Academy General Off Promotions List

AP ^ | Aug 3, 2005

[robowombat]

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The Senate has put off an Air Force proposal to promote the No. 2 officer at the Air Force Academy, a born-again Christian who has been criticized for proselytizing in memos and speeches.

Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida's name was on a list of 21 Air Force generals nominated to receive a second star, but the Senate did not act on his promotion.

Weida, a 1978 academy graduate, was nominated May 9 for promotion to major general. Air Force spokeswoman Jennifer Stephens said Tuesday the Senate pulled Weida's name off the list before Friday's vote. She had no other details.

John Ullyot, a spokesman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Weida is still under investigation and the committee generally does not act on nominees in that situation. He said Weida's nomination is still pending before the committee.

The Air Force inspector general's office cleared Weida in June of six of seven allegations he improperly shared his faith, saying he did nothing wrong. That included his June 2003 "guidance" to cadets telling them they are "accountable first to your God." He also urged cadets and staff to pray.

An investigators' report did not detail the remaining allegation, saying only it was under review.

Weida, who has more than 26 years in the service, has apologized for his actions. He declined comment Tuesday.

The academy has been engulfed in allegations recently that evangelical Christians at the school have bullied Jews and cadets of other faiths. An Air Force task force investigated and said in June that it found no overt religious discrimination but definite insensitivity on the part of some cadets and staff members.

Mikey Weinstein, an academy graduate whose Jewish sons say they have endured anti-Semitic slurs at the school, applauded the decision to remove Weida from the promotions list.

"I believe that Johnny Weida lost his constitutional compass, which resulted in him violating the oath he took to preserve, support and defend the U.S. Constitution - as opposed to preserving and supporting the New Testament," he said.

Anti-Defamation League leader Abraham Foxman told the Gazette of Colorado Springs he was "delighted" Weida was passed over.

"I'm sorry for him, but I think it's the appropriate thing to do," he said. "I hope they pass him by for good."

[robowombat]

This would mean some member of the Senate has requested this action. Who? Chucky Slimer perhaps or Barbara Butthead? Both good candidates. Being a really active Christian has not been good for general officer careers for a good while. Back in the early seventies the commander of the old CONARC was retired early for being an active lay preacher on his own time and nickel. I think such displays make not only the left slime but the whole political culture irrespective of party label of inside-the-beltway very uncomnfortable as they swim in the 'everything is fungible' muck of the political process and find such people who have risen to high rank to be uncomfortable companions.

[SouthWall]

The Air Force inspector general's office cleared Weida in June of six of seven allegations he improperly shared his faith, That included his June 2003 "guidance" to cadets telling them they are "accountable first to your God." He also urged cadets and staff to pray. An investigators' report did not detail the remaining allegation, saying only it was under review.

What heinous thing could this Baptist Bully (or other Christian alliteration) be doing to these sensitivy students that the panel was afraid to even mention.

That's a hell of a reason for not promoting an officer. Perhaps if he had said "Believe in Allah and pray five time a day", then it would have been okay.

[silverleaf]

Something feels uncomfortable about the two Jewish men cited here as being "delighted" and "applauding" Congressional decision to backrail a Christian military officer who has been cleared of 6 of 7 "charges" of professing his faith.


Being "uncomfortable" with someone elses' open expression of faith in public is one thing...and its damn sure time people figured out how to handle being polite about it instead of hiring a lawyer.

For the US Congress to punish this officer for these ALLEGATIONS, is another thing!!! That should be understood by Jewish believers if no other.

Using the US Constitution to justify oh-so-respectfully issuing Korans to enemy prisoners and to oh-so-disrespectfully impugn the decision of this man's military peers and superiors that he is worthy of promotion...is crapola. This is getting real old and tiresome-

Oh that the Founders had reversed their wording in the Establishment clause...

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

vs

Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion or respecting an establishment thereof

[Lee E. Tallent]

Basically they are saying, "It's OK to be Christian, just keep your mouth shut about it. It's OK to be a "One nation under God, just leave Him out of it." "Especially, leave Jesus out of all things, He is just too controversal."

[Sybeck1]

I email this to Rush on his private email, Rush 24-7. This needs exposure. Every preacher should be coming out on this Sunday morning!

[dmz]

OK. Time for a contrary position to be taken.

When a discussion of public schools comes up around here, often we freepers bemoan the fact that teachers are teaching things outside of their domain (e.g., diversity education, homosexuality).

Can't we extend that thinking to this guy? Our military leaders are not in the God business, they are in the military business. Perhaps this military leader should stick to his domain.

Just a thought.

[steve-b]

Precisely. Military training pertains to God only insofar as it equips our troops to assist the enemy in meeting Him.

[Non-Sequitur]

The Air Force inspector general's office cleared Weida in June of six of seven allegations he improperly shared his faith, saying he did nothing wrong.

What's wrong with making sure he's cleared of the 7th charge before promoting him?

[sandydipper]

These very same senators had no opposition to giving themselves a 30K$ a year raise.

[silverleaf]

And what's wrong with promoting him and continuing the "investigation"?

Or is a proven charge of mentioning his beliefs in the presence of those who believe otherwise, grounds for disqualification for a 2d star? If so, the Congress needs to go back and strip George Washington of his rank.

[Non-Sequitur]

And what's wrong with promoting him and continuing the "investigation"?

Because if the charge is valid and he's taken to trial then the military looks stupid. Or more stupid as the case may be.

The general is under investigation. He can wait until exonerated.

[FierceKulak]

When a discussion of public schools comes up around here, often we freepers bemoan the fact that teachers are teaching things outside of their domain (e.g., diversity education, homosexuality).

Can't we extend that thinking to this guy? Our military leaders are not in the God business, they are in the military business. Perhaps this military leader should stick to his domain.

"Military business" is not some kind of subject you chat about and then go home to your normal life. It's a way of life, a life that at any moment can become dangerous, a soldier may not know if he'll survive the next hour.
Leaders have to make sure their men can deal with the facts of their job. Washington, Greene, Lee, Jackson, MacArthur, Eisenhower, and many other great American generals encouraged their men to pray.
As long as nobody was discriminated against because of their beliefs, I don't think anyone has the right to complain. And I don't think hearing people talk about their faith counts as harassment.

[silverleaf]

So you equate Sandy Berger's crime of stealing national security documents with this officer's "misjudgment" in worshipping with like minded cadets? Have you ANY idea how many commanders bow their heads in prayer in front of their troops? I take you back to the man who founded our first army, and his idea of "unit cohesion". I must ask how the "father of our country" would judge these Senators who are blocking this promotion and how he would address the "cohesiveness" of these jewish men who are applauding this. Remember that this General's promotion was recommended by the military chain of command, after all consideration of the officer candidate's character, leadership and qualifications for higher office.

Washington in Prayer at Valley Forge...ADL demands investigation

[silverleaf]

if a commanding officer is going to promote his religion on official time,

Oh, I did not realize you had never served in the military. For if you had, you would recognize that it is ALL official time, especially for General officers.

[silverleaf]

if the charge is valid and he's taken to trial then the military looks stupid

And what "charge" would that be... "Commanding While Christian"? This officer was vetted through the chain of command for a second star. The military would not have forwarded his name for confirmation if there was any significance to the charge or severity reflecting on his leadership. This is Congress abusing its power by applying a religious litmus test to yet another professional field.

[Non-Sequitur]

And what "charge" would that be... "Commanding While Christian"?

Could be. If that is, in fact, the charge then the process will run it's course and he'll either be acquitted of 'commanding while Christian' or convicted of 'commanding while Christian'. If acquitted then they can promote him if they want, I don't mind. If convicted then he can retire as a one-star.

[RightOnline]

Were you in the military, perchance?

[RightOnline]

THANK you for your reasoned and well thought-out reply. It's about time, after some of the dreck I've read on this thread.

RightOnline
USAFA Class of '77