Knee Jerk Correctness

By now you must have encountered Trijicon-gate. That's the pseudo-embarrassment, equalitarian outrage and high dudgeon generated by the discovery that the ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) used by our military and produced by Trijicon has a small number engraved on each one that identifies (hold the children's ears here) a Bible verse! Yes, my friends, while Maj. Hasan can freely shout Allahu Akbar in a crowded theater while killing his fellow soldiers, our combat troops may not be encouraged by some etched numbers on their riflescope.

Trijicon Caves to Pressure

What is interesting to me is what the Bible verses are.

"JN8:12," a reference to John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life,"'

Or, alternatively,

2COR4:6, a reference to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians: "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,"

Certainly uplifting themes with which to go into battle, but more importantly they could be viewed as a touting of the very potential for which Trijicon sights are properly valued! They are a self-contained, no batteries required, ILLUMINATED reticle telescopic sight. They automatically collect sunlight through a fiber-optic tube to charge a light source which detects ambient light. When the environment is too dim for the user to readily discern the standard scope post and cross-hairs, the aimpoint is illuminated. No action required on the part of the trooper as they move from bright sunlight to dim interior knowing they will always have "light to shine out of darkness."

I'd feel very good about understanding that number on my scope was the proud message from its maker that I would have the "light of life" with me in my peril.

But, our bureaucratic generalship doesn't want to risk offending our enemies before we shot them.

I suppose next week the guys will probably have to stop dipping bullets in the bacon grease before missions.