Fighting for freedom of (or from) religion
July 9, 2008
Army Spc. Jeremy Hall doesn’t mind putting his life at risk to protect his country. What he does mind is having religious beliefs pushed on him by the government — and being punished for his lack of faith.
That’s why he filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, among others, claiming that his First Amendment right to religious freedom had been violated.
According to CNN, Hall, a former Baptist-turned-atheist, claims that the military discriminates against non-Christians. Unlike most plaintiffs, Hall isn’t asking for money. Instead, he wants the military to guarantee religious freedom for all soldiers.
What do you think? Should the military be allowed to encourage religious exercise and accommodate religion, or does the First Amendment prohibit any commingling of church and state?
CHRISTINA DORAN, Assistant Legal Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMaryland, helping military leave
May 22, 2008
Most of the talk about military families in Maryland these days has to do with making it easier for people to move here with their jobs as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. But Gov. Martin O’Malley took a step Thursday that could also make things easier for military families who have to move away.
At his final bill signing, O’Malley signed a bill that would make people eligible for unemployment benefits if they quit a job to follow a spouse in the military. Typically, unemployment insurance is not available to people who leave jobs by choice, but this will be a new exception in state law.
Potentially, these unemployment claims could raise premiums for some businesses that otherwise wouldn’t have seen former employees collect benefits, but on the whole it’s likely to have a small effect on the state’s unemployment system. According to the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, more than 300 people in the state were unable to collect benefits after following a military spouse in fiscal 2007.
ANDY ROSEN, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentArmy veterinarian from Maryland treats Iraqi donkeys
April 13, 2008
An Iraqi industrial complex has quadrupled its productivity in the last three months, and it has an Army veterinarian from Maryland to thank.
When heavy fuel oil became available to fire the kilns at the Narhwan Brick Factory Complex in Iraq, employment rose from 3,500 to 15,000, according to the Dept. of Defense.
But Army economist Lt. Col. Bruce Baker realized that healthy donkeys were needed for production at full capacity (to haul the fuel oil, straw and mud, without motor vehicles). And the animals on hand were sick and weak.
That’s where Capt. Rory Carolan, of Maryland, came in.
Carolan specializes in treating equine species such as horses, ponies and, indeed, donkeys. After arriving in Narhwan, Carolan held a clinic and treated more than 250.
“Many of the donkeys were malnourished and obviously mistreated,” he told the DOD. “Some suffered from pressure sores, hematomas and neglect. Some collapsed of exhaustion and died before our eyes.”
So, with the help of other soldiers, Carolan examined, wormed, measured and weighed the donkeys.
“That is where we can have the most impact, teaching the owners how to properly feed and care for the animals. Higher production at the factories will be achieved with the improved standards of care employed.”
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentVideo: Pentagon says spy satellite shot down
February 21, 2008
LiveLeak has the video of the Pentagon briefing where General Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed his “high level of confidence” that the rogue spy satellite has been destroyed. Video of the missile launch and “interception” with the satellite is included.
While they can’t confirm completely the destruction of the tank, which was needed to release the toxic fuel that may have posed a danger to us Earthlings, the Pentagon has declared the mission a complete success and with good reason.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentCoast Guard leaves FOIA out at sea
September 11, 2007
Unlucky boaters and ice fishers of the world, take heart: Apparently the Coast Guard believes that its rescue duties encompass the duty to save you from embarrassment.
Journalistic watchdogs over at the Poynter Institute report that the Coast Guard is withholding names of people it has rescued.
It embarked on the policy after the Cleveland Plain Dealer sought the names to determine if, as rumor had it, the Guard was rescuing serial offenders – specifically, people who put themselves in peril while ice fishing each year. (It should be noted that the Coast Guard first held a TWO-YEAR review).
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