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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 03:57 PM
Original message
There's a War on Christians? Sign me up!
Edited on Mon Apr-03-06 10:15 PM by Skinner
First, I've got a confession. In my relatively short life, I have been presented with at least two opportunities to enlist in the military in order to fight against the enemies of our country -- in 1991 against Iraq, and in 2003 against... um... Iraq. Both times, I shirked my responsibility and chose to decline this amazing opportunity, but I swear I had a good excuse. If you're thinking "anal cyst" then you've got me confused with someone else. Oh, no. My excuse is much better than that. Basically, I just didn't feel like going. Which is my privilege as a young white guy from a relatively affluent family. There were plenty of minorities and working class kids who had already claimed all the good spots near the front of the line, and besides I didn't really support either of those wars anyway. Also, there was beer that needed drinking back here in the states.

I've always felt a little guilty about the fact that I didn't sign up for either of these wars that I didn't support. Not so much because of the "not signing up" part, but more for the "sending less fortunate people instead" part. So I'm always on the lookout for other wars that I could sign up for, in order to assuage my feelings of guilt. I considered signing up for the Drug War, except I don't really support that one. Then I considered signing up for the War on Poverty, until someone told me that it ended about four decades ago. (In case you're wondering: We lost.) Then there were the Burger Wars and the Cola Wars, both of which seemed promising, but for the fact that I was having difficulty picking sides. (I must have taken the Pepsi Challenge about a dozen times, and each time I picked a different cola. I swear, that pimply little punk who was administering the test must have been switching them around in back just to piss me off.)

I was about to completely give up out of frustration, until I heard about the War on Christians, which (they tell me) has been raging for years, here in the United States.

A War on Christians? Sign me up!

Now wait a minute, I know what you're thinking. Since I am a liberal, you probably assume that I want to sign up to fight against the Christians. Incorrect. While I am not myself a Christian, I am a big supporter of the United States Constitution and the First Amendment, and I will gladly fight and die to protect the freedom of any American to worship how they please. I'm also strongly opposed to any sort of ethnic or religious cleansing, whether it's against Bosnians in Yugoslavia, Jews in Nazi Germany, or Christians here in the United States. And if you think I'm exaggerating, suck on this: No lesser authority than Michael Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and himself a Jew, says that Christians are the "Jews of the 21st century," so it must be true. I am haunted by a new version of the familiar refrain, perhaps you recognize it:

First they came for the Christians
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Christian.

I am not a Christian, but I will speak out. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my Christian brothers and sisters as we fight -- to the death, if necessary -- against the powerful forces waging this War on Christians. It started as a little-noticed War on Christmas, and later it escalated to a War on Easter. Now, they say we've got a full-fledged War on Christians, which sounds like a bloody, genocidal civil war. (Or if you prefer not to use the politically incorrect word "civil war" I understand that it is still permissible to call it "sectarian conflict" instead.)

If you are a savvy news consumer, you are probably wondering why the media has not been giving very much coverage to this War on Christians. I mean, for chrissakes, there's a war right here in this country! It's not like they aren't capable of reporting it. Every time you turn on the television or open a newspaper, you are bombarded with images of death and destruction from the Iraq War: Car bombs. IEDs. Insurgents. Little Arab children covered in blood, crying, with missing limbs. Obviously, this is yet another example of anti-Christian and anti-American bias in the news media. They gladly travel halfway around the world to report on foreign people killing each other, but when it comes to American Christians being targeted in a deadly civil war on our own soil, there is a virtual media blackout (except, of course, for the heroic reporting of Fox News reporter John Gibson, who is rumored to have been embedded with a Christian militia right on the front lines of the war). One can only conclude that the liberal media considers Iraqi lives to be vastly more important than the lives of American Christians.

I decided to take action. For a while I thought about actually signing up for the military, or maybe purchasing a firearm so I could serve as a sort of citizen-militiaman. But then I realized that with my computer skills and my large amount of free time, I was much too valuable to the cause to risk actually being killed.

So I fired up my email program and struck right at the soft underbelly of the beast:

To: CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, Washington Post
From: skinner@democraticunderground
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 3:09 PM
Subject: The War on Christians, Christmas, Easter, etc.

Dear Liberal Media. Why do you love Iraqis and hate American Christians? KMA. 'Nuf said!

I sat back and admired my handiwork. Devastating. Succinct, contemptuous, and fully spell-checked. The pajama patrol would be proud. I clicked the "send" button, and looked forward with great satisfaction to the long fight ahead. The media is going to beg for mercy before I'm done with them.

You're next, ACLU!
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Klukie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
1. Hilarious!
Onward Christian Soldier!
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Faygo Kid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:08 PM
Response to Original message
2. Brilliant. Given the title, I thought this would condemn others' beliefs.
Instead, it captures real Christian values in condemning the hypocrisy of these fraudulent "Christian soldiers" who think bashing gays, condemning Darwin and blindly following Bush somehow gives them the high ground regarding Christian values. You have gone far in reclaiming that high ground with this post. Congrats, and thanks. I am shoulder to shoulder with you.

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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:27 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. I was actually kinda worried about the title.
It's definitely an eyeball-grabber, which is why I chose it. But I am concerned that some people might not bother reading the post itself, and might get the impression from the title alone that I'm advocating war against Christians, which clearly isn't the point.
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Zookeeper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 05:53 PM
Response to Reply #6
10. I read the title as "War on Christmas."
"Wooo-hoo," I thought. "I'll join that one if it means I don't have to look at Christmas merchandise in October, listen to carols in November and can convince my "zoo" that we could live, at least one year, without a holiday tree (and just let those packed ornaments rest quietly in the garage)."

But, your idea is better. :-)
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patdem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:15 PM
Response to Original message
3. Well, to support the 'WAR'..send to NY Post and Washington Times
NOW you see why there is no coverage..you warriors have it ALL BACKWARDS!

Skinner...I thought you were a geek..but turns our you are a WRITER! I am so glad to see all your input!
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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 10:30 PM
Response to Reply #3
11. I am a geek.
But I am very flattered to be considered a writer. I still have a ways to go, I think, but I'm trying to keep at it.
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klook Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:20 PM
Response to Original message
4. Liberal media, I'm putting you on notice!
And you anti-Christian soldiers, you are dead to me.
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riona Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:24 PM
Response to Original message
5. Onward Skinner!
The champion of Mom, The Flag, Jesus, Apple Pie, Puppies, and all Three Day Weekends!
:patriot:
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mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 04:39 PM
Response to Original message
7. You so funny.
:evilgrin:

Re: the war ~ I can't figure out why no one has bombed the ten christian churches within a mile if my suburban home?

I'm certain the Dallas am news story has something to do with the "war."

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Christian_right_start_to_lose_faith_0402.html


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northofdenali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 05:00 PM
Response to Original message
8. Skinner, this is about the 3rd or 4th keyboard cleaning
I've had to do in the last couple of weeks. It is your fault. Note how, Republican-like, I do not blame my funny bone, I blame someone else...

:rofl::rofl::rofl::spray::thumbsup::spray::rofl::rofl::rofl:
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Inland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
9. The "war" metaphor is getting ragged, all in all
given that there's actual Americans killing and being killed in something that is not combat, is hostilities but is not battle, and given the warriors here in American have never seen an actual war and hope they never will.
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satya Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-03-06 11:07 PM
Response to Original message
12. LOL! You can always join the White Christian Soldiers in Lee's Summit, MO
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp?T=22&m=3

or one of the "Christian Identity" groups.

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp?T=18&m=3

(Although I suspect they might not appreciate your subtle humor.)
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 03:13 PM
Response to Original message
13. Skinner, you crack me up.
And, today, I really needed a laugh. :thumbsup:
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katty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 03:14 PM
Response to Original message
14. great! LOL - me too!
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Radio_Lady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Skinner, you are a great writer. Rumor has it you're leaving the DU
and I want to wish you the best of good fortune in whatever you and your wife do.

I'm enjoying your journal, too!

Right now, I'm trying to resolve a thorny issue of DU computer problems, but anticipate fixing them soon. If you're not aware of any of these, please discuss it with Elad.

Thanks for your continuous efforts to maintain a wonderful site!

In peace,

Radio_Lady
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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 07:11 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. I'm not leaving DU.
This is very strange. You're the second person who has told me that there are rumors that I'm leaving. Where did you hear this?
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Radio_Lady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 07:33 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Here's the source thread -- I just assumed it was grounded in truth.
Edited on Wed Apr-05-06 07:38 PM by Radio_Lady


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=4968978


I discussed it with Viva_La_Revolution here in Oregon by private message. She then sourced it by searching. I'll try, but it's been several days.

Sorry if I inadvertently spread a rumor. I should have asked you openly through a PM. I'm obviously NO journalist.

In peace,

Radio_Lady
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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 07:41 PM
Response to Reply #17
18. Ah, now it all makes sense!
Thanks for the link.

I'm guessing that it was an April Fools joke. The timestamp says Sat Apr-01-06 10:45 AM.
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Radio_Lady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-05-06 07:45 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Did you read the thread? The poster was asked it if was a joke.
Yes, it was on April 1st, but the poster was queried about that. He denied it and said you had announced the move. Here's the exact wording. Then there is more speculating down through the thread.

charlie and algernon (335 posts) Sat Apr-01-06 07:51 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. no unfortunately, he announced it a week ago said he'd be leaving soon, though with me not having a star, i can't seach for it. perhaps you can, look around the 23rd.

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon
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Skinner ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-06-06 10:02 AM
Response to Reply #19
21. Yeah, I read the thread.
It looks like that person pushed the joke a little further than he probably should have.
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Radio_Lady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-07-06 05:02 PM
Response to Reply #21
22. Glad to know you're still on board. But you're a young guy and
Edited on Fri Apr-07-06 05:04 PM by Radio_Lady
I assume you're ambitious. Hope you're getting a lot of recognition here and elsewhere for what you are doing. Maybe there will come a time when we'll be able to say, "We knew him... when..." Thank you for your even-handed management of this site. I really admire that, besides your excellent writing.

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon
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baldguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-06-06 12:06 AM
Response to Original message
20. Hell, I'd be happy if they just kept the xmas decorations
in storage until after Halloween. Now "Christmas" starts right after Labor day.
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NMMNG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-08-06 02:51 AM
Response to Original message
23. Good one Skinner
I assume the Liberal Media gave you a thorough response? :shrug:
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darkmaestro019 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-09-06 03:33 AM
Response to Original message
24. Ha. Almost word for word what I used to say to that line---
"Where do I sign? I will work so much overtime, you guys, seriously...."



Apologies: I mean the fundy, rabid, vapid NeoChristians. Not the kind with the kind eyes and the, unfortunately, soft and gentle voices.
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rhett o rick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-16-06 08:22 AM
Response to Original message
25. That post would make a freeper's head spin. Good post. nm
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Blue_Tires Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-16-06 02:50 PM
Response to Original message
26. ttt n/t
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