This column had already been filed when a 2004 graduate of the Academy, who participated in a "Protestant chapel service during Basic Cadet Training" referred to in the document and in a general assembly of all cadets flatly contradicted one the most serious charges leveled at Commandant of Cadets General Johnny Weida --that he had developed a "system of code words" for communicated secretly with evangelical Christian cadets (p. 6 of the "report.") This pilot was certain that the authors had combined two events into one and used that convenient lumping to conjure up this absurd charge against the very popular and widely admired Weida. Other callers pointed out that there are 4,000 cadets at the Academy, and yesterday's Boston Globe's assertion that the Americans United investigators had "talked with about 15 cadets and staff" underscored just how thin this gruel is. Others could not believe that the report had attacked head football coach Fisher DeBerry (p. 8 of the "report") who is heading into his 23rd season at the Academy. Another caller drew my attention to the schedule of graduation services, which included baccalaureate services reflecting the religious diversity of the Academy.
An e-mailer provided me with the memo that followed the one week visit of the "Yale Divinty School team" in July, 2004, a team that consisted of Dr. Kristen Leslie and some graduate students. The Americans United "report" launches its attack on Major Warren Watties based upon this "team's" observations. I reproduce the memo below, and while this team's members may have brought the necessary background to provide the Academy "USAFA/HC chaplains rigorous assessment and advanced training in specialized pastoral care to victims of sexualized violence and practical methodologies for the prevention of sexual assault," the team's critique of the protestant chapel services and their "stridently Evangelical themes" seems like an intolerant and ideological slam at a theology and worship style the team did not embrace.
Rather than some serious debate over whether these charges from Yalies spending a week on campus and a collection of hearsay anecdotes from hyper-ideologues in Barry Lynn's shop should be considered "evidence" of anything, the Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Dominguez instead jumped as high as Lynn wanted, and announced a task force to investigate, headed by Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, with other members soon to be announced. Even if the report dismisses the charges as baseless --a very difficult political choice even if true given the claim of "whitewash" that would follow-- a message has already been sent to everyone at the Academy and indeed throughout all the services to watch how you pray or else Barry Lynn will issue a "report" that no matter how thinly sourced or blatantly political will trigger "task forces" and inquiries.
The Acting Secretary ought to have stood up for his team, or at least demanded the sources for the allegations before launching an investigation that presumes there is some level of merit to the charges. (My column, btw, incorrectly states the Americans United report has "zero footnotes." There are "footnotes," but none go to the issue of the sources of these allegations.)
If you are concerned that the accused receive a fair hearing, contact your congressman and senators via the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask them to relay to the Acting Secretary their concern that hard-left ideolouges not be allowed to damage either the Aademy or its leadership with a round of religious McCarthyism.
The Air Force has the Thunderbirds, the Blue Angels are Navy.
.."the assertion that "General Weida has established a system of code words that he shares with evangelical Christian cadets in order to provide them with opportunities to proselytize others in the Cadet Wing"..
Good Lord, I'd want that investigated.
Barry Lynn is an asswipe.
We should put him and Abe Foxman and Morris Dees in a small rowboat to nowhere.
Whatever happened to the religious among us having a right to free expression? Freesom of worship is not freedom from having others worship.
Still, you've got to be careful putting religious stuff on here. The theophobes will come after you and tell you that you're only permitted to speak on that fine day in November.
The Air Force has the Thunderbirds, which were ancient Native-American gods. Therefore, the Air Force will get a pass from "secularist" PC pinheads.
The most distinguishing feature of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is..........the Chapel!
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/114airforce/114visual8.htm
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