November 3, 2017 Radio Commentary

Military Restricts Religious Freedom

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, November 3, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

The National Campaign to Stop the War on Religious Freedom in the Military is circulating a petition that should be signed by U.S. citizens who want to reverse the unconstitutional restrictions made during the Obama administration.

For example, the Pentagon launched a campaign to make it a crime for service members (including military Chaplains) to share their faith.

That campaign was counteracted on May 4 this year, when President Trump issued his Executive Order requiring all federal departments, including the Department of Defense, to “vigorously enforce” federal religious liberty laws, so Christians in the military are “free to practice their faith without fear of retaliation by the federal government.”

Although Christians face many problems in the military, we’ll consider only a few more:  In 2011, the Bible was banned from the premises of Walter Reed Military Medical Center, untila fierce public backlash forced them to put it back.  Continue reading

October 2017 Newsletter

Women in Combat Deemed “Job Opportunities”

“They’ll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat. They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers, and everything else that was previously open only to men.” –Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, April 2016

Although Marine Corps officials asked former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to keep women out of positions such as infantry, machine gunner, and fire support, the request was denied. Mr. Carter declared that the rule placing women in combat would “apply without exception.”

Background. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 excluded women from combat. In 2012, during the Obama administration, Pentagon policies were changed to allow women to serve in 14,000 military positions formerly restricted to men, leaving 238,000 men-only positions. Soon, women were admitted to Navy submarines and the Army Ranger School which graduated three women in 2015 – two in August and a third several weeks later.

Also in 2012, three years after a group of servicewomen sued the Pentagon, then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced a subsequent rule, that “just happened” to come two months after the suit was filed, and “just happened” to allow women to serve in combat.

By January 24, 2013 the Combat Exclusion Policy was lifted, as recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in that Administration. To avoid the term “women in combat,” the Pentagon ordered all services to admit women into all jobs by January 2016. Also that date was the deadline for all military services to change to gender-neutral physical tests and adopt a policy that requires men and women (without exception) to serve in front line combat and complete combat operations. Therefore, front-line combat positions became co-ed and mandatory.

Under current military policy, both men and women deemed fit for combat are eligible for assignment to front line combat positions, the Pentagon calls “job opportunities” for women.

In April 2016 the U.S. Army announced the first 22 women to become infantry and amour second lieutenants in charge of units of 40 troops. Also in April 2016, of the 29 women who tried to complete the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, all 29 of them failed.

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June 30, 2017 Radio Commentary

Here and Now in the U.S.

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 30, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

For several years, religious freedom has been the subject of legislation in Georgia, but last year the governor vetoed the only bill that passed, while subsequent bills died in committee. So, religious liberty bills don’t become law in Georgia.

However, the new president of the United States issued an executive order that may have a positive influence on the situation.  During the May 4th observance of the National Day of Prayer, President Trump signed that executive order in the Rose Garden.  Visitors at the ceremony included two of Evangelist Billy Graham’s children – Franklin Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch.  Another Billy Graham daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, was a featured speaker for the National Day of Prayer.

Not only is it significant that Franklin, Cissie and Anne attended the national observance of the Day of Prayer, they were invited into the Oval Office, as well.  Those gestures demonstrate the protective attitude toward religion voiced by President Trump, when he said, “We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced anymore.”

A stark contrast between the new administration and the previous administration is Mr. Trump’s February 22nd reversal of the unacceptable public school directive requiring male and female restrooms and locker rooms to become all-gender facilities, regardless of community values or opposition.  Continue reading

September 16, 2016 Radio Commentary

Is Drafting Women Next? Then What?

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 16, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Today, I have some serious questions: Do you want the military draft reinstated? Do you want women to register for the draft? Do you want your sons OR your daughters to be drafted into the military? Do you think women should serve in front-line ground combat?

These are serious questions, because Congress is facing this issue right now, and whatever they decide will affect U.S. families. All America is affected by whatever happens in the military, whether it’s made stronger or weaker, by whatever it does or does not do. Right now, Congress is focusing on women in the military and possible reinstatement of the draft.

Three and a-half years ago, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the end of the direct ground combat exclusion rule that kept females out of ground combat in the military. So, since January 24, 2013 all military branches have been removing any barrier that blocked women from any part of military service, including battle zones.

Subsequently, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced December 3, 2015 that the Department of Defense would lift all gender-based restrictions on military service beginning January 1, 2016. If Mr. Carter had said all “female-based” restrictions would be lifted, we would know the change authorized women to serve on the frontline. But, the term, “gender-based,” shifted the focus to alternate lifestyles and clouded the issue. Was removal of “gender-based” restrictions the basis for the implementation of transgender regulations in the military? How will DOD’s lifting of gender-based restrictions further affect the military and, therefore, all America? Continue reading