Saturday, January 23, 2010

Scope This!

MK posted an article, A falling camel attracts many knives , about the Trijicon rifle scopes being used by the military and the encrypted biblical reference stamped on the side of it. I read the original news story last week and, in my own mind, classified it as a “non-story”, something to fill a page when nothing else was found that day. Gracious, was I mistaken; turns out a wild fire followed; threats to have the scope removed from service and loss of government contracts.

I tried three times to leave my comment but for what ever reason the cyber space hex was upon me and nothing ever landed where it was supposed to. A fellow named Bob, who writes a blog titled, Spurious Missives , didn’t like the use of a New Testament verse and would have preferred something from the Old Testament. I figure, what’s the difference, the same God inspired all the Christian scriptures.

The idea came to mind; find a better scripture, one that hits the nail perfectly on the head and have that stamped on the side of the rifle scopes instead. I came up with one from the Book of Mormon, continuing with the idea that the same God inspired all our scriptures, Alma 46:13:

“And he (Captain Moroni) fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land”

Those who find fault with the fight for liberty and the blessings which come from God have no business running our nation much less our armed forces. Throw the rascals out!

16 comments:

MathewK said...

Sorry about that TF, i picked up your comment from the spam bin, it's published now.

Unfortunately it happens from time to time, the system takes one away to torture and play with and i have to step in and put a halt to it.

Fortunately it's targeting rate is much higher with real spam. If only i had a dollar for every jackass wanting to sell me viagra. :)

Nice quote and thanks for the link back. You're right, it won't really make any difference, but the pc-scum would cry about an OT one just as much as a NT one.

T. F. Stern said...

MK, I understand and thanks for finding the original comment and posting it for me.

As a side note, in my calling at church I'm responsible for sending out email reminders to various church leaders in our local Ward. A friend of mine is the Ward Clerk and he told me that he's instructed his computer to file anything from me as spam.

Call me Rodney Dangerfield, "I get no respect!"

The probligo said...

As was done, for that matter, by those who carried "Papal letters" on their Crusade, or who invoked the name of Thor when raiding villages on the northeast coast of Britain.

Obviously, there is a large and hypocritical distinction being drawn between those who shout "Allahu ackhbar" as they go into battle, and those who carry cryptic references to their Christian gods.

T. F. Stern said...

Probigo,

You mistake hypocrisy for standing for one’s belief’s, at least that’s the way I see your comment. American troops are not in this for some Holy Grail Cup, some conquest of a religious order; however, the enemies which are against us, and the entire Western civilized world, have spoken quite clearly that they intend to remove all who oppose their religion and all who do not subjugate themselves to the law of Islam.

That is a direct treat which, if not taken seriously, would result in the extermination of all non Islamic civilization; to include Christians, Jews at the top of their list. This is not a secret and has been published in all manner of media from the heart of Islam. They have declared war on Western civilization and those who are in the service, American servicemen, are well aware of the need to be resolute in dealing with such a determined enemy; even if many of our elected leaders play the fool and wish to talk peace, as if such buckling of will would appear any thing other than foolish.

The problem with most of the inhabitants of this spinning planet is they really don’t have a clue as to their royal lineage, their being actual sons and daughters of God. They would rather go on living life without the responsibilities associated with such a lofty inheritance. Would we see the debauchery exhibited so freely if those involved were aware of their true lineage? Would there be any debate on a woman’s supposed right to abortion, the right to same sex marriage or any of the abominations which plague an other wise “civilized” society? I dare say the answer is as obvious as the scriptures and the direction to which they point.

“Cryptic references to Christian gods”, might appear insulting if you were a person of faith; but the Christian God, capital G, requires we keep Him in our thoughts continually. One way is to have some article, simple and singular in purpose. Some wear a cross, carry Rosary or wear a ring that reminds them of covenants made at baptism while others simply live their lives in such a way as to be that example to others. I fear my explanation will land on deaf ears, at least in your case.

MathewK said...

"I fear my explanation will land on deaf ears, at least in your case."

Yes, i'd add dumb too. It made reference to Christian gods, there is only one Christian God.

And it seems also dumb enough to believe that the crusades were just Christian invasions of muslim lands while they were innocently picking flowers and tending to their various organic farms.

The probligo said...

Let's be very clear about this.

IMHO, there is as much chance of Islam extremeists "taking over the world" as there is of the US "winning" in South-west Asia (Pakistan to the Middle East).

In both cases, the chances are virtually nil.

The real issue (in my mind) is what the US very coyly terms "colateral damage".

Is this a religious war? H3!! YES! Read your own words. Of course it is! It is the Crusades all over again. At this rate, we will probably see another repeat of the Inquisition in ten years time. Remember MacCarthy? "Are you a communist?" This time the question will be "Are you a muslim?"

Enough spleen for the morning, I stop before I ruin my own day.

T. F. Stern said...

Probligo,

I would never have know had you not included that phrase, "Let me be perfectly clear..."

First on the plate,you have conveniently side stepped the part about militant Islam having declared war on both Israel and it’s Western Allies with your broad brushed assumption that Islamic terrorists have as much chance of taking over the world as…

It makes no difference if they can win or not; they have declared war on anyone they wish to attack from their shadows and from under their rocks where they hide. Were this not so I would not have mentioned it as fact. They will continue to kill and maim in the name of Allah regardless of their being able to win.

Collateral Damage, as a term in war is so vague as to be useless. Those who harbor terrorists are not collateral damage; they are secondary targets. When the targets wear no uniform, as in conventional warfare in times past, then those who associate with, hold similar values (or lack thereof), look the same and have the same religious leanings as the enemy; then they are the enemy, not collateral damage. All I’ve done is turn the words of the terrorists around on them. They have stated that Israel and her allies are the enemy; fair is fair.

I wouldn’t want to spoil your breakfast, or ruin your day; but what a load of crap.

The probligo said...

Some of the responses to my comments just beggar belief; but then I remember that the other end of them is in Aussie so I pass on...

There is no right in the wars in southwest Asia.

What I think, what I believe, has as much chance of changing that wrongness as the proverbial chaos moth changing the weather.

It is must be very comforting for you, living at such a distance, believing that your gods are on your side, believing that makes everything done in your name right.

Your attempt to divert from the general statement to the specifics of Israel comes, I guess, from the pressure the US is "trying" (it really is wet bus-ticket stuff) to apply in that direction. Diplomacy with Israel is no different to diplomacy with Iraq in the days of Saddam... close to impossible. Remember here that France is not the only very inept "breaker of the rules" in my country.

No, and I make no apology. There is just too much wrong and no right at all in the picture; on all sides.

Anonymous said...

Personally... When members of some religion threaten the death of such infidels as my wife, my parents, my children and my friends, I'm quite comfortable with some Old Testament justice.

T. F. Stern said...

Probligo,

I think I have your side of the discussion figured out. You don’t believe in war, regardless of the reason, you don’t believe in an individual’s God given right to bear arms in defense of his/her property or life and you have an indifference to God, the Creator of all things; preferring instead to give His glory to man made gods. If that’s not where you’re going then please make it “a little more clear”. You come across as an appeaser, let the world tumble down around you as long as they leave you alone. Chamberlain tried that with Germany and most of the civilized world thought he was great for doing such a good job; then of course that didn’t work out so well.

The probligo said...

"When members of some religion threaten the death of such infidels as my wife, my parents, my children and my friends, I'm quite comfortable with some Old Testament justice."

Exactly.

That is exactly the same reaction as is felt by a Palestinian living in Gaza, a Lebonese living in south Lebanon, an Iraqi living in Baghdad or Kirkut, or a Taleb living in Afghanistan.

Except that they might also look to the Q'ran for their "justice".

TF,
" You don’t believe in war, regardless of the reason, you don’t believe in an individual’s God given right to bear arms in defense of his/her property or life and you have an indifference to God, the Creator of all things; preferring instead to give His glory to man made gods."

There is justified war. It starts when someone invades (in my case) NZ. It stops when they leave.

When there is justified war, there is justification for every man woman and child to bear arms - as you have said - in defence of life and property.

You could give thought to that; but try to live that thought in Palestine, or Iraq, or Afghanistan, or France in 1939, or Poland in 1939, or Vietnam in 1956...

TF, there is no such thing as "man made Gods".

There is no "god".

I glory in the fact that I am alive. I glory in the fact that this world exists, despite others doing their best to totally destroy it.

T. F. Stern said...

Probligo,

Maybe you should stick to discussions on the weather, wasn’t that the council given to Professor Higgins by his mother in the play, My Fair Lady?

You have no concept of the war which is being waged, as if national borders mean diddle squat to terrorists. You delight in your lack of faith, something which as a character trait I find less than desirable because any gratitude expressed for your well being is then directed away from the source of all blessings, God.

As learned as you appear in other areas, and you most definitely show remarkable skills in other areas, I actually find myself feeling sorry for you most of the time because you are an empty shell of a man.

The probligo said...

I would need to go back to read "My Fair Lady" to find out. Bit out of my orbit, that one.

An "empty shell" I may be. That is for others to judge and say.

Your use of personal insult and ad hominem debate is plumbing depths I have no desire to reach.

TF, take some satisfaction from the fact that I would never insult a host in his own house. Nor would I insult a man for whom I hold respect.

MathewK said...

"Some of the responses to my comments just beggar belief; but then I remember that the other end of them is in Aussie so I pass on."

The stupidity of your comments beggars belief, which is why give you sarcasm.

So why are you passing on, tell us about the crusades and how it's all just Christian racists plundering persian oil and the poor muslims just defending themselves again, tell us how America had it coming on 9/11 proby, don't be such a coward, it's obvious that's what you believe, tell us proby, you know you want to.

Eugene Tan said...

I'm a little perturbed by "One way is to have some article, simple and singular in purpose. Some wear a cross, carry Rosary or wear a ring that reminds them of covenants made at baptism while others simply live their lives in such a way as to be that example to others." If there is no internal moral compass, then no amount of reminding will amount to anything.

The Muslims pray 5 times a day, the Christians "bear their crosses", and what have you. But it does not take away the war.

Justice only exists in the mind of the one serving it. This is as much as I gather in my life so far.

Sovereignty is only useful when other countries respect that and do not attempt to overstep into another country's domestic affairs.

I should cut the crap really, since I am beginning to lose interest in what I am going to say in the light of what I am really thinking.

If some country really have the balls, then send in the nukes. Big deal.

PS. Ironically, the word verification is WAR-o-SPA! Spa for me, thank you.

T. F. Stern said...

Eugene,

"Sovereignty is only useful when other countries respect that and do not attempt to overstep into another country's domestic affairs."

Key word here is respect, something which makes it difficult since neither side truly respects the other for a variety of reasons.

Thanks for chiming in.