Rumsfeld Defends Self on Tillman

[JLB]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-na-tillman2aug02,0,2143537.story?coll=la-home-center

[JLB]

WASHINGTON -- Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld distanced himself today from the Army's handling of Ranger Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire, but denied charges that the Bush administration covered up the incident so that it could use the former NFL star's death to rally public morale about the war in Iraq.

Once the Army began investigating who suppressed details of the April 22, 2004, incident that killed Tillman in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said, he deliberately asked no questions to avoid exercising undue command influence over the process.

"Obviously, as the secretary of Defense one feels terrible that a situation like that is being handled in a way that is unsatisfactory," Rumsfled said. "I wasn't in position to give direction without risking command influence."

In his first appearance before Congress since leaving office last year, Rumsfeld acknowledged that the case was botched, saying, "The Tillmans were owed the truth."

But Rumsfeld denied "any evidence of a coverup" by the White House or the Pentagon. "I know that I would not engage in a coverup," he said. "I know that no one in the White House suggested such a thing to me."

[shiva2999]

WASHINGTON -- Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld distanced himself today from the Army's handling of Ranger Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire, but denied charges that the Bush administration covered up the incident so that it could use the former NFL star's death to rally public morale about the war in Iraq.

Once the Army began investigating who suppressed details of the April 22, 2004, incident that killed Tillman in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said, he deliberately asked no questions to avoid exercising undue command influence over the process.

"Obviously, as the secretary of Defense one feels terrible that a situation like that is being handled in a way that is unsatisfactory," Rumsfled said. "I wasn't in position to give direction without risking command influence."

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

"As the boss I try not to know what my people are doing because that would look like I'm taking my job as the boss seriously".

What complete horseshit and anyone that's ever read Plan of Attack would have seen someone 180 degrees the opposite of this baloney position.