Could you do me a big favor…

Published On: December 21, 2011|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|2 Comments|

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Dear Military Religious Freedom Foundation,

And tell good ole Mikey to go fuck himself?…Please

This in in regards to the Camp Pendleton cross.

Please tell him that the Air Force is not even a real military service and has no clue about what us Marines have done.

Tell him why not do something better with the ‘charities’ time and quit getting his panties in a bunch.

Thanks

Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!


Hi (name withheld),

I gather from the body of this email that you are a Christian. I am, too. In fact, I’m an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God and on the Advisory Board for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).

As a Christian I am shocked by your vulgarity. Perhaps you were under the assumption that you were attacking MRFF and could get away with it. Well, many on the Advisory Board and volunteers are Christian and are now privy to this shocking email.

I can’t believe that you said the Air Force is not a real military service. Then what is it when you call in air support to back you up? Huh? My best girlfriends son—whom I’ve known since he was 4 years old—is currently in Afghanistan, flying an F-16, supporting the ground troops. Maybe I should email him that one line and see what the Air Force will now think of the Marines due to your rant against them. I’m sure the Marines over there will thank you.

Contrary to the distorted media reports, we are not anti-Christian.

Our military is secular and all soldiers are able to practice their diverse religions only through the Chaplaincy Corp. The base Commander is not allowed to favor one religion over the other. By allowing this cross to be on the highest hill at Camp Pendleton, it is an implicit endorsement of Christianity – favoring one religion over another—which is against the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

Seeing as soldiers of other faiths have also died fighting for the freedoms we enjoy—including your freedom of speech—how about we put up religious symbols on the hill honoring all religions? How would you like that? Not so much I would guess.

And the “charities” you refer to is MRFF helping almost 26,000 soldiers from all branches of the military, all over the world—pro bono. Of these, 96% are Christians.

Over 100 Camp Pendleton Marines, plus many retired Marines and Navy sailors who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, contacted MRFF and said they want it removed.

It seems that you’re the one with your panties in a bunch because you do not fully understand the first amendment to the Constitution. I suggest you read it again.

Pastor Joan


Hi, (name withheld),

My name is Rick Baker and I saw your note to MRFF. You aren’t very nice.

I’m a long time supporter of MRFF and a past volunteer. I’m also a former Air Force Officer and rescue pilot having served two tours in Vietnam attached to the 20th Special Operations Group. I suffered multiple wounds and still carry enough shrapnel around with me to set off the metal detectors airport TSA stations.

One of my duties in addition to Aircrew rescue was to insert special forces teams into Cambodia and Laos and extract them following their missions. These were made up of some pretty brave and talented men. Green Beret, Seals, Air Force Commandos and my favorite, Marine Recon. So I do know what some Marines have done.

My first Co-pilot took one in the neck and died almost instantly. Several of the Parajumpers were hit pretty bad too.

I mention this only to demonstrate that the Air Force is a real military service and bleed red just like you marines. You marines might still be defending a mud hole in Korea if not for US Air Supremacy.

I can think of nothing better to do with one’s time than protect the religious freedom of all our troops in the armed forces and not just the Christian Supremacists that think they own the world. No special privileges for any religion. We’re all in it together and when one religious group gets a bit fond of themselves, Mikey is there to remind them they are just one of the guys.

I think Tebow is a nice kid. His head’s getting a little big with all the attention he gets for his religious dog and pony shows on the field. I’d like to see him face a determined enemy. He’d stop showing off and find a nice foxhole to jump into.

As for Mikey fucking himself, there’s no chance. He’ s having too much fun fucking closed minded bastards who violate their oaths to the US Constitution. Remember that when somebody erects an exclusive religious symbol you don’t agree with. Which brings me back to you.

May I suggest that you remember that there is more than one religion in America? And that every one of them is equal to Christianity? Also remember that everyone who puts on a uniform, irrespective of what service branch they belong to or what his or her duty, is an American Hero.

Merry Christmas and Semper Fi

Rick Baker
Colorado Springs


Dearest Mr. I lack the moral courage and strength of conviction to
actually stand behind my statements by providing my real name,

My name is Akiva David Miller and I am the Veterans Coordinator for
the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. One of my happy
responsibilities with the Foundation is responding to the e-mails of
various sorts of individuals, including imbeciles like yourself. I had
been monitoring your correspondence with Pastor Joan on my smart phone
because I was away from my computer for most of the day, and
determined that I would take over the correspondence when I was back
to my office again. So, from here on out I will be handling all
correspondence with you, which honestly isn’t saying much because this
is the last e-mail you will receive from the Foundation. Of course we
report all hate mail and death threats to the agent assigned to us by
the FBI, as well as to legal counsel, but that is another matter
entirely. What I am trying to tell you is that no one else, aside from
our legal counsel and the FBI, as the case may be, is going to be
wasting any further time on your inane missives. Which brings us back
to your original e-mail, which consisted of this:
“And tell good ole Mikey to go fuck himself?…Please
This in in regards to the Camp Pendleton cross.
Please tell him that the Air Force is not even a real military service
and has no clue about what us Marines have done.
Tell him why not do something better with the ‘charities’ time and
quit getting his panties in a bunch.
Thanks
Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!”


Thanks for the email…i apprec. it.

i thought of my day spent with Joan and actually apologized to her
directly today if i offended her in anyway.

ummm…no i am def. not some sort of religious zealot or whatever
names you want to call me to make you feel batter…i am open minded
to all religions and do not feel one is better than another…so to
each their own. i have good friends that are Mormons, Catholics,
Lutherans and Christians etc….even Buddists.

I have nothing against anyone…except those that take religion
against others for hatred.

i see it as a simply a monument, rememberance and acknowledge to the
sacrifices of:

Majors Douglas Zembiec, and Ramon Medona, and Lance Corporals Robert
Zurheide and Aaron Austin….

that is all…and it is b/s that such a big deal by your ‘charity’ has
been made…hey, you guys have nothing better to do…so be it.

and i spoke with someone else and should have said “Mikey himself has
done no real ‘military’ service.’

anyway…moving on. no reply needed.

Merry Christmas!

Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! (simply for a rise…i act. am offended by you
calling him ‘Jesus Qb and others that do so…whatever. he is not a
loser but a winner that kids should look up to…not for religion but
for his other works and ability to say “i can do what i set my mind
to, and the naysayers can say what they want”

also..the defense lost the game…not him. if you watched that game…it’s obv.

ok…the voices in my head have said i need some breakfast

peace!

(name withheld)


Dear “T O”

First, sorry for the informal salutation, but since you neglected to include your actual name, I was limited to these initials.

The MRFF salutes your service, and thanks you for sharing your thoughts. Mr. Weinstein does his level best to answer as much correspondence personally as he can, but his time is very limited, so he asked me to respond on his behalf, particularly because he thought that as a Marine with combat experience, I could best address your issues from a Marine perspective.

My name is Jim Taylor, a volunteer for the MRFF. Please allow me to introduce myself, and give you some background about me and the MRFF.

Like most MRFF members, I am a veteran, (USMC) with service that included close personal ground combat in several of the major operations in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, including Operation Scotland (Khe Sanh), before, during, and after the Tet 1968 assault and the Siege), and later in the Hue-Phu Bai area after Tet.

I also served in various line infantry units (2/2 and 3/9), and in 1st and 3rd Recon, in capacities through acting platoon commander. My MOSs included 0311, 0321, and 0369. I also served as MSG at MARDET CINCLNTFLT, with responsibilities for the security of the command which included (in addition to CINCLNT) FMFLNT, SACLNT, SUBLNT, NATO, and Nuclear Warfare School.

My family also has a history of military service dating back to the Revolutionary War (paternal thrice-great-grandfather). My paternal great-grandfather served in the Civil War with the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was WIA at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek. He was later captured and was a PoW until he managed to escape. (My paternal grandmother’s line included Confederate soldiers, so I had ancestors on both sides in that conflict.)

My great-uncle served in WW I (USMC), and was seriously WIA at Belleau Wood. He later died of wounds.

My father was a Marine in the Pacific in WWII, serving in the major island campaigns in the Marianna, Marshall, and Solomon Islands (incl. Tulagi, Guam, Guadalcanal, etc.). He was seriously WIA and evacuated to the US just prior to Iwo Jima.

My uncle was stationed in Shanghai with the 4th Marines, then transferred with the 4th to the Philippines where he fought on Corregidor, becoming a Japanese POW after the surrender. He was later shipped to Japan on one of the “Hell Ships” where he worked as a slave laborer for the duration. (He was over 6 feet tall, but weighed only 98 pounds on release.)

After recuperation, he was on occupation duty in Japan, when his unit was mobilized by General MacArthur for Korea. He landed at Inchon, and later fought at the Chosin Reservoir, becoming part of the famous fighting retreat under “Chesty” Puller, along with another of my uncles who was also a Marine. Both survived. Chet eventually retired as a MGYSGT. (The Marine Corps League named a post in Florida for him after his death.)

I would now like to inform you of the nature, composition and mission of the MRFF.

MRFF Membership

The MRFF membership, staff and clients include active, reserve, and retired personnel from all branches of the US Armed Forces. They hold ranks from private through flag officer, with MOSs in all fields, including combat arms, and represent many service eras from WW II on through Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf I, and the present GWOT.

Their collective awards and decorations are numerous, and include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star w/ V, the Silver Star, the Army, Navy, and AF Crosses, and the Medal of Honor.

MRFF Mission

The MRFF supports the Constitutionally and legally mandated requirement that there will be no established religion (i.e. no official state religion), and no religious test for office, as clearly intended by the Founders both in their words and documents, and as supported by subsequent decisions of US Federal courts up through the Supreme Court.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” (1st Amendment)

“. . . no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” (Article VI, Section III)

Here are some of the Supreme Court decisions that have upheld these principles, and which apply in this case:
 
The Lemon Test

Based on the 1971 case of Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 612-13, the Court will rule a practice unconstitutional if:

1. It lacks any secular purpose. That is, if the practice lacks any non-religious purpose.

2. The practice either promotes or inhibits religion.

3. The practice excessively involves government (in this case the military) with a religion.
 
The Endorsement Test

Drawing from the 1989 case of Allegheny County v. ACLU, 492 U.S. 573, the practice is examined to see if it unconstitutionally endorses religion by conveying “a message that a particular religion is ‘favored,’ ‘preferred,’ or ‘promoted’ over other beliefs.”

The Camp Pendleton cross and the TAFB creche amply fulfills these definitions. (As to the “token” Menorah and other displays recently erected at TAFB to try to off-set the MRFF’s efforts, we recognize them for what they are — camouflage for their true goals. Though an observant Jew, Mr. Weinstein is no more in favor of a menorah than he is of the creche – or would be of a Wiccan Star, a Pagan Stonehenge, or any other overtly religious symbol — though he applauds recent efforts by the USAF to provide accommodation for these belief systems.)

The MRFF is committed to ensuring that this boundary between church and state is maintained, and that the Constitutional rights to freedom of conscience for all Americans (particularly our servicemen and women) are not violated, and that they are not subjected to unwanted proselytization by any religious group whatsoever.

That is why the MRFF has objected to the cross at Camp Pendleton. Since it is in plain view from a great distance, and has nothing to do with any base chapels or appropriate areas for religious venues, and clearly no secular purpose, it is clearly in violation of the Constitutional mandate prohibiting establishment as well as the supporting SCOTUS decisions above.

Moreover, an entire battalions was made to climb up to it, drawn up in unit formation, and made to listen to overtly Christian prayers and Christian-oriented statements. This violation has been made even more egregious by the fact that these prayers are given not by the chaplain (who in any case is obliged not to give overtly sectarian prayers to a group other than one comprised of members of their own faith), but by the battalion commander and SMAJ.

This entire practice is unconstitutional, in that it all gives the impression that Christianity is “‘favored,’ ‘preferred,’ or ‘promoted’ over other beliefs” by the USMC and the command, which is unconstitutional.

The appropriate place for a religious remembrance service is in the chapel, given by the chaplain to those members of a unit or command who voluntarily wish to attend.

If the “remembrance” is to be legal, it must be stripped of the cross (which doesn’t belong on government land anyway except in appropriate settings and venues, such as a chapel), and the prayer format — or such prayers as may be given must be given by the unit chaplain and be non-sectarian in nature.

Let me ask you this — if the object concerned was the Star and Crescent of Islam, or a Wiccan Star, or some other monument erected to commemorate those people f those beliefs who have fallen in the current wars, would that be acceptable?

In any case, it still wouldn’t be acceptable to us — but only on the grounds mentioned above — that religious symbology does not belong on government ground and settings.

MRFF’s Position on Faith

Neither Mr. Weinstein nor the MRFF are “for” or “against” Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or any other religion. On the contrary, as the name implies, the MRFF supports religious freedom and pluralism for service personnel of all faiths (or none), in accordance with the US Constitution and public law. The MRFF includes people of many different faiths and belief systems including Christians (among them Protestant evangelicals) as well as free-thinkers.

Mr. Weinstein is himself an observant Jew and his blended faith family circle includes observant Christians (including his Marine nephew).

The MRFF staff (including volunteers) is approximately 75% Christian (mainly Protestant, followed by Catholics), 15% Jewish, and 10% others.

While we have people of faith in our ranks, we are a secular organization, but one which works to defend all US service personnel against violations of their Constitutional rights to freedom of conscience.

Who We Represent, and Why

All MRFF cases are filed because of complaints brought by active duty or reserve service personnel.

Currently, 96% of the over 23,000 MRFF cases are brought on behalf of professing Christians, (mainly Protestants), followed by Catholics (including Roman and Eastern Orthodox).

The 4% balance of cases includes Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs, as well as Pagans, a few atheists, agnostics, and other free-thinkers.

The great preponderance of our cases involve abuses of authority and violations of the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of conscience by a specific sub-set of aggressive radicals who style themselves “Christians” and who are becoming increasingly entrenched and powerful in the military in all braches and MOSs at ranks up to and including flag officer ranks. They are known by a number of names, but we use the generic term of one of the main branches (“Dominionists”) for convenience. I attach some specifics re: Dominionism below. Please read them and see if your views agree with theirs. (If so, you are part of the problem.)

I hope that this information will help you to better understand the nature of the MRFF and the nature of the struggle we are waging against a large and growing enemy with deep pockets and strong political and economic backing, and who constitute a far greater and more urgent threat to the Republic than a handful of rag-tag Islamic fundamentalist fanatics either here or elsewhere.

I would now like to address your specific remarks.

Re: your request to tell “good ole Mikey to fuck himself” – he already read your E personally before he handed it over to me, so he is aware of your remark. However, he doesn’t sweat the small stuff. He and his family (and the staff and volunteers) daily receive numerous vile and obscene letters and calls with threats of torture, death and dismemberment from self-described “Christians.” (Yours was rather tame, frankly.)

In addition, though I couldn’t find any specific references to the activity you suggested in the Torah or the KJV, I would imagine that it probably comes under the general heading of forbidden sexual acts, and thus Mr. Weinstein, as an observant Jew, would have to abstain, even if he were so inclined — which he is not.

Mr. Weinstein was an Honor Graduate of the USAF Academy. Like many of us, he comes from a multi-generational service family which in his case spans several services, and the period from WW I, WW II, and Korea to the present GWOT. His children are also graduates of the USAF Academy, and his nephew is a combat Marine veteran of three tours in the Sandbox. (His nephew is also a Christian — and a strong supporter of the MRFF.)

He is one of the bravest and best men I know, with great personal courage and integrity, who has put a lucrative and highly successful professional legal career aside to fight a vast and looming threat to the Constitution and the Republic. I personally have the utmost respect for him, the MRFF and his work — which is why I have been an unpaid volunteer for several years.

As to the USAF not being a “real military service” — that is patently untrue and frankly offensive to generations of men and women who have flown and fought for this country, often paying a high price in the process.

As a Marine, I often got critically needed air support from the USAF and other branches of the armed services, so I can state with authority from personal experience that your statement is utterly without merit.

I can relate many examples of USAF and other service members who have performed heroically under fire. One of our MRFF volunteers is a retired USAF pilot, Rick Baker, who flew numerous rescues and extractions under heavy fire for SOG in Nam, being wounded twice during these missions. Are you telling me that he wasn’t a “real” serviceman? He is one of the bravest men I know.

During my own time in Vietnam, USAF, Navy, and Army pilots and supporting arms (as well as our own Marines) performed vital close air support and resupply for us at Khe Sanh. In fact, their support was one of the main reasons we were able to hold Khe Sanh in the face of a valiant and determined enemy who greatly outnumbered us. Many were shot down supporting us. Many were killed, others wounded, and others captured and held prisoner, often for years, being mistreated and tortured. They have received many well-earned decorations up to and including the Medal of Honor.

Would you like to tell these men, or the families of the slain, that they weren’t “real” service members, or that their service was insignificant? Would you care to tell the men who were wounded, imprisoned for years and tortured that they have “no clue about what us (sic) Marines have done?” (BTW, that should be; “we Marines”)

Your base canard against an entire brother service is an insult to the many brave men who have flown in combat in all the wars since WW I, many of whom were wounded or killed in service to this country. Such a remark is totally unbecoming of anyone who calls himself a Marine (let alone a Christian).

You also indirectly insult the great many men and women who have served over the years in all the vital support branches and MOSs that aren’t as “glamorous” as the cutting edge — which is not as “glamorous” as it’s cracked up to be.

Were you aware that it takes 300 support people to keep each grunt in the field? Who do you think brings in the “beans, bullets, and bandages” that keep the grunts in business? (Not to mention supporting the field troops when they are wounded or injured.) The “tip of the spear” would soon be blunted or broken but for our brethern in support in ALL branches. I strongly suggest you think about that.

While on the subject, I am curious to know what your MOS is, and your own close combat experience? I am sure it must be great to enable you to gratuitously insult not only us, but your fellow servicemen in other branches.

Moving on — I must admit I was somewhat puzzled by your use of the word “Tebow.” I assume you mean the football player who prays before games? If so, (to address this as best I can); I am not convinced that a supposedly superhuman deity who manages the entire universe would be personally interested in the outcome of something so trifling and insignificant as a sporting match. However, allowing for the sake of discussion that it was, I am dubious in the extreme that it would choose to favor Mr. Tebow or his team over any other. After all, there are many religious football players. (In fact, in Texas, football IS a religion.)

But if the outcome of a game depends on such a deity, it must not always favor Mr. Tebow, despite his devotion, since as you may recall, the Broncos were stomped by the Patriots 41 to 23 in their game last December, and there have been other games he and the Broncos lost the last few years. Or maybe Mr. Tebow just worshipped the wrong deity?

Of course, you and Mr. Tebow are certainly free to believe anything you like, no matter how far-fetched it may appear to me. That is your right under the Constitution.

However, Mr. Tebow’s beliefs and practices are not relevant to this discussion, as Mr. Tebow is not carrying out his devotions on government property, nor is he a serviceman — unlike the late CPL Pat Tillman (an atheist), who gave up a lucrative and promising career to serve his country.

Therefore, the MRFF has minus zero interest in what Mr. Tebow does of a religious nature or otherwise, before, during, or after a game.

In closing; since you appear to believe yourself a “Christian,” let me remind you what a certain 1st century AD Jewish rabbi, Yehoshua ben Yusuf had to say of public displays of religious paraphernalia and prayer;

5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

(Matthew 6: 5 – 6)

Yehoshua also spoke about dealing with others. I have so far failed to find anything in his words that instruct his followers to tell people to “go fuck themselves.”
However, he did say;

39. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:35 – 40)

In closing, I can think of no better use of our “charities time” than upholding and defending the Constitution which I swore to do in 1966, and have been doing both in and out of uniform ever since. Maybe you should give it a try, since you swore the same oath we did.

I hope that clarifies our position for you.

I remain,

Semper Fidelis,

F. J. Taylor
USMC (Ret.)

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2 Comments

  1. freeman December 21, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Rick,

    If you really are an ex AF rescue pilot thank you. You’re stooping to the level of the one who posted vulgarity…and you should act like the professionals you now represent. I gather you were in the MC by the Semper Fi? What unit were you in?

    Are you willing to listen to facts re the Travis case? My last respectful post was deleted… I’m guessing because it pointed out some inconvenient truths about what’s really displayed here at Travis. “Exclusive religious displays”? Not at all. Anyone who would have requested through proper channels would have been accommodated. I’ve seen a late request for an Atheist display erected in the last few days… so where’s the exclusivity you refer to? I too have been defending the country since 1987, flying dangerous missions for the PARPRO and Recon community.

    I’m just amazed at how many well-intentioned respsondents fail to take the time to check out the facts. You seem to have been blinded by the propaganda from the secularists. Don’t rely on second/third hand information… you seem to be too smart for that.

    Airpower!

  2. freeman December 21, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    BTW… I’m also surprised you would denigrate Tim Tebow to support your biases. How do you know how he would respond under fire. Certainly pro football players aren’t capable of that…. Oh wait…. maybe you should explain that to Pat Tillman’s family.

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