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Religious right fuels war: Web sites such as Tanker Bob's are the reason the U.S. will go to war
The Halifax Daily News, NEWS; Pg. 21 | December 12, 2002 | Mark Parent, Parent in Politics

Posted on 12/12/2002 11:32:42 AM PST by new cruelty

Religious right fuels war: Web sites such as Tanker Bob's are the reason the U.S. will eventually go to war

'Tanker Bob" is an expert in the workings of personal data assistants (PDAs) and, in particular, Palm Pilots and the Palm Pilot software. He is also the reason why the United States will go to war against Iraq, no matter what the UN inspectors conclude from their current mission.

I first came across Tanker Bob while surfing on the Internet for discussion groups regarding the Palm Pilot software system. I am one of the computer geeks within the Progressive Conservative Caucus and am often approached for help with computer-related problems and, particularly, with probelms fellow members have with their PDAs. I soon came to realize that Tanker Bob knew his stuff, and I would often access his PDA Web site to expand my knowledge. One day, however, as I was looking for Tanker Bob's analysis of the battery life of a Sony Clie T655 versus a Palm 515, I punched in the wrong address and ended up on "Tanker Bob's" home page. It was a surreal experience, patriotic music began to play and, suddenly, a cartoon picture of the Statue of Liberty appeared on the screen.

In this cartoon image, the Statue of Liberty is depicted holding a small baby in her arms wrapped in the American flag. In her free hand, the Statue of Liberty holds a revolver, while on her face is a snarl of anger. Beside the cartoon are the words "the most dangerous place in the world is between a mother and her children."

Tanker Bob's home page is dedicated to the "Lordship of Jesus." Tanker Bob, it turns out, teaches an adult Sunday School class and is a committed member of the Presbyterian Church of America. He is also a devotee of George Bush Jr., praising God that (to use Tanker Bob's words); "He has raised up a moral leader of godly character to lead this great nation in this time of trial!"

What is interesting about Tanker Bob's home page is its combination of conservative Christianity and American civil religion -- the Lordship of Jesus and the motherhood of the Statue of Liberty.

Although extremely active in the United States, religion usually has not been a dominant force in political decision making. In part, this is because the United States has tolerated a plurality of religious expressions and lack of unanimity between denominational groups and religions has blunted any political influence. However, as Robert Fowler points out in his book Religion and Politics in America, when religious traditions do co-operate, they exert tremendous political clout.

Such co-operation happened during the Civil War and, more recently, during the civil- rights movement. It is also happening now. For various reasons -- revenge, fear of the growth of Islam a concern with changing moral values -- there is a coalescing of religious traditions in the United States forming a very sizeable voting block. The strength of this voting block was evident in the recent midterm elections when the Republican party, led by George Bush Jr., took control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

It is the reason why -- along with legitimate security concerns and the need to ensure a stable oil supply -- no matter what happens with the UN inspection teams, the United States and, albeit somewhat unwillingly, Canada will be at war.

The only good news, I suppose, is that the existence of this religious voting block means that war will not happen for another year or so. To wage war too early would be to risk losing the political advantage that this voting bloc gives to Bush and the Republican party.

Mark Parent, an ordained minister, is the MLA for Kings North

mparent@ns.sympatico.ca


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: internet; iraq; politics; religion; war
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1 posted on 12/12/2002 11:32:43 AM PST by new cruelty
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To: new cruelty
Well, he makes more sense than his Prime Minister.

< /sarcasm>

2 posted on 12/12/2002 11:39:50 AM PST by Shermy
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To: new cruelty
This is pure utter nonsense with no supporting evidence of his claims, however, I would like Tanker Bob's website. Sounds kewl.
3 posted on 12/12/2002 11:43:34 AM PST by Robert DeLong
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To: new cruelty
Man, those darn Christians and Jesus Freaks! Everybody knows they're the whole reason why we're about to go to war with these Middle Eastern "freedom fighters". If they would just sit back and let the terrorists blow us up then maybe there would be less turmoil in the world...</Heavy Sarcasm>

"Kumbaya my non-denominational higher being, Kumbaya..."

4 posted on 12/12/2002 11:44:15 AM PST by Charlie OK
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To: Robert DeLong
http://home.cfl.rr.com/rmattes/home.htm
5 posted on 12/12/2002 11:45:19 AM PST by new cruelty
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To: new cruelty
http://31337.pl/
6 posted on 12/12/2002 11:45:47 AM PST by LibWhacker
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To: new cruelty
What is interesting about Tanker Bob's home page is its combination of conservative Christianity and American civil religion -- the Lordship of Jesus and the motherhood of the Statue of Liberty.

Yeah, it's weird like all that 'Endowed by their Creator stuff in the Constitution'....

It is the reason why -- along with legitimate security concerns and the need to ensure a stable oil supply -- no matter what happens with the UN inspection teams, the United States and, albeit somewhat unwillingly, Canada will be at war.

Yeah, never mind those legitimate security concerns and the need to ensure a stable oil supply...

I guess I just don't understand this article at all.

7 posted on 12/12/2002 11:45:52 AM PST by Cogadh na Sith
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To: new cruelty
"...the United States and, albeit somewhat unwillingly, Canada will be at war..."

Don't get your panties in a wad, Mark...

Given their unfortunate tendency to draw friendly fire down on themselves the Canuckistan Self Defense Forces will be stationed in a rear area.

And they won't leave home until after this year's FDNHHJS (Friendly Diversity Nurturing Happy Holiday Joy Season) is over.

I'll be home for Fidunhij... You can count on me...

8 posted on 12/12/2002 11:46:37 AM PST by DWSUWF
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To: new cruelty
Then what would he think of this ...

200 years from now, I want their children's children's children's children
to cower and cringe in fear whenever they hear the sounds of jet engines overhead
because their legends tell of fire from the sky.

I want them to hide in dark caves and holes in the earth,
shivering with terror whenever they hear the roar of diesel engines
because the tales of their ancestors talk about metal monsters
crawling over the earth, spitting death and destruction.

I want their mothers to be able to admonish them with
"If you don't behave, the Pale Destroyers will come for you",
and that will be enough to reduce them to quivering obesience.

I want the annihilation to be so complete that their mythology
will tell them of the day of judgment when the stern gods from across the sea
.. the powerful 'Mericans .. destroyed their forefathers' wickedness.

9 posted on 12/12/2002 11:48:22 AM PST by BlueLancer
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To: new cruelty
Stuff like this would usually make me mad because of its stupidity but, after all, he is a Canadian and is superior in every regard.
10 posted on 12/12/2002 11:49:32 AM PST by Tacis
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To: new cruelty
'Course the Canidiot writer left this critical piece of information from Tanker Bob's website: I'm an Air Force pilot

So, not only does he believe in God, Liberty and America, he puts his butt on the line for it.

Good for Tanker Bob. What is the writer's problem with this?

11 posted on 12/12/2002 11:49:44 AM PST by Cogadh na Sith
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: new cruelty
Instead of posting these moronic hit-and-run pieces then hiding out, why don't you intelligently spell out why you hate America and Christians. People here are actually willing to have a discussion with people with opposing viewpoints as long as they know what they're talking about and aren't just trying to pick a fight.

Tossing out a grenade then running doesn't exactly help your cause much. It just makes more people hate you. I guess you learned your technique from the Palestinian school of debate, huh?

13 posted on 12/12/2002 11:54:17 AM PST by Charlie OK
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: American For Life
If I remember correctly, this sketch was drawn by a 16 year kid. Pretty impressive.
15 posted on 12/12/2002 11:56:03 AM PST by tang-soo
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To: chookter
Yeah, it's weird like all that 'Endowed by their Creator stuff in the Constitution'....

Get it right. That's the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.

16 posted on 12/12/2002 11:56:32 AM PST by Anchoragite
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To: new cruelty
He is also a devotee of George Bush Jr.

Who is George Bush Jr.?

17 posted on 12/12/2002 11:59:00 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: Anchoragite
Oops. I guess I have to renounce my citizenship.
18 posted on 12/12/2002 11:59:05 AM PST by Cogadh na Sith
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To: new cruelty
"Although extremely active in the United States, religion usually has not been a dominant force in political decision making."

Oh Really?!! How about this, "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equall, that they are endowded by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Recognise that? It's from the Declaration of Independence, perhaps the most signifigant example of "political decision making" in the history of the world. Looks to me like that Creator mentioned was a pretty dominant force.

19 posted on 12/12/2002 11:59:47 AM PST by joebuck
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To: new cruelty
The author projects our priorities as:

#1) Re-election of Bush
#2) Religious war
#3 or 4) National Security
#3 or 4) Oil

Yeah, right. Canahoodians been sniffin too much white stuff.

20 posted on 12/12/2002 12:06:37 PM PST by Uncle Miltie
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