Weinstein is to be applauded for defending his children. However, it is revealed late in the book that Weinstein himself was the object of violent anti-Semitism at the Academy. He knowingly let his children go to the same institution and now acts surprised and outraged at their treatment. Whether he likes it or not, Weinstein’s revelation of these events that happened to him - and how they were neatly handled by some very powerful people - does much damage to the stance he’s taking on this issue. It just seems like he’s getting back at those who mistreated him and not really solving a major problem.
Weinstein has since founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Some of the directors of the Foundation are quoted in the book and their goals all seem to be disparate. Some want religion out of the military altogether, some seek tolerance, some rail against anti-Semitism. The whole thing became just a “he-said-she-said” battle of dogma. Sticking strictly to the problem of religious intolerance in the military, instead of directing all the attention to Mikey Weinstein and his endless array of clichés, would have better suited this book.
Article comments
1 - marine
Me thinks the Gray Hunter had too much beer while writing this review. Mikey Weinstein is a lone voice in the battle against the evangelical fanaticism that is rampant in our country, and is to be commended.
You might like this site better - apparently one do get dry in the desert...
2 - Gray Hunter
Thanks, whoever you may be. That book you directed me to sounds quite inviting. I suggest you buy a copy for me so that I can appreciate it fully.
3 - RAGGEDSTEP
Mr. Hunter, I saw Weinstein on CSPAN and thought he raised interesting issues but my impression was that he was a hypocritical, self-absorbed jerk.
However, I didn't want to reject his book out of hand without reading a few reviews.
Thanks for assuring me his writing would be not much more than a further exploration of an unwarranted ego.
Marine, don't send me the book. I will take the beer.