AMHERST, Mass. -- A University of Massachusetts student has openly criticized Pat Tillman, calling the former NFL player a Rambo-like idiot in the school paper.
The column in question was submitted by graduate student Rene Gonzalez and published Wednesday in the Daily Collegian. It was titled "Pat Tillman is not a hero: he got what was coming to him."
Gonzalez writes that Tillman was a "Rambo" who probably acted out of "nationalist patriotic fantasies." In his own neighborhood in Puerto Rico, according to Gonzalez, Tillman would not have been considered a hero, but a "pendejo," or idiot.
The column drew harsh criticism from many on campus. University president Jack Wilson says the op-ed piece was "disgusting, arrogant and intellectually immature."
Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to join the Army Rangers in 2002, was killed in combat one week ago in Afghanistan. The military announced on Wednesday that he has been posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal and awarded the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.
"You know he was a real Rambo, who wanted to be in the 'real' thick of things," Gonzalez writes in his column, which is posted on the collegiate paper's Web site. "I could tell he was that type of macho guy, from his scowling, beefy face on the CNN pictures. Well, he got his wish. Even Rambo got shot in the third movie, but in real life, you die as a result of being shot. They should call Pat Tillman's army life 'Rambo 4: Rambo Attempts to Strike Back at His Former Rambo 3 Taliban Friends, and Gets Killed.'"
Gonzalez also says that Tillman's service was not "necessary."
"It wasn't like he was defending the East coast from an invasion of a foreign power. THAT would have been heroic and laudable," Gonzalez writes. "What he did was make himself useful to a foreign invading army, and he paid for it. It's hard to say I have any sympathy for his death because I don't feel like his 'service' was necessary. He wasn't defending me, nor was he defending the Afghani people. He was acting out his macho, patriotic crap and I guess someone with a bigger gun did him in."
In a letter to its readers Thursday, the Daily Collegian says Gonzalez' opinion in no way reflects that of the newspaper's editorial board. A column by one of the editors praising Tillman's sacrifice ran in the paper next to the one by Gonzalez.
"We do not hold back from printing news stories, columns or editorials that may upset our readership -- instead, we seek to both inform and stir debate through our publication," the letter, also posted on the Web site, reads. "Our decision to publish Gonzalez's column -- an opinion piece written by a member of our campus community -- is the only way for us to live up to this ideal."
Tillman will be eulogized at a public memorial service in his hometown of San Jose, Calif., early next week, and funeral arrangements are pending.
The body of Tillman arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday. His brother, Spc. Kevin Tillman, also a Ranger with the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, was expected to accompany the body to the funeral home, Lawrence said.
Tillman was killed in a firefight on a road near Sperah, about 25 miles southwest of a U.S. base at Khost.
After coming under fire, Tillman's patrol got out of their vehicles and gave chase, moving toward the spot of the ambush. Beevers said the fighting was "sustained" and lasted 15-20 minutes.
The Cardinals said they will retire Tillman's No. 40 and name the plaza surrounding the new stadium under construction in suburban Glendale the "Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza."
No one ever said free speech had to be intelligent.
This shows me the kid doesn't get it, well a lot of other don't either..."It wasn't like he was defending the East coast from an invasion of a foreign power. THAT would have been heroic and laudable,"
Where do these "pendejo" want us to fight the war on terrorism, in our own front yard. Take it to the them, let them expend thier resourses there not here. The more we destroy there the less they have to throw at us here.
This guy doesn't deserve to get all this attention at the expense of a Man like Mr. Tillman.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
ORIGINAL: logs
No one ever said free speech had to be intelligent.
Ain't that the truth!
He does need a good old fashion a@@ whipping!
Notice he 's from Puerto Rico! I know that America is the worlds great melting pot, and that is a great part of our foundation! But, once your here, you should respect America!
Sounds like this idiot is just here for the free ride!
Whup his butt, and put him on a boat home!
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Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty or Safety!
Ben Franklin
I LOVE my country, I FEAR my government!
If your mother was an abortion proponent, would you be reading this right now?
Notice he 's from Puerto Rico! I know that America is the worlds great melting pot, and that is a great part of our foundation! But, once your here, you should respect America!
Sounds like this idiot is just here for the free ride!
Whup his butt, and put him on a boat home!
Um, Puerto Rico IS a part of the United States. It is a territory. Lots and lots of PRs in the US military. This guy's a loser, but don't smear others who don't desreve it.
He's lucky the US has continued to hold onto Puerto Rico, or else he'd be SOL. The guy obviously doesn't know whom to thank for ensuring the tradition of American democracy. What an Arschloch.
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 24,186
RE: This kid needs a good a@@ whoppin
All I can say is that This individual better thank God that "Rambo like idiots" do what they do, so they can have the right to make such ignorant statments. Stuff like this makes me sick. Tillman did one of the most honorable things I can ever imagine. He gave up millions, and his saftey, to meet the call to duty. This idiot must be a veggitarian, comfortable shoe wearing, feminatzi.[:@][:@][:@][:@][:@][:@]
please excuse my discontent, I cant stand people like this.
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kaafir mushrik
Unintended consequences and God have one thing in common: Liberals don’t believe in either of them.
This kid needs a good a@@ whoppin
