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Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sat Jun 04, 2005 at 11:23:02 AM EST
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TChris wrote earlier this morning about religious intolerance in the military, and particularly at the Air Force Academy. The Academy's Superintendent finally has come out and confirmed that the intolerance "permeates" the Academy. Speaking to the Anti-Defamation League in Denver yesterday,

The superintendent of the Air Force Academy acknowledged to leaders of a national Jewish group Friday that religious intolerance permeates the military school. "As a commander, I know I have problems in my cadet wing," Lt. Gen. John Rosa said at a meeting of the Anti-Defamation League's executive committee. "I have issues in my staff, and I have issues in my faculty — and that's my whole organization."

He said he admonished the academy's No. 2 commander, Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, a born-again Christian, for sending an e-mail promoting National Prayer Day. "We sat down and said, `This is not right,' and he acknowledged that," Rosa said, adding there had been other incidents that crossed the line. "Perception is reality. We don't have respect."

....Rosa said the problem is "something that keeps me awake at night." "If everything goes well, it's probably going to take six years to fix it," he added.

Six years? Why?

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    Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#1)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:41 PM EST
    So what more egregious reports is Rosa trying to get out in front of. Why has he been silent if he's know this has been a big problem? "Permeate" is not a description of something that's a surprise. Who or what has kept Rosa, if he really has felt there is a problem that permeates, from taking appropriate action prior to this to address the level of the problem. Inquiring minds want to know. Of course there are those Congressional dufusses who think its the "christians" who are being persecuted. Any acting out by cadets was, well, you know, just some kids blowing off steam, like at Abu Gahrib. Yeah, I want to know what filthiy connections has allowed this subculture to flourish in a pulic institution, taxpayer funded, theoretically open to scrutiny by the government. Overseen by, ultimately, the commander in chief. We need answers. These arrogant RW fundies have gone on uncheked and uncalled at least one too many times.

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#2)
    by Aaron on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:41 PM EST
    The evangelicals have got their tactics down, if you can subvert the command structure in the military, they'll be no need to waste time bothering with infiltrating the Congress and controlling the presidency. Gain control of the US military and you control the country. Doubtless before this is over the highways around Colorado Springs will be lined with Jews, heathens and heretics, crucified before the altar of Christ.

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#4)
    by MikeDitto on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:42 PM EST
    Six years is probably a realistic estimate, knowing the glacial speed at which change happens in that institution. He might be giving a veiled nod at the fact that Rumsfeld has been directly micromanaging the AFA since Rosa was appointed. Last I heard, Dave Cullen seems to like Rosa, and I trust his judgement given the amount of investigative reporting he has done down there. As the story indicated, the ADL seems to have faith in Rosa, but they have doubts as to whether the "system" (e.g. Rumsfeld) will allow him to make the reforms.

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:42 PM EST
    Heh. When this story broke, this place was full of denials from the usual trolls. Lot's of comments along the lines of "it's just a few people", and "if it wasn't for PC, this wouldn't be an issue". Hmmm...same lines I hear when prisoner abuse comes up. Now that the Academy Superintendent himself has stated he has this problem through his whole organization.... Silence from the trolls. What a surprise. Now awaiting boilerplate outrage number AS/T-42312.4 subsection B from the usual suspects.

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#6)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:42 PM EST
    Aaron writes:
    "Doubtless before this is over the highways around Colorado Springs will be lined with Jews, heathens and heretics, crucified before the altar of Christ."
    Congratulations. You now hold the 2005 Award for the Most Outrageous Comment.

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#7)
    by Aaron on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:42 PM EST
    PPJ aka Jim Obviously you don't know me very well, I'm just getting warmed up. You'd better raise the standards on that award otherwise I'm going to have a lock on it in perpetuity . Currently the evangelicals are building New Auschwitz, somewhere in the wastelands of Midland Texas. Before you know it, they'll be trucking in the Liberals, homosexuals, Jews, Gypsies etc. for a quick gassing and a Texas style barbecue. "Pass me one a' them Jew burgers... media rare please... and pass me some barbecue sauce, ummm boy that's good rib of liberal."

    Re: Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect (none / 0) (#8)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:43 PM EST
    I don't think so on this one. the others have no Religious tolerance or any kind of open-mindedness of any kind.

    Air Force Academy: We Have No Respect | 7 comments (7 topical)