Top terrorist hunter’s divisive views..casts military ...efforts in religious terms.(So What?!)

NBC NEWS ^ | 15 Oct 03 | Lisa Myers

[.cnI redruM]

A highly decorated general who is one of the leaders of a secretive new Pentagon unit formed to coordinate intelligence on terrorists and help hunt down Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and other high-profile targets has a history of outspoken and divisive views on religion — Islam in particular, NBC News has learned.

HE’S A HIGHLY decorated officer, twice wounded in combat — a warrior’s warrior.

The former commander of Army Special Forces, Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin has led or been part of almost every recent U.S. military operation, from the ill-fated attempt to rescue hostages in Iran to Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Somalia.

This summer, Boykin was promoted to deputy undersecretary of defense, with a new mission for which many say he is uniquely qualified: to aggressively combine intelligence with special operations and hunt down so-called high-value terrorist targets including bin Laden and Saddam.

But that new assignment may be complicated by controversial views Boykin — an evangelical Christian — has expressed in dozens of speeches at churches and prayer breakfasts around the country. In a half-dozen video and audiotapes obtained by NBC News, Boykin says America’s true enemy is not bin Laden.

In June 2003, Boykin spoke to a church group over a slide show:

“Well, is he [bin Laden] the enemy? Next slide. Or is this man [Saddam] the enemy? The enemy is none of these people I have showed you here. The enemy is a spiritual enemy. He’s called the principality of darkness. The enemy is a guy called Satan.”

Why are terrorists out to destroy the United States? Boykin said: “They’re after us because we’re a Christian nation.”

NBC News military analyst Bill Arkin, who’s been investigating Boykin for the Los Angeles Times, says the general casts the war on terror as a religious war: “I think that it is not only at odds with what the president believes, but it is a dangerous, extreme and pernicious view that really has no place.”

During a January church speech in Daytona, Fla., Boykin recalled a Muslim fighter in Somalia who bragged on television the Americans would never get him because his God, Allah, would protect him: “Well, you know what I knew, that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol.”

The Somali was captured, and Boykin said he told the man: “Mr. Atto, you underestimated our God.”

In a phone conversation, Boykin tells NBC he respects Muslims and believes the radicals who attack America are “not true followers of Islam.”

Boykin also routinely tells audiences that God, not the voters, chose President Bush: “Why is this man in the White House? The majority of Americans did not vote for him. Why is he there? And I tell you this morning that he’s in the White House because God put him there for a time such as this.”

Boykin tells NBC News that, given his new assignment, he is curtailing such speeches in the future. He says, “I don’t want … to be misconstrued. I don’t want to come across as a right-wing radical.”

[.cnI redruM]

If I read my history correctly, George S. Patton believed he was Hannibal reincarnated. The man was Kucinich-Whacked on the topic of religion. Of course he wasn't hired to serve as an Army Chaplain, he was hired to kick Nazi A--. When the 101st Airborne was holed-up in Bostagne, noone complained about Patton's eccentricities as he roared up the road with the 2nd AD.

The same should be true of Boykin. I could care less if he prays to the Church of Ganja Consumpta Immaculata as long as he wins. His critics are people who secretly want the US to lose this war. The whole religion thing is just a cheap excuse.

[joesnuffy]

He tells the truth and dares to utter the one name in creation that all others are subject to
Whats up next the ACLU to demand separation of church and anti-terrorism?

[rhombus]

Hahahaha just the kind of guy to get liberal panties all twisted up!

[Capriole]

NBC News military analyst Bill Arkin, who’s been investigating Boykin for the Los Angeles Times. . .

That one sentence sums it all up: the guy works for NBC, is "investigating" Boykin (clearly suggesting that Boykin is committing an offense in being a Christian and thus requires investigation)and is doing it for the Los Angeles Times, a publication not suitable for picking up dog messes.

What a travesty, that this hero, this noble soul, should be "investigated" for speaking the truth! May God smite and silence our enemies, here and abroad.

[Burn24]

Hi Redrum - you know, I watched NBC News last night with Brokaw. With all the events of the day - Americans murdered in Gaza, the Ferry crash, the baseball - they somehow managed to devote most of their airtime to this evangelical military man. It was quite astonishing. I wanted to send an immediate email, but had no computer access. UNBELIEVABLE!!

[bird4four4]

The press will vilify him because he is Christian. And they will ignore the fact that our enemy are the ones presenting this as a religious war. They want to slaughter Christians and Jews. Just because C and J stand up and defend themselves does not equate to a Crusade or Imperialism.

[Mr. Bird]

A highly decorated general

If he was against the war, this credential would boost him in the media. It would actually innoculate him against criticism. But he's pro-Bush and a Christian, so it's just an inconvenient fact.

[.cnI redruM]

If he's being investigated by The LA Times, I really should change my (So What?!) to (GOOD!!!!!).

[lady lawyer]

I think the point is to seize on an opportunity to call Christians "divisive" if they dare to utter a word about their beliefs.

There is a law professor at the University of Wyoming who has published a book, the central thesis of which is that teaching children Christian beliefs and values is child abuse. This is a theme that is being developed in Europe, as well.

Liberals are only "liberal" until they get power. Then they stop talking about tolerance and accommodating differing viewpoints and start trying to silence and crush any opposition.

Another example: The International Criminal Court has a vaguely described crime called "persecution." It is drafted in deliberately vague terms so that radical leftist judges and prosecutors can interpret it in ways that will allow them to imprison religious people who preach or practice religious doctrines in opposition to what they want. The crime of "persecution" would allow the ICC to arrest the Pope, for example, for preaching against abortion or homosexuality. It would allow the ICC to arrest a Mormon bishop -- my religion -- for refusing to perform a marriage ceremony for two men.

I know they plan to use it against religious people because I was there when it was being drafted. We got conservative countries to introduce language that would have exempted traditional family structures and religions from the language of the ICC, and the leftist/feminist lawyers negotiating for most of the Western countries went nuts. The language didn't make it in.

[.cnI redruM]

You mean that it doesn't give him instant credibility like it does Barracks Emporer Wastely Clark. Why not?? ;)

[rhombus]

What a Satan the media will make of this warrior. Does no one on the left see the irony?

[xzins]

The Constitution enumerates for Boynkin what it enumerates for the rest of us; the right to free speech and free exercise of religion.

He's not under a gag order as an Army officer EXCEPT in the area of political involvement. If he wishes to express some ideas in terms of his religious faith, so what?! The media needs to grow up and recognize that a lot of Americans are religious.....duh.

Boynkin's a good guy. I got to meet him twice...once in Panama on a dark lz in the dead of night I did a religious service for some of his guys. Once again in Hawaii on a training mission. NSDQ.

Xzins
Chaplain (Retired) US Army

[Burn24]

Who calls the shots on the nightly network news? Who decides what is to be presented, and how much time to devote to it? Anybody know? I'm simply outraged.

[ElectricStrawberry]

NBC News military analyst Bill Arkin, who’s been investigating Boykin for the Los Angeles Times, says the general casts the war on terror as a religious war: “I think that it is not only at odds with what the president believes, but it is a dangerous, extreme and pernicious view that really has no place.”

Everything that is truly good for this country is seen as "dangerous" and "extreme" view that has no place in a liberal's world-------especially to an investigator from the LA Times....and I believe that our President did lay out the war on terror as a matter of good and evil.

[lady lawyer]

Where are our military history experts? I bet they could dig up a ton of quote from World War II in which our leaders credited God for our victories.

[Sir Gawain]

Hey Lisa,

{^} J {^}

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>Liberals are only "liberal" until they get power. Then they stop talking about tolerance and accommodating differing viewpoints and start trying to silence and crush any opposition.

After reading that elegant and accurate paragraph, I genuinely belief there are attorneys who make an honest living. Rather than raping honest businesses and getting high-power rapists off the hook.

[nuffsenuff]

Anyone care to tell me how his beliefs can possibly have adverse effects on his ability to lead troops?

Cause I don't see it.

[patent]

>>>>That one sentence sums it all up: the guy works for NBC, is "investigating" Boykin (clearly suggesting that Boykin is committing an offense in being a Christian and thus requires investigation)and is doing it for the Los Angeles Times, a publication not suitable for picking up dog messes.

Well, and worse we aren't treated to any facts he digs up, we get what he "thinks." Is that journalism? Or merely politics by the press.

patent

[.cnI redruM]

Unless you know something I haven't realized yet, I'm not Lisa. Have a nice day.