The Tillman Story

The Tillman Story - For a documentary this was a captivating film. It tells the story of professional NFL player Pat Tillman who left behind a Multi Million Dollar contract to join with his brother Kevin to enlist in the US Army’s Rangers. Directed by Amir Bar-Lev it tells the story of a mission in Afghanistan when Tillman was shot in the head. The Military and US government initially said that Tillman was killed in heroic fashion in a firefight with the Taliban members of his platoon were given orders not to reveal what happen even to his brother Kevin who was at the tail end of the convoy. But little by little with lots of questions by his family especially his mom the truth finally came out as to what happen. Although evidence of who knew and how far the cover-up appears to have went all the way to The Bush White House only one 3 Star General was made a scapegoat . Pat knowing that because he was a high profile name that the military would want to use as a recruiting tool if something ever were to happen left written instructions that he did not want a military funeral. The military tried to push the family into signing onto one they refused and he did not have one. It is amazing to think that the US government and military would go to this length to cover-up a friendly fire incident but the United States government like all the worlds government’s is Corrupt and there call for patriotism is as corrupt. I believe before any country commits to a war it should be required to read THE WAR PRAYER by Mark Twain (Look it up really read it). Pat was not regiloius he was a atheist at his funeral service his brother Rich said “ Pat isn’t with God he’s Fucking Dead He wasn’t religious but thank you for thoughts but he’s Fucking Dead” Go see this Film

Stadium Security and Called ID

Stadium Security and Caller ID

I have been refused entry into local stadiums on consecutive days this week. On Tuesday I was refused entry into The New Meadowlands Stadium to see Brazil at USA ( $48.00) and on Wednesday I was refused entry into Red Bulls Arena for the game between Toronto FC and The New York Red Bulls ($22.00) both for refusing a “Security” Pat Down . This is not security it’s a invasion of personal space now I have nothing against security if you want me to pass through a metal detector as much as I don’t like it I would agree to that. but no more a Pat Down is something that should only be allowed if you are getting on a airplane at a airport or you are being arrested no exceptions. Now will I ever change my position on this and give in ? I can answer that question by another story involving Privacy concerns. When Called ID first came out I phoned my Aunt Flo she picked up the phone and said “Hi Bill” I asked “How did you know it was me ? This was my first introduction to Caller ID it upset me big time asking myself “I do not want whoever I am calling to know it’s me before they pick up the phone what is going on here” Caller ID was now a accepted form of intrusion that I wanted no part of how could I avoid this ? After a lawsuit by the ACLU ( I am a 20 Year) member there was a compromise with the phone company that if someone did not want there phone number showing on someone’s Called ID I chose this option. Sometime after this Caller ID was modified so if someone wanted to refuse to accept a call from someone that did chose to hide there number they had that option. All my friends that activated that feature were deleted from my phone book. I looked at it this way “Look when your phone rings answer it you do not need to know who it is before you answer it” But over time as more and more people started to use this feature it got to the point there was no one I could call anymore so I just threw up my hands and said “I give Up” and took off call block from both my home and cell numbers. So could the same thing happen to my view on Stadium Security pat down and again throw up my hands and tell the terrorist that flew those planes into The Work Trade Center “You guys Won I give up” it took me 20 Years to give in to the phone company and Caller ID so the answer is Probably as to when that is a question to be answered in the future. I just finished speaking with the Director of Security of the New Meadowlands Stadium I made good points he made good points. We understood each others Point of View his positions could even influence that decision for me. To do otherwise would make a mockery of the Open minded and diplomatic stances I say I believe in.

The Terrorist Win (let's admit it)

Last night I was refused entry into the New Meadowlands Stadium because I refused to submit to a Pat Down . I offered to empty my pockets but they said no. So I told them in no uncertain terms “You are not putting your hands on Me” to no avail I attempted to enter at two different gates and was told the same thing at both gates “It’s Stadium Policy“. With The US and foreign governments arbitrarily scanning e-mails, cell phone calls, telephone calls of people not suspected of any wrong doing,. The fact that you cannot go anywhere anymore without being on a camera it’s gotten to a point where you can be given a ticket at a red light with no human being anywhere around. The US Prison camp at Guantanamo Bay Cuba that President Obama during the campaign said he would close where people are being held without charges is still open. The President as did his predecessor George Bush has taken the position that he can order the assignation of US citizens suspected of terror crimes. Opposition to Mosque being built in lower Manhattan because of Radical Racial positions has convinced me that The Bad Guys (the terrorist ) have won we are curled up in the corner shaking changing everything we once were and the way we did things because of “security concerns” They must be laughing all over the Muslim world.