Amusement Park Ban Sparks Riot

Article link

The headline caught my eye. One simple thought came to mind.

Were Muslims targeted?

Or did Muslims target the law?

The policy was in place and appears to have been communicated in advance.

Religious conviction demands individual sacrifice, not societal sacrifice.

The rule in place was for safety.

Not a tear shed on my end, for what ensued.

Tammy Swofford

Easy Listening for Sunday Morning

Whilst the east coast is whipped by rain the state of Texas still suffers drought conditions.

Today will be another scorchingly hot season of misery.

Easy listening helps. smile

James Blount

Smiling,

Tammy

Interfaith Banquet

Here is the latest for the Daily Times.

Article Link


Tammy Swofford

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan releases "Badr Operation"

The Cultural Ministry of the IEA (huh?!) has released an eleven-part video on the Badr Spring Offensive. More of the same. The mini-bomblets rolling around in their brains construct the IED's packed into the roads of Afghanistan. Cell phones capture the moment, the studio cranks out that gawd-awful music and.... I didn't care to watch this latest offering of bad news from the belly of hell.

Meanwhile, in Iraq the "100 Martyrs" operation continues. Interesting though, that the news of injuries from an IED blast under a vehicle is released by the "Court Personnel" of Ansar al-Islam. Great! The bastardization of good governance continues along at a rapid clip. And the court personnel of Ansar al-Islam is probably just a man pushing a drink carts down a dusty road in Mosul by day who posts on a jihad forum at night.

Do we understand that our troops see first hand what they hope to keep us from experiencing first hand (again) on American soil? Do we understand the concept of a military which is embarked on a shield-and-magnet mission?

God Bless our Troops.

Tammy Swofford

In Loving Memory

Tom Gordon passed away a year ago. He was a member of the "Gang of Five" on the masthead of this blog when it functioned as a team effort.

For me, he was simply a good friend with whom I shared many a cup of coffee, an occasional meal, and exchange of books. I miss my friend.

Tom Gordon


Tammy Swofford

The Killing Fields of Syria

Readers,

Last night I attended a lovely interfaith banquet at the Islamic Association of North Texas. Quite a vibrant crowd with a diverse talent pool. I will write about the experience for the Daily Times. But here is the latest article.

The Killing Fields of Syria.

Tammy Swofford

August 18th: Israel Attacked with Asymmetrical Force

Israel has been attacked with the use of asymmetrical force. The news is just emerging onto jihad sites in the last hour. This is the first photo available, of a bus which came under fire. The news is still emerging through all media outlets.

Counting down the weeks now for 9/11/2011.

Pray for our own nation today.

Tammy Swofford

Issue No. 63 of Al-Somood: Back Cover

The IEA's September screech has been "out there" for several days. This is the back cover. I will not post the front this time as it shows images of our wounded. As an ethical journalist and member of the military I will not post images of our wounded which have propaganda value.

This is just a reminder that we are speeding toward the tenth year anniversary of 9/11. Many of our military who are on their third and fourth deployments know the last ten years as a slow crawl of months, and now years, spent away from their families.

When you see a military family do you thank them? Have you ever picked up the tab for their meal at a restaurant? Do you let them know that you are grateful for their service?

Do you remember 9/11?

I remember it every day. My observance has little to do with hatred and everything to do with perspective.

God Bless our Troops.

Tammy Swofford

Guidelines For Writing

Readers,

Busy with a bit of research lately. Here is my latest contribution to international journalism.


Daily Times Pakistan


Tammy

The Ugly Side of Newsweek and Tina Brown

This is the image a woman wants to see on a magazine cover. The hair is nicely highlighted. Eyebrows are properly arched. The lip gloss softens and takes three years off an aging face. The one hand is softly curled under the chin and the other hand nicely draped on a knee so the curve of a breast shows. An elegant white blouse with a sporty collar is contrasted with black pants. This is how Tina Brown wants us to remember her.

Here is how Newsweek portrays Michelle Obama.

Newsweek Cover with Mrs. Obama

Here is how Newsweek portrays Michele Bachmann.

Newsweek Cover

Beauty is only skin deep. Tina Brown is proof of the proverb.


Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

People Need the Lord

It is a quiet and dark Sunday morning. Soon it will be triple digits again.

Two days ago my husband came home and commented, "We won't receive mail today." He saw our postman being carried to an awaiting vehicle by two other postal workers.

Yes, the earth is parched.

Enjoy the link.


People Need the Lord


Smiling,

Tammy

August 6, 2011: Second NATO helicopter shot down

Zabihullah Mujahid, one of the spokesmen for the Taliban, released a statement four hours ago.

A second NATO helicopter has been shot down with seven members on board in Helmand Province.

This news still lacks confirmation in mainstream media.


Tammy Swofford

Taliban Shoots Down NATO Helicopter: 31 U.S. Troops Lost

There is a day for everything. And it appears the Taliban have discovered the joy of Twitter.

While we await confirmation of a targeted RPG attack as opposed to mechanical failure, a jihad forum is giving steady updates.

Tweets coming out of Afghanistan tell of the downing of a NATO helicopter, identification of the Chinook, and the desire to take a closer look at the "registration number".

Additional reports state eight helicopters descended on the region to cordon off the crash site and remove the deceased. It is likely that images of the crash site will follow.

The saddest note is that thirty-one Special Forces equals 310 ordinary soldiers in the eyes of the Talib. I agree. We train and give our best for our protection.

The Taliban claim to have lost eight mujahideen in a post-attack. But the news that we have lost "310" will be passed along their ranks. This number will achieve legendary status.

As for the loss of our American soldiers:

* We will honor them for their sacrifice

*Pray for their families

* Never forget....

The decade anniversary date of a tragic event is looming.

Tammy Swofford

Hama, Syria - August 3 - A Prayer for the Dying

President Obama called the situation in Syria "appalling". Perhaps "appalling" is when a woman makes her appearance at a charity tea wearing jeans and flip-flops instead of a hat and nice pair of heels. "Appalling" is when a boorish drunk decides to grope a woman. But expressing shock without firmly noting the raw edges of evil seems ethically lifeless. What is happening in Syria does require a prayer for the dying.

The least of the worries in Hama today is that bakeries are closed because there is no flour available to bake the bread. Electricity and water service is interrupted. Cellular communication is being cut as tanks roam the city. The lucky citizens are cramming into cargo trucks and fleeing with the clothes on their backs. The unlucky ones are managing to send out desperate messages stating they await death with their families.

One message stated, "What if this was your wife? What if this was your daughter?"

The smoke of hell rises from the earth. I have followed this situation for weeks. Words are insufficient to convey the complete unleashing of evil in a world where the wounded are snatched from hospital beds and children are tortured. I will possibly cover this situation a bit more in a future article for the Daily Times of Pakistan.

But for now and as a current request: Say a prayer for the dying.

I never question the reality of God. But these scenarios do confirm my belief in the existence of Satan.

Tammy Swofford
tammyswofford@yahoo.com