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U.S. Army via Getty Images
Retired Lt. General William G. Boykin is seen in front of a flag. He has been criticized for anti-Muslim remarks.
Updated at 9 p.m. ET
West Point issued a brief statement late Monday saying that retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin has decided to withdraw from speaking at the Feb. 8 prayer breakfast and another speaker would be lined up in his place.
Earlier
The Army is drawing protests from veterans’ and Islamic groups for inviting a retired general who many have called anti-Muslim to speak at a West Point prayer breakfast.
Lt. Gen William G. Boykin has been criticized for speeches at evangelical Christian churches in which he made disparaging remarks about Islam. Boykin has said that Muslims are trying to implement Shariah Law in the United States and that Islam is the greatest threat America faces.
According to The Associated Press, Boykin has also said that America's enemy was Satan, that God had put President George W. Bush in the White House and that one Muslim Somali warlord was an idol-worshipper.
Groups such as VoteVets.org, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, as well as Forum on Military Chaplaincy all petitioned the Pentagon to stop Boykin from speaking at the Feb. 8 breakfast, Stars and Stripes reported.
VoteVets.org told Army Gen. Raymond Odierno in a letter that allowing retired Boykin to speak at the Feb. 3 National Prayer Breakfast Service would be contrary to Army values and disrespectful to Muslim cadets.
'Incompatible with Army values'
"These remarks are incompatible with the Army values, and a person who is incompatible with Army values should not address the cadets of the United States Military Academy," VoteVets chairman Jon Soltz said in the letter, according to The Associated Press.
Army public affairs didn't immediately comment, though West Point's Lt. Col. Sherri Reed said cadets are "purposefully exposed to different perspectives and cultures" during their four years at the academy.
"The National Prayer Breakfast Service will be pluralistic with Christians, Jewish, and Muslim cadets participating," Reed said in a prepared statement. "We are comfortable and confident that what retired Lt. Gen. Boykin will share about prayer, soldier care and selfless service, will be in keeping with the broad range of ideas normally considered by our cadets."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is also asking officials to retract the invitation.
“Having a guy like that speak at a respected institution like the U.S. Military Academy gives credibility to his extremist views of hatred toward Muslims,” Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for Council on American Islamic Relations, told msnbc.com. “We are strong defenders of the First Amendment. What we are saying is that he not be allowed to spread views at West Point. He can go shout his hatred on the streets if he wants to.”
Hooper calls the argument that Boykin represents an alternative viewpoint “ridiculous,” and equates it with inviting a racist white leader to speak at West Point since some of the cadets are African American.
“I doubt that they would invite a KKK speaker and claim that they want to expose the students to a variety of opinions," CAIR’s national executive director, Nihad Awad, told the Associated Press, referring to the hate group the Ku Klux Klan.
Just last week, CAIR and People for the American Way had asked officials in Maryland to rescind an invitation for Boykin to speak at a prayer breakfast. Boykin attended and spoke about his faith and did not mention Islam.
Before his retirement in 2002, Boykin was chastised by military commanders for comparing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a holy war. Boykin later issued a written statement apologizing and said he didn't mean to insult Islam.
Pentagon investigation concluded that Boykin violated regulations by failing to make clear he was not speaking in an official capacity when he made nearly two dozen church speeches beginning in January 2002. It also found that Boykin, who made most speeches wearing his uniform, didn't get prior clearance for the remarks.
Boykin couldn't immediately be reached by msnbc.com for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Patriotism takes preference to dissent and in this case, it just so happens General Boykin is a proven patriot, leader and correct in what he says. While some say politics and religion shouldn't be mixed, Islam does not hold that view. Osama bin Laden prayed every night that you would not be able to wake up and read my stupid post but thanks to people like General Boykin, you can. Regardless of whether you like or dislike the Delta Force, the fact is, they are a far better deterrent to radical Islam than someone sitting behind a computer playing journalist. General Boykin and United States Army has my sincere thanks and appreciation for all they do for the civilized world. Thanks for lighting up the room, General, as I'm seeing lots of dirty rats running for cover.
Why try punishing the General for being RIGHT! Most of American agrees with the General and remember He has seen a lot more Top Secret Documents than we will ever see. Go For It General and God Bless You.
Oh, hell...it's pretty easy to be anti-muslim these days. Just read their holy book, look at what they are trying to do, check out their history, etc.
This is not a peaceful, easy to get along with religion. This is an intolerant relgion that will stop at nothing.
Let's not kid ourselves about this. Muslims will say and do anything to advance their cause of world domination.
And, yes, yes, there are exceptions...but they do not raise their voices against the muslim extremists. They do not oppose them. This is remarkably unfortunate, since many of us are quite willing to get along with just about any religion.
Islam is an exception.
Whether this "sounds" like bigotry, or not, this general is at least mostly correct. There have been at least three credible "attempts" to introduce Sharia Law (religious-based "correctness" without any semblance of humanity) into the United States in the past few years. Also, I would invite readers to Goggle what is going on in Nigeria right now--this is radical Islam at it's most indifferent and contemptuous of anything other than itself.
Its hard to tell if this was supposed to be propaganda or an article. They make it look like "veterans groups" are against this general. Probably two guys with some letterhead. I would bet 99% of the military supports him, even after the Clinton and Obama purges of the military.
And then there is CAIR, the liberals favorite group that has to turn over its board and leadership every two years because they all end up indicted for terrorist activities - even as they lambaste Americans for "stereotyping" Muslims as terrorists. You can't make this stuff up. Amazing.
The General is an honorable man that should be heard. Perhaps the posters here have forgotten....they've been no where and they know nothing....Listen and Learn!
I would agree that the religious right in this country (fueled by people like Newt Gingrich, Sara Palen, Rick Perry, et. el) are trying to force their brand of Shariah law here in the USA under the guise of right wing extremist Christianity. Know I will get a bunch of hate for this (is not the Republican Party and TEA party the party of hate?) but if it walks like a duck and quacks like one then it must be one-despite what they (the GOP) will have you believe. If the shoe fits…….
Hey, mr. mean; stop that "love" message about those who "hate". We are NOT going to take away your food stamps or make you work.
Hey mike-why do suppose that I am on food stamps? I can assure you that no one in my family has ever been on food stamps. Indeed we all have gone to collage and have white collar jobs too. I guess it is that Love that you wackos spouse. Perhaps you would be happier in Afghanistan where extremists embrace the conservative addenda.
Religion has caused more wars and killed more people than any oil or land war!!!!! Faith will again destroy many lives.
It is not religion, my boy. It is the work of those who claim to be religious that you witness. True religions love God and his creation and all mankind. (with personal exceptions, perhaps.) Why do you think the Islamists want to kill all non- Islamists? It is for power and riches they seek.
Arent state ran colleges and universities also payed for in part by taxes? We have numerous political and Islamic rights proffesors that reach many more young people than this one General does. Where is your outrage against them? Religious nutts are found everywhere. My son is a cadet and just because the General speaks at these breakfasts doesnt mean you have to take his word as gospel. I have faith that my son will make his own choices. It amazes me how those who cry about paying for these things with thier taxes forget about all the tax dollars that Islamic radicals have cost this nation. Open your eyes and think for your selves. Think how uneducated you sound when you post stuff on here with no knowlege of whats taking place in this world.
A big consideration is whether or not your son is REQUIRED "or HIGHLY ENCOURAGED" to attend.
hey idiots!!! he's right, they are the enemy. there whole reason for being is to kill the infidel! figure it out, thats you and me! unless your a muslim. dont you know anything about history? find some information about the last 2 or 3 thousand years and get a clue! besides this guy ought to know what he's talking about, he made a career out of fighting these people!!!
Forgot another example of the religion of peace waging love - the Fort Hood killings or as the democrats like to call it "workplace violence."
We need not subject ourselves to the propaganda of Islamists. Islam is NOT A RELIGION. It has always been a political cult bent on gathering more power, riches and territory. No Country has ever been "converted" to Islam. They have been conquered by Islamists. Threats, government forced ignorance, Sharia B.S. as law against the governed, but not followed by those in power. The fellow above may be correct when he says Islam is the devil's work. Hiding in women's wear, bombing for terrorism only, torturing their women and children, making bombs of their children are all very unmanly acts verging on pure cowardice.
For all of you who put the General down, the truth must really hurt. PC and islam are the greatest threat to America.
As for some of the General's other statements, I do not necessarily agree .. .but one state4ment is absolutely correct .. .Radical and militant Islam is today the biggest threat to America. This should not offend Muslims unless they are among the radical and militant group ... if they are, then I hope they ARE offended.
What became of freedom of speach and freedom of thought ? Or is that only if your being politicaly correct ?
Didn't this happen about 65 years ago with two Generals, Patton and MacArthur. If people listen to them there would have been less conflicts between 1946-1988.
So....pretty much everything I have read in this article, said by the general, is true. So....the problem is?? Oh, I forget sometimes, many people cannot handle the truth. As was said above, "Truth hurts." Do some research on Islam, its military history, its theology, its political and cultural history, and the current manifestations of Islam within these aforementioned parameters. Then....get back to us. OK?? Oh, BTW....PC = *Stuck on stupid*.
Are you Kidding me? We can only invite people to speak that we "judge" acceptable! What the hell ever happened to freedom of speech. I remember back in the day a wag stated " I do not agree with what you say, but i will defend to the death your right to say it" Now PC ignorants say i dont agree with what you say so shutup and go away! Ridiculous!
Please understand that no one, retired general or not, has an inherent "right" to speak at West Point. Having said that, I agree with much of what this man has to say. We can't afford to have militant Muslims as cadets any more than we could afford to have any Fred Phelps followers.
Rlquall, why would militant Muslims join the US Army? Are the Muslims conspiring to kill the non-Islamic soldiers from the inside? Most of them are born and raised in the US. They have been useful with their language and cultural skills (if they were raised traditionally) when dealing with the real threats. Muslims in other countries have been our allies when dealing with a mutual enemy. The ignorance fills like a water bed fed from a fire hose.
Some join (the Ft. Campbell soldier arrested outside Ft. Hood with explosives), some become more radicalized while on active duty (Maj. Nidal Hassain). Certainly we have worked with Muslims in past conflicts, most notably the first Gulf War (Desert Storm). Unlike many of our fellow posters, I differentiate between millitant Islam and the moderate sort of Muslims with whom I work every day.
For all the Islam heart bleeders, the mother that was killed this week because she gave birth to her third daughter and not a boy. Islam covers the husband that killed her.
When we landed in Afganistan, the Taliban were cutting the head off of a women every week at the scoccer field, in front of all the women and children. Still support Islam, then go to the Middle East and live ( a short life).
Wake Up....
General Boykin knows from experience how familiar American military are with Muslim culture. In Afghanistan, a mujahadeen strangles his wife with help from his mother because he fathered a third daughter without a son. In the U.S. a family is convicted of killing a daughter for being too American. Every day, Muslims are blowing up Muslims in their mosques, stores, and homes in Iraq. Iran's government wants to resurrect the Persian Empire in the Middle East after 2,500 years. That's what they do to each other. They're also familiar to what they've done to their comrades-in-arms for most of the past two decades.
As much as I loathe the Ku Klux Klan, they are not plotting to create the terror that Muslims have planned and carried out in this country. I know of no Klansman who has commandeered a commercial liner for a foreign country or blown one up, let alone flown one into a sky scraper. I doubt they lynched anywhere near the number of Blacks in all of U.S. history as Muslims killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Muslims are gaining political power not only in their enclaves but in the Federal government thanks to all the equal opportunity laws that have been promulgated to protect Blacks, ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals. Either nobody in Washington looked ahead or the D.C. establishment is collaborating with this fifth column patiently waiting to institute Shari'a law while the rest of America sleeps. It's been written many times on Newsvine how Hitler came to power by the same insidious but legal process. Only the Muslims are more subtle. They may have blocked the streets for prayer in New York over the issue of a Muslim edifice being contemplated near ground zero, but they don't have a shrieking rabble rouser like Adolf Hitler rallying Muslims against the Christians, Jews, and eastern religious groups. Muslims are infinitely more dangerous to freedom and democratic rule than were Hitler's Nazis, Stalin's Communists, or Billy Bob's Ku Klux Klan.
On whether Gen. Boykin should be allowed to speak to cadets and be paid in tax dollars: Cadets have been brainwashed just like the grunts they'll supervise when they graduate. They hear only the quasi-patriotic message that will urge them to put life and limb on the line for causes they don't understand (as young adults) just because someone with more brass on his shoulder tells them so. They need to know exactly who the enemy is...and he's not in Baghdad, Kabul, Islamabad, or Teheran. He's here in the good old U.S. of A.
Please realize that one of the reasons that Muslims are streaming here in record numbers is that they are fleeing the radicalized hellholes that militants are making of their homelands. Many of them understand this; however others wish to do to this country exactly the things which ruined the lands from which they came.
And some come here, learn to fly planes, learn American ways, and kill many innocent Americans.
"As much as I loathe the Ku Klux Klan, they are not plotting to create the terror that Muslims have planned and carried out in this country. I know of no Klansman who has commandeered a commercial liner for a foreign country or blown one up, let alone flown one into a sky scraper. I doubt they lynched anywhere near the number of Blacks in all of U.S. history as Muslims killed on Sept. 11, 2001."
The only reason the KKK or other racist organizations haven't been plotting to create the terror of the radical Muslims is because they don't have a very strong following, not as they did over 50 years ago, and their funding is limited to the contributions of their wealthest members. They'll hold their white pride parades with confederate flags, swastikas, effigies of blacks hanging from gallows and other distasteful symbolism, but they know if they move beyond lawful demostrations and shoot at people for walking on their property or some of their members drag someone to death behind their truck, they'll be sued to bankruptcy in addition to possible chriminal charges. The only reason they aren't causing terrorist attacks and mass bloodshed is because they can't, not because they don't want to. They much rather get one of their own into office anyway and that is where they will have the most power. I'm not too worried about that right now. Most people in the US are Moderates or Independents willing to uphold the First Amendment of Church-State Seperation and it will take alot of scapegoating and weak minded votes to get an extremist of any kind into office this election.
I believe I see a bronze star ribbon on his chest. That usually means he served with valor in a conflict. To "flag waver" not sure what flag you are waving but it isn't the stars and stripes. I am willing to buy you a one way ticket to any Islamic county of you choosing.
Boykin is a genuine American hero. He has earned the right to share his belief system with anyone he chooses. He speaks truth.
Army values? What the heck does that mean? That we don't say anything negative or sensitive about those that have hurt us, we just go out and kill them? Wow.
if anyone meets steven and cracks his skull if repeats what he just posted.Drinks on me
JB sgt USAF
Perhaps we should do away with all people who have religious beliefs and let only the atheists speak?
Eat more pink Flamingos. But my wife got mad at me.
So I say we have a giant cookout barbeque of pork ribs, hot dogs, drink beer, have our pet dogs run free, have a good time and invite a bunch of Muslims.
Oh wait ---thats right ---a follower of Islam consider dogs foul dirty animals and can not touch pork.
Oh well—it’s the thought that counts