Rumsfeld: I Didn't Cover Up That Which Would Make Me Look Bad If The Facts Were Known

Just as expected, no one admitted covering up the friendly-fire death of Pat Tillman yesterday.


And, just as expected, the catch phrases were predictable: "Mistakes were made" was the money excuse of the day.

"It was badly handled, and errors were made, but . . . I know that I would not engage in a coverup," Rumsfeld told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Flanked by three current and retired generals, he said: "I know that no one in the White House suggested such a thing to me. I know that the gentlemen sitting next to me are men of enormous integrity and would not participate in something like that."

Ahem. Imagine you're a warmonger in search of a war hero, and adorable little Jessica Lynch refuses to go along with your plan to deceive the public...

The Bush administration initially portrayed his (Tillman's) death as an act of heroism against the enemy. Investigators found that the Army destroyed evidence, such as Tillman's clothes; manipulated the story by saying that he was engaged against the enemy when he died; and drew up a misleading Silver Star citation.

Did anyone really expect Rummy to admit that he covered up that which would make him look bad if the facts were known?


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.