Is the Air Force going overboard on its policies restricting free speech?

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:12:34 -0400

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?

Air Force Academy Removes Bible Verse From Cadet's Whiteboard

The Air Force Academy removed a Bible verse posted on a cadet's whiteboard after it determined the posting had offended other cadets, a spokesman for the academy said.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 23 at 2014 1:24 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:24:59 -0400

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?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 3:01 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:01:55 -0400

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.

Response by TSgt Matthew Greenwood made Jan 7 at 2015 5:02 PM

TSgt Matthew Greenwood — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:02:57 -0500

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!