August 1, 2007
Posted: August 1st, 2007 01:40 PM ET

Rumsfeld appeared before a House committee Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told a House committee Wednesday that he doesn't recall when he learned that there was a chance that the death of Army Ranger Cpl. Pat Tillman was the result of friendly fire.

"I don't recall when I was told. I don't remember who told me," Rumsfeld said under questioning by Rep. Tom Davis, the committee's ranking Republican. However, he said that because investigations were ongoing, he didn't make anything public.

"I have a great deal of heartbreak for the Tillman family and the way it was handled, adding to their grief. ... We certainly owe the young men and women better than that."

Filed under: Uncategorized


Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   August 4th, 2007 10:16 am ET

Maybe all this administration should undergo brain scans.If their memoires as so defective how the Hey could they possibly be trusted to govern a Nation?

Another Libby saga..."I don't Remember." The one thing they can count on for sure is, the world remembers and will never forget the names of this Administration, and on that they can bank their oil revenues!

Jackson, Malton, New Jersey   August 3rd, 2007 5:50 am ET

As a democrat I am outraged by this administration's cloak-n-dagger attitude with the People of the United States. Why not just hang up Nazi party banners all over Washington and the White House?

That said, I think it is not correct to mire any administration and Defense Secretaries in the minutia of war. Imagine if the Roosevelt admin. was under such play-by-play scrutiny? What foul deeds and mis-judgments went un-accounted for?

Carl, Dallas, TX   August 3rd, 2007 1:31 am ET

Wow i'm impressed of the hatred that comes out of the woodwork on blogs... you wouldn't say this garbage if your address and phone number was attached to each email.

You have NO clue about what he knows. That's between him and whichever God he prays to at night.

Your biased insults are just as horrible as the denial of Bush that he can win this war.

RightyTighty   August 2nd, 2007 10:51 am ET

Mr. Rumsfeld help create the best, most mobile military force this world has ever seen. US tanks rolling into Baghdad in under 2 weeks is proof of his genius. It was shock and awe.., to Saddam. Mr. Rumsfeld is the best Defense Secretary the US has ever had.

Get use to it. Facts are what's recorded in history.., kinda like Bill's impeachment. Its a progressive morons worst nightmare.

Homeofthebrave   August 2nd, 2007 10:32 am ET

I assume by “achieve their freedom” you mean “get blown up repeatedly by suicide bombers” and/or “create a situation perfect for corruption....

Posted By Darrell, Foxboro, MA

I wonder who, under what administration, under what mentality, died for your freedom Darrell..??

Jeff, Houston, Texas   August 2nd, 2007 9:24 am ET

bprosserme:

Hard as I try, I cannot fathom what lack of education, inability to see what is in front of you, or insecurity allows you to take these stands.

I recall something sadi by Saint Ronnie's son. It was something like this: The Republican Party preys on the most pathetic members of our society, giving them false hopes that yesterday is coming, as well as something or someone to hate.

the sun is going to come up in the morning, and no amount of screaming or praying is going to stop it. Change happens. Read history.

instead of rallying for the good old days (and they were not good for everyone, and likely not as good as you rememebr them), rally for change.

Yes, we rally for different things, but wouldn't it be better to have a say in the change rather than scream at the inevitable?

History backs me up. change is going to occur, whether you like it or not.

We are not liberals, we are progressives, and we search for the right change. Sometimes we make mistakes, but we don't ever live in the past.

Why? Because we learn.

Do you?

Echelon   August 2nd, 2007 9:20 am ET

"Yes John, helping others achieve their freedom is very honorable."
Posted By ReadBtwthlins

Hmm, while that may be true, that's about as relevant to this discussion as noting that it's honorable to feed a homeless person or give up your bus seat to the elderly! Freeing Iraqis was only given as justification for the war years after it started, after it was CLEAR that the WMDs and AL-Queda link justifications were complete B.S. Use your head, or at least donate it to science.

Mary, Beaver, PA   August 2nd, 2007 8:41 am ET

RightyTighty, OK, I'm a right-winger too. But I am just a little disgusted with you neo-cons and your obsession with the Clintons.("intern?" "cigar?") What the heck is the matter with you people? You must sit up nights thinking about them. What is that line in "Hamlet?" Let me paraphrase: "Methinks thou dost protest too much."

Ringo, Tucson, AZ   August 2nd, 2007 8:27 am ET

I don't recall who tells more lies Rumsfeld or Bush.

Anonymous   August 2nd, 2007 1:01 am ET

Kies of what people really know Rumsy, will you be able to live with it?
You made big speaches when the star football player died, now you dont recall anything.
Just goes to show what kind of Cabinet really is in office now! Please put these terrible people in jail in Iraq!, thats where this all started!! Thats my gut feelings as a True American
Kevin, Rochester, Mn.

Jon Tempe, AZ   August 1st, 2007 11:48 pm ET

I can understand a spirited debate between conservatives and liberals concerning the merits of the war... that is fine. But how can anyone in their right mind call Donald Rumsfeld an honorable man, or condone his blatant dishonesty while testifying in front of Congress? Even the proudest, lifelong conservatives should be ahamed and disgusted by the words and actions of this man who so casually disregards the truth.

John from America   August 1st, 2007 10:59 pm ET

"I Don't recall my Azz" Rummy ruled every meeting he called, he was informed and prepared to lead every meeting under his jurisdictional – the I don't recall is a blatant LIE! This man needs to spend some time in lockup remembering his criminal past!

Patrick, Las Vegas Nevada   August 1st, 2007 10:20 pm ET

This guy must think americans are morons to believe the filth flowing from his mouth. Donald ....we don't believe you or your ex boss who fabricated non-sense of his "war on terror" more like his WAR OF TERROR

fedupwithourgov't   August 1st, 2007 9:51 pm ET

To you 28% that defend this administration and this bald face liar:

Put your money where your mouth is, get out from behind your computer, and march your smart rear ends down to the recruit center and sign up NOW!

And I hope they forget you too!

Lomiko, Utah   August 1st, 2007 9:25 pm ET

because CNN is nothing but brownshirts in dusguise I am afraid this wont reach many eyes, but frankly , their Heroine and founder Hillary couldn't remember anything either and she got a slap on the wrist.

Rollo Rogers, San Diego, CA   August 1st, 2007 5:53 pm ET

Gee this guy Rummy must have attended the same DC school for Feds. as the Attorney General Al Gonzales did, and they both majored in something called "I don't Recall" and both of them finished at the top of their class. > )

Anonymous, CA   August 1st, 2007 5:45 pm ET

I don't recall...

Isn't that something Reagan said in the 1980's?

Sounds like he is hiding something and full of it.

Darrell, Foxboro, MA   August 1st, 2007 4:17 pm ET

Readbtwthelins:
I assume by "achieve their freedom" you mean "get blown up repeatedly by suicide bombers" and/or "create a situation perfect for corruption." Afghanistan is an absolute mess right now and the Taliban is making inroads mostly because the US is so focused on destroying the drug trade (a good idea, but the wrong priority right now) that they leave no way out for Afghan farmers. And we don't even need to talk about Iraq...Rumsfeld has to be the worst Secretary of Defense (or Secretary of War) that this nation has ever seen. Coupled with the worst VP since Aaron Burr and it is no wonder no one trusts this administration.

RightyTighty   August 1st, 2007 3:50 pm ET

I do recall getting the full support of Congress for the Iraq war.

Also recalling something about an intern and a cigar..

Jo, Atlanta GA   August 1st, 2007 3:35 pm ET

DOES ANYONE IN THE BUSH ADMIN RECALL ANYTHING???

ANYONE?

Rob, San Diego CA   August 1st, 2007 2:01 pm ET

bprosserme – did you really call Rummy "honorable" I almost died laughing when I read that. Thanks for the chuckle...

ReadBtwthlins   August 1st, 2007 1:56 pm ET

Was it honorable when he misrepresented the..., blah, blah, liberal lies, blah, blah
-Posted By John S. Chicago

Yes John, helping others achieve their freedom is very honorable.

mindlessdem   August 1st, 2007 1:43 pm ET

It a cover up! Hang the conservative!!

John S. Chicago, Illinois   August 1st, 2007 1:36 pm ET

hey bprosserme....

Was it honorable when he misrepresented the threat to american lives Iraq presented so that bush, aka his owner, could force america into an unjust war, or a massive money-making venture for bush and all of his kind. kindly remove your cabesa from your posterior. this man is a criminal.

John S. Chicago, Illinois   August 1st, 2007 1:27 pm ET

“I have a great deal of heartbreak for the Tillman family and the way it was handled, adding to their grief. … We certainly owe the young men and women better than that.”

AS HE WIPES HIS TEARY EYES WITH HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS HE MADE FROM THIS WAR. WHAT A JOKE. HE IS A CRIMINAL. PUT HIM AWAY FOREVER

Robert C Knoxville Tn   August 1st, 2007 1:13 pm ET

I dont recall? By chance does this sound all too familiar??? Hmmm. I smell B.S. You wonder why people don't have any faith in our gov't. I wonder why that is? Oh now I dont recall why? How convenient. My sympathy to the Tillman family. You all deserved the truth from the beginning. Leave it up to our elected officials to cover-up yet another tragic event.
VOTE RON PAUL 2008!!! DEFENDER OF WHAT IS LEFT OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

bprosserme   August 1st, 2007 1:10 pm ET

Democrats need to back up and sit down on this one. Slander of innocent people carries a heavy bill. Rumsfeld is an honorable man and a powerful man. Democrats have shown themselves to be stupid enough to spit into a fans lately.

John, Ca.   August 1st, 2007 1:06 pm ET

He doesn't recall when or who told him? Are you kidding me. A high profile case such as this and it went under his radar?

What is worse incompetence, or lying?

jeff, Houston, texas   August 1st, 2007 1:03 pm ET

I will never beleive a man with this much blood on his hands and money in his pocket. Same for Bush and Cheney. Liars all.

Tom, Cincinnati Ohio   August 1st, 2007 12:57 pm ET

Don't recall.......

This man is a liar, idiot (like his ex-boss) and should be tried on charges of incompetence....like his ex-boss.

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