US

Veterans Group Calls on West Point to Pull Speaking Invite for Anti-Islamist Retired Officer

Veterans Group Calls on West Point to Pull Speaking Invite for Anti Islam Retired Officer

Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Ret.)

A group of veterans is calling on the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to retract its speaking invitation to a retired Army officer known for his controversial views about Islam.

(Related: ‘A Slander Against the Film’: Narrator Says Documentary Shown to NYPD Officers Isn‘t ’Anti-Muslim’)

Retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin was the Pentagon’s senior military intelligence official until 2004, when he was reprimanded for remarks comparing the war against radical Islam to a Christian struggle against Satan and for saying Muslims worship idols and not “a real God,” according to the Washington Post. He has also said he believes no mosques should be built in America and has called Islam “a totalitarian way of life.”

Boykin, an ordained minister who speaks around the country, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at a West Point prayer breakfast Feb. 8.

On Thursday, VoteVets.org, the self-described “largest progressive organization of veterans in America,” released a letter to West Point‘s superintendent asking for Boykin’s invitation to be rescinded.

“[Statements similar to Boykin's] remarks threaten our relationships with Muslims around the world, and thereby, our troops serving in harm’s way,” the letter stated.

Calling Boykin’s values “inconsistent even with current Army doctrine,“ the organization said it would be ”counterproductive for our future Army leaders to hear the views of Lt. Gen. Boykin.”

VoteVets.org has been joined by the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, a “community support network” that “responds to insensitive practices that illegally promote religion over non-religion within the military or unethically discriminate against minority religions or differing beliefs,” according to their website.

“MAAF supports efforts of VoteVets against a West Point prayer breakfast appearance by Dominionist retired general Boykin,” the group wrote on its Facebook page.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations joined in the call as well Thursday, issuing its own statement imploring West Point to retract the invitation.

“Mr. Boykin‘s intolerant views do a disservice to our nation’s longstanding traditions of religious freedom and pluralism and could potentially harm our country’s interests and the security of our troops overseas,” CAIR said in a release. “By providing a platform associated with West Point, Mr. Boykin’s hate-filled rhetoric would receive a level of credibility and legitimacy it does not deserve.”

Despite the protests, West Point is standing firm and will host Boykin as planned, a spokesman told the Post.

“The U.S. Military Academy at West Point prepares cadets to be leaders of character with honor and consideration of others. In order to produce effective 21st Century leaders for our Army, and our Nation, cadets are purposefully exposed to different perspectives and cultures over the course of their 47-month experience at West Point,” public affairs director Lt. Col Sherri Reed said in a statement. “We are comfortable and confident that what retired Lt. Gen. Boykin will share about prayer, soldier care and selfless service, will be in keeping with the broad range of ideas normally considered by our cadets.”

Similar objections about Boykin were raised earlier this week before he spoke at a mayor’s prayer breakfast in Ocean City, Md. Local television news station WBOC-TV reported Boykin’s speech went off without incident, and that he received a standing ovation for his remarks, which made no reference to Islam. CAIR and other groups had called for Boykin to be disinvited to that event as well.

Comments (247)

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  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:54pm

    VoteVets.org says: “[Statements similar to Boykin's] remarks threaten our relationships with Muslims around the world…”

    1. Define “relationship”. IF you mean the one we have, where we give them BILLIONS of dollars which they in turn use to fund terrorism, then I’M ALL IN FAVOR of threatening that “relationship”.

    2. Exactly what IS the special relationship between VoteVets.org & Islam? Now I’m suspicious as to why they are so energized to protect this bond they claim to have.

    3. THANK YOU West Point for keeping Lt. Gen. William Boykin (Ret) on your calendar! Don’t back down!

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:34pm

    & what was wrong with what he said about radical islam ?????????

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:27pm

      “threaten our relationships with Muslims around the world.”

      So what do they think “our relationships with Muslims” are anyway?
      OH YEA, THEY WANT TO KILL EVERYONE AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!

      To heck with what Muslims think. How about not offending people with a fully functioning brain!!

      Sounds like Paulistians…………………….

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:50pm

      There’s nothing wrong with what he said about MusIims, the groups that complained were progressive vets, in other words leftist enemies of America who joined the military as infiltrators and who support Muslims as their allies against America.

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
    • Izzy2626
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 7:14am

      There is no *radical Islam*. You have active & passive Islam. If they fallow the Koran, they all want you dead…..period. I have no doubts that as the towers were burning, the passive Islamists were in the shadows fist pumping and celebrating

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:36am

      Radical Islam a reason to wonder about Hannity’s IQ

      Report Post »  
    • cgnick
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 6:26pm

      He is just as bad as the muslim extremists for vidicating their “holy war” claims. He himself is a jihadist.

      Report Post »  
  • TyrannyNoMore
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:32pm

    They fight against the truth with tooth and nail, because they know once the veil is lifted from America’s eyes……THEY LOOSE !

    Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:22pm

    Progressive, atheist veterans have freedom of speech, and so does Lt. General Boykin.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Lesterp
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 8:47pm

      The left only wants freedom of speech for them, not us.

      Report Post » Lesterp  
    • KathleenElsie
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 3:51pm

      I respect these vets for their service. That being said I have no respect for their beliefs about Islam.

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:18pm

    No doubt- I didn’t even have to check the associations of the outfit. They probably represent veterans as much as code pink..~! The man was speaking truth. Islam would tell you that!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Baja
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:17pm

    If the high school on hudson recinds Boykin’s invite, you may as well let Code Pink run the Academy.
    Van Jones could be the USMA Superintendent.
    I doubt Sun Tzu was afraid to call out his enemy by their name.

    Report Post » Baja  
  • saltwater
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:13pm

    The votevets.org, military assoc of atheists and freethinkers are all radical leftest groups associated with our ‘oreo’ president. They might speak for 100 total so-called vets.

    Report Post »  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:24pm

      Unfortunately, the minority position seems to hold the power in this country these days. This has to be put to an abrupt and merciless end….and soon !

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:31pm

      VoteVets.org, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, and CAIR; what a combination. P on you.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:48am

      re : They might speak for 100 total so-called vets.
      Yeah, but if they‘re joined by CAIR they’ll get the ear of the w h and every dem & rino congressman’s staff. Panetta will ban this just like the NYC parade for returning heroes!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 7:07am

      must be the “winter ” soldiers John F.Kerry ,who served in Vietnam belonged to.Wonder if their flag is that rainbow one Obamas’ queen Beret serve under?

      Report Post »  
    • SargeVietVet
      Posted on January 30, 2012 at 3:04pm

      who r these maggot votevets? pinko commies, they do not represent this old salty dog. we dopn’t need any relationship w/the moose lums – they are anti-America, anti-Christian, anti-humanism, animal pigz

      Sarge

      Report Post »  
    • Rowwdy
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 9:17am

      Exactly Saltwater. These so called “vets” were probably drafted and still resent it. They get no recognition or respect from me, not would I give them quarter if they were in need. Being a vet while being anti-American is not synonymous. Protesting against West Point is protesting against the Army and THAT IS anti-American in my opinion.

      Report Post » Rowwdy  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:11pm

    Isn’t it funny that they can bash Christians right and left, say ‘death to Christian’s’, death to America.. but if we say anything about them they try to silence us. That doesn’t sound like a fair playing ground to me? You can’t silence us.. maybe some people will cower or even join you but you can’t silence the rest of us! God help us!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:14pm

      Islam is a false religion of evil, and our politicians are supporting it, so it’s no wonder that great men like Gen Boykin are the targets of left-wing smear campaigns.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • snufy
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 8:32pm

      I’m with you, Abby. The loonie left try to supress the truth beause it’s contradictory to their false teachings. The Bible says that in the end times evil will be considered good, and good will be considered evil. The reason the lefties hate us is because they are influenced by Lucifer and they hate God. We are God’s people. We know how this play will end, don’t we…Keep the faith, my friend.

      Report Post » snufy  
  • Silversmith
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:11pm

    Fascinating to hear these conscientious objectors griping about this. Would they have had a problem with speakers against Fascism during WWII? Have they forgotten that Islam is the cause of almost all of the military conflict in the world right now???

    They should rethink their position. Be against what he says if you want. But don’t try to inhibit his right to say it or others to hear it. That is the tactic of one who can’t win the argument.

    Silversmith

    Report Post » Silversmith  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:59am

      On EACH point: YEP!
      Keep the faith, Lt Gen Boykin loses in ALL their categories, 1) He served his country honorably 2) He’s a Christian Preacher 3) He’s a man of character & principle 4) He has the respect of the troops who weren’t recruited under LGBT 5) He not only knows what he believes, he knows Who he believes in and the difference between God and the moon god! 6) He fought to preserve our Constitution, and speaks because it gives him the right to.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • discus02
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:10pm

    Some times the truth hurts.

    Report Post »  
  • TyrannyNoMore
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:08pm

    On Thursday, VoteVets.org, the self-described “largest progressive organization of veterans in America,

    LARGEST PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION OF VETERANS IN AMERICA……That’s all I need to read in order to know who is behind this attempt at censorship. I urge veterans everywhere to write to West Point and show your support of the truth. Islam is not only the enemy of this country, but of the whole human race. The sooner this FACT is revealed to the uninformed, the sooner we can get to the task of ridding the world of this scourge.

    Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
  • AB5r
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:07pm

    Hate to say it but the veterans involved in this protest need to put on pink skirts and prance around looking for someone to bugger them. What more proof does anyone need that the West is lost, hopelessly and irretrievably lost. There is ZERO chance America will survive as a free country, or the rest of the West, when this is the sort of thinking that is so commonplace, even in our military. These twits never read about the military general Muhammad?

    Report Post » AB5r  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:12pm

      General Boykin is a true patriot, and I have serious concerns about any so-called “veterans groups”, that have a problem with anyone that is such a fine example of an American.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 7:38am

      But-but But you don’t understand– They got Wesley Clark on their team. They are the Winter soldiers of Iraq and Afghanistan– the slaves of Allah-I bet they cant wait for Major Malik Hasan to be pardoned by Obama so he can join their corps of instructors.

      Report Post »  
  • SaraB
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:03pm

    I just checked the board of directors for VoteVets…it’s filled with men and women from The Center for American Progress, George Soros Open Society and other far left progs.

    Report Post »  
    • UBETHECHANGE
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:05pm

      Shocker! Not.

      Report Post »  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:12pm

      I knew it !!
      Would you be so kind as to give us some URL links. I think everyone needs to pull back the curtain on these puppet masters.

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:29pm

      @TyrannyNoMore
      http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=VoteVets.org
      and when you look over the info Ron Paul had a part in it also !
      VetVoice.com, a project of VoteVets.org, launched November 20, 2007, with 2008 presidential candidates Sen. John Edwards (D); Rep. Ron Paul (R); Sen. Chris Dodd (D); Sen. Hillary Clinton (D); Sen. Barack Obama (D); Sen. Joe Biden (D); and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) posting diaries.

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
  • mutslie
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:58pm

    Me too’ ….I’m Australian I live here in U.S. ‘muzslums/islam (muslims/Islam) is a sicko’ cult nothing else………….. ‘I’m with you.
    Vote Nov. 2012 America .

    Report Post »  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:19pm

      @Patiots America

      An anti-Israel hit piece by a known anti-Semite and member of the KKK (David Duke) frankly, has nothing to do with this discussion. But, at least we know what you are all about.

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
    • PatriotNAmerica
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:41pm

      I just saw it today and was shocked! Were there lies in it? Did he say something false or did you just not like what he had to say?

      Btw, this guy has a phd. I think he was in the kkk back when he was like 19-20. He’s an elderly man now. anyway was he lying? I just can’t believe that Israel has been involved in all of those acts of terrorism and that a journalist is calling for the US President to be assassinated! Did the journalist not call for the assassination?

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:19am

      @patriotn….
      Were you even in America for the last 19-20 yrs? The fact david duke is an old man, doesn’t necessarily make him honest, AND THESE DAYS A PHD JUST MEANS SOME SCHOOL TOOK HIS MONEY AND GAVE HIM A DEGREE! DOESN’T EVEN NECESSARILY PROVE HE HAS A BRAIN, Frankly if he had one he wouldn’t have to brainwash everyone else with his anti-Semitic. hate filled trash, so I guess he’s proved time & time again he doesn’t have one! If you’re that gullible, go join ows, (unless you’re already there.) They‘re looking for easily manipulated people to help them destroy this country and all she’s stood for, for over 230 yrs.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • PatriotNAmerica
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:28am

      Wow. The video was removed and no one posted one contradiction or lie found within the video. That’s really interesting. So you are basically saying that you can not argue with Dr. Duke therefore we must smear him with name calling.

      Yet the fact that the video was taken down speaks volumes. Simply a fear of and suppresson of free speech. Reminds me of the Aytollahs.

      Report Post »  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:57pm

    We don’t want to upset the muslim people in the Obama administration.

    Report Post »  
    • Countrygirl1362
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:09pm

      Especially the Muslim in Chief

      Report Post »  
    • 1ClassicLiberal
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:32pm

      Exactly, Barry did say in 2008 that, if elected, he would disarm America to a level agreeable to his Muslim friends, so the pro Muslim infiltration of the US military should be no surprise. It is funny how secularists that endeavor to undermine religious freedom in this Country would hold that issue up as a reason to deny the general his opportunity to speak. An army afraid to name its enemy is already defeated.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:56pm

    He is not the only one who will end up on the carpet. I was at an event for our city and one of the Colonels at the base was the speaker. He went over the radical Muslim position and the Muslim religion vs the Christian religion to let us know what was happening. That was 4 years ago. He opened a lot of eyes as to who we are fighting. Many did not know back then. There were about 250 in attendance. Most walked out stunned….They had no idea about the “religion of peace”…
    Now, they want that information silenced. But the good nws is that the truth will always get out and it will grow as they work to silence it.
    Speak on L. General! if they silence you, get out and go on speaking tours!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:47pm

      I stand with Gen. Boykin & Wes Point’s response. Good job!

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • Witness1974
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:55pm

    Every so often you hear someone who speaks the truth in boldness. Some Muslims may claim to be desended from Abraham, but they do not worship the God of Abraham. The General is quite right in saying they are idol worshippers. Islam was and is inspired by Satan and those who follow him show his character, for he has been a liar and murderer from the beginning. I pray for the Muslims that God will shed His light and pluck them out of the darkness in which they stumble. The only ones more blind than they, are the Americans and Europeans who give them credibility.

    Report Post »  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:53pm

    This must be the pro Obama veterans group. The hell with the muslims.

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:49pm

    Threatening “our relationship with Muslims” is not a reason to abolish the 1st Amendment. There’s still free speech in America. Despite Hamas-linked Muslim Brotherhood-linked CAIR’s lawfare!

    What retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin is saying is what many of us have been saying for a long time now. These views are no longer controversial. They are mainstream, because they happen to be the truth. Only the government MSM, in their complete dhimmitude, refuses to see the truth about the totalitarian ideology of Islam that seeks to destroy all of Judeo-Christian Western Civilization and freedom through Islamic brutal agression, plunder and death by their bloodied sword of slavery.

    Keep on speaking up General William Boykin. Dhimmitude and brutal Sharia has no place in America and we will continue to unapologetically oppose it.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:46pm

    I am a veteran and am DISGUSTED by votevets.org. As described they are a PROGRESSIVE group. They do NOT represent any veteran I know of and furthermore, we all support General Boykin.

    Report Post » Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:44pm

    America is at war with the death-cult of islam; this is a war that we must win.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
    • Ded-Bred
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 10:52pm

      Tri-ox, It’s very disturbing to hear so many Christians who are deceived by their own hope for peace, and more & more I hear believers saying Muslims “have the same god, just a different name”. That is an outrage, & I cannot believe ANYONE who knows Christ as King would dare say allah and YWH are one & the same. Also, “Muslims” are ‘peaceful, good people’, except for a few radical militants. The truth is the Koran, their “religious book” instructs Muslims to chop heads and hands off of Jews & Christians. It instructs Muslims they may lie, steal, torture and kill all non-Muslims if they refuse conversion. Muhammad, their great “prophet”,(who was no prophet, but a liar, thief, pedophile, murderer and practiced and preached genocide.) These are NOT accusations. This is what Muslim historians, imams of high repute say of their “great” leader. Ironically, they speak much more highly about Jesus, the ‘Love
      Prophet’, and the reason they give for rejecting Jesus is He was such a good man that God would never allow Him to die in such a demeaning manner, and instead had Judas look like Jesus, so Jesus escaped and Judas got crucified. Folks, I’m NOT making this stuff up!!! Research those haters of God! STOP telling others that they worship The living, loving and one & only God? Creator, God of LOVE, telling us to murder? What church you hearing this message? Jeremiah Wright’s? Paul said that if anyone, even angels, comes preaching a different gospel, they are accursed.

      Report Post » Ded-Bred  
  • UBETHECHANGE
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:43pm

    Boykin tells it like it is and is a man of honor, honesty, and integrity. Those vets are dumbed down radical marxists. Pray for them.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:42pm

    VoteVets looks like a Front Organization…

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 8:52pm

      Re-writing the truth. I think the bloom is off the rose when it comes to islamists…
      Job well done General.

      Report Post » Welcome Black Carter  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:37pm

    obama has enabled his communists and muslim terrorists to have free reign in their attempts to degrade the American Military.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on January 28, 2012 at 5:36pm

    in other words, these filthy anti-America obamaite pro-muslims and muslim terrorists want to shut the General –and America– up.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
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