Posted on 05/10/2011 5:44:43 PM PDT by Gamecock
Pastor Jim Moats of Newville, Pa. once had a conversation with a supervisor about the Navy SEALs. He's apparently seen a few movies portraying the SEALs as well.
In the Christian Bible Fellowship Church in Newville, Pa., Pastor Jim Moats was apparently known as a Vietnam-era Navy SEAL. Moats was known to tell tales of his time as a SEAL to parishioners and family. His sons, both of whom served in Iraq, even made their dad a plaque honoring the SEALs and other Navy units. The plaque hung on Moats' wall.
His tall tales and this plaque had led to questions, and probably even tokens of gratitude. The Pastor was living the lie. That was until The Patriot-News sought out local, retired Navy SEALs to interview after the daring raid of SEAL Team 6 led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
Readers, including two real former SEALs, saw right through his bogus story. Retired Navy SEAL Don Shipley connected two of Moats' stories to the Steven Seagal movie "Under Siege" and the Demi Moore classic, "G.I. Jane." Maybe if Moats had seen "Navy SEALs" or "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory" his story would have more credibility.
Jason Ertola, a Navy SEAL from 1992-1996, said any SEAL could see right through Moats' fraudulent story. He also expressed outrage at men like Moats who "claim the honor that many good men have earned and died for." He also noted that bogus claims similar to Moats' have increased since the death of bin Laden.
Shipley confirmed that Moats was never a SEAL (and never even served in Vietnam) by accessing a database with the names of all SEALs. Shipley then confronted the Pastor with a phone call on Sunday night. Moats gave in and admitted he was never a SEAL, never served in Vietnam, but had served in the Navy.
Moats used the ruse as an ego-booster and said he was living his dream through his sons. He will explain himself to parishioners Wednesday night at the Christian Bible Fellowship Church.
Pastor Moats' lie is disrespectful not only to all current and former Navy SEALs, such as Shipley and Ertola, but also to anyone who has served or is serving in the military, including Moats' two sons. Navy SEALs and others serving in the armed forces are the real heroes in this country, and there should be no issue with citizens pretending to be them. As long as they are 12-year-old kids. Not 59-year-old pastors with two kids of their own.
Seems history is replete with despots that would strip us of those God given rights. If they are not worth fighting for what worth have they?
What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Explains your name!
SEALs all of the sudden are on the ship, we are out in middle of nowhere and like magic, this group of scruffy, thread-worn-uniformed cranky guys show up and walk around like they owned the ship.
I once had the good fortune to be attached* to a Special Ops unit for a six week mission. They all walked around with hair that was just outside regs and a perpetual three day growth on their faces. I got back to my home unit and my Colonel welcomed me back, told me I looked like I had gone native, and pointed me in the direction of the barber shop.
*I have no idea why, don't even have jump wings
Point taken. Can we celebrate the Catholic priests who molested children? Are they God honored?
Awesome argument. I am truly floored by its brilliance...or by its something at least.
LOL. Thanks for the moment of humor!
Pastor Walter Mitty, white courtesy phone...
What makes you think I'm not willing to uphold them? I uphold them every time I use them.
However, should the time come when soldiers are involved in rounding people up and sending them to concentration camps, I'll be there, shooting at them as they try.
Seems history is replete with despots that would strip us of those God given rights. If they are not worth fighting for what worth have they?
You're right - and you know what? Those despots used soldiers to strip the people of their countries of their rights. They're trying to make it happen here, too. Why do you think they're trying to gayify the military? Drive out the good people, leaving it in the hands of the wicked and perverse.
What? No argument?
My husband was with the Special Boat Units during his Navy service (1991-2000). He drove the boats for the SEALS and his back and knees paid the price for it. We knew several guys in the SBUs who had messed up body parts and worn out cartilage. I also babysat the kids of a SEAL for a while before our first child was born. Those guys are really that fit.
If my husband was lying about his service, then my time in Coronado, Roosey Roads, and at Stennis were figments of my imagination ;)
“They” are trying to gayify the military? And who might “they” be. Certainly not the SEALS.
Besides, I'm not saying that I don't honour the service and sacrifice of these SEALs and other military men - I do. I just think of it as a matter of perspective. Eternity counts for a whole lot more than the temporal.
“They” would be the people who just pushed through gays in the military. Why do you think they did that?
What exactly is it you think I should feel “embarrassed” about?
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Why is it misguided to value what God values more than what man values?
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