Court-martial convicts Navy chaplain (wearing uniform at protest)

[NVMojo]

NORFOLK -- A Navy chaplain was convicted yesterday of disobeying an order by appearing in uniform at a political news conference at the White House. He said he will appeal -- and fight to remain a chaplain.

"Today, praying in Jesus' name became a crime in the United States Navy," Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt said during a news conference after court adjourned for the day and he changed into his civilian minister's garb.

The jury of five officers deliberated for one hour and 20 minutes during the special court-martial before deciding Klingenschmitt disobeyed a superior officer's order that he could be in uniform if conducting a "bona fide worship service." Klingenschmitt contends the March 30 news conference, which protested Navy policy requiring nondenominational prayers outside of religious services, qualified as such.

The penalty phase began immediately following the verdict, with testimony from several witnesses. Jurors were to return today to deliberate the sentence; Klingenschmitt could face forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for one year and a reprimand.

more...

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190615518&path=!news&s=1045855934842

[Kiouni]

1. this reminds me of

a situation different but similar in nature. in this one a cop was fired for being a member in the KKK outside of work! He is fighting the termination. But seriously the chaplin was given a specific instruction and he disobeyed it.

http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/9737294/detail.html

[Richard Steele]

2. This guy seems to have been DARING the Navy to court-martial him...

...and for quite some time.

He needs to be discharged; he's clearly unwilling to
perform his duties according to the Law or Navy
Regulation.

Let him go be a fundie zealot on his own dime;
tax dollars shouldn't be funding his fanantics.

[mcscajun]

3. You nailed it.

It's time for him to retire and go work with Alabaman Roy Moore.

He can spin it all he wants; he was court-martialed for violation of military code and direct orders. Period.

[MADem]

4. He desperately wants to be a martyr for "the cause"

He can't seem to get it that his role in the military is to FACILITATE the free exercise of religion, not proselytize.

He needs a good, hard slap on his way out the door, the dipshit; to serve as a warning to others.

The ones that are good are very very good--this one's bad, and unfortunately, he's not the only one.