Mikhail Kalashnikov, arguably one of the most important and influential gun designers in military history, has passed away at 94 years of age. His AK-47 rifle is the most popular and widely used assault rifle in the world. It is easy to build and maintain. It stands up beautifully under conditions that would ruin more sophisticated weapons (e.g. the US M-16). It is not very accurate but it packs a punch. Even right-wing American gun advocates who would otherwise likely condemn him as a  "Commie" love the gun.

I see by the papers Canada is establishing military bases in East Africa, Asia, Germany, possibly Latin America. These bases will have only small manpower, but will be capable of rapid transfomation within hours into formidable attack launch sites.

Why are we doing this?

Mr Harper says it's to help with local emergencies like earthquakes. Oh? Then why are they military bases? and why in those particular locations?

Well, they're also to "project Canadian military power".

Obama has been providing military  aid to countries that use children fifteen and under as soldiers. For now, it is Yemen and Congo. The list is due to be expandded soon. The law it breaks is Child Protection Act, 2006).

Canadian bombers are doing mass killing of civilians in Libya.

But I guess neither of these is a religious issue. I've checked. There[s nowhere Jesus says we should have child soldiers or shouldn't bomb people.

though our news media have paid little attention, the Wall st. protests in the US seem to be growing. They are now happening in dozen of cities. And NY police last night arrested 700.

Did you know that Canadian troops could be sent there? It's true.

Harper and Obama signed a deal just before our federal election. EAch country can ask the other for military help in the case of civil disorder.

And why would the big US military have to turn to little Canada for help?

 I've never given thought to this because I've never owed taxes, but as someone who is less than impressed with the governments stance on Militarism, I thought that this was both funny and powerful. What do people think?

MY LETTER TO THE IRS BY SHANE CLAIBORNE

http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/05/18/a-soldiers-choice/

This is a link to an article about Capt Robert Semrau who committed a mercy killing on the battle field.

 I'm actually hardly a warrior cleric.  I am neither a soldier nor a Churchman.  I have recently returned to Christianity after a time away and am heading towards ordination with the UCC.  My soldiering is limited to so far standing on the bow of a warship with a loaded rifle waiting for the order to return fire against the Iranians.  Thankfully the Iranians never fired...  So neither did I.

 I think of the rules of Christianity (as of most religions) as being eminently practical. That's why I despair of posts that fret over whether we shall in heaven walk on golden streets - and why I despair of my Jewish friends who think the essence of Judaism lies in having separate dishes for dairy and meat products.

So I see nothing abstract or pointless in the injunctions against killing and war. Indeed, I think we are at a point when war makes no practical sense at all. Consider...