Posted on 10/26/2004 7:24:12 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army has taken action against Lt. Gen. William Boykin, who embarrassed the Bush administration by giving speeches in which he described the war on terrorism as a Christian battle against Satan.
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody declined to give any details of the action taken in response to Boykin's remarks, which violated Pentagon (news - web sites) rules, but said it was not "significant."
"I took the appropriate action based on the recommendations of the Inspector General," Cody told Reuters while attending the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army.
He did not say when the action was taken.
"If it was something significant, it would be something we would talk about. So that should give you an indication," Cody said.
Boykin, who was at the meeting, declined comment.
The Pentagon inspector general concluded in an August report that Boykin should face "appropriate corrective action" because he failed to clear official data in some of the 23 religious-oriented speeches he gave after January 2002.
Although he initially described the war against terrorism as a "crusade," President Bush (news - web sites) has since worked to shore up relations with Muslim states and avoid the appearance of a Christian-Muslim struggle.
The Bush administration has come under fire from Muslim Americans for what they see as heavy-handed law enforcement in a crackdown against groups associated with al Qaeda, blamed for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
ARAB AMERICAN ANGER
Recent polls have shown a strong swing against Bush among Arab Americans in the race to next week's presidential election in which Bush is neck-and-neck with Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites).
Boykin touched off a firestorm when he gave a series of speeches while in uniform in which he referred to the war on terrorism as a battle with Satan.
He said America had been targeted "because we're a Christian nation." He said later he was not anti-Islam or any other religion.
Muslim groups and lawmakers condemned Boykin's comments and Bush said the remarks "didn't reflect my opinion."
The Muslim groups also raised questions about what role Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, may have played in creating U.S. military interrogation policy before a scandal erupted over the abuse of prisoners in Iraq (news - web sites).
The Pentagon report said Boykin had been obliged to clear the speeches with the Pentagon, given "the sensitive nature of his remarks concerning U.S. policy and the likelihood that he would be perceived by his audiences as a DOD spokesman based on his official position and his appearance in uniform."
Boykin also failed to issue a required disclaimer at the speeches that he was not representing official Pentagon policy, and failed to report his receipt of one travel payment exceeding $260 from a non-government source, it concluded.
In its 10-month internal investigation the Pentagon did not address whether the substance of Boykin's remarks was appropriate for a senior Pentagon official or whether it compromised his fitness to perform his duties.
That question, it said, should be decided by senior Pentagon officials.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has praised Boykin's "outstanding record" and refused to reprimand the general, who played a role in a 1993 battle with Somali warlords and the ill-fated hostage rescue attempt in Iran in 1980.
"I took the appropriate action based on the recommendations of the Inspector General," Cody told Reuters while attending the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army.
He did not say when the action was taken.
"If it was something significant, it would be something we would talk about. So that should give you an indication," Cody said.
Christian vs Muslim, I can buy that. Shame a man cannot acknowledge the truth that is staring us all in the face.
Good point....if this country realised that this the goal of the terrorists is to either convert us--or destroy us---there would NOT be any of the shilly-shallying about how to deal with these slime.
There would be only calls for their destruction.....
It is a war of good vs. evil.
Where and to whom can we write/email??
I tack the fault to Bush, not the general. It is difficult for me to believe that Bush expects us to really buy his Islam is a religion of peace. That is pure BS. After the election, Bush is going to hear a lot of things he will not like.
You really should work on your spelling. ;-)
Now, you were saying General Cody should be relieved of command.
Even members of the military retain civil rights and protections of free speech.
It's a matter of living and loving life or living and loving death. How hard is that to see?
Sadly I am sure there is something radically wrong with this country. Bush is not the man to right this wrong. We will continue our slide deeper into socialism and PC.
Wrong.
Bush and that idiot Frist have done nothing to fill out judgeships with conservatives. They will go with Black, assuming they can swing it because he is black. If it were the dems they would have it done in a heart beat.
Free Speech, the Military, and the National Interest
Major Felix F. Moran III
Document created: 8 March 02
Air University Review, May-June 1980
A bit dated , like the Constitution. ;-)
Civil righteousness should rule in this life, whether it be Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or Atheist. NOT an easy thing to see or accomplish, but it is best.
I suspect that whatever 'action' was taken against General Boykin was something on the order of a verbal discussion which went something like:
Cody: "General? You know you spoke the truth, WE know you spoke the truth, and the American people know you spoke the truth, unfortunately the enemy within, i.e. the Democrats and their liberal allies in the media, want nothing to do with the truth. We know what is at stake in this war, and so do you. We're on the same page. Secretary Rumsfeld continues to have the highest confidence in you and so do we. All we ask, is in the future if you would be a little more aware of the fact that anything you say is liable to be used to pummel the Defense Department, and more importantly, our Commander In Chief. Are you ok with this General?"
Boykin: "No problem."
Cody: "Good deal." (shakes Boykin's hand)
Don't be surprised if it went down almost exactly like that.
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