By The Christian rock group BarlowGirl was playing.
The Army said Friday it was investigating a claim that dozens of soldiers who refused to attend a Christian band’s concert at a Virginia military base were banished to their barracks and told to clean them up.
Fort Eustis spokesman Rick Haverinen told The Associated Press he couldn’t comment on the specifics of the investigation. At the Pentagon, Army spokesman Col. Thomas Collins said the military shouldn’t impose religious views on soldiers.
“If something like that were to have happened, it would be contrary to Army policy,” Collins said.
Pvt. Anthony Smith said he and other soldiers felt pressured to attend the May concert while stationed at the Newport News base, home of the Army’s Transportation Corps.
“My whole issue was I don’t need to be preached at,” Smith said in a phone interview from Phoenix, where he is stationed with the National Guard. “That’s not what I signed up for.”
Smith, 21, was stationed in Virginia for nearly seven months for helicopter electrician training when the Christian rock group BarlowGirl played as part of the “Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concerts.”
Smith said a staff sergeant told 200 men in their barracks they could either attend or remain in their barracks. Eighty to 100 decided not to attend, he said.
“Instead of being released to our personal time, we were locked down,” Smith said. “It seemed very much like a punishment.”
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation first reported on the Christian concert. The foundation said it was approached by soldiers who were punished for not attending or offended by the religious theme of the event.- Associated Press
While not accepting blame, a Captain apologized. From personal experience, when I was in Navy Boot Camp men who didn’t go to some church service on Sunday were told by Chief Thomas* that they would be kept busy. My memory says not too many of us stayed behind.
*- I met my RDC six years after Boot camp. Chief Thomas came to Balboa and I got to x-ray his broken arm. He remembered me, and of course I remembered him and still do.
12:51 am on August 21st, 2010 1
"Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concerts”
Hmmm… do we have a candidate to assist in the reduction of "brass creep"?
"men who didn’t go to some church service on Sunday were told by Chief Thomas* that they would be kept busy."
"Chief Thomas came to Balboa and I got to x-ray his broken arm."
Didn't Chief Thomas die of a massive tumor on his arm… suspected, but never proven, of being caused by a massive amount of mysterious ionizing radiation?
1:03 am on August 21st, 2010 2
Chickenhead,
Did you forget to take your meds today?
I went to Catholic mass each Sunday during Boot Camp.
1:04 am on August 21st, 2010 3
Nearly 50% declined to attend. Fewer sheep willing to go with the flock. Progress.
1:23 am on August 21st, 2010 4
“Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concerts.”
#3 Yes there are far less of them than they think. The poll numbers are misleading. Eventually only the poor and uneducated will cling to these ancient and disgusting superstitions.
As far back as 89 they punished those who didn't attend services. I didn't want the kool aid Mr Jones was passing out.
2:25 am on August 21st, 2010 5
"Did you forget to take your meds today?"
No. The nice men in white coats hold me down and help me take them.
…but, if I was forced to choose between worshiping an idol or spitefully being "kept busy", eventually I'd be in a position to do "God's Will".
A couple hundred kilovolts, a whole bunch of milliamps and a vacuum tube with a tungsten target will do quite a bit of God's Will…
…and potentially save many from sinful idolatry that Chief Thomas was enforcing.
3:05 am on August 21st, 2010 6
Great. Almost mandatory spirituality. Maybe the general is preparing his troops for some type of a Christian Jihad. Although when I was at Ft. Gordon in '68 I did sing in the choir at the chapel near my barracks. Not because I had an inspiring voice or was inclined to attending church. If you sang in the choir, you wouldn't get KP on the weekends. I figured I'd get my reward then instead of waiting on the ones that were promised in the hereafter
3:51 am on August 21st, 2010 7
The commander is an idiot. He could easily have escaped any kind of scrutiny by just saying the spiritual fitness event is "YOUR PLACE OF GD DUTY!"
5:16 am on August 21st, 2010 8
Joec, I find your comment "interesting". It says much about you. Not all good. Not all bad.
Me and Jim B. have been talking for a couple of hours this Saturday afternoon. As usual, we are in agreement. I remember my Basic training. I never went to "service". I and another stayed behind and GIed the bay. I had no problem with those others that went to service. God does not live in the church nore always speak thru the "preacher". Sometimes he might speak thru — whatever.
No one has or will ever force me to go to services. I shut more "supposed" Christians down than I care to remember. I enjoyed it each time I did it. Which says alot about me.
Some people need to be led. Most I feel. Some lead, most follow. I watch.
#7 Lemmy, I agree with you more often than not. But, no one in the Military can order anyone to attend service. Nor should they. They can however, make service the less painfull alternative. I think they call that, Motivation.
Jim tells me we need some more quality time, so I gotta go.
#6 dragonfly, Christian Jihad? Thats funny! Back to the Crusades? I wish that would happen. If it did, you would be as afraid of Christians as you are of Muslims. I'd like to see that! They did it before. PC stops a reaccurance. Not so the Muslims.
Sheep, Wolf or Sheep dog. Pick one.
5:23 am on August 21st, 2010 9
What if it was the CG's Call to Evening Prayer instead?
6:43 am on August 21st, 2010 10
#4, Of course we will still need temples for weddings and funerals, lest we go the way of the Soviets and ban religion…
7:48 am on August 21st, 2010 11
#6 I don't think it's the crusades. These Evangelical sicko's want to bring about the end times. They want the world to be destroyed and pray for never before imagined death, destruction and human suffering.
#9 What's the difference?
#10 No need to ban it, it's dying out on its own. It's killing itself. It's is unsustainable. Why do you think they try so hard to indoctrinate the poor and uneducated in third world countries?
From the Fort Useless website "Chaplains Corner":
Jewish Services
See the local telephone directory or search on-line for local synagogues.
Islamic Services
For information, search on-line Islamic Services for you local area or contact the Mosque & Islamic Center of Hampton Roads
I see.
Some quotes from http://www.forteustiswheel.com/articles/2010/07/2…
"Following the Apostle Paul’s message to the Ephesians in the Bible, Christian rock music’s edgy, all-girl band BarlowGirl brought the armor of God to the warriors and families of Fort Eustis during another installment of the Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concert Series May 13 at Jacobs Theater."
The father of the three Barlow sisters who make up the band was also quoted in the article, saying, "We really believe that to be a Christian in today’s world, you have to be a warrior, and we feel very blessed and privileged that God has given us the tool to deliver His message and arm His army."
BREAK
The Commanding General's Spiritual Fitness Concert Series was the brainchild of Maj. Gen. James E. Chambers, who, according to an article on the Army.mil website, "was reborn as a Christian" at the age of sixteen. According to the article, Chambers held the first concert at Fort Lee within a month of becoming the commanding general of the Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee in June 2008. But he had already started the series at Fort Eustis, as the previous commanding general there. The concerts have continued at Fort Eustis under the new commanding general, as well as spreading to Fort Lee under Maj. Gen. Chambers. The concerts are also promoted to the airmen on Langley Air Force Base, which is now part of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
In the Army.mil article, Maj. Gen. Chambers was quoted as saying, "The idea is not to be a proponent for any one religion. It's to have a mix of different performers with different religious backgrounds." But there has been no "mix of different performers with different religious backgrounds" at these concerts. Every one of them has had evangelical Christian performers, who typically not only perform their music but give their Christian testimony and read from the Bible in between songs.
Another problem with these concerts, besides the issues like soldiers being punished for choosing not to attend them, is that they are run by the commanders, and not the chaplains' offices. It is absolutely permissible for a chaplain's office to put on a Christian concert. It is not permissible for the command to put on a Christian concert, or any other religious event. Having a religious concert series that is actually called and promoted as a Commanding General's Concert Series is completely over the top.
And then there's the cost. These concerts aren't just small events with local Christian bands. We're talking about the top, nationally known, award-winning Christian artists, with headline acts costing anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, and even many of the opening acts being in the $10,000 range.
The cost of these concerts led MRFF's research department to start looking at some of the DoD contracts for other "spiritual fitness" events and programs, and what we found was astounding. One contract, for example, awarded to an outside consulting firm to provide "spiritual fitness" services, was for $3.5 million.
9:01 am on August 21st, 2010 12
I'm back and I really don't believe this thread. You good people are being led by the nose. Quite funny really.
Evangelical this and that. Christians are now the problem? Well, 2001 was nine years ago. I don't expect americans to have a long memory. But you're bitching abount "evangelicals"? I don't even know what an "evangelical" IS!
Who is playing with your religious prejudices?
BILL! Do you work for NBC or some chit. Why are you changing the subject and leading these over-educated fools around by the nose? True, it might be easy. But is it right?
At least gi korea has some real issues to talk about.
10:33 am on August 21st, 2010 13
#11,
I don't mean any disrespect, but that sort of crap makes me glad I'm not American.
Religion is just a means for humans to cope with their own mortality and that of their children, but I'm willing to admit that it can play a positive role in a person's life despite the fact it's based on fantasy.
With that said, I strongly believe that religion is a personal choice that should be kept private and shouldn't be imposed upon others, it should only be used as a positive force (wanting the world to end is not something a sane person would want), and it shouldn't be profited from.
10:59 am on August 21st, 2010 14
With that said, I strongly believe that sexual preference is a personal choice that should be kept private and shouldn’t be imposed upon others, it should only be used as a positive force (wanting the world to embrace open homosexuality is not something a sane person would want), and it shouldn’t be profited from.
11:12 am on August 21st, 2010 15
"Don't Be a Sucker"
A 1947 [propaganda?] piece produced by the U.S. military.
11:21 am on August 21st, 2010 16
Tech Sergeant Jones (June '84) sent all of us AF basic trainees to church on Sunday (he wasn't there, oddly enough) for the first couple of weeks. After that us non-church attendees found ways to not attend. I think we hung out in the dorms and cleaned or polished boots or something.
Better than going to church is all I am saying.
Vince, how the hell did you get from what Teadrinker said to "open homosexuality"? I think you are obsessing too much.
11:51 am on August 21st, 2010 17
The problem is not Christian or Muslim.
The problem is pushiness.
12:42 pm on August 21st, 2010 18
#15 Niiice.
Nehemiah Scudder laughs every time something like this happens. The cross, half moon and swastika start looking very similar, if not interchangeable…
People have seen this type of thing coming and warned us of the dangers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_in_2100:
Revolt in 2100 is a 1953 collection by Robert A. Heinlein and is part of his Future History series.
The short novel, "If This Goes On—", describes a rebellion against an American theocracy and thus served as the vehicle for Heinlein to criticise the authoritarian potential of Protestant Christian fundamentalism. The work is not an attack on religion in general, however, as he has a Mormon community take part in the anti-theocratic revolt.
The short stories, "Coventry" and "Misfit", describe the succeeding secular liberal society from the point of view of characters who reject it.
This sounds like something from the Koran, but it's not:
"And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king–bring them in and execute them right here in front of me." – Jesus (Luke 19:27)
12:36 am on August 22nd, 2010 19
Ret. GI #8: What makes you think I'm not just as afraid of some "Christians" as I am of some Muslims already? Not to pick on the Baptists, but I work with one who is a fundamentalist. The level of "Christian" (in)tolerance is dumbfounding.
Chickenhead #17: You're right, the problem isn't Christian/Muslim. It's radical fundamentalism from both. And miracles of miracles, they both have God on their side!
12:47 am on August 22nd, 2010 20
I have to agree with teadrinker….religion should not be a part of work. like every time they pray at my husband's work it just drives me nuts! um, I am sure not everyone in the room is a christian and if someone needs to give thanks for their bread let them do it themselves quietly!!!!
1:00 am on August 22nd, 2010 21
"BILL! Do you work for NBC or some chit. Why are you changing the subject and leading these over-educated fools around by the nose? True, it might be easy. But is it right?
At least gi korea has some real issues to talk about."
Coercing or bribing military personnel into attending a religious event is a real issue that involves Constitutional rights. Thank you, Bill, for posting this.
2:51 am on August 22nd, 2010 22
dragonfly, "the level of christian (in)tolerance is dumbfounding." I agree. But they have not as yet flown planes into buildings, in the name of God. As far as I know, christians, no matter how closed minded they may be, are not stoning those they label as whores, and taking the heads of non-believers.
#20 afg, I have to agree with you agreeing with teadrinker on that point. Religion, much like sexual preference, should be a private matter.
A young troop "accosted" me outside the px area at Camp Taji one sunny morning with a request for a group prayer. I told him in a very military manner to STFU.
21 sonagi, "coercing" is SOP. Bribing requires some Rank or money.
Wipe your nose.
"I need someone for a driving mission this weekend. Whoever volunteers gets monday off."
"I need eight guards and one standby tonight. Whoever answers the most questions correctly gets to sleep unless needed."
My Basic training: "no training on sunday but you WILL clean the bay. You can go to service if you want. But the bay will get cleaned on sunday." I and my buddy stayed back and cleaned the bay every week. No one else. That was just fine with everyone. Cleaning the bay was much more fun than "service".
3:02 am on August 22nd, 2010 23
Giving an employee a choice between performing labor and attending a religious function violates the employee's freedom of religion.
4:56 am on August 22nd, 2010 24
Ret. GI #22: I agree wholeheartedly. I have yet to see or hear of a Baptist or Presbyterian reciting the 23rd Psalm while wearing a dynamite vest in the middle of a crowd of unsuspecting civilians. But, I would be willing to bet that there have been good Christian KKK members who have lynched, beaten, and shot those that they thought had it coming. Or how about the wackos from that church who protest at and disrupt funerals of fallen GI's? All in the name of the Lord. Fortunately, those types are few and very far between.
7:19 am on August 22nd, 2010 25
#22 Just because they haven't doesn't not mean they won't. On Sept 10, 2001 all of us could have agreed that no Muslim had flown airplanes into buildings. I think the words of their "leaders" speak volumes. They WANT a theocracy, like Iran or Saudi in the US. I would bet most Iranians and Saudis are not radical Islamo-fascists either but the dedicated few and inaction of the populace can allow these things to happen. For the religious apologists: Put on your thinking caps and read them, understand their meaning.
“Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions”
- Jerry Falwell
“Billy Graham is the chief servant of Satan in America”
- Jerry Falwell
“The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country” – Jerry Falwell
"The public education movement has also been an anti-Christian movement… We can change education in America if you put Christian principles in and Christian pedagogy in. In three years, you would totally revolutionize education in America." – Pat Robertson
"We have enough votes to run the country. And when the people say, "We've had enough," we are going to take over." – Pat Robertson
"We at the Christian Coalition are raising an army who cares. We are training people to be effective — to be elected to school boards, to city councils, to state legislatures, and to key positions in political parties…. By the end of this decade, if we work and give and organize and train, THE CHRISTIAN COALITION WILL BE THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA" – Pat Robertson
"Yes, religion and politics do mix. America is a nation based on biblical principles. Christian values dominate our government. The test of those values is the Bible. Politicians who do not use the bible to guide their public and private lives do not belong in office." – Beverly LaHaye
"There should be absolutely no 'Separation of Church and State' in America." – David Barton
"Behind this judicial wall of separation there is a tyranny of lies that will fall… I say to you, my friends, let it fall!" – Fob James
"The long-term goal of Christians in politics should be to gain exclusive control over the franchise. Those who refuse to submit publicly to the eternal sanctions of God by submitting to His Church's public marks of the covenant–baptism and holy communion–must be denied citizenship." – Gary North
"I don't know that atheists should be considered citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." – George Bush Sr
"When science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted its data." – Henry Morris
It could go on and on.
8:19 am on August 22nd, 2010 26
#23, No. It does not. He/she has the Option. No individual was (forced) to go.
I was (forced) to go to MANY "mandatory Fun days" while in the Military. I didn't want to go. But I did not have an Option. I was Forced. It was an Order to go.
This happens. It is SOP.
I was forced to go to the Mess Tent while in the field. Not matter my rank was private or sergeant. No option. Didn't have to eat it, but I had to sign in.
You are NOT an "employee" in the Military. You are a Service Member. You give and receive ORDERS!
It is an all volunteer Force. After you volunteer, you take or give ORDERS. Don't like it? Don't reup!
Civilians
8:27 am on August 22nd, 2010 27
25 leon, so—in short, you agree that religion is dangerious in ALL FORMS?
Or are you with Bill and NBC that Christians are the problem?
8:53 am on August 22nd, 2010 28
24 dragonfly, We all "have it coming" in somebodies mind.
You list christian kkk members. I wasn't around back then. I don't know if their victims had it coming or not. Nor will I buy into the hipe. I don't know what Reginald Denny did to deserve his beating either. Nor do I understand what Mr. Newsom and his girlfriend did to deserve their deaths.
I do recall that the kkk started, not because of blacks but because of "another group". I'll have to look that up now.
As for that christian group of small number that protest gi deaths. Lets just say I would enjoy doing violence to them in my own name. But, I would not do well in jail. Too pretty.
Bottom line: I will not be side tracked into stoneing christians untill AFTER we have held Muslims responsibile for their deeds. Basicly when the "good" Muslims rise up against the Jihadist in their ranks and kick them out, expose them, disown them. After THAT, I will be ready to take on the ridical Christian. Not before!
9:01 am on August 22nd, 2010 29
The Constitution supercedes military orders. It is the supreme law of the land. Fun Days and mess tent duty do not infringe upon freedom of religion or any other Constitutional freedoms. Giving soldiers a choice between attending a Christian concert or staying in the barracks does because the choice favors one religion over others or no religion at all. It is disturbing that someone who took an oath to defend our country has so little appreciation of our Constitutional rights and freedoms and the Constitutionally protected value of equality under the law.
9:43 am on August 22nd, 2010 30
#27 All forms! I think I have always been very clear on this topic.
9:50 am on August 22nd, 2010 31
Ok female. If you want to start throwing insults beware.
You give up some of those freedoms when you take that oath. Odds are high that this event was billed as one of those "MANDATORY fun days". SOP. Attend the event or stay in your room untill it ends is being given an option. The other option is not supposed to be better then the one the Command has arranged.
They were not forced to attend. Bottom line.
As usual, a civilian with no experience in Military Service presumes to lecture one who wore the uniform and took the risks.
10:01 am on August 22nd, 2010 32
Sonagi is correct on the Religion part, this very issue was being brought up as I was leaving my AIT back in 2000. Certain CSM's in the command, who also had very prosperous / successful churches, would sponsor "special events" during the week and weekend and "invite" all their soldiers to attend. The incentive to attend was that you'd be stuck on police call / "area beautification" during that time if you were not there. It was explained that the "area beautification" needed to happen but that the soldiers who didn't attend would do it so that the others could attend. Makes complete sense until you realize that its profoundly unfair to those who don't desire to attend an optional church service for a CSM. Other details have a roster have if you need to do something you arrange to have a buddy cover for you. There was no "area beautification" roster, only a general statement that if you were not at the optional event then you'd be attending the "area beautification".
You ~can not~ order a soldier to be religious or attend a religious event. That would be an illegal order no questions asked. Of course little uninformed privates in basic / AIT just want to get the fck out with the least amount of issues, so their not going to cause waves or make reports. Their going to keep their head down and do whatever it takes to get out of the training environment. Now permanent party soldiers are a different situation, especially the ones who've been around long enough to know whats right / wrong.
Maybe in your time the Army acted that way, they also used to beat soldiers and not report the rape of junior PVTs by senior NCOs. More recent changes have made things a bit more on the level, unfortunately there is entirely ~too~ much PC crap going on for my tastes.
10:36 am on August 22nd, 2010 33
"Ok female"
You say it like it's a bad thing.
10:36 am on August 22nd, 2010 34
"As usual, a civilian with no experience in Military Service presumes to lecture one who wore the uniform and took the risks."
Oh, please!!!
This is not a matter of differences between military and civilian understanding. I did my 20 years and still know this was wrong.
The military has been quite clear that religious coercion won't be tolerated. Any military commander, especially a general, who doesn't get it, either hasn't been paying attention, doesn't care, or is an idiot.
11:02 am on August 22nd, 2010 35
Someotherguy, Number one question: Was it billed as a religious event? If it was and it was mandatory, it was wrong. If it was billed as a "special event" as you say, legally it was fine.
Area beautification has no roster. It is a "hey you come here" event. As a young troop I even painted rocks.
So it seems that you agree with me.
As for "my time", I was in when you were in. When you where in AIT, in 2000, I was fresh from Bosnia and doing S2 for the Battalion at Fort Hood. The young lads there were often crybabies and thought they knew it all, just as you seem to be.
Now maybe you do know it all. I don't know you. But I knew them and they sure didn't.
Any event that the Command says is mandatory is just that. Any event where you have the OPTION of going or doing some DA detail, is still an OPTION.
Now when the Dallas cowboy cheerleaders came,
it was not mandatory. I went to the ville instead. They didn't miss me.
I understand that some of you are antireligion. Got it. Really don't give a rats ass either. But they had an option. No mandatory religion was ordered.
I hope he does it again. Just to piss you crybabies off.
We are also in agreement on the "entirely too much PC crap going on for my tastes".
But does that mean you're anti-female? or worse yet anti- whatever the flavor of the minority is today? I'm sure it doesn't. But somone might make an issue of that. Just as they do this.
Are you still in? Or did you get smart and get out?
11:07 am on August 22nd, 2010 36
#33 I say it like it is a (TRUE) thing.
There would have been more adjectives if it were a bad thing. I like females. They are good cleaning agents. 
11:24 am on August 22nd, 2010 37
34 what was wrong joe? To have a "special event". Was it billed as religious in nature? I must have missed that. A religious group can play at any event it wishes. At least untill you outlaw them. Work on that!
I would not have done what bill says was done. But I don't go to church. As long as it was not billed as a religious event, no "evil" was done. Not the way I would have picked to win hearts and minds or souls. The organizers and others responsible are guilty of stupidity. Clearly. Feel better?
Muslims do a better job of recruiting. Hard to beat 72 virgins. That's over two months of screaming and bleeding.
11:31 am on August 22nd, 2010 38
"Was it billed as a religious event? If it was and it was mandatory, it was wrong. If it was billed as a “special event” as you say, legally it was fine."
Following that logic, exchanging sex for money is legal as long as the act is billed as a massage.
Retired GI Oppa, I have many talents, but cleaning is definitely not one of them.
11:48 am on August 22nd, 2010 39
Ah women. So much fun.
Following that logic ect…. Yes! You do understand. So rare in a woman.
I have little doubt of your statement. I'm sure you suck at cleaning.
I try to be nice and give a girl a compliment.
And I'm not your Daddy. But I COULD be.
(spank-spank)
I gota go to sleep. I'm hung over and being nasty to someone on a korean/military blog. That don't even sound good!
1:28 pm on August 22nd, 2010 40
Sonagi 29: Merriam-Webster says, "'Supercede' has occurred as a spelling variant of 'supersede' since the 17th century, and it is common in current published writing. It continues, however, to be widely regarded as an error."
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superce…
3:42 pm on August 22nd, 2010 41
“Was it billed as a religious event? If it was and it was mandatory, it was wrong. If it was billed as a “special event” as you say, legally it was fine.”
“Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concerts.” featuring a Christian rock group
Gosh, what else could it be other than a religious event?
As has been made abundantly clear it was billed as a religious event. So, you would agree it was wrong.
————-
From the Fort Useless Wheel: http://forteustiswheel.com/articles/2010/07/23/ne…
Contemporary Christian music lovers immersed themselves in God’s message of hope and salvation during the SonicFlood concert July 16 at Fort Eustis’ Jacobs Theater.
The evening’s festivities began with a ceremonial cake cutting in celebration of the 235th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps.
Calling all chaplains, chaplains’ assistants and staff to the stage front, Regimental Chaplain (Col.) Richard B. Garrison and youngest chaplain’s assistant Pfc. Phillip Schrauben, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 53rd Transportation Battalion, made the first slice into the cake served at concert’s end.
As the cake was wheeled away and before the house lights could dim, SonicFlood took the stage with an excited greeting to the audience from lead singer and front man Rick Heil.
“We just want to start out by saying that we love, love, love our troops for putting themselves in harm’s way so we can live in the land of the free,” Heil said.
*
The band then launched into the song “A Heart Like Yours” from their most recent album of the same name.
Guitar riffs, rapid drumbeats and a foot-tapping beat kept the crowd alive and SonicFlood saturated the audience with songs of praise and worship spanning 12 years and 10 albums from the eponymous SonicFlood to their most recent release, A Heart Like Yours.
With a rock n’ roll vibe, Heil and company not only caught and held concertgoers’ attention, they got them out of their seats and moving with the music.
“Do you know who invented dance?” Heil asked the audience.
After a few silly answers such as “You did,” he answered the crowd.
“God did,” he said. “He invented dance and I want you to dance in the Lord.”
The band then launched into “Lord of the Dance” a celebratory hymn of praise for God and encouragement for His people.
“Everybody dance now in the Holy Spirit,” sang Heil. Dance they did.
SonicFlood took the Soldiers, family members and guests on an emotional rollercoaster ride, from elation to sadness with excitement and patriotism in between.
Slowing the tempo a bit, Heil spoke of the band’s pride and confidence in the nation’s defenders.
Gesturing to bass guitarist Branden Taulbee, Heil spoke of Taulbee’s brother, Sgt. Christopher Taulbee, who served with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4-25 Field rtillery Regiment, in Afghanistan.
“Branden’s brother made it home safe from Afghanistan and we just want you all to remember that God is your shield and your protector in the storm,” Heil said.
Tears fell from some faces of many as Heil requested a moment of the audience’s time to say a prayer for the Soldiers and the nation.
“Bless America and bring America back to you,” Heil prayed and went on to ask for healing and guidance for the nation’s military.
“God, a lot of Soldiers are at a crossroads in their lives and we want to give them the answer to peace,” Heil added.
The band then launched into “Psalm 91” followed by “Mayday,” and the lyrics of the two songs resonated with the Soldiers, family members and other members of the Eustis community.
“God blessed a land that’s free from sea to shining sea,” Heil sang.
The band closed with a prayer and a call for anyone who wanted to know the Lord or with a need or sorrow on their heart to come forward. Dozens of Soldiers and family members flooded the stage front.
Heil then stepped down from the stage and made his way through the tight crowd, praying and touching the Soldiers moved to God.
Eyes closed, Soldiers knelt, stood and swayed with the prayer and music in benediction to God.
Following the emotional ending, the band consented to a brief interview with The Peninsula Warrior backstage.
““We believe in our military and what they do everyday. We believe that there’s a war to be won –a spiritual and worldly one- and they’re doing it,” Heil said.
The rest of the band agreed and spoke of other military installations they have performed at including Anderson Air Force Base, Guam; Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C.; Fort Lee; and Mannheim, Germany.
“We love to do anything to encourage them. We sing and bang on stuff for the Lord to light a fire in them,” Heil said.
The concert was the final installment of the Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concert Series.
———–
Would anyone else like to throw out some doubt about whether this was a religious event? Anyone have doubts? Stop obfuscating, we all damn well know what it was and what was attempted here. Please don't be disingenuous.
5:26 pm on August 22nd, 2010 42
Is Rick Heil related to Sieg Heil?
7:49 pm on August 22nd, 2010 43
Come on, Glans…
That is very insensitive and very much out of mein kampfort zone…
…and I'm goering to have to ask you to stop with the inappropriate jokes…
…anne frankly, I won't stand for it.
Tell me we did nazi that coming.
8:16 pm on August 22nd, 2010 44
"With that said, I strongly believe that sexual preference is a personal choice that should be kept private and shouldn’t be imposed upon others, it should only be used as a positive force (wanting the world to embrace open homosexuality is not something a sane person would want), and it shouldn’t be profited from."
Gee, and yet you love to talk about homosexuals. I wonder why.
9:23 pm on August 22nd, 2010 45
41 leon, yep sounds Religious in nature, and perfectly retarded. Still, were individuals (forced) to attend? I would rather have done whatever BS detail they came up with than attend. In so doing, I would not have been (forced) to attend a religious event.
As I've said before, once the "good" Muslims come out and reject their Jihad brothers and we stop treating the Muslims like a special Minority group, then I will be prepared to stone the Christian groups. Not before. Extreme Christian groups are annoying but not yet the threat the muslim jihad is.
43 chickenHead—-Good job. You too Glans.
9:14 am on August 23rd, 2010 46
Cordoba House may be a good venue for normal Muslims to dissociate themselves from their wacko fringe, if Sean and Rush stop their demgogy and it ever gets built. Then service members can have a choice: visit Cordoba House or clean the barracks.
9:41 am on August 23rd, 2010 47
People don't get it. If the soldiers were given a choice between going to an Islamic event or cleaning the barracks, farkers would be screaming high and bloody murder. But since it was Christian, it was no harm. See it goes both ways and all of it is bullshit.
9:55 am on August 23rd, 2010 48
Leon,
You write as if there are no Islamic events on military bases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Hood_shooting
10:08 am on August 23rd, 2010 49
#48 in that case, I too would prefer cleaning the barracks.
11:56 am on August 23rd, 2010 50
#47, leon, you didn't pay attention to anything I said.
You seem to hate the christian but love the muslim. Allahu Akbar.
No one was forced to attend the evil christian sing-a-long.
If it had been an Islamic event, those that didn't go would have been branded as islamophobic haters.
Since it was Christian, they had an OPTION to do a BS detail. Allahu Akbar.
When the Muslims clean up their Jihadist, then and only then will I be willing to be concerned about the annoying Christian extremist. The Christians haven't tried to kill me. The Muslims have.
12:04 pm on August 23rd, 2010 51
You are not paying attention either
May I be clear. One. More. Time.
I despise all religion. It's dangerous and vile. Islam is the worst of the worst, however Xianity is a close second.
12:26 pm on August 23rd, 2010 52
Now you're just playing with me. Hope you had fun.
1:10 pm on August 23rd, 2010 53
#52 I'd never do that!
11:19 pm on August 23rd, 2010 54
5:11 pm on August 25th, 2010 55
RETIRED GI, How many Muslims do you know in your life?
I am an American and practice the Muslim faith.I pay my taxes, always been a law abiding citizen well except for a few speeding tickets if that counts. I have served and deployed in Afghanistan fought against the taliban and would heartily do it any day they have perverted my faith and everything we stand for.I have and many of my friends and many muslims have spoken against what this tiny minority of terrorists who have hijacked my faith, but unfortunately Retired GI I think you are relying your info on Fox news and right wing elements who are hell bent on distorting the image of Muslims. I encourage you to go to one of the local mosque nearby wherever you are and meet Muslims,visit their home get to know one or two family and see their humanity.
Any person who could carry out what happened on Sept 11 is could not truly understand Islam and no matter their sick justifications for doing what they did they are very wrong!!.anyone with that ideology could not be a true muslim.
There are false prophets in every faith. these terrorist and that is what they truly are have been using my faith to justify their ideological agenda. I don't know how loud I can get to condemn them, My soldiers and battle buddies always ask me about Islam and what it is all about, No one asks me about anything other than that for the most time. When taxes go up, or the health care debate/economy or just politics. I am always having to be the guy to go to when another nut job claiming to be a Muslim does something crazy.
So Retired GI here is a Muslim Condemning all those intolerant sickos the world there regardless of what religion they may be using to justify their madness.Now can we get a condemnation for this Proselytizing for what it is.under the guise of CG's spiritual fitness.
9:58 pm on August 25th, 2010 56
Maybe I have a different opinion of the incident described in the article but it sounds to me like some soldiers at Ft Eustis have had it too easy. Many, many, many other soldiers would love to be stateside at a base where the biggest "issue" is attending concerts or cleaning barracks.
11:45 pm on August 25th, 2010 57
Mohamud #55
In answer: I buy my tobacco from a nice Muslim woman each week. Also a good friend I knew at Fort Hood is Muslim and he found me on Facebook three days ago, so we are now back in touch.
Now, I am glad to here ONE (1) muslim condemning the Jihadist muslims. Where are the others that should be doing the same?
How do you feel about the Victory Mosque near the hole in NYC? Why MUST it go there? If your fellow muslims really wanted to get along with the infidels, they would not be causing a problem ALL OVER AGAIN.
You are right. Your faith now represents anything other than peace and love. But if you want to have a religious event on post, you have the right. Just as the christians have the right. You do agree that the christians have the same right as the muslims don't you?
As for where I get my news, often it comes from Drudge in the morning. Why? Are you "intolerant" toward Fox for some reason? I would enjoy hearing why Fox is evil from you. I can tell you this, I sure do not watch or read much from NBC!
Why don't you organize a march of like minded Muslims to protest the Victory Mosque where 3000 were murdered. Do that. When I get word of that, it will be a good day.
1:11 am on August 26th, 2010 58
Retired GI glad to know that you know some Muslims.I am puzzled about what victory mosque you are talking about? Again I suggest you take a break from right wing conservative news that you rely on and do independent research into the center. this center was the brainchild of Imam abdul rauf and his wife Daisy. It was not even supposed to be a mosque but more like a YMCA kind of setting that would bring all faiths together and contrary to what the conservatives are going nuts over it is not "AT" ground zero but an old factory that is two blocks away, there are already mosques there.It was supposed to be an office tower with a small mosque not with minarets.
Why should I protest? what is illegal about practicing your faith and building a mosque? Last I checked this was America where freedom of worship was guaranteed by the constitution not north korea. The irony is when christians build churches Near the federal building destroyed by Timothy Mcveigh we should look at the other side and when American citizen muslims build an interfaith center lets go nuts over it. How do you justify this? unless the right to worship only applies to white christians. and why should i be collectively lumped with some radical elements? reading some of those placards by those right wingers demonstrators lumping all of us into one because of some lunatics was very sad.
Unfortunately they have played right into the hands of those sick radicals who just use Islam to further their warped ideology. If you speak the arabic language and choose to go to any of those radical elements websites you would be surprised at the number of debates this sickos are making. they are allover the place pointing at this conservative rightwings as a proof that America is at war with muslims when we know it is not. Now this is just another recruitment tool for this bastards out to impress upon teenage muslims in America going through identity crisis. I feel this will make our missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and the muslim world just far more difficult. Conservatives might think denying muslims a place to worship is such a great rallying point in a bid to get some votes but in the end run does it help our country? I feel they are only causing more damage and making the lives of our soldiers in harms way more difficult.
After the civil rights act of 1965 I didn't think I would see so much intolerance right wing groups with so much islamophobia.People fear what they dont know for sure.
BTW I dont support the Islamic center they are building near the site of Sept 11. I feel that is just extravagance spending 100 million dollars on it. They could have used that money to build like 20 more Islamic centers allover the states and open the doors of mosques for any American regardless of their faith to come and learn and get knowledge about this faith that has been so misrepresented.
Oh Fox news fair and balanced my response to that would be for another day. BTW I cant stand msnbc and Keith Olbermans/rachel maddow just like I cant stand Sean Hannity and Bill Oreilly not forgetting Glenn Beck.
6:33 am on August 26th, 2010 59
Try to keep up mohamud. And try WATCHING the right, so you know what you're talking about. FOX has not stated that the Victory Mosque is "AT" the site. Fox STATED, I say again, Fox STATED the mosque (ymca) is 2 blocks away. You didn't tell me anything that Fox has not told me BEFORE you.
I'll state this YET AGAIN. Just for YOU. This is not a religious issue or freedom of speech issue. Fox as stated over and over that you muslims have a right to build there. If you watched them you would know this.
If you truely wish to get along with us Infidels, you would know that you are causing anomosity by INSISTING that it be built THERE. Since you are insisting that it be there, I can only conclude that you do not wish to get along with your fellow Americans. Which means the Mosque is NOT a culture or bringing together of different peoples cause. More likely it is a Victory Mosque.
Reguardless of the truth, its building will give courage to the Jihadist. Reason enough for it to not be built.
This is not a civil rights issue EITHER. As there are many (MANY) Mosque in NYC. One near that location already that predated the WTC. So your CR issue is as dead as those 3000 killed by your fellow Muslims under the name of Allah with the chant of ALLAHU AKBAR.
Of course you are puzzled by the reference to a Victory Mosque. You and the radical muslims are COUNTING on the stupidity of the American People. I can't blame you there. Americans have proven just how stupid they can be. They elected an EX-MUSLIM? as President. With no experience at ANYTHING other than "community Organizer". It is only correct for Muslims to think Americans are stupid after 2008.
I'm still glad that he was elected. I hope the "lession" will not be too expensive.
If it is built, as I believe it will be, I'll make the trip. I got ta see this Muslim YMCA! Gonna have a pool? My woman friend looks really good in her two piece!
I know how much Muslims respect womens rights to wear what they wish. Hope they are as "tolerant" of others as they expect us to be.
I have a doubt.
11:52 am on August 26th, 2010 60
#56 Don't act like you don't get it. We're having a mandatory bible burning complete with strippers. You are required to attend or there will be repercussions which will effect your job. Still do not see a problem?
12:50 pm on August 26th, 2010 61
More accurate would go like this: Bible burning complete with Strippers. All are requested to attend. If you choose to not attend this highly inspiring event, complete with big boobs
and whiskey 
, you can remain in the barracks untill the event has ended. 
1:20 pm on August 26th, 2010 62
More more accuratly:
"…you
canMUST (restricted to) remain in the barracks until the event has ended. You also must perform labor, to give you time to consider the error in your thinking. Praise the Lord and have a nice day."4:49 pm on August 26th, 2010 63
#60 with strippers and Whiskey? How could I refuse?
I'd even listen to an AMWAY pitch, but don't expect me to become an agent.
10:45 pm on August 26th, 2010 64
leon, you're smarter than that. The alternative is not supposed to be better than what the command wants.
12:42 am on August 27th, 2010 65
Y'all weren't shittin'… maybe BYOB, though.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100827/D9HROVM0…
12:54 am on August 27th, 2010 66
Now I know where to go for a free show.
3:04 am on August 27th, 2010 67
Maybe the churches should protest that the strippers are victims of human trafficking. That would get them some attention.
11:55 am on August 28th, 2010 68
Here is a picture of the "strippers".
You all realize that this single picture negates any defense you might have against Tom's criticism of the United States, don't you?
4:21 pm on August 28th, 2010 69
RetiredGI You preach western values but want to take away someone’s right to build a place of worship simply because they are muslims. As for saying that we muslims count on the stupidity of Americans is just nonsense to say the least. Religious freedom is a corner stone in the founding of this country. Since when did it become OK to malign that basic fundamental right? Last I checked it was a capitalist country with willing buyer willing seller. If someone chooses to buy an abandoned factory and of course following the laws and regulations applicable and build a place of community center what is the problem with that?
Let me guess you believe Obama is not an American as well just like the right wing birther movement that has been discredited time and again even proven through the court system in America. Obama was raised by his mother and grandparents who were never muslim he barely knew his father who was a muslim, At what point do you realize that your notion of Obama being a muslim or was is not true? And if he is so what? Seems to me someone has been drinking so much koolaid..get off fox news/michael savage or the limbaughs for a bit and the conspiracy theories of glenn beck.
where i was raised we allowed people do what they want even if its different then your judo Christian values. We are not all christian or jews We cant always have 100 percent agreement on stuff the Majority agree with Slavery,Genocide against the native Indians, KILLING millions of JEWS Majority agreement does not make it 100% correct or right. Your narrow understanding of islam and islamic culture is very ignorant to say the least when the peaceful non violent Christians were doing the Spanish Inquisition killing thousands of jews and forcefully converting them who took them in . Who dug the jewish holy wall out of a garbage dump and restored it Who took jews in while Adolf hitler was barbequing them by millions. Who is still acceptinh jews and christians in there countries (Iran country that follows extreme version of islam) has like 25000 jews with a representative in the Iranian parliament. Turkey 0.2% of its population is Christians and Jewish Bahrain has Christian 9%, other 9.8% (this is according to 2001 census) Jordan Christian 6% of its population. If Muslims hate "kaffirs" infidels then why these numbers ( kaffirs or infidel as you would like to call Retired GI is same as the term Gentile in Jew religion does not make you more or less of a person just means you dont follow islam)
RetiredGI just look at the stats immigrants from Muslim countrys are at the bottom of the crime list they are your cab drivers,your factory workers, doctors lawyers They stress the importance of education and completing your education to their kids. They pay there taxes on time and obey the laws. All they want is to be treated equally as in Dont bully me and call me a names like terrorist/jihadist at work( much like a black person would not like to be called the N word ) Dont discriminate against me when considering me for a job because of the way i look much like everyone else. I just want to be treated like a human and not be lumped with the worst tiny minority of my society claiming to practice my faiths who are the radical elements and enemies of humanity.
RetiredGI reading the rightwing demonstrators placards against the Islamic center and the Comments like yours reminds me of a german guy who said same thing about another religion and few years later he and his country men killed millions of them.
One more thing the right wingers destroying signs and spray panting the new mosque being built in Tennessee what is your opinion on that one as well?
Sure bring your woman let’s see how hot she is on the two piece.. You don’t mind getting a few ogling looks do you? assuming she is as hot as you make it sound. Ok am off my soap
5:52 pm on August 28th, 2010 70
Mohamud 69, I want to help you with two little facts: Obama's father was an atheist; A "Burlington Coat Factory" isn't really a factory, it's a retail store.
7:36 pm on August 28th, 2010 71
Mohamud, How many Xian churches are there in Mecca?
7:39 pm on August 28th, 2010 72
Leon Laporte, There are no Churches in Mecca unfortunately but since when did Saudi Arabia with it's poor record of Human Rights become our standard?
7:43 pm on August 28th, 2010 73
Perhaps Saudi Arabia, which operates under Islamic law and is the seat of Islam, illustartes why we should not embrace Islam.
7:45 pm on August 28th, 2010 74
Glans His Uncles and family from the father's side is. but It is possible that his dad was an atheist not that anything is wrong with that.
8:16 pm on August 28th, 2010 75
Mohamud, if 24 Mormons rammed aircraft into the twin towers it would be inappropriate to build a Church of latter day saints Center complete with 2000 person church anywhere near the grounds. Constitutionally there is nothing wrong with it, they can legally do it in the land of the free but it looks like a giant middle finger to a lot of people.
Now…if it really was a bridging center then they could open an inter-faith center and that would be a sign of peace.
Even stretching it a bit, if there was a huge 2000+ number of Mormons with no where to worship it still might make sense if there was no where else to build.
But…it isn't an interfaith center, there isn't a large number of muslims with no where to worhip in that area and there are many places to build in New York City. And it isn't helpful when the Iman in charge says that American Terrorims caused the attack.
So…Do Muslims have the right to build the center? Damn straight they do, home of the free and the brave. Do people have the right to see it as an insult the way it is planned? Damn straight, home of free, land of the brave. So why do you call racist?
8:17 pm on August 28th, 2010 76
#73
Saudi Arabia is no more representive of all of Islam than the Vatican is representative of all of Christianity.
1:46 am on August 30th, 2010 77
76 joeC the vatican IS a good representative of the CATHOLICS. Nice try. Christianity has diverged into many SECTS. Didn't you know?
2:06 am on August 30th, 2010 78
It's nice to see Sharif El-Gamal, the leading organizer behind the mosque and community center near Ground Zero, is just a normal guy… not unlike many of Obama's closest staff and more than a few members of congress.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/mosq…
…but I bet there is more to the story… and not necessarily against Sharif El-Gamal.
2:26 am on August 30th, 2010 79
mohamid you are a blind man. A religiously DRIVEN individual that will do or say whatever you can to get that "Victory over America" Mosque built as close to Ground Zero as you can.
People from your "faith" killed thousand in the name of your God Allah. Not that long ago either.
You do not give a good GD what Americans think. You MUST get that VICTORY OVER AMERICA MOSQUE built — AND it must be built AT THAT LOCATION.
I know what it means to the Jihadist and so do you. In fact, I believe YOU ARE ONE.
And you're a Racist. You call infidels like me Kaffirs.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/kaffir-(racial-term)
I'm thinking of some words: arrogant, jihadist, nutjob. Just sayin.
Our Muslim President will be a one termer and make Carter look good in comparison.
The ignorant Americans will not remain ignorant for long.
You have a nice muslim day and tell the Iman
I said howdy. Those 72 virgins are Catholic Nuns by the way. 
2:46 am on August 30th, 2010 80
I will be indisposed for the next 18 days mohamud. Got to go fornicate with the island girls. I may have to fly to get laid (bible belt and all) but at least I don't have to die for 72 virgins.
6:34 am on August 30th, 2010 81
#77
Exactly.
Comprehension failure again.
10:58 am on August 30th, 2010 82
Oh RetiredGI. label me as a jihadist..how original good thing is you are entitled to slander me.RetiredGI.You never responded to what I said about the harrasment and vandalism at the mosque in TN. Apparently a day after I mentioned on here there was an arson there.
" On Sunday, one day after a fire at the site of a planned Islamic center and mosque in the Nashville suburb of Murfreesboro, Muslim community members reported hearing gunshots as they inspected the damage." read the rest of the story here http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/fear-…
"Ben Goodwin of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department confirmed to CBS Affiliate WTVF that the fire, which burned construction equipment at the future site of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, is being ruled as arson"
RetiredGI. I am an active duty with the dreams of being a RetiredGI myself one day, I swore to protect and defend the constitution of the United States. I am just saying why cant i be entitled that right to worship freely without being demonized and lumped up with the very few tiny minority who have hijacked my religion? It is not like you see me lump you with KKK christian claiming folks. why do I have to face that stigma? where do you draw the line?
No where Have I said that the mosque Must be built. What I said was they have that right to build as they are guaranteed the freedom of worship just like any other American do I agree with them building a mosque there NO.
But reading those placards from those right wing nut jobs and all the bigotry and hatred that came with it. Granted they have that right to say whatever they choose but there is a difference from fantasy and reality but when they take their fantasy a step further and destroy a place of worship and vandalize and set it on fire is simply unacceptable. Why isnt there any condemnation from fox news and all those right wingers who are encouraging these folks with all the misinformation? Are muslims supposed to just be second class citizens?
Let me know how the trip goes..with all juicy details..lol.
PS don't forget the blue pills on your way.
11:13 am on August 30th, 2010 83
Just think, if there were no religion (or people kept it to themselves, as deeply personal beliefs should be) this whole thread wouldn't exist. Nor would much of the death, strife and human suffering in the world over history and right up to today. Sad actually.
I just got done watching a news story about how the African clergy fools parents into thinking their children are witches. Yeah, really, in 2010.
Religion preys on the poor, uneducated and the weak. The "good guys" allow the "bad guys" to exist. But atheists lack morals.
"But all religion isn't that way," I hear again and again. Yet it continues, daily. No one will deny things like smoking cigarettes is harmful but religion is much more dangerous (even to those who do not partake, in some cases more so) and even celebrated.
11:14 am on August 30th, 2010 84
As this mosque story drags on, it seems there is more smoke than fire…
…meaning that it doesn't look like it will get built… and, maybe, was never expected to get built.
This almost seems like a shady publicity stunt to generate attention, money and prestige.
Combine that with an announced September 11th opening date and it becomes understandable that a lot of people feel funked with.
Mohamud has spoken pretty reasonably here… more-so than some of those who have spoken against him… but if Islam is truly interested in getting along with the world, the "majority" of reasonable and peaceful Muslims must go to a great effort to speak out and limit "minority" radical factions who wish to kill cartoonists and build structures deemed inappropriate by the people they claim to want to "get along with".
Any American who believes a mosque should not be allowed in that location should pause and reconsider the importance of equal rights and freedoms in America.
Any Muslim who believes this is an appropriate way to generate good will toward Islam from the American people should reconsider reality.
12:11 pm on August 30th, 2010 85
Well Retired the base JAG office seem to think what the CSMs were doing was wrong and they ceased it. And your attempts to insult and stickman my argument were mishandled at best.
And yes you do make rosters for details because if you don't you'll be held accountable later on. Its just like any other detail, determine the amount of soldiers required do up a DA form 6 (or even create your own depending) and get to it. *Poof* all possibility of special treatment, favoritism or other shenanigans just vanished. Always cover your a$$.
In the base church situation the people involved use the EXACT same argument you made. That it was a *required* detail and had to be done. The findings were that the soldiers who attended the religious event were being offered special treatment by being excluded from the detail. The detail should of extracted the required soldiers before determining who would go to the church event.
There is no grey area here, no "suck it up" or other BS. Stories about walking 5K to work in 5 foot snow uphill in both directions lend no credibility to your argument. Nor does the fake hard old-geezer attitude. The base CG was wrong plain and simple, and sometimes it takes a little soldier whining (anything an E4 or below says that is contradictory to his superiors is considered whining by RetGI's standards) to get the attention of the requisite authorities. It took soldiers "whining" to get enough attention to get forced hazing banned. It might of been *fun* for the older guys but people have died during that cap. Not to mention the rapes but that is a different story.
1:08 pm on August 30th, 2010 86
I agree with you Partly Leon Lapporte. I dont think the problem is religion though I think the problem is those who claim to profess it. these crazies are in every religion.
chickenhead a lot of muslims speak so much against the radicals and terrorists it seems like a black out of news but the moment some taliban guy or al-qaeda guy does something he is quick to get all the headline he needs.I have lost some family to them, no one has suffered more than muslims we are the biggest victims of their senseless violence.
Back to the mosque issue in Tennessee.it seems to have become the vote getting machine for the GOP it is the thing for the season of politics. We have gop candidates without even shying away blatantly showing their anti-islamic prejudice. Unfortunately it has become so perfectly acceptable to the far right wing branch of the gop. You just need to tune to fox news to see how much promotion they make of it.I pray that the evangelical wing of the gop does not take over this party.there are candidates like Ron Ramsey in TN equating us to cults and saying freedom of worship obviously does not apply to muslims.
After the black church burnings of the 50s'I didnt think this will be acceptable in 2010 in the United States.
It was a poor choice building a mosque two city blocks away from the site of 911 but it has been overblown beyond what it was.
10:56 pm on August 30th, 2010 87
Things are looking more and more shady with the mosque.
It seems the developer was working as a waiter 5 years ago… and now is a $100,000,000 developer… but owes a lot of money and has a bit of a police record for petty crime and anger mismanagement.
I have seen that type before. I wonder who he is fronting for.
A line from Casino comes to mind…
NICKY: (Voice-over) And where they got Green from – who the funk knows? All I know is that Green was an Arizona real estate hustler, who barely had enough gas money to come and pick up his own funkin' check . . .
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/30/who-is-the…
11:18 pm on August 30th, 2010 88
Sounds like someone has figured a project to line their pockets. Chickenhead that is quite a rap sheet.I havent been following this story that closely except a few times it appeared on some news websites. a lot of conflicting stories. Shocker is I didn't know until today that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal now owns a 7 percent stake in Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., the parent company of Fox News, making him the company's largest shareholder outside of Murdoch's own family. fox news with the saudi royal family interesting read.
9:22 pm on October 13th, 2010 89
Boo f@$%ing hoo. It's the Army. I have been forced to go to all kinds of stupid shit in my time. Religious service or not, there will be mandatory fun times!
3:04 am on October 14th, 2010 90
OK. Next time you're forced to go to a gangster rap concert, no complaints.