Bullies in Camp and Congress
"We don't bully others." It was the fourth day of camp, and it showed in everyone. The other child was still sniffling, from where he had been nudged - or pushed - out of line. None of them was "my" kids, but still. They were kids, and I was a leader. "It's not okay to pick on other kids," I said, hoping his training would kick in. "Leave me alone!" he yelled. "You're picking on me! You're being a bully!" I stepped back, stunned.
It sounds rather ludicrous, but a Republican congressman (Rep. Hostettler) did just the same thing last month – the 20th of June. You might remember the Air Force Academy's problems with harassment. Not men harassing women this time, but Christians harassing non-Christians (and, apparently, not acting very Christian in the process). After a lot of complaints, the scandal broke. The Department of Defense is investigating the whole thing. And one of our congressmen thought that maybe, just maybe, it'd be a good idea to point out that it's not okay to pick on other people.
That's when Rep. Hostettler decided that he was being discriminated against. Or, rather, that all Christians were being discriminated against. He whined and he cried about how Democrats pick on Christians.
It just reminded me of that bully at camp. He was caught red-handed. Instead of admitting his mistake, the spoiled brat called me a bully for pointing out his bad behavior. You would think that a Republican Congressman would have more maturity than that bully… but apparently not.
All religions should be respected at the Air Force Academy. Our Savor let us know the secret - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." And that, really, should have kept the whole thing from happening.
Unfortunately, people like Rep. H mean that nobody has to demonize Christians – his whining gives us Christians a bad name all on his own.
References:
- http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/03/airforce.religion/ Complaints ranging from anti-Semitic slurs to teachers preaching in class were mounting with the school's chaplain last summer, according to school officials.
- http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002342687_house21.html Business on the House floor was halted for 45 minutes yesterday after Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., accused Democrats of "denigrating and demonizing Christians," prompting a furious protest.
