ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A cadet quitting West Point less than six months before graduation says he could no longer be part of a culture that promotes prayers and religious activities and disrespects nonreligious cadets.
Blake Page announced his decision to quit the U.S. Military Academy this week in an essay.
The 24-year-old cadet says a determination earlier this semester that he could not become an officer due to clinical depression played a role in his public protest. He says he sees religion playing an unconstitutional role in the military.
West Point officials on Wednesday disputed those assertions.
Page, who is from Stockbridge, Ga., said he was notified Tuesday of his honorable discharge. He faces no military commitment and will not have to reimburse the cost of his education.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 2:49 PM EDT2013-05-16 18:49:22 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-16 11:42:27 GMT
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:03 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:03:28 GMT
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources, days after it was revealed that the Justice Department secretly obtained Associated Press phone records.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:09 AM EDT2013-05-14 10:09:21 GMT
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving.
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan.
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