Al-Qaedah: Political Anaerobe

The populist political movements across North Africa and the Middle East are causing a bit of unease for a political anaerobe which requires an active fermentation process to move the message forward. Al-Qaedah has platformed as a champion of the oppressed in which all means of carnage are justified in pursuit of a goal. So the uprisings which seek political change and greater freedom can threaten the Messiah complex of Al-Qaedah leadership. If there is one thing not lacking in propaganda videos from this organization, it is pompous religious arrogance. So Al-Qaedah must scramble her little video jets to the fight.

Their media arm has congratulated the Egyptians. Make that twice now, as far as I know. And a media foot soldier has also released a video with contents which best remain shielded from blog readers, due to the violent imagery. But the images attracted nearly 5,000 hits over an eighteen hour period last week. I kick back and have to worry a bit. What psychological imbalance is satiated by such things? But then again, the entire reason for the existence of jihad forums is to foment hatred and recruit lone wolves.

Al-Qaedah is a political anaerobe, so any potential for a sudden infusion of oxygen into a stagnant pool threatens their very existence. They surely sense that they are losing market share in the world of ideas and gut tells me they know it.

Very real concerns exist with what is happening amongst Muslim-majority populations today. Change can bring the good, but it can also be the mother of all chaos. So on the one hand, we can hope that these movements will marginalize AQ a bit more. But on the other hand, anaerobes do love a vacuum.

Tammy Swofford


tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Surmounting the Challenges: Daily Times of Pakistan

It is always a pleasure to write for an English proficient audience in Pakistan. Naturally, my own Urdu proficiency is..... it is.... negligible. smile



Sunday article link



Tammy Swofford

GRATEFUL

Now at the point of writing _Arsenal_ in my mind it is against a backdrop of reading which takes me into European thought. All my writing is essentially in the form of an outline in my brain before I set upon the task of seeking to write with a clarity and style which is easy to read.

Yesterday, my mind took flight in a different direction and I stamped my literary passport for Saudi Arabia and read a book put out by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs related to a women's health issue.

There is an unconfirmed report that Egypt will begin to allow veiled women to broadcast the news. This is also a women's health issue. An open face speaks of an open society. A smile speaks of friendship. Remove the culturo-religious aspects and examine the psychological aspects of veiled women. Dig deeper to examine the psychological posture of veiled women in an open society. It breeds militancy against the host culture.

Grateful. I remain grateful for my American heritage rooted in European Enlightenment.

Free moral agency.... freedom to make mistakes. Boundaries.... for things which harm the other. Governance as scaffolding as opposed to web.

Our civilizations are different. My friendship is extended to many Muslims. I count on their perspective as I write, to release a better product. But let not the shadow of a veil darken Europe nor America. Liberty. The gift of the Creator. America. The city on the hill.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Khalid Ali Al-Dawsari: The Bush Home as Target

Here is the Bush residence in Preston Hollow.


Click on link


Can we just ship this guy to Libya or Somalia? Just to a nice F-cking place where he won't have to interact with infidels too much?

Pissed? You betcha.


Tammy Swofford

Hey, LtGen Caldwell - Profile Me!

The Delta Force psy-ops men parachuted onto a field and joined our Detachment for a field evolution. They taught us how to make small traps to catch animals, took us on a tour of the field to tell us which weeds and berries were edible, and we feasted on raw cactus. This group had a member who had taken a bullet in Afghanistan and we admired the scar along his jaw-line. Spit out teeth, he did, along with the blood. I recoiled hearing his story. Toward the end of the evolution one of the men told me that if I wanted to bring a few nurses out for another training evolution they would teach us how to slit throats. A few goats would lose their lives in defense of our nation. Wow! What fun! Er..... No thanks! Gosh! Did they profile me? Hmmm

Creating a profile is not unethical. Give me a name and ten minutes and a digital footprint will provide a few facts. Anyone with a grade school education can use a search engine. Someone came into my email with a "request" two days ago. Prior to their appearance I didn't know they existed. Now I know where they live and with whom they co-mingle. No harm done. They are now in the trash pile of Tammy Swofford's brain.

But profiling elected officials for manipulation? Unethical.

It becomes distincly unethical if profiles are developed by the military to manipulate our Congressional body. The line between information-gathering and sophisticated operations against a target demographic has been crossed, if the allegations are supported by the facts. A military shop should be efficient. It should also be clean. Our ranks must be highly respected and trusted. That way, when the moment is there to speak our words will be weighed in serious manner and due consideration given our thoughts. If Senator "X" is needed to bring an appropriations bill safely through his committee so be it. But let it be on the merits of the case. It should not be due to a constant barrage of psy-ops manipulation. Our troops are valuable. Their operational needs must be met. But let the needs be met based on rational discourse, not the encroachment of emotional psychological pull. Let it not be because Senator "X" has a daughter in a Brownie troop, and she is commended for her patriotism, nor to note that the Senator's wife always wears a flag pin.

Link to article

Tunisia, Egypt, Libya..... and Saudi Arabia

Tunisia sparked with a human torch. Egypt erupted on a Tuesday, a mere two days after a jihad message board posted a "Tuesday Day of Wrath" announcement. Libya set their date and although it started out in a manner which looked like it would not gain traction, the population found their second wind and identified their stride. Saudi Arabia has a save-the-date for interested activists. The allowance for a longer planning stage prior to protest speaks of a greater level of caution.

Kicking back and watching this from the sidelines a basic thought keeps rumbling through my brain.

Deliverance is not freedom. The former is no guarantee of the latter. But hope provides a powerful motivation which creates the new political dynamic. May the hopeful "delivered" seek out the best of new leadership to replace the corrupted leaders who find themselves suddenly on the outskirts of humanity and dwelling in the Empty Quarter of power.

Tammy Swofford

The Obama Administration: The Presidential Seal Drops the American Shield on the Defense of Marriage

President Barack Obama claims his position on gay marriage is "constantly evolving". He is "grappling". Front man Eric Holder claims those who wish to preserve both tradition and heritage are engaged in "stereotype-based thinking". Yeah, middle America, the taxpaying burro is the Mini-me of evil. The federal Defense of Marriage Act finds a societal shield endangered by Presidential seal. Duped again, by the message of change.

I strongly support marriage as a fenced asset for Americans, an unassailable concept on which the survival of society is dependent. Stable heterosexual marriages are the safety net for children. The decline of the traditional family, as already noted by our divorce rates, erode our national health. Gay "marriages" further erode national health in manner both perceptible and subtle.

While President Obama shows confusion which bends easily to political power bloc, many Americans remain firm in conviction. Polling questions twist in the wind and skew the national will based on the way they are presented. Questions address human rights. Hell, who isn't for rights? But should we support what is wrong? It is wrong to kick traditional societal mores aside which have served our nation well. Strong marriages provide for a strong American fabric.

Marriage is a sacred vow taken between adult men and women, acknowledging that it is only with a consideration to honor God and His divine laws that society retains a smattering of a real chance. Strong marriages provide the bedrock which make allowances for the non-traditional arrangements which can erode, but not destroy the family. But when the bedrock is destroyed, a nation declines.

The family unit with the protective function of the male and nurturing function of the female demonstrate gender identity and human relations and how things are meant to work. This complimentary relationship of husband and wife, their love for each other, models for the children the best available option.

A middle-aged president is still seeking to determine his convictions. But since he still "grapples" should he use the powerful Presidential Seal when lacking the clear voice to defend his own position? Pity the man.

Article link

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Rush Limbaugh: Sorry, Rush - Michelle Obama can eat her ribs

Two thousand painkillers prescribed by four medical doctors over six months. That is what ole Rush was eating until he was charged with prescription drug abuse.

Rush has a hearing aid now. Sudden hearing loss is the side-effect of one of the drugs Rush was consuming.

Rush is too self-righteous for my taste.

The First Lady has every right to enjoy a good plate of ribs.

It beats Oxycontin on the taste scale and it is also legal fare.

Pass me a napkin. I will be happy to join her. smile

The yapping bulldog

Tammy Swofford

The State Department Analysts: Hard at work - Unfortunately

The Wall Street Journal had an editorial regarding Libya today. This little statement caught my eye:

"Until it "suspended" him yesterday, Saif was dubbed a "Young Global Leader" by the grandees at the World Economic Forum in Geneva. A State Department official—who spoke on background, fortunately for his reputation—told the press Sunday that the U.S. was "analyzing the speech of Saif al-Islam Gadhafi to see what possibilities it contains for meaningful reform." Is that analysis taking place during or in between bombing runs?"

Having seen some of the handiwork of the bomb runs posted on a jihad site it seems that a message with clarity and integrity would be in the best interests of our nation. Why the pandering lie? I always worry about such things.

Said al-Islam Gadhafi gave his "to the last bullet" edict in his hanging-onto-the-ledge speech. Yep, he claimed every projectile in the arsenal would be used against the civilian population.

Genocide and reform are incompatible concepts. I suppose we should have sought out the "reform" side of Hitler whilst he sang a merry song and packed the Jews into the cattle cars.

That being noted, I disagree with the editorial stance of the WSJ. Crippling the Libyan air defenses seems plausible. Arming civilians is an incredibly bad deal.

Tammy Swofford

Libya Protests: February 21st

Photos emerging from Libya confirm that the Gaddafi regime is unafraid of a scorched earth policy against the citizens. The aerial bombardments are causing frantic attempts on the ground to repulse the attacks by lighting fires with mounds of burning tires to create a temporary smoke screen. There are isolated reports of aircraft aloft with pilots who are choosing to fire upon their military comrades as opposed to individuals on the ground.

Water and electricity are being cut off from the city of Tripoli. Medical intervention is exhausted as evidenced by a long list of medications placed online, as the needed pharmaceuticals for a hospital in Tripoli.

The photography of injuries defies description.

Here is the crazy bastard informing us that he is still the boss....

Click on link

Tammy Swofford

The Fit Hits the Shan: Morocco, Libya and Bahrain

Images are in short supply, but the Morocco link shows what is the beginning point of chaos for Morocco, with a willingness to take to the side streets to burn vehicles. Their February 20 date for inception of a revolt is off to what has the appearance of a less well-planned beginning than the Egyptian caravan of hope.

The Twitter storm is active for Libya with tweets that medical aid convoys are blocked at the border. Continued reports of live fire against citizens is being duly noted with a poker face by Libyan leadership. Those being shot at are quite a bit more emotional regarding being in the crosshairs.

The Bahrain Sunni demographic claim an Iranian snake at work in their garden. They are none too happy.

No further news on the "save the date" for Saudi Arabia.

The fit continues to hit the shan.

Too much, too little, too late.

I am considering purchasing a bicycle....

Morocco link

Libya at night

Tammy Swofford

The Movements: How Peaceful Upheavals Become Raiders of Commerce

The citizens of Egypt rose up and after making their way to Tahrir Square, found a way into my own heart. The same sentiment holds true for many international observers who watched the manner in which a primarily restrained revolt brought a national iron man to his knees.

Egyptians located their backbones in the same way which has been done throughout the centuries when desperate human need pushes fear aside to seek both solution and solace. Corrupt government drinks from a cup of wrath and when the cup is full things move very quickly and history is changed. Egyptians have changed the course of their nation. But there is not a benevolent fairy available to wave the wand and reward them for their initial success. The flag waving is over and more than a few cupboards are empty.

Problematic for Egypt and all of the other movements is how those involved become temporary inadvertent raiders of commerce. They take to the streets because mouths must be fed and jobs are lacking. But when citizens left Tahrir Square they returned to their homes with less than they came and a long road ahead for any potential recovery from the misery inflicted by their self-serving leaders. Mubarak. Just a loathsome man. He is gone but his corruption still hangs as a shadow across the landscape.

Problematic with any outpouring of sympathy and aid is securing a delivery system where goods and services can (in actuality) reach the intended recipient. Our own nation suffered a tragic loss in 1993 when Operation Gothic Serpent became badly skewed from the intended operational plan and we were left with horribly mangled bodies of our servicemen on the streets of Mogadishu. The journalism community also lost four members of their corps.

The primary target of the Battle of Mogadishu was General Mohammed Aidid. He was a warlord in a military uniform. One of the reasons for his targeting was his interference with international aid shipments meant for the people of Somalia. He interfered with the delivery system, and it was just one of the smaller crimes he committed against the vulnerable poor.

So Steven, I don't have the answer for the current plight of hunger in Egypt. I wish you well and may the Albert Einstein Institution find much success in coming days. We need strong critical thinkers; men and women who are humanists with well-cultivated ideas. I count you among them, my friend. smile

Perhaps the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, D.C. is a good place to start for a solid query as where to direct gifts of financial aid which have provision for a efficient delivery system to the recipient. Beyond that, the problem is beyond my scope of capability.

Embassy of Egypt


General Aidid

Best Wishes,

Tammy Swofford

Preface to Blog

One of the steady readers of this blog is a man from New York who contacted me early on to compliment me on my content. He has since become a solid friend and confidante whom I trust with my thoughts. On receipt of my thoughts he patiently adjusts my compass. It is the gift of intellect. Steven is a business man who is aligned with the Albert Einstein Institution and is a friend of the scholarly founder, Gene Sharp. The Albert Einstein Institution embraces non-violent solutions.

Steven sent me the following Facebook posting earlier this week and I promised that I would write a blog regarding the topic.

"Where is the international mobilization for aid for Egypt? Facebook should open a million pages in all languages to get organized.The starvation is around the corner.We need an international movement to lift out the people from the poverty."

The Albert Einstein Institution

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Benghazi, Libya Awaits "Bloody Sunday"

On the Twitter reporting front:

Tweet #1

The city of Benghazi is described as having sustained a "massacre" and to be awaiting a massacre tomorrow.

Tweet #2

Heavy artillery is being used against the demonstrators and an estimated 500 bodies lie in the streets of Benghazi. There are estimates of thousands injured.

Tweet # 3

Tear gas and batons used by local police.

Tweet #4

Helicopters overhead and machine gun fire is sprayed into the crowds.

Tweet #5

Twelve cities involved in protests.

Tweet #6

"Indiscriminate bombing" of men, women and children, with massive sustained burn injuries.

Tweet # 7

Aircraft are arriving at an airfield near Benghazi city with African mercenaries brought in for "Bloody Sunday".

We must fall on our knees and pray. Hell has opened her mouth in Libya today.

Tammy Swofford

The Muslim Brotherhood Speaks: February 19th

The Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo, Egypt gave a press release today regarding their intent as they seek to move within a new political process in a post-Mubarak environment.

Areas to roll up their sleeves:

*National economy
*Issues of class justice
*Dialogue

Their list of targets was a bit longer:

*Corrupt business owners and enterprise
*Corrupt former and current elected officials
*Investigation of financial laundering, seeking to freeze assets
*Prosecution of members of the security apparatus
*Journalists who worked a the behest of the regime

This initial release is geared to the domestic front. As of yet, no statements regarding their near neighbors, and of most importance, the nation of Israel. But the stance is one of establishing a strong political voice with a look toward the six month window in which they have to work before an anticipated election. The elder statesman led the Friday prayers. Now the political ranks are being formed up and leadership will soon emerge from the shadows.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

The Movements: February 18th

The news is very bad all around.

Libya is in chaos. Twitter rumors show Muammar Gaddafi on the run. Unconfirmed.

Bahrain? Escalating.

Morocco? Two more days.

Saudi Arabia? In the crosshairs of the scope. Date set. Networking is doing its magic.

Spaces need to be darkened. Period. The region requires stability.

The photos above are coming out of Gaza. It is a show of support by Al-Qassam Brigades for the people of Egypt.

The world is rapidly changing. Do you feel the quake?

New readership: Use the meta tag to read "The Movements" (Part I-III)

You will be brought up to speed regarding my thoughts as expressed in February 2009.

Tammy Swofford

The Movements: Tahrir Square on February 18th

For an aging cleric, banned for thirty years - a stunning mass of humanity attend the celebration which includes the Friday prayer. Here is an abbreviated explanation of the timing of the prayer, given to me this morning by a scholar whom I hold in high esteem. As he is working on a difficult fifth century Arabic text with a doctoral student today, I appreciate his quick response.

"Juma'a is prayed when sun begins to descend from highest curve of point of the day."

And I do have to ask the question. What is the temperature in Cairo today? I would hate to be in the middle of such a massive bundle of compressed life.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Bahrain: The Images

How much is organic? And how much of this is the work of agitprop cells? Several months ago, the existence of deeply placed agitprop cells within Bahrain and other regions with a Shi'a demographic were noted in a post on a jihad site.

The Movements: Writing for the Daily Times

Readers,

I continue to follow the movements. Things are tunneling into the underground and less of a view in the public square in the last few days. Morocco seems to still be a "go", but we will see what happens when the day dawns. (February 20th - to "restore dignity")

Daily Times article link


Best Regards,

Tammy Swofford

CBS Correspondent Lara Logan: Crouching Lion, Thirsty Gazelle

The lion had crouched patiently within the reeds of the river for days. Predatory eyes patiently awaited the prey. The solitary gazelle moved toward the river. Catching the rays of sun which scattered diamonds across the rippling current she slowly and gracefully bent her neck to drink. She was quite unaware of the danger, somehow unobservant of her surroundings. But then it was too late....

*********************************************************************************

When the eyes change the behavior changes. Protesters in Tahrir Square had been in a predatory mood for days. Their eyes sought out the prey - President Hosni Mubarak. The energy was at a peak whilst yet combined with a distinct drain of emotional reserves to the constantly changing events of the preceding days when the news broke. A regime had fallen.

Jubilation erupted. A huge confused mass of protoplasm was packed into Tahrir Square. Crying, fainting, hysterical outbursts and chants abounded. But the eyes were still changed. The predator still looked for the prey.

Unaware of the element of danger, thirsty for the story, a gazelle lowered her head to take a drink.

The Movements: Libya Protests, February 16

Activists in Libya are using Twitter to update the situation in Libya. Facebook postings are also evident. Reports place tanks in Tripoli and Muammar Gaddafi in the city of Sabha, with an alternate report of his location as Benghazzi. This city is sparking with a spate of noticeable unrest in recent hours. Regardless, it is believed Gaddafi has fled the capitol.

The HQ of Internal Security, police stations and their vehicles are being targeted for arson and vandalism. But there are also reports of live ammunition being used against protesters, and the death of one child due to live fire.

Citizens of Bani Walid are burning photos of their soon-to-be-departed leader and threats are being issued against both Gaddafi's family and his tribe.

Islamic scholars in the U.K. are weighing in and one message made its way to a jihad forum. The message urges non-violent struggle.

The movements continue.....

Tammy Swofford

CBS News Reporter Lara Logan: Choosing Extreme Risk in Managing her Reporting Stream

Lara Logan received a warning. I had read her earlier account of detention by the Egyptian military, the recommendation that she move quickly to leave the environment from which she was reporting. In fact, the stern warning was to leave the country post-haste. Perhaps the military understood the imminent danger? In one interview after her first trip to Tahrir Square she noted that it possibly might not be "smart" to return. The voice of reason?

Just as I believe that women belong in the military my support is extended for seasoned female correspondents who wish to see history unfold before their eyes and bring back the best of their craft to us. But just as my training included rape prevention and close quarter combat with an eye toward dealing with a solitary male assailant, it seems the training of a journalist is lacking.

Years ago a friend of mine entered an apartment with five men present. She accepted an alcoholic beverage and awakened hours later with no memory of events. What was she thinking?!

Lara Logan walked into a screaming mob of men with a camera instead of an assault rifle.

My tremendous pity is extended to this woman who has a husband and also a small son. It is not my intent to make an object lesson from extreme tragedy. But what are the rules of engagement for female journalists and what allowances for them to move freely within restive mobs? She entered Egypt and left safely the first time. Her second trip, will provide a continuing unfolding tragedy for the remainder of her life.

My prayers, are extended.

Lara Logan

Tammy Swofford
tammyswofford@yahoo.com

The State of the Movements: February 15

The various activists continue to move forward with their message and the posting of what are termed "provocative" graphics continues.

The radio station controlled by the Mujahideen Youth Movement in Somalia is calling for their members to "Rise Up" against the government in Somalia. Last time I checked, Old Mother Hubbard only controlled a few square blocks of Mogadishu, propped up by international aid and not much else. There is a ghost of a functioning government.

Libya and Algeria remain in the crosshairs. Yemen also remains a target of opportunity in spite of President Ali Abdullah Saleh suddenly declaring an open door policy to his disgruntled citizens.

Activists in Morocco have set the date for their protest but noting an unusually heavy security presence on the streets it appears that leadership will move underground and the date may be adjusted and played with a bit.

I noted the first-ever cover of a cyber magazine showcasing protesters, as opposed to the usual images of U.S. troops, caskets, broken vehicles, etc. Of concern, the golden moments which these uprisings will provide for the advancement of operational terror activities.

Tammy Swofford

U.S. Department of State: For Everything a Season

Neda Agha-Soltan. Blood is precious. Every drop.

Should our State Department be engaged in fomenting unrest in Iran? That is the question.

In looking at the small droplet of news that the U.S. State Department has set up a Twitter account to encourage Iranians to rise up against their government it is with the distinct understanding that I am not part of any policy circle involved in decision-making ventures. But my heart harbors a few concerns. My expressive function will move in abbreviated manner as I trust the readership to pull the threads of the Gordion knot on their own.

*There is tremendous unrest across the Middle East. Is this an opportune time to take that additional swat at Iran?

*Should national protest movements be organic in nature or assisted along by artificial means? This game is as old as government. But should we be playing it?

*Already, adaptation processes are in motion for the various populist movements on the ground in the various countries in the Middle East. What looks like "success" in Egypt cannot be judged at this nascent beginning. "Be careful what you wish for...." comes to mind.

*We are at the beginning point of unrest in the Middle East, fueled by digital access and global communications - something which I warned about two years ago from my (home) research cubicle.

*Democracy cannot precede stability. The greater the instability on grand scale, the more hazardous the political terrain. Stability is required for democratic process to work. It is the soil which offers a place for the plant of freedom to flourish. We cannot afford a vortex of instability at the moment.

*I worry. I worry that we ignore a basic admonition of a man whom history considers one of the wisest men to ever grace our planet. Is it a time to plant or a time to pluck? A time to break down or a time to build up? A time to gain or a time to lose?

Foreign policy contains elements of timing. Perhaps it is the wrong time to seek to increase regional instability? Think about it. And remember that sacrifice should be borne on the shoulders of those willing to pay the personal price. Remember Neda Agha-Soltan.

Tammy Swofford

Department of State: Inspiration Lacking, Unethical Plan

The U.S. Department of State has set up a Twitter account in Farsi to urge Iranians to protest against their regime.

The next blog will address why this small move is imprudent, and shows an inability of the State Department to assess the historical timeline and the ignition point which is now in existence.

This is not the time for child's play.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Valentine's Day 2011

My forty-eight roses and two boxes of chocolate arrived early so that I could have the flowers for the weekend. A Friday morning delivery of two dozen roses was followed with a Friday evening delivery. The watercolors are by artist Henry Hopley White. The candlesticks are Royal Doulton. The flowers were created by God.

Smiling,

Tammy

Mubarak is Out - Redecoration is "In"

Workers removing portraits of Mubarak are opting for seventh century script. Allah.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: Tweeting Which Exposes an Administration with Professional Issues

In the past two weeks the blog has presented what are essentially public consumption statements. Two long-term readers noted the change and took the time to pick up the phone with a query as to the status of the blog. Yes, the posts were intentional, generated from what is not normally a source for solid facts - but presented to familiarize the readership with the sentiment of our international community.

The blog status will soon return to the norm. But regarding information, intentional disinformation, and public statements by highly placed government officials - the tweet sent out by Ms. Pelosi - picked up and put on a jihad message board (and also U.S. blogs) gives me a level of concern regarding the professional demeanor of those tasked with governance, and America's image abroad.

Here is the first question:

Should our highly-placed elected representatives be tweeting with their party hats and kazoos in hand or should the tone be more measured? There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.

Here is the second question:

Should the posture be one of hasty congratulations for "democracy" which fuels a few more aspirations on the ground, or texts which note that democracy requires clean and ethical government, solid leadership, and a compliant population willing to roll up their sleeves and allow for the possible decade-level increments of change?

Whilst tweets join with tweets in congratulatory cacophony, I sit looking out my window at the many birds seated silently within the bare branches of the towering oaks. The classic film analogy is there for view. We miss how the edges of thought as expressed by Hitchcock present valuable germs of truth regarding this century and how the restless movements of emancipation and self-determination will make the task of stability an increasingly difficult one.

Perhaps it is imprudent to tweet a public consumption message which denies the harsh reality of the days ahead? As Nancy chirps, purge lists are being prepared by activists in Egypt.

Tammy Swofford

********************************************************************************

Readers:

James Oppenheim is a personal friend and has a nice piece on the link below, which examines the Hitchcock film through a linguistic lens.

Click here for link

Egypt: February 11th

Forum sites speak of "informed sources" divulging the departure of President Mubarak from Egypt five hours ago. Yesterday, the destination for Mubarak was stated to be Dubai.

Estimates place four million protesters on the streets in what was slated to be called the "Friday Crawl" toward the presidential palace after the traditional Friday prayers.

A large group of clerics plan a rally-the-faithful meeting tomorrow in Mansoura.

Ahmed Ezz is being targeted with a name with symbolic value which all Muslims understand. That name is Abu Lahab, and Al-Lahab (Surah 111) is short and sweet. Five ayat. A curse on a man and his wife. The symbolism extends far beyond the Qur'an and moves into Hadith and Seerah literature.

The television station is besieged, as are government buildings in Suez City.

Unrest. Lack of resolution. Egypt.

Tammy Swofford

Mubarak Stays, the Crowd Begins to Move

Mubarak stays. The backlash is strong. The reports speak of fainting and hysterical outbursts in Tahrir Square when the news which was not anticipated was delivered. It seems the crowd is now rejuvenated and there is movement toward the presidential palace according to the latest reports being sent to a jihad forum. Egypt reels. The world awaits. As for myself, the hope remained that a president would step aside tonight after a three decade reign. History continues to unfold. The prayers are for resolution and peace. But there is a sentiment being expressed regarding Mubarak's decline to step down from the presidency tonight. "If he wants to die on the soil of Egypt...." You can figure out the rest. Morning will break and Egypt will still dominate the headlines. It is sincerely hoped that a man who is unable to relinquish his grip will not receive his wish, albeit in a fashion neither envisioned nor desired.

If Tweets are Believable: Mubarak Resigns Tonight and Leaves for Dubai

The tweets being sent out by Wael Ghonim are fun to read. They read in a quite practical manner and are at times a bit poetic. He does state his intention to return to professional life soon and walk away from the politics on the ground.

Interspersed with his musings are the tweets of others being sent out regarding President Mubarak. The rumor mill has him giving a resignation speech tonight and packing his luggage for Dubai.

One tweet of a participant in the chatter claims that while it took thirty years to hate Mubarak it only took three days to hate Omar Suleiman. There is actually very little sloganeering at this point in what I am reading. It seems that a bit of hesitancy is the emotional posture currently on display amongst the activists.

As always, these things are looked at for sentiment rather than factual data gathering required for professional journalism. But I have enjoyed my small place on the perch of history. A new day will dawn for Egyptians tomorrow. I wish them well as they seek to return to societal homeostasis and to pick up the familiar ebb and flow of their lives.

Tammy Swofford

Republican Christopher Lee: Dumb and Dumber

Sing along with me: "Mocking, Mockingbird".

The news of a man posing shirtless for a female admirer after posting an advertisement on that draining-the-swamp site, Craigslist, is a yawner. But what can be said when the man in question is a government official elected to uphold the interests of his state?

Naturally, in a "women-seeking-man" hook, the worm of the poor wife is never mentioned when the husband responds to the ad. Macho man was divorced. Wife? Who me? We elect them, they shock us with their secret lives. Isn't that the way it works? Could the man have sought out a discreet mistress? He could have posed in her bedroom and er.... well, we all know the "what else" scenario. Hmmmm

Do sing along with me. The scene from the film "Dumb and Dumber" seems aptly appropriate today.

Sing along by clicking here:

Because we always elect the best

Article Link



Tammy Swofford

Wael Ghonim: A Quarter of a Million Citizens Converge on Tahrir Square

News coming from Egypt at 10:15 p.m. gives an estimate of 250,000 citizens packed in and around Tahrir Square with a concerted effort to deny access to government buildings. News is also coming in regarding smaller protests in other cities and regions along the Nile Delta.

One website is now posting graphics of the "martyrs" of the protest. There is one photo of a female and one with the appearance of an adolescent boy. These images cannot be verified on my end.

In other chatter:

Algeria has set their date for a protest as has Libya, but bloggers in Libya are quaking a bit at this point. More than a few, are shutting down the bravado in fear of a crushing response. Baghdad activists have targeted February 14th for "sit-ins" at five locations with both a FB site and list of emails and telephone numbers of the organizational team. The FB graphic is quite interesting. It is a hand making the traditional peace sign. Yet the complete hand has the appearance of an explosion of flame with the intensity of a refinery fire. The meaning appears a bit mixed.

Tammy Swofford

A Car You Don't Have to Own to Be Proud Of

Gosh, the Chrysler 200 has arrived. The television advertisement was great. But the graphic posted on the internet makes me rush to kiss the feet of my fifth grade grammar teacher.

The news breaks with a sentence ending in the word "of".

"Imported from Detroit".

Clever, but inaccurate based on the definition of an import. The words "commodities" "merchandise" and "foreign" come to mind when considering an import.


Functional illiteracy is alive and well in America. But then again, the commercial presentation used an artist who is well-known for quite interesting word usage in his music.

Did this company get a bailout? wink

Tammy

The Movements: Part III

*In examining emancipation or self-determination movements chat rooms must be frequented, multiple Islamic websites must be viewed and articles must be read which are written from Muslim-majority nations.... In looking at these things the level of sentiment which is being attached to various core concepts in Islam must be examined to see which things are gaining traction within 21st century geopolitical thought. It is a mistake to ignore websites which are poorly written. The sites provide thought capture on sentimentality, passion and propensity to aggression. On the one hand, the poorer masses are attracted to a message of emancipation.... The poor are the pawns on the geopolitical stage and they will rally to the cry of freedom. The poor have the most to lose due to poor educational and cognitive skills. Stability operations, as in the new Army Doctrine, will target these vulnerabilities.

*The white collar professionals move within another stream and it is the movement for self-determination. They decry what they consider the puppet regimes of the West, whether it is Hosni Mubarak of Egypt or the (former president) Musharraf of Pakistan. Seeking redress through political process these groups work within the political blocs and recognized parties to seat their candidates into the legal parliamentary structures and offices within their government. The white collar professionals within the self-determination movement work up into the chain of command to bring pressure into political process. But they also move down the chain on occasion into the lives of the poor to bring benefit. One such example is this group, which has a bread distribution program for the needy in Lahore.

View link here

*There is a distinct psychological phenomenon which has play in both the emancipation and self- determination movements. An accelerated move by the younger, firebrand idealists who wish to raise socio-political consciousness among the masses allows little time for due process, which may take months or possibly years. Finding themselves inadequate for process, impatient in goal achievement, they seek validation through the ability to create a struggling mass. This mass of humanity is then guided to seek the means by which the powerless and poor have used over centuries to make a point: violence.

*We are being ambushed on many sides. The bilateral movements will be difficult to monitor and we will experience flashpoints of unrest across the globe in this century. The ability of technology to ambush our best-laid plans for stability operations will come via heart-to-heart little chats on the internet. The disenfranchised and angry Arab male will be the reality of the 21st century.

**Readers - just to recap - these paragraphs are taken from writing meant primarily for a military and analyst community. These thoughts were released in February 2009.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

IEA Releases Their Latest Issue to the Newsstand

Well, other than the disproportionate graphics, the content looks oddly familiar. These guys just cannot think outside of the box. When I have twenty minutes and the urge to lose a few more brain cells I will crack the issue open for a real peek. In the meantime the usual instructions apply: Don't read. 'Tis a waste of time. This made an appearance yesterday. As these things tend to make tandem appearances, a couple more magazines will soon make their way to the cyber stands. The unpredictable release is always the offering from Al-Qaida in Yemen. They do maintain a bit higher standard, when it comes to putting actual "news" on the page. They outdid themselves with the issue giving us a blow-by-blow on their package bombs (Operation Hemorrhage).

The Movements: Part II

*When looking at the vast difference between the many sects of Islam (dominant sects of Sunni, Shi'a and Sufi come immediately to mind) and how Islam plays out in cultures across the globe it can be difficult to see how Islam will rise as one man, as noted in the Covenant of Madinah. On a rational level it can seem ludicrous to envision 1.3 billion Muslims becoming organizationally solid as a single political power bloc. So it is possible to quickly discount the need for further contemplation. But Islam is rising as one man in ways which are intangible. It is doing so through consolidation of belief that Islam is a Deen, or a comprehensive and self-sustaining system of life. It is doing so through the rising global consciousness that Islam supercedes all other considerations.... It is rising as one man through strong national movements forming regional tributaries which then branch off into the Muslim diaspora in the West.

*A global social consciousness of Islam is rising. It is riding the crest of technology and fiberoptic capabilities. Having monitored the movements of Islam, the expressed sentiment coming via e-mail dialogue and chat rooms, my thoughts travel in simple manner. I rapidly place shards of information into much broader categories. Properly aligned, the shards produce the kaleidoscopic picture. I have placed the movements of Islam into bilateral streams of *emancipation and *self-determination. These are skeletal determinations that merely aid my research and all are open to look at the Islamic movements through separate lens and consideration.

*Each stream is moving differently dependent on variables within Sunni or Shi'a political thought and jurisprudence. A tributary which is beginning to form which concerns me is that of resistance movements. This particular movement is one which seeks to bring nusrah, or the support of the general population, to the insurgency groups which are building within urban centers in destabilized regions. Placing the general population into a defensive and resistant posture against the existing government structures will increase both the operational and legal danger for our troop deployments in the future.

Tammy Swofford

Algerians Target February 12th for Protest

Algeria is ramping up for February 12th. YouTube messages are being effectively blocked, but a few networking venues manage to get "the message" out. The above, is a graphic from one networking site.

*Spaces will continue to be darkened for the sake of stability. This remains a short-term solution for what will be long term problems.

Tammy

The Movements: Part I

"The Covenant of Madina stipulates that the Muslims "Constitute one Ummah" and "All believers shall rise as one man against whomsoever rebels or seeks to commit injustice, aggression, wrong action or spread mutual enmity between believers, even though he be one of their sons.... All believers are banded together to the exclusion of other men."

Taken from "The Myth and Reality of the Islamic State by Abid Ullah Jan.

*This is their century. It is a time when Islam will rise as one man. Islam will define and bring a consolidation to the geopolitical nature of a system of belief. As Islam moves forward in this century do analysts lack predictive analysis and thought capture capabilities to put clearly articulated commentary on the page?

*The State Department does not understand the rise of Islam as one man. It is absolute trash for ideas to be formulated around scripted responses offered from the Muslim community that we should be careful not to offend, attach any modifier to the word terrorist, delete certain words from dialogue and walk in a posture that cowers and does not stand at attention. My blood pressure went through the roof recently (2009) when an analyst sent me an official guide which chided us against word usage which might be mispronounced, such as "Qutbist" with the word for "books" in Arabic. The writer demanded that the words mujahideen or jihad not be used and expressed additional nonsense biased against rational thought. Some are paid to barely move from desk to the coffee machine and back at the State Department. They should switch to drinking tea and just trying to read the leaves. While small minds worry about removing certain words from the lexicon of human expression, I could not finish reading the document sent to me because of the absolute stupidity expressed.....

*The preservation of our national values and sovereignty is not dependent on the simplistic belief that a smallish hit list of "words not to use with Muslims" will degrade conflict. Such illogical and opaque thoughts cannot be supported with documentation.

*....From the aforementioned website you may order "Book of a Mujahideen". They got my money and probably made a primitive IED sporting my initials with the proceeds. Luckily, it is now available online as an eBook for free. If you are obsessive compulsive, count the many times the words mujahid and shaheed are written. Small minds think small thoughts. It is a dullard who imagines a new prevailing peace if we merely engage censorship of language. Absence of conflict is not synonymous with peace, but it can provide a psychological veneer for the faint of heart.... But in this century we desperately need the unconventional weaponry of the Intellectual Battlespace.

*The elevation of political tensions in the world and the capabilities of technology and transportation will make this a most dangerous century. Let those who have abandoned logic continue to light their little candles. The remainder of us must move into predictive analysis and thought capture.

Tammy Swofford

The Movements: Preface

What will be on the page next will be the release of a few paragraphs from my brief, "Rise as One Man: Islam in the 21st Century". I will bundle it into three blogs. In making a determination to release a bit of this writing it is also with the first public acknowledgement that I am observing the rise of a third movement, beyond the identified movements of emancipation and self determination.

As I spend nearly a year in research prior to releasing my writing the third movement will not be discussed at this point.

But I sincerely hope that you enjoy what I place on the page of the blog for your consideration.

Tammy

Democracy Lite: An American Tale

America may be hated in some quarters. But America is still expected to take the lead. Our President is expected to deliver the critical thought, offer the critical examination. Instead, I feel like we are playing political hopscotch.

We are offered this statement by President Obama regarding the turmoil in Egypt.

"We want to see this moment of turmoil turned into a moment of opportunity," Obama said in Washington....

What the hell? Pardon my blush.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks of the "perfect storm" and does nail some of the powerful trends which have play in what is happening in the Middle East.

It is time to open the Swofford files a bit and place private writing for the military community on the page. Two years ago my brief, "Rise as One Man: Islam in the 21st Century" was sent out to a global community. It was released in February 2009. One chapter titled "The Movements" dealt with the examination of what I felt were two powerful movements in the Middle East: *emancipation and *self-determination (movements).

Earlier this week, I released the chapter to the editorial staff of the Daily Times of Pakistan and sent it along to the WSJ. But to this point, my distribution list has been military, analytical and outsource intelligence contacts.

But with the Middle East looking like a cluster bomb and our President speaking of opportunity and the State Department choir crooning their democracy tune, it seems best to release a few critical thoughts to the page of the blog. Perhaps it will be formatted a bit differently, perhaps it will receive an upgrade. But I will not be speaking of "opportunity". The word which comes to mind is "challenge".

Hopscotch, Baby!


The next three blogs will be titled "The Movements". It will be an abbreviated look at my work. I will post the first one later today.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Egypt Revolt: Latest News - February 4

It had been my intent to merely bundle my photography of the field medicine for protestors and the mood on the street until the swell of protests declined.

But I return to the blog to request prayer for the people. There is a significant concern at this point which is being expressed: Lack of hydration. The ferrying of food and supplies to the protestors is noted to be blocked; a concern expressed for both the congestion and stampeding of the crowd today, and the use of the word "martyrs" to describe the last twenty-four hours.

We should be concerned with the news that families with children were joining the protest. The elderly and the children are the most susceptible to dehydration and as a nurse who understand these issues - who suffered heat exhaustion in Africa - we need to pray.

Tammy Swofford

The Earth Stands Silent

The Dallas area presents as a snow fantasy this morning. Awake by 4:30 to race to the dining area, the breathtaking beauty of the Creator awaited. The earth stands silent, man ceases his work.

The bare tree branches sport the tuxedo effect of nature. I love tree branches stripped of their autumn clothing, sturdy for winter blast. But the branches laden with snow speak of promise.

The earth stands silent, a witness to a God of replenishment.

Who is man, that you are mindful of him?

Tammy Swofford

Egypt February 2: Violence Erupts, Hell Exists

Readers,

This will be my final post on Egypt until the riots conclude. Today was enough for me. One picture of the death of a man under the tread of a military vehicle was sufficient for me to note that hell has opened her corridor onto the earth today. I was not quite prepared for what I saw and do not want to witness the carnage which may follow.

The unwillingness of President Mubarak to leave the stage brings us to a day where his supporters have now entered the fray and there is considerable citizen-on-citizen violence. Abduction of protestors is being noted with the use of civilian vehicles. Warning shots are being fired by the military. But what I saw under the tread of a vehicle - has brought me to tears. This photo on a jihad site will undoubtedly be the first of many which will be posted in the following hours. The potential for tremendous bloodshed seems apparent now.

How much better it would have been if the man who claimed to love his soil would have demonstrated a greater love for his people by showing a willingness to do what would strengthen the nation. Dirt or blood? Which is more precious in the eyes of God?

On the other side of hell - I will return to the blog. The images which will be shown across alternate networks will be too much for me. Prayers will be offered. May God reach into hell and show mercy.

Tammy Swofford

Bound By Kindness - Omar Garcia

Omar Garcia and I share a professional friendship which has spanned several years. His lifetime work to assist the poor and hidden faces within humanity is always the whisper to my own conscience.

In the truest sense, it is when we are blessed that we complain the most. We complain that we pay for a car repair. We own a car. We complain when the roof leaks. We have a home with a roof over our head. How ungrateful we become in light of our many blessings.

I remember when Omar told me of his venture in Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake. Here is his latest post - a remembrance of a time in his life which affected him deeply. And Omar, by his acts of kindness is one of those "forever" kind of friends. smile

Journal link


Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Latest Contribution to the Daily Times of Pakistan

Readers,


Continuing to cover the Egypt scene. For those sick of the coverage.... smile


Article link


Tammy

Egypt: Tuesday, February 1st - Road Blocks and Mock Hangings

With major roads blocked leading into Cairo, Suez City, Alexandria, and Mansoura the people have taken to pedestrian means of travel to the "hot spots" which are located on maps.

Tahrir Square hosted a "People's Court" with criminal charges brought against President Mubarak and three symbols of his administration: Fathi Sorour, Ahmed Ezz and Habib al-Adli (former Interior Minister). Dolls were hung from gallows and then shoes were thrown at the "corpses".

The most popular graphic now in various forms is one of falling dominoes, each with the face of a national leader. Tweets are being cleverly deployed with droll humor which notes that beyond giving Egypt high unemployment, corruption and pollution, Mubarak has done a great job. Tweet rumors place the amassed wealth of the Mubarak family at forty billion pounds and state that Gamal Mubarak is dwelling in safety in his "palace" near Harrod's. Knightsbridge is indeed a nice area. Comedians are now abounding, which shows that a free press on populist level is fully operational. The sentiment is that there is only one choice left for Mubarak: "Beef or chicken?" on his flight from Egypt.

The Wall Street Journal contemplates the exit of Mubarak on their front page, and provides an analysis of "Lessons on Egypt from Carter and the Shah" on their opinion page. I have already covered this issue for my readers in abbreviated manner three days ago. smile

As the revolt in Egypt winds down I will return to the research cubicle. The need to move the next brief, "Arsenal" to the front of my desk seems prudent.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com