Posted on 08/19/2004 1:02:28 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
Are you seriously saying that the mere existence of a specific group, consisting of 1.2 billion people, is a direct threat to our national security?
That is most assuredly not US policy.
But it wasn't. He was openly, publicly and urgently (especially by the fact that he was in uniform when it happened) alerting Americans to the very real and urgent danger that Islam is to the safety of all Americans.
No, he was expressing a personal opinion that is contrary to US policy.
His being in uniform when he warned America is all the more appropriate.
If you want to live in a country where the military is not subject to the civil authorities, there are many nations around the world where the President for Life is a former colonel, and where the political process consists of the next ambitious colonel sending his tanks into the national capitol. Please find one with a congenial climate and move there.
Islam is the scourge of the earth and the general correctly called it what it is.
I could care less about your politically-correct crying towels, but you will need them if Islam gets it's way in the United States.
Oh, and BTW - this is NOT Lybia.
I recall Air Force generals getting canned for comments about Clinton.
Campbell was one, IIRC.
I'm simply unwilling to live in a country where the military is not subject to civil authority. You, conversely, demand that the military be exempted from civil authority.
Like I said, go find a country that matches your worldview. There are a lot of them out there. We don't need another one.
1. It's spelled "Libya."
2. That is my point. This isn't Libya, Guatemala, or Liberia. You merely wish to take the first step in making this country into a duplicate of those unfortunate countries.
You recall correctly, grasshopper!
There are limits on "free speech" when you're wearing the uniform. I knew that when I was a young Marine Sergeant. This general forgot it.
yawning . .
Donning the uniform .. even for an enlisted soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine .. requires, by regulation and common usage, you to carefully judge what you can and cannot do in public. The military uniform is another emblem for the country, almost as much as the flag. It cannot be misused.
General officers, by their very nature a political animal because of the winnowing procedure that precedes and results in their elevation to flag rank, must be especially careful. What would your feelings be about a black general who, in uniform, gave a speech decrying "White devils" and advocating more affirmative action in military promotions and in society in general? What would your attitude be about a Catholic general who, in uniform, advocated supporting, with weapons and training, the IRA against the British and who stated that Protestants were scum and not truly Christian? What about the Moslem officer who denounces the Christians and the Jews and advocates supporting the Palestinian Authority?
It depends on whose ox is gored. The rules are there for everyone. This individual can follow the regulations as they are or he can do as he wishes and face the obvious consequences.
Your profile page doesn't indicate whether or not you have any military service. I'm assuming from your input that you do not; otherwise, you would know that there are great restrictions put on those who wear the uniform of this country ... and we're still under control of the civilians, no matter how much that might rankle us. As a veteran, I fear the day when generals in uniform can represent this country on whatever issue they desire. You may regret taking the position that you have in the event that this occasion does arise.
The only people offended are Satan and his followers. Who cares?
Being a General means that you are as much politician as you are a soldier; maybe more so. General Boykin has a responsibility NOT to undermine his CinC's position. If we absolutely HAD to say this, then he should resign and say them, write books, etc. Otherwise, his statments should remain in step with the adminstration's position. As long as he does not openly contradict the Administration policy, he could probably get away with executing his mission based on his own principles.
This does not stop me from agreeing with everthing he said. I wish his position WAS the Bush Adminstration position. The "Religion of Peace" garbage is one of my issues with Pres. Bush (border control, gun control, education, and agricultural subsidies are remaining issues).
To Poohbah and BlueLancer:
You are absolutely, 100% correct. Lt. Gen. William Boykin did in fact overstep his position as a uniformed member of the United States Armed Forces by speaking out against Islam while in uniform. He inappropriately used his rank and uniform in an unauthorized manner in violation of the Code of Conduct and other various regulations governing openly expressing his political views while in uniform.
I understand what the general did, and you are also completely correct in the dangers of a military establishment imposing military rule on our civilian population - again you are on the proper and correct interpretation of the conduct of our armed forces. These crucial safeguards are critical in preventing the overthrow of our government by mutiny and to prevent powerful generals from forming coups as has happened all down through history from Rome to Hitler's Germany.
But these are not normal times, and Islam (as it is now being espoused from the hate-filled imams from New York to London) is not a normal threat to the future of Western Society.
The general knew this, counted the negative consequences to his military career, and made the statement and is now paying the price for it.
His platform was wrong, his message was right.
Should be promoted...
"A U.S. Army general violated Pentagon rules by failing to properly clear speeches in which he described the war on terror as a Christian battle against Satan and should be punished, according to an inspector general's report obtained by Reuters on Wednesday. "
He did nothing wrong. He's just stating the obvious. The politically correct are blind to this. If anything they relate to Satan hence their concern for his feelings.
All the more reason the protocols of military discipline and the subordination of military to civil authorities must be adhered to.
Principles are what we hold to under extreme duress, not in fair weather.
All the more reason the protocols of military discipline and the subordination of military to civil authorities must be adhered to.
Principles are what we hold to under extreme duress, not in fair weather.
Horsepuckey.
Think Patton. Think MacArthur. Neither were evangelical Christians yet both were slapped down for their political comments. LTG Boykin is no different.
Being a general is a very political job. Straight talk, evangelical or not, will get you in trouble.
If you want to live in a country where the military is not subject to the civil authorities, there are many nations around the world where the President for Life is a former colonel, and where the political process consists of the next ambitious colonel sending his tanks into the national capitol.
The only day I will stand beside a UCMJ disobedient General is when and if our civilian leaders ever attempt to drop the US Constitution in the trash and salute the UN flag. If that General is attempting to place the Stars and Stripes above the UN flag I will allow him to stand on my shoulders and I'll shoot anyone who interferes with his actions.
Today, we are not fully under that situation, Thank God, consequently I feel that Lt. Gen. William Boykin should be mildly reprimanded.
>>these are not normal times, and Islam (as it is now being espoused from the hate-filled imams from New York to London) is not a normal threat to the future of Western Society.<<
This is something the US citizen should be taking to task. We do have a First Amendment that gives us the right us to do so. (And a Second to protect the First.)
No disagreement with you there.
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