It's a Mad, Mad World My Masters

The US Department of Defense release 488-07 "Detainee Transfer Announced" is just another bureaucratic piece of bumf - it tells the witing world that tow nameless detainees are leaving Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for Afghanistan and Morocco.

No name, no explanation - except that The Department of Defense has determined -- through its , "comprehensive review processes" -- that approximately 80 detainees at Guantanamo ***are eligible for transfer or release.

Compared with this bald highly uninformative announcement, it is worth taking the time to read Pages 49-61 of the Inspector General's review of "Matters related to the Death of Cpl P Tillman" Report No IPO2007E001 dated March 26th 2007, which provides mind boggling detail of how Pat Tillman had the back of his head blown off by friendly fire and was awarded the Silver Star *** - especially interesting is the history of the 2 supporting Valorous Award witness statements. (One comical element is that they redact (black out) the name of Pat Tillman's father but refer to him as such)

As an observer it is almost impossible to comprehend how a nation that can snatch people, waft them around the world, torture them, make them disappear in conditions of unbelievable secrecy can then examine it's navel in such delicate detail and with such forensic skill when their "hero" making PR edifice is exposed.

The comparisons with Hitler's Germany everyday become closer.

Footnote

At the time of Pat Tillman's death the Silver Star was awarded as described in

AR 600-8-22 February 25th 1995
The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

It was Revised AR 600-8-22 issued December 11th 2006

The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

***For more information on the Guantanamo prisoners visit cageprisoners