Trump’s Transportation Secretary Vows to Undo MRFF’s 2023 Victory Getting USMMA to Move Giant Jesus Painting to Chapel
From: (name withheld)
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2025 8:44 AM PM
To: Mikey Weinstein <[email protected]>
Subject: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Vows to Undo MRFF’s 2023 Victory Getting USMMA to Move Giant Jesus Painting to Chapel
Hi Mikey
I am as pissed as you are at the fact that Duffy played this issue and at the reaction of some of the midshipmen.
From what I have been able to glean there is NO intent to put the painting back in the See conference room and the Academy has made this clear to Secretary Duffy. Rather,
I am hearing the thought is to put it in the museum.
The placement of the picture in the chapel was to an appropriate place, (it was in the lower-level basement of the chapel by the entrance to the chapel used for daily Catholic Mass
and indeed the only spot in the chapel where there was room). But it was not a great location, and many viewed it as an insult. I though it was Ok but not great and can understand how people felt.
So, a movement to get it out of the basement – which is what this was is not wrong.
As to your “blast”. I can appreciate your ire at the thought of the painting returning to the conference room. I also appreciate that him stoking the fire was not appropriate
In many situations you have first quietly reached out to educate and generally it works. Perhaps Duffy needs such an eduction rather than backing him into a corner where he has no choice but to come out swinging.
BTW the Academy and its administration and the Chaplain are fully supportive of religious plurality. As for us Jews, this academic year we had a superb Friday evening service that was attended by the Superintendent
and her Husband and the Deputy Supe and at which we dedicated two new Torah mantels, one of which was paid for by the Academy and we welcomed a Holocaust Torah.
We observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day and we will be observing Yom HaShoa.
Last year 6 midshipmen made the trip to Aushwitz, and I hear that this summer it will be 15.
And of course, in 2023 the Museum produced the I am a Jew exhibit.
So while one should be ticked at Duffy, it is not appropriate to state or even suggest that the Academy is anti-semitic because it is not or to call it the Merchant of Venice Academy.
(name withheld)
Response from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein
Ok, brutha….not an email chat…..please feel free to call me at your convenience, eh? (phone # withheld)……all best and its respect….Mikey
On May 15, 2025, at 6:47 PM, (name withheld) wrote:
Mikey:
Duffy announced today (see link below) that the painting is going back in the Elliott See Conference room.
It was his decision.
I have been unable to speak with anyone in Academy leadership about this at all and to see if they will change the use of that room sufficiently (if it even can bee done) so that it passes constitutional muster.
(name withheld)
Response from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein
From: Mikey Weinstein
Date: May 15, 2025 at 7:12:23 PM MDT
To:(name and email address withheld)
Subject:Re: Lifeboat Jesus update USMMA
Yes, we have been well aware of this. Outrage… We have a very aggressive FOIA submitted against Duffy hours ago… More to come…
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That is a beautiful painting and I hope they put it back. We need God in our lives now more then ever. Stand for the flag and kneel for the cross they go hand in hand forever.
Which God? And which flag?
I think I know: the God that says you can beat your slaves as long as they don’t die within a couple of days?
And the flag? Would that be a Christian crusader flag? The one that forces knee bends?
“We need God in our lives now more then ever” Does Old soldier want to explain how moving this painting from the chapel back to the conference room will put God into anyone’s life?
Tom O, I think putting this painting into the conference room would put God into people’s lives. It’s just that it would be used to put a White Christian Nationalist version of God into the lives of anyone who isn’t a White Christian Nationalist. And it would be a slap in the face of everyone who isn’t a White Christian Nationalist — every time they had to enter that conference room!
If it were absolutely necessary to enter that room this Humanist Jew would spend a lot of time shaking my head at such an ugly picture. That is if I couldn’t grab a seat with my back to it! Someone described the painting as the sailors being saved. Is that the same thing as receiving the last rights?
How does seeing this painting “put God into people’s lives”?
I look at it a bit differently.
Considering the assumed Merchant mariners in what is presumed to be a lifeboat, you know, all of them graduates of the Merchant Marine Academy, in other words, officers, they graduated at the bottom of their class. No oars, life vests, survival gear, just an over-sized vision of a savior walking on water, arms outstretched, welcoming them to their deaths.
Because the Academy forgot to include safety and survival in the curriculum? Or, perhaps, it was an elective and they opted out.
The addition of Jesus with outstretched arms? The message pretty clear, “Yeah, you’re fucked!”
Would have been a better painting if Hunter Wood had portrayed Christ with a few life preservers in his arms!
Maybe an oar or two? Must have lost them beating sharks away.
I’m thinking maybe Poseidon with a rope around his neck towing the boat? Christ standing on water, showing off again, with the obvious admonition, “it sucks to be you right about now!”
But hey, it’s a lesson for the cadets in self reliance, something officers should be taught! Forget Jesus, do some of that leadership stuff! You know, improvise, figure it out.
There were obviously no junior seaman on that boat, they would already have been home!
Here’s to hoping they’ve tuned up the curriculum a bit!
Sean Duffy? Full of shit! So full of Trump Defecation Syndrome his eyes are brown! A Trumptie Neo-liberalist fascist cloaked in Catholicism. An elitist. An “I got mine” sycophant. The only permanent thought rattling around between his ears, “Have you kissed the ring?”
For the record: as I see it, Sean Duffy choosing this painting and the words he used is him coming out swinging. He said what he said to rile up the base and to “own the Libs”.
I like the idea of the painting being hung in the museum. Perfect (and reverent) place for it.
Saved is Born Again Christian. Last rites is Catholic. Kind of the same with some differences. The intent – consigning one’s soul to ones deity is the same, the timing differs as Last rites is death only and being Saved can happen anytime, anywhere, for any reason. The who differs too – Last rites requires a priest although in a pinch a layperson can step in. Being Saved? Only the person involved is required.
It’s the whole Lutheran/Catholic divide caused by the selling of indulgences back in the day. Only now I hear the White House faith leader is selling, ahem, advertising Cures by Jesus for the low offering of thousands of dollars. Didn’t do much hunting after seeing the original story. Who wants THAT permanently in the algorithm?
So Tom O asked a question – twice. Old soldier won’t answer because well, reasons. Guess they don’t want to sully their pristine self with us dirty heathens.
How does seeing this painting put God in their lives?
It is propaganda to:
A – remind the faithful that their deity is always watching
B – remind the faithful which religion is REALLY in charge
C – reaffirm to the faithful that they chose the correct side
D – Dig into the psyche of anyone not of the ruling faith to remind them they exist only as an afterthought, easily dismissed
E – remind everyone who sees the painting that laws don’t matter, only the external expression of an authoritarian regime who coopted religion as a method of assuming total control.
At least that’s what I saw when the painting was in the conference room Nothing the Nationalist Christians have done since has changed my mind. Anyone else remember how many podcasts mentioned “every knee will bend, even if they don’t believe…”? Enough that it’s in my memory bank so there is that.
OK – off the record – yeesh, gotta make this quick as the cat is all kinds of pissed I’m not up and attem.
health sucks here/now, food delivery service canceled because of budget cuts… but I’m here/I’m queer/not going anywheer. I know -but it rhymes so I’m just going with the flow.
Hey kids who roll like I do – not sure you felt it but the portals are open again. I didn’t do it but I’m sure having fun meditating in the garden in the center of the pentagon if you know what i mean. don’t usually share this here/now but there are signs of mathematical/physics proof that I do what I do.
Anyway – signs from the front say the resistance is getting tired. Please support your local everyone. Facts are penetrating the MAGA bubble, yeeting humans out as the facts burn through the lies. Careful when approaching yeeted folk. Each one reacts differently specifically some may be violent at the thought that everything they’ve ever known for their entire life was a lie. And those they trusted the most knew most of it was a lie but because of selfish interests didn’t do the correct thing. yeah – think popcorn kernels so stay observant.
Synergy you are on my brain. jealous kind of that you are getting to live what was my dream. now i have different dreams but still – hope you have good foods, good conversations, excellent views. please eat a sammich for me.
JP – on my brain as well. I know I am feeling the effects and based on what you’ve shared, you are too. Sending some perfect timing – nonsarcastic variety your way. Hope it helps.
Rest of you MRFF community? We fight the good fight. It’s not the personality although we care for that too but the point is It’s the Law. Don’t like the law then change it, legally.
This I don’t have to obey crap is crap. It was crap in the past it’s crap now. It’s giving ones word and after the other party does their part pulling back while saying sucker!!
Our opponent is conflating honor, integrity, kindness, compassion, and empathy for weakness. Let’s show them the error of their ways.
unedited because stream of thought and off the record. Rumi says hi.
Love you Grey One! Hope those supporting the MRFF here get to meet one day! Would love for the pen pals to be able to get together.
I don’t do the heaven thing so in-the-flesh is my thing. Hugs optional but humanist hugs are the way I roll. When I’m gone? I leave a trail of secular humanists behind me!
Hopefully for many generations. I may be in a different country by then, winding down as we speak, getting rid of shit, going minimalist, market timing, you know the drill.
My progeny are multi-nationals, would offer that anyone that can do the same. More than one passport is always useful. A Euro account is helpful. Still reportable but helpful, especially now with the dollar on the slide.
Maybe I’ll write to Mikey and see if we can do a get-together/ fund raiser, etc. I’m definitely up for it!
I’m not rich by any stretch (my MAGA sister thinks I am), but I’m a former party member, so, yeah, tax cuts help me. “Comfortably numb,” as the song goes! :-)
Own a few chinese stocks – recommended, but, y’all do you! Am i betting against America? Damn straight! Let me correct that. Am I betting against Trump? Yes!
Here’s hoping you have good days Grey One.
All the best,
If you notice they post all this and yet Weinstein doesn’t post a message wishing our veterans and troops a happy Memorial Day and thanking them for their service. To me that shows how much they REALLY care about veterans.
Old soldier who complains ALL the time: it’s May 22. It’s not Memorial Day. Not yet. Not even the weekend. Not yet.
AND…
There are bigger issues but I don’t expect you to know that, being the petulant child that you’ve demonstrated yourself to be.
I know the Constitution means nothing to you. How? Your words. You swore an oath back in the day. Unlike the warriors I know, you abandoned yours when you left the service. Others? That oath motivates them to this day even though they aren’t active duty.
Old soldiers commitment to the veterans of our country is one kind only – lip service.
Peddle your hypocrisy elsewhere.
Hey Grey One talks sass there are NO bigger issues then honoring our service people. You lock it up mister because you know nothing about me or what I did or what my oath means to me. I don’t need a lecture from you.
So, Musk’s Doggy Brigade firing veterans for “performance issues,” yeah, well, if you believe it, then veterans are just kind of lazy in those government jobs, amirite? Too complacent. Figured they had themselves one of those good government jobs where they didn’t have to do anything, Alina Hobba backing that up saying veterans just simply weren’t performing to standard and needed to go elsewhere for work.
So which is it Old Crusty? Veterans should be allowed to “work” for the government doing nothing or, according to the waste police, go get themselves a job where they can get paid to do nothing?
Not my words, coming from your own party that seems to disagree with you.
You agree with your Daddy Trump then? You must agree. Veterans that were fired deserved to be fired. A waste of government money.
I mean, according to Trump, who wants to hire “suckers and losers?”
Notice that Old soldier still can’t explain how moving this painting from the chapel back to the conference room will put God into anyone’s life?
Old soldier, apparently you do need the lecture. Your words say you only honor veterans who look like you, worship like you, and share the same political ideology.
For those reasons I’ll never shut my mouth or silence my fingers because to me if you served, you are deserving of an assumption of respect. You, old soldier, broke that presumption with your own disrespect for your fellow nonChristian soldiers.
By their actions shall you know them. Perhaps your angry response isn’t really directed at me but yourself?
Tom O, if that ugly painting (sorry/not sorry) ever inspired a lost soul to dedicate their life to the Christian faith they would be here, flogging the story to ‘own the libs’.
Never happened and that painting belongs in the museum.
It amuses me when you ask such a reasonable question and despite your reasonable tone they lose their ever living minds trying to avoid answering you. Seems easier to admit they lied but then – yep, they’d have to admit they lied to themselves and if that was a lie what else?
Dangerous times when a question is all that AND the bag of chips.
Anyone who would “dedicate their life to the [REAL] Christian faith” would have NO desire to “own the libs.”
Tom O – correct. If a person lived their life as Christ instructed ‘owning the libs’ would not be on the list of things to do.