Tillman not a hero?

[BobbyTheDon]

ESPN.com news services

AMHERST, Mass. -- A University of Massachusetts student has openly criticized Pat Tillman, calling the former NFL player a Rambo-like idiot in the school paper.

The column in question was submitted by graduate student Rene Gonzalez and published Wednesday in the Daily Collegian. It was titled "Pat Tillman is not a hero: he got what was coming to him."

Gonzalez writes that Tillman was a "Rambo" who probably acted out of "nationalist patriotic fantasies." In his own neighborhood in Puerto Rico, according to Gonzalez, Tillman would not have been considered a hero, but a "pendejo," or idiot.

The column drew harsh criticism from many on campus. University president Jack Wilson says the op-ed piece was "disgusting, arrogant and intellectually immature."

Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to join the Army Rangers in 2002, was killed in combat one week ago in Afghanistan. The military announced on Wednesday that he has been posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal and awarded the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.

"You know he was a real Rambo, who wanted to be in the 'real' thick of things," Gonzalez writes in his column, which is posted on the collegiate paper's Web site. "I could tell he was that type of macho guy, from his scowling, beefy face on the CNN pictures. Well, he got his wish. Even Rambo got shot in the third movie, but in real life, you die as a result of being shot. They should call Pat Tillman's army life 'Rambo 4: Rambo Attempts to Strike Back at His Former Rambo 3 Taliban Friends, and Gets Killed.'"

Gonzalez also says that Tillman's service was not "necessary."

"It wasn't like he was defending the East coast from an invasion of a foreign power. THAT would have been heroic and laudable," Gonzalez writes. "What he did was make himself useful to a foreign invading army, and he paid for it. It's hard to say I have any sympathy for his death because I don't feel like his 'service' was necessary. He wasn't defending me, nor was he defending the Afghani people. He was acting out his macho, patriotic crap and I guess someone with a bigger gun did him in."

In a letter to its readers Thursday, the Daily Collegian says Gonzalez' opinion in no way reflects that of the newspaper's editorial board. A column by one of the editors praising Tillman's sacrifice ran in the paper next to the one by Gonzalez.

"We do not hold back from printing news stories, columns or editorials that may upset our readership -- instead, we seek to both inform and stir debate through our publication," the letter, also posted on the Web site, reads. "Our decision to publish Gonzalez's column -- an opinion piece written by a member of our campus community -- is the only way for us to live up to this ideal."

Tillman will be eulogized at a public memorial service in his hometown of San Jose, Calif., early next week, and funeral arrangements are pending.

The body of Tillman arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday. His brother, Spc. Kevin Tillman, also a Ranger with the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, was expected to accompany the body to the funeral home, Lawrence said.

Tillman was killed in a firefight on a road near Sperah, about 25 miles southwest of a U.S. base at Khost.

After coming under fire, Tillman's patrol got out of their vehicles and gave chase, moving toward the spot of the ambush. Beevers said the fighting was "sustained" and lasted 15-20 minutes.

The Cardinals said they will retire Tillman's No. 40 and name the plaza surrounding the new stadium under construction in suburban Glendale the "Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[BobbyTheDon]

are you kidding me? WHere is this guy so I can kick his ass right now. I'll whoop him Rambo style.

[Rudey]

I wouldn't love to wrap my fingers around this guy's throat...Rambo like.

It's not even that it's a disgusting piece but that it's just so stupid. Kick this idiot out of the grad program for being so stupid.

-Rudey

[PhiPsiRuss]

Rene Gonzalez should serve this country in the way is able; as target practice for the Rangers.

[starang21]

this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever read.

[mrblonde]

What an unbelievably ignorant piece of 'journalism'. First, Cpl. Tillman gives up a ridiculous amount of money and financial security to risk his life for what he believed was right enough to do so. Then, he makes the ultimate sacrifice alongside much of his platoon. This country needs more 'Rambos' and less Rene Gonzalezes...


edited for initial swearing

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Gonzalez is an idiot.

[Rudey]

Send Rene an email.

renegonzalez7@hotmail.com is his email address.

-Rudey

[mu_agd]

This was in today's Boston Globe:

UMass president criticizes student's column on felled soldier
By Associated Press | April 29, 2004

AMHERST -- A University of Massachusetts graduate student who wrote a campus newspaper column saying former NFL player Pat Tillman was not a hero for being killed while fighting in Afghanistan was sharply criticized Thursday by the school's president.



UMass president Jack Wilson issued a statement saying Rene Gonzalez's comments in The Daily Collegian "are a disgusting, arrogant and intellectually immature attack on a human being who died in service to his country."

In his column, which ran Wednesday on the opinion page and was posted on the newspaper's Web site, Gonzalez called the former Arizona Cardinals safety a "G.I. Joe guy who got what was coming to him."

"That was not heroism," Gonzalez wrote. "It was prophetic idiocy."

His column also criticizes America's military response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Tillman, the San Jose, Calif., native who gave up his NFL career to join the Army Rangers in 2002, was killed in combat April 22 in Afghanistan.

While recognizing Gonzalez's right to free speech, Wilson said the student owes Tillman a "debt of gratitude," and said he should apologize to Tillman's friends and family.

Gonzalez did not respond to telephone and e-mail messages left Thursday by The Associated Press.

[honeychile]

This yahoo wouldn't know a hero if Nathan Hale sat in his lap!

[KSigkid]

Here's a link to the complete article:
http://www.dailycollegian.com/vnews/.../408f27f0591be

I think the piece is absolute garbage, not even well-written. Probably a way for a mediocre reporter/writer to get his name out there.

Thanks for posting the Globe piece; I didn't even notice it this morning.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by KSigkid
Here's a link to the complete article:
http://www.dailycollegian.com/vnews/.../408f27f0591be

I think the piece is absolute garbage, not even well-written. Probably a way for a mediocre reporter/writer to get his name out there.

Thanks for posting the Globe piece; I didn't even notice it this morning.

He's not a reporter or a writer. Search the net for this guy and he is out there commenting on how evil the US is and all allies of the US - comparisons to Nazi Germany and Hitler all over. What an absolute idiot.

-Rudey

[Kevin]

I can understand someone disagreeing with certain military actions. However, this dude takes it entirely too far. He's like those hippies during the Vietnam war that called our soldiers "baby killers". He should be given a complimentary one way ticket out of the US.

[KillarneyRose]

I just hope that Cpl. Tillman's family doesn't get wind of this ridiculous piece of cage-liner. (fat chance, right?) They certainly don't need some little know-it-all shit mocking the death of their loved one.

[dekeguy]

It is a sad day when one man lays down his life for what he believed in and another so lacks the common decency of showing respect for a dead countryman who gave all in the service of our nation. If anything Ranger Pat Tillman grows in the respect and honor of his fellow Americans who will remember that he carried out the words of our founding fathers who pledged "Our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor". Tillman was a man who deserves our praise and what ever accolades we can bestow on one who has already achieved all. Remember the words "No greater love" and "to lay down his life". By God, I hope I would have the guts to stand up and be counted when my turn to face death comes. On the other hand, what can anyone say about the weasel who who speaks ill of the dead? Moral coward sounds close. Perhaps the most damning might be the very old fashioned but somehow, at least to me, appropriate reference, "I do not know hin, he is no gentleman". I believe the implications are sufficiently eloquent. I trust this persons fellow students will also come to the conclusion that they also do not know him, he is no gentleman. In England it was called being sent into coventry. At West Point it was known as Silenceing. It amounts to the same, we do not know him, therefore we do not acknowledge his existance.
As I said in another post, the words of Henry V seem very right to apply here.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me this day shall henceforth be my brother.
As a fellow soldier I would be humbly honored to call Pat Tillman my brother. One thing for certain, I will honor my brother's memory.