question regarding Motto

Hello.
Well, it appears you’ve now gone from a silent opinion-maker to making
front-page news…. I’d not heard about you until this morning. In looking
around, it appears you’ve been making your opinion known for a while.

I notice on your webpage that you have a motto on the header.

When one proudly dons the US Military uniform, there is only one religious
symbol: the American Flag. There is only one religious scripture: the
American Constitution. Finally, there is only one religious faith: American
Patriotism.

As I consider this idea, I see two ideas rise to the surface.

1- It turns our freedom from free to a fascist ideology.

2- on the backside, as you are in opposition to religious freedom, it seems
that you’re seeking to de-legalize the Flag, the Constitution, and American
Patriotism.

So, while I really have high regard, and appreciation for your service to
this nation, I have to wonder….. what is your goal? Are you just trying to
outlaw anyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Hope of Israel?

I read your bio.

On one side, I am seriously impressed– Air Force, Reagan administration,
Republican, etc…… I remember listening to the Contra-Gate trials in the
late 80’s.

Your own words–

Mikey is a 1977 Honor Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Mikey
has been married for over 35 years to his wife, Bonnie. He is the proud
parent of two sons and one daughter. His oldest son and daughter-in-law are
2004 Graduates, Mikey’s youngest son graduated in the Class of 2007, and his
son-in-law is a 2010 graduate from the Air Force Academy. Seven total
members of Mikey’s family have attended the Academy. His father is a
distinguished graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Mikey spent 10
years in the Air force as a “JAG” or military attorney serving as both a
Federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney.

A registered Republican, he also spent over three years in the West Wing of
the Reagan Administration as legal counsel in the White House. In his final
position there, Mikey was named the Committee Management Officer of the
much-publicized Iran-Contra Investigation in his capacity as Assistant
General Counsel of The White House Office of Administration, Executive
Office of the President of the United States. Mikey has held numerous
positions in corporate America as a senior executive businessman and
attorney.

After stints at prominent law firms in both New York City and Washington
D.C., Mikey served as the first General Counsel to Texas billionaire and
two-time Presidential candidate H. Ross Perot and Perot Systems Corporation.

(name withheld)

---

Dear (name withheld),

Mikey has read your email and asked me to respond.

The assumptions behind your two ideas are based so much more on what you
chose to read into the Motto than what is contained in the motto itself.

I am a Christian (Episcopalian in fact) who fully supports Mikey’s and
MRFF’s attempt to protect members of the U.S. Military from unconstitutional
religious influence in relation to their training, assignment, advancement
and retention. As a Christian supporter of MRFF, I truly enjoy efforts to
proselytize to everyone here at MRFF. In this private setting, it is both
appropriate and appreciated. I have the freedom (as do you) to demonstrably
agree with your message, disagree with your message or totally ignore with
no chance of repercussions. If on the other hand your proselytized message
was being delivered to me in a government controlled situation where your
official capacity was superior and mine subordinate, your message becomes
immediately oppressive due to the loss of my freedoms as listed above.

Let me use the words of another in further explanation:

No one will be prosecuted simply for sharing one’s faith in the military.
Sharing your faith – in a non-official context – is fine. What’s wrong is
when it is in a mandatory, official, or any other context in which the power
dynamic between the individuals is out of balance (e.g., a commander
recommending church attendance to subordinates).

Should fundamentalist of other religious faiths engage in the same type of
activity within the U.S. Military, MRFF’s response will be exactly the
same. You should also be aware that MRFF fully supports the military
chaplaincy role in its passive (i.e. without proselytization) ministrations
to the religious needs of all U.S. Service Members of any faith.

Am I proud as a Christian supporter of Mikey and MRFF that my
Judeo/Christian heritage and morality played a truly significant role in
development of the U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights? You better believe
it. However, by adoption of the Constitution, we as a nation from that
point forward agreed to be bound to each other under a democratic Man’s Law
rather than a theocratic Devine Law. This is the principle upon which
MRFF’s motto is based.

Peace be with you,

Andy Kasehagen