Thursday, April 22, 2010

U.S. Army Disinvites Rev. Graham From Prayer Meeting Because Graham Was Critical of Islamists Who Have Killed Hundreds of U.S. Soldiers


You know, I've followed enough of the military trials lately that have seen our American soldiers thrown into Leavenworth for "crimes" during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to know that the U.S. Army is being politicized beyond recognition. At the same time, I've seen the U.S. Army look nearly impotent in regards to the massacre at Fort Hood where a jihadist killed our fighting men and women in cold blood. And now, the U.S. Army is so sensitive about what muslims in America and the world will think of them, they have rescinded an invitation for Rev. Frankly Graham to speak at a prayer meeting at the Pentagon. I'd like to remind Pentagon officials and Army leadership that the enemies of America in the two wars mentioned are muslims - no, we aren't at war with muslims but when Reverend Graham speaks of the evil of Islam, well, I'd say that a suicide bomber who loads his or her vest up with ball bearings and screws in order to kill even more U.S. soldiers at a checkpoint is just that - evil.

From the story at Breitbart:




WASHINGTON (AP) - Evangelist Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a Pentagon prayer service has been rescinded because his comments about Islam were inappropriate, the Army said Thursday.
Graham, the son famed evangelist Billy Graham, in 2001 described Islam as evil. More recently, he has said he finds Islam offensive and wants Muslims to know that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

Army spokesman Col. Tom Collins said Graham's remarks were "not appropriate."

"We're an all-inclusive military," Collins said. "We honor all faiths. ... Our message to our service and civilian work force is about the need for diversity and appreciation of all faiths."

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation had raised the objection to Graham's appearance, citing his past remarks about Islam.

Collins said earlier this week that the invitation to attend the National Day of Prayer event at the Pentagon wasn't from the military but from the Colorado-based National Day of Prayer Task Force, which works with the Pentagon chaplain's office on the prayer event.

As co-honorary chair of the task force, Graham was expected to be the lead speaker at the May 6 Pentagon service. Country singer Ricky Skaggs was expected to perform.

Since Graham's invitation was rescinded, the task force has decided not to participate in the military prayer service, Collins said.

The decision suggests a growing sensitivity in recent years among senior Pentagon officials to the divide between the U.S. military and Muslims. Graham attended a Pentagon prayer service in 2003, despite objections by Muslim groups.
I don't give a rat's ass if there ARE muslims in the American armed forces - the fact of the matter is this - this world is under siege by islamofascists. In every single corner of the world, there is death and destruction at the hands of the Qur'an followers. You can't escape that fact no matter how you try, Mr. Army Spokesman.

We're at war. Start acting like it.



Army disinvites Graham to Pentagon Prayer Day



WASHINGTON (AP) - Evangelist Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a Pentagon prayer service has been rescinded because his comments about Islam were inappropriate, the Army said Thursday.
Graham, the son famed evangelist Billy Graham, in 2001 described Islam as evil. More recently, he has said he finds Islam offensive and wants Muslims to know that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

Army spokesman Col. Tom Collins said Graham's remarks were "not appropriate."


"We're an all-inclusive military," Collins said. "We honor all faiths. ... Our message to our service and civilian work force is about the need for diversity and appreciation of all faiths."

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation had raised the objection to Graham's appearance, citing his past remarks about Islam.

Collins said earlier this week that the invitation to attend the National Day of Prayer event at the Pentagon wasn't from the military but from the Colorado-based National Day of Prayer Task Force, which works with the Pentagon chaplain's office on the prayer event.

As co-honorary chair of the task force, Graham was expected to be the lead speaker at the May 6 Pentagon service. Country singer Ricky Skaggs was expected to perform.

Since Graham's invitation was rescinded, the task force has decided not to participate in the military prayer service, Collins said.

The decision suggests a growing sensitivity in recent years among senior Pentagon officials to the divide between the U.S. military and Muslims. Graham attended a Pentagon prayer service in 2003, despite objections by Muslim groups.

Graham said he regrets that the Army felt its decision was necessary. In a statement, Graham said he would continue to pray for the troops to "give them guidance, wisdom and protection as they serve this great country."

Nihad Awad, national executive director of Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Graham's invitation would have sent "entirely the wrong message" at a time when troops are stationed in Muslim nations.

"Promoting one's own religious beliefs is something to be defended and encouraged, but other faiths should not be attacked or misrepresented in the process," Awad said.

Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the prayer task force, said Wednesday that U.S. leaders have called for a day of prayer during times of crisis since 1775 but the tradition is under attack.

"Enough is enough," said Dobson, wife of conservative Christian leader James Dobson. "We at the National Day of Prayer Task Force ask the American people to defend the right to pray in the Pentagon."

She called on President Barack Obama to appeal a ruling by a federal judge in Wisconsin last week that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional because it amounts to a call for religious action. The judge did not bar any observances until all appeals are exhausted.

The Obama administration said Thursday it would appeal.

Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said Graham shouldn't have been invited in the first place.

"I want to say this is a victory, but in a way it's a Pyrrhic victory because it shows how far this got," Weinstein said. "We're not exactly doing cartwheels."

Weinstein said he hopes someone more "inclusive" will be invited to replace Graham.

Collins said there was no word yet on who would attend.

2 comments:

sofa said...

Many in the military are not at war. They are on a "career path". They suck up to the policians.

It will be the death of us.

Maggie Thornton said...

Unbelievable! God bless this man that speaks the truth. We desperately need truth-speakers. The Army will be on the losing end of this battle.

I completely agree with sofa.