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Thursday, March 8, 2018


CHRISTIAN TIE EXPOSES
USAFA's BIG LIE!

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY FORMER SUPT, LT. GEN. GOULD, ESCHEWS AIR FORCE BLUE FOR "SIGN OF THE FISH" IN
USAFA ALUMNI PUBLICATION


VINDICATES MIKEY/MRFF's
14 YEAR+ CLAIMS OF ACADEMY's UNAPOLOGETIC CHRISTIAN FAVORITISM

MRFF Information/Contact: (505)-250-7727

COLORADO SPRINGS INDEPENDENT (CSINDY)
COVERS MRFF!

"Air Force Academy Endowment chief wears religion on
his necktie"

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

By: Pam Zubeck, CSINDY
Date: March 7, 2018

[...]

Neckties can say a lot about a person. President Trump favors the long red variety, whatever that means, and the colorful graphic designs of Rush Limbaugh's line of neckties spoke of success and trendiness in the 1980s and 1990s.

For retired Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, a necktie proclaims his religious beliefs.

At least, that was the choice he made for a photo used in the Association of GraduatesCheckpoints publication in December in an article in which he was introduced as the new CEO of the AOG's sister organization, Air Force Academy Endowment. (He was hired in August.)

Gould, a 1976 Academy grad who served as superintendent there from 2009 to 2013, chose a red tie covered with fish symbols, which represent "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior," according to several sources, including Christianity Today.

One Academy staffer called Gould's choice of the tie as an "in-your-face" proclamation of Christian faith by a person who, presumably, will be expected to solicit funds to support Academy cadets of all faiths.

The staffer, who didn't want to be identified for fear of retribution, alerted the MRFF's CEO Mikey Weinstein to the necktie and the message it sends via email, which said, in part:

I know that the MRFF had long battles with Mike [Gould] during his tenure as Supt [sic] considering his previous history as an avowed evangelical Christian, ties to a local megachurch, and his wife's many public statements at Academy events declaring their faith and the necessity of all in the Air Force to have similar views. Many claimed that you were on a Witch Hunt, discriminating against Christians as you (in their view) picked at the edges of AFI 1-1 [Air Force instruction requiring no show of favoritism to a specific religion] to point out inequities and religious bias throughout the military. Gould declared his innocence and dedication to treating all equally—while he was in uniform—and fought all comers that claimed that bias existed in his office or at the Academy. As it turns out, though, you were right all along.

[...]

"This is one of the most blatant things we've seen," Weinstein says. "That tie stood out like a tarantula on a wedding cake."

[...]

Weinstein gave Gould the nickname "lord of lies" after Gould failed to make it clear that religious affiliation doesn't make or break a cadet, staffer or faculty member.

In 2010, Gould refused to release the cadet climate survey saying the religious climate had improved. But the Indy obtained a copy on its own and reported:

The survey, obtained by the Independent in August, shows that 41 percent of non-Christian cadets responding to the survey said they were subjected to unwanted religious proselytizing. For Christian cadets, it was 14 percent. Also, 42 percent of non-Christian cadets said they were drawn into unwanted religious discussions, compared to 21 percent of Christians.
Current Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria drew headlines for a speech to cadets about racism in October when he said, in part, "If you can't treat someone from another race or different color skin with dignity and respect, then you need to get out."

Click to read on Colorado
Springs Independent


Background Info:
MRFF, USAFA, & Lt. Gen. Gould

"MRFF Posts Billboard of US Air Force Chief's Religious Freedom Edict in Air Force Academy's Backyard"

"Breaking News: MRFF's Demand Finally Met by
Air Force Academy"

"Mikey Weinstein and three MRFF accomplishments"


FULL MRFF CLIENT's STATEMENT (REFERENCED ABOVE IN CSINDY)

By: MRFF Client, Staffer
From USAFA

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Dear MRFF,


I'd like to say that it came as a complete surprise to me when a friend pointed me to the most recent edition of the USAFA Association of Graduates' "Checkpoints" magazine, steering me towards the page with the introductory article written by the newest CEO of the USAFA Endowment, Lt Gen Mike Gould (USAF, ret)--one of our former Superintendents. Instead of an Air Force Blue tie with Academy symbology, Mike decided, apparently, that it was time to shed the veneer of impartiality and inclusion and come right out to all of us with his in-your-face -red "Christian fish" tie.


I know that the MRFF had long battles with Mike during his tenure as Supt considering his previous history as an avowed evangelical Christian, ties to a local megachurch, and his wife's many public statements at Academy events declaring their faith and the necessity of all in the Air Force to have similar views. Many claimed that you were on a Witch Hunt, discriminating against Christians as you (in their view) picked at the edges of AFI 1-1 to point out inequities and religious bias throughout the military. Gould declared his innocence and dedication to treating all equally—while he was in uniform—and fought all comers that claimed that bias existed in his office or at the Academy.  As it turns out, though, you were right all along.


Eventually, the truth comes out. With this carefully chosen tie—and one doesn't make a choice like that lightly if they have the experience of the Lt Gen—he’s declared his faith and his allegiance over and well above the organization he’s now probably paid over $200K per year to lead
. In so doing, he's also not-so-subtly sent the message that he always thought USAFA was a bastion of Christendom and that he intends to extend that identity to the graduate community and the philanthropic organization he leads to support the Academy's mission.


It makes one wonder... Will the Endowment look askew at requests for support from non-Christian cadet clubs and activities? Must those requesting Endowment assistance meet his definition of faithful and patriotic? In declaring his personal preference, is he also opening the door to potential accusations of bias within what should be a non-religious organization?


I, for one, think that that has always been the case with Mike and Paula Gould. The sheep's clothing never really fit all that well. Now that they've shed themselves of that disguise, we're seeing what you and many of your clients long-suspected anyway. My response will be to stop my current donations to the Endowment until such time as I see a written apology and Mike is replaced. I can't trust my money with someone who isn't smart enough to avoid wearing the wrong tie for the right organization.


An MRFF Client at USAFA


Inbox logo

We receive an enormous amount of emails at the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, both from our supporters and detractors. Through "MRFF's Inbox", we share some of these emails with you.

Click to view MRFF's Inbox

Hymn suggestions for the USAFA

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

"Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus"

and "His Name is Wonderful"

Christians command and rule in the Military of the United States.

Praise God!



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