Tillman's uniform was burned, his journal vanished

[slimmouse]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>We can speculate, but I don't think shooting one's self in the chest -- even twice -- is a clearcut indication that he was suicided.<br><hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br> The above statement notwithstanding, I asked you a question previously regarding your name, which you promised to answer once floyd had answered yours vis a vi his religious beliefs.<br><br> Im not sure thats relevant or whether he's answered, but dare I be so ingenous as to ask again ? <p></p><i></i>

[Floyd Smoots]

But I really don't care about pp's beliefs. He is intelligent, but has chosen the far side, from my POV. Ergo, I may have my own opinion about his belief system, but, I choose not to bother the board with it. You will, however note, that I, while not being in the spiritual favour of everyone here, do not attempt to obfuscate, nor hide my own.<br><br>I've blogged it before, and I'll blog it again. If you want to know what I think, or believe, concerning "Life, the Universe, and Everything", just ask me, and I'll openly tell you. You don't have to believe in what I believe. You don't have to agree with the tenets of my self-professed beliefs in Bible-based Christianity. But, I invite you to ask of me anything that you (all) will, and I will do my best to give you an honest answer.<br><br>I will NOT, however, answer stupid "prosecuting attourney-like" questions of this ilk: "Mister Spitbed, I'm going to ask you a 'yes-or-no' question. You must, under oath, answer my question. Have you, or have you not yet stopped beating your wife?". Of course, Mssr. Spitbed, a caring, loving husband, says "Whut????????".<br><br>Got the troll-hating, sometimes-baiting-back picture, dear readers/lurkers/posters??? But, in order to NOT hijack this righteous thread about the sad fate of Patrick Tillman, I WOULD ask, out of respect for his family, and his memory, that you start a new thread to the tune of: What Did Floyd Smoots Know, and WHEN Did He Know It circa 1963 and 1972? Okay?<br><br>May God bless you Patrick, wherever you are.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[professorpan]

Okay, you asked. <br><br>But first, Floyd has more than once accused me of being anti-Christian. I asked him to back up his slander against me, and he ducked and ran. Make of that what you will. I have never slandered Christians, or Buddhists, or Taoists, or Muslims, or Wiccans, or anyone other than hypocrites and fundamentalists.<br><br>My beliefs are all over the place, but I'll try to give a brief summation.<br><br>First and foremost I am a humanist. I'll quote from Wikipedia:<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity, particularly rationality. Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated into some religious schools of thought.<br><br>Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. In focusing on our capacity for self-determination, humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse a recognition of a universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural problems cannot be parochial.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>However, I also have a strong mystical streak. I have had transcendent experiences that have convinced me of the innate, profound intelligence built into the fabric of our universe. Some might call it God -- and to me, that word is fine if you want to use it. I think it's a loaded word, so I prefer not to use it. <br><br>I find great meaning in the life and words of Jesus, which is why smears like Floyd's piss me off. I'm not a "Christian," but my guiding principles are identical to what was preached by Jesus -- love for other human beings, forgiveness, and compassion for the poor, the sick, and the oppressed. I am astounded at how such simple teachings have been perverted into what currently passes as "Christianity," especially of the fundamental stripe (not to mention self-professed Christians who like to tell people to eat shit and die and fantasize about violence).<br><br>I also find much truth in Taoism, Buddhism, and Islam, especially the mystic prophets and poets such as Rumi. I am a firm believer in the Perennial Philosophy that Huxley wrote about -- the idea that the core of all religions is love for other people.<br><br>I think the natural world has much to teach us, and I value science as a key tool to understanding the universe and our place in it. <br><br>I have always been a social activist, beginning with my involvement in the antinuclear movement in the 1980s and continuing to my current activities against the Bush cult. My activism is in accordance with my humanist and ethical principles. I believe in the peaceful nonviolent activism advocated by Thoreau, Gandhi, and MLK. I do not believe in physical violence except in self-defense. My non-violent principles extend to animals, and I've long been an advocate for the humane treatment of animals.<br><br>I try to lead a positive life, to stay optimistic, to be rigorous in my own self-examination and criticism, and to speak the truth to the best of my ability. I fail regularly, but I try to remain aligned to my principles.<br><br>As for the name "Pan," it has many associations for me. I have always been fascinated by the God Pan, and his associations with the Earth, trickery, lust, music, and so forth. I wrote a short story long ago about a character named Professor Pan, and it became my screen name in the mid-90s. <br><br>Many people -- including Floyd, but not limited to him -- assume that my screen name means I'm a pagan, a devil worshipper, or a Satanist. That make me laugh, and it just shows how silly it is to make assumptions based on limited knowledge.<br><br>So there. Of course, I could be lying, and I could spend my nights sacrificing virgin children and offering their souls to the devil. But, as I told Floyd recently, I have a long trail in cyberspace, and I've always been very clear and open about my beliefs, and I have a big mouth, so it's not hard to do a little research and see that my principles have been consistent throughout. <p></p><i></i>

[slimmouse]

<br><br> I think that youre comment re "christianity" mirror both mine ( and to be fair to him - floyds)<br><br> We all have moments of frustration. All part of the learning process I guess.<br><br> Pan, As I understand him, is the male form (half if you will) of Mother Earth.<br><br> The manifestation of the physical from the Universal Consciousness. The slowing down of the vibrational frequencies of energy to almost base form.<br><br> This is where "religion" and "Satanism" and all that dont really gel with me these days. I now see this whole perversion of the nature of Lucifer to be ( yes, youve guessed it - yet another ruse/ deception).<br><br> Lucifer is to my mind but the physical manifestion of the spiritual. Indeed, we are the beast. There are some interesting things to be found in the mathematics of the Universe that would confirm this. <br><br> This to me forms part of that which the "Secret societies" dont want us to know. Not that too many of the lackeys within the framework of such societies know this either !<br><br> The Egyptians of course, were fully au fait with much of this as were the Greeks later. We might be more au fait with such things ourselves, but of course the destruction of the Library at Alexandria helped take care of much of that !<br><br> <br>That isnt to say that dark entities arent out there. I also believe that thought truly creates, and with so much fear being given to our thoughts out there, is it any real wonder ? <p></p><i></i>

[professorpan]

You're welcome, Slim. <br><br>Now will Floyd respond, or run away as he has done in the past? I think he owes me an apology for accusing me of being anti-Christian and aligning me with "dark" ideologies, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for it.<br><br>And I'm sorry this thread got derailed into personal issues, but I finally got fed up with the slander and false accusations. <p></p><i></i>

[Qutb]

"Lucifer is to my mind but the physical manifestion of the spiritual. Indeed, we are the beast. There are some interesting things to be found in the mathematics of the Universe that would confirm this."<br><br>Balderdash. <br> <p></p><i></i>

[resonantmonkey]

Well, if the assailants weapon was set to a "3-round burst"; three bullets would hit the target almost simultaneously, giving a tight ring, and of course, killing Tillman.<br>I would like to get my eyes on a ballistic report, to determine what caliber of weapon was used. <br>There is also this: The Soviets designed the AK-47 to be able to fire NATO (read Western) ammunition, in conjunction with Soviet ammo. This was because, when the Soviets ran out of ammo pushing back the hordes of capitalist invaders, they could pick up a NATO gun, and put the ammo into theirs. Now, don't try to use Soviet ammo in your M-16, or you'll be a training film for the military. This could add a whole area of grey turning to black, if they found out it was American ammo fired from an old AK.<br>As far as personal beliefs, let's just split the thread, k? <p></p><i></i>

[Qutb]

rm, ordinary ak-47s can't fire NATO rounds. How would that work anyway? M4/M16 use a smaller calibre - you'd need a separate barrel. Russian manufacturers are making modern ak's today that do, but they don't fire the old ak round of course. I doubt there are many of those in Afghanistan. <p></p><i></i>

[Iroquois]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Well, if the assailants weapon was set to a "3-round burst"; three bullets would hit the target almost simultaneously, giving a tight ring, and of course, killing Tillman.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>A 3 round burst does seem to make the most sense, whether it was three rounds fired in full-auto mode or from a 3 round burst mode. But it still doesn't sound easy. Even in a 3 round burst, even even at short range, putting three closely spaced rounds in someone's forehead would be difficult. To say the least the shooter wouldn't have been moving. I'd think he'd have to be close (close enough to easily identify who he was shooting) and, unless he was at extremely close range, he'd have his rifle steadied somehow like from a position where he could rest the rifle on something. <p></p><i></i>