Weinstein Threatens US Military with Yet Another Lawsuit
Michael Weinstein, frequent critic of religious freedom in the US military, has “threatened” so many lawsuits that he’s long become the boy who cries wolf. (Besides, the “wolf,” in the case, has yet to survive the first Motion to Dismiss — four times.)
The US Army has once again raised Weinstein’s ire by — shockingly enough — researching the ability to train chaplains the same way it trains other soldiers.
Weinstein finally got around to commenting on a subject noted here a month ago: The US Army is researching the ability to use simulations to train chaplains for battlefield scenarios, much like it does for medical personnel. As noted at the time:
Chaplains [already] go through training on how to survive the bullets and explosions…This simulator…will give chaplains multiple opportunities to experience real-life scenarios and practice their ministry in a controlled environment.
Weinstein would have none of it:
“We are gong [sic] to put the pedal to the metal on something like this. If necessary, we will consider intervening in federal court,” said Mikey Weinstein…
Laughably, even the otherwise-friendly article noted Weinstein’s vendetta against the military has nothing to do with his claim of “religious freedom” [emphasis added]:
[Weinstein is] a vociferous critic of what he sees as excessive influence and coercion in the U.S. military by fundamentalist Christians.
While Weinstein frequently claims troops come running to him because they’re being persecuted, this is an example of the opposite: Weinstein has found something in the military with which he takes issue — and now he has to find someone in the military who agrees with him [emphasis added]:
Weinstein said he is already searching for members of the U.S. military who have legal standing for such a suit.
Weinstein once published an ad looking for plaintiffs. It seems he has many axes to grind, but few who want to hold the blade in his stead.
Worse, Weinstein cites not a single objectionable fact in his “pedal to the metal” opposition to an Army research program. Instead, he returns to his familiar conspiracy theories:
Weinstein fears that a military chaplain training game will be a “Trojan Horse to further the objectives of fundamentalist Christianity…”
Again, its all about Weinstein’s obsessive fear and loathing of Christians. His attacks on the military have nothing to do with “religious freedom” — unless you count trying to restrict the religious freedom of Christians.
Whether a soldier wears a cross or an infantry badge, he needs to train for his mission. Many soldiers are already trained using the same medium. It seems Weinstein and his “charity” object to chaplains receiving training so they can better accomplish their mission: minister to wounded and dying troops in combat. That’s not a position likely to win him many allies.
Whether the Army should be spending money on research for a training program or whether such a simulation would be viable is certainly a valid topic of debate. (In point of fact, Weinstein provided a “former chaplain” for critical comment, and that’s the only issue he mentioned.) For the record, though, the Secretary of the Army just praised the value of simulation as a money-saver in a fiscally constrained environment.
However, to assert training chaplains is a doorway for any religious “objectives” is simply lunacy.
But that’s par for Weinstein’s course.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Weinstein has clearly went off the deep end. Chaplains come from a variety of faiths and represent more than just Christianity. As noted in your article, simulators are a valuable way of training/learning while mimicking the circumstances andenvironmental factors of real life situations (to the best extent possible). Cops, Firefighters, Soldiers and Pilots all use simulators to better prepare themselves for real life scenarios. I see no reason why a Chaplain would not benefit from this style of training as well.
Pingback: God and Country » Weinstein Threatens US Military with Another Lawsuit
What MRFF has found out is that there is an imbalance in the Chaplain Corps with a growing majority of Chaplains of Evangelical Christian Fundamentalism. The growth of Christian Fundamentalist chaplains is due in part to a vetting process which seems to have favored Dominionist Christian Chaplains which, I believe, is currently under review. I don’t know what the exact number is but I estimate the Protestant Christian Fundamentalist Chaplain contingent to be at over 70%. This imbalance is supported by the largest Christian Organization to which the United States Officer Corps belongs. It’s called the Officers Christian Fellowship and it has it’s hooks deeply imbedded in the armed forces officer community. There is also a Christian Fellowship for NCO and enlisted ranks. The idea, of course, is to form an all Christian fighting force with proximity, training and opportunity to deploy weapons of immense destructive power to ultimately be employed during “Armageddon” against the Anti-Christ, False Prophet and Satan. The Inquisitions, Crusades and Pogroms will pale in the light of Armageddon as visualized by our Dominionist friends.
Richard, while I respect your right to voice your opinion, I believe your argument is flawed. Those that are believers will have been gathered by Christ during the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4 NKJV). All of the Christian officers and NCOs you mentioned will be gone.
Additionally, Christ himself will lead the battle of Armageddon with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19 NKJV). While the armies of Satan may attempt to use earthly weapons, God has no need of Abrams Tanks, Apache Helicopters and F-16 fighters.
Richard, how about some facts along with your assumptions? Got numbers?
Also, how many of those so called Christian Fundamentalist Chaplains are at the Air Force Academy?
@Lt. Frank
Just as the military must protect classified information, MRFF must also protect its sources, personnel and methods. I can tell you that this information is easily available.
As for the number of military chaplains service-wide that subscribe to Christian fudamentalism it stands at 33 percent. Other Christian sects such as Catholic, moderate protestants, etc. bringing the total up to around 44%. However, 87% of aspiring military chaplains currently in training are of Evangelical Protestant belief systems and are expecting to be accepted. Here’s a couple of sites that are informative on the subject.
http://www.docudharma.com/diary/24729/air-force-academy-controlled-by-evangelicals
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/evangelical-christianity-_n_807635.html
@Richard, can you provide reliable sources? That means actual data provided by DoD, not an article in the Huffington Post or a blog. I won’t hold my breath but perhaps you can.
Richard proved my point, he doesn’t know. Nice try Richard.
@Priscilla Parker
@Lt. Frank
The links I gave are valid. You two don’t like the truth. The Dominionist movement is very real. The Officer’s Christian Fellowship and it’s members are reminiscent of the Knights Templar in history.
The United States air Force Academy has long protected the nest of Evangelical fundamentalists who have, over time, attempted to make the Academy a central training ground for obedient, responsive and well programmed young Christians. The Campus Crusade for Christ has been given special privileges to produce documentatries at the AFA such as this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Wxldj5CnE in which they inform the cadets that they will be “Government Missionaries for Christ.
You can no long deny the Dominion Christian influence and resultant harm to Cadets, permanent staff and faculty. MRFF is currently addressing 392 complaints dealing with command centered and coercive Christian proselytizing from these bodies.
There are none so blind as they who will not see.
@Richard
Name one. Give just a single factual example. If you’ve got 392, it can’t be hard.
@Richard, I’m curious, have you your-self EVER talked with a cadet at a military academy or even a soldier for that matter, or is your rhetoric simply detracted from your adherence to MRFF?
Posting a Youtube video about Campus Crusade for Christ at the academy? What were you trying to prove with that? This is so sad it hurts.
@JD
@Priscilla
All complaints filed with MRFF by military and civilian personnel employed by the military are kept confidential unless pursued at law or the complainant wishes to be known such as West Point Cadet Blake Page. This in order to avoid reprisals by those who instituted coercive Christian proselytizing or actions against them.
The campus crusade for christ video was sent as an example of the callous disregard for religious freedom at the AFA and the enablement of coercive proselytizers of the Dominionist bent.
Exclusive religious demonstrations or proselytizing is prohibited.
Richard…I honestly can’t stop laughing at the silliness of your recent posts.
Here’s another question for ya…How many cadets were forced to convert to Christianity in the past 10 years? Curious minds wanna know!
@Mike
Your faith is admirable but not universal. Among the other thousands of beliefs Christianity is a strong contender but lacks the absolute credibiity necessary to invest oneself a hundred percent. Factually, no religion does.
While your dedication to your faith deserves credit it is also vital that you not apply your beliefs to secular endeavors as many of all faiths do. Our constitution and all of the Supreme Court case law, decisions and rulings indicate a necessary separation of religion and government and apart from individual belief no organized religious emphasis on military or other governmental affairs should be undertaken. Just as government should not enter your church and attempt to direct its operation, religion must also refrain from attempting operational roles in government.
@Lt. Frank
I’m not sure any cadet was converted coercively. I can’t imagine anyone converting voluntarily to such an insidious belief system as Dominion Christianity. Some may have decided to convert because of the pressures they received. Others have told us they pretended to convert to be able to finish their education and get on with their lives.
But you miss the point entirely. It is not a question of how many converted but rather how many were illegally subject to the command centered and coercive proselytizing that has permeated the AFA and other service academies.
You must also remember that in my posts when I use the term “Christianity” in context to the irregularities MRFF has uncovered, I mean “Dominion Christianity.” Dominionism, by whatever description you choose to assign to it, is the prime mover in the efforts to Christianize America to the pointy of Theocracy.
@Richard
Even the most liberal reading of the Constitution doesn’t say that. Many advocate that the institution of the church and the institution of state should be separate. Only a few extremists say religion should be segregated from public service.
And yet you fail to provide a single factual example when asked.
@JD
A simple visit to Google would answer your question RE: the separation of church and state. If one would enter “US Supreme Court rulings on the separation of church and state, you will receive an almost endless list of decisions relating to that separation and all of which are addended to the Constitution.
They do not say that government employees, military personnel, teachers or others attached to government can’t be religious. We would not have a National Prayer Breakfast attended by such individuals if that were true. What I think you have a hard time getting your head around is that no one religion, irrespective of its origins or popularity, may dominate secular institutions. Nor may government, under law, favor, promote or proselytize one religion over another or religion over non-religion.
Apart from those few who have risked their careers such as Prof David Mullin by speaking out (and he was fired for questioning Gen. Born’s overt Christian activities) and Professor Steven Samuels, Dept. Of Beh. Science others have chosen to protect themselves from vicious and life ruining retaliation.
I have another question for you and Lt. Frank. Would either of you support a “Christian Nation” Amendment to the Constitution which would identify America a s a “Christian Nation?”
@Richard
And what you have a hard time getting your head around is that you have created a strawman.
@JD
You asked for one valid complainant at the AFA who has submitted a formal complaint against an atmosphere of Christian hegemony. I cited two and you did not acknowledge either of them.
I don’t know what straw man I have created. All I know is that the command structure at the AFA, as it has been at the US Military Academy at West Point, The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, US Armed Forces Training Facilities, National Guard and reserve centers and even combat zones over the years has unequivocally created centers of Dominion Christian influence resulting in much damage to the cadet corps, our active service personnel, their families and loved ones.
This religious influence is an insidious choke hold on those who would advance without having to pay homage to Dominion Christianity. The presence of Dominionist religious hegemony is against every principle of religious freedom and ranks among the most unAmerican activities in history.
Those purveyors of Dominionism and Islamophobes such as Gen. William Boykin, (ret) and a number of other ranking officers have indelibly shamed the officer corps with their blatant Christian proselytizing and irreligious criticisms of other faiths. Theirs is the stuff of Crusades, Inquisitions, Pogroms, Witch Hunts and Genocides and they have had no trouble with co-opting US Armed Forces personnel with the objective of spreading by whatever means the twisted doctrines of Dominionism.
Dominion Christianity must be rooted out of our government, armed forces, education and corporations who serve them. Only then can we begin to heal the scars of religious hegemony and the loss of discipline and good order due to regimented Christian proselytizing.
@Richard
No one asked for any such thing. You’re putting words in people’s mouths again.
You said
You have mentioned three names: Mullin, Samuels, and Page. While they have made several complaints about
religionChristians, not a single one has said they were victims of “command centered” or “coercive” attempts to convert them, and none mentioned OCF, CRU, or any other military ministry.Get your story straight.
Just imagine what the reaction would be if Richard said “Orthodox Judaism must be rooted out…” If only he could see what he had become.
@Richard
Sir,
I never said my faith was universal. I merely pointed out what the bible says about Armageddon. From a Christian/Biblical viewpoint, your previous assertions would be wrong. A non-believer might go along with your theory about the all “Christian fighting force” bit, but those ideas are not biblically sound. I seriously doubt you could find one person in the organizations your mentioned (OCF) that would confirm your theory.
“The idea, of course, is to form an all Christian fighting force with proximity, training and opportunity to deploy weapons of immense destructive power to ultimately be employed during “Armageddon” against the Anti-Christ, False Prophet and Satan”
I also do not need a lecture from you on what my duties and responsibilities are in regards to the Constitution. We are all aware of our Constutional obligations. Quite frankly, I think you are way off base on your opinions regarding religious freedom in the military. In my 18 yrs of experience, most of the Officers and Enlisted I have worked with are anything but religious in any visible way. Almost all of them are professional, but do not care what your faith is. All of the Commanders I have served under were primarily concerned with three things; Quality of Life, care of the troops and mission accomplishment. Anything else is just a nonsense witchunt. I cannot speak about the Service Acadamies, but JD and some of the others can address that. Judging from your posts above, I do not think this is going anywhere, but you can have the last word if you wish.
@Mike
Thank you for your response. I’m sorry but I think the witch hunting is on your side of the table. Perhaps not personally but historically. Christianity’s checkered historical record is not one to be proud of and today’s Dominionist movement is even less savory. I see little difference between Dominionist Christians and Taliban Muslims.
Until Christianity is held in check by its own practitioners it will, as Islam will, continue to wax extreme.
I do not speak of the vast majority of Christians but only those who subscribe to Dominionism and are in the process of controlling its direction.
@JD
Not all complaints are about conversion attempts. Factually only a small percentage are. The primary complaint is about attempts to upgrade existing Christian believers to a more obedient, responsive and militant standard of practice in which each is prepared to sacrifice themselves for their sect. Other complaints center around reprisal type problems for having spoken out against Dominionism and coercion in the form of “invitations” to various Christian events and services by superior officers who indicate to the invitees the expectation that they will be there. But you know all that already.
A situation in which a person of good faith to his country and constitution becomes aware of an insidioius group such as Dominionist Christians or Taliban type Muslims or far right militant Hasidic Jewish groups, call for that person to make every attempt that he (OR SHE) can to bring to light the anti-American nature of such groups and notify the proper authorities to investigate these offenses, provide support when necessary to assist such investigations and provide any information which may have been garnered in that regard. Although it is fair to say that neither the extreme Muslim or Jewish sects have yet reached even a small percentage of anti-American activity that Dominionists Christians have and reports of Muslim or Jewish extremism in the armed forces with few exceptions are rare if at all.
You already know the drill, having been privy to many of MRFF’s commiunications of which I and others have kept you apprised.
@Richard
Again, yet more vague, scandalous insinuations in response to a request for a single factual example about accusations you made. You forcefully and authoritatively said there were 392 complaints — now you downplay that number rather than support it. Which is it? The end of the world or not?
You can’t provide a single factual example of “command centered and coercive Christian proselytizing,” can you?
Just as I thought, not one cadet forced to convert to Christianity.
I have witnessed a lot of things while serving to include people bullying and mocking Christians for their beliefs. What was their response? Nothing, they just ignored them. Same thing applies the other way around. If someone has a problem with someone of another faith, either ignore them or tell them to stop confronting them. It’s really quite simple.
Yet Mikey loves to blow things out of proportion. I guess it makes for a larger paycheck in the end.
Bottom line, cadets are adults and make decisions for themselves. They know what is right or wrong and follow the chain of command, just as they are supposed to.
@Lt. Frank
Not so simple. We have supplied examples of coercive proselytizing. A Marine battalion being baptized in the ocean off Camp pendleton, the exploits of Gen. William Boykin prior to and following his retirement, various prayer breakfasts, lunches and other Christian oriented formations right at the AFA, Christian oriented e-mails from the Superintendent and chain of command, Christian orient6ed flyers distributed at chow halls, operatives from New Life Church and Focus on the family given access to cadets in their dorms and elsewhere. Campus Crusade for Christ a visible feature of the Academy, Bibles being distributed by chaplains contra to CENTCOM General Order #1 in Irag. and many more. The reason you don’t see these events as a problem is because you, yourself subscribe to them. Simply put you, along with JD are part of the problem.
@Richard
Thank you so much for using that as your first example.
The MRFF opposed a Sunday morning religious service by congregants who requested it — 29 out of a battalion of 800. As noted at the time (here), it stands as a premier example of Weinstein’s fight against religious freedom when he says US Marines doing nothing more than exercising their faith — by themselves — are “advancing the cause” of the enemy.
That you, as an MRFF volunteer, hold that up proudly goes far in revealing what the MRFF is really all about — and it has nothing to do with religious freedom.
For the record, not a single other example you gave in your list of “coercive proselytizing” involved attempts to convert anyone — coercively or not. If you don’t like Christians doing things, then say “I don’t like Christians doing things.” Stop trying to hide it behind the phrase “coercive proselytizing.”
Wait…maybe you don’t know what that phrase actually means?
Pingback: God and Country » Religion News Service Covers Spiritual Triage
@JD
I, as do you, know what coercive proselytizing is. You are being disingenuous. You know that I am handicapped by the privacy of our clients and that I can’t be specific in many case. You also know that Dominion Christianity is an aggressive proselytizer in which many illegal and uncostitutional efforts are made not only to gain converts from Atheist and other religions but also to change the direction and doctrines of existing Christians. I like Christians. I do not like Dominion Christians. Dominion Christians are domestic enemies which should be targeted by national law enforcement agencies for arrest and prosecuton.
Forbes reports today that a new computer game desined to help train chaplains has been criticized by the Pentagon who says the Army doesn’t want it. Called “Spiritual Triage” the game is seen to be too one sided in promoting Christian doctrines. Hello Dominion Christianity.
@Richard
You go on and on about “command centered and coercive proselytizing” — “thousands of clients,” “392 cases” — and then give a laundry list of ‘Christian/military’ things you don’t like — but have nothing to do with proselytizing. You either don’t know what the word “proselytizing” means or you’re being intentionally untruthful. Which is it?
You don’t need “specifics.” You just need one, simple, single, factual example. You don’t have one. Your accusations are hollow, based only on a personal loathing of religious freedom you share with Michael Weinstein — because the MRFF believes religious freedom is only granted to those with the “right kind” of religion. Everyone else needs to be “arrested and prosecuted” and “rooted out.”
You know, another country once thought that, too. They were defeated in World War II.
Your statement on Forbes isn’t truthful either, which is stunning, given that very subject was posted here today, for the third time. The Pentagon criticized nothing — it funded the research. You used the passive voice “the game is seen to be too one sided.” The active voice would have been “Weinstein says…” since he is the sole person to make any religious-based criticism of the research into the simulator training. And no one — least of all you — can say what it promotes or doesn’t because it is an unfinished, ongoing development project.
Does your obfuscation to support your agenda know no end? You bend the “facts” to fit your life paradigm. You see conspiracy and Armageddon looming large every day — and you don’t let truth get in the way of your desire to have the government persecute Christians to whom you assign specific beliefs.
The comments you made here are little different than the ones you have made here regularly for years. Once again, you’ve provided enough information for people to see your true agenda; actually, you’ve outdone yourself this time.
The rest of the conversation is yours.
Richard, you don’t even know who I am, so I suggest you be a little more careful in making assumptions about what I subscribe to.
Once again, with all of the “horrific” things that you bring up, not one forced conversion. Not one lawsuit that was won. Based on what you say, you should be able to provide some hard facts of those converting, yet you have nothing except fear-mongering and more money into MRFF’s coffers.
We’re talking about adults here. Everyone can make their own decisions. If someone’s offended, they have a few options, just like everyone else. 1) Talk to the person who offended them 2) Talk to the supervisor of the offender 3) IG 4) Do nothing
I could share many stories of when I was offended for witnessed others who were offended by co-workers or supervisors. I could tell story after story about some groups mocking others for not going to the club for drinks with the rest of the guys. Others mocked an E-4 for being a Sunday School teacher, and constantly made fun of him. Nearly every person, every situation was dealt with by ignoring them. I’ve dealt with “Domininist Non-Christians”…and guess how I deal with them? Just like anyone else; with respect. I don’t cry to the CSAF, I don’t threaten them, I don’t mock them and I don’t solicit money to back my defense of Dominionist Non-Christians. I just move on.
@Lt. Frank
I am beginning to wonder if you are or have been in the military. If you are of have been you certainly have been sheltered from the reality of military workings.
Your suggestions about reporting disturbing events to offender’s supervisors or the IG are naive. We found it necessary to go to the highest command level in order to receive straight answers.
MRFF is currently addressing over 39,000 client case complaints dealing with:
A: Command Centered Christian proselytizing. These are situations in which military personnel are directed by supervisiors with implied consequences to participate in some form of Christian study, service, gathering, Bible study, etc.
B: Chains of command sending e-mails with doctrinal Christian messages to entire trainee populations and allowing promotional Christian material to be distributed in mess halls, etc. .
C: Certain religious operatives from Christian organizations are given broad access to trainees in service academies and military training facilities.
D: Christian Organizations allowed to seek members and to promote themselves in barracks and dormitories.
E: Christian material allowed to be openly distributed to personnel.
F: Personnel urged to attend Christian church services by supervisors. You get the idea.
This number of cries for help is truly significant.
“Dominionist Non Christians” are simply “Other religions in which a dominance syndrome exists.”
You’ll never know my background, but use your imagination. (you use it well in other areas)
39,000 cases? WOW! And how many cases has MRFF won in court?
Inquiring minds want to know, how many other non-profit organizations out there pay over half of their donations to their leader?
Regarding A thru F…Oh, the shock of it all. All of that and still not one person who was forced to convert due to so-called “Dominionist Christians”? Wow!
That being said, do you know how many times I’ve seen flyers on other religions? How many conversations I’ve had about other faiths with supervisors? How many times I’ve seen Christian personnel ostracized or ignored from various functions over the years? Many times, but I never wrote to the CSAF. I dealt with it on my own, as did everyone else.
I hope you’re happy being a Dominionist Non-Christian.
@Richard, you’re a liar. First off, MRFF is not a law firm, it’s a non-profit organization so there is no attorney-client privilege that would prevent MRFF or your-self from talking about anything. People are members of MRFF, not clients. Mr. Weinstein is not a JAG officer anymore and isn’t authorized to be representing soldiers in matters pertaining to their service, that’s what the chain of command is for. Even the lowest ranking personnel are informed in training that if you have a grievance, you take it up through the chain of command starting with your squad leader or the equivalent. If there is a legal matter, a service member should be taking it to their company commander not an outside entity. That was what happened with Jeremy Hall. He didn’t follow protocol and he ended up dropping the suit because Mr. Weinstein is a piss poor ‘lawyer’ who shouldn’t have been claiming to represent Hall in the first place. This is what I mean when I say he uses his titles to deliberately mislead soldiers in order to sell a story and boost sales for membership in MRFF.
Why do you support exploiting soldiers for a profit? What has MRFF ever done to remedy any of these complaints you claim they receive other than filing fallacious suits and getting a story in the paper?
@Lt. Frank
Actually I got the number of complaints wrong. Its a little over 32000. These client case complaints are not individually pursued at law. Occasionally a number of similar ones are forearded to the chain of command. And although we have not won any lawsuits it is easy to see why. There’s an old boys club in the military that pretty much blanks out complaints. The judiciary is pretty new into all this recent first amendment stuff but is coming along slow but sure. No one wants to diss the armed forces. The national cry is “Support our Troops” not “Sue our Troops!”
As for my being a Dominionist non-Christian, you would be wrong. It is not my desire to dominate anyone, only to defend our military against the aweful domination of extreme Christianity or any other extreme religion. I would guess that if we were operating in Pakistan we would be engaged in trying to prevent Muslim coercion in the ranks
And please remember, our efforts are to prevent ceorcive proselytizing. If someone does not want to convert, they generally will not, irrespective of the pressures. Our role is to keep our men and women in the military from having to suffer the pressures of coercive proselytizing.
And also Please remembetr that those who are fighting evil cannot be called evil.
@Priscilla Parker
Did you know that calling people names is a sign of low intellect?
I’m glad you know so much about MRFF. Next you’ll probably want to get it right. Your guesses are amateur at best.
Complainants are clients of MRFF. Each client is assigned a case file. Members are supporters of MRFF, volunteers and donors.
Each complainants case is handled as a separate complaint unless it occurs under the same commander in the same unit.
There is an MRFF – client privilege extended to all complainants.
Many client complaints are handled quickly and without much fuss. Even moreso since Mikey has been deemed to be one of the top 100 influentioal people in our Defense Department.
Mr. Weinstein is emminently qualified to handle complaints. One need not be a Jag to handle these cases. Mikey remains an attorney and is therefore permitted to give legal advice.
The chain of command has proven to be a weak source of satidfaction in many cases as they petty much close ranks to protect the reputation of their commands rather than solve the problem. Occasionally we will get some favorable response but Mikey has pretty much had to go over their heads to get the job done.
It is not MRFF that exploits our armed forces members. It is those who are bent on proselytizing their religious beliefs firmly and steadily to obtain a higher level of obedience and militant Christianity in the armed forces. This is an unAmerican activity which violates the very thrust of the US Constitution.
It must be remembered that the United States is a secular country in which all religions may flourish but none dominate. Those who subscribe to and practice Dominion Christianity are violating the US Constituion and as such are criminals under the UCMJ and civil law.
Oh, save it with the first few comments in your reply. If you think I’m of ‘low intelligence’ fine, tell your-self what you need too.
So, let’s try this again. ALL of MRFF’s ‘clients’ are also members of the organization and most are also members of another organization, the US military. You can assign case files to each complaint received all you like for organizational purposes but the fact remains MRFF is a non-profit, not a business or firm. Mr. Weinstein can act in an advisory capacity but he is NOT authorized to be representing soldiers in legal matters pertaining to the military. If MRFF chooses to extend client privilege to complaintents, fine, but it’s not like you or any other personnel at MRFF would be violating any laws by openly talking about cases which they apparently love to do in the media.
Yes, Mr. Weinstein is qualified to be giving legal advice and that’s fine, in fact I’m all for him doing so, not that that matters in the least, but again, he is NOT authorized to be handling service members legal matters. When he or MRFF interject into these matters, it does nothing but hurt the soldier because they are not only not following protocol, they are bringing discredit and dishonor to an organization they signed a contract with and one stipulation of entering into that contract is agreeing not to behave in a manner that brings discredit to the organization. Making accusations against their command because they don’t get the answer they want and then going to an outside entity is behavior that is usually defined as dishonorable.
So, again, why do you support Mr. Weinstein, whom you’ve stated is qualified to be handling these complaints since he was a JAG officer and knows the regs and the protocol for raising issues in the military, exploiting soldiers?
@Priscilla Parker
Priscilla, as a former airman I have certainly talked to many Air Force personnel. As a volunteer for the wounded warrior project, I have talked to a number of Armed Forces Personnel. As a military dependent for 17 years I talked to many military personnel and their dependents. My Dad retired a Colonel with the 4th Infantrty Division, my oldest brother retired a Major with the 82nd Airborne, middle brother retired as a Regimental Sergeant Major at Fort Carson, my youngest brother retired as a Major and former battery commander with the 29th Field Artillery attached to the 4th Infantry Division. A Great Nephew attended and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and through him I met a number of cadets from all stages of advancement and hosted many of them in my home. Another Nephew was an Army helicopter ground crew mechanic and served with the 101st Airborne Air Mobile in Vietnam.
As Santa Claus for Fort Carson 4th Infantry Division kids (all four combat brigade teams) I talk to many military personnel and their children. As Santa Claus for the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base I have talked to many airmen and their families. So I feel that I have some knowledge of military affairs and lifestyles.
@Priscilla
Hi. Sorry about the low intellect remark.
Mikey does not exploit any of the complainants. The initial process of addressing client case complaints, as I have told you, is not a legal action. Many of the complaints are handled with direct communication with commanders or other personnel. Some are just outright mistakes made by someone who should know better. Sometimes the complainant has exacerbated his or her situation by waiting too long to report it out of fear.
Mikey’s approach is one of common sense and once having pointed out the error that may have been made by some commander or superior officer often solves the problem on the spot. Other cases take more effort but only rarely has Mikey brought legal action against the perpetrators and in those cases it was a pretty broad approach.
Having been a JAG he retains much of the UCMJ material relating to religious hegemony and in
addition the current Air Force Judge Advocate and staff can, for the most part, be relied upon to supply necessary information.
As you might guess no one likes to be caught doing things that might not be kosher or career threatening and many mid-grade and up supervisory personnel have gotten quite defensive about their activities. This comes from knowing the power they have over subordinates. On the other hand there have been some cooperative people and others who have been assistive in getting complaints settled.
But I’m sure you know that the military is a brotherhood (include sisters in that as well)
that can and will quickly close ranks when an outside threat to their position, rank and order appears. It is also important for to know that MRFF retains one of the leading law firms in the country who has suppliedthe legal doctrines necessary to handle communicartons, etc.
I hope this gives you a little better perspective on what we are facing. By the way have you googled Dominion Christianity and Christian Reconstructionism yet? Their descriptions will give you some idea of what we face in the military.
Thank you for the apology.