| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"L. Raymond" |
| Date: |
07 Nov 2003 07:15:28 PM |
| Object: |
When fundies rule |
http://www.theitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031107/OPED01/111070006
This is a link to a letter to the editor from a former member of the
US Marine Corp. He's a former Marine because he was charged with
making disloyal statements based on comments pertaining to the UN and
the war in Iraq. Even though this is purely polictical, I didn't
label this as off-topic because I think what Sgt. Ferriol went through
is an indication of what everyone is in danger from when
fundamentalists of any stripe - political or religious - gain power.
Isn't that the problem most of us have with the religious? Not that
they're religious, or have wierd ideas about invisible critters
magicking the world into being, but that they're dogmatic? They see
the world in such stark black & white / us & them terms that we're
justifiably concerned for our property, our freedom, even our lives
when they begin to sieze power. There's no place in their world for
opposition, no place for thoughtful discussion of the merits and
problems of any position. They've told you what to think, and that's
that, and if you think otherwise you've displayed such intolerable
disloyalty to the Leader that you're classified as subhuman, unworthy
of marrying whom you choose, of being allowed to elect your own
representatives or, like Sgt. Ferriol, of keeping your job. To
praphrase one of the banes of humanity, Reason, why hast thou forsaken
us?
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: When fundies rule |
08 Nov 2003 03:18:43 PM |
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On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 01:15:28 GMT, (L.
Raymond), Message ID: <3fac3df0.711027@news.mylinuxisp.com> wrote in
alt.atheism;
http://www.theitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031107/OPED01/111070006
This is a link to a letter to the editor from a former member of the
US Marine Corp. He's a former Marine because he was charged with
making disloyal statements based on comments pertaining to the UN and
the war in Iraq. Even though this is purely polictical, I didn't
label this as off-topic because I think what Sgt. Ferriol went through
is an indication of what everyone is in danger from when
fundamentalists of any stripe - political or religious - gain power.
Isn't that the problem most of us have with the religious? Not that
they're religious, or have wierd ideas about invisible critters
magicking the world into being, but that they're dogmatic? They see
the world in such stark black & white / us & them terms that we're
justifiably concerned for our property, our freedom, even our lives
when they begin to sieze power. There's no place in their world for
opposition, no place for thoughtful discussion of the merits and
problems of any position. They've told you what to think, and that's
that, and if you think otherwise you've displayed such intolerable
disloyalty to the Leader that you're classified as subhuman, unworthy
of marrying whom you choose, of being allowed to elect your own
representatives or, like Sgt. Ferriol, of keeping your job. To
praphrase one of the banes of humanity, Reason, why hast thou forsaken
us?
Indeed. It really must suck to be so terrified that any disagreement is
seen as a threat which must be destroyed. Sadly, abject cowardice
reigns.
Article quoted below.
/quote
Liberal views force soldier out of military
I am writing this in response to a series of letters published by The
Item, beginning with my own letter on March 14, 2003 titled "Bush Shows
Arrogance Not Leadership." In it, I discussed the relevance of United
Nations approval prior to the War in Iraq, as well as the consequences
of "going at it alone." Following the printing of my letter, a pair of
readers retaliated by attacking my loyalty and ability to "cover their
son's back." The more striking of the two had this to say:
"If Sgt. E-5 Ferriol is who he says he is and is in the job he claims he
is in, I think about now he will be in front of his commander answering
a lot of questions concerning his loyalty, the enlistment oath and above
all the oath he took to get the security clearance to be in the job he
claims to be in. I would not want a person with his views in a foxhole
next to me nor could I rely on intelligence analysis he performed that
might get me killed. I took what I think is the correct action, cut the
article out of the paper, wrote a cover letter and sent it to the DoD
for action."
I would like to take this opportunity to let Mr. Simpson know that I am
who I say I am and I was in the job I said I was in. I honorably served
my country for eight years in the United States Marine Corps; providing
honest intelligence analysis and collecting countless awards and
promotions throughout my career. I was also a leader and mentor to
scores of young men and women. In those eight years, I sacrificed more
of myself for this country than most men and women ever will in their
lifetime. But, thanks to the zeal and quick judgment of this individual,
I am no longer serving our beloved country. His forecast was correct.
Following his letter to DoD, I was brought up on charges of "Disloyal
Statements" under Article 134 of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military
Justice). Not because anything I wrote was disloyal, but because of my
political views and how they differ from Mr. Simpson and others like
him. The unfortunate aspect of this is not my demise, but their
inability to understand or accept the opinions of others as different
from their own. Nonetheless, I was forced to retain an attorney and
undergo weeks of scrutiny before being cleared of the charges. I was,
however, never allowed to work in Intelligence again; forced to separate
the Marine Corps over threats that I would not be allowed to reenlist.
Never mind the fact that there is not one single negative mark on my
entire eight years of service (the letter incident was considered
"hush-hush" so not even that made it on my record), or the fact that
every one of my superiors stood up for me during this time, praising my
abilities and loyalty to this country. None of that mattered; only my
"liberal beliefs."
Also unfortunate is that I am not alone in this situation. We now live
in a climate of political correctness and false patriotism where anyone
who goes against our president is immediately labeled as disloyal;
unpatriotic; a traitor; a liberal. Consider the recent scandal involving
the White House CIA leak. Because Mr. Wilson disagreed with our
President and publicly acknowledged this, his wife's cover was
conveniently blown so she could never work as an intelligence operative
again. Also consider the smear campaign that ensues after every major
political figure speaks out against President Bush; how all of their
dirty laundry is quickly hung out to dry. Maybe you should also consider
the Dixie Chicks, who received death threats and were boycotted because
of their differing "liberal" views. And yet another unknown story is of
a struggling solo artist by the name of Julia Rose who tours the
northeast playing her guitar and singing in bookstores. She made a lone
comment regarding President Bush and is now banned from playing in every
Borders bookstore in the northeast. And what was her terrible comment
that led to her banishment? Nothing more than the President has "chicken
legs."
So, I am not alone. There are countless other upstanding citizens whose
views correlate with mine. And if I had it to do all over again, nothing
would change. I would still write that letter and I would still complete
my service standing tall and proud. I don't have a disloyal bone in my
body and most likely never will. Having said that, it's a shame that
because of my political views this country lost one more honest service
member protecting its borders. In closing I would also like to make one
more point. In my letter I said, "… what you failed to state was that
with a new war in Iraq, terrorism will not only 'exist' but flourish.
The terrorists are winning, and with a unilateral step into war, they
will have the biggest recruiting boom in the history of al-Qaeda." As
sad as it is, not one of my assumptions have been proven incorrect. So
maybe it's not my "liberal views" that will get people killed, but a
zealous leader quick to judge.
Adolf Hitler put it best when he said, "What good fortune for those in
power that people do not think."
SGT. ROBERT FERRIOL
Former Marine Corps Intelligence Analyst
Sumter
Stoney
"Designated Rascal and Rapscallion
and
SCAMPERMEISTER!"
When in doubt, SCAMPER about!
When things are fair, SCAMPER everywhere!
When things are rough, can't SCAMPER enough!
/end humour alert
alt.atheism military veteran #11
{so much for the 'no atheists in foxholes' rubbish}
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