005 S,'erbowl with his team 1the !riSona %ardinals3 'laying the Steelers, /at 0illman was )barely a $ootnote-. Ironically, d,ring S,'erbowl RLIII, #en. *avid /etrea,s did the coin toss at the beginning o$ the game and was honored $or his )service, co,rage and bravery.- +et, d,ring the S,'erbowl not a word abo,t /at 0illman 1who e2em'li$ied those val,es3 was televised. 0he 6CL e2'loited the death o$ /at 0illman, yet re$,sed to hel' the 0illman $amily in their search $or the tr,th. 0he 6CL has t,rned /at 0illman into an icon, instead o$ recogniSing his iconoclastic nat,re. Fsee )Darely a Cootnote- S,'erbowl RLIII and the 6CL9s Detrayal o$ /at 0illmanG
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201 & it4s not *hat happens that matters it4s *hat policy ma+ers thin+ happens I the +ey is %perception,- he ['etraeus$ *rites. An" the perception in 8ashington is that the surge is a triumph. & 3f the /?3D"inistas ha" stoppe" at 3raA, perhaps the chara"e *oul" ha)e hel" up o)er time & 'etraeus an" the /?3D"inistas, *ith a ne* lea"ing figure in the guise of General =tanley Mc/hrystal, *oul" soon push their theories on Afghanistan in full force. 000

B21 'etraeus stays in 8ashington for his confirmation hearing. & 6e nee"s to change the hea"lines, get the struggles in <an"ahar off the front pages an" get the sol"iers off his bac+ about rules of engagement, the issue that "amne" Mc/hrystal in the troops4 eyes. & )ery Auietly, the much ballyhooe" <an"ahar offensi)e slips from public )ie*.

B22 'etreaus arri)es in <abul on ;uly B, 2010. 6e4s the thir" ne* comman"ing general to ta+e o)er in less than a year an" a half, a turno)er in comman"ers matche" perhaps only by Abe Hincoln4s repeate" sac+ing of general in the /i)il 8ar.

B5J (he metrics use" to Ku"ge progress in Afghanistan are classifie"& (he general ['etraeus$ set out to rema+e the D3C to his li+ing. & 'etraeus steps up the )iolence. 6e "rastically ups the number of airstri+es & triples the number of night rai"s by =pecial Forces &

B5@ 'etraeus *ill tell an inter)ie*er, he4s not loo+ing for a %graceful ePit.-

B5> 'etraeus +eeps claiming progress, "espite the fact that )iolence +eeps going up. B11 8hite 6ouse officials start to ma+e the case [=pring 2011$O (he [Afghan$ surge *or+e", let4s "eclare )ictory an" go home.1##
0he latest #en. /etrae,s biogra'hy, All 2n, had been sitting in a stac< by my bed $or over a month. I had glanced at it, b,t it loo<ed li<e s,ch a boring s,c<$est that I ',t o$$ reading it 1and loo<ing on the bac< cover, there were bl,rbs by %6!S %KM 6athaniel Cic< and stenogra'her in residence 0homas "ic<s3. My instincts were collaborated by Micheal Hasting9s "olling Stone review, )0he Legend o$ *avid /etrae,s9 1>an. .1, 20123. Here9s Michael Hasting9s on the boo<7 )0he geni,s o$ *avid /etrae,s has always been his master$,l mani',lation o$ the media. D,t a$ter reading the new biogra'hy abo,t him E I9ve started to wonder i$ he9s losing his to,ch. E the /etrae,s a''roved All 2n is s,ch blatant, ,nabashed 'ro'aganda, it9s as i$ the general
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B5> 3n April, 'resi"ent ?bama announces 'etraeus *ill become his nePt /3A chief. 3n ;une, he returns home, his tour in Afghanistan complete. 3n August, a retirement ceremony is hel" for him. Do top 8hite 6ouse officials atten". & 'etraeus has ePite" gracefully.

B#1 ['etraeus earne"$ &the nic+name <ing Ea)i" [in 3raA$ *hile up in Mosul, ruling o)er the ancient city. 8ithin months of his lea)ing Mosul, the city collapses I not his fault, he ePplains, things *ere great *hile he *as there. BJJ ?nce *e begin to lea)e Afghanistan, it *ill be *arlor"s li+e Ab"ul GaLLi+ *ho4ll ta+e o)er. & (he face of Afghanistan after ten years of America4s *ar is that of a thirty.four. year.ol" "rug lor". B1# (he plan ,i"en ha" calle" for a year earlier is the plan the 'entagon is going to be force" to a"opt. 3t only too+ an a""itional 111 American li)es an" 2,111 Afghan li)es for the 8hite 6ouse to arri)e at this conclusion.

May 81 A<88 !! Someday1 Thi# +ar'# Gonna End

H(G Ea)i" ,arno 0Get.2, -ndre EG/m .. /DA=4s %Gesponsible (ransition- C)ent 0Eec. 1#, 20102

has given ,' 'retending there9s a di$$erence between the 'ress and his own ',blic relations team.- Instead, $or a more honest ta<e on /etrae,s9s war, I wo,ld recommend 2ntel Wars 120123 by Matthew M. !id or, o$ co,rse, Michael Hasting9s boo<. 210

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8ashington 'ost4s Bo. +ood ard, Ea)i" ,arno .. /DA=4s %Gesponsible (ransition- C)ent 0Eec. 1#, 20102

8e *ill begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in ;uly of 2011 & *e *ill ePecute this transition responsibly, ta+ing into account con"itions on the groun". & %

.. 'resi"ent ?bama, 8est 'oint speech 0Eec. 1, 200>2

?bama ha" to "o this 1@.month surge Kust to "emonstrate, in effect, that it coul"n4t be "one & 56o* many of these guys *ho are pushing that [/?3D$ option are going to be here to see the effects by ;uly of 2011,4 [Gen.$ Hute lamente" to Eonilon. &4the bottom line is, you4re left *ith the 'resi"ent stan"ing here, o*ning this thing that these guys sol" to him but *ho ha)e since ePite" stage right.4-

.. ,ob 8oo"*ar", Oba a!s Wars 020102

May 81 A<88 !! Someday1 Thi# +ar'# Gonna End

121 6e [Mc/hrystal$ *as the ultimate operator. & (he other operators out there, the politicians, the pun"its, the sol"iers, the "iplomats, the spies, the insurgents, the hac+s, an" the flac+s, s*arming him, lo)ing him, hating him, *or+ing against him, all playing the game.
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B11 ,y the fall of 200@& ,in Ha"en an" Al.Uae"a *ere barely footnotes to *hat *e *ere "oing there. & 3f it *asn4t about ,in Ha"en, then *hat the fuc+ *as it about: 8hen 3 tra)ele" *ith Mc/hrystal, 3 *as shoc+e" *hen General Michael Flynn ha" tol" me that he "i"n4t thin+ *e4" e)er get ,in Ha"en. &

B1> =trangely, ,in Ha"en4s "eath [May 1, 2011$ *oul" ha)e little impact on the actual *ar I the *ar in Afghanistan ha"n4t been about capturing ,i" Ha"en for years. ... ,ut & it *oul" gi)e ?bama the political co)er he nee"e" to gi)e his speech in ;une [2011$ *here he "eclare" the *ar in Afghanistan *as coming to an en", or at least the beginning of the beginning of the en".

B11 Gight from the start, the i"ea of the 8ar on (error *as a fuLLy one at best. & ,in Ha"en4s "eath re)eale" the biggest lie of the *ar, the %safe ha)en- myth, Afghanistan4s )ersion of 8MEs& 8e4" been fighting the *rong *ar, in the *rong *ay, in the *rong country.

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G1>1 8ar ha" been ePpose" as the Giant Hying Machine1#5, in 6alberstam4s *or"s. 3t *as all, it seeme", a scam. B1@ =ince ?bama became presi"ent, a thousan" sol"iers *ere +ille" in Afghanistan, more than "ouble the total in the years un"er ,ush.1#J

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L0% *aniel *avis, recently ',blished an article called =0r,th, Lies and !$ghanistan= where he wrote, =Senior ran<ing US military leaders have so distorted the tr,th when comm,nicating with the US %ongress and !merican 'eo'le in regards to conditions on the gro,nd in !$ghanistan that the tr,th has become ,nrecogniSable.= !nd Den !nderson, in )6o Worse Knemy,- wrote7 )With each tri', the war became less recogniSable as the one being described $rom 'odi,ms in ?ab,l, Washington, and London. ! 'ositive s'in co,ld be e2'ected b,t there was o$ten s,ch a g,l$ between what we were told was ha''ening and what I was seeing with my own eyes that I sometimes a,estioned my recollections.-

>,st be$ore the 2006 mid term elections, ?evin 0illman ',blished his eloP,ent letter, )!$ter /at9s Dirthday- at tr,thdig.com7 )Somehow o,r elected leaders were s,bverting international law and h,manity by setting ,' secret 'risons aro,nd the world, secretly <idna''ing 'eo'le, secretly holding them inde$initely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly tort,ring them. Somehow that overt 'olicy o$ tort,re became the $a,lt o$ a $ew )bad a''les- in the military. E Somehow tort,re is tolerated. E Somehow lying is tolerated. E Somehow $a<ing character, virt,e and strength is tolerated. E Somehow a narrative is more im'ortant than reality. E Somehow !merican leadershi', whose only credit is lying to its 'eo'le and illegally invading a nation, has been allowed to steal the co,rage, virt,e and honor o$ its soldiers on the gro,nd. E Somehow the same incom'etent, narcissistic, virt,eless, vac,o,s, malicio,s criminals are still in charge o$ this co,ntry. Somehow this is tolerated. Somehow nobody is acco,ntable $or this.?evin had ho'ed a *emocratic %ongress wo,ld bring acco,ntability bac< to o,r co,ntry. D,t, B,st as with warrantless wireta''ing and tort,re, those res'onsible $or the cover ,' o$ his brother9s $riendly $ire death have never been held acco,ntable $or their actions. !s the Mbama administration is $ond o$ saying, )0hey9re moving $orward, not loo<ing bac<ward.!nd, here9s Michael Hastings on the )#iant Lying Machine- F"obert #reenwald and "e'orter Michael Hastings 0a<e on the Wild and 0erri$ying Inside Story o$ !mericaOs War Machine (Alternet $1 2A 1237 )... I called it the )media military ind,strial com'le2,- and one o$ the sort o$ insights that I have had is that they call it the /entagon /ress %or's, rightI !nd yo, sort o$ thin<, oh, well it means the 'eo'le who <ind o$ watch over the /entagon and 'er$orm the mediaOs watchdog $,nction, b,t no, itOs an e2tension o$ the /entagon. Cor the most 'art. I mean, when was the last time anyone at the /entagon bro<e a story that wasnOt 're a''rovedI ItOs very, very rare. 21.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G#1 My younger brother *as an infantry platoon lea"er, fighting in 3raA *hile 3 *as there co)ering it1#1

#1

3n 2001 a young *oman 3 lo)e" *as +ille" by Al.Uae"a in 3raA.1#@

B1> &3 thought of all the "ea", an" *hat a""ing ,in Ha"en4s name to the list actually meant. & 3 thought of & (he memorial ser)ices *ith gro*n men crying o)er empty boots. (he
!nd I noticed this $irst in IraP when things were going horribly E when I was there. !nd the s'o<es'eo'le in the military ',blic relations a''arat,s wo,ld B,st lie to yo,r $ace. Kvery day they wo,ld lie. !nd #od $orbid yo, E 'oint this o,t. +eah, we all <now theyOre lying b,t yo,Ore not s,''osed to say it, yo, <nowI We <now weOre getting b,llshit every day, b,t come on, man, donOt 'oint it o,t thatOs not classy. D,t I wo,ld also call o,t a gro,' o$ very in$l,ential national sec,rity re'orters Fe.g. 0hom Shan<erG E they all belong or have been 'aid by, or have wor<ed $or very in$l,ential thin< tan<s E 0hese thin< tan<s %enter $or 6ew !merican Sec,rity F%6!SG is sort o$ the most egregio,s e2am'le E are 'romoting very s'eci$ic 'ro war 'olicies. !nd so they ',t the g,ys on their 'ayroll whose Bob it is to cover the 'olicies theyOre 'romoting. !nd yo, go thro,gh the list, all o$ them @ the +ew ,ork !imes$ the Washin ton #ost (( have had their g,ys on the 'ayroll o$ these maBor in$l,ential thin< attention, again, $,nded by de$ense contractors, and then we e2'ect them to cover their $riends and colleag,es very criticallyI 0hey havenOt. )E. 0heyOre all on the same team, yo, <now, in this atmos'here.- !nd %6!S, amaSingly eno,gh, brags abo,t the in$l,ence it 'eddles. 0hey brag abo,t all the big time Bo,rnalists they have on their 'ayroll and the in$l,ence that that brings. !nd I ,nderstand that itOs to,gh to ma<e a living as a writerE 0he 'rice is that yo, have to ',ll a lot o$ ',nches. !nd yo, may not even be realiSing yo,Ore doing it. D,t I thin< they do, I thin< theyOre B,st 'laying the game.My ste' ne'hew 1B,st a new born baby when I crashed at his $ather9s ho,se at Ct. Denning a$ter I com'leted "anger School in 1548,3 enlisted in the !rmy last year. He9s )yo,ng and d,mb- 1as I was at 1A years old when I enlisted3 went In$antry 1as I did, d,mb, d,mb, d,mbJ3. He9s de'loying to !$ghanistan in S'ring 2012 with a Stry<er brigade $rom the 1now in$amo,s3 2nd I* at Cort Mc%hord. 6ow, this !$ghan war shit is a bit more 'ersonal. I 'ray he doesn9t become one o$ these statistics.
1(6

)My yo,nger brother is an in$antry 'latoon leader and won a DronSe Star. My best $riends are in the military. 0he most $ormative e2'eriences o$ my li$e have been with these g,ys V as a Bo,rnalist E I never want to eP,ate my e2'erience with theirs. E I can try to em'athiSe E with soldiers.- F)Michael Hastings7 Mc%hrystal Was N%om'le2,9 Mbama Was 6aive, !$ghanistan Is Ho'eless- 1*anger "oom, >an, 8, 20123
1(A

!ndi /arhamovich. See Michael Hasting9s boo< )I Lost My Love in Daghdad- 120043 ! $ine boo<, gives a 'ict,re o$ the IraP mess in early 2006. 0he boo< ends with his escorting !ndi9s co$$in bac< to the States on an !ir Corce cargo 'lane& evocative o$ ?evin 0illman doing the same $or his brother in 200(.
1(4

21(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gmemorial ser)ice of me crying o)er an empty coffin. & 3 thought of the operators, all of us *ho4" ma"e our careers off ,in Ha"en4s horror sho*1#>O Mc/hrystal, 'etraeus,& an" e)en the 'resi"ent himself, *ho4" ri""en to po*er on an anti*ar ti"e.

1>B (here *as a simple truth, my colleague ePplaine"O 8ar corro"es an" +ills e)erything it touches. 3t "estroys *hat4s insi"e you. 8ar ma+es you sa".

I wo,ld add several names to the ran<s o$ the )o'erators- who9ve made their careers o$$ the #WM07 6+0 /entagon s,c< ass 0hom Shan<er, %6!S %KM 6athaniel Cic<, and %6!S Senior Cellow !ndrew K2,m. ...
1(5

Mn the title 'age, May 1, 2011 )Someday, 0his War9s #onna Knd,- is a 'hoto o$ both Washington /ost editor Dob Woodward and %6!S9s !ndrew K2,m on the 'anel $or the *ec. 2010 )"es'onsible 0ransition- event 1with over 800 attendees3. 6ote that )"es'onsible 0ransition- echoes /resident Mbama9s *ec. 1, 2005 s'eech at West /oint. %arl /rine wrote in his col,mn 1) K2,m Is "ight 1Sort M$3- Line o$ *e'art,re, *ecember 1(, 20113 7 = I didn9t tal< to K2,m $or P,ite a long time a$ter he ',blished a 'olicy 'rescri'tion, )0riage,- and gave advice to the >oint Strategic !ssessment 0eam on !$ghanistan, words I believed were sincere b,t misg,ided, the sort o$ advice that wo,ld get decent men and women <illed trying to )win- a costly war. E Well, the )e2'erts- were all wrong. Ho'elessly, tragically, st,'idly wrong, and they9ve largely remained ,nacco,ntable $or their disastro,s advice. Ethe ,n$olding reality o$ !$ghanistan e2'ose the grave sins committed against o,r democracy by celebrity generals, intellect,ally d,bio,s won<s and the stenogra'hic re'orters who abetted their tres'asses. E li<e K2,m I also lost dear $riends who gave their lives 'rosec,ting these wars. Deing right will never bring them bac<. It doesn9t even decorate their graves.... It9s rather im'ressive how %6!S can t,rn on a dime. In >,ne 2005, !ndrew K2,m and %6!S %KM 6athaniel Cic< led the Washington battle to ',sh the !$ghan s,rge. D,t, once the 'olitical winds changed, they s',n aro,nd 140 degrees. 0he )weather vane- thin< tan<J Cli' the %MI6J %arl /rine wrote his col,mn, in )%6!S and Mther Co,r Letter Words- 1*ec. 11, 201137 )the ,nveiling o$ the latest 'olicy brie$ on !$ghanistan by the *% based %enter $or a 6ew !merican Sec,rity thin< tan<. )0he 6e2t Cight7 0ime $or a %hange o$ Mission in !$ghanistan- is an odd doc,mentE It9s a,thored by E retired U.S. !rmy L0# *avid W. Darno@ as well as !ndrew K2,mE. I say that it9s an odd doc,ment beca,se it basically contradicts m,ch o$ the advice L0# Darno gave %ongress only abo,t 18 wee<s ago and overt,rns K2,m9s 2005 re'ort with %MI6 g,r, and monied de$ense contractor *avid ?ilc,llen, )0riage7 0he 6e2t 12 Months in !$ghanistan.218

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M-7BE IT H-D BEEN TR-SH FROM THE GET! GO1 M7THS TO FEED THE 3UB"I2

At =enator ;ames 8ebb4s ?ffice 0Aug. 20012

Guy Montag in front of the /apitol 0Aug. 20012

%At the corner of south /apitol =treet an" 3n"epen"ence A)enue & [=enator ;u"" =mith$ foun" his fa)orite tree & an" sat "o*n, leaning against the tree trun+ as though it *as a lounging chair. & 6is public cloister allo*e" contemplation & /ongress *as a "og an" pony sho*. 6e *as "oing )ital things, at least part of the time, but it *oul" en" some"ay& An" the gnarle" base of his fa)orite ol" tree *as itself a throne, from *hich he coul" peer out on the /apitol, a fe* hun"re" feet a*ay,& (he /apitol buil"ing *as a *on"erfully "ramatic bac+groun"... [=enator$ ;ames 8ebb, ' %ountry Such 's This 01>@12 %6o* lofty it must ha)e been to ha)e burnt *ith the purity of the Ge)olutionT ,efore the "ays of multi. million "ollar election campaigns that brought politicians to their +nees before the monie" temple of the contributors. ,efore the time of computeriLe" politics that cause them to a*ait the *is"om of those oracles +no*n as pollsters before they spo+e. ?r maybe it ha" been trash from the get.go, myths to fee" the public... [=enator$ ;ames 8ebb, So ethin$ to Die For 01>>12 %For Mary (illman, *hat the army "i" to her son ma"e a moc+ery of e)erything he *ent to *ar for I honesty, integrity, the "efence of the truth. 93f you as+ me if 3 trust our system no*, the ans*er is 34m pretty "isguste" by it. !nfortunately in our culture people sur)i)e more effecti)ely through lies an" "eception an" "ishonourable beha)iour than they "o the re)erse. An" that4s )ery sa". ' .. Mic+ ,ro*n, %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero,- !< Guar"ian 0?ct. 1, 20102 %3f nothing e)er *or+s out all the *ay, an" if all things change, *hat4s left: 7our family an" your frien"s an" your )alues, that4s *hat4s left. An" your "uty to them & (hey4re the only important things in life. & An" that the rest of it might change a million times, be calle" *rong or right or anything else, you must ne)er )iolate your loyalty if you *ishe" to sur)i)e the Ku"gment of the ages... ;ames 8ebb, ' %ountry Such 's This 01>@B2 21A

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

-$ter 3at'# Birthday

;ust before the 200J mi".term elections an" his brother4s birth"ay on Do)ember Jth, <e)in (illman publishe" his eloAuent letter, %After 'at4s ,irth"ay- at truth"ig.comO /So eho) our elected leaders )ere sub-ertin$ international la) and hu anity by settin$ up secret prisons around the )orld, secretly kidnappin$ people, secretly holdin$ the indefinitely, secretly not char$in$ the )ith anythin$, secretly torturin$ the 1 So eho) that o-ert policy of torture beca e the fault of a fe) /bad apples& in the ilitary1& /So eho) back at ho e, support for the soldiers eant? slappin$ stickers on carsA471 ? ,t!s interestin$ that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about ? a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around hi ?& /So eho) sub-ersion of the Bill of #i$hts and the %onstitution is tolerated1 So eho) suspension of 0abeas %orpus is supposed to keep this country safe1 So eho) torture is tolerated1 So eho) lyin$ is tolerated1 ? So eho) fakin$ character, -irtue and stren$th is tolerated1 ? So eho) a narrati-e is ore i portant than reality1& /So eho) ' erican leadership, )hose only credit is lyin$ to its people and ille$ally in-adin$ a nation, has been allo)ed to steal the coura$e, -irtue and honor of its soldiers on the $round1 ? So eho) the sa e inco petent, narcissistic, -irtueless, -acuous, alicious cri inals are still in char$e of this country1 So eho) this is tolerated1 So eho) nobody is accountable for this1& 000 3n 200J, <e)in ha" hope" the election of a maKority Eemocratic /ongress *oul" bring bac+ accountability to our country. ,ut, Kust as *ith those responsible for the acts mentione" by in <e)in4s letter, those responsible for the co)er.up of his brother4s frien"ly.fire "eath ha)e ne)er been hel" accountable for their actions. As the ?bama a"ministration is fon" of saying, %(hey4re mo)ing for*ar", not loo+ing bac+*ar".For ePample, although Gen. Mc/hrystal super)ise" the ;=?/ forces that torture" prisoners in secret prisons such as /amp Dama, he *as ne)er hel" accountable for his actions. 3nstea", in 200@ the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee ga)e him a pass after %in)estigating- his actions. An", the follo*ing year, face" *ith the court.or"ere" release of photos that sho*e" torture ePten"e" *ell beyon" Abu Gharib, 'resi"ent ?bama an" the =enate change" the F?3A la* to protect Mc/hrystal 0among others2. ,ut *orse yet, in a paro"y of Kustice, the ?bama a"ministration has been far *orse than the ,ush a"ministration in going after go)ernment *histleblo*ers *ho ma"e public the same illegal acts
180

Mc%hrystal is on the board o$ the +ellow "ibbon C,nd. Mn May 10, 2012 the )#ot +o,r 6- cam'aign was la,nched )ins'ired by Michelle Mbama9s >oining Corces cam'aign.- 6ow, %ongressmen are wearing the label 'in to )s,''ort the troo's.-

214

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gthat <e)in (illman "ecrie" in his letterT 6ere4s an ePcerpt from 'eter Van ,uren an" (om Cngelhar"t4s %;oining the 8histleblo*ers4 /lub- 0April >, 20122O /?the stran$e, e battled )orld of Oba aBera $o-ern ental )histleblo)ers1 's a $roup, they are, after all, 3ust about the only people inside the (ational Security %o ple: )ho e-er $et in trouble for their acts1 ,n our era, the ille$al sur-eillers, the torturers, the kidnappers, those )ho launch and pursue undeclared and a$$ressi-e )ars, and those )ho sCuander ta:payer dollars all run free1 "ater, if they )ere i portant enou$h, they )rite their e oirs for illions of dollars, peddle their speeches for hundreds of thousands ore, and li-e the $ood life1 ? The only fi$ures in the %o ple: re$ularly pursued as trouble akers and possible cri inals turn out to be $uilty of a sin$le allB' erican cri e> tellin$ the citiHenry )hat they should kno) about the operations of, and often enou$h the cri es of, the $o-ern ent they elected1& ?ne of these *histleblo*ers, 'eter Van ,uren, is currently in the process being fire" from the =tate Eepartment 0a fe* months before his retirement bye.bye pensionT2 for *riting his 0hilarious2 boo+ 0an" blog2 We Meant Well> 0o) , 0elped "ose the Battle for the 0earts and Minds of the ,raCi People. 3t4s *orth Auoting from his recent post, %Heft ,ehin"-O /With its a$$ressi-e and sadly careless use of the draconian .spiona$e 'ct to i prison )histleblo)ers, the Oba a ad inistration has, in any cases, o-ed beyond harass ent and inti idation into actually )ieldin$ the beautiful tools of 3ustice in a per-erse )ay to silence dissent1& /, find yself a e ber of a ne) club , don!t e-en re e ber applyin$ for> The Whistleblo)ers1 2ntil )e ble) those )histles, )e )ere all in our o)n )ays belie-ers in the ' erican syste ? in the course of 3ust doin$ our 3obs, )e stu bled into colossal $o-ern ent )ron$doin$ ;syste atiHed torture, )arrantless )iretappin$, fraud, and )aste=, stood up for )hat is ri$ht in the ' erican spirit, and found oursel-es payin$ surprisin$ personal prices for acts that see ed ob-ious and necessary1 We are $uilty of nai-etL, not treason1& /.ach of us initially thou$ht that the a$encies )e )orked for )ould be concerned about )hat )e had stu bled upon or unco-ered and )ould )ant to )ork )ith us to resol-e it1 ,f ost of us are no) disillusioned, )e )eren!t at the outset1 Only by the force of e-ents did )e beco e transfor ed into opponents of an outBofBcontrol $o-ern ent )ith no tolerance for those )ho )ould e:pose the truth1& 000 Another *histleblo*er, H(/ Eaniel Ea)is, recently publishe" an article calle" N(ruth, Hies an" AfghanistanN *here he *rote, N=enior ran+ing != military lea"ers ha)e so "istorte" the truth *hen communicating *ith the != /ongress an" American people in regar"s to con"itions on the groun" in Afghanistan that the truth has become unrecogniLable.N 3n an inter)ie*1 Acti)e.Euty Army 8histleblo*er Ht. /ol. Eaniel Ea)isO !.=. Eecei)ing 'ublic on Afghan 8ar 0Eemocracy Do*, Apr. 11, 20122, H(/ Ea)is sai"O /? , don!t kno) )hy they!re dead1 , don!t kno) )hat benefit y country deri-ed fro the loss of their life1 ? 'nd if you can!t tell e that they!re $oin$ to $ain so e benefit for y country, , 3ust orally cannot keep Cuiet1 , ean, the 'r y is built on )hat!s called the 'r y Se-en Nalues
215

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G? if you see so ethin$ that!s )ron$, you!-e $ot to ha-e the oral coura$e to do so ethin$ about it1 ? loyalty is one of those -alues, and , belie-e ? y loyalty to the soldiers ? , 3ust o)ed it to the to do )hate-er , could to try to brin$ li$ht to this?& Michael 6astings sai", %you ha)e a 11.year Army )eteran, *ho4s "one four toursVt*o in Afghanistan an" t*o in 3raAV*ho has "eci"e" to ris+ his entire careerVbecause he has t*o. an".a.half more years left before he gets a pensionVbecause he feels that he has a moral obligation to "o so.,est of luc+ to him 03 hope he ma+es it to t*enty years to get his pension2. 'ersonally, 3 thin+ H(/ Ea)is is a bit na^)e about the reality of the %Army =e)en Values.- 3 thin+ ;ohn (. Gee" ha" a better grasp on the reality in his posts at Kohntree".com such as (he !.=. military4s B0.year, marathon, single.elimination, suc+.up tournament 06o* America selects it generals2 an" 3s military integrity a contra"iction in terms: 000 ,ut, in sharp contrast to the fates of the *histleblo*ers, Gen. Mc/hrystal is "oing Kust fine in retirement. 6e4s the hea" of the Mc/hrystal Group 0*ith former Ganger GG( /? ,G ;ames %/raig- DiPon2, sits on se)eral boar"s of "irectors, hea"s the a")isory boar" of the ;oining Forces program, an" has been a celebrate" 0an" *ell.compensate"2 spea+er on the lecture circuit. 6is memoir, %My =hare of the (as+- is sche"ule" for publication on Do)ember 1B, 2012. An" Mc/hrystal is not alone in escaping accountability for his actions 0or in profiting from the publication of his memoirs2. Glenn Green*al" recently *rote, in /rime ,oasting for 'rofit 0=alon.com, April 25, 20122, that %shiel"e" from all forms of accountability, a /3A official is able to publish a boo+ glorifying his illegal acts-O /the decision to destroy the 5)aterboardin$9 tapes )as ade by Jose '1 #odri$ueH Jr1, )ho )as the head of the Directorate of Operations, the a$ency!s clandestine ser-ice ? ,n (o-e ber, 67A7, the Oba a DOJ P consistent )ith its steadfast shieldin$ of BushBera cri inals fro all for s of accountability P announced that the in-esti$ation )ould be closed )ithout any char$es bein$ filed1 ? Protected by the DOJ ? fro any and all accountability for )hat he did, the %,' official )ho ordered the -ideotapes! destruction ? is no) en3oyin$ the fruits of his cri es1 0e 3ust published a ne) book in )hich he a$$ressi-ely defends his decision to destroy those tapes& /#odri$ueH thus 3oins a lon$ line of Bush officials P Bush, %heney, #u sfeld, #ice, Wolfo)itH, et1 al P )ho not only paid no price for the cri es they co itted, but are free to run around boastin$ of those cri es for profit1 That!s )hat happens )hen the ost politically po)erful officials are -ested )ith i unity for their ille$al acts1 Both the cri inals and their cri es beco e nor aliHed1 They feel free not only to ad it their cri es openly but to 3ustify and $lorify the , because they kno) they )ill ne-er be held accountable for the 1 ,nstead of ha-in$ to e:plain hi self as a cri inal defendant, #odri$ueH is instead per itted to )rap his conduct in the banner of herois as a hi$hlyBpaid Si on J Schuster author1 This )ill be one of the ost endurin$ and conseCuential aspects of the Oba a le$acy> by )orkin$ so hard, in so any )ays, to shield BushBera cri es fro all for s of accountability,
220

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Gthe De ocratic President has ensured that they are not -ie)ed as cri es at all, but at )orst, runBofBtheB ill political contro-ersies1&

Mean*hile, in contrast, ;esselyn Ga"ac+, in ?bama targets Kournalists 0Apr. >, 20122, *rote about the fate of the /3A officer *ho ble* the *histle on tortureO

/%,' officer John +iriakou /)as the first %,' officer to call )aterboardin$ /torture& and that he re-ealed that the %,'!s torture pro$ra )as policy rather than aberrant playti e1 ? his book, "The #eluctant Spy> My Secret "ife in the %,'!s War on Terror&% ? sharply criticiHes the %,'!s torture pro$ra 1 ? The 5DOJ9 indict ent of John +iriakou, like that of To Drake, is eant to chill )histleblo)ers and the 3ournalists )ho report their stories1 ? +iriakou hi self has also spent tens of thousands in attorneys! fees and is stru$$lin$ to raise the illion dollars his defense is e:pected to cost1 ,ntelli$ence co unity e ployees )ith ort$a$es and ouths to feed no doubt $et the essa$e1& 000 ;esselyn Ga"ac+ also *roteO %?scar. an" Cmmy.nominate" "ocumentarian Haura 'oitras & has filme" three of my D=A clients for the thir" installment of her 8ar on (error trilogy. Dot surprisingly, her latest film *ill be about the go)ernment4s e)er.ePpan"ing secret "omestic sur)eillance, D=A treating our nation li+e a foreign country for spying purposes, an" the *ar on *histleblo*ers.8ashington 'ost report Eana 'riest, in her boo+ Top Secret ' erica, also *rote about %the go)ernment4s e)er.ePpan"ing secret "omestic sur)eillance-O /The Defense Depart ent has $i-en JSO% a bi$$er role in non ilitary assi$n ents ? the or$aniHation is busy )ith its ne) F7,777BsCuareBfoot office buildin$ turned co and center ? 5Joint Special Operations Task ForceB(ational %apital #e$ion91 ,t sits across the hi$h)ay fro the Penta$on in pristine suburban splendor, 3ust a fi-eB inute dri-e fro Mc%hrystal!s ci-ilian office and the for er $eneral!s fa-orite beerBcall restaurant111 ,t is creatin$ tar$etin$ packa$es for 21S1 do estic a$encies?&

Many of the intelligence inno)ations 0inclu"ing the use of "rones2 pioneere" by Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal M Gen. Michael Flynn to target insurgents o)erseas in 3raA an" Afghanistan are no* being turne" in*ar" on the !nite" =tates. 3sn4t it great to li)e in the %lan" of the free, home of the bra)e-:151
181

In his 'iece, 0he 6ational Sec,rity State %ontin,es to MilitariSe the Homeland 14 0. 1.3, /eter Van D,ren wrote, )More and more, wea'ons, tactics, techniP,es and 'roced,res that have been ,sed abroad in war are coming home, this time em'loyed against !merican %itiSens. E M,ch o$ the technology and methodology the 6S! and others have been shown to be ,sing against !merican %itiSens was develo'ed on and $or the battle$ields o$ IraP and !$ghanistan, in 'artic,lar the advanced ,se o$ cell 'hones to trac< 'eo'le9s movements. E !lso re$ined in IraP, !$ghanistan and the

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2on&re## Didn't F/m.le1 They Thre the Game

;on <ra+auer4s account of the (illman story en"s *ith /ongressman 6enry 8aPman unable to "etermine *ho *as responsible for the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eathO %8hat *e ha)e is a )ery clear, "eliberate abuse intentionally "one. 8hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho "i" it:- ,oth 8aPman an" <ra+auer blame" stone*alling by the Army M ,ush a"ministration for /ongress4s failure to hol" anyone accountable. Mary (illman, in her boo+ %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+-, *roteO %3 thin+ of Gepresentati)e 8aPman4s *or"s at the close of the hearing & it occurs to me that it4s har" to fin" out & because no one in a position of authority has the *ill or courage to "o so.=tan Goff, in his piece %Fog of Fame,- *roteO %(he 6ouse ?)ersight an" Go)ernment Geform /ommittee ought to be rename"O (he 6ouse Gro)eling an" Gratitu"e /ommittee. ... /ongress "oesn9t *ant to ask the Auestions. & (here is a one.*or" metho" for stating the ob)ious in these casesO bullshit. ,ut /ongress is so busy sprea"ing the same substance that its members are generally loathe to call anyone out on it.3n an inter)ie* Amir ,ar.He) sai"O %& there4s been no culpability on the secon" half of this trage"y, *hich is the higher ups trying to co)er it up. & to borro* a football metaphor, they [the (illman family$ ran the ball >> yar"s o)er four years4 time, they han"e" it off at the one.yar" line to /ongress an" they fumble" it....N =hortly after the ;anuary 2010 =un"ance premiere of his "ocumentary, %(he (illman =tory,Amir ,ar.He) replie" to my emailO %6a)e you seen the film: 39m pretty har" on the Eemocratic /ongressT- (rue, his film "oes portray /ongressman 8aPman4s ?)ersight /ommittee as %fumbling- an" ineptly failing to get ans*ers from the top military lea"ership. 6o*e)er, General =tanley Mc/hrystal, *ho orchestrate" much of the co)er.up, *as barely a footnote in his film. ,ut blaming the ,ush a"ministration an" the Army for the co)er.up is too simple. 3n reality, the co)er.up has been a thoroughly bipartisan affair, *ith the Eemocratic /ongress an" the ?bama 'resi"ency continuing to *hite*ash Mc/hrystal 0an" others2 responsible for the co)er.up. 3t *asn4t Kust that the 8hite 6ouse stone*alle" /ongress. 3t *asn4t a lac+ of courage or *ill. 3t *asn4t a loathing to call them out on their bullshit. 3n actuality, /ongress "i"n4t Kust %fumblethe ball, they thre) the game to protect Mc/hrystal. All of the publishe" accounts en"e" their portrayal of the (illman story far too soon, shortly after 6enry 8aPman4s /ongressional hearing in August 2001. (hese accounts misse" the %untol"story that the Eemocratic /ongress repeate"ly *hite*ashe" General =tanley Mc/hrystal4s +ey
greater archi'elago o$ the war o$ terror was the ,se o$ metadata and data mining.-

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Grole in the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. An" the ?bama a"ministration has continue" the Mc/hrystal *hite*ash up to the present "ay.

The [Untold] Tillman Story

At the en" of his April 2001 (illman hearing, /ongressman 8aPman state" in frustration, %8hat *e ha)e is a )ery clear, "eliberate abuse intentionally "one. 8hy is it so har" to fin" out *ho "i" it:- 8ell, simply, because 8aPman himself shiel"e" from scrutiny those %*ho "i" it./ongressman 8aPman4s so.calle" (illman %in)estigation- *as not an honest attempt to get at the truth. 6is %?)ersight- /ommittee blame" its4 failure on stone.*alling by the ,ush A"ministration. 6o*e)er, it4s %in)estigation- *as a pro for a sham. (hey faile" to Auestion Gen. Mc/hrystal about his +ey role in *riting the frau"ulent =il)er =tar, altere" *itness statements, early +no*le"ge of fratrici"e, failure to inform the family, an" his "ecepti)e '# memo. 8aPman ne)er ePplaine" *hy Mc/hrystal *as "roppe" from the hearing *itness list, yet Gen. <ensinger *hereas 0"esignate" Army scapegoat2 *as issue" a subpoena for the same hearing. Euring the =pring of 200@, =enator ;ames 8ebb con"ucte" a secret %re)ie*- of Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman case. ?n May 15th 200@, the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee 0hea"e" by =enators He)in an" Mc/ain2 hel" a secret %ePecuti)e session- "uring *hich Mc/hrystal testifie" behin" close" "oors about his actions after (illman4s fratrici"e %in "etail.- =hortly after*ar"s, the =enate promote" him to Eirector of the ;oint =taff. 3n ;uly 200@, 8aPman4s 6ouse ?)ersight /ommittee issue" their (illman report blaming stone*alling by the ,ush A"ministration for their failure to hol" anyone accountable. (he follo*ing year, on May 11, 200>, 'resi"ent ?bama, "espite Mc/hrystal4s +ey role in the (illman co)er.up, nominate" Mc/hrystal to be his ne* comman"er of the Afghan 8ar. ;ust t*o "ays later, ?bama ga)e the A=! commencement a""ress at =un Ee)il =ta"ium *ithout once mentioning 'at (illman4s name. (hat same "ay, ?bama bac+pe"ale" on his pre)ious "ecision to allo* the court.or"ere" release of torture photos. ?n May 20th, =enators Hieberman, Graham, an" Mc/ain 0*or+ing *ith the 8hite 6ouse2 intro"uce" a bill to change the F?3A la* to bloc+ the release of photos sho*ing "etainee abuse by ;=?/ forces un"er Mc/hrystal4s comman". (he =enate unanimously passe" it the nePt "ay. ?n ;une 2, 200>, (he =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee hel" General Mc/hrystal4s confirmation hearing for his promotion to four.star general. (he hearing *as strictly %pro. forma.- =enators He)in, Mc/ain, an" 8ebb "i"n9t press Mc/hrystal aggressi)ely. (he real hearing ha" been con"ucte" the pre)ious year, behin" close" "oors. ?n ;une 10, 200>, =enate MaKority Hea"er 6arry Gei" ma"e an impassione" plea on the =enate floor to confirm Mc/hrystal an" the =enate appro)e" 'resi"ent ?bama9s nomination by unanimous consent.
22.

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G000 ;ust a year later, on ;une 2B, 2010, 'resi"ent ?bama fire" Mc/hrystal 0suppose"ly2 for inappropriate remar+s ma"e to a #ollin$ Stone reporter1 ?n ;uly 2#, 2010, Gen. Mc/hrystal retire" from the Army. =ince then, he4s been on the boar" of "irectors of se)eral corporations, runs a consulting business, teaches at 7ale !ni)ersity, an" is a *ell.compensate" spea+er on the lecture circuit. ?n April @, 2011, the Eept. of Eefense %cleare"- Mc/hrystal of %all *rong"oing- in the #ollin$ Stone affair. ,ut, his D7(S'entagon %ePoneration- *as not the last *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal4s career. Eana 'riest *rote in her boo+, Top Secret ' erica, that Mc/hrystal claime" to ha)e %professionaliLe"- /amp Dama shortly after ta+ing comman" of ;=?/ in 200B. ,ut, torture *as still practice" in the =pring of 200# an" only stoppe" at the en" of 2005. =enator Feingol" *rote that Mc/hrystal4s 200> =enate testimony concerning interrogation %appears incomplete, at best.?n April 11, 2011, Gen. Mc/hrystal4s reputation *as further %restore"- *hen 'resi"ent ?bama appointe" him to hea" up the ne* %;oining Forces- program to support military )eterans an" their families. 3n response, Mary (illman sai", %3t4s a slap in the face to appoint this man.8hen as+e" about Mary4s remar+s, First Ha"y Michelle ?bama sai" %*e4re prou" to ha)e him [Mc/hrystal$ on boar"- an" 8hite 6ouse 'ress =ecretary /arney sai" %that ['resi"ent$ ?bama is %)ery a*are & of the general4s rWsumW.?n March 1>, 2012, ne*s*or+s.org as+e", %Gi)e us your Auestions ... for the general...- at his 'hili"elphia presentation. 3 submitte" a couple of har".hitting Auestions 0Mary (illman *rote me saying, %& your Auestions are )ery soun"-2. ?f course, the press tosse" Mc/hrystal a softball Auestion, %8hat about 'at (illman:- 0an" Mc/hrystal ga)e a bullshit ans*er2.

?n April 11, 2012, the t*enty finalists of the %;oining Forces /ommunity /hallenge- *ere honore" by Michelle ?bama at the 8hite 6ouse. (he 'at (illman Foun"ation *as represente" by its 'resi"ent, Marie (illman 0'at4s *i"o*2. (hat could ha)e been interesting, but Marie has chosen not to %get stuc+ in the past.April 22, 2012 *ill be the eighth anni)ersary of 'at (illman4s "eath in Afghanistan. (he 'at (illman Foun"ation4s @th Annual %'at4s Gun- fun"raiser on April 21st is sol". (he Foun"ation4s 6unter Giley sai", N7ear one & 3t *as really about Kust a group of people honoring an" remembering 'at (illman & 8e9re here to honor those *ho ha)e ser)e" an" sacrifice" for this nation & ,ecause of that it9s beyon" 'at right no*.-

22(

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G,ut the 'at (illman story is not o)er yet. !p to the present "ay, the go)ernment M the 'ress ha)e continue" to *hite*ash Gen. Mc/hrystal4s +ey role orchestrating the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath 0an" "etainee abuse at /amp Dama2. An", 34" bet that Mc/hrystal4s forthcoming memoir, My Share of the Task 0Do). 2012 release "ate2 *on4t "isplay the %can"or- *hich he has recei)e" praise. 8e4ll see &

Betrayal o$ -n -ll!-meri%an Hero

Euring the April 2#th 2001 (illman /ongressional hearing, Mary (illman sai" it *as /ongress4s Kob to ta+e care of their citiLensO /Pat died for this country, and he belie-ed it )as a $reat country ? ,t is not perfect1 (o one has e-er said that1 But there is a syste in place to allo) for it to )ork, and your 3ob is to find out )hat happened to Pat1 ? 'nd )e shouldn!t be allo)ed to ha-e s okescreens thro)n in our face1 ? it is a betrayal, but it is not 3ust a betrayal to us, and that is )hy )e are in front of %on$ress because %on$ress is supposed to take care of their citiHens1& 3nstea", both houses of /ongress betraye" the (illman family. 3t *asn4t surprising that, after the Army4s initial co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath fell apart, Army officers M members of the ,ush a"ministration lie" to protect themsel)es. ,ut the Eemocrats, after they too+ control of /ongress after the 200J mi".term elections coul" ha)e hel" those responsible for the co)er.up accountable for their actions 0or at least not repeate"ly promote themT2. (hey faile" to "o so. 3n ;uly 2010, Mary (illman 0in her Fore*or" to her paperbac+ e"ition of her boot Boots on the Ground by Dusk2 *rote about the systemic corruption of our go)ernmentO /Mc%hrystal!s actions should ha-e been $rounds for firin$1 That is )hy it )as so disturbin$ to us )hen President Oba a instead pro oted Mc%hrystal to the position of top co ander in 'f$hanistan last year1 , had sent the President an e ail and a letter re indin$ hi of Mc%hrystal!s in-ol-e ent in the co-erBup of Pat!s death1& /, also contacted the staffs of Senator Patrick "eahy and Senator Ja es Webb and e:pressed y concerns ? but it )as clear that neither senator )anted to $et in-ol-ed1& ? 5Senator9 Mc%ain )as already publicly endorsin$ the Mc%hrystal appoint ent before the hearin$ e-en be$an ? Sadly, Mc%hrystal!s 5677@9 pro otion had been sanctioned lon$ before the hearin$1 (one of the con$ress en pressed Mc%hrysal about Pat!s case ? or detainee abuse and torture at %a p (a a& O-er the last fi-e years, the Penta$on and %on$ress ha-e had nu erous opportunities to hold accountable those responsible for the co-erBup of Pat!s death1 .ach ti e they!-e failed1 The Till an Story illustrates the corruption, deception, and indifference that is syste ic in our $o-ern ent1 ? The co-erBup of Pat!s death )as orchestrated at the -ery hi$hest le-els of the Penta$on, and else)here in our $o-ern ent ? the $o-ern ent didn!t 3ust lie to usR it lied to a nation1&
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GCight years ago, 'at (illman4s family *ere han"e" a tarnishe" =il)er =tar. 3t *as a tra)esty of Kustice that 'resi"ent ?bama an" /ongress shiel"e" Gen. Mc/hrystal from public scrutiny, *hite*ashe" his +ey role in the co)er.up of (illman4s frien"ly fire "eath, an" then promote" him to the Army4s highest ran+ an" han"e" him his fourth star.

2o/ra&e De#troy# One Man +hile Fli&ht Ma(e# -nother Man =in&
;im Gourley *rote in 2010O N*e hol" Mc/hrystal up as a pyrrhic hero against ?bama an" a )ictim of a roc+ mag hatchet Kob & [yet$ Hin"y Cnglan", ,ra"ley Manning, =te)en Green an" e)eryone else belo* the ran+ of C.> get roaste" as fast as *e can get them to a court martial. ,ut the officers *ho fu"ge" the 'at (illman in)estigation ... 8hat happens to them: =omeho*, the military fin"s an ePplanation for their actions.N 3n 2001, Gen. 8illiam 8allace4s re)ie* of the military4s in)estigations %cleare"- Mc/hrystal of all *rong"oing in the (illman co)er.up. Getire" Gen. <ensinger *as ma"e the official scapegoat 0he lost a star an" a little pension money2. (he other officers *ere gi)en slaps on the *rist 0not e)en a permanent letter in their filesT2 for their %perfect storm of mista+es.3n contrast, 'at (illman4s platoon lea"er, H( !thlaut 0no slouch, at 8est 'oint he *as the First /aptain, at the top of his class2 *as or"ere" to split his platoon, o)er his )ehement protests. 6e *as shot in the face by the same frien"ly fire that +ille" 'at (illman. 7et, he *as offere" up by the Ganger comman"ers as a lo*.ran+ing scapegoat an" +ic+e" out of the Ganger ,attalion for his %failure- to control his platoon "uring the %frien"ly fire- inci"ent0 Ganger ;u"e Hane sai", %C)erybo"y thin+s !thlaut got the shaft & 3f the Army has to "eci"e *hether to punish a lieutenant colonel at hea"Auarters or a lieutenant in the fiel", you better belie)e the lieutenant4s going to ta+e the hit e)ery time. =hit rolls "o*nhill.- [p. BJ#, paperbac+ Where Men Win Glory$. =ince then, *hat happene" to these Army officers *ho orchestrate" the Nhan"s.onN co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath: Gen. Mc/hrystal *as promote" three times en"ing up as a four.star general 0until he *as fire" for other reasons2. Ganger Gegiment /omman"er /?H DiPon got his star [he4s since retire" an" no* *or+s for the Mc/hrystal Group$. Gegiment CPecuti)e ?fficer H(/ <auLlarich 0%(he Host <auL- in The Good Soldiers2 *ho le" the 2n" 15.J %in)estigation- 0an" ba".mouthe" the (illman4s for their agnosticSatheistic )ie*s2 *as promote" to full.bir" /olonel in 2010. =hortly after (illman4s "eath, H(/ ,ailey *as promote" to full. bir" /olonel 0a fe* years ago he got his star2.
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G000 3n a 2010 inter)ie*, Mary (illman sai", %!nfortunately in our culture people sur)i)e more effecti)ely through lies an" "eception an" "ishonourable beha)iour than they "o the re)erse. An" that4s )ery sa".- An", 'atric+ (illman, =r. *rote in his 2005 0%Fuc+ you, an" yours-2 letter that %Do one has been confronte" *ith their con"uct. (he issue of importance is the integrity of the military from the lieutenant colonel on the groun" all the *ay up an" past General ;ones [Br" in)estigator$.-

- 2o/ntry S/%h -# Thi#

Euring his ;une 2n" 200> =enate confirmation hearing, General Mc/hrystal "enie" any conspiracy in his han"ling of 'at (illman4s "eath, saying he ha" merely ma"e *ell.intentione" mista+esO %& *e faile" the family. An" 3 *as a part of that, an" 3 apologiLe for it. & it *as not intentional & 3 "i"n4t see any acti)ities by anyone to "ecei)e. & my o*n mista+es in not re)ie*ing the =il)er =tar citation *ell enough & *ere mista+es. (hey *ere *ell intentione"&-

8hat utter bullshitT 3 fully agree *ith the sentiments of 'at (illman4s Ganger team lea"er =G( Mel 8ar" on the actions of Mc/hrystal an" the Ganger comman"ers [p. B@# paperbac+ Where Men Win Glory$ in the aftermath of 'at4s "eathO

K,f you are $oin$ to lie and co-er up )hat happened to so eone )ho $a-e their life 111 BB then you deser-e to s)in$1 When , started hearin$ about the false a)ard reco endations, spinnin$ the facts, chan$in$ their stories BB , )as so pissed1 The dishonor the 'r y is doin$ to PatQs fa ily 111 itQs unfor$i-eable1 111 Fro the o ent you first 3oin the #an$er Battalion, it!s in$rained in you that you )ill al)ays do the ri$ht thin$1 ? *ou )ill al)ays tell the truth1 111 Then you see so ethin$ like )hat they!re doin$ to Pat G )hat officers in the #an$er #e$i ent are doin$ G and you stop bein$ so naW-e1 The only t)o ti es )here , personally )as in a position to see )here the 'r y had the choice to do the ri$ht thin$ or the )ron$ thin$, both ti es they chose to do the )ron$ thin$1 One of those ti es )as )hat they did to Pat1 ,t ade e realiHe that the 'r y does )hat suits the 'r y1 That!s )hy , )on!t put that unifor back on1 ,! done1&

7ears ago, [=enator$ ;ames 8ebb argue" 0in his 1>@B no)el, %' %ountry Such 's This=, %An" no, the military isn4t Kust fine. (he point is, it isn4t corrupt. 3t4s a system *ith human failures. ,ut *hen %human failures- systematically ePten" up e)ery single lin+ in the chain.of.comman" 0to inclu"e the /hair of the ;oint /hiefs, Army /hief of =taff, an" the =ecretary of Eefense2 up to the 'resi"ent, ho* is this not a corrupt country: C)ery single institution in this country has faile" the (illman family, inclu"ing the lea"ership of the Army, both houses of /ongress, the 8hite 6ouse, an" the %*atch"og- 'ress. =enator ;ames 8ebb4s betrayal cut me the "eepest.
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

'erhaps %=enator Go*lan"-, in =enator ;ames 8ebb9s no)el, %So ethin$ to Die For,- hit the nail on the hea"O %6o* lofty it must ha)e been to ha)e burnt *ith the purity of the Ge)olutionT ,efore the "ays of multi.million "ollar election campaigns that brought politicians to their +nees before the monie" temple of the contributors. ,efore the time of computeriLe" politics that cause them to a*ait the *is"om of those oracles +no*n as pollsters before they spo+e. ?r maybe it ha" been trash from the get.go, myths to fee" the public.34ll gi)e the last *or" to Mary (illman. 3n his 2010 piece, %,etrayal of an All.American 6ero,Mic+ ,ro*n *rote, %For Mary (illman, *hat the army "i" to her son ma"e a moc+ery of e)erything he *ent to *ar for I honesty, integrity, the "efence of the truth. 93f you as+ me if 3 trust our system no*, the ans*er is 34m pretty "isguste" by it.-

NEHER SH-"" I F-I" M7 2OMR-DES

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%3 *ant to than+ anybo"y in)ol)e" in the military, especially the Gangers & 3 "on4t +no* a lot about *hat happene" to 'at & ,ut it4s important to me to +no* that the situation *as ba" & but 'at *as "oing his Kob. An" 3 "on4t e)en +no* *hat the Ganger motto is, but 34ll bet you a buc+ that he uphel" it.-

.. 'atric+ (illman, =r. at his son4s Memorial =er)ice 0May #, 200#2

%7ou are a General. & %(he Gangers stan" for something I to this "ay, in my min", the best. [Do one$ in)ol)e" in this [Br" Army 15.J in)estigation$ %,riefing ,oo+- "eser)e to be affiliate" *ith the Gangers. 3f your uniforms are so "ecorate" [*ith the Ganger (ab$, you shoul" remo)e those items. 3n sumO Fuc+ you &. An" yours.225

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.. from 'atric+ (illman, =r.4s letter to ,G Gary ;ones 0April 21, 20052

Ne>er Shall I Fail My 2omrade#

Hast year, on April 5, 2011, /DA=4s An"re* CPum poste" 5=tan Mc/hrystal at (CE- on his %Abu Muga*ama- blog. ?ther fol+s *ere also impresse" *ith his speech 0if you search %ranger cree" mcchrystal- you4ll fin" se)eral others praising his inspirational speech, e.g. httpOSS***.pathoslea"ershipgroup.comStagSranger.cree"S3. 6o*e)er, after )ie*ing the )i"eo, 3 poste" the follo*ing comment-O

K(e-er shall , fail y co rades1 111K ;S(! fro #an$er %reed=1 #eallyE %o in$ fro the $uy )ho )as at the center of the 'r yQs co-erBup of Pat Till anQs friendlyBfire deathE WhereQs y barf ba$E This is rich, KThe PopeK talkin$ about the Kpro iseK of the #an$er %reed and takin$ care of your en ? 0e certainly failed the Till an fa ily1

0o)e-er, , did like his description of 'r y parachutin$1 Took e back 64 years, to )hen , K)addledK to the door and fell out )ith a hea-yBass ruck ;bein$ the Kne) $uyK carryin$ the 'M P#%B87 radio, batteries, DMDG, etc=1

?b)iously, 3 *asn4t impresse" *ith the ,= in Mc/hrystal4s (CE tal+. An", 3 "oubt that 'atric+ (illman, =r. *oul" ha)e been impresse" either. 6ere4s an ePcerpt from a letter he *rote to Gen. Gary ;ones in 2005O

/*ou are a General1 On paper you subscribe to this otto 5/Duty, 0onor, %ountry9 and 5West Point9 honor code 5/?)ill not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those )ho do&91 ? There is no )ay a an like you ? belie-es the conclusions reached in the March FA, 6774 Briefin$ Book1 But your si$nature is on it1 , assu e, therefore, that you are part of this sha eless bullshit1 The #an$ers stand for so ethin$ G to this day, in y ind, the best1 5(o one9 in-ol-ed in this /Briefin$ Book& 5Gen1 Gary Jones!s A4BV ,n-esti$ation9 deser-e to be affiliated )ith the #an$ers1 ,f your unifor s are so decorated 5)ith the #an$er Tab9, you should re o-e those ite s1 ,n su > Fuck you ?1 'nd yours1& 000
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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

Eana 'riest *rote in her 2011 boo+, Top Secret ' erica, that %[Mc/hrystal$ tol" people he consi"ere" his Ganger )o* 5ne)er to lea)e a fallen comra"e behin"4 more bin"ing e)en than his marriage )o*s.- 0Geally, isn4t that a bit o)er the top:2. 8ell, Mc/hrystal left out the rest of that sentence %& an" un"er no circumstances *ill 3 e)er embarrass my country.-

8ell, 3 hope Mc/hrystal is better at +eeping his *e""ing )o*s than the 8est 'oint honor co"e an" the Ganger /ree". 6e certainly faile" to ha)e the bac+ of 'at (illman an" his family. An" his central role in the (illman co)er.up *as an embarrassment to himself an" his country. An" yet, he4s Kust appeare" on page A.1 of (he De* 7or+ (imes 05.0J.122 *ith a picture of him lecturing 7ale stu"ents on %Hoyalty, (rust, an" Gelationships-T

REMEMBER THE I2ONO2"-ST1 NOT THE I2ON

Gichar" (illman .. Memorial =er)ice 0May #, 200#2 152

'at (illman statue at !ni)ersity of 'hoeniP =ta"ium

182

May (, 200( was /at 0illman9s 2nd wedding anniversary. Last year, Marie 1/at9s widow3 remarried and her son Mac /atric< Shenton was born >an. 1A, 2012. Her boo< ) !he 6etter7 My >o,rney 0hro,gh, Love, Loss, and Li$e- will be ',blished in >,ne 2012.

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?GN(he ,liad is e)er min"ful that *ar is about men +illing or men +ille". 3n the entire epic, no *arrior, *hether hero or obscure man of the ran+s, "ies happily or *ell. Do re*ar" a*aits the sol"ier9s )alor no hea)en *ill recei)e him. (he ,liad9s *or"s an" phrases for the process of "eath ma+e clear that this is something banefulO "ar+ night co)ers the "ying *arrior, hateful "ar+ness claims him he is robbe" of s*eet life, his soul goes "o*n to 6a"es be*ailing its fate.N .. /aroline AlePan"er, The War That +illed 'chilles> The True StoryA4F of 0o erQs ,liad and the Tro3an War %3 "i"n4t *rite shit because 34m not a *riter. & 34m not Kust going to sit here an" brea+ "o*n on you. ,ut than+s for coming. 'at4s a fuc+ing champion an" al*ays *ill be. ;ust ma+e no mista+e, he4" *ant me to say this, 6e4s not *ith Go" 6e4s fuc+ing "ea". 6e4s not religious. =o, than+s for your thoughts, but he4s fuc+ing "ea"... Gichar" (illman 0May #, 200#2 %(hrough his little brother4s cameo appearance, 'at (illman appeare" in full )ie*, complete *ith the can"or, the nonconformity an" the lo)e of "ropping cuss *or"s at the most inopportune time. Cspecially *hen they can soil an elaborate broa"cast [net*or+s cut a*ay from li)e broa"cast after his F.bombs$... Mary (illman, Boots on the Ground by Dusk 0200@2 %(he truth may be painful, but it4s the truth. & 3f you feel you4re being lie" to, you can ne)er put it to rest.- & %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as... Mary (illman 0200#2

,enKamin [no* 3srael 'rime 3""o Detanyahu 01>JJ2

Minister$, 7oni 0;onathan2, an"

18.

#ood boo<. S,bversive, anti war ta<e on !chilles. /erha's the original )cover ,'- storyI

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Gichar", 'at, an" <e)in (illman I 'at (illman4s 8e""ing 0May #, 20022

%An" of him one may say in the *or"s of Ea)i"O 5(hey *ere s*ifter than eagles, they *ere stronger than lions& ?, ;onathan, thou *ast slain in thine high places. 3 am "istresse" for thee, my brother ;onathan& Very pleasant hast thou been unto me, thy lo)e to me *as *on"erful&4 (he same heroism in the man. (he same lamentation in the heart of the people... 3srael 'rime Minister =himon 'eres, 7oni Detanyahu 15# Memorial =er)ice 0;uly 1>1J2

+hat +a# "o#t

3 sing *hat *as lost an" "rea" *hat *as *on, 3 *al+ in a battle fought o)er again, My +ing a lost +ing, an" lost sol"iers155 my men Feet to the Gising an" =etting may run, (hey al*ays beat on the same small stone.

.. 8illiam ,utler 7eats

000

&atri'k Tillman
(o-e ber V, A@8V G 'pril 66, 677< Pat li-ed in (e) 'la aden for ost of his life1 0e ca e to
18(

Li<e /at, +oni was a remar<able man whose iconoclastic reality was m,ch dee'er than their iconic images. Doth were !chilles li<e and lived their lives intensely, acting o,t o$ their core character o$ honor, honesty and integrity. Li<e /at, +oni became a national icon and had his death covered ,' by his government. Ironically, +oni tr,ly died heroically at Kntebbe 1b,t it wo,ld have been embarrassing to mention that he died beca,se the mission went CUD!" and that there were $riendly $ire deaths, so the I*C told the story he was shot in the bac< by a stray b,rst o$ $ire3. Fsee )Dattle $or the 0r,th=G
188

)6ost %oldiers- is the title o$ another novel by >ames Webb. He ,sed this 'oem as the e'igram at the $ront o$ his novel.

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%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?Glo-e it for it!s history and co unity spirit1 0e roamed the hills )ith his brothers as a kid, then hiked and trained in the as an athlete and soldier1 Pat )as a lo-ed son, brother, husband and faithful friend1 0e )as a -oracious reader, inCuisiti-e scholar, ci-ic -olunteer, a$$ressi-e athlete and a patriotic and selfless soldier1 (e) 'la aden and the nation lost Patrick Till an in 'f$hanistan on 'pril 66, 677< in ser-ice to his country1 .. De* Alama"en ,ulmore 'ar+ Memorial 'laAue 000 %3f parents are fate" to mourn a son, an" if one can en)y such berea)ement, my *ife an" 3 can en)y the Detanyahus. (heir son "ie" for his people an" for all men, in the full flush of manhoo", "oing a famous "ee". 3n his "eath he helpe" to sa)e more than a hun"re" li)es, brought glory to 3srael, an" ga)e the *orl" a blaLe of hope in a )ery "ar+ time. For our son, *e ha)e only the tears of the scar of a senseless *aste.-

.. 6erman 8ou+, Fore*or" to %=elf.'ortrait of a 6ero- 01>@02

TH-T'S M7 HERO
'at (illman, Gachel /orrie an" 7oni Detanyahu

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'at (illman
1>1J I 200#

Gachel /orrie
1>1> .. 200B

;onathan 07oni2 Detanyahu

1>#J .. 1>1J

%3 feel "rea" mount in my stomach as *e turn the corner to the charming house [near (acoma, 8A$ *here 'at li)e" *ith Marie [*ife$ an" <e)in [brother$. 'at ha" lo)e" that house, situate" on a hill o)erloo+ing the (acoma Darro*s, *ith a maKestic )ie* of the ?lympic Mountains. 3 imme"iately glance at the spot *here 3 last sa* 'at stan"ing, less than three months.%C)ery*here 3 loo+ in this house, 34m staggere" by memories. & 3 stay in the house to loo+ at 'at4s boo+s on the shel)es an" appreciate his special +eepsa+es "isplaye" in the "ining room hutch. As 34m loo+ing at the mementos, 3 fin" a small ne*spaper clipping 34)e seen before. (he article is about Gachel /orrie, the 2B.year.ol" peace acti)ist from ?lympia, 8ashington, *ho *as crushe" to "eath by an 3sraeli bull"oLer on March 1J, 200B, trying to protect the home of a 'alestinian "octor an" his family.%3 remember pic+ing up the article from the same spot more than a year ago [200B$ an" as+ing 'at, %8ho4s this:- %(hat4s my hero,- 'at sai". %=he *as a stu" she ha" a lot of guts.- 3 rea" the article *ith tears in my eyes then no*, 3 Auietly cry... Mary (illman, Boots on the Ground by Dusk 0200@2 2.8

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G000 N& there is an inherent incompatibility in the Koining together, in one e)ening, of a play [%(o 'ay the 'rice-$ base" on my brother [;onathan %7oni- Detanyahu +ille" lea"ing the 1>1J Gai" on Cntebbe $ 7oni9s letters [%=elf 'ortrait of a 6ero-$ *ith the play %My Dame 3s Gachel /orrie... 3""o Detanyahu, %!n"er 'ressure, De* Gep /ancels 'lay- 0Boston Globe, May >, 20012

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REMEMBER THE I2ONO2"-ST1 NOT THE I2ON

[a"apte" from ?ctober 2005 %Hetter to the C"itor- 0in -A =ense of 6onor,- Appen"iP %F-2$ Note5 3 han"e" this e"itorial to =tan Goff after one of his presentations in March 200J. ;ust a couple of *ee+s later =tan publishe" his first (illman article, %(elling (ransformati)e (alesO (he =trange 'ost Ganger =aga of 'at (illman- on April 5th 200J. 000 Hast year, 3 belie)e" 'at (illman *as a patriotic %"umb Koc+-. 3 refuse" to *atch any of the flag *a)ing co)erage of his memorial ser)ice. 3t seeme" li+e a si"esho* "istraction to the brea+ing Abu Gharib story. ,ut the reality of 'at *as much "eeper than his iconic image. 3n ?ctober 2005, 3 rea" Ea)i" Ririn4s article, %?ur 6ero.- 3 "isco)ere" a si"e of 'at (illman not *i"ely +no*n Ia fiercely in"epen"ent thin+er, a)i" rea"er 0a fa)orite author *as Doam /homs+y2, an" critic of the ,ush a"ministration an" the 3raA *ar 0%&this *ar is so fuc+ing illegal-2. 'at *as a remar+able man *ho *as "ri)en by a core of honesty an" integrity, le" by personal ePample, an" li)e" his life intensely. 34)e ta+en the co)er.up of 'at (illman4s "eath a bit personally. Hi+e =tan Goff, 3 feel a sense of +inship *ith 'at (illman. 3n 1>@B, *hen 3 *as %young an" "umb,- 3 enliste" *ith an Airborne Ganger Hong.Gange Gecon 'atrol 0HGG'2 company. 3 gre* up in the Army, enKoye" the camara"erie an" the challenges. ,ut, the lies of the first Gulf 8ar *ere the last stra*. After eight years, 3 finally left the Army in March 1>>1, an" ha)e been a firefighter the past 1# years. 3 *as angere" that the truth about 'at4s life an" "eath ha" been burie" by the me"ia an" go)ernment. (illman *as enshrine" as an icon *hile the man fell by the *aysi"e, his parents use" as props at his funeral. 'at4s family still "on4t ha)e the meager consolation of +no*ing the truth about his "eath. %(he truth may be painful, but it4s the truth,- his mother sai". %3f you feel you4re being lie" to, you can ne)er put it to rest.000 Het us honor 'at (illman4s memory by honoring the man, not the myth. (he iconoclast, not the icon. As his mother sai", %'at *oul" ha)e *ante" to be remembere" as an in"i)i"ual, not as a stoc+ figure or political prop. 'at *as a real hero, not *hat they use" him as.'at (illman, ne)er at a loss for *or"s himself, is no* silent. ?f the many tragic aspects surroun"ing his "eath, one is that he cannot "efine his o*n legacy. Do*, it4s up to his family an" frien"s to reclaim the truth an" integrity of 'at4s life an" "eath.

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-BOUT THE -UTHOR

%'atience, Montag. ?ur ci)iliLation is flinging itself to pieces. =tan" bac+ from the centrifuge. Gemember the firemen are rarely necessary. (he public itself stoppe" rea"ing of its o*n accor". 7ou firemen pro)i"e a circus no* an" then at *hich buil"ings are set off an" cro*"s gather for the pretty blaLe, but it4s a small si"esho* in"ee", an" har"ly necessary to +eep things in line. =o fe* *ant to be rebels anymore... Gay ,ra"bury, %Fahrenheit #51-

Guy Montag-, M.F.H.F. Hocal \#51

Fire gear *ith (illman DFH \#0 6elmet =tic+er

After three years of ;G?(/, *hen he *as a %young M "umb- se)enteen year.ol" boy, %Guy Montag- enliste" *ith /o. %F- 0Ganger2 #25th 3nfantry. 6e spent eight years *ith /o. %F- from 1>@B to 1>>1, complete" Airborne an" Ganger =chool, an" left as a =G( lea"ing a HGG' patrol. 6e earne" t*o engineering "egrees an" *as a yuppie for a couple of years *ith An"ersen /onsulting 0no* Accenture2. 6e aban"one" the life of a cubicle rat, an" for the past t*enty years he4s been a professional firefighter 0only 12 more years to go 5til retirementT2. =ince ?ctober 2005, Montag has closely follo*e" the 'at (illman story. =ince 200@, he4s been an amateur %feral scholar- 0hat tip to =tan Goff2 of the %untol"- 'at (illman story. 6is ePtensi)e (illman files are at httpOSS***.feralfirefighter.blogspot.com 8hen he4s not *asting spen"ing time on the (illman story, Guy Montag is an eclectic rea"er, *or+s on his homestea", is a %soccer mom,- helps 0*hen she permits it2 his boo+*orm "aughter fin" ne* sci.fi to rea", an" generally neglects his long.suffering *ife *ho is appalle" at the amount of time her %husban"- has spent on his blog o)er the past four years.
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-33ENDIQ -5
THE FER-" FIREFIGHTER B"OG T-B"E OF 2ONTENTS

A<8A Feral Fire$i&hter Blo& 3o#t# 0up"ate" B.B1.1B25

%De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es- .. (he Ear+ Hegacy of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal M 6is Memoir %My Share of the Task&O 6is ,etrayal of 'at (illman, 6is /omman" of ;=?/ (orture, an" 6is Faile" Afghan 8ar %=urge- 0Ver. A082 0Apr. 1, 20122

%Ne>er Shall I Fail My 2omrade#- .. (he Ear+ Hegacy of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystalO 6is ,etrayal of 'at (illman, 6is /omman" of ;=?/ (orture, an" 6is Faile" Afghan 8ar %=urge- 0Ver. 80<2

0Eec. 2@, 20122

%=omething to Eie For- .. %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryAnnotations to Michael 6asting4s boo+ %(he ?perators- 0Ver. 80A2

0Eec. 2#, 20122

%(he [Missing$ 'at (illman Hegacy-O (he 'at (illman Foun"ation M (he DFH4s ,etrayal of 'at (illman 000

0Eec. B, 20122

%=omething to Eie For- .. %(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryAnnotations to Michael 6asting4s boo+ %(he ?perators2B>

0Apr. 22, 20122

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

A<88 Feral Fire$i&hter Blo& 3o#t#5

N;on <ra+auer9s /re"ibility 'roblemN 0Ver. 2.#.1, Feb. 2B, 20122 000 N(he (illman =toryN I Ge)ie*S/ommentary, Eirector 3nter)ie*s 000 N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN 0Ver. 1.1 2 .. 'resi"ent ?bama M /ongresss ,i.partisan 8hite*ash of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystals /entral Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illmans Frien"lyFire Eeath

0Apr. 2#, 20112

0Feb. 15, 20112

0Eec. 2@, 20102

N(he Cmperor9s GeneralN 0Ver. 1.12 .. 'resi"ent ,arac+ ?bama M the 8hite*ash of General =tanley Mc/hrystals Gole in the /o)er !p of 'at (illmans Frien"lyFire Eeath

0;an. 2>, 20102

N6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact /hec+e"N 0Eraft2 .. /DA=4= An"re* CPum an" the 8hite*ash of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illman4s Frien"ly.Fire Eeath

0;an. 15, 20102

N(hro*ing My =hoe at ,ob 8oo"*ar" ... DotN 0Eraft2 I %?bama4s

0Eec. 2>, 20102

8ars- an" the 8ashington 'ost4s ,ob 8oo"*ar"4s 8hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal4s Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illman4s Frien"ly.Fire Eeath

A<8< Feral Fire$i&hter Blo& 3o#t#5

2#0

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN 0Version 1.02 .. 'resi"ent ?bama M /ongresss ,i.partisan 8hite*ash of Gen. =tanleyMc/hrystals /entral Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illmans Frien"lyFire Eeath

0Eec. 2@, 20102

Appen"iP A1 I Mar. 2J, 2001 EoE 3G ,riefing, (illman Gesponse 0;uly 1#, 20102

Appen"iP ,1 I Apr. 2#, 2001 /ongressional 6earing

0;uly @, 20102

Appen"iP /1 .. ;uly B1, 2001

Gen. 8allace ,riefing

0;uly J, 20102

Appen"iP E1 .. ;uly 1B, 2001

Gen. Mc/hrystal (o (estify

0;uly 1B, 20102

Appen"iP E2 .. August 1, 2001 /ongressional 6earing

0;uly J, 20102

Appen"iP EB I August 1, 2001 Gen. Mc/hrystal NDo.=ho*N

0;uly 1B, 20102

Appen"iP C1 .. May 200@ =enate 6earings

0;uly 1#, 20102

Appen"iP C2 .. =enator 8ebb on May 21, 200@ Eiane Ghem =ho*

0;uly #, 20102

Appen"iP F1 .. ;uly 11, 200@ /ongress4s Final (illman Geport

0;uly 10, 20102

Appen"iP G1 .. May 15, 200> Eiane Ghem =ho*

0;uly #, 20102

Appen"iP 61 .. Gen. Mc/hrystal9s ;une 2, 200> =enate 6earing

0;uly #, 20102

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Appen"iP 31 .. Mc/hrystal9s (estimony /ontra"icts Gen. AbiLai"4s

0;uly 1#, 20102

Appen"iP ;1 I %Gen. Mc/hrystal 'rotection Act of 200>000

0;uly 15. 20102

N(he Cmperor9s GeneralN 0Ver. 1.02 I 'resi"ent ?bama an" the 8hite*ash of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illman4s Frien"ly.Fire Eeath

0;une 22, 20102

N,arely a FootnoteN .. =uperbo*l ZH333 an" the DFH9s ,etrayal of 'at 0;une 20, 20102 (illman

N(hat9s My 6eroN .. 'at (illman, Gachel /orrie, an" 7oni Detanyahu

0;une 20, 20102

A<<; Feral Fire$i&hter Blo& 3o#t#5

3ntro"uctionO Feral Firefighter9s (illman Files 0?l" Version2

0;anuary 20102

N8here Men 8in GloryN .. An"re* CPum, /DA= an" the 8hite*ash of Gen. Mc/hrystal9s Gole in the /o)er.!p of 'at (illman9s Frien"ly Fire Eeath 0%6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact./hec+e"- is a completely re)ise" )ersion of this "ocument2

0;an. 21, 20102

N8here Men 8in GloryN .. Appen"ices 000

2#2

0;an. 21, 20102

%=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G-

%Hies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthN .. =enator ;ames 8ebb, 0=ept. 11, 200>2 (hom =han+er M (he De* 7or+ (imes an" the 8hite*ash of General Mc/hrystal4s Gole in the Aftermath of 'at (illman4s Eeath

NHies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthN .. Appen"ices 000

0=ept. 11, 200>2

NEi" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:N .. =enator ;ames 8ebb, Gen. 0May 21, 200>2 Mc/hrystal, an" their ,etrayal of 'at (illman 0!p"ate" >S0>S0>2

Appen"iP AO Mc/hrystal Gesponsible for Fratrici"e 3n)estigation M Family Dotification

Appen"iP ,O Mc/hrystal9s Carly <no*le"ge of /onfirmation of (illman Fratrici"e

Appen"iP /O Mc/hrystal Eeclines to Appear at 8aPman Aug. 1, 20016earing

Appen"iP EO Mc/hrystal9s Mislea"ing '# Memo

Appen"iP CO Mc/hrystal9s Frau"ulent =il)er =tar Gecommen"ation

Appen"iP FO Mc/hrystal9s Mislea"ing ;une 2, 200> =enate (estimony

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A<<C Feral Fire$i&hter Blo& 3o#t#5

%A =ense of 6onorN .. Hetters to Mary (illman M =enator ;ames 8ebb 000 %Gemember the 3conoclast, Dot the 3conN .. 'at (illman 1>1J I 200# 0Feb. 15, 200@2 0April B, 200@2

%,attle for the (ruthN .. 3""o Detanyahu, <e)in (illman an" the /o)er !p of their ,rother9s Eeaths

0Feb. #, 200@2

-33ENDIQ B5 DID THE7 TE-2H 7OU HO+ TO "IE 7ETL

[A"apte" from %A =ense of 6onorN, NEi" (hey (each 7ou 6o* to Hie 7et:N, an" N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN [pp. 1J I B5, pp. 102 I 12@$ Military ser)ice *as pre)alent an" respecte" in the (illman family. Mary (illman4s uncles *ere at 'earl 6arbor, her brother *as a Marine, an" her father *as a Marine "uring the <orean 8ar. 34)e rea" the no)els of ;ames 8ebb o)er the past thirty B0 years, long before he became a !.=. =enator from Virginia in 200J. 6is no)els ha)e "ealt *ith themes of honor, integrity, loyalty an" betrayal. 8ith =enator 8ebb4s bac+groun" as a "ecorate" Vietnam Marine, 3 belie)e" he *oul" feel a sense of +inship *ith 'at (illman an" his family.

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?n April Br" 200@, 3 sent a letter to =enator 8ebb as+ing him to become a =enate a")ocate for Mary (illman4s struggle to learn the truth about her son4s "eath. 6is Military Hegislati)e Affairs Assistant Gor"on 'eterson ble* me off, %3 ha)e alerte" the senator4s sche"uling "irector to the information on the 8ashington leg of her tour an" pro)i"e" her *ith your letter to the senator.(he follo*ing month, 3 spo+e briefly *ith =enator 8ebb on D'G ra"io "uring the call.in portion of %(he Eiane Ghem =ho*.- 8ebb mentione" his recent =enate re)ie* of the (illman fratrici"e. 6uh: 34" follo*e" the (illman case )ery closely "uring the past four years. 3 ha"n4t rea" anything at all in the ne*s about a =enate in)estigation. ,ut, Gor"on 'eterson stone.*alle" my attempts to learn more about the =enate re)ie*. (he follo*ing year, 'resi"ent ?bama nominate" General =tanley Mc/hrystal to become his ne* comman"er of the Afghanistan 8ar. ?n May 1#th, (he De* 7or+ (imes publishe" their e"itorial, %De* /omman"er for Afghanistan.- 3 finally realiLe" 0Kust after recei)ing my letter an" *hile Mary (illman *as in 8ashington E/ on her boo+ tour2 =enator 8ebb ha" participate" in a secret =enate 200@ re)ie* that shiel"e" General Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up from public scrutinyT An" instea" of punishing Mc/hrystal for his actions, the =enate promote" himT . =o, "uring the final t*o *ee+s of May 200>, 3 *rote another letter to =enator 8ebb. 3 as+e" the =enator to place a %hol"- on General Mc/hrystal4s confirmation an" to ta+e a closer loo+ at Mc/hrystal4s role in the aftermath of the (illman fratrici"e. 6ere4s an ePcerptO Four "eca"es ago, you *ere "ra*n into the Gan"y 6erro" case. A Marine patrol *as accuse" of +illing siPteen Vietnam Villagers. 6erro", the patrol lea"er an" )eteran of fi)e months, ha" been foun" not guilty. 7et =am Green, a blac+ eighteen year ol" *ith ele)en "ays in Vietnam ha" been con)icte" e)en though no testimony ha" been presente" that he ha" actually +ille" anyone.

From Gobert (imberg4s %(he Dightingale4s =ong-O

/The case continued to bede-il Webb ?1 0e )anted to help Green, but )asn!t sure )hat he could do1 ? 0e 3oined forces, pro bono, ? to try to $et the con-iction o-erturned in a ci-ilian court1 ? The secretary 5of the (a-y9 declined to act1 ? 'bout t)o )eeks later, in 'u$ust A@84, Webb recei-ed a tele$ra ?> T#'G,% %O(%"2S,O( S'M G#..( D.ST#O*.D 0,MS."F1&

/0e had ne-er et Green, spoken to hi only once by phone, but he had co itted hi self to clearin$ his na e1 ? 0e felt helpless, his sense of futility laced )ith outra$e1 ,sn!t any of this $oin$ to co e out ri$htE ? Green )as dead, but Webb couldn!t let the case $o1 0e ? filed an

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appeal ? askin$ that Green!s dishonorable dischar$e be up$raded to honorable1 Webb personally ar$ued the case before the board1&

/,n Dece ber A@8D, ei$ht years after the shootin$s and three years after Green!s suicide, Webb )rote to Mrs1 Green> /'t last, Sa !s na e is cleared1& 0e e:plained that her son!s dischar$e had been up$raded to a $eneral dischar$e1 ? /This is s all solace, , kno),& )rote Webb, S, only re$ret )e )ere unable to do ore for hi sooner1&

34)e been be"e)ile" by the (illman case. For years, 3 ha)en4t been able to let the case go. 3 hope" this coul" be one small cause 3 might be able to ma+e a "ifference *ith all the other shit going on the past fe* years. 3t *oul" be nice if this %letter- of mine *oul" ma+e a "ifference.

For thirty years your boo+s ha)e "ealt *ith themes of honor, integrity, loyalty, an" betrayal. Ge. rea"ing your boo+s, 3 notice" many parallels bet*een your boo+s an" the story of 'at (illman4s "eath. 3 belie)e" you *oul" feel a sense of +inship *ith 'at (illman an" his family.

Fi)e years ago, 'at (illman4s family *ere han"e" a tarnishe" =il)er =tar. 3t *ill be a tra)esty of Kustice if Mc/hrystal is confirme" by the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee, promote" to the Army4s highest ran+, an" han"e" his fourth star. 3 feel you o*e a "uty to 'at (illman an" his family. A "uty to place a %hol"- on General Mc/hrystal4s nomination an" stop his confirmation on ;une 2n".

7eah, that coul" be a lost cause. 7ou4" piss off a lot of people. ,ut, at least you *oul" gi)e Mary (illman the small solace of +no*ing there is one man of integrity in the =enate *illing to stan" as her a")ocate. =omeone *illing to %be a lonely champion of lost causes&- 'erhaps you nee" to ta+e a long loo+ at the picture [Gran"father 6o"ges15J$ staring at you from your office *all:

7ou4)e been a hero to me for three "eca"es, since 3 *as a teenager, through my years as an Airborne Ganger HGG', to the present "ay as a firefighter. 3 ha)en4t al*ays agree" *ith your positions on the Vietnam 8ar, etc. ,ut 34)e ne)er before "oubte" your integrity. 34)e al*ays truste" your sense of honor. 34" li+e to thin+ that, after three years in /ongress, you are still able
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%Across the room & my mother4s father, ,.6. 6o"ges, stares out at me & as he has "one in e)ery office 3 ha)e occupie" for more than t*enty years. & Eefiant he *as, an" tragic too. 6e *as a fighter, a lonely champion of lost causes *ho himself lost e)erything because of the causes he champione".- [p. 5, ' Ti e to Fi$ht$

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to ans*er %Do- to the Auestion your great.aunt Hena as+e" of you in 1>15 %=o you4)e been to la* school. Ei" they teach you ho* to lie yet:000 3 guess they ha)e. 3nstea" of acting as the =enate champion for the (illman family, =enator 8ebb playe" his role 0outrage" )eteran che*ing out Mc/hrystal2 in the =enate4s pro for a political theater of the confirmation hearing. Hi+e 'at (illman, ;ame 8ebb4s been a ma)eric+ an" a fascinating character. =enator 8ebb4s betrayal of the (illman family cuts the "eepest. 34" truste" in his sense of honor. 3f anyone in /ongress shoul" ha)e care", it *oul" ha)e been him. 8ebb, as a young Marine )eteran, spent @ years to clear the name of a "ea" Marine for his mother4s sa+eT 34m har" on 8ebb not because 3 "isli+e the man, but that 34m "isillusione" by him. As an ol" man an" politician, he4s turne" into ePactly *hat he once re)ile" as a young )eteranT An" 34m certainly not casting all the blame for the sins of /ongress onto him. 6enry 8aPman, /hairman /arl He)in, =enator Mc/ain, Dancy 'elosi, an" 6arry Gei" an" others in /ongress share in the blame. 3t Kust happens 3 +no* more about 8ebb an" his role an" ha" personal interactions *ith his office. 000 3n his 200@ boo+, ' Ti e to Fi$ht, 8ebb *roteO %8here are the lea"ers: & e)en the best among us *ill not "are to spea+ honestly ... =ometimes the times are simply rea"y for a change. An" sometimes it ta+es smart, tough lea"ers to change the times. An" sometimes, li+e the present, *e nee" the times an" the lea"ers to coinci"e. 8hen that happens, it is a time to fight.=imiliarly, in his April 2#, 2012 fun"raising email, 8ebb *rote, %,ob <errey an" 3 share a common )ie* of stan"ing up an" fighting *here others see only long o""s. & a *illingness to spea+ out *hen others choose to remain silent.-

34" li+e to as+ =enator 8ebb, Kust )hen is it going to be %A (ime to Fight-: 6e *asn4t *illing to %stan" up- an" %spea+ out- in support of the the (illman family 0nor has he "one much to spea+ out for economic Kustice as the ?bama a"ministration has thro*n in its4 lot *ith the ban+sters2. 3t4s rather "iscouraging that e)en the best =enators are un*illing to buc+ the system.

'erhaps 'at (illman "ie" for the De* G3 ,ill: =enator 8ebb *as shepher"ing his bill through the =enate at the same time as he *as re)ie*ing Gen. Mc/hrystal4s role in the (illman co)er.up. 'erhaps he participate" in the =enate *hite*ash in return for his bill passing into la*:

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-33ENDIQ 25 "IES BORNE OUT B7 F-2TS1 IF NOT THE TRUTH

[A"apte" from %Hies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthN an" N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN 0pp. ># I 1012$ (hom =han+er co)ers national security an" the 'entagon for The (e) *ork Ti es. 6e Koine" The Ti es in 1>>1, an" *as assistant 8ashington e"itor before being name" 'entagon correspon"ent in 2001. 3n Afghanistan, he *as the first ne*spaper reporter since Vietnam to be allo*e" to embe" *ith Army =pecial Forces in combat, Koining Green ,erets at <an"ahar, an" has since embe""e" *ith numerous units in 3raA an" Afghanistan. & 6e is a member of the /ouncil on Foreign Gelations.

(hom =han+er *rote his May 2J th 200> article, %Domination of !.=. Afghan /omman"er Ge)i)es Uuestions in (illman /ase,- %ePonerating- General Mc/hrystal of *rong"oing in the Army4s han"ling of (illman4s fratrici"e. 6o*e)er, although =han+er4s article *as full of official go)ernment %facts,- my o*n re)ie* sho*e" that his none of his substanti)e assertions *ere truthful. (hom =han+er faile" to further in)estigate the (illman case or *rite a follo*.up article correcting his mista+es, e)en after he 0an" the D7( e"itors2 recei)e" my 100 page "ocument 0that =han+er sai" *as %impressi)e,- %ePhausti)e- an" %*ell.researche"-2. ?n ;une 2n" 200>, the =enate Arme" =er)ices /ommittee hel" General Mc/hrystal4s confirmation hearing. 6o*e)er, the hearing *as Kust a %pro forma confirmation- an" the =enators "i" not %rigorously Auestion% Mc/hrystal. =hortly after the hearing en"e", (hom =han+er4s article co)ering the hearing, %Dominee to /omman" Afghanistan =tresses /i)ilian =afety,- [see p. J1, %Hies ,orne ?ut ,y Facts, 3f Dot the (ruthN$ appeare" on the D7(4s *ebsite. 6o*e)er, =han+er faile" to incorporate any of my ne* information about General Mc/hrystal4s central role in the Army4s co)er.up of (illman4s fratrici"e into his article. 3nstea", =han+er merely recycle" his same rebutte" assertions 0from his 5.2J.0> article2 that Mc/hrystal *as %cleare" of any *rong"oing.,ut later that e)ening, 3 *as unable to fin" (hom =han+er4s article. 3t ha" "isappeare" from the D7( *ebsite sometime after # 'MT 0Huc+ily, 3 *as able to fin" a copy of the original )ersion that ha" fortuitously been poste" onto the 3nternet2.

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%Dominee to /omman" Afghanistan =tresses /i)ilian =afety- that pro)i"e" co)erage of the hearing ha" been replace" by a "rastically "ifferent article, %!.=. Geport Fin"s Crrors in Afghan Airstri+es.- (his article focuse" on mista+en !.=. airstri+es in Afghanistan an" inclu"e" literally only a couple of to+en lines about Mc/hrystal4s hearing at the )ery en" of the articleO 8hy "i" (hom =han+er4s original article "isappear: 'erhaps one of my emails sent to the D7( e"itors ha" been rea" by someone in the e"itorial foo" chain *ho ma"e the "ecision to %"isappear- (hom =han+er4s article: 000

3n the (illman case, (hom =han+er an" (he De* 7or+ (imes bear the "ishonor of playing the a final role in the (illman co)er.up story. (he De* 7or+ (imes lai" the topmost another layer upon the tall stac+ of Army an" /ongressional co)er.ups 05in)estigations-2 of the (illman fratrici"e. ?nce again, as in the ;essica Hynch case, (he De* 7or+ (imes has pro)i"e" co)erage 0or lac+ thereof2 that brings into Auestion the integrity of its Kournalism an" its ability to use *hat <e)in (illman calle" a %mountain of e)i"ence to arri)e at an honest or e)en sensible conclusion-. 3nstea" of an obKecti)e search for the truth of General Mc/hrystal actions in the aftermath of 'at (illman4s "eath, (he De* 7or+ (imes has "isplaye" its stenographical abilities to parrot the official go)ernment position %borne out by facts, if not the truth-. 000 After carrying *ater for the ?bama a"ministration, (hom =han+er enKoye" ePceptionally goo" %access- to General Mc/hrystal. For ePample, =han+er *roteO %?n the "ay [;une 10, 200>$ in the summer of 200> that a =enate )ote confirme" General Mc/hrystal an" ele)ate" him to his ne* comman" an" he "eploye" to Afghanistan, he too+ t*o reporters from the De* 7or+ (imes [=han+er M =chmitt$ on a tour of his ne* %rear hea"Auarters- in a seale" corri"or of the 'entagon basement &- 3sn9t NaccessN gran": As =han+er *rote, NA boo+ li+e this simply is not possible *ithout the cooperation an" trust of a large number of go)ernment officials an" military officers.N 39m sure the =han+er4s D7(4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal helpe" to gain the NtrustN of Mc/hrystal an" others. An", it appears that =han+er4s *hite*ash opene" "oors for him at the 8ashington thin+tan+ /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2O %/DA= in 8ashington allo*e" each of us to spen" >0 "ays [Fall 200>$ as a %*riter in resi"ence- to *or+ on %ounterstrike. 0An" guess *ho hoste" his =eptember 2011 boo+ release party: /DA=, of courseT2

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3sn9t the 8ashington establishment coLy: 8hat9s the "ifference bet*een the me"ia, the go)ernment, an" Nin"epen"entN thin+.tan+s such as /DA=: 3t appears to be all one big incestuous blob. 3 "i"n4t come a*ay from my personal ePperience *ith (hom =han+er *ith any confi"ence in our %*atch"og- me"ia.

-33ENDIQ D5 HE +HO SH-"" NOT BE F-2T!2HE2=ED

[A"apte" from N6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact /hec+e"N an" pp. 1## I 152, N(he [!ntol"$ (illman =toryN$
%From the time 3 *as )ery little, 3 *as a*are of my father4s pri"e in being a Marine. 8hen 3 *as three years ol" & 3 *oul" stan" bet*een my parents, feet "igging into the soft leather of the big front seat, an" sing the entire Marine /orps 6ymn at the top of my lungs... Mary (illman, %,oots on the Groun" by Eus+- 0200@2

/DA= /C? Dathaniel Fic+ [DoteO Eraft letter ?ctober B1, 200>$ An"re* CPum is a Fello* at your 8ashington thin+.tan+ /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2 *hich has been calle" N8ashington9s go.to thin+ tan+ on military affairs.N /DA= spearhea"e" the a")ocacy of the Afghan *ar NsurgeN an" has close ties *ith both General Mc/hrystal an" his mentor General 'etraeus. Euring your GU inter)ie*, you sai"O %8e9)e sent one of our fello*s, An"re* CPum, to ser)e on General Mc/hrystal9s assessment team, an" *e meet *ith General Mc/hrystal )ia )i"eoconference once a *ee+ to tal+ about strategy there.-

3n 2002, An"re* CPum ser)e" as an infantry H( in Afghanistan 0"escribe" in his boo+ %(his Man4s Army-2 an" again *ith the Ganger GG( in 200#. Hast year, you *ere %name" one of GU9s 50 most po*erful people in 8ashington.- Euring 200B, you le" a Marine Gecon platoon "uring the in)asion of 3raA 0as "escribe" in your fine boo+ %?ne ,ullet A*ay,- in C)an 8right4s %Generation <ill, - an" 6,?4s ePcellent %Generation <ill- mini.series2. 7ou both appeare" to be ePcellent H(s %bac+ in the "ay.-

3n his =eptember 1Bth 200> 8ashington 'ost re)ie* of ;on <ra+auer4s boo+, %8here Men 8in Glory I (he ?"yssey of 'at (illman,- An"re* CPum "ismisse" the notion of a %conspiracy- to co)er.up 'at (illman4s frien"ly fire "eath an" ePcuse" the actions by his fello* Ganger officers as a %gross error of Ku"gment- 0General Mc/hrystal *as not mentione" at all2. 6o*e)er, CPum
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faile" to "isclose his close personal an" professional ties *ith Mc/hrystal *hich create" a serious conflict of interest.

?n Do)ember 1st 200> NMeet the 'ress,- 0an" his ?ctober 1#th 200> %Eaily ,east- article2 ;on <ra+auer accuse" General Mc/hrystal of lying about his central role in the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s frien"ly.fire "eath. 3n response, An"re* CPum poste", %?n Martial Virtue & an" =elling ;on <ra+auer4s /rappy De* ,oo+,- *riting, %=tan Mc/hrystal stan"s out as & probably the least culpable guy in (illman4s chain of comman" & =tan Mc/hrystal is one of the finest men 3 ha)e e)er +no*n, an" 3 hope 3 ha)e sons *ho ser)e un"er men li+e him.3 ha" belie)e" that An"re* CPum an" /DA= *ere part of the bipartisan %conspiracy- that has *hite*ashe" General Mc/hrystal an" that CPum *rote his boo+ re)ie* to *hite*ash General Mc/hrystal4s role. Do*, 3 belie)e An"re* CPum is either a*fully goo" at feigning self. righteous outrage or is *oefully 0an" *illfully2 ignorant of the most basic facts of the (illman case. 3t4s possible CPum belie)es his o*n bullshit about General Mc/hrystal. As the saying goes, N3t is "ifficult to get a man to un"erstan" something, *hen his salary "epen"s upon his not un"erstan"ing it.N Gegar"less, both CPum an" /DA= ob)iously ha" personal an" professional conflicts of interests *ith CPum *riting a boo+ re)ie* fa)orable to the Army an" General Mc/hrystal. /learly, "espite 0or because of2 his bac+groun" as an Army Ganger officer in Afghanistan, he *as a poor choice to re)ie* ;on <ra+auer4s boo+. Apparently CPum hasn4t forgotten lessons learne" from his stint as an Army Kournalist. 3n %(his Man4s Army- he *rote, %8hen reporting as a %Kournalist4 for the army, you Auic+ly learn there is no ne*s but goo" ne*s. & 3 put my 3)y Heague Cnglish "egree to use *riting shallo* propagan"a. & 3 ma"e it a game to see Kust ho* falsely positi)e 3 coul" be. & At the en" of the summer, the Eept of 'ublic Affairs in 8ashington E/ name" me one of the army4s %?utstan"ing ;ournalists.- & 3 ha" earne" my first me"al from the army for *riting in a ne*spaper.-

34m "isappointe" by the lac+ of integrity "isplaye" by CPum4s in)ol)ement in the (illman co)er. up. 'erhaps that4s to be ePpecte" once you lea)e your uniform behin", become a %suit- an" become part of the politics of 8ashington. As CPum *rote in his boo+, %& officers are often loo+ing out for their o*n futures rather than for the safety an" goo" of their men.-

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=o much for your Marines /orp4s motto of %semper fi"elis- an" CPum4s Ganger /ree", %De)er shall 3 fail my comra"es-T Deither you nor CPum ha)e ha" the bac+ of the (illman family151. '.=. 6ere4s an ePcerpt from Generation +ill ;p. BJB, paperback=> /Fick and , et in Washin$ton durin$ Bush!s second inau$uration1 So eho) )e )ound up ? sittin$ on bleachers near the parade route ? 's the president!s black %adillac DTS rolled in front of us, Fick leaned for)ard ? S0is )indo)s are rolled upE! Fick asked1 Durin$ se-eral )eeks of co bat in ,raC, ,! not sure , e-er heard Fick raise his -oice in an$er1 (o), ? Fick let loose a strea of Marine %orpsB$rade epithets1 ? basically he called the president a bi$ pussy1 /What about all those ' ericans dri-in$ around in ,raC and 'f$hanistan in open 0u -eesU& Fick shouted1 /*ou can!t e-en put your )indo) do)n in Washin$tonE& 3 miss that H( Fic+ 0*ith a touch of '(=E2, before you became a %suit- at /DA=. (oo ba", as a 8ashington %suit,- you 0an" CPum2 ha)e betraye" the sol"iers *ho ha)e been +ille" or *oun"e" in the Afghan %surge-.

3o#t#%ri)t U)date Fe.r/ary A1 A<895

,oth CPum an" Fic+ ha)e no* left /DA= 0CPum may Kust be on loan to /FG2.

7o/ 2anJt +in -nythin& +ith =id# !! May 1J, 2012O %3 am planning on ta+ing a lea)e of absence at the en" of the summer from /DA= in or"er to participate in the /ouncil on Foreign Gelations9 3nternational Affairs Fello*ship program. 8hen 3 "o that, 3 *ill no longer be able to blog at Abu MuAa*ama.?ff goes CPum from /DA=. Maybe CPum can "o*n a beer *ith his D7( bu""y (hom =han+er *ho4s also on the /FG:

2N-S 2EO Nathaniel Fi%( to "ead 2y.er Se%/rity So$t are 2om)any End&ame In%0 !! Do)ember 1, 2012 Dathaniel Fic+, /hief CPecuti)e ?fficer of the /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2, *ill step "o*n at the en" of the month from his position at /DA= to become the /hief CPecuti)e ?fficer of Cn"game, 3nc., a lea"ing )enture.bac+e" pro)i"er of a")ance" cyber security solutions. Mr. Fic+ has le" /DA= since 200> an" *ill remain on the /enter9s ,oar" of Eirectors. An" there goes Date Fic+. 000
18A

Mn May 10, 2012 the )#ot +o,r 6- cam'aign was la,nched )ins'ired by Michelle Mbama9s >oining Corces cam'aign.- I wonder i$ K2,m is going to start wearing the label 'inI

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My account of %6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact./hec+e"- en"e" in Eecember 2010. 3 ha)en4t up"ate" it *ith any Abu MuAa*ama post an"Sor my comments in the t*o years since then. 6o*e)er, here4s a fe* lin+s to some posts 0along *ith my comments2 that ser)e as a boo+en" to this part of the storyO

In 3rai#e o$ 000 Iohn Na&l !!Ian/ary 8<1 A<8A5 %our presi"ent, ;ohn Dagl, ha" accepte" a position at the !.=. Da)al Aca"emy 0.p"f2 effecti)e this month& *hen ;ohn as+e" me if 3 *oul" li+e to help him rebuil" the center as his first hire& 3 *ill remember the times that 3 *rote something that offen"e" someone, an" ;ohn "efen"e" me *ith a rare ferocity. (he most humiliating moment in my time at /DA= *as *hen 3 *as the subKect of the ombu"sman9s column in the Washin$ton Post. 3 ha" been as+e" to re)ie* a boo+ [;on <ra+auer4s %8here Men 8in Glory-$ for the Post111 3 "i" not feel any nee" to "isclose in the re)ie* that 3 +ne* Gen. Mc/hrystal 0though, 3 "i", at the en" of the re)ie*, "isclose that 3 ha" ser)e" as a ci)ilian a")isor in Afghanistan in 200>2& Although the original hardco-er )ersion of the boo+ *as Auite complementary of Gen. Mc/hrystal [not ePactly$, ;on <ra+auer complaine" my negati)e re)ie* *as ePplaine" by my a"miration for the general. (he Post9s ombu"sman an" boo+ e"itor faulte" me, an" 3 felt both "eeply betraye" by the e"itors an" insulte" by the charges against my integrity. ,ut *hat 3 remember most about that episo"e *as the consistency an" strength of the support 3 recei)e" from the fol+s at /DA= .. an" especially ;ohn Dagl. 3 actually cho+e" up in a staff meeting recalling the letter of support he *rote on my behalf, an" 3 am normally about as emotional as a stone.=o, the 'resi"ent of /?3D central has also baile". %=upport-: 3t appears that you almost got fire" because you *ere causing grief for the /?3D cause Kust *hen ?bama *as ma+ing his Afghan surge "ecision: %6umiliate"- because someone calle" you on your ,=: 6o* about the substance of the re)ise" softco)er )ersion of the boo+: ?b)iously, you4)e rea" itT After 3 ga)e <ra+auer my material, he use" it to "escribe in "etail Mc/hrystal4s central role in the (illman co)er.up 0missing from the har"co)er2. 8hat a *hiner. 000 ?n Eefense 'olicy Analysts an" /onflicts of 3nterest .. ;anuary 12, 2012 %& 03 learne" the har" *ay a fe* years ago that you nee" to mention e)ery concei)able conflict of interest as soon as possible if you *ant your arguments to be ta+en seriously.2& ri)al analysts are not satisfie" *ith criticiLing the substance of a gi)en argument but also feel the nee" to rashly Auestion the integrity of the analyst... An" as much as 3 lo)e to engage *ith those *ho challenge the substance of my o*n arguments, you9ll note that 3 simply ignore those *ith a history of ma+ing e)i"ence.free attac+s on my integrity instea".%C)i"ence free-: CPum has ne)er engage" the substance of my arguments about himSMc/hrystalS(illman he has totally ignore" my posts 0to his cre"it, he let them appear for
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about a year before starting to censor them out2. Although, since he4s rea" <ra+auer4s softco)er re)ise" boo+, he +no*s 3 *as right. 000 Finally, here4s a bit from an email response from An"re* CPum to Mary (illman on =eptember 1#, 2011O %(he Auote belo* [from the beginning of his 8ashington 'ost re)ie* of %8here Men 8in Glory-$ *as in"ee" *ritten or sai" by me. 3 cannot remember to *hom 3 sai" it or for *hom 3 *rote it, but it seems a*fully familiar& 3 am not a*are of *hether or not your son9s platoon *as being co)ere" by one of the 're"ators in the air at the time&. 3 am gla" *e got the chance to spea+ to"ay& than+ you for your sacrifice an" for the ser)ice your sons offere" up to their country. 3 +no* those *or"s might seem hollo* gi)en ho* poorly our go)ernment has ser)e" your family in the aftermath of your son9s passing&'ulling out the %3 can4t recall- line about the 're"ator fee" you sa* at the ,agram ;?/T /an4t remember the Auote from the boo+ re)ie* that almost got you fire": %6o* poorly our go)ernment has ser)e" your family- is this your tacit a"mission of the Army M Mc/hrystal4s co)er.up: 3n you boo+ re)ie*, you sai" that *as Kust a +oo+y conspiracy theoryT 8hat a ,= artistT 7et you soun" so sincere, "efen"ing your %integrity- perhaps you actually belie)e your o*n ,=:T 000 3o#t#%ri)t O%to.er 9<1 A<895 An"re* CPum Kust announce" that he is Auitting his blog Abu Muga*ama an" is permanently lea)ing /DA=. 3n response to his last post, 3 left four comments. !nfortunately, he mo"erate" all of them out 0e)en the nicest one, a paean to /arl 'rine. 8hat an ass.

The "a#t 3o#t

Abu MuAa*ama I /DA=.org. ?ctober 2J, 201B

Thi# i# the la#t )o#t on -./ M/Pa ama. As many of you +no*, I le$t the 2enter $or a Ne -meri%an Se%/rity ?2N-S@ in -/&/#t o$ A<8A to #)end a $ello #hi) year in the U0S0 De)artment o$ De$en#e "oing Mi""le Cast policy. My plan ha" been to stay a*ay for one year, but as 3 approache" the en" of my fello*ship, 3 "eci"e" 3 *as more intereste" in ne* challenges, an" my lea>e o$ a.#en%e .e%ame )ermanent.Y [Y&I &ot a &reat o))ort/nity to do #o in a Bo. that doe#nJt in>ol>e the de$en#e ind/#try or &o>ernment lo..yin&0 E]0

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In Mar%h A<<;1 Nate Fi%( and Iohn Na&l hired me at 2N-S /nder the term# that the .lo& o/ld %ome ith me0 & 3 am ePtremely grateful to the past an" current lea"ership at /DA= for the support they ha)e gi)en me & The %ommenter# on thi# .lo& ha>e o$ten .een %r/de and a little n/t#1 but they ha)e Kust as often been brilliantO 3 than+ people li+e 2arl 3rine, Gian Gentille, an" Mi+e 6oro*itL &

3 ha" a great three.an".a.half year run at /DA=, an" it has a special place in my heart. 3t9s a "ifferent place no*, but the people *ho *or+ there are more talente" than e)er. An" "espite *hat many say about 8ashington, 3 ha)e foun" 8ashington .. an" /DA= in particular .. to be a tremen"ously re*ar"ing place to li)e an" *or+, full of smart, interesting, an" .. yes .. honora.le )eo)le.YYY

YYY Gules for 8ashingtonO 0J2 DonJt rite o)!ed# in the Washin(ton &ost de$endin& tort/re or, if you happen to e"it the Washin$ton Post, hire people *ho "efen" torture. Be%a/#e tort/re i# ron&0 7e#1 al ay#0 Do I really ha>e to eG)lain thi#L E FRRR1 reallyL I P/it0

000

G/y Monta& 2omment# in Re#)on#e to EG/m'# "a#t 3o#t [moderated o/t]5 The %ommenter# on thi# .lo& ha>e o$ten .een %r/de and a little n/t#1 ./t they ha>e B/#t a# o$ten .een .rilliant5 I than( )eo)le li(e 2arl 3rine E

/arl 'rine is an in)estigati)e reporter 0specialiLing in military an" )eterans issues2 for the 'ittsburgh (ribune.Ge)ie*. 6e4s a great guy, an eP.Marine *ho re.enliste" at a$e F8 in the Army reser)e an" "i" a 2005 tour in 3raA. !nfortunately, he got (,3 from the multiple 3CE blasts he too+ "uring his tour in 3raA. 'rine is mentione" in ?*en 8est4s boo+ /The Snake .aters& as %a little nuts-O %'yro *as a motley cre*, but 'rine, a B>.year.ol" enlistee, *as strange by any measure& some bra)e men, some strange men, an" 'rine, *ho *as both bra)e an" strange&. Falah & as+e" his company an" platoon comman"ers to )ote on bra)ery. (hey "i"n4t choose an officer at all. (hey chose

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lo*ly =pecialist /arl 'rine. Faleh presente" the me"al to 'rine in the 'anther comman" post. A picture *as ta+en & 3n the bac+groun", one of 'rine4s senior sol"iers loo+s stunne".For Kust o)er a year, en"ing in ;uly 2012, 'rine *rote the blog -Hine of Eeparture.!nfortunately, he ha" to Auit after "isabling migraines from his (,3s4 returne" in full force. After*ar"s, <elly Vahlos *rote a touching tribute 0%/arl 'rine4s Hine of Eeparture-2O %[/arl$ is %one of the goo" guys, a )eteran *ho ob)iously lo)es the military for *hat it could be an" loathes it for *hat it has been use" for& 6e4s not been right about absolutely e)erything & an" sometimes 3 thin+ he coul" go easier on other *riters [a reference to the late Michael 6astings$, especially *hen they ha)e their hearts an" hea"s in the right place. & ,ut he4s al*ays consistent *hen it counts V in his loyalty to the ran+ an" file an" ePposing the corruption of po*er. An" that ma+es him tops *ith me & because there aren4t a lot of )eteran.Kournalist.critics *ith his talent *illing to *rite the things he "oes000

I ha>e $o/nd +a#hin&ton !! and 2N-S in )arti%/lar !! to .e a tremendo/#ly re ardin& )la%e to li>e and or(1 $/ll o$ #mart1 intere#tin&1 and !! ye# !! honora.le )eo)le0

Four years ago, you poste", %?n Martial Virtue & an" =elling ;on <ra+auer4s /rappy De* ,oo+.- 7our 8ash'ost boo+ re)ie* ha" *hite*ashe" the GGG GG( comman"ers M Mc/hrystal4s role in trying to turn 'at (illman into a propagan"a tool for the *ar. 7ou *rote that %=tan Mc/hrystal stan"s out as & probably the least culpable guy in (illman4s chain of comman" & =tan Mc/hrystal is one of the finest men 3 ha)e e)er +no*n, an" 3 hope 3 ha)e sons *ho ser)e un"er men li+e him.-

(o"ay, it appears you still consi"er Gen. Mc/hrystal as one of the %honorable people- of 8ashington E./. ;eremy =cahill Auote" you gushing about Mc/hrystal 0p. 101, %Eirty 8ars-2O %&you are seeing e)erything you *ant to be in lifeO Kust a remar+able in"i)i"ual, a fantastic sol"ier& 5the 'ope4 & 6e4s the man abo)e *hom is no one else.-

,ut, /arl 'rine "oesn4t share your a"miration for Mc/hrystal. ?ne of his last columns, %Mc/hrystal /lear,- *as a caustic re)ie* of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s roa" sho*O

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%A great many things *ent unsai" both "uring Mc/hrystal4s a""ress an" the UMA *ith the au"ience that follo*e". (here *as no mention of his role in the co)er up of the %frien"ly.fire- slaying of 'at (illman, inclu"ing issuing a bogus =il)er =tar citation for the Ganger. Do one as+e" him about the pattern of "etainee abuse in 3raA by units o)erseen by Mc/hrystal4s comman" inclu"ing beatings, psychological torture an" other forms of mistreatment. At /amp Dama, for instance, prisoners *ere routinely strippe" na+e", subKecte" to sleep "epri)ation an" ePtreme col", place" in painful stress positions, an" assaulte".-

%Mc/hrystal fiLLle" ba"ly in Afghanistan, an" e)eryone seems to *ant to "ub him a 21st century =ir Ga*ain& Do matter ho* ba" his insubor"ination is for our "emocracy, ho* much the (illman family an" our Army suffere" "uring his %lea"ership- in 3raA an" Afghanistan, or *hat a lamentable ePample he sets for to"ay4s officers, *e not only +eep coming bac+ for =tan the Man but ma+e him out to be something of a prophet an" a gui"e for our chil"ren.-

Note5 for an archi)e" copy of 'rine4s post [it4s gone from the blogosphere$ see, %DCVCG =6AHH 3 FA3H M7 /?MGAEC=- .. (he Ear+ Hegacy of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal M 6is Memoir /My Share of the Task&> 6is ,etrayal of 'at (illman, /omman" of ;=?/ (orture, an" Faile" Afghan 8ar %=urge,- poste" at the Feral Firefighter blog

000 DonJt rite o)!ed# in the Washin(ton &ost de$endin& tort/re & Be%a/#e tort/re i# ron&0 7e#1 al ay#0 Do I really ha>e to eG)lain thi#L E FRRR1 reallyL I P/it0

6o*e)er, four years ago, Kust before Gen. Mc/hrystal4s =enate confirmation hearing, you poste" %/onfirm 6imN 0;une 2, 200>2. 3t "i"n4t appear you then thought the %allege" abuse of "etainees- by ;=?/ forces un"er Gen. Mc/hrystal4s comman" *as *rongO

%(he bottom line is, nothing is e)er going to heal the *oun"s inflicte" on the (illman Family & An" *hile 3 ha)e nothing but respect for the (illman Family&, their personal grief shoul" not be a )eto on the nomination of the man [Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal$ & more important than either the "eath of 'at (illman or the allege" abuse of "etainees [at /amp Dama by ;=?/ forces un"er the comman" of McGa)en M Mc/hrystal$.251

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(o"ay, Mc/hrystal claims that he %ne)er con"one" mistreatment of "etainees- ,ut the 200@ =A=/ report sai"O %(he abuse of "etainees at Abu Ghraib in late 200B *as not simply the result of & 5a fe* ba" apples4 acting on their o*n. & 3nterrogation policies en"orse" by senior military an" ci)ilian officials authoriLing the use of harsh interrogation techniAues *ere a maKor cause of the abuse of "etainees in !.=. custo"y.& =M! (F [;=?/ tas+ force$ policies [authoriLe" by Mc/hrystal$ *ere a "irect cause of "etainee abuse an" influence" interrogation policies at Abu Ghraib an" else*here in 3raA.-

3n a""ition, as ;oint =taff VE;B it appears Mc/hrystal *as in)ol)e" in the process of formally importing torture to 3raA in 200B by sen"ing Gen. Geoffrey Miller to %GitmotiLe- Abu Gharib an" by sen"ing =CGC instructors to teach torture techniAues to (F 121.

After Mc/hrystal "i" his share of the tas+ of %lighting the fire- of Abu Gharib that contribute" to the "eaths of != sol"iers, he then comman"e" the ;=?/ night rai"s *hich +ille" thousan"s of Kiha"i4s *ho came to 3raA because of Abu Gharib 0Mc/hrystal4s li+e an arsonist firefighter *ho sets the fire an" then later brags about putting it outT2

After he too+ comman" of ;=?/ in 200B, instea" of re"ucing torture, Mc/hrystal 0along *ith then (F 121 /? A"miral ,ill McGa)en2 appro)e" ore techniAues until he *as or"ere" to stop most of them after the Abu Gharib scan"al although it appears ;=?/ "i"n4t fully clean up its act until the en" of 2005. MaK. Eouglas 'reyer *rote in his boo+, /The Fi$ht for the 0i$h Ground&> %3ncre"ibly, e)en after the Abu Ghraib scan"al bro+e, the facility run by the elite =pecial Mission !nit in 3raA [(F121$ continue" to permit more of these techniAues than ha" been pre)iously allo*e" at Abu Ghraib&-

Finally, after hearing Mc/hrystal4s 200> =enate testimony, =enator Guss Feingol" *roteO %3 am concerne" about General Mc/hrystal4s public testimony, *hich sought to con)ey that he *as 55uncomfortable44 *ith )arious interrogation techniAues an" sought to 55re"uce44 their use. Gi)en the full history of his approach to interrogations, this testimony appears to be incomplete, at best.-

?)erall, it appears Mc/hrystal4s memoir attempts to re.*rite history an" *hite*ash his role in the use of torture as comman"er of ;=?/ 0For more "etails, see the chapter %Do ,loo", Do Foulin the Eec 2012 post %DCVCG =6AHH 3 FA3H M7 /?MGAEC=- .. (he Ear+ Hegacy of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal M 6is Memoir /My Share of the Task&> 6is ,etrayal of 'at (illman, /omman" of ;=?/ (orture, an" Faile" Afghan 8ar %=urge,- poste" at the Feral Firefighter blog2.
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000

Thi# i# the la#t )o#t on -./ M/Pa ama0 E

First, Dagl left /DA=. (hen Date Fic+. Do*, An"re* CPum. 8ell, this is Guy Montag4s Hast /omment is response to CPum4s %Hast 'ost- &

3n his Eec 2011 Hine of Eeparture post, %CPum 3s Gight 0=ort ?f2,- /arl 'rine chastise" you [among others at /DA=$ for your %sincere but misgui"e" [Afghan /?3D policy a")ice$, the sort of a")ice that *oul" get "ecent men an" *omen +ille" trying to %*in- a costly *ar in the 6in"u <ush-O

%& the %ePperts- *ere all *rong. 6opelessly, tragically, stupi"ly *rong, an" they4)e largely remaine" unaccountable for their "isastrous a")ice. & the unfol"ing reality of Afghanistan ePpose the gra)e sins committe" against our "emocracy by celebrity generals, intellectually "ubious *on+s an" the stenographic reporters [e.g. (hom =han+er$ *ho abette" their trespasses. & For Auite some time, 3 partially blame" CPum for the loss of my bu""ies. (hat bitterness came out in our ongoing, increasingly )ituperati)e an" public spats.-

6o*e)er, in that post /arl 'rine also praise" you as %a )oice of conscience insi"e the ,elt*ayan" absol)e" your /?3D %sins-O

%3 also "etecte" a "eep morality percolating in his soul. 6e *orries *hether the a")ice he gi)es *ill honor the men an" *omen *ho might ha)e to carry out the policies o)erseas. & he4s one of the best of the lot an" he4s neither compromise" by financial entanglements nor so con)ince" of his o*n rectitu"e that he refuses to change his min". & ,ut our souls shoul" ne)er freeLe so soli" that they can4t be tha*e" by the hope of a "ecent man li+e CPum & 3 *oul" rather rea" a thousan" *or"s from CPum than a million from cynics li+e me. & After he recante" on his blog his initial optimism about the Afghanistan proKect an" his faith in the ePpertise of some men he once a"mire", 3 realiLe" that 3 also *as *rong to ha)e lashe" out the *ay that 3 "i" against him. & on ;une 1J, 2010 3 apologiLe" to him for hol"ing the gru"ge.25>

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8ell, 3 still bear a %gru"ge- against you for the "eaths of our sol"iers after the Afghan %surge0at least my 11, nephe* got through his tour last year unscathe"2 an" for your %crappy- boo+ re)ie* of <ra+auer4s (illman boo+ that *hite*ashe" Mc/hrystal M the GGG GG( /?4s 0see my ;an 2011 post %6e 8ho =hall Dot ,e Fact./hec+e"-2.

,ut, at this point, it4s really not much of a gru"ge for /arl 'rines4 sa+e, 34ll grant you the benefit of the "oubt an" stop "ogging your steps. Maybe you ha)e sincerely repente" (his is my %last post- on Abu Muga*ama. 3 *ish you the best of luc+ *ith your %Kob that "oesn9t in)ol)e the "efense in"ustry or go)ernment lobbying- an" for you M your family.

For more "etails, see the April 2012 post %=?MC(63DG (? E3C F?G- I 5(he [!ntol"$ (illman =tory4 ,et*een.the.Hines of Michael 6asting4s ,oo+ %(he ?perators- 0an" the chapter %%=omething to Eie For- .. Mc/hrystal4s Faile" Afghan 8ar /?3D %=urge- in the post %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es- at the Feral Firefighter blog2.

...

,ut 3 still thin+ An"re* CPum is a hypocritical ass *ho ne)er ha" the coKones to engage my arguments. An", coul"n4t he at least ha)e poste" my first comment that only praise" /arl 'rine:

-33ENDIQ E5 REHIE+ OF THOM SH-N=ER'S BOO= 2OUNTERSTRI=E ?A<88@

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3n their boo+, %/ounterstri+eO (he !ntol" =tory of America4s =ecret /ampaign Against Al Uae"a,- De* 7or+ (ime reporters (hom =han+er M Cric =chmitt "escribe" se)eral pre)iously un"isclose" "e)elopments. Among the most interesting *ere t*o intelligence coups that largely contribute" to the %success- of the 3raA 8ar surgeO %8hat *as pulle" out of the Ta3i tro-e *as so )aluable that one military officer compare" it to the allies success in brea+ing the DaLis4 Cnigma co"es "uring 8833- an" %General 'etreaus sai" the o)erall Sin3ar effort "i" more to halt the terror net*or+s that flo*e" foreign fighters an" suici"e bombers into 3raA than any other operation.6o*e)er, o)erall, 3 foun" %/ounterstri+e- to be a bit "ry an" their attempt to *ea)e a narrati)e *ith characters Kust "i"n4t *or+ *ell for me. 3 *oul" suggest rea"ing the 8ashington 'ost reporter Eana 'riest4s Kust.release" %(op =ecret America- for more compelling *riting *hich presents a broa"er perspecti)e. 6er chapter, %Ear+ Matter,- also gi)es a complementary "escription of ;=?/4s role in the so.calle" %*ar on terror- 0although her treatment of Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal is a bit hagiographic in parts an" is a bit of a *hite*ash of his role in torture2. 3n their boo+, =han+er M =chmitt praise" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s counterterrorism legacyO %Across the military an" intelligence community, General Mc/hrystal *as cre"ite" *ith comman"ing missions that capture" an" +ille" more of America4s a")ersaries than any other li)ing officer. ,ut his legacy in shifting the culture of han"ling intelligence is Kust as important.- Mc/hrystal tol" the authors that %the secret to his counterterrorism efforts ha" been to brea+ "o*n *alls that ha" "i)i"e" the military an" intelligence communities.-

6o*e)er, the authors "i"n4t "*ell on the role of torture in the secret campaign against Al Uae"a. (hey only briefly allu"e to its use 0e.g. /amp Dama2 by ;=?/ special forces un"er Gen. Mc/hrystal4s comman". Apparently, the authors "i"n4t belie)e torture ha" contribute" much to the success against Al Uae"aO %(he process of %massing intelligence- on an in"i)i"ual has pro)en to be a more )aluable tool than harsh interrogation techniAues&-

3o#t#%ri)t Note5 Mc/hrystal4s role in importing torture to Abu Gharib an" his comman" of ;=?/ torture from 200B to 2005 is co)ere" in "etail in my Eecember 2012 post, %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es.-

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Gen. Mc/hrystal4s counterterrorism legacy *as also tarnishe" by his central role 0e.g. he super)ise" the *riting of 'at (illman4s false =il)er =tar citation *ith altere" *itness statements2 in the go)ernment9s co)er.up of 'at (illman4s 200# frien"ly.fire "eath in Afghanistan. ?n May 25th 200>, the De* 7or+ (imes publishe" (hom =han+er4s piece, %Domination of !.=. Afghan /omman"er Ge)i)es Uuestions on (illman /ase,- that suppose"ly %ePonerate"General Mc/hrystal of all *rong."oing in the (illman case. 6o*e)er, =han+er ignore" clear e)i"ence that Mc/hrystal *as actually at the center of the Army4s co)er.up of 'at (illman9s frien"ly.fire "eath. After carrying *ater for the ?bama a"ministration, (hom =han+er enKoye" ePceptionally goo" %access- to General Mc/hrystal. For ePample, =han+er *roteO %?n the "ay [;une 10, 200>$ in the summer of 200> that a =enate )ote confirme" General Mc/hrystal an" ele)ate" him to his ne* comman" an" he "eploye" to Afghanistan, he too+ t*o reporters from the De* 7or+ (imes [=han+er M =chmitt$ on a tour of his ne* %rear hea"Auarters- in a seale" corri"or of the 'entagon basement &3sn9t NaccessN gran": As =han+er *rote, NA boo+ li+e this simply is not possible *ithout the cooperation an" trust of a large number of go)ernment officials an" military officers.N 39m sure the =han+er4s D7(4s *hite*ash of Mc/hrystal helpe" to gain the NtrustN of Mc/hrystal an" others. An", it appears that =han+er4s *hite*ash opene" "oors for him at the 8ashington thin+tan+ /enter for a De* American =ecurity 0/DA=2O %/DA= in 8ashington allo*e" each of us to spen" >0 "ays [Fall 200>$ as a %*riter in resi"ence- to *or+ on /ounterstri+e &- 3t4s *orth noting that /DA= spearhea"e" the push for the 200> Afghan 8ar -surge- an" *or+e" closely *ith Gen. Ea)i" 'etreaus an" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal. 3sn9t the 8ashington establishment coLy: 8hat9s the "ifference bet*een the me"ia, the go)ernment, an" Nin"epen"entN thin+.tan+s such as /DA=: 3t appears to be all one big incestuous blob. 3 "i"n4t come a*ay from my personal ePperience *ith (hom =han+er *ith any confi"ence in our %*atch"og- me"ia. 0(hom =han+er also participate" in the misinformation about the ;essica Hynch story in 200B2.

'.=. =chmitt an" =han+er *rote, %A special than+s goes out to those in the go)ernment public affairs community *ho truly belie)e an" act on the "ictum that their Kob is maPimum "isclosure *ith minimum "elay, all to better inform the American public about ho* its bloo" an" treasure are spent in "efense of the nation.-

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3s this an ironic Ko+e: %maPimum "isclosure *ith minimum "elay-T: Are *e tal+ing about the 'A officers such as those in)ol)e" *ith the 'at (illman co)er.up *ho ga)e out minimum "isclosure *ith maPimum "elay to his family o)er the past se)en years

-33ENDIQ F5 D-N- 3RIEST'S TO3 SE2RET -MERI2- 2-M3 N-M- +HITE+-SH OF M22HR7ST-"
%3n N(op =ecret AmericaN 020112 Eana 'riest an" 8illiam M. Ar+in, t*o of America9s most relentless reporters, pull the curtains bac+ on ;=?/, or ;oint =pecial ?perations /omman", to re)eal a self.sustaining secret 'entagon army that has capture" or +ille" more Al Uae"a militants %than the rest of the !.=. go)ernment forces combine".-& % (he authors praise" Gen. Mc/hrystal4s lea"ership of ;=?/O %3n the fall of 200B, ;=?/ got a ne* comman"er [Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal$ *ho *oul" turn the organiLation into arguably the most effecti)e *eapon in the !.=. counterterrorism arsenal.% 6o*e)er, their account *hite*ashe" Gen. =tanley Mc/hrystal4s role in tortureO %Although no public in)estigation has e)er been con"ucte" into the abuses at [/amp$ Dama, Mc/hrystal reporte"ly sai" %(his is ho* *e lose,- *hen he toure" the facility for the first time. 6e assigne" his top intelligence officer, then.,rig. Gen. Michael Flynn, to professionaliLe ;=?/ interrogations.,ut the August 200J CsAuire piece, -%t# o$ 2on#%ien%e1 claime" that %at the )ery same time the Army *as cleaning up Abu Ghraib [at /amp Dama$ nu"ity an" hoo"ing an" stress positions *ere still routine, *here ran+ing officers +ne* ePactly *hat *as going on an" promise" to protect the interrogators at all costs.%'rofessionaliLe-: 3s that something li+e ho* Gen. Geoffrey Miller %GitmotiLe"- Abu Ghaurib: 3t4s *orth noting that =enator Guss Feingol" %oppose["$ the nomination of H(G =tanley Mc/hrystal- to become comman"er of the Afghan 8ar because of a %classifie" matter- an" because Mc/hrystal4s =enate testimony concerning interrogation %appears incomplete, at best.An", E3A interrogator Matthe* AlePan"er 0author of %6o* to ,rea+ a (errorist4 M %<ill or /apture-2 *rote ho* Mc/hrystal4s 3raA ;=?/ tas+force only reluctantly ga)e up the use of torture his use of la*.enforcement interrogation only gaine" acceptance *hen it le" to better results inclu"ing the "eath of the al.Uae"a lea"er in 3raA, Abu Musab al.RarAa*i in 200J.

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3o#t#%ri)t Note5 =ee the Eec. 2012 post, %De)er =hall 3 Fail My /omra"es,- for a "etaile" "iscussion of Mc/hrystal4s role in importing torture to Abu Gharib, his comman" of ;=?/ torture, an" his false account of the +illing of RarAa*i an" the capture of =a""am.

2J#