The release of the 2nd edition of "Inspire" by Al-Qaida in Yemen was worth a cursory scan. yawn It presented as a repackaged product with good graphics and the usual bad news. But it is now time to deliver the bad news to the webmasters of jihad sites. For too long they have promoted their dark arts under the banner of freedom of expression. They move within the corridors of open society unimpeded and with deadly calm. It is time to confront their brand of evil.
On the highest level of intervention, I remain fully supportive of strategic targeting of men who are capable of "digital conversion" of their audience. These are men who are capable of moving their audience from an inert and passive role to an active status to commit acts of proxy violence on their behalf. When giving an interview with Al Malahim Productions in January 2010, Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki was queried regarding his role in fourteen separate attacks. His response?
"The reason for these attacks is that I am Muslim and I call to Islam."
While his response does not resonate with the majority of Muslims it has obviously hit the emotional bullseye with more than a few after reading through comments on a site dedicated to his bilge. We need to cease clamoring regarding citizen status. At the point an American seeks to target and kill his fellow Americans on sovereign soil universal laws of kindness and legislative concerns no longer apply in Swofford's rule book. Let his (or her) status be "prey". Let the hunter become the hunted before the next thumbs-up-the-ass attack like the one at Fort Hood. Read my lips. I am supportive of strategic targeting of vicious scum who seek to evade justice by turning tail and hiding out in Yemen. America is a democracy, hence it is government by consent of the people. We also happen to be quite peacable amongst ourselves. Any American who seeks to orchestrate acts of anarchy against his fellow citizen is seditious and dangerous. Bon voyage, al-Awlaki and any others who share his drink.
The internet has allowed for artificial platforms and voice magnification capabilities which are being used adeptly within the asymmetrical battlespace. We lack the policies to confront current realities. So for the remainder of the mass, jihad webmasters who brainwash and poison the minds of their audience while showing a lack of capability for moving their audience into an operational status we must consider the concept of tech arrest. Let the tools of their trade be administratively silenced and the individual placed under a "tech arrest" which forbids their use of artificial platforms, hence internet technology. Strip them of their laptop, take their damn phone and let them start a carrier pigeon farm to scatter their poisonous seed to the wind. But let them not continue to poison the minds of the foolish.
It is time we demand a legislative shield. Follow my lead!
Tammy Swofford
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