Posted on 01/22/2011 4:23:01 PM PST by Sad Hill
Marine 1st Lt. Clebe McClary Next, they'll be trying to snuff out officers who are too straight, or too white...
(Gazette) A religious rights group is calling for the removal of the Air Force Academy’s top officer after a flap over a speaker planned for a February prayer luncheon at the school.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation says the academy’s choice of retired Marine 1st Lt. Clebe McClary shows that superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould remains tilted toward evangelical Christianity and tolerates an environment where proselytizing is accepted.
Lt. Gen. Mike Gould
“We’re done,” said academy graduate Mikey Weinstein, the foundation’s founder and a frequent foe of religious practices at the school. “Gould needs to go.”
An academy spokesman, Lt. Col. John Bryan, defended the choice of McClary and said the planned prayer gathering is optional and inclusive of a broad spectrum of religious views.
“Nobody is being forced or coerced to go to this luncheon,” Bryan said.
McClary is a wounded Vietnam veteran who overcame his disabilities and now says he’s in the “Lord’s Army.”
Bryan said he’s heard McClary speak and came away with inspiration for overcoming obstacles rather than religious philosophy.
“He’s a nationally recognized motivational speaker,” Bryan said.
McLary’s website lists testimonials from celebrities including The Rev. Billy Graham and former Denver Broncos coach Dan Reeves.
The academy first sought retired Army general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell to speak at the luncheon, but when he couldn’t make it due to schedule conflicts, McClary was picked to keynote the annual event. He’ll be paid $2,500 and airfare reimbursement.
Weinstein points to McClary’s website for evidence that the speaker is too evangelical for the academy.
“To him, USMC will always mean a U. S. Marine for Christ,” McClary’s website says.
“Such statements are not only antithetical to the clear mission of the United States Air Force Academy, they are totally anathema to the purportedly globally inclusive purpose of this National Prayer Luncheon,” Weinstein wrote in a letter to Gould and Defense Department officials.
Several groups, including the Colorado branch of the American Civil Liberties Union have written Gould in support of Weinsten’s effort.
Weinstein has battled the academy in recent months over the school’s failure to include him in a conference on the school’s religious tolerance practices and the academy’s initial failure to release results of a survey that showed concerns about prosyletizing there.
Gould hasn’t responded to Weinstein’s latest letter.PLEASE let the United States Air Force Academy Public Affairs know what's on your mind. Tell 'em Sad Hill sent ya...:
Mailing Address HQ USAFA/PA 2304 Cadet Drive Suite 3100 U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840-5016
Phone: 719.333.7731 Fax: 719.333.4094
Community Relations: pa.comrel@usafa.af.mil Media Relations: media.pam@usafa.af.mil
Couldn’t find him in the USAFA grad directory. Appears to be a dropout or perhaps an honor violator who was expelled. He therefore qualifies for work with any chosen democrat organization (they hire honor violators, and other folks who didn’t hack it at Alcoa Tech.
So his present position fits, eh?
Heh!
>> “The academy first sought retired Army general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell to speak at the luncheon” <<
.
Why would they want such a spineless racist as a speaker?
.
Weinstein has battled the academy in recent months over the school’s failure to include him in a conference on the school’s religious tolerance practices and the academy’s initial failure to release results of a survey that showed concerns about prosyletizing there.
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist to figure out why. I’m sure the academy would love for this nut job to just disappear.
No violence intended, civility at all costs.
Alcoa Tech.
That’s a good’n, hadn’t heard that one before.
Dad was in the 1st graduating class from the USAFA and a MIA-POW during Vietnam.
Hence the post.
This from Weinstein’s organization mission statement:
“Additionally, MRFF adheres strongly to the principle that religious faith is a deeply personal matter, and that no American has the right to question another American’s beliefs as long as they do not unwontedly intrude on the public space or the privacy or safety of another individual.”
Better change your mission statement Weinstein.
more anti-Christianity by the “tolerant athestic left.”
We understand. Everyone here appreciates the sacrifice of your family...
This guy can pound sand.
“...“Additionally, MRFF adheres strongly to the principle that religious faith is a deeply personal matter, and that no American has the right to question another American’s beliefs as long as they do not unwontedly intrude on the public space or the privacy or safety of another individual.”...”
Wonder what their opinion is about the “religion of pieces”.
You said it better than I ever could.
Those in the Air Farce who can't get with the Lord, should get out.
Yeah, pushed by a bigot who didn't graduate from the Academy.
The ‘Secular Crusader’: Former Air Force JAG Looks to Drive All Christian Symbolism from Military
Here is the unit symbol for the Army hospital at Ft. Carson, CO, which so offended Weinstein on behalf of the world’s Muslims:
Note it’s inscribed with “For God and Humanity” — not “For God and Americans” or “For God and Christians.” And it’s a hospital, not a combat unit.
Silver Star AND Bronze Star??????
Is this guy for real??
It appears he graduated in '77 and resigned as a Captain in '87.
This Weinstein and group are hateful aggressive atheists.
Yes
Previous Freeper thread (brief history) on Clebe McClary:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/766016/posts
This guys website bio says that he was the “Honor Graduate” in 1977 at USAFA, that he worked in the Reagan administration and that he also worked for Ross Perot in both elections.
Sure looks that way.
I’m a gonna scratch my head on this one, but, hey, I have been wrong before....
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