The 'Taliban' in Our Midst

[Lakhota]

Would any of you NaziCons mind if our military leaders converted our soldiers to Islam? Proselytizing applies to all religions.

 

[Flipper]

Military officers who wear their religion on their sleeve are a danger to our country at any time, but especially after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.

Whether it's US Army Lieutenant General William G. Boykin telling his audience that "My God is bigger than his" in the close aftermath of that tragedy, or the more recent example of US Air Force Major General Craig Olson saying in uniform and in public -- and speaking in tones far more like a preacher than a military officer -- "I am a redeemed believer in Christ," these are dangerous men, making dangerous displays of religion.

Moreover, such displays occur in an environment where they are strictly prohibited by secular rules. These rules -- and in the case of the US Air Force, written regulations -- are in place for a reason.

First, they protect the Constitutional separation of church and state. No government representative should be seen advocating for any religion, period. We officers, when we take the oath of office, surrender for the duration of our service the privilege of publicly professing our religion, of "wearing it on our sleeve."

Second, these rules protect the good order and discipline of the military. Many religions -- and no religion at all -- exist throughout the ranks. To profess a particular religion from a leadership position is detrimental to that order and discipline. How might, for example, a Jewish soldier feel when his lieutenant professes his belief in Jesus before his platoon? A Muslim soldier? An atheist?

In addition, a flag officer (a general or admiral) must be doubly careful because so many men and women are influenced by or fall under the sway and power of his or her every word and deed. Sometimes it might be thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, as was the case when I served then-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Colin Powell -- who, incidentally, would never have worn his religion on his sleeve.

Third, and becoming increasingly relevant every day that passes, public professions of religion by military officers give groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, al-Nusra and other religious fanatics superb propaganda to use against our soldiers in the field and against us, as a nation. We, in effect, become no better than they, some sort of American taliban. As such, we excite more recruits, more followers, more zealots to their banners. We also grievously undermine our own cause, just as we undermine our own Constitution.

What US Air Force Major General Craig Olson did was particularly egregious. Not only does he display by his remarks the naivete of a twelve-year-old Boy Scout -- and thus call into immediate, serious question the billions of dollars and hundreds of young lives entrusted to his care and leadership -- he also repeatedly calls on a single religion, indeed seems almost entranced by that religion, in uniform, in public, and on, of all things, God TV, an international broadcast. As a soldier of 31 years myself, I found his exhortations discomfiting, dismaying, and dangerous. Frankly, I also found them flatly incredible: I had never heard such words uttered by a general officer in my life.

Should the USAF punish him? Clearly, he has violated law and regulation. There is no doubt about that. But should he be punished?

The USAF is understandably afraid of certain members of the US Congress, as are all the Services when it comes to presenting an overt challenge to what these members of Congress believe is "every Christian's right to profess his or her religion, no matter the circumstances."

Congress' constant dalliance with such pseudo-Christian organizations as James Dobson's Focus on the Family -- whose members most remind me of the people at the famous Scopes trial in Tennessee, who for the most part were hopelessly ignorant -- exacerbates this fear.

It was Dobson's wife's organization that sponsored the event during which Olson made his stunningly impassioned remarks. The event was camouflaged under the aegis of one Alabama Republican's name -- Congressman Robert Aderholt -- but everyone with any insight into Washington knows that Dobson was behind the entire event.

More: The Taliban in Our Midst: Lawrence B. Wilkerson

The laws against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel should be more strongly enforced, and those who disobey should be dealt with severely. Upholding the U.S. Constitution should supersede all religious beliefs. The U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state does not give preference to any religion. The founding fathers were very wise in that regard.

.
"On May 7, Maj. Gen. Craig Olson stated at the "congressionally supported National Day of Prayer Task Force that God guided and strengthened his career, and without God’s help, he wouldn’t have been able to fly aircraft or execute nuclear missions, Air Force Times reports


So his "Crime" was talking about God at "Congressionally supported National Day of Prayer" meeting.

God the Left are a sick bunch of scaredy fucks.

So, you wouldn't have minded if the general were a Muslim giving the same religious speech?

LOL, does this type of deflection work for you?

Would you have posted it if it was about a Muslim?

He was at a "Prayer Breakfast"......are you REALLY that afraid of Christians?

 

[Flipper]

Military officers who wear their religion on their sleeve are a danger to our country at any time, but especially after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.

Whether it's US Army Lieutenant General William G. Boykin telling his audience that "My God is bigger than his" in the close aftermath of that tragedy, or the more recent example of US Air Force Major General Craig Olson saying in uniform and in public -- and speaking in tones far more like a preacher than a military officer -- "I am a redeemed believer in Christ," these are dangerous men, making dangerous displays of religion.

Moreover, such displays occur in an environment where they are strictly prohibited by secular rules. These rules -- and in the case of the US Air Force, written regulations -- are in place for a reason.

First, they protect the Constitutional separation of church and state. No government representative should be seen advocating for any religion, period. We officers, when we take the oath of office, surrender for the duration of our service the privilege of publicly professing our religion, of "wearing it on our sleeve."

Second, these rules protect the good order and discipline of the military. Many religions -- and no religion at all -- exist throughout the ranks. To profess a particular religion from a leadership position is detrimental to that order and discipline. How might, for example, a Jewish soldier feel when his lieutenant professes his belief in Jesus before his platoon? A Muslim soldier? An atheist?

In addition, a flag officer (a general or admiral) must be doubly careful because so many men and women are influenced by or fall under the sway and power of his or her every word and deed. Sometimes it might be thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, as was the case when I served then-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Colin Powell -- who, incidentally, would never have worn his religion on his sleeve.

Third, and becoming increasingly relevant every day that passes, public professions of religion by military officers give groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, al-Nusra and other religious fanatics superb propaganda to use against our soldiers in the field and against us, as a nation. We, in effect, become no better than they, some sort of American taliban. As such, we excite more recruits, more followers, more zealots to their banners. We also grievously undermine our own cause, just as we undermine our own Constitution.

What US Air Force Major General Craig Olson did was particularly egregious. Not only does he display by his remarks the naivete of a twelve-year-old Boy Scout -- and thus call into immediate, serious question the billions of dollars and hundreds of young lives entrusted to his care and leadership -- he also repeatedly calls on a single religion, indeed seems almost entranced by that religion, in uniform, in public, and on, of all things, God TV, an international broadcast. As a soldier of 31 years myself, I found his exhortations discomfiting, dismaying, and dangerous. Frankly, I also found them flatly incredible: I had never heard such words uttered by a general officer in my life.

Should the USAF punish him? Clearly, he has violated law and regulation. There is no doubt about that. But should he be punished?

The USAF is understandably afraid of certain members of the US Congress, as are all the Services when it comes to presenting an overt challenge to what these members of Congress believe is "every Christian's right to profess his or her religion, no matter the circumstances."

Congress' constant dalliance with such pseudo-Christian organizations as James Dobson's Focus on the Family -- whose members most remind me of the people at the famous Scopes trial in Tennessee, who for the most part were hopelessly ignorant -- exacerbates this fear.

It was Dobson's wife's organization that sponsored the event during which Olson made his stunningly impassioned remarks. The event was camouflaged under the aegis of one Alabama Republican's name -- Congressman Robert Aderholt -- but everyone with any insight into Washington knows that Dobson was behind the entire event.

More: The Taliban in Our Midst: Lawrence B. Wilkerson

The laws against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel should be more strongly enforced, and those who disobey should be dealt with severely. Upholding the U.S. Constitution should supersede all religious beliefs. The U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state does not give preference to any religion. The founding fathers were very wise in that regard.

Actually, the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and freedom of speech. Since Americans know that, where are you posting from?????

There are laws and rules against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel.

Really???? Guess the military shouldn't have chaplains then, huh?????

Hey, retard, there's a big difference between voluntary religious worship and proselytizing.

Hey "retard" he was at a "Prayer Breakfast"

 

[Lakhota]

Military officers who wear their religion on their sleeve are a danger to our country at any time, but especially after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.

Whether it's US Army Lieutenant General William G. Boykin telling his audience that "My God is bigger than his" in the close aftermath of that tragedy, or the more recent example of US Air Force Major General Craig Olson saying in uniform and in public -- and speaking in tones far more like a preacher than a military officer -- "I am a redeemed believer in Christ," these are dangerous men, making dangerous displays of religion.

Moreover, such displays occur in an environment where they are strictly prohibited by secular rules. These rules -- and in the case of the US Air Force, written regulations -- are in place for a reason.

First, they protect the Constitutional separation of church and state. No government representative should be seen advocating for any religion, period. We officers, when we take the oath of office, surrender for the duration of our service the privilege of publicly professing our religion, of "wearing it on our sleeve."

Second, these rules protect the good order and discipline of the military. Many religions -- and no religion at all -- exist throughout the ranks. To profess a particular religion from a leadership position is detrimental to that order and discipline. How might, for example, a Jewish soldier feel when his lieutenant professes his belief in Jesus before his platoon? A Muslim soldier? An atheist?

In addition, a flag officer (a general or admiral) must be doubly careful because so many men and women are influenced by or fall under the sway and power of his or her every word and deed. Sometimes it might be thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, as was the case when I served then-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Colin Powell -- who, incidentally, would never have worn his religion on his sleeve.

Third, and becoming increasingly relevant every day that passes, public professions of religion by military officers give groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, al-Nusra and other religious fanatics superb propaganda to use against our soldiers in the field and against us, as a nation. We, in effect, become no better than they, some sort of American taliban. As such, we excite more recruits, more followers, more zealots to their banners. We also grievously undermine our own cause, just as we undermine our own Constitution.

What US Air Force Major General Craig Olson did was particularly egregious. Not only does he display by his remarks the naivete of a twelve-year-old Boy Scout -- and thus call into immediate, serious question the billions of dollars and hundreds of young lives entrusted to his care and leadership -- he also repeatedly calls on a single religion, indeed seems almost entranced by that religion, in uniform, in public, and on, of all things, God TV, an international broadcast. As a soldier of 31 years myself, I found his exhortations discomfiting, dismaying, and dangerous. Frankly, I also found them flatly incredible: I had never heard such words uttered by a general officer in my life.

Should the USAF punish him? Clearly, he has violated law and regulation. There is no doubt about that. But should he be punished?

The USAF is understandably afraid of certain members of the US Congress, as are all the Services when it comes to presenting an overt challenge to what these members of Congress believe is "every Christian's right to profess his or her religion, no matter the circumstances."

Congress' constant dalliance with such pseudo-Christian organizations as James Dobson's Focus on the Family -- whose members most remind me of the people at the famous Scopes trial in Tennessee, who for the most part were hopelessly ignorant -- exacerbates this fear.

It was Dobson's wife's organization that sponsored the event during which Olson made his stunningly impassioned remarks. The event was camouflaged under the aegis of one Alabama Republican's name -- Congressman Robert Aderholt -- but everyone with any insight into Washington knows that Dobson was behind the entire event.

More: The Taliban in Our Midst: Lawrence B. Wilkerson

The laws against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel should be more strongly enforced, and those who disobey should be dealt with severely. Upholding the U.S. Constitution should supersede all religious beliefs. The U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state does not give preference to any religion. The founding fathers were very wise in that regard.

Actually, the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and freedom of speech. Since Americans know that, where are you posting from?????

There are laws and rules against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel.

Really???? Guess the military shouldn't have chaplains then, huh?????

Hey, retard, there's a big difference between voluntary religious worship and proselytizing.

Hey "retard" he was at a "Prayer Breakfast"

He violated law and regulation.

 

[JQPublic1]

The future does not belong to those who murder in the name of religion.

Does the future belong to those who murder in the name of something other than religion?

 

[Lakhota]

NaziCons don't mind proselytizing in our military - so long as it's only Christian proselytizing.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

NaziCons don't mind proselytizing in our military - so long as it's only Christian proselytizing.

It's obvious you don't know the definition of proselytizing. I see no where he was trying to convert anyone

 

[Katzndogz]

We have a national prayer breakfast. If you don't want anyone praying at the prayer breakfast, take it to congress and the president.

 

[Lakhota]

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1

2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Airmen, especially commanders and supervisors, must ensure that in exercising their right of religious free expression, they do not degrade morale, good order, and discipline in the Air Force or degrade the trust and confidence that the public has in the United States Air Force.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/Huus/AFI1-1 (4).pdf

Shame on the general.

 

[Flipper]

Actually, the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and freedom of speech. Since Americans know that, where are you posting from?????

There are laws and rules against religious proselytizing by U.S. military personnel.

Really???? Guess the military shouldn't have chaplains then, huh?????

Hey, retard, there's a big difference between voluntary religious worship and proselytizing.

Hey "retard" he was at a "Prayer Breakfast"

He violated law and regulation.

The Air Force disagrees, sorry....

 

[SassyIrishLass]

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1

2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Airmen, especially commanders and supervisors, must ensure that in exercising their right of religious free expression, they do not degrade morale, good order, and discipline in the Air Force or degrade the trust and confidence that the public has in the United States Air Force.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/Huus/AFI1-1 (4).pdf

Shame on the general.

You're beating a dead horse

 

[Lakhota]

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1

2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Airmen, especially commanders and supervisors, must ensure that in exercising their right of religious free expression, they do not degrade morale, good order, and discipline in the Air Force or degrade the trust and confidence that the public has in the United States Air Force.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/Huus/AFI1-1 (4).pdf

Shame on the general.

You're beating a dead horse

So, you wouldn't mind if the general were a Muslim giving a similar speech to a similar audience?

 

[jknowgood]

NaziCons don't mind proselytizing in our military - so long as it's only Christian proselytizing.

You sound like a friend if mine. His step daughter has God's child tattooed on her arm. He claims she is forcing her religion on him. I laughed at him and told him he was crazy. Just like you.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1

2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Airmen, especially commanders and supervisors, must ensure that in exercising their right of religious free expression, they do not degrade morale, good order, and discipline in the Air Force or degrade the trust and confidence that the public has in the United States Air Force.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/Huus/AFI1-1 (4).pdf

Shame on the general.

You're beating a dead horse

So, you wouldn't mind if the general were a Muslim giving a similar speech to a similar audience?

You already posted that and the USAF has declined to punish Maj. Gen Olsen. All your BS for something that was decided three days ago

 

[Flipper]

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1

2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Airmen, especially commanders and supervisors, must ensure that in exercising their right of religious free expression, they do not degrade morale, good order, and discipline in the Air Force or degrade the trust and confidence that the public has in the United States Air Force.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/Huus/AFI1-1 (4).pdf

Shame on the general.

You're beating a dead horse

So, you wouldn't mind if the general were a Muslim giving a similar speech to a similar audience?

Nope, you see we believe people are able to make their own decisions, YOU believe they cannot be trusted to do the right thing....and so you want your parents in the Gov to "protect you".

 

[Lakhota]

The general was speaking about religion while in uniform and in public. That's a no-no.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

The general was speaking about religion while in uniform and in public. That's a no-no.

The USAF doesn't think so. You're pissing into the wind

 

[Flipper]

The general was speaking about religion while in uniform and in public. That's a no-no.

The Air Force says "Lakota is full of shit".

 

[Lakhota]

The general was speaking about religion while in uniform and in public. That's a no-no.

The USAF doesn't think so. You're pissing into the wind

How do you know the USAF doesn't think so?

 

[Flipper]

The funny thing is that people like this indian cannot even see that they are no better than the REAL Taliban....they NEED to stifle all dissenting thought.