Category Archives: Government and Religion

Fort Hood Massacre Trial Cost $5M

The Associated Press reports that the nearly 4-year capital murder court-martial of then-US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan cost “nearly $5 million.”

The biggest pre-trial expense in Maj. Nidal Hasan’s trial was more than $1 million for transportation for witnesses, jurors and attorneys…About $90,000 was spent to house the witnesses…

The records also show that in the months before his trial, Army helicopters ferried Hasan 40 miles from the Bell County Jail to Fort Hood at a cost of more than $194,000 so he could work on his defense in his private office. More than $200,000 was spent on trailers, apparently including the one that housed the private office.

The expenses likely include the combat-like barriers that surrounded the facility holding the trial.

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Holy Cross Navy Cadets Host Competition

A US Navy article recently highlighted the Navy ROTC program at the College of the Holy Cross, a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition.  While the friendly drill and athletic competition was the topic, it was mostly interesting to read the references to the Catholic college’s military program:

“I really enjoyed it,” said Holy Cross Midshipman 4th Class Annie Grimmke…

Given the sometime political sensitivity of associating the US military and religion, its a wonder a certain critic of Christianity in the military hasn’t demanded that Holy Cross either change their name or be stripped of their ROTC program.

The best part, though, is their mascot.

They’re the Holy Cross Crusaders.

The benign, perfectly acceptable, and normal NROTC program at that small school is probably giving that guy an aneurysm right now.

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Congress Again Pushes to Declare Fort Hood Massacre Terrorism

Senator John Cornyn has introduced legislation entitled “Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act” (S.1500) intended to declare US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan’s 2009 massacre at Fort Hood an “act of terrorism.”  The text is blunt:

Congress makes the following declarations of policy:
The November 5, 2009, attack at Fort Hood, Texas constituted an act of terrorism, not merely workplace violence. Nidal Hasan…was principally motivated to carry out the attack by an ideology of violent Islamist extremism.

The text goes on to require the Service Secretaries to award Read more

US Sailors Support Judeo-Christian Outreach Center

An official Navy article highlights the service of Hampton Roads Sailors as they volunteered to help out at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, which is homeless shelter and soup kitchen.

“We’re always excited to have the military volunteer at JCOC because it’s a morale boost for those we serve and an opportunity for our military folks to see what we as a community do to help the homeless here,” said Todd Walker, JCOC executive director.

Like many acts of service, those who serve are as impacted as those whom they serve:

“This is truly a humbling experience because it reminds us all that having a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our back and a great job is a privilege and can just as easily be taken away in a world filled with uncertainty,” said…Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jose Soto…

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Mikey Weinstein’s Friends and Allies in Military High Places, Part 4

As noted previously, Michael “Mikey” Weinstein claims the US military is overrun by Christians trying to take over the world, and he is sacrificing himself as a martyr in a one-man crusade to save us all.  Except…

It seems Weinstein is fast friends with the top leaders of the very military services he claims he’s fighting — contrary to his frequent claims he is but a lowly David fighting an institutional Goliath.

In two examples, Weinstein’s “close personal…relationship” with an Air Force base’s commanding general has already been discussed, as has his unusual access to an Air Force Colonel’s non-releasable records.  In a more significant example, The JAG of the Air Force for nearly 6 years, LtGen Jack Rives, was the legal face of the Air Force as it (presumably) fended off Weinstein’s attacks.  After he retired, though, former TJAG LtGen Rives turned ardent cheerleader for Weinstein’s crusade against religious freedom in the US military.

Now, Weinstein has publicly announced that very recently retired LtGen William Lord has “long” been an ally for Weinstein’s cause.  At his retirement just a year ago, LtGen William Lord was the AF Chief Information Officer — in the office of the Secretary of the Air Force.  Recalling his recent visit to the “well-appointed” office of the Superintendent of West Point, Weinstein said [emphasis added]:  Read more

Army Commander: 9/11 Committed in the Name of God

US Army Col Sheila Bryant, commander of the 10th Regional Support Group at Torii Station, Japan, during a September 11th remembrance ceremony [emphasis added]:

This day marks the 12th anniversary of a time which will live in infamy when we caught a glimpse of the darkest side of humanity, a time when people made in the image of God and in the name of God committed atrocities against his children.

The sentiment is not all that unusual, though it is an interesting characterization for an Army Colonel to publicly make.

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Pastor: 80 Airmen Meet on Air Force Treatment of Christianity

Pastor Steve Branson of Village Parkway Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX, reported that he recently held a meeting with a large group of members of the US Air Force to hear their worries over the Air Force’s treatment of their religious freedom.

At least 80 airmen attended a private meeting at the church where [Branson] heard them voice their concerns about religious hostilities at the Air Force base. It was a standing-room only crowd.

“The religious persecution is happening,” the pastor said. “It’s getting bigger every day.”

As to the improper conduct for which these Airmen claim they are being discriminated against [emphasis added]:

“A commander told him, ‘Don’t you understand discrimination – that your thought process is discrimination?’” Pastor Branson said.

Branson’s church in San Antonio, near Lackland Air Force Base, has Read more

US Military Brings Yoga, Comedy to Afghanistan

The Department of Defense announced that “Soul-dier Boot Camp” was brought to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, as part of Armed Forces Entertainment:

Soul-dier Boot Camp is a yoga-inspired, high-intensity, interval cardio class designed to get participants to a high cardiovascular level and then bring them down with a calming, athletic, yoga course.

In the evening, the team entertained with comedy:  Read more

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