Sports as Propaganda: The Death of Pat Tillman

[Sequoia]

As much as we like to think of big-time sports as an escape from the "real" world, there are times when its politically conservative messages must not be ignored. That's why even non-sports fans should be troubled by the militaristic jingoism that accompanied media coverage of former NFL star Pat Tillman's death Thursday night while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.
Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals football team in May 2002 to join the military as an Army Ranger. It was certainly newsworthy that someone earning big money as a pro athlete would give it up to join the military. But left unspoken in the sports media's ample coverage of Tillman is the recognition that most Americans dying overseas joined the military for economic reasons. Even the media that supported the war as a fight for freedom find it amazing that anyone would actually sacrifice money to join the warfare.

In the sports world, there was not a hint of ambiguity as to the merits of the cause in which Tillman lost his life. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated that "like others protecting our freedom around the world, Pat made the ultimate sacrifice." After Tagliabue made his statement at the start of Saturday's NFL draft, the crowd repeatedly chanted "USA, USA." ESPN's NFL Analyst Mark Schlereth stated that "Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice so that the people of the country could be protected."

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http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0426-13.htm

[rangerfan]

1. You're wrong.

To demean the service of Pat Tillman and the other servicemen who have been killed is unconscionable. Most of those who have been killed did not join the military for economic reasons, to believe so shows a great misunderstanding of our military. In doing so you demean my service and the service of my sons.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. He didn't say anything bad about Tillman at all

He was talking about the media. You should retract your statement.

[rangerfan]

4. His comment about most servicemen joining for

economic reasons is way off the mark. That is the comment I was referring to.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. Most people would disagree with that assessment

Studies continually show that our military is predominately made up of poor and working class Americans, many of whom got involved through some form of college tuition plan. The point he's making is that everyone is shocked that someone who not only didn't NEED to enlist, but also forfeited a ton of money by enlisting, still did so. That's the entire point about why Pat Tillman was exceptional. I don't think what the original author said was demeaning in any way, and it was still a critique on the media's portrayal of Tillman's story.

[rangerfan]

6. I've been there and can tell you first hand that

the military is not predominately make up of poor and working class Americans. I would like to see a recent study that confirms your thesis. It may have been true in the past, but no longer.

[tom_paine]

9. Now I don't believe you ever WERE in the military

REAL veterans like myself and Skittles KNOW you are lying.

Stop lying...even worse, stop pretending you were in the military.

It's fucking disgraceful.

Oh, and so you are saying that the military is made of rich guys? Upper Middle Class Chickenhawks? Just who, in your humble and "honest" opinion" is the military primarily made up of.

I accuse you RIGHT HERE, liar.

There is NO WAY you are a veteran.

NO WAY.

Stop lying.

[rangerfan]

12. Believe what you want bud.

I spent 20 years and could care less what you and your arm chair warrior buddies think. I never said the military was made up of rich guys. I said I don't believe most entered the military for economic gain. Maybe the units I served with had more esprit de corps than most and we usually got the cream of the crop where I saw more patriotism and enthusiasm for the job. My last 6 years was in Cav units where I trained many of the new guys coming in and saw more men fired up for the job than anywhere else. Go peddle your sanctimonious crap somewhere else.

[tom_paine]

14. Well, that then I do believe

Hello, fellow veteran. :hi: Apologies for being so hard on you, but we get too many ChickenHawk Trolls who would shit their pants if they got withing 800 miles of Iraq and who never served.

Can I buy you a :beer: at the Enlisted Club, or were you an officer?

I would disagree with you only in that I'd yield and say it was 50-50% patriotism/economics when I was in, in the 80s.

Of course, now that ChickenHawk Cowardly AWOL Bunnypants* Bush has disgraced himself and sent our Brave Fellows to die for a lie while al-Qaeda grows stronger from neglect, many people who would have joined for the economic benefits won't do so to be sent to die for a lie for the Emperor, instead of Defend the Old American Republic, as it was when we were in service.

So, I hope you'll forgive me. A :toast: to your 20 years of service and thank you for that service to the Old American Republic.

May this King George meet the same fate as the one 225 years ago and may the Old American Republic be restored and strengthened in the raucous caucus of Liberty!

:toast: :beer:

I'll drink to that and I hope you can too!

(I was in for 4, to be up front about it, but came within one setback of being recalled during the Gulf War I)

[rangerfan]

16. I retired in 1988 but came close to going back in for Gulf War I.

I had "hip-pocket" orders and had to give my employer notice that I was liable for a recall during Gulf War I. Didn't receive any for this go-round, guess they figure I'm past my prime (I would have to agree--lol). I didn't mean to get touchy about it but I just had one son return from Iraq and another flew in B1's in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[0007]

11. I don't think you are not telling us the truth about being in the service.

What branch were you in and how long do you serve?

[rangerfan]

13. See #12

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

15. The military I served in circa 1968

WAS made up mostly of poor and working class men. During the Civil War if you had enough money you could buy your way out of the draft. Wealthy people avoiding service to their country is a tradition long established.
This whole thing in Afghanistan and Iraq is all about money.How many millionaires sons do you think have died so far?

[scottcsmith]

18. I joined for economic reasons

I came from a poor family, so college was out of the question. I enlisted in the Navy in 1986.

Most of the people I knew and served with came from middle-class (and lower) backgrounds. Maybe that's just how it was in the 1980s.

Anyway, welcome aboard, Rangerfan. It's always an honor to have another veteran join the ranks here at DU.

[Skittles]

8. IT'S TRUE

many, many people join the service due to economic reasons - probably most of them. I'm a veteran too and I know. And pointing it out is NOT demeaning their service OR yours.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Yeah, as a huge sports fan and Democrat

It really creeped me out the excessive amount of propaganda thrown out on behalf of an unwilling Pat Tillman. The man was a hero and did the right thing, but things got a little too far...

[leftistagitator]

7. Well, one thing about Tillman is

He joined after 9/11, to protect this country from a legitimate threat. Now I know many in here don't believe in the official story about 9/11, but please at least have empathy for those who do. We had just been attacked, presumably by a foreign power, and he wanted to do his part to ensure the safety of his people and way of life. Iraq was the first serious clue that * did not care about 9/11 and about the American people and principles, Tillman couldn't have known that at the time he joined up. Not that the media isn't playing this up for propaganda purposes, I just think what Tillman did was pretty noble.

[Torgo4]

17. I Really Admired Tillman!

As an Army Vet that enlisted after college to fight Iran post-Hostage Crisis, I think Tillman showed a lot of class and quiet patriotism we could use more of today.
He gave up more than 99% of USA population will ever have, to eat mud with his fellow Americans in a fight he believed in!!

Hope he serves as an example of being a real Amercian, as opposed to the image-grabbing, chickenhawks fukking things up in Iraq!!

[pfitz59]

10. Logical Pat Tillmann tie-in.....

Which Bush offspring has signed up to serve? The twins? John Ellis junior? The model? Which child of the elite is willing to go yard with Mr. Tillman? I'm waiting, Mr. Pretzeldent! Shit, where are A-Rod and Jeter? I say scrub the Bush donor list and call out every single draft-age Sports millionaire and put the question to them? "If you support Bush, why not take the ultimate gamble?" Ted Williams did it, twice! Shit, A-Rod's batting .150... he's likely to improve playing for the "Bahgdad Bullets"!