AP: Startling findings in Tillman probe

[madokie]

By SCOTT LINDLAW and MARTHA MENDOZA, Associated Press Writers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061109/ap_on_re_us/inquest_for_a_warrior

In a remote and dangerous corner of Afghanistan, under the protective roar of Apache attack helicopters and B-52 bombers, special agents and investigators did their work. They walked the landscape with surviving witnesses. They found a rock stained with the blood of the victim. They re-enacted the killings — here the U.S. Army Rangers swept through the canyon in their Humvee, blasting away; here the doomed man waved his arms, pleading for recognition as a friend, not an enemy.

"Cease fire, friendlies, I am Pat (expletive) Tillman, damn it!" he shouted, again and again.

The latest inquiry into Tillman's death by friendly fire should end next month; authorities have said they intend to release to the public only a synopsis of their report. But The Associated Press has combed through the results of 2 1/4 years of investigations — reviewed thousands of pages of internal Army documents, interviewed dozens of people familiar with the case — and uncovered some startling findings.

One of the four shooters, Staff Sgt. Trevor Alders, had recently had PRK laser eye surgery. Although he could see two sets of hands "straight up," his vision was "hazy," he said. In the absence of "friendly identifying signals," he assumed Tillman and an allied Afghan who also was killed were enemy.

[keopeli]

1. I'm happy the shooter has some cover. He's gotta be messed up.

The poor soul is probably messed up for life from this event.

He's not the real problem here.

A soldier with vision problems shouldn't be ordered onto the field.

The military should have had a response much sooner without initial lies.

This report is heavily influenced by the government which uses leaks like these to influence public opinion/perception. A healthy dose of skepticism is warranted.

Leaking this stuff out via the AP is much more palatable to the public than a uniformed officer announcing the finding.

[madrchsod]

2. that report is going to be really damaging

rumsfailed and george are directly responsible....