The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 39

The Journal Vmos Sunday, May 2, 2004 Cf page tar; Steven T. Lovajoy 3v RUSHER Sgt. Tillman would have disagreed Second Opinion The case against Bush BY DON T. FORD This commentary is written in response to Journal Times sportswriter Peter Jacket's article Wednesday titled, "Making Tillman's Legacy Matter." Let me first state that I commend the actions of Pat Tillman and his admirable decision to forgo his high profile civilian status and enlist in the i United States Army, joining a corp of the many who did so before him, and the many whose side he stood by. I salute Corporal E4 Tillman, for he gave the maximum.

He gave his life in the support of his unit, and the army mission. A soldier of dedication, resoluteness, dignity and loyalty. Secondly, having said all of this, let me now address the forementioned article. The sportswriter's opening sentence, "The body of the greatest sports hero who ever lived was routinely tagged, sent to a military mortuary in Dover, Delaware, Monday for processing etc. etc.

Perhaps the writer, as he sat staring at his "blank computer" should have researched sports figures in other wars before he used the label of "the greatest sports hero ever." Six hundred thirty eight former NFL players served in the military during WW II; 19 were killed. Among them: Jack Lummus, Giants, killed in action at Iwo Jima. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Al Blozis, Giants, killed in action two weeks into France. Set the collegiate shot-put record at Georgetown Olympic prospect.

Vietnam War took the life of Bob Kalsu, tackle Buffalo Bills, 101st Airborne. The collegiate ranks had its casualties as well. University of Wisconsin football Ail-American Dave Schreiner, U.S. Army, killed in action, Europe. The most famous was the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner, Nile Kinnick, from the University of Iowa.

Pat Tillman followed other professional, athletes into wartime service: Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox, Marine Pilot, WWII and Korea. Warren Spahn, Boston Braves, Infantryman, Europe. Hank Greenberg, Detroit Tigers, Army. Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians, Coast Guard. Otto Graham, Northwestern, Navy.

Willy Mays, New York Giants, Army. Olle Matson, Chicago Cardinals, Army. Don Heinrich, New York Giants, Army. Appleton, Wisconsin's Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers, wounded in Vietnam. This is just a short laundry list as I am sure it could go on and on.

But this short list includes some very high profile athletes. Some giving their lives but all very courageous in the service of their country. I would suggest The Journal Times sportswriter concern himself with, sportswriter made reference to "blind faith in your leaders will get you killed," and refers to the commander in chief and his cronies irresponsibility's in sending men off to die. I don't think Cpl. Pat Tillman, U.S.Army would appreciate someone calling his leaders irresponsible, especially someone who has never experienced leadership under those conditions or in those kinds of situations.

He just might say, "Judge my leaders only after you have heard the sound of gunfire and tasted the smoke of battle." Don T. Ford is a retired longtime teacher-coach in the Racine Unified School District and was athletic director at Case and Horlick high schools lor 25 years. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for 31 years and is president of the Reserve Officers' Association in Racine County. Letters regarding Peter Jackel's column on Pat Tillman It's a little hard to remember, now, that George H.W.

Bush took a brutal 10-year beating from the American public for calling off our attack on Iraq after he had ousted its troops from Kuwait. He should have finished the job, many said, there and then, by occupying Baghdad and toppling Saddam Hussein from his throne. Now his son is being pounded for doing exactly that. The Bush family's critics are hard to please. Personally I always thought and said that the father's reluctance to press on was understandable; neither Congress nor the United Nations had given him any authority to invade Iraq and topple Saddam, and both would have condemned him mercilessly if he had gone ahead on his own and the coffins had started coming home to Dover Air Force Base.

But not even the congressional authorization for an invasion of Iraq demanded, and received, by George W. Bush has spared him the condemnation of his critics. As Election Day approaches, the denunciations are reaching a crescendo. A flood of "I was there" books and reminiscences has been leaped on by the liberal media and hailed as proof that the president is guilty of every imaginable misdeed lying, deception, miscalculation, indifference and more. And yet, when the charges are studied calmly, it is remarkable how little they add up to.

It's all rather reminiscent of the old definition of philosophy: "Looking, in a dark room, for a black cat that isn't there." Basically, the charges boil down to just two: First, that Bush was not sufficiently attentive in the months before Sept. 11 to signs that Al Qaeda was planning to launch on attack on the United States and therefore bears at least a degree of responsibility for the attacks that did occur; and second, that after Sept. 11 he neglected the war with Al Qaeda in favor of an irrelevant and unnecessary attack on Iraq, which he justified with false charges that it possessed weapons of mass destruction and then pursued with inadequate forces and poor post-war planning. The trouble with the first charge is that nobody has turned up the slightest evidence of any warning that the Bush administration ought to have acted upon. There was a rumor, duly reported, that Osama bin Laden was planning an attack on the United States.

But where and when the attack was to come was, unhappily, not specified. An order from the president to "Defend the United States!" would hardly have afforded us much protection. The second charge requires more parsing. After Sept. 11, Bush promptly ordered our forces to invade Afghanistan, oust its Taliban rulers, and disperse Al Qaeda.

Only when all three of these objectives had been achieved did he launch the attack on Iraq. No doubt Iraq, and the possibility of regime change there, had been on his mind for a long time (as it had also been on President Clinton's). But no move was made until Afghanistan was secured. As for the charge that Bush falsely declared that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, this would be fatal if it were not for one dismally inconvenient fact: The same assertion was made repeatedly, over the years, by the United Nations, the French, Germans and Russians; by every major Democratic politician in the United Statflsuicluding Clinton, Gore, Albright and Berger; by Reps. Pelosi and Waxman; and by Sens.

Daschle, Kennedy, Byrd, Levin, Graham and Kerry (Kerry in a 2002 speech: "(T)he threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is Finally, it is unquestionably true that post-war Iraq offers a painful demonstration of the possibilities of guerrilla warfare in the 21st century. But the idea that there is some uniquely Democratic way to cope with this would be laughable if it weren't so sad. Only unflinching determination in battle never the Democrats' long suit can see us through to victory. William Rusher is a Distinguished Fetow of the Claremont fristrtute for the Study of Statesmanship and PoWcaf Philosophy. Copyright 2004, Nevf paper Enterprise Assn.

and stick to, the selection of the Racine All County Athletes and the recognition of outstanding athletic performances within the city. Forget the naming of such things as the "greatest sports hero With his limited lifetime, and knowledge, he forgets there are other generations. Lastly I found the remainder and majority of the article disturbingly distasteful. Not of its context but of its content. The sportswriter used the death of a soldier to vent his political views and dissatisfaction on foreign policy.

Deriding the soldier's commander in chief in military matters, quoting opposing political party members regarding Vietnam, challenging healthcare, jobs loss, and expenditures for restoring Iraq's economy. This was the most unethical, unprofessional, immature piece of journalism I have ever been exposed to. The column. There is a reason Peter is a sports columnist and it is not to express his political biases. If the editor believes that his opinion is worth printing, then it should be placed in the section reserved for opinion editorials.

The irresponsibility is of both the editors and the columnist and only illustrates the agenda of the newspaper. And for Peter to claim it was said "not as an avowed supporter of any political party, but simply as someone that wants to see the best interests of this nation carried out" is an unashamed lie, foolish, and irresponsible. Eric Kenesie Racine He should be ashamed I read Peter Jackel's Wednesday article referring to Pat Tillman. I was surprised at the twisting of motivations he managed in order to advance his political preferences. I am sure Tillman chose to serve because he thought the actions being taken were right.

Peter Jackel obviously disagrees. It might have been partly palatable if he wrote more about Tillman, but he used the occasion of Tillman's death just to malign Bush in much more than half of his article. Politics aside, I think Peter Jackel should be ashamed of himself. Martin Pleckl ,5913 Regency Hills Racine A great column I just cannot thank you enough for having the courage to say what really needs to be said. That column (Peter Jackel, April 28 Journal Times) should be mandatory material for discussion in every home, school, boardroom, factory, etc.

where any and all rational Americans congregate for work, play, learning or whatever. Bottom line, your article is quite simply one of the best, if not the all-time best articles I have read in The Journal Times. I do not know if there are any printed media awards for best wake-up call for the general public. If there are no such things, a category should be created, even if you are the only one to ever deserve it. Our family was beginning to feel like we were the only people in Racine to really see through the corporate-inspired, Supreme Court-anointed crap being promulgated by King Dubya and his cronies Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rice, Ashcroft, BechteL Halliburton, etc If the general public would only take to heart the words of Ike: "Beware the military-industrial complex!" Growing up in Racine, I used to be proud to be an American.

Ever since I wrote a letter to the editor prior to Reagan's election warning about how the upper class' disrespect for the lower class and the now-disappearing middle class was going to be manifested by defunding education (to keep people ignorant), wiping out jobs at will (to keep people economically vulnerable), and increasing militarism (to maximize profits and eliminate some number of future job seekers), all of these predictions have come to pass in varying degrees. We Americans should not have been surprised by Sept. 11 or any other acts of terrorism committed against the greedy corporations or the morally-bankrupt politicians they select to try to run roughshod over the rest of the world. The terrorists are not after Mr. and Mrs.

America. They are only rebelling against the Roman Empire kind of society America has allowed itself to become. If there are not some really revolutionary changes made to the way this country tries to bully the world while debasing its own members at the same time, I and many others just do not want to live here anymore. If Bush gets reinstalled in November, I hope I win a huge lottery jackpot so that my family, and any other moral, educated persons who want to join us, can get the hell out the garbage dump we used to take pride in calling the United States of America. Thomas F.

Grzyb, 54 Casimlra A. Grzyb, 83 Racine Tillman's vision I read Peter Jackel's column in Wednesday's edition of the newspaper because I thought it would be about Pat Tillman and the rare and true American hero that he is. If I wanted to hear all the whining about how bad Bush is and how wrong it is that we are defending our freedom, I would have turned on CNN or listened to Al Franken. Pat Tillman enlisted after 9-11 specifically to join the Army Rangers, so I would think he had a very clear vision of what his role would be. I don't recall any political stories in the sports pages during the Clinton years.

The inaction of the Clinton White House after the first Trade Center attack and other attacks on American military personnel overseas is a big reason we are in this mess today. The war for oil line is getting old too. If we supposedly have all this oil, why is gas $1.85 per gallon? The entire story should have been about Pat Tillman and how tliere are too few like him. Thank God for our brave men and women who are fighting the bad guys in their back yard. We haven't been attacked since 9-11; it's not too hard to figure out why.

Craig Sklmeti Racine Not very insightful With regard to Wednesday's column by Mr. Jackel may I suggest he remain devoted to sports commentary where he can be insightful and refrain from political commentary in the sports pages where he is not. By using the death of Pat Tillman who obviously does not share Mr. Jackel's foster his own political opinions, Jackel has defiled the life and memory of an American patriot who selflessly answered his country's need. Is it any wonder the loved ones of those killed in this conflict do not want returning coffins viewed and misconstrued for liberal anti-war and political gain.

3308 Rosalind Racme has forgotten that our freedom is not guaranteed. Timothy J. Lafond 5334 Agatha Turn, Racine A voice of reason Finally! A voice of reason in an increasingly insane world. How strange that it appears in the Sports page of all sources in The Journal Times. Peter Jackel's article concerning the death of Pat Tillman takes a stand that shows that at least one media person has at least a modicum of moral value in this increasingly immoral world.

At a time when it is considered, at least by the ruling elite, unpatriotic to question the activities of a rogue government, he has shown a willingness to actually tell it like is. My fear has been that our children in the Middle East are losing their precious lives for absolutely nothing other than to enrich corporations loyal to our king and his court. Jackel, I believe, has finally said what I hope that many Americans are secretly seeing; The emperor is parading around with no clothes. Thank you Mr. Jackel, for showing at least some people who read the Sports page, that there is a newspaper person who is willing to take a stand.

A stand that I only hope will become increasingly popular by the next presidential election. The very future of our nation ill be riding on people like Jackel, who not only see the truth, but are willing to shout it from the rooftops. Thank you again. Bob Hirtton 2717 Wright Racine Can't believe it I just got done reading this story. I can't believe you would print this.

Pat Tillman wanted to fight the war on terror. After 911 he signed up and gave up a fortune with the full knowledge that he might die for his country. Why can't Jackel write this for the Opinion page? Your paper is so left wing it makes me laugh. If you report the news fair and balanced, you might increase your readership. JeffBurdlck 231 3 Carlisle Racine Irresponsible act I think that Peter Jackel's article regarding Pat Tillman was an irresponsible act by a misinformed and biased reporter serving a specific agenda.

Peter's inability to see past his own biases is telling of his character, or lack there of. To twist the death of an individual, that enlisted to fight specifically against terrorism after the tragedy of September 11, in a way that serves ones own political biases is wrong. To do so in a sports column is plain irresponsible. Peter's exploitation of the death of a soldier, that was an ex-athlete, as a lead into a spewing of liberal biases demeans the death of a hero and poses a question of his character. It's also unfortunate that the editors were not able to notice the lack of connection between the blatant bashing of the president and a sports Stick to Sports Shame on you Peter Jackel! In the past I have enjoyed reading your articles, but your last article on Pat Tillman was disgraceful.

Using this man's death to get your political ideologies across is just plain wrong! Pat Tillman was a man of integrity who left a $3.6 million contract with Arizona to join the Army because he was a man of conviction. he was a selfless man who set a standard so high most of us can't even imagine getting close to. I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone who would give up $3.6 million to fight a war. Obviously he knew the dangers when he went willingly (not thrust) into the war. To take the cause he believed so much in that he gave his life for it and then call it lunacy is about as unpatriotic as it gets.

I have a feeling if Tillman could read your article he would like to show you how hard he could really tackle. He obviously believed in his country and in President Bush. Honor what he stood for. Don't trivialize his death for your political means! Pat Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. In the wake of his death honor his beliefs not yours I think his family, the soldiers that stood by him and especially Pat deserves this.

For the future, write about sports (that's what you do best) keep the politics out (the paper is liberal enough)! God bless the USA and those that fight for her! Yvonne Green Racine Insidious pablum I have never read more misguided and insidious pabulum than the Peter Jackel diatribe which appeared in the Sports section of The Journal Times Wednesday. Former NFL player Pat Tillman died for an honorable cause. Despite Jackel's forgetfulness, on 9-11-2001 a group of al-Qaeda terrorists attacked this country and murdered thousands. Osama Bin Laden and his training bases were in the country of their greatest ally, the Taliban, in Afghanistan. Tillman became an Army Ranger to lay his life on the line to assure that these people did not attack our country again.

He made the ultimate sacrifice. He died for you and for me, and for Jackel. How can this be "misguided" in Jackel's world? Jacket's using Tillman as a talisman for his personal agenda is immoral. Perhaps this is where Jackel should have quoted some rock star and not held up a brave dead soldier as rationale that we should pull back our troops and keep our fingers crossed that nothing bad ever happens again. Tillman believed that fighting al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was a just cause.

Let's respect and honor that. Jackel's using Tillman's death as evidence and support that all is wrong in Jackel's America is offensive. Tillman would not have accepted one word in Jackel's cowardly piece. It is truly sad as one reflects on Washington DCs Memorials on the Mall and at New York City's ground zero, how quickly at feast one of us.