To Whom It May Concern:
This is a protest letter against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of Sergeant Patrick Stewart who was killed in Afghanistan September.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has refused to allow the Wiccan Symbol on Sergeant Stewart's headstone/grave because they do not recognize the Wiccan Religion.
I for one do not want the US Government or a Branch of the US Government telling me what is or is not a legitimate religion.
Freedom of Religion is paramount. For this to be an issue with the US Department of Veterans Affairs is in bad form and it is an insult to the principles for which our great country was founded.
Shortly after taking office, President George W. Bush announced his Faith Based Initiatives program. There is now over 150 Federal programs that offer tax dollars to religious organizations and ninety-nine percent goes to Christian Groups.
I object to this form of a State Sponsored Religion and I object this abuse of Federal tax dollars. This is a form of Government Corruption, it is a corruption of our principles and it is a corruption of our rights!
This is yet another small example of the Republican Religious Right Fanaticism and I am not surprised that under the Bush's Administration the US Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen too violate Sergeant Patrick Stewart's Constitutional Right of Freedom of Religion.
In closing: Before anyone claims that the consumer complaints is not the place for a protest letter, take it up with the Editor/Owner of the site. If it was not allowed the Rip-Off staff would not post this letter and they would not have categories under Government.
Also, Google Faith Based Initiatives and visit the White House's Website. Google Sgt. Patrick Stewart and read the Wikipedia article and you can also read about his tragic story which is very news!
(Wally, is this short enough for you?)
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