Christian's promotion postponed

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Senate has put off an Air Force proposal to promote the No. 2 officer at the Air Force Academy, a born-again Christian who has been criticized for proselytizing in memos and speeches.

Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida's name was on a list of 21 Air Force generals nominated to receive a second star, but the Senate did not act on his promotion.

Weida, a 1978 academy graduate, was nominated May 9 for promotion to major general. Air Force spokeswoman Jennifer Stephens said Tuesday the Senate pulled Weida's name off the list before Friday's vote. She had no other details.

John Ullyot, a spokesman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Weida is still under investigation and the committee generally does not act on nominees in that situation. He said Weida's nomination is still pending before the committee.

The Air Force Inspector General's Office cleared Weida in June of six of seven allegations he improperly shared his faith, saying he did nothing wrong. That included his June 2003 "guidance" to cadets telling them they are "accountable first to your God." He also urged cadets and staff to pray.

An investigators' report did not detail the remaining allegation, saying only it was under review.

Weida, who has more than 26 years in the service, has apologized for his actions. He declined comment Tuesday.

The academy has been engulfed in allegations recently that evangelical Christians at the school have bullied Jews and cadets of other faiths. An Air Force task force investigated and said in June that it found no overt religious discrimination but definite insensitivity on the part of some cadets and staff members.

Mikey Weinstein, an academy graduate whose Jewish sons say they have endured anti-Semitic slurs at the school, applauded the decision to remove Weida from the promotions list.

"I believe that Johnny Weida lost his constitutional compass, which resulted in him violating the oath he took to preserve, support and defend the U.S. Constitution — as opposed to preserving and supporting the New Testament," he said.

Anti-Defamation League leader Abraham Foxman told the Gazette of Colorado Springs he was "delighted" Weida was passed over.

"I'm sorry for him, but I think it's the appropriate thing to do," he said. "I hope they pass him by for good."