Posted on 07/07/2009 9:04:44 PM PDT by TaraP
An Idaho community had secured an Air Force flyover for its local festival every year for more than 40 years, organizers say, but this year, the Air Force turned the request down over the festival's religious focus.
The God and Country Family Festival in Nampa, Idaho, applied to the Pentagon for the flyover but was denied in an e-mail, board member Patti Syme told KTBV. Syme said the e-mail from a defense official informed her the Pentagon prohibited support of special interest groups.
"I called him immediately and just said, you know hey we've been doing this for 42 years, we've had flyovers, what is the problem?" Syme told KTBV. "And he said, well we have looked up your Web site and everything on your Web site seemed to focus on Christianity, ministry booths. And he said, in fact, ma'am it sounds like it focuses on Christianity. And he said, in fact, it would be great to go to, in fact, if I personally, could come I would, but we can't endorse such an endeavor, so they couldn't do the flyover."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
These flyovers are a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. I’m fine with it as long as they don’t do it at a Muslim rally instead.
It’s not the Air Force. It’s Obama.
And we wonder why our Country is going to H*ll in a handbasket...
Um. It’s not a waste of taxpayer dollars. Our pilots have to fly a set amount of hours per month. It’s part of their continuing training.
Sounds reasonable to me. As much as some may want to obtain support for their private religious views, the government has to be careful about endorsing such views. What I think some people forget is that small measures like this, which maintain the no establishment clause of the Constitution, also help protect religious freedom from infringement by the power of the government. If you seek governmental favor of your religion, be aware that what is favored today may fall into disfavor tomorrow. Better to maintain a separation from government and let religious ideas stand or fall on their own merits; without bias inflicted by governmental predilection.
And you need look no further than comment No. 2 for an indication of what I mean.
Can’t they do that at, like, an air force base?
Sure. If all they do is fly in 3 mile radius circles. Where do you think maneuvers happen? They happen over thousands of square miles, including fly-overs.
This is what happens when a repressive regime starts putting its thumb down hard. All the people down the totem pole begin to fear offending the Lord. And people like Rodebrecht just say “it’s a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.” It’s not a waste, it’s a demonstration of the fighting power that we have now, but will not have after The Messiah finishes slicing and dicing the military into a bunch of people baking mud pies. Somewhere along the way, we lose the country and the right for stupid people to make stupid comments.
Actually, according to the founders, separation of church and state was intended to keep the state from restricting religions affairs. It was never intended by the founders to keep things like the 10 commandments out of court houses, etc. Any other interpretation is completely revisionist.
Wait, this isn’t like a Thunderbirds thing, where they fly about spraying red, white, and blue contrails? That’s what I think is a waste of money. But if this simply happens during the course of training maneuvers it’s all cool.
Wonder why they went to DoD and not to Mountain Home ID or Hill AFB UT for the flyover. It used to be a local decision as part of the training. So now DoD tells the AF when they can do flyovers? Sitting here shaking head.
If it had been done for 40 years, it should have been a routine request that was approved. Only difference is ZERO’s people in the DoD.
ZERO’s people in the DoD.
Exactly!
So you say.
Don’t you see that restricting religious affairs is just the other side of the coin from favoring religious affairs?
Would you like the Air Force to fly over Muslim events?
Scientology events?
Wiccan events?
I know some people, if not you personally, would have problems with that (see comment No. 2 as an example).
The separation of church and state is a logical outcome of the prohibition on establishing a state religion. It’s not “completely revisionist.” It’s been a principle in effect since the earliest days of this nation. The Treaty of Tripoli is a good example.
These flyovers are a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. I’m fine with it as long as they don’t do it at a Muslim rally instead.
Another "waste of money" perhaps?
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The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.
The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.
At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..
A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF
I have no problem with the Air Force flying over any events.
Uh, yes, actually, they're doing that every day in Afghanistan.
With Reapers and Predators.
Flyovers are usually where the planes just line up and fly over in formation. Like you would see at a NASCAR or Indycar race. We’re not talking about the Thunderbirds.
Completely different than entertaining people at a fair.
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