Posted on 12/23/2011 2:47:59 AM PST by iowamark
Congressman Steve King and Senator Chuck Grassley met with senior leadership of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center yesterday to discuss a recent memo released by the Medical Center prohibiting the use and distribution of Bibles and other religious materials during visits to wounded soldiers. After receiving the memo on December 2nd, King called Vice Admiral John Mateczun, Commander of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, and Rear Admiral Alton Stocks, Commander of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, to Capitol Hill. King and Grassley were informed that the memo was worded improperly, that the Medical Center has rescinded the memo, and that a new memo will be drafted to affirmatively assert that religious items and artifacts are welcome in the hospital, if they are welcomed by the patient. King and Grassley released the following statements after the meeting:
"The meeting with Vice Admiral Mateczun, Rear Admiral Stocks, and Senator Grassley was productive because the Walter Reed staff has agreed to write a new rule that affirms a visitor's ability to bring Bibles and other religious material when they visit," King said. "I have asked to look over the new rule before it's officially released and that they identify the individual who is responsible for writing this unconstitutional nonsense."
"The Defense Department appears to have acted in good faith by retracting the original statement and releasing a statement of regret. I appreciate that officials are making efforts to get to the bottom of how this horrible language came about," Grassley said. "I look forward to seeing the new policy and will reserve judgment until that time."
A section of the guidelines designed to protect patients from proselytizers was rescinded last week after Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, discussed it on the House floor, asserting it violated the First Amendment protecting free exercise of religion..."
Video: Steve King on House floor discussing Walter Reed
Video: Congressman Steve King on Fox & Friends discussing Walter Reed Bible Ban - 12/6/2011
Congratulations again to the heroic Steve King!
Sounds partly like some faceless bureaucratic nerd afraid of atheists and Moose again who would not wish to get certain religious items while there. But even that doesn’t explain why they would want to ban “family members” from bringing religious items to their relatives in the hospital. And why did it have to need Congress to fix the problem.
No Bibles allowed in a hospital? Whoa!
I’m convinced that they used the words “the memo was poorly worded” to mean “Oh crap, we got caught!”.
Just remember, its just ‘work place violence, or an overseas contingency crap saying’......0bamammy must go.
On the other hand....God Bless and Merry Christmas.
Thanks iowamark.
This is not an isolated case. Houston National Cemetery Director, Ms. Arlene Ocasio, prohibited grieving families from using the words “God” or “Jesus” at funeral ceremonies. The Walter Reed memo was approved by the commander of Walter Reed. It states, “No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.” Public Affairs Officer Sandy Dean claims these instructions have been rescinded because they did not, “articulate our initial intention which was to respect religious and cultural practices of our patients.” The instructions were “misinterpreted” because they were “ambiguous.”
Congressman King for Speaker of the House.
Boehner’s mouth wash just ain’t cutting it.
Did they ban the Koran?
When I was led to Jesus in 1981, had I been asked first, I would have said something like, "No thanks, I gave at the office" or some simular flippant remark.
Instead, I was hit with a reality board upside my head and lovingly forced to look in a mirror and then at Christ.
I thank the Messianic Jew that led this non-practicing Catholic goy to Jesus.
Happy Birthday, Jesus.
Violating the First Amendment at a U.S. military hospital. This country went to hell quick once the Soetoro regime rose to power.
What a blessed testimony. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad you accepted His gift.
It did and the worst is yet to come.
I agree— but add the Ban— and the immediate retraction —seeming in good faith— (the question being —if the retraction was a good faith effort—to remedy an error—what was the initial effort?) But the whole SNAFU —like the repeal of DADT— and the most recent claim by the Capitol Police that a Preacher reading the Christmas story from the Bible and placing an ornament reflecting the Nativity on the Capitol Christmas Tree somehow presents a “prohibited demonstration” these are but symptoms of the same cancer that was introduced when we the people did not demand that damned divisive Wall of separation erected by the supreme Court in 1947 be torn down. A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Not as much as I am.
Merry Christmas
PS ... go ahead NOW and post your home page.
“And why did it have to need Congress to fix the problem.”
Exactly....good question, HiTech. The most problematic work to be undone by, hopefully, the next administration will be to remove all those hired and appointed by this agendized administration. Government offices in DC and around the country have been filled by people who are either incapable or who actively promote that same anti-Anerican “vision.” This includes the military.
...and I don’t think people fully understand yet.....just how many such people that includes.
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