mbassadors for Christ in uniform . According to the OCF's executive director, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Bruce Fister, it means that "the people around a military leader ought to see the characteristics of Christ in that leader." It is a national tradition reflected in "hundreds of writings and proclamations issued down through the ages by American leaders who claim divine protection for our nation, place our nation's trust in God and claim God as our source of strength."
It sounds uncannily like the divine right of kings to me. Leaders as god-kings. Of course, it should go without saying that the Republic of the United States of America was specifically established as a king-free zone. But I grew up there in the '50s and '60s, and he's right that it's been a strong, strong tendency for a very long time -- the indoctrinated belief that the leader, especially the President, must not be challenged because (by definition, seemingly) he can do no wrong.
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Date: 2006-09-04 05:34 am (UTC)It sounds uncannily like the divine right of kings to me. Leaders as god-kings. Of course, it should go without saying that the Republic of the United States of America was specifically established as a king-free zone. But I grew up there in the '50s and '60s, and he's right that it's been a strong, strong tendency for a very long time -- the indoctrinated belief that the leader, especially the President, must not be challenged because (by definition, seemingly) he can do no wrong.
We need loud-mouths like Mikey Weinstein.