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Stephen Colbert To Jon Krakauer: 'The NFL And Defense Department Are In Bed Together' (VIDEO)

Krakauer

First Posted: 08/20/10 05:20 PM ET Updated: 05/25/11 06:25 PM ET

In an interview on his show last night, Stephen Colbert told author Jon Krakauer, "When I read the title here, 'Where Men Win Glory,' I naturally thought it was about NASCAR." The book's central focus, however, could not be farther from the wholesome fun of car racing.

In fact, Krakauer's book, "Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman," uncovers the intricate -- and, at times, outrageous -- conspiracy surrounding the death of American solider and former football star Pat Tillman.

In April 2004 Tillman died by friendly fire in Afghanistan. The Bush Administration, Krakauer alleges, skewed this truth by awarding the former NFL player a Silver Star.

"The Silver Star was presented -- the story about Taliban charging the hill was concocted -- to avoid revealing to the American people that this was friendly fire," Krakauer said on "The Colbert Report" last night.

Still, Colbert asked: "Why talk about this?"

In an impassioned response, Krakauer railed, "How do you repay someone like Tillman? Who -- out of a sense of duty and patriotism -- he joined the army, and the guy's in the army.
The army itself hijacked his honor. How do you reconcile that?"

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In an interview on his show last night, Stephen Colbert told author Jon Krakauer, "When I read the title here, 'Where Men Win Glory,' I naturally thought it was about NASCAR." The book's central focus...
In an interview on his show last night, Stephen Colbert told author Jon Krakauer, "When I read the title here, 'Where Men Win Glory,' I naturally thought it was about NASCAR." The book's central focus...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
awlff
biker,photographer,dog lover
05:09 AM on 09/06/2010
It is believed that Pat's death was a mistake.I do not know otherwise,and no will ever know if investigations are fabricated and lies are told for whatever reason.Since we are responsible adults and want to know the truth about how our service men and women really die, lying about it only protects the killers and those responsible from justice.Using his death as a recruitment tool is another piece of propaganda and hypocrisy.I do not want our military to lie to us in a misguided attempt to do us all a favor.
02:48 PM on 08/23/2010
Everyone should read what Tillman thought of the war. After being there he was very discouraged. He was quite a guy with an interesting future, perhaps in politics. Very smart.
12:17 PM on 08/23/2010
Fine the Army wanted to pump up Tillman's rep and make him a hero. Whats the big deal?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Cichawoda
Games can be played to win or to continue playing.
12:55 PM on 08/23/2010
You like being lied to?
05:05 PM on 08/23/2010
When it comes to stuff like this It doesn't really matter to me. It takes about 25 years after a war to get a clear picture of what happened.
02:38 PM on 08/23/2010
He died due to a mistake. How will that mistake be prevented if it is ignored?

They lied about his death to his wife and family. Horrible.

They did it all to cover their butts as the war was a mess of their making and they didn't want people to know. It was not done to "pump up" Mr. Tillman's honor.

Having to explain this means you could never understand it anyway, why am I bothering...
05:05 PM on 08/23/2010
They probably thought they were doing everyone a favor. Something like 20% of our war casualties come from mistaken identity, accidents, etc... I mean we have had generals killed by accident by their own troops. Just not a big deal in war.
07:50 PM on 08/22/2010
Oh yeah, what does a washed-up comedian know about politiks and honor, killing people, stuff like that?
ydrittmann
Vitter patronizes women.
11:52 PM on 08/22/2010
Washed-up, that's rich.
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huffyISaHottie
Nothing about me is micro;).
10:10 AM on 08/23/2010
i'm not sure, but i think i sense a bit of sarcasm?..for your sake i hope so...it would be a shame not to get the brilliance that is colbert
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Lil Big Man
03:46 PM on 08/22/2010
Tillman was a man of honor. Rumsfield and McChrystal are not.
11:52 AM on 08/23/2010
The first casualty of war is truth.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Vivian Alicia Evans
03:57 AM on 08/22/2010
I loved "Into the Wild" by Krakauer and the movie of the same name. "Into Thin Air" was good but there was a lot controversy about this book. I look forward to reading his newest book.
ydrittmann
Vitter patronizes women.
11:53 PM on 08/22/2010
"Under the Banner of Heaven" More good Krakauer.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Frustrated in PA
I am not frustrated, I am NOW disgusted
12:57 PM on 08/23/2010
Loved that book. Great research and flow.
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Vivian Alicia Evans
06:47 PM on 08/23/2010
Yes, I forgot about that one. A really good read. Interesting and informative.
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HHarvey
Do not feed the trolls
04:09 PM on 08/21/2010
I like Krakauer's writing style. Will look forward to it.
11:46 AM on 08/22/2010
Agreed!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jazmo
Cause they're hip to the bull and hip to the lies.
07:52 AM on 08/21/2010
This was not Krakauer's best book - but it's riveting. The story speaks for itself.
08:31 PM on 08/20/2010
Not that I'd forgotten, but this reminds me why I hated Bush and Rumsfeld so much. It's like the Nixon slime all over again.
12:27 PM on 08/23/2010
Worse than Nixon. The whole lot of them.