Martin Doblmeier recently produced a PBS documentary simply called CHAPLAINS. The 2-hour film covers chaplains in a variety of settings, from prison to NASCAR, and includes a segment on then-US Army Chaplain (Col) Paul Hurley, who was leading all US chaplains in Afghanistan at the time:
As well as being on PBS, the Read more
NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Nelson Piquet Jr was reportedly fined and ordered to “sensitivity training” for using a “gay slur on social media.”
The [NASCAR] Code of Conduct in the rule book says a driver “shall not make or cause to be made a public statement and/or communication that criticizes, ridicules or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”
Interestingly, Piquet’s apology included a statement that Read more
The US Army has announced it will end its decade-long NASCAR sponsorship after this year. The move has been praised by Betty McCollum (D-Minn), who has put forward amendments for at least two years attempting to strip the military’s ability to sponsor professional sports. For its part, the military generally considers such exposure good for recruiting. For the record, the Army will still be sponsoring a car in the National Hot Rod Association.
In his tradition of revising history, Michael Weinstein will likely claim this as a victory in his organization’s efforts to keep religious faith out of the military — not that Weinstein’s position has ever been consistent.
In what seems to be an annual event, another effort has been made in Congress to ban the Defense Department’s ability to sponsor teams or players in professional sporting events.
The $608 billion defense bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday includes an amendment to prohibit Pentagon spending on NASCAR, professional fishing and professional wrestling events.
US Rep Betty McCollum (D-Minn) proposed the Read more
Update: The House voted against the amendment.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn) has reportedly submitted an amendment to the 2011 House budget bill (one of about 400) that would ban the military from sponsoring NASCAR drivers.
The National Guard sponsors Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, the Army sponsors Ryan Newman, and the Air Force sponsors AJ Allmendinger, according to HamptonRoads.com.
“I would challenge the Pentagon to give me one example of someone today in Iraq or Afghanistan who saw the Go Army car going around Read more
The Air Force has announced it is “overstrength” (exceeding its authorized and funded size) and will reduce its officer corps by approximately 2300 personnel. Some will be encouraged to leave with voluntary separation pay; others will be involuntarily separated. In addition, the Air Force intends to reduce its promotion rates.
To reduce the number of upcoming officers, subsequent US Air Force Academy class sizes will be reduced to bring the USAFA Cadet Wing size down to 4,000 from its current 4,400.
The changes will likely make many career opportunities in the Air Force — including admissions to the Academy — far more “lean,” making them both challenging and competitive.
Some have noted an apparent contradiction, however, in the Air Force’s simultaneous decision to continue the pilot bonus and its NASCAR sponsorship.
Few things go together as well fast cars and fighter jets. The US military knows this, which is why the Air National Guard is sponsoring a car in NASCAR this year. The ANG will be the primary sponsor of the Latitude 43 team’s #26 for five races.
If this sounds vaguely familiar, it should. The MRFF’s David Miller complained of the military’s support for NASCAR just a few months ago, apparently because of its ‘overt Christianity.’
Interestingly, Latitude 43’s #26 already has several other sponsors, including Sacred Power, a Native American spirituality-themed energy company. Sacred Power’s logo — which appears to be derived from the Thunderbird, from Native American spiritual belief — is just below the ANG’s pitch on the side of the car:
It is unclear when Miller will complain or Michael Weinstein will file a lawsuit over the US military’s “unConstitutional support” of Native American spiritualism, as Read more
Much to the chagrin of the general public, you pretty much have to be famous or have a friend in the right place to score a ride in an Air Force fighter. Recently, Super Bowl XLIV champions Drew Brees and Jabari Greer had that experience, even flying with the US Air Force demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, during the Defenders of Liberty airshow at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
Generally, the flights serve as an act of goodwill between organizations with Read more