Monthly Archives: May 2007

Shameful and ?antisemitic? behavior by the VA against a Jewish Navy veteran

American Politics, Judaism

While researching a memorial day sermon, I came across a blog post by the NJDC Blog, titled “A disturbing report of mistreatment toward Jewish veterans.” (The blog referenced an article in the JTA.)

The JTA reports,

A Jewish Navy veteran accused a Veterans Administration hospital of denying him kosher meals and trying to convert him to Christianity.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that David Miller, 46, was hospitalized at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City three times in the past two years for kidney treatment. Miller, an Orthodox Jew, said he went hungry because the hospital refused to provide kosher meals or allow him to contact his rabbi, who would have brought them.

I am appalled at the lack of respect, courtesy and common decency of the VA in Iowa City.
I am a former Navy Chaplain and the Navy Chaplain’s motto includes “facilitating for others” – meaning at the very least providing for kosher food, sabbath observance and such.  The Navy is breaking its own rules!!

Unfortunately, this falls right in line with the proselytizing that is occurring throughout the military.  The Navy should be ashamed of itself.

Thought-Inspiring Television

American Politics

I’ve watched some insightful, challenging, enjoyable television lately. I recommend the following programs:

Bill Moyer’s Journal, especially this week’s segments on: Regent University (or as some call it, G-d’s University) and the Costs of the Iraq War.

Secret Files of the Inquisition, a PBS series on the history up to and the time of the Inquisition (12th century forward). This series is based on Vatican archives of the time first opened to some in 1998. Apparently some find this series controversial. Some sites on the series are: a Catholic forum, Jerusalem Post introductory article, a blogger called “Mission Territory.”

What do you think?