The war on terrorism

[Haggis@wk]

The flight had four air marshals?

Perhaps they've flagged Amsterdam as a weak point...

Then, again, I can see why my airfare is so high. I'm having to help buy tickets for all those air marshals.

And they always fly first class to be nearer the cockpit

[DavidS]

The flight had four air marshals?

Did anyone say whether all four were on duty at the time?

[dai bread]

You'd need 4 in a big plane.

[DavidS]

You'd need 4 in a big plane.

And for longer flights you'd need a reserve for relief over rest periods.

[Shapley]

Muslims Angry Over 'Jesus' Rifles

Apparently, the scope manufacturer has been inscribing references to Bible verses on the scope for years, but someone finally figured out what they mean. The inscriptions, such as 'JN8:12' and '2COR4:6' do not include the verse, just the reference to it. The manufacturer does not advertise that they are there, but they don't deny them, if asked.

I see nothing wrong with it. The owner of the company is religious, and he shares that in an inconpicuous manner, offering comfort to those who seek it, while doing so in a manner that can only be offensive those actively looking to be offended.

[jamiebk]

Muslims Angry Of 'Jesus' Rifles

Apparently, the scope manufacturer has been inscribing references to Bible verses on the scope for years, but someone finally figured out what they mean. The inscriptions, such as 'JN8:12' and '2COR4:6' do not include the verse, just the reference to it. The manufacturer does not advertise that they are there, but they don't deny them, if asked.

I see nothing wrong with it. The owner of the company is religious, and he shares that in an inconpicuous manner, offering comfort to those who seek it, while doing so in a manner that can only be offensive those actively looking to be offended.

I am sure that they are simply clever cataloging codes

[dai bread]

Our military are taking the inscriptions off. They're continuing to buy the products because (and here's some cheer for hard-pressed Americans) the sights are considered the best in the world.

However, our troops are not in Afghanistan to convert Muslims and don't want to give anyone the chance to say they are.

[Shapley]

Our military are taking the inscriptions off. They're continuing to buy the products because (and here's some cheer for hard-pressed Americans) the sights are considered the best in the world.

However, our troops not in Afghanistan to convert Muslims and don't want to give anyone the chance to say they are.

The company has voluntarily stopped the practice, and is making parts available without the inscriptions so that units already in the field can be changed.

Again, I think it's a silly thing. The combination of letters and numbers are hardly offensive, unless you're just really looking for something to offend you. Will we now, in the interest of political correctness, have to establish screening software to ensure that certain combinations of letters and numbers do not appear in numbering sequences, in the manner that many hotels opt not to include a 13th floor?

[DavidS]

Again, I think it's a silly thing. The combination of letters and numbers are hardly offensive, unless you're just really looking for something to offend you. Will we now, in the interest of political correctness, have to establish screening software to ensure that certain combinations of letters and numbers do not appear in numbering sequences, in the manner that many hotels opt not to include a 13th floor?

It is sickening to see the way they make a major issue out of trivial matters in order to deflect attention from the really serious affairs such as their determination to convert the whole world to their faith, whatever the cost in innocent lives or even to the future of mankind.
Are we being paranoid? Maybe, but that doesn't mean that they're not out to get us...

[Shapley]

panem et circenses

[analog]

and sine nobilitate


a.

[Haggis@wk]

The biblical reference have been known about for more than a decade and G.I.s knew about them for a long, long time.

[Shapley]

Apparently, they've been there for as long as the company has been making scopes. They were subtle, and did not violate any laws because they did not use the actual verse, just made a reference to it. In a land that values 'freedom of expression' and 'freedom of religion', methinks it should have been applauded. Sadly, there are those who go out of their way to find fault with such expressions.

[analog]

makes me think of Tex Ritter's old record "Deck of Cards".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71H3wDWBNbw

a.

[jamiebk]

Wow...I have never heard that "Deck of Cards" piece before. Goes to show you that we can read meaning into almost anything we see...it's all a matter of what is in our hearts.

[Shapley]

Well, now they'll be taking away the soldiers playing cards...

[Haggis@wk]

Wow...I have never heard that "Deck of Cards" piece before. Goes to show you that we can read meaning into almost anything we see...it's all a matter of what is in our hearts.

Hmmmmmm. I'm reminded of the story that everyone that has gone thru basic training has probably heard. A young recruit has the late fire watch in his dorm. while sitting on the fire watch chair he starts to doze off and his head droops. about that time a TI comes in and catches the recruit seemingly asleep. Before he can charges the recruit with dereliction of duty, the quick thinking recruit, upon hearing the TI come in, sits up and says "Amen".

[dai bread]

Apparently, they've been there for as long as the company has been making scopes. They were subtle, and did not violate any laws because they did not use the actual verse, just made a reference to it. In a land that values 'freedom of expression' and 'freedom of religion', methinks it should have been applauded. Sadly, there are those who go out of their way to find fault with such expressions.

Only lately has the enemy been a determined and accomplished propagandist, and only lately have our "news" media been determined to help him in the name of "freedom of the press".

We have a discussion going on a the moment about the wisdom of publishing pictures of our soldiers on active duty. A French photographer photographed two SAS soldiers in Kabul, and the NZ Herald (among many others) ran at least one picture. The New York Times ran a article mentioning the troops and the country they came from.

One of the soldiers has a Victoria Cross medal for bravery. It would be a propaganda coup for the Taleban if they killed him. They now know where he is, and what he looks like.

[Shapley]

We have a discussion going on a the moment about the wisdom of publishing pictures of our soldiers on active duty. A French photographer photographed two SAS soldiers in Kabul, and the NZ Herald (among many others) ran at least one picture. The New York Times ran a article mentioning the troops and the country they came from.

One of the soldiers has a Victoria Cross medal for bravery. It would be a propaganda coup for the Taleban if they killed him. They now know where he is, and what he looks like.

Back in World War II, such photos usually would say something along the lines of "A soldier stands watch in Libya", no reference to the specific location. This despite the fact that the photo would be published in America perhaps a week later, and would take nearly as long to wind back to the enemy, by which time the soldier may be long gone. Nowadays, the photos are take, published, and viewed worldwide in hours. There is such a thing as too much information, though many in the press do not agree.

[jamiebk]

We have a discussion going on a the moment about the wisdom of publishing pictures of our soldiers on active duty. A French photographer photographed two SAS soldiers in Kabul, and the NZ Herald (among many others) ran at least one picture. The New York Times ran a article mentioning the troops and the country they came from.

One of the soldiers has a Victoria Cross medal for bravery. It would be a propaganda coup for the Taleban if they killed him. They now know where he is, and what he looks like.

Kind of ironic that we worry about posting a picture of one of our soldiers for fear that the Taliban would kill him, yet, for all the pictures and videos of Osama Bin Laden, we still can't seem to locate him and take him out.