Observations of a Misfit

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August 12, 2007

Operation Straight Up - Not My OSU

While browsing my favorite news sites, blogs and assorted byways in cyberspace, I came across an article about an evangelical celebrity group called “Operation Straight Up” (with the deceptively collegiate acronym “OSU”). Normally, I would dismiss OSU as simply another harmless religious organization with an ambitious (albeit disturbing) mission to bring the “gospel” to the troops:

“Until Every Soldier Hears the Truth!”

The mission of OSU Tour: Provide faith-based entertainment to our military creating a lasting impact while using celebrities, NASCAR, professional sports figures, musical artists, and Hollywood actors to share the message of Jesus Christ and the hope that only comes from God, resulting in changed lives. Join us today in addressing the issues of divorce, addictions, pornography, suicide and the fatherless within our military. OSU Tour is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

I may not support this mission (or NASCAR, for that matter), but as a lover of freedom of speech, assembly and religious beliefs, I defend any organization’s right to have it. After all, “making disciples of all nations” has been the battle cry of Christians since day one. Hey, whatever rows your boat ashore, Michael.

My outrage over this matter, outrage powerful enough to roust me out of semi-retirement to bring this to my readers’ attention, is the fact that OSU is endorsed, supported (that means our tax dollars, folks) and enabled by the Department of Defense.

OSU is one of “more than 275” non-profit organizations affiliated with “America Supports You,” a DoD program:

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

“dedicated to connecting members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families with individuals, groups, and businesses from the community who want to support and encourage our military men and women… These groups provide a multitude of services, including financial assistance, sending care packages and letters, and helping our wounded warriors.

I know, I know, I shouldn’t be surprised that the DoD under Evangelical-Rapture-Obsessed-Armageddon-Advancing George W. Bush would promote the vastly hypocritical morality of fundamentalist Christianity on the battlefield; nor should I be disillusioned that the First Amendment is routinely thwarted for this warped and erroneous mindset to justify our occupation of a Muslim country (or any Muslim country of your choice, just throw a dart in that direction, that’s where we are going next), but I am nevertheless outraged. I can’t help it. It’s one of my pet peeves.

My ire was somewhat mollified when I found Jonathan Spinks’ (founder of OSU) web site:

JONATHAN SPINKS

I could spend hours editing and “fisking” this moronic dreck. But, why bother? Mr. Spinks is clearly an idiot; maybe even a dangerous idiot. But the fact that he and his “celebrity” pals combined are not smarter than a fifth grader gave me some reassurance. That, and the dismal reports that OSU's amateurish video game based on the “Left Behind” series, in which the heroes convert or pick off “enemies of Jesus", has been panned by every gamer who sampled it. I’m sure Jesus would be thrilled.

I suppose I could rally my own troops to contact their Congress members to object to this flagrant violation of the Constitution, but what’s the point? I doubt the mission of OSU will be successful, and I’m pretty certain the “Rapture” isn’t coming any time soon. Pay your VISA bills, friends. And, while you’re at it, please sign a petition to impeach these freaks, would you?

August 02, 2007

Iraq or Infrastructure?

BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN MINNESOTA - a report on the vulnerability of the bridge that recently collapsed.

This is just one of many examples of the "guns or butter" question. Here in the "homeland" where our "security" is vigilantly "protected" by illegal wiretapping, inadequate inspections of cargo, and false alarms about cheese looking like explosives, and billions (trillions?) of our tax dollars are going to support an illegal occupation, our involvement in which we were duped by lies, our infrastructure is disintegrating.

Have you had enough yet?