A Consistent Lack of Recollection

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has concluded its 16-month investigation into the events surrounding the friendly-fire death of Pat Tillman ((pictured- thanks cbssports.com)). The purpose of the investigation, looking upward in the chain of command, was to determine who knew "what" when. The Committee cites what they refer to as a "near universal lack of recall" that contributed to a great deal of internal frustration in getting to any kind of ultimate decision.

The Committee interviewed then-Communications Director Dan Bartlett, Press Secretary Scott McClellan, and chief speech writer Michael Gerson. Not a one of them could recall when he learned about the Tillman incident, or what he did in response.

The most classic quote of the whole findings comes from then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld:

“I don’t recall when I was told and I don’t recall who told me.”

Pleasant, don't you think...?

I am asking the next question because I, legitimately, don't know- Was this topic discussed at all in McClellan's new book?

The 51-page document, which also goes into the handling of the Jessica Lynch saga can be found hyah

The Committee, clearly frustrated by the whole process, came up with new information, but no real solutions or recommendations. This is, regrettably, the last we'll hear of this on Capitol Hill.

The report is a challenging read, but a word of warning, the more you read the more you get frustrated yourself with the government and how they lack accountability in situations like this.

This is the bottom line- and the last paragraph:

"The pervasive lack of recollection and absence of specific information makes it impossible for the Committee to assign responsibility for the misinformation in Corporal Tillman’s and Private Lynch’s cases. It is clear, however, that the Defense Department did not meet its most basic obligations in sharing accurate information with the families and with the American public."

Well, duh...

Countdown with Keith Olbermann interviewed Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, on May 9, 2008. Here's the interview, courtesy MSNBC and YouTube.

--Jon Nelson