Thoughts From a Wandering Soul, Now in the Charm City

How Dare We Question?

“If our democracy is to flourish, it must have criticism; if our government is to function it must have dissent.”

--Henry Commager

It is the right of every citizen to question its government, it is not only a right it is a responsibility. This theme was echoing through my ears as I watch the Sunday news shows last Sunday 6/5/05. I was irked when the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ken Mehlman, implied that it was not fair to question government. This whole episode occurred on Meet the Press on NBC with Tim Russert moderating. When asked by Tim Russert about a comment made by the late Pat Tillman’s mother, Mr. Mehlman didn’t feel it was appropriate for her to questions the intentions of the pentagon. Russert presented this quote to Mr. Mehlman:

Mary Tillman, Pat Tillman’s mother stated:

"The military let him down. The administration let him down. It was a sign of disrespect. ...he was the ultimate team player and he watched his own men kill him, [it] is absolutely heartbreaking and tragic. The fact that they lied about it afterward is disgusting.”

Russert went on to say:

“And what she's referring to is that her son was killed by friendly fire, but the Pentagon tried to cast it in a much different light, and the suggestion being they were trying to make Pat Tillman a poster boy for the war in Iraq. And his family is devastated and very angry about that.”

Mr. Mehlman replied:

“Well, Tim, I would agree with his mom that it is heartbreaking and tragic. Friendly fire--anytime anybody is killed in friendly fire, it's the ultimate tragedy. It's something that when you think about it, the person that was responsible for that was on his side and must feel terrible about it and will have to live with that for the rest of their lives. And I think that certainly the Pentagon has admitted it was handled wrong.

I do think that to try to question the intent of the Pentagon with respect to the war in Iraq isn't fair either. The men and women at the Pentagon are serving their country as well. They're working hard for their country. They should have informed the family earlier. They should have let them know what happened earlier. They've admitted that. They've taken steps to make sure it wouldn't happen in the future. But I think it is wrong to that say this was somehow an attempt to make him a poster boy for the Iraq War. I don't think this was what they were trying to do.”

There are many things that bother me about this. First, everyone has the right to question the activities of our government. Second, who is more justified to question the intent of the Pentagon then a mother who has lost her son in war? Lastly, It is a horrible sign when those who have power or are trying to gain power tell us not to think. When this happens I wonder what they do not want me to think about.

In conclusion, how dare he say that Mary Tillman is not fair in questioning the motives of the Pentagon? There is no doubt that the military and the administration were using the tragedy of here son to promote the war. She has every right to be angry. Statements like this show the lack or respect the Republican Party and this administration have for military families. The families of reservists are losing their homes. Many of the families of active duty service men and women are utilizing food stamps to survive! Every citizen has the right to question this. Is it right to fight for freedom in Iraq (if that is what it can be called) at the expense of freedom here in the United States?

posted by Marquise at 9:37 PM