RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,184775,00.html

Thank god for people like SSGT Thompson doing all he can to bring down a good officer and hurt our military.

Perhaps he should be investigated into his subversion of the chain of command for directly contacting the commander and also failure to follow correct SOP.

I sorta felt the same way back in the 70s when my whole battalion was marched to the post theater and forced to watch Roots. I considered it mass punishment because of the racial attitudes displayed by some but not all.

Thank GOD for men of courage like SSG Thompson.

I hope that COL Toney is tried by Court-Martial and found guilty.

I'm sick and tired of military officers using their rank AND official military communications systems to push religion. It's a blatant violation of both the UCMJ and the First Amendment. COL Toney's e-mail also included a link to a website that disparaged our Commander in Chief, which is quite a serious offense for a commissioned officer.

They need to make an example of COL Toney because this sort of proselytizing behavior is becoming far too common amongst military officers.

Additionally, this:
"[MSgt Thompson] also says that the airman with whom he spoke at the office divulged his identity to Toney -- a violation of numerous Air Force regulations."

I hope they prosecute the airman from the EO office, who violated the requirements of his duty.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Whirled_Peas,

quote:

Originally posted by nihingoohanashimase:
RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,184775,00.html

Thank god for people like SSGT Thompson doing all he can to bring down a good officer and hurt our military.

Perhaps he should be investigated into his subversion of the chain of command for directly contacting the commander and also failure to follow correct SOP.

First off, it's MASTER SGT, not SSGT. Or can we address you as seaman recruit?

Second, he was well within the regulations contacting the commander directly. Perhaps you could point out which regs, specifically, you feel he has violated...

if I recall what was said in the article -- it said she "invited" folks to watch this inspirational piece. That is what I gathered from what I read. Not necssarily promoting a religion but to listen how an indivdual over came/comes adverisity.

The Air Force seems to have a slight problem with this type of thing, namely, forcing religion on their troops. Happened at the AFA with regularity, and in other commands.

quote:

Originally posted by m551sheridan:
if I recall what was said in the article -- it said she "invited" folks to watch this inspirational piece. That is what I gathered from what I read. Not necssarily promoting a religion but to listen how an indivdual over came/comes adverisity.

I concur. It is the responsibility of a commanding officer to "invite" subordinates in positive ways. It seems to me that two experienced officers: one commissioned and one enlisted: did their duties as they saw it and that no violation of the Military Code exists.

I've seen and forwarded the link to some of the performances of Nick Vujicic, the 25-year-old who was born without arms or legs. Regardless of where the video was located, he is an explicit and compelling example of someone overcoming extraordinary adversity. Religion is hardly relevant to the message that the video sends - personal courage, making the most of the least, and not being a quitter or a whiner are among the more significant messages he personifies.

Too bad AF Master Sergeant Thompson missed the message.

Here's one of Nick's videos ...

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA"

You can see others of his videos and learn more about him here:

"http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/"

quote:

Originally posted by nihingoohanashimase:
RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,184775,00.html

Thank god for people like SSGT Thompson doing all he can to bring down a good officer and hurt our military.

Perhaps he should be investigated into his subversion of the chain of command for directly contacting the commander and also failure to follow correct SOP.

Toney is the Wing Commander, not the Chaplain. Under DoD rules, the only ones allowed to use DoD resources (that includes computers, email, ect) to promote religion are the Chaplains and their assistants, which Tomey is NOT. As a Colonel, and Commander of the 501st Combat Support Wing she is aware of those same DoD rules on religious neutrality and prohibitions on proselytizing.
Furthermore, the site on which the videos were hosted is outright hostile to the President - one of a number of slanderous and demeaning images of him has President Obama in a Nazi Uniform with a Hitler style mustache - something which is clearly detrimental to good order and discipline within the unit. The Colonel's promotion of the website implies that she approves of the disrespectful, disparaging manner in which the CinC is portrayed - something that will catch on among the rest of the command.

As to Master Sgt. Thompson, he went through proper military channels to air his complaint - first in an letter directly to Toney - then through USAFE headquarters and Military Equal Opportunity Office.

One example of the material carried on the site is this - an article started off with a photoshopped image of a Hitler Youth member and President Obama, with the subtitle "Obama Youth":

"http://www.4marks.com/articles/details.html?article_id=2335"

quote:

Well for starters, he gives the appearance of being a "well-polished speaker". But that's only when he's operating on a script. Try having him speak off the cuff, and he'll dance around the issues. Our society is saturated by icons, whether it'd be JFK or MLK and whoever. He's popular because of the racist attitude we have in America, fueled by hatred of Bush. Seems like a lot of people want to support Obama, because they don't want to be labeled as racist. It's all about being politically correct. I could point out the obvious and tell you that he isn't black but Arab-African and his mother is white. I'll this and the Obamapologists want to drop the racist card. The reason is that we have a thing called the Pied Piper affect. You scream it loud enough and long enough eventually you'll believe it. It's like the whole congregation saying "Amen" at the end of a long sermon or speech. Isn't that how cults and religious sects bring in followers? Isn't that how Hitler gained members in the Nazi party?

quote:

Toney is the Wing Commander, not the Chaplain. Under DoD rules, the only ones allowed to use DoD resources (that includes computers, email, ect) to promote religion are the Chaplains and their assistants, which Tomey is NOT.

The flaw is that she wasn't seeking to promote religion ... rather she was attempting to promote the spirit of Nick Vujicic who has overcome overwhelming challenges to make something of himself ... and give something of himself to others. There is a huge difference between promoting religion ... and sharing an inspirational story.

quote:

Originally posted by I_M_Qwerty:

quote:

Toney is the Wing Commander, not the Chaplain. Under DoD rules, the only ones allowed to use DoD resources (that includes computers, email, ect) to promote religion are the Chaplains and their assistants, which Tomey is NOT.

The flaw is that she wasn't seeking to promote religion ... rather she was attempting to promote the spirit of Nick Vujicic who has overcome overwhelming challenges to make something of himself ... and give something of himself to others. There is a huge difference between promoting religion ... and sharing an inspirational story.

Horsehockey - Toney knew full well that the site was a Catholic website - and hence religious in nature. If she had wanted to spread the story of Vujicic's struggle, there are pages upon pages worth of his videos on YouTube, GoogleVideo, and Vimeo among several others - non-religious sites.

A quick perusal of 4marks.com also shows numerous articles, opinion pieces, ect that are blatantly disrespectful of the President - and NO military commander should direct their troops to such material.

During the Bush administration, I can guarantee you that had a military commander directed their troops to a website as disrespectful of him as 4marks is to Obama, that commander would quickly find him/herself on the resignation/retirement list.

quote:

Horsehockey - Toney knew full well that the site was a Catholic website - and hence religious in nature. If she had wanted to spread the story of Vujicic's struggle, there are pages upon pages worth of his videos on YouTube, GoogleVideo, and Vimeo among several others - non-religious sites.

And ******** back at you. While there are numerous sites that carry one or more of Vujicic's videos (I've posted two in a previous comment), you have apparently failed to read in the articles on this that she got the link to this video from a friend via e-mail, watched it, and passed it on to her command. It is a major leap to assume she even looked at the web site hosting it ... just as many here follow links directly to articles, videos, etc. posted by others without so much as a glance at the article's home site page.

I've seen this video and Religion is barely mentioned. It just goes to figure that some light wieght Air Force person would take offense. They couldn't hold their liquire, women or stand up in a bar fight. Oh the good old days, seems like nothing has changed except for that self rightious over liberal ability to **** me off, fracking loser.

What has gotten into the officer corps of our armed forces these days?

Can't they just worship as they see fit and let everyone else do the same?

I don't recall any of this lunacy when I was on active duty save one event...Jerry Boykin tried to make manditory a prayer service. He was advised by more reasonable officers and senior NCOs that it would go over like a lead balloon...and lead to bad things.

What ever you believe...or not...leave the rest of us off your list. You have the freedom to worship and I have the freedom not to have it thrust at me - in uniform or out.

Give me a break,. All she did was invite people to wach noone was forced into anything.

Typical Enlisted Dude. Any chance to make an officer look bad, T.E.D will do it. That stuff wouldn't happen in the army. God does have a lace in the military. The COL wasn't forcing religion down anyones throat.

quote:

Originally posted by I_M_Qwerty:

quote:

Horsehockey - Toney knew full well that the site was a Catholic website - and hence religious in nature. If she had wanted to spread the story of Vujicic's struggle, there are pages upon pages worth of his videos on YouTube, GoogleVideo, and Vimeo among several others - non-religious sites.

And ******** back at you. While there are numerous sites that carry one or more of Vujicic's videos (I've posted two in a previous comment), you have apparently failed to read in the articles on this that she got the link to this video from a friend via e-mail, watched it, and passed it on to her command. It is a major leap to assume she even looked at the web site hosting it ... just as many here follow links directly to articles, videos, etc. posted by others without so much as a glance at the article's home site page.

Well, if she didn't look at the link before forwarding it on (which I personally doubt) - this will be a harsh lesson in what you do and do not forward when using DoD computer/computing resources.
I know when I was in that it was very explicitly and clearly stated that you didn't use Gov't computers or networks for personal use.

quote:

Originally posted by cryptofish:
Typical Enlisted Dude. Any chance to make an officer look bad, T.E.D will do it. That stuff wouldn't happen in the army. God does have a lace in the military. The COL wasn't forcing religion down anyones throat.

I don't want to burst your bubble but it does happen in the army.

Much a do about nothing, tempest in a teacup!...
It is being blown out of proportion!...
If a mistake was made, it was that the Colonel should have mentioned it in the E-nail and then if someone wanted to see the video, then she could have sent another E-mail with the address in it...
Respectfully, SUNLINER81