Pat Tillman and the Nihilistic Myths of the State

"So in the memory and spirit of the man who made “the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror,” let’s do that, shall we? Let’s start demanding some straight talk about some rather uncomfortable truths.

It is all well and good to know that the Bushes prayed for Tillman’s family after he was slaughtered, though I’m not sure what good that does for someone who has forever lost a son, a brother, perhaps an uncle. What exactly will the president’s prayers do for them? Will his prayers bring back the bright, vibrant, successful young man who died senselessly at the hands of scared, panicky fellow soldiers confused by miscommunication and misguided orders issued by arrogant commanders far removed from the field of battle? I don’t think so.

Here’s another rather uncomfortable truth: It appears that the Pentagon actually exaggerated much of Tillman’s exploits in that war-battered, God-forsaken hellhole of a country so as to make greater his legend while simultaneously glossing over the foolish errors that were committed. This should come as no surprise, as this type of irresponsible propaganda has long served the U.S. Federal State’s never-ending recruitment drive to entice young men—and nowadays young women as well—into risking the loss of their own lives for the State’s ongoing Machiavellian schemes to slaughter and plunder the many for the benefit of a select few."