Tucsonans “support the troops” by assaulting 67-year old Air Force Veteran : AZ IMC

Tucsonans “support the troops” by assaulting 67-year old Air Force Veteran at Clear Channel rally.

Franc Tireur – http://www.tucson-forum.com

“Bill” as I will call him, had the most noble of intentions. He served as a Navigator and Nuclear Bombardier aboard Strategic Air Command bombers at a time when the safety of America was openly threatened by the Soviet Union. Having certain reservations about the current government’s policy on pre-emptive action against Iraq, he decided to do a very brave thing… speak out.

He was justly rewarded. Charged with guiding the aircraft into the Soviet Union and dropping two large thermo-nuclear devices on the city of Odessa, he spoke matter-of-factly about the destruction that would follow. "From so far up, it didn't seem so bad", he said, referring to the millions of lives he would have had the obligation to extinguish if so ordered. And he was willing to do so to defend his country. But, he has a very big problem with the current administrations policy of “pre-emptive” action, which brings us to the present.

“Bill” made a calculated risk in attending the so-called “support our troops” rally which was held in Tucson at Reid Park on March 29, 2003. As a veteran, he wanted to be a voice of reason, given that many in attendance had not had the opportunity to witness the true horrors of what may be in store for the world as a result of the government’s current policy of pre-emptive military action. He knew he would be alone in his act of trying to persuade those who could not possibly fathom the amount of responsibility he himself had accepted during “the good fight”, but was determined to make his view known.

He attended the Support Our Troops Rally and listened to speeches heavy with religious and nationalistic fervor. Clean cut and reserved, the dapper looking incidental provocateur said he began wondering if this was how the Hitler rallies started in the Germany of 70 years ago.

Shortly before Noon, he decided to retrieve the sign he had made himself specifically for this rally which read: “Mr. President: American Troops Serve to Defend Liberty, not to fight for Oil!” He was attacked almost immediately upon entering the crowd with his broom-stick mounted sign, and the mob of 20-30 people who beat him had this effect on the man who had served his country in staving off the perceived Soviet aggression:

“I went into this rally afraid that America was drifting into fascism, and went away from it knowing that we have arrived.”

He remarked that during his 30 years as a commercial airline pilot he probably guided many of those at the rally to a safe landing here in Tucson. As he was being pummeled “I held the broom stick in front of me, and luckily it deflected many of the blows directed at my face.” Police officers rushed the scene after what the victim describes as “not more than 15 to 20 seconds” and quickly spirited him away.

The two police officers who rescued him were protective and took no side, but the Unit Commander's tone was clearly sarcastic when he said “I’m really sorry this happened to you today.”

After it all, he summarized the state of the populace. “We are as polarized now after 2 weeks of conflict as we were after 5 years of senseless battle in Vietnam.”

“Bill” declined to press charges against any of his attackers, noting that it was universally understood that in doing so he would be risking further harm.