Rumsfeld: 'I Do Not Recall Ordering Hit On Pat Tillman'
Rumsfeld had a "change of heart" and decided to actually listen to Congress and show up and deny killing Pat Tillman. These are funny times, as you can usually tell when the sacked Secretary of Defense testifies before a House Committee investigating the fratricide of NFL/Army hero Pat Tillman and the coordinated (but ultimately botched) conspiracy to hide the murder.
"I know that I would not engage in a cover-up. I know that no one in the White House suggested such a thing to me. I know that the gentlemen sitting next to me are men of enormous integrity and would not participate in something like that," Rumsfeld told a House committee.
Phew, well that's a relief. Oh, and protesters held up not very creative signs that said "WAR CRIMINAL" and one yelled "Aren't you ashamed?" at Rumsfeld.
And this pretty much explains everything you need to know about the character of Donald Rumsfeld:
"Early in my tenure as secretary of defense, I wrote a memo for the men and women of the Department of Defense," Rumsfeld said. "You will note that principle number one -- the very first -- was: 'Do nothing that could raise questions about the credibility of DoD.'"
The crucial thing, as always, is not getting caught. What you actually do -- say, raping civilian prisoners at Abu Ghraib, torturing children, etc. -- is fine as long as nobody finds out and raises questions about the credibility of DoD.
Said Henry Waxman: ""The concealment of Cpl. Tillman's fratricide caused millions of Americans to question the integrity of our government, yet no one will tell us when and how the White House learned the truth." Does this surprise you, Henry? Are you retarded ?
Out-to-pasture generals Richard Myers, former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Abizaid, former Central Command chief, also lied to the House committee this morning.
Rumsfeld Denies Cover-Up In Tillman Case [AP/WaPo]
Was Pat Tillman Murdered? Absolutely Yes, According to a Nam Vet [OpEd News]
A Close Look at the Forensics Suggests Something More Sinister Than Friendly Fire [CounterPunch]
Rumsfeld Apologizes at Tillman Hearing But Claims 'No Coverup' [E&P]
Retired General Is Censured for Role in Tillman Case [NYT]
Earlier: Who Ordered the Execution of NFL/Army Hero Pat Tillman?