Posted on 01/31/2012 11:38:13 AM PST by Hunton Peck
The U.S. Military Academy pressured a retired U.S. lieutenant general to withdraw from speaking at a West Point prayer breakfast after Muslims and atheists complained, Fox News & Commentary has learned.
Retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin was scheduled to deliver a speech at West Point on Feb. 8. But late Monday, the military academy released a statement saying he had decided to withdraw from speaking and would be replaced with another speaker.
However, a source close to the controversy told Fox News & Commentary that Boykin was pressured to withdraw.
“It was very clear they wanted General Boykin to withdraw,” said the source who asked not to be identified. “He asked them to rescind the invitation, but they were reluctant to do that so he said he would take them off the hook.”
Theresa Brinkerhoff, a spokesperson for West Point, told Fox News & Commentary that the U.S. Military Academy “did not decide this for him.”
“After a conversation with our chaplain, Lt. Gen. Boykin decided to withdraw,” Brinkerhoff wrote in an email.
Boykin, a former senior military intelligence officer, had been criticized for speeches he made at evangelical Christian churches where he said that American’s enemy is Satan, that God had put President Bush in the White House and that a Muslim Somali warlord was an idol-worshipper.
He later issued a written statement apologizing and said he didn’t mean to insult Islam.
However, Boykin became a target for atheists and Muslim groups. They launched a campaign to force the military to remove the retired lieutenant general from the West Point prayer event.
“Mr. Boykin’s intolerant views do a disservice to our nation’s longstanding traditions of religious freedom and pluralism and could potentially harm our country’s interests and the security of our troops overseas,” Nihad Awad, executive director of the...
(Excerpt) Read more at radio.foxnews.com ...
NUTS!
Administration influence guaranteed.
Just when I think things can’t get any STOOPIDER I read something like this. Nobody better die and make me queen. I’d like in what lifetime I have left to see this country get back to it’s religious roots and make political correctness a crime punishable by death! Sheesh!
Someday, “we” need to grow some true courage and face our true enemy.
God has not given us these gifts that we should be ashamed to give him credit or hide our faith.
If we do not defend our faith, neither will God continue to shed his grace on us.
Is right! They decry intolerance ...what is this...?
Muslims and Commies have a common enemy. Jews and Christians.
We need to ban the most destructive force known to mankind, particularly western man over the last 1400 years ...the cancer known as Islam. What are they doing in our military anyway? Here we see a invasive force with its own constitution (embedded and implicit in Sharia) pushing our internal structures around in OUR military!
Between them and Obama we have some real problems. America needs to recognize islam for what it is! Its hardly a religion, rather, a system for world domination by backwards tribal raiders and warriors.
There should be a law withing our military... muslims not welcome!
No, not CAIR.
Blame LTG Boykin.
The good general should grow a pair. What kind of beliefs could he have held if he caved so easily?
He shouldn’t apologize for insulting Islam. It is reprobate and should be exposed as such.
“Administration influence guaranteed.”
I agree.
I understand Gen. Boykin's comments can put fear into some Muslims.. and I am compassionate to a fault.
I remember the time when Americans of Japanese origin were relocated to remote areas for their own safety. (Mostly, but some who were suspected of helping Imperial Japan were held in camps.)
Some Muslims living here express great concern for their safety.. well we can do no less to protect them than we did to protect the Americans of Japanese origin -- and the sooner the better.
Keep on yanking the junk yard dogs' chains, Muhammed. That's real smart.
Leftists and communists working together? Gee where have I heard that before? I have only met and shook hands with two Generals... Sir, why didn’t you stand your ground? I do not understand why this is not addressed as Free Speech. Our continued capitulation will cost our children and grandchildren dearly.
I’m worried for my kids.
Fu***** military so PC it sucks to be in, glad I retire 31 years ago.
You are right. I’ve met Boykin - now I know he is a wuss with a barrel chest.
Someone, or some-thing, has to put a stop to this insanity. This is such a bitch-slap to this Republic that no one should allow it to persist.
Someone, or some-thing, has to put a stop to this insanity. This is such a bitch-slap to this Republic that no one should allow it to persist.
And the war on Christianity continues.
Remember, Rick Perry was the first to bring this to the forefront.
Too bad the establishment crucified the only true Conservative in the race.
I think they should have as a speaker that Islamic women who had her fingers chopped off by her husband because she wanted to go to college. Islamic law apparently condoned the action.
This way they can have a Muslim giving a speech...
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