Herb Silverman
President, Secular Coalition for America

Herb Silverman

Silverman is Founder and President of the Secular Coalition for America, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the College of Charleston.

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Honor Tillman, not McChrystal

Q: In the wake of Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's dismissal as chief commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Congress is evaluating our policy and presence there. Is it time for the U.S. to get out of Afghanistan? Do we have a moral responsibility to stay or to leave?

If Gen. McChrystal's dismissal hastens our exit from Afghanistan, that might be his best contribution to the war. McChrystal should have been dismissed in 2004, when, as head of Special Operations command in Afghanistan, he aided in the cover-up of Army Ranger Pat Tillman's death. Those in charge knew from the beginning that Tillman did not die in battle, but they perpetrated this story because they wanted to make the former football star a recruitment tool and poster boy for soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives while fighting the enemy.

Pat Tillman died from "friendly fire," one of my least favorite euphemisms. It took more than a year, through the persistence of his family, for even such a partial truth to come out. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Kauzlarich, under whom Tillman was serving at the time of his death, led a 2006 second investigation into Tillman's death. Knowing that Tillman and family members did not believe in God, Kauzlarich said, "These people have a hard time letting it go. It may be because of their religious beliefs." He added, "When you die, I mean, there is supposedly a better life, right? Well, if you are an atheist and you don't believe in anything, if you die, what is there to go to? Nothing. You are worm dirt. So for their son to die for nothing and now he is no more... I do not know how an atheist thinks, I can only imagine that would be pretty tough."

To Kauzlarich's credit, he acknowledged that there are atheists in foxholes. To the discredit of our military and political leaders, Kauzlarich was never disciplined for his insensitive and hurtful remarks.

I'm not inclined to believe in conspiracies, but there's some evidence that the friendly fire may not have been so friendly. Specialist Bryan O'Neal, nearest to Tillman when he was killed, told investigators that Tillman was waving his arms shouting again and again, "Cease fire, friendlies, I am Pat Tillman, damn it!" The doctors who examined Tillman's body, and whose names were blacked out in the inquiry report, told investigators that a tight grouping of three bullet holes would be surprising in friendly fire. The bullet holes were so close together that Tillman was likely cut down by an M-16 fired from just 10 yards away. When one of the doctors asked the Army's Criminal Investigation Division if they would consider opening a criminal case, he was rebuffed.

The sloppy investigations led to rumors that Tillman was killed because of his religious beliefs or his open opposition to the wars then being fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Absent further evidence, I'm willing to accept that so-called friendly fire was, indeed, responsible for his death

Still, I think our leaders should have taken Tillman's advice to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2004. I never thought I'd see a day when I would compare any aspect of the Vietnam War favorably to another war. That day has arrived. The Vietnam War lasted for eight years; the Afghanistan War is approaching its ninth year. We can't begin our withdrawal in 2004, but we can begin today.

By Herb Silverman  |  June 29, 2010; 4:07 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
Previous: The ethics of a prudent exit from Afghanistan | Next: Afghanistan: Give it four months

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Thomas Paul Moses Baum,

"Being chosen by God to be a spokesperson came as "quite a surprize" but also meeting God and meeting satan were also "quite a surprize", as I have said before, I used to believe in God and now since God has revealed Himself to me, I "know" that God Is."

Hey, sing it to me soul sister; I was in Starbucks yesterday, and who should walk in but King Arthur, Davey Crocket, Robin Hood, and William Tell.

They asked me to go on a quest with them, but hey, I had things to do, places to go, people to see, so I told them to get in touch with you, just in case your god-thing goes south on you.

Let me know if anything shakes out with that.

Always wipe front to back - never back to front.

Insincerely, Peregrine Bartleby Rumpelstiltskin Solus

Posted by: PSolus | July 6, 2010 12:21 PM
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jontomus

You wrote, "As long as you keep this drivel to yourself, as long as you and your kind keep your hands off of my life and the lives to those who don't believe the utter swill you believe .. who cares what you say, what you believe?"

First off, I am not "keeping" this to myself, God chose me to speak, therefore, I will speak.

Second, it seems as if you "care" and that it bothers you, since you wrote "As long as you keep this drivel to yourself,".

Who are you to tell me or anyone else what they can say or not say?

As I have said, it is God's Plan that ALL be with God in God's Kingdom.

There are those that believe that ultimately life is meaningless, there are those that believe that God's Plan is "horrific news" and there are those that believe that God's Plan is truly "GOOD NEWS".

Not only is God's Plan "GOOD NEWS", God chose me to "Proclaim this GOOD NEWS".

See you and the rest of humanity in the Kingdom.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 6, 2010 11:01 AM
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PSolus

You wrote, "You have included yourself in that company; you can't blame me for your mental illness."

Actually, it is God Who included me in the company of those He has revealed Himself to, it is some people who have concluded that those that have had any type of revelation from God as being "mentally ill", is it not?

You then wrote, "Yes, you have mentioned that imaginary friend before; so you say that he also chose to become mentally ill?"

Whether you believe it or not, what I wrote so plainly was that God chose to become One of us.

You then wrote, "Well, good for you; I'm sure that it makes you feel quite special, doesn't it?"

It makes me realize that we are all "special", it is just that I have a specific "job" given to me by God.

I wrote, ""...it came as quite a surprise to me.""

You responded, "I'm sure it did; it would come as quite a surprise to me also,"

Being chosen by God to be a spokesperson came as "quite a surprize" but also meeting God and meeting satan were also "quite a surprize", as I have said before, I used to believe in God and now since God has revealed Himself to me, I "know" that God Is.

As I have also said before, God is neither a He, a She nor an It but is a Being of Pure Love, even tho God-Incarnate was a Male, I use the maculine pronoun because it is convenient to use a pronoun.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 6, 2010 10:44 AM
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Sounds like the Tillman story is just starting to stink. Hopefully more of the truth will come out.

Posted by: veginpost | July 4, 2010 1:14 PM
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just downloaded the torrent of an old favorite: Life Of Brian.

Do you Christians have any idea of just how foolish, how juvenile, how petty you are?

Posted by: jontomus | July 3, 2010 9:44 PM
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THOMASBAUM, you and I will be rotting together in the earth somewhere, someday. You will never have to know what a fool you were to have believe so sincerely in your santa claus.

should I make the effort today, while we're still both alive and crapping, to show you how foolish you are for believing in the nonsense infecting you currently?

nah, go ahead and believe in this nonsense. How does it affect me, how does it pick my pocket or break my leg ... do you know from where I get that?


As long as you keep this drivel to yourself, as long as you and your kind keep your hands off of my life and the lives to those who don't believe the utter swill you believe .. who cares what you say, what you believe?

You are going to be worm food, whether you can accept that or not. So .. uh, take care, be ready.

Posted by: jontomus | July 3, 2010 9:29 PM
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Thomas Paul Moses Baum,

"Why thank you, I appreciate the compliment."

Umm... sure, no problem.

"Yes, there is a history, whether long or not, of people that have been thought "mentally ill" by others including God-Incarnate, so I do appreciate you including me in this company."

You have included yourself in that company; you can't blame me for your mental illness.

"Of course in Jesus's case, He chose to become One of us,..."

Yes, you have mentioned that imaginary friend before; so you say that he also chose to become mentally ill?

"...I was chosen by God to be one of His spokespersons,..."

Well, good for you; I'm sure that it makes you feel quite special, doesn't it?

"...it came as quite a surprise to me."

I'm sure it did; it would come as quite a surprise to me also, if I were the one lucky enough to have been chosen. I am so envious of you.

"See you in the Kingdom, along with all of the rest of humanity."

As I said before, I can't wait.

Close cover before striking match.

Insincerely, Peregrine Bartleby Rumpelstiltskin Solus

Posted by: PSolus | July 3, 2010 1:49 PM
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PSolus

You wrote, "There is a long history of the mentally ill claiming to have been "chosen by god". You are in some very bizarre company."

Why thank you, I appreciate the compliment.

Yes, there is a history, whether long or not, of people that have been thought "mentally ill" by others including God-Incarnate, so I do appreciate you including me in this company.

Of course in Jesus's case, He chose to become One of us, I was chosen by God to be one of His spokespersons, it came as quite a surprise to me.

See you in the Kingdom, along with all of the rest of humanity.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 3, 2010 9:56 AM
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Thomas Paul Moses Baum,

"Whatever gave you the idea that I am "so frightened" by what others believe or don't believe?"

I can be quite perceptive when I want to be.

"I was not in the least speaking about Sam Harris or anyone else's "theoretical effects" on this world,..."

Yes you were; here is what you wrote:

"This proverbial "we" just might "heed Sam Harris" and if you think that the world is a mess now, just wait and see."

"Why should anyone else's "opinion" scare someone,..."

You tell me.

"...God chose me to speak, therefore I at least try to speak."

There is a long history of the mentally ill claiming to have been "chosen by god". You are in some very bizarre company.

"Don't worry, one day you will find out that God Is and God's Kingdom is for all."

Sure I will. I can't wait.

Brush and floss thoroughly, at least twice a day.

Insincerely, Peregrine Bartleby Rumpelstiltskin Solus

Posted by: PSolus | July 2, 2010 4:38 PM
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PSolus

You wrote, "If you really believed that, you would not be so frightened of non-believers like Sam Harris and the theoretical effects that they could have on this world."

Whatever gave you the idea that I am "so frightened" by what others believe or don't believe?

I was not in the least speaking about Sam Harris or anyone else's "theoretical effects" on this world, I was speaking of when God lifts His Spirit from this world and satan has free rein.

You then wrote, "But you are frightened of them because you know that they are real, while your "god" and your "kingdom" exist only in your mind."

This is kind of a absurd statement, sure he is real, he is a fellow human being with an opinion and his opinion, seems to me anyway, is that ultimately, all is meaningless, is that not right?

Why should anyone else's "opinion" scare someone, even tho he is wrong, he is entitled to his opinion.

I am not "frightened" by his or anyone else's opinion concerning God but it does seem that some atheists are "deathly afraid" that some people could have the audacity to continue to believe in God rather than to kowtow to their brand of "enlightenment".

It doesn't matter to me if someone believes or doesn't believe in God, God chose me to speak, therefore I at least try to speak.

There are those that try to "cram" God down other people's throats and there are also those that try to cram their "disbelief" in God down other people's throats, I don't see much difference between the two.

Don't worry, one day you will find out that God Is and God's Kingdom is for all.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 2, 2010 3:57 PM
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Thomas Paul Moses Baum,

"I take it that when you say, "your imaginary god's "plan"", you are referring to God's Plan which God has had since before creation, so the answer is NO."

"I also take it here that when you say, "your imaginary "kingdom"", you are referring to God's Kingdom and as I have said, "God's Kingdom is for ALL", ALL meaning ALL."

If you really believed that, you would not be so frightened of non-believers like Sam Harris and the theoretical effects that they could have on this world.

But you are frightened of them because you know that they are real, while your "god" and your "kingdom" exist only in your mind.

You are now free to move about the cabin.

Insincerely, Peregrine Bartleby Rumpelstiltskin Solus

Posted by: PSolus | July 2, 2010 2:30 PM
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PSolus

You asked, "Would this upset your imaginary god's "plan"?"

I take it that when you say, "your imaginary god's "plan"", you are referring to God's Plan which God has had since before creation, so the answer is NO.

You also asked, "Would you then not see the proverbial "we" in your imaginary "kingdom"?"

I also take it here that when you say, "your imaginary "kingdom"", you are referring to God's Kingdom and as I have said, "God's Kingdom is for ALL", ALL meaning ALL.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 2, 2010 1:37 PM
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You may believe it was friendly fire but three bullets in the head at a distance far enough away that the shooters could not identify Tillman is all anyone should need to open a criminal investigation, not unlike the time that an entire company of Ohio soldiers was wiped out by people who were dressed as friendly Iraqi police or army.

Posted by: repudar711 | July 1, 2010 9:05 PM
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Thomas Paul Moses Baum,

"This proverbial "we" just might "heed Sam Harris" and if you think that the world is a mess now, just wait and see."

Would this upset your imaginary god's "plan"?

Would you then not see the proverbial "we" in your imaginary "kingdom"?

Beginning to sound better and better.

Contents of package may have settled during shipping.

Insincerely, Peregrine Bartleby Rumpelstiltskin Solus

Posted by: PSolus | July 1, 2010 6:27 PM
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There is absolutely no purpose, articulated or not, to our continued presence in Afghanistan! Perhaps, and its a big perhaps, we had some basis for attacking Afghanistan after 9/11; and I was happily surprised at our relative success ... and if we had captured or killed Ben Laden; that could have been a good ending! But 9 years later and billions of dollars and thousands of lives lost; having failed to get Bin Laden, there is no reason, purpose, or excuse to keep doing this thing! Every action has decreased the stability of Pakistan and created at least 2 potential terrorists for every "insurgent" murdered; both increase our danger, not reducing it! And by the way, an insurgency requires a government accepted by the people of the country in question and has nothing to do with an invading, occupying force being opposed! We are the invading, occupying force supporting a corrupt government that is perceived and probably is a puppet of the US; therefore they are not insurgents, they are freedom fighters!!

Surely we have killed enough to sate our blood lust, surely our military has collected enough ribbons and got to play with their toys enough, surely our military industrial parasites have made enough blood money, and surely our chicken-hawk politicians have done enough to prove they are mighty warriors and not cowards with other priorities! Stop borrowing money to destroy lives, to waste ever more goods and services, and stop the pandering to insane politicians only wanting to posture and preen for political gain!

Posted by: CHAOTICIAN101 | July 1, 2010 4:54 PM
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PS: G-R-E-A-T- -- J-O-B -- K-A-F-i-R's!

WE [i] Apocalyptarian Nations (NOt Pre-Apocalyptarian) Salute All, Every & Any "Leadership(s) & Those whom [Did-NOt] Died for 'trying' to FUTURE-ize a Backward "Barbarian' Satanic-Versus Addicted Peoples possessed with 2, 3, 4 or more Faces! AND

Whom 'tried' to show such Backward iSlami's, inflicted with dangerous levels of acute "Religio-Jealousy-Psychosis" + "Pre-Apocalyptic-Syndrome" + "Double/Triple-Standards-Psychosis" + more sickness's how Sick They really Are.

Note: Idol worshipper Alexander The Great (aka SON of Mankind; Not Yeshua & CO.) tamed what was once a Pagan/Idol Worshipping (Pre-Islami) Barbarian (Afghani) People. But Islam Worshippers is different. Especially in a Post-Electric post-Nuke era. But, WE [i] can still Tame Them. But i [WE] can't reveal (on this Internet) HOW (to kill them without shooting a shot).

Yet; here is Holyi-HOPE'. aka al Mighty-HOPE. Example: Look at today's Miraculous Israel. And Miraculous Vietnam. O' how they hath been evolving still today.

See see, THERE's a "Sanity" to all this Insanity! Mr. G.W. Bush might be right when he said, in the Future, people will look back and realize that Todays War=Effort was for the RIGHTeous way!" [Similar, but Freudianly said].

So, Holyi "H-O-P-E" is OUR [Kafir] RELiGION! Wherefore: YE (Kafirs & NOt Kafirs) must Believe, in the HOlyi-COsmic-FEeler's-FAith/Religion!; or else Perish (for not having visions). "WE R' THE WORLD!" NOt Arabs, Not Afghani's, Not Turks, Not Syrians, Not Iranians.. NO Islami's & Co.!

REQUEST: All Kafir's Must Help The good-KURDs secede from East-Turkey & help Establish a "UNiTED-STATES of KURD" Nation. (Unite Iraqi, Irani, Syriani & Turki) KURD Tribes/People. If That parts of Earth/World Want Genuine Peace! AND

REQUEST: All Kafir's must Help the good-AHMADIIYAs people secede From the PAKiSTANs, thus helping them to establish a "UNiTED STAES of AHMADDIYYA" Nation.

VOTE: To Save The good-KURDS before they get HOLOCAUSTED by the Satanic-VersUS loving WAHHABi + AYATOLLAh fanatic Ummah (Elders Of AL Taqiyah: aka Islamic Zionism; but for World Domination. Hopes?). And Vote: To Save the good-AHMADIYYA from meeting the same fate.

PS: VOTE: Abolish; or to Wipe-Off, from The Face Of This Holyi NEBULA-Built S.pace-S.hip Earth; ALL, Every & Any "THEOCRACY" + "MONARCHY"!

iMportant: If any American Kafir(s) & Friendly's think they 'Lost The War-Effort" (To Future-ize FundaMENTAL nuts) Over-Seas; then DO-NOt despair! We [i] can always Win against Islami's Locally here. Justly Remind all None-Kafir Umah that They R' an Imported (NOt made in America) Religion System; and therefore can be Tamed or changed or ousted HERE; NOt there! Hence Holyi-H-O-P-E!

Posted by: good-bad-n-ugly | July 1, 2010 12:20 PM
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bomhard

You wrote, "When are we going to heed Sam Harris and bring and end to faith and all of the poison that goes along with it?"

I am not sure who the proverbial "we" are that you speak of but I am not one of the "we".

This proverbial "we" just might "heed Sam Harris" and if you think that the world is a mess now, just wait and see.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | July 1, 2010 11:57 AM
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The whole handling of the Tillman cover up was disgraceful. Because of McChrystal's involvement, some people feebly protested his app't as head of NATO troops in Afghanistan. The doubters were right. I hope in Tillman's honor we can finally get out of the mess.

Posted by: Afraid4USA | July 1, 2010 8:34 AM
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I support Obama's decision. Military is a military. All the civic statements about stress and circumstances have nothing to do with the military code and subordination. What McChrystal has done (in a non-political sense) is a shame for any officer.

I also wonder if Obama is doing the right thing, appointing the W's man to what seems to be the most important military post in the country.

Btw, given all this situation with McChrystal's retirement, Petraeus appointment and the whole shift of the
Afghan strategy, I wonder what would happen to the MI-7 deal. U.S. military planned to purchase few Russian utility helicopters, as long as they were proved to be much more suitable and reliable in Afghanistan, than the Blackhawks (and cheaper as well).

Senators Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala., ex D.-Ala.) and Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), lobbying the interests of Defense Solution group, however, questioned the necessity of this deal (source — http://www.win.ru/en/topic/4767.phtml), having offered to give the contract to some "good ole American guys" rather than Russians with their "doubtful democratic identity". The decision-making process should be up in the air by now. I kinda wonder how it all would turn out.

Posted by: last_boy_scout | July 1, 2010 8:10 AM
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If Pat Tillman were, indeed, killed because of his religious beliefs, it would be yet another case added to millions upon millions of others over the past several millennia of wrongdoing in the name of God. When are we going to heed Sam Harris and bring and end to faith and all of the poison that goes along with it?

Posted by: bomhard | June 30, 2010 6:05 PM
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Shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush claimed that America would be fighting a “crusade” against terrorism. The implication was that this is a religious war. Nearly a decade later, this continues to be a religious war.

As long as people are convinced that God is on their side and that when they die they will go to eternal paradise we will continue to be at war with someone for something. This mentality effectively makes all wars religious wars.

You can read the rest of my response to this topic:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8928-Philadelphia-Atheism-Examiner~y2010m6d30-On-Faith-Reevaluating-the-Afghanistan-War

I will be responding to every issue posted in the 'On Faith' section. If you would like to be notified when my new response is up, please subscribe.

Posted by: dangeroustalk | June 30, 2010 4:36 PM
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There is wonderful article in today's Huffington Post that is very relevant to the Pat Tillman story. The article is titled "Monster: Who Really Killed the Knoxville Unitarians" which can be accessed at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/monster-who-really-killed_b_115363.html

It is stunning to believe that Tillman may have been killed for his lack of belief in the supernatural, but if he was, this article puts the finger on those responsible.

Posted by: freethought | June 30, 2010 11:56 AM
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I definitely agree with Professor Silverman that we need to withdraw from Afghanistan and the sooner the better. With all of the extremely pressing economic and environmental problems on the planet, this is no time to be wasting resources (human and otherwise) and money on wartime endeavors.

Posted by: jonesm2 | June 30, 2010 10:58 AM
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Thanks, Herb. It's time to move ahead to a rational foreign policy for the 21st Century.

Posted by: MyraRubinstein | June 30, 2010 10:48 AM
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