Couldn't agree more with Congressman Ted Poe on this one:
Washington, Jun 29 –
I am deeply troubled by the allegations that were brought to my attention when I met with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Houston. The director of the Houston National Cemetery, Arleen Ocasio, allegedly has engaged in aggressive hostile censorship of religion at the second largest cemetery for veterans in the United States.
The First Amendment is a sacred right of all Americans, especially those who have honorably served–and given their lives–in the name of protecting the United States. Denying their families their constitutional right to the free exercise of religious freedom is disgraceful and shows blatant disrespect for America’s veterans. If these allegations are true,I formally call for the termination of Arleen Ocasio as the director the Houston National Cemetery. This display of authoritarian behavior and religious discrimination should not be tolerated.
List of Accusations
1) Director Ocasio and other Cemetery Officials instructed Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4 to remove prayers from its burial rituals and to no longer utter remarks when handling the discharged shell cases from the rifle salute to the family of deceased veterans.
2) Cemetery Officials instructed American Legion Post 586 to remove prayers from its burial rituals.
3) Director Ocasio told the National Memorial Ladies that it could no longer include “God Bless” in its condolence cards or speak a religious message to veterans’ families.
4) Director Ocascio shut down the Cemetery chapel; it is now a “meeting facility”
What the heck is wrong with this woman?
Big,
A severe case of stupidity. I agree …she has got to go excel somewhere else.
Simple
just what does this person think she is t denie any family or organiation in this country the right to enjoy the rights afforded by the first admendment
ted have the president appoint a veterian to post
What the heck is wrong with Arleen Ocascio? Easy in my mind. Atheism / Secularism is America's official religion in her view.
Religion has always played a special role in the American society. It's painfully sad to see it attacked and diminished.
GOD Bless America and GOD bless Arleen… Because life without God must suck and life without Freedom really sucks.
If the above allegations are true, I'll agree that she overstepped her authority, did so in an offensive manner, and should go.
But are they true? <a href="http://blog.chron.com/partisangridlock/2011/07/do-culberson-poe-mccaul-and-olson-care-to-know-the-facts-about-the-va-cemetery/">Do we really have all the facts?</a>
I'm doing a wait & see on this one.
I read Geoff's post this morning. Notice how he lists all that irrelevant stuff and then at the end says we need to wait for the "facts". The facts are pretty much out there. Just because he (and you) don't like the people filing the suit doesn't make it invalid. Add in her track record and you can make a reasonable assumption that she did what they say she did. Read Rhymes with Right's comment over there.
I think the lawsuit is valid, and understand that Geoff is a far leftie. I'm not trusting him on the Woodfield robo-calls blaming it on Obama part. I want to know exactly what she told who. I don't.
From RWR's linkie:
"If the latest charges are true (and that’s for a court to determine), then officials running the Houston National Cemetery have seriously misread the First Amendment."
Another GOD HATING Obama clone. Remember, NOBAMA 2012.