A candidate for the United States Senate in South Carolina says Barack Obama has destroyed America’s “war ethos” and that our nation’s military is “losing” because Jesus Christ is no longer at its head.
Onward Christian soldiers, right?
Bill Connor – whose multiple combat tours represent pretty much the extent of his political sales pitch – is hoping to rally both evangelicals and military supporters in the God-fearing, Army-loving Palmetto State as he campaigns against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and three other Republican candidates for the Senate.
“If we don’t have a war ethos – (if) we don’t have young men going face-to-face to possibly stick a bayonet in someone to protect you and me, we’re toast. We’re gone,” Connor told a meeting of Tea Party supporters in Aiken, S.C.
“We’ve got all the technology in the world and we’re losing that because we’re taking Christianity out of the military,” Connor added, according to The Aiken Standard.
Wow …
We’ve obviously got a different view on the issue of American military involvement around the world – specifically the definition of “protecting you and me” – but Connor’s comments strike us as extremely dangerous.
It’s bad enough we have politicians like Graham who urge ill-conceived interventionist foreign policies because they are hopelessly beholden to the military-industrial complex – but it’s religious nuts like Connor are every bit as dangerous.
Don’t get us wrong … we are wholly supportive of sticking bayonets in people who attack America or our legitimate global interests (to the extent our debt-addled, freedom-suppressing government can lay claim to “legitimate global interests” these days).
But needlessly warmongering for Jesus is every bit as bad as needlessly warmongering for profit … in fact it’s probably worse.
93 comments
Crusades anyone?
Or, we could, you know… Tone down the religious rhetoric, stop invading the Middle East, and try not to meddle in other countries’ affairs.
You know, like a sane, reasonable country.
Now what fun would that be for all those Pat Robertson’s with guns in their hands?…Nutty Nutty Bang Bang.
Jesus said, “Kill those that try to kill you. If you kill some innocents while doing so, remember that sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.”
Turn the other cheek and then stab ’em in the kidneys.
Do you realize that you just answered the age-old question to why there is one on each side? Seriously, dude. You get a gold star on your chart!
And more chocolate bars….
Lots more chocolate bars…
And better concealment of war crimes.. yeah… less coverage of the rapes, mother killing, and residential bombing…
show more marines without little bags of enemy ears in their belt.
Hey Bill, Bill, listen up Bubba
Just talked to God and he said to pass it along- Bill Connor is full of Cockroachshit
Oh, he also said you were right about the “toast” part given that is where you will spend eternity
When will someone with some fucking brains start running for office around here? Goddamn, throw in some Jesus and welcome to the ballot box.
I’ve been considering it, but my walk with Christ needs strengthening first. I have a lot of person growth to achieve before I take on such a thing that can sometimes challenge a man or woman’s commitment to Truth, Love, and Humility. This is what many in politics often lack, and I will honor God, before country, because God saved me in ways no one here will ever know, and a man without something greater than his or herself to believe in, lacks faith to fulfill their vision in times of a crisis. Family comes second, because God gave them to me to love and protect and a man who turns his back on family is disloyal. Country comes third, because a man without allegiance to his people is not to be trusted.
There was a tv ad on last night with Mike Huckabee, SC’s favorite for president, endorsing Lindsey. This election is over. I doubt if any of the four challengers even runs in the primary.
A baptist preacher endorsing a closeted gay republican…only in South Carolina
I’m pretty sure the Army doesn’t train the bayonet charge anymore.
“Today’s bayonets are often multi-purpose knives such as the American M7 which is also an effective fighting knife or the Soviet AKM bayonet which was also a ground breaking survival knife
that can be used as a wire-cutter when combined with its scabbard. Some
bayonets can also be used as utility knives, bottle openers or throwing
knives.[48][49]
Also, issuing one modern multi-purpose bayonet/knife is obviously more
cost effective than issuing separate specialty bayonets, field knives
and combat knives.”
They did in in the 60’s on how to fight with one, I suspect they give SOME training in how to use it..
Nope, we don’t train much with them anymore for a variety of reasons:
-The M4 is far too short to be an effect bayonet fighting rifle (though it has a
bayonet lug)
-Very few people through history have been killed with bayonets (who’d stand there while you ran him through, most bayonet charges ended with one side or the other giving ground or getting killed as they closed the gap (a la Pickett’s
Charge))
-The last thing anyone wants to hear is the command “fix bayonets” because
it generally means the best laid plan has “gone to hell in a hand basket”
We do teach the skill as part of the general combatives training. Pugil sticks are an excellent way to teach aggressiveness – you haven’t seen a fight until you see two young women who have never really gone at it before get mad at each other in the circle and begin flailing away in a “Death Match 2000esque Battle Royale”. It’s better than WWE.
Bill won the straw poll in Aiken Monday night. By a large margin. It’s great to see the adult in the room get his proper recognition. Although Bill is a little more “bible thumper” than I would like the alternative is much worse. Actually the alternative is what we have now. A Muslim communist in the white house and a pandering moderate in the senate. A real American hero will be a welcome change.
A real American hero is Bill Connor, who got his combat medal for stopping a moving military convoy and shooting his gun out the window. Yippee-ki-yay, motherfuckers!
Aiken Tea Party…Did they pass out tin foil hats BEFORE or AFTER the meeting?
They brought their own.
Once again, Fits, I like where your heart is, but I think you misinterpreted what Connor said. Sounds like he’s talking about a preparedness mindset not aggressive posturing. I think, as genuine conservatives, we all agree that America doesn’t need to be the world’s policeman, but Connor’s point seems to be that strong faith and a belief that you are doing something more important than your life is a mindset that is essential for our military to be successful, and I agree.
Soldiers without faith are selfish and run for cover. Soldiers with strong faith in God are the bravest and they do what’s right against incredible odds. These kind of courageous soldiers are the reason that we have the freedoms that we do and that you can criticize political candidates without fear even when you’re wrong.
Game,
I’m a deeply religious Soldier with more than 30 years of experience and I’ll challenge your assertion about Soldiers and “faith”.
I would offer that there is no correlation between the “faith” of a Soldier and his proficiency or proclivity for war. I know plenty of “areligious” types who ran to the sound of the trumpets when they were blown. I also know a religious coward or two as well.
Where the quantifiable difference appears is in what we call “resiliency”. Soldiers with strong faith systems generally are able to deal with the ramifications of combat better than those “areligious” types
Colonel, thanks for your service, man. And I feel you…maybe I went a little far in what I was saying. I think my point is that soldiers who feel that they are fighting for something greater….and I would think those with great and true faith in God do have a higher calling..are often very prepared for battle and are fearless. So I shouldn’t have alluded to the fact that ONLY those with faith in God feel that they are fighting for something greater. You are right.
However, I digress…I think Mr. Connor wants to protect the Christian faith as America should protect freedom of religion. But I think is main point was not to be a warmonger…it was to talk about the preparedness of our military. Should we be combatant at all times…nah. Ready…yes.
Soldiers do not fight for god or country or flags or ANY of that crap…soldiers fight to keep their squad members and themselves alive…there are, in fact, atheists in foxholes…you would be amazed at what the imminent danger of death can do for someone, where it is themselves or a buddy.
Since you make that statement to be factual, would you mind sharing some data or studies that prove that religious soldiers are braver than non-religious soldiers.
Other than saying “we all agree that America doesn’t need to be the world’s policeman,” I disagree with about everything you have said.
And what is the basis for your belief that soldiers who believe in God are also better soldiers? Generally, the better trained and equipped soldiers — regardless of their beliefs — are the most effective soldiers. I agree that faith is important, but it’s faith in their leader(s), fellow men, and purpose that are important; not faith in a higher power.
To put it nicely, your comment about “soldiers without faith” being selfish cowards is not supported by the history of warfare.
“Soldiers without faith are selfish and run for cover.”
In other words, they have a brain?
Just to be clear, what Connor believes is that “We’ve got all the technology in the world and we’re losing that because we’re taking Christianity out of the military,
He believes that the effect of this is that “If we don’t have a war ethos – if we don’t have young men going face-to-face to possibly stick a bayonet in someone to protect you and me, we’re toast.” A war ethos has nothing to do with Christianity, no matter how many ways he spins it. Christianity is not about young men sticking bayonets in someone, because the government says it will save lives or preserve free speech.
By the way, our Freedom of Speech was never the target of our enemy. It was never the thing that was threaten by those who attacked us on 9/11. The truth is, we as Americans just wanted revenge for all those who were slain, harmed or affected in some way on 9/11, plain and simple. Our soldiers were not fighting for Free Speech, they were delivering Free Speech in the form of a severe beat down to let those who dared to cross us know they mess with the wrong ones.
Wow, just wow. I’ve had a few “combat tours” myself in the last 30 years (though I’ll admit the last two have been more internecine in nature than “closing with and killing the enemy by fire and maneuver”) . I’m currently on what I believe to be the last “combat tour” I’ll ever do.
I have to say Connors is talking out of his fourth point of contact (though for me it’s the second). (for you legs (non airborne types), your “fourth point of contact” on landing is your buttocks – I usually land feet, butt, head). I’ll agree that the military, particularly the Air Farce, has taken the “PC, no establishment, bovine excreta” to extremes in the last several years but a lack of that “old time religion” isn’t what is troubling our military.
I’d go with incredibly ignorant and short sided interference from politicos and political generals who have no real idea how wars should be fought over a lack of religion as the cause of our troubles.
ROE that restricts the individual Soldier or Marine’s ability to kill bad guys starts the panoply of criticisms I’d level.
I’d next go to the repeat of the idiotic “frontier fortifications” and force caps technique of waging war. We should have taken and held all of Iraq – the problem was it would have taken 500,000 Soldiers to do it and the politicos would never have gone for it. Had we kept the pressure on the Taliban after Tora Bora by killing them in large numbers, Afghanistan would be a very different (though still backward) place. We couldn’t keep the pressure up in Afghanistan because we were being distracted by a little excursion in Iraq..
It seems to me that the wars we have lost (all since WWII) is primarily because we did not (1) DECLARE war, (2) Did not GO TO war (only a small part of the country even knew we were fighting them) and (3) did not go to WIN the war..
correct those three items and we are invincible…
If we do not we are sending men/women to their deaths for nothing.
It seems to me that the wars we have lost (all since WWII) is primarily because we did not (1) DECLARE war, (2) Did not GO TO war (only a small part of the country even knew we were fighting them) and (3) did not go to WIN the war..
*Waves hand dismissively*
Pfffft.
It’s because they took PRAYER OUT OF SCHOOLS!!
Duh.
I presume that was sarcasm..if so, very good…
If not, get help.
Good ol Poe’s Law strikes again.
Yes…it was sarcasm.
Fictional character to the rescue! (again)
Let’s all use the Dutch Guilder symbol (ƒ) to surround comments containing irony, and the Euro (€) for sarcasm.
For instance –
Irony: ƒ:If I want to keep my Doctor, I can keep my doctor.ƒ
…and…
Sarcasm: €:If I want to keep my doctor, I can keep your doctor!€
(If you [not meaning TBG, but those who are reading this – cause TBG knows] don’t know why the Dutch Guilder is appropriate for irony, Google “Dutch Tulip”. If you [ibid] don’t know why the Euro is appropriate for sarcasm, study economics.)
Combat post WWII has become a dangerous game of King of the Mt. Go in, make lots of noise,
capture the flag, spend lots of money building what isn’t needed, declare
victory and go home leaving as much behind as possible so restocking keeps the
manufactures happy. Look how well Korea keeps paying off. How much money has
been spent on this two bit ½ country? This is the police action that just keeps
on giving military contract after military contract. Maybe we should just
contract the whole operation to one of our “security companies” and make it a
line item expense. The Corperate way to “fight” a war
Couple of notable exceptions:
1st Gulf War – clear goal, executed violently. I drove the highway of death a couple of weeks ago, the devastation was incredible and there’s stil a lot of evidence of it today
Just Cause – clear goal, executed violently.
George HW Bush will go down in history as one of our better Commander in Chiefs for his ability to pick one clear commander, state a goal and then get out of the way, something that all the presidents since, including his son sucked at.
I’d list Urgent Fury but it could have been executed with half the troops twice as efficiently – should have either been an Army Airborne/Air Assault effort or a Marine Corps effort not a “everybody who can fit in a plane, boat or submarine effort”
TBG just hopes the upcoming, massive Operation Distract The American People From What We Have Done To Their Economy and Country goes well.
Boning up on my Mandarin just in case it doesn’t, though.
Neither of those ‘good’ wars was a declared war…we did NOT accomplish anything that we did not have to do over again with the cost of American blood. And only a handful of people fought in them, the rest of the nation went on as nothing was happening. A war should NEVER be fought for a limited gain that will just put off the actual war for another generation…and NO war should ever be fought unless the ENTIRE nation goes to war…period.
You might want to talk to all those “repressed” Panamanians – I’m pretty sure they’re happy and doing fairly well post “Pineapple Face”.
The Kuwaitis love us and last time I looked we only had to run ol’Sadam out one time…
So your analysis is 0 for 2. The reason those two operations run to the success column is that the had clear goals, were readily accomplished and did not result in mission creep – had we “creeped” in the first Gulf War we’d of had a bigger mess than we have now.
Well said but who’s listening? Our money based Gov. is only interested in power and position not service to a nation and its people. Gov. service for fun and profit. Unfortunately the military, excluding upper levels, are footing a good part of the Congressional bill.
How is this different than radicalized Islam?
It’s not…that’s the point!
It is completely different. It is the exact opposite. Please research the just war theory.
“But needlessly warmongering for Jesus is every bit as bad as needlessly warmongering for profit … in fact it’s probably worse.” No, it’s a toss-up.
No, it’s worse. Warmongering for Jesus is a betrayal of Him.
Does he still essentially include an essentially worthless quantifier in essentially every sentence he essentially utters?
Somebody should throw a Bible at this guy; assuming he can catch, and demand that before he opens his mouth to speak one more world that he read Luke 9:51-56 for context, and he needs to absorb and internalize the most important of part of that scripture which is Luke 9:55-56 which says: “55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”
Jesus Christ was against the crusades before their ever was one.
Thanks you for some light. It was getting dark in here.
I have committed myself to the truth of what it means to be a Christian, and how we as Christians are to live in accordance with the wise teachings and works of Jesus Christ. Anyone who comes in the Name of The Lord and speaks anything that is not consistent with his word is not called to speak for him, but speaks for himself and should be rebuked and his words should be cast from your thoughts, less you be deceived. Sadly, many will be deceived by what this man is speaking. We are commanded to love our neighbors so why is he rallying people with talks of a need for a more war and blood shed, while citing Christianity as the way to bring forth a WAR ethos?
1 Timothy 5:8 – But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Why are you being quarrelsome?
Matthew 10:33
See you don’t take your own advice. You stated in another post Jesus does not argue with His Words. Oh that is right just when you post a scripture you are not suppose to post one behind you because YOU think you are always right. Wouldn’t that mean you put yourself above Jesus?
2 Timothy Chapter 4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Might want to practice that one RAINCOLLE
You write and attempt to quarrel putting scripture against Scripture. God does not quarrel with himself, therefore we should not quarrel with one another. The Word does not lie and I have not spoken falsely, because I have spoken the Truth. What is the truth I speak? Here it is; the truth is written in 1st Timothy 6:3-5: “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
Why do you do this?
Raincoat true. So stop doing it.
I smell comment BS from all sides.
WHO WOULD JESUS STICK A BAYONET IN??? LMAO
That wasn’t his job. But he had great respect for soldiers. Sophists, down through the ages, have tried to paint Jesus with their political point of view. Jesus made it perfectly clear that you prospered where you were – and from your prosperity, you were to voluntarily help those in need. You should be a samaritan, not a spear-catcher.
You mean spear chucker?
Although “Spear Chucker” is a pejorative roun’ heyah, it is infinitely better than being a “Spear Catcher”. TBG would rather be a “Maxim Gun Operator” than either.
No.
When I see the term spear-catcher I see someone getting attacked with spears, trying to duck and dodge and catch spears that might impale them. Whereas saying better to be a samaritan than a spear-chucker would sound more like, better to treat others with kindness, than to do harm to others. I don’t get that image when I see “spear-catcher”.
I understand. It’s OK if you don’t get it.
Oh I do understand that the term refers to someone designated to be the face of a company or organization whose job is to face the public, press or whatever and absorb all the barbs and arrows that may be flung at them. I just felt that contrasting a samaritan which is one who does good unto his or her fellow man or woman with someone who takes a beaten at the hands of others was not exactly a ideal comparison, but that is just my thought. I do agree that I would rather be a samaritan as well. I’m not fond of being a human target on the behalf of someone else.
Exactly!!!!! Come on, people. Anybody want answer that one. What human being would Jesus stick a bayonet in? Any takers on this?
Obama? Then the Bush’s. Probably the stupid one first.
No. Just…. No!
I am a veteran.
Fuck Connors.
I’ll second that, in a less vulgar way.
I am a veteran too and I will vote for Connor not those who hide and get his followers to do the dirty work.
TBG thinks that as far as the cutlery martial arts are concerned…maybe Bill Connor should be recruiting more *Sikhs* than *Methodists*.
Note to self: Don’t vote for Bill Connor for anything ever.
Your decision but Connor is the best we got in the four. So your point is heard and ignored.
This is the fundamentalist sickness destroying our relationships with each other. Our
public officials preach intolerance, Jesus was not a military leader, wrong
prophet or did he miss that part that named him the Prince of Peace? Is his
next line-praise the Lord and pass the ammunition or the south will raise
again? The military is losing its way but that is because Congress is not
taking care of our fighting men. Military service has become a back braking
ordeal with very few supporting the men rather than big money contractors.
America needs career minded service member not Congressional cannon fodder.
Good pay, good benefits, good health care and good family support that produces
a good military.
that state is wacky.what we need is another william tecumseh sherman to blaze a fiery swath through that state again.
Agreed. The truth is, Sherman was a humanitarian.
I hope Mikey Weinstein cleans his clock.
There are already way too many members of The Fellowship/The Family/C Street (the same religio-political-business cult of Sanford, Inhofe, Petraeus, every other Congressional whore monger and the National Prayer Breakfast which has been selling access to the American president to the most murderous dictators on planet for the last 50+ years) in the military and at the Pentagon spending their taxpayer funded work time proselytizing…while Jesus said “render unto Caesar” and ‘my kingdom is not of this world”.
Someone needs to ask Bill Connor if he’s a card carrying member of The Fellowship. Of course, like all good members, except the stupid Sanford, he will say it’s a secret organization.
he sounds more like a congressional candidate. isn’t that where we keep the fucknuts? what’s with the guys like Cruz and him jumping leagues to the senate?
Did Jesus ever pick up a GUN…? Matter of fact the only place I remember Jesus getting “troopy” was in a Temple…!? We would really love to know the last time Mr. Connor spoke to an “Oil Pharaoh” and reminded investors of SLAVERY ramifications in the Bible.
Recently the Armed forces has done all it can to prevent the exercise of Christians and promote Islam. Christians. Someone who loves God is now qualified as a terrorist. Go ahead, remove Jesus and see just how many endless wars of aggression are begun. Please do yourself a favor and investigate the just war theory.
um… you got the quote wrong ….. It was definitely “warrior ethos” in regard to the military becoming so PC that it could possibly be rendered noneffective. Now.. when I hunt the tapes down to prove it.. Will you print a retraction and apology? Is this a news piece … or do we simply just make “quotes” fit our context to fabricate a nice story?
JFC!
jesus was the prince of peace, not the god of war…
So sticking someone with a bayonet is a “Christian Value” now, are we bringing back burning Witches too?
No, but having faith is very beneficial to the morale of people who are deployed.
I’m not impressed by this candidate, but he is better than anyone the Democrats have to offer, that doesn’t say much.
Bill Connor we support you. Those throwing stones at you really need to grow up.
Ephesians Chapter 6
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
I will always vote for the candidate who believes our military should be so strong we can merely look at our enemies and destroy them. A little Jesus can be a good thing, too.
You all that are putting down Bill and his faith and Jesus just best hope there is not a God nor Jesus because Judgment Day is less than 100 years from now.
Christians don’t seek a position to rule over others as Christians follow only the laws of God… Mandating ethics is of man and evil
I remember when Jesus used to bomb the Japs…those were the good old days
Jesus was never at its head. it was never an army representing God to begin with!
Funny, as a non-Christian growing up in a sea of Christians, I was constantly proselytized about Jesus, but never was told that Christianity was a ‘warrior’ or ‘war-loving religion’, in fact, quite the contrary… so, where is this guy coming from? When fundamentalists get sufficiently extreme, they all meet in the same place at the opposite side of the circle with little to tell them apart from one another beyond the names of their so-called ’sacred’ scriptures.