The Right Wing will try anything, including calling a National Cemetary Anti-God.
…I firmly believe (click here) that we telegraph to others who and what we are via our physical appearance. Just think of how many little decisions we make about our visage, hair, and clothing. This is what Ms. Ocasio looks like, with a butch haircut:…
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the funerals of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan as they are targeted by extremist religious groups attempting to disrupt ceremonies. These extremist groups upset families and do horrible things like burn Qurans.
When I read the directions of this 'regulation' it appears to be in support of FAMILY DECISIONS regarding the cemetery and ceremonies held there. Any prayer or ceremonial reading is allowed at the request of the family.
The unfortunate reality is that when one group is controlled from causing emotional scars to families and loved ones, that translates into equal treatment of all groups.
...The lawsuit,(click title to entry - thank you) which alleges religious discrimination by the government, and videos have generated angry letters and Internet commentary against the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as demands from members of the Texas Congressional delegation, mostly Republicans, that the Obama administration fire the Houston cemetery director, Arleen Ocasio....
The question at hand is NOT about National Cemetery Director Ocasio being Anti-God, it is whether or not any group not recognized by the deceased loved ones as permitted to carry out ceremonies at the gravesite of dead soldiers should be allowed to do so. These are cemeteries that are owned by the government, so they are suppose to have public access.
There is a solution and the Veterans of Foreign Wars should have thought about this and taken to the Director of Veterans Affairs as a means to settle the issue. Even with this modification of a Loved Ones consent there remains the question as to whether or not any group can be barred from a pubic display so long as it does not cause or attempt to cause property damage to the cemetery.
At the time of internment, the loved ones should be asked to give consent to public interest groups that sometimes frequent the cemetery to perform ceremonies. Of course these public interest groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars would have to 'apply and be listed' for permits to use the PUBLIC GROUNDS for appropriate intended purposes.
The Loved Ones of the Deceased Veterans would then approve or disapprove of the public interest organization performing ceremonies near or at the location of the deceased soldier. The procedure is simple and straight forward, it would identify any public interest group ahead of time for permits to carry out ceremonies and whether or not they have access to any of the grounds or simply certain areas where there is no objection to their ceremony. It would be a way of filtering out those groups that have detrimental interests to the gravesite of soldiers as identified by their families or significant other.
This isn't about anything, except, the 'acting out' of Texas Politicians looking for a 'leg up' to gain political ground. This is not about proper policy to honor the dead, it is not about families that seek solice in Christian ceremonies, it is not about the dead and whether or not they are even Christian and it is not about separating dead soldiers from their chosen savior. It is about making a big deal out of nothing to gain political ground. End of discussion.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have an update to the fight over saying God and Jesus at Houston National Cemetery.
Texas Congressman Ted Poe wants the head of the cemetery fired for what he calls aggressive, hostile censorship of religion. Veterans' groups and local clergy say Cemetery Director Arlene Osacio them they could not use the words God and Jesus during funerals at the cemetery.
A local pastor went to federal court so he could say Jesus Christ during a Memorial Day event at the cemetery.
Another Congressman wants action over this issue.
"It's shocking and really abhorrent to our veterans that they can't have a proper military burial and not refer to God or Jesus Christ and have the chapel at the military cemetery shut down. To me its very shocking. I think it does cry for action," said Congressman Michael McCaul…
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On August 30, VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould spoke at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Among his remarks: “VA is in the business of serving Veterans, with programs and services that are the envy of the world. We are committed to staying the course for positive change at VA. And above all, we are committed to America’s Veterans —from our Greatest Generation to our latest generation.” VA photo by Lupe Hernandez.
Aug. 10, 2011, 3:53 p.m. EDT
VA and Federal Agencies Enthusiastically Open Doors for Veteran Owned Businesses (click here)
National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo Begins
WASHINGTON, Aug 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The upcoming National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo will attract some 4,000 attendees from Veteran Owned Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Of 27 million small businesses in the United States, 3.6 million are veteran or service-disabled veteran-owned. These businesses employ 8.2 million people and contribute $1.6 trillion to the U.S. economy. Veterans are a values-based, motivated, and highly trained workforce ready to work and contribute to our economy.
The President has challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 unemployed Veterans or their spouses by the end of 2013. As the President said last Friday at the Washington Navy Yard, our small business base needs innovative and skilled workers -- like our veterans -- to grow.
