Posted on Sep 23, 2014
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In the name of political correctness, are we missing the boat? The Cadet's whiteboards outside their rooms are for personal and public use. If they are for personal use as well, then how is a cadet's putting a Bible verse on his board a violation of Air Force policy? There seemed to be no problem until a cadet complained about it and then 2 hours and 9 minutes later, it was erased from the cadets whiteboard.
Would it have been more appropriate to say, "The whiteboard is there for personal and official use. If the board were there for strictly official business, we would ask the cadet to remove it; however, because the board is for personal business as well, it is not the Air Force's policy to restrict the Constitutional Rights of our citizens, even those attending the USAF Academy. We are sorry you feel offended, but one of the strengths of our society lies in the diversity of our people, and their beliefs."
In a way, this situation is reminiscent of the case where a restaurant in Vermont had to take down a bacon sign because one Muslim woman was offended.
Should the majority give up their rights every time someone in the minority claims to be offended? Is the Air Force allowing a very vocal minority to trump the Constitutional rights of its service members in the name of political correctness?
Would it have been more appropriate to say, "The whiteboard is there for personal and official use. If the board were there for strictly official business, we would ask the cadet to remove it; however, because the board is for personal business as well, it is not the Air Force's policy to restrict the Constitutional Rights of our citizens, even those attending the USAF Academy. We are sorry you feel offended, but one of the strengths of our society lies in the diversity of our people, and their beliefs."
In a way, this situation is reminiscent of the case where a restaurant in Vermont had to take down a bacon sign because one Muslim woman was offended.
Should the majority give up their rights every time someone in the minority claims to be offended? Is the Air Force allowing a very vocal minority to trump the Constitutional rights of its service members in the name of political correctness?
Posted in these groups: 
Progressive Policy
United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Politics
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Progressive Policy United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Politics Constitution Bill of Rights
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Capt Jeff S. I think it's more than just the Air Force, Sir, it's freedom of speech in general when it comes to anything with a religious connotation. This country was birthed because of religious oppression, and we've now arrived at the point where even stating a religious belief is seen as somehow being an infringement on the rights of others. What about the rights of the guy who has the religious belief? Where did HIS first amendment rights go?
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The door swings both ways and all these folks doing the pissing and moaning conveniently forget that. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that I who do have to take it down. What happened to simply looking away or walking away? No today we have to report everything to the ACLU as a trampling of our individual civil rights.
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When you join the military, your right to freedom of speach is not the same as in the civilian world. We have a lot of rules and regulations to abide by and governed by the UCMJ. You are no longer an individual, you are part of a team and have to be mindful of the beliefs of the others on that team. I can't say I like that, as a matter of fact, that is one of the many reasons why I decided to retire. I could go on about that that topic for days but do not want to start that right now. This Ciuntry has gone crazy with the politically correct bullshit. You are stomping in my right to freedom of speech and religion because it offends yoy. If you don't like what I am saying, you have the right to go away and not listen but because of all the people that have made a name for themselves by instigating problems, we are forced to give up our rights to people that are not even from this country. I am sorry but if you are offended by Christianity, feel free to go back to wherever it is you came feom!
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Capt Gregory Prickett
You state your position well, TSgt Matthew Greenwood, but you miss a few points.
You do not have a right to proselytize others in a military unit, particularly if it affects the good order and discipline of the unit.
You stated that you give up your rights to people who are not from this country? Who, exactly, are you talking about. My people have been in this country for about 10,000 years--have yours? I'm from here, where exactly am I supposed to go back to?
You do not have a right to proselytize others in a military unit, particularly if it affects the good order and discipline of the unit.
You stated that you give up your rights to people who are not from this country? Who, exactly, are you talking about. My people have been in this country for about 10,000 years--have yours? I'm from here, where exactly am I supposed to go back to?
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TSgt Matthew Greenwood
Yes Sir, there are a lot of points that could be made but I didn't want to type a novel. As far as the people not from here, it was aimed at some of the immigrants that have come to this Country and expect us to change what we do and our beliefs to cater to them. I don't persecute anyone for their beliefs so I expect to be able to express my own.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
I can certainly accept that - but if there had been a documented problem with people being harassed and proselytized by evangelical Christians against their will, and that any efforts to end the harassment resulted in retaliation, you could understand why restrictions on the expression of religious beliefs would be imposed? Especially when your ability to go to church and worship as you saw fit was not halted, and you were able to exercise your faith without bothering others?
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