tammy swofford

Bloodless Coup

2012-01-27T06:24:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is the Daily Times article for the week. I am receiving good feedback in my email from Pakistani citizens.

Link here

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Navy Seals Raid and Rescue in Somalia

2012-01-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

"The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will spare no effort to secure the safety of our citizens and to bring their captors to justice. This is yet another message to the world that the United States of America will stand strongly against any threats to our people."

The comments given by my Commander-in-Chief say it all. America, cares for her own. We bring our war dead home. We care for our wounded. And we take our blood and treasure to bring kidnapped aid workers home.

I have worked alongside members of Delta Force (the other guys) in the field. They were impressive enough. But today, I am immensely proud of "my team", the Navy Seals.

God Bless America.

LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC

Steven Tyler's National Anthem: Shoot me Now!

2012-01-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Really? I mean.... really?

Steven's Howl

Too bad the "fly over" did not have a small load to drop in a surgical strike. smile

The looks on the faces of the victims, tells it all. But I bet every feral cat within two miles is on the move.

Tammy

The "Hell of a Woman" Mother's Day Award

2012-01-21T05:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know. We are months away from Mother's Day. But the article link reminds me that "Mother of the Year" does not always go to the woman who knows how to raise a daughter with charm and grooming. It should be extended to the mother who teaches her daughter that men who black their eyes and rough them up deserve a 911 call.

What manner of courage? Yes! Courage is on display when a kidnapped little girl waits for her moment, assesses the options, makes the phone call and then tells the perp to go to hell. And she stood under the shadow of her mother, to make her stand.

It is never too soon to lock your daughter's backbone into place regarding the right to her own body, her right to say no. So if you have a daughter, take the time today to begin age-appropriate teaching. Keep it practical. It is not about creating hyper-vigilance but it is about giving your daughter practical tools for survival. It is about giving her a confident step.

We retain a bias. Mother of the Year goes to the educated mothers, the pretty mothers, the ones sporting a manicure. But what of the mothers who teach their daughters to say, "Hell, no!"

So to the mother of a little girl with two black eyes and a swollen lip - my deep respect is sent your way.

Link to article

Tammy Swofford

Year of the Crawdad

2012-01-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the Friday commentary:

Click on link

Smiling,

Tammy

Mukarram Khan Atif: Death of a Journalist

2012-01-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

This morning I opened my email box and received the news of the death of a journalist in Pakistan. The man who wrote was a personal friend of Mukarram Khan Atif. In his note, the stress of the assassination of his friend was accompanied by expressed fear for his own life.

What kind of world exists in the mind of men such as Osama bin Ladin and the Taliban? Let me refresh your memory.

* It is a world where women leap from windows to their deaths with flames at their backs.

* It is a world where women are beaten in public with the approval of a crowd of men and boys.

* It is a world where a man is punished for theft by roping him onto the tread of a tank.
He is crushed with mechanized force.

* It is a world where poppies buy weapons.

* It is a world where windows are painted so that women cannot look out.

* It is a world where free speech is punished with acts of assassination.

* It is a world where reality mirrors hell.

Article link

Tammy Swofford

Judge Orders Removal of School Mural: Jessica Ahlquist wins the Battle for Immaturity

2012-01-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

Jessica Ahlquist put her immaturity on display for all to see. I have not read the forty-page opinion of U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux. But it undoubtedly gives a pat on the head to a young woman who lacks maturity and a basic understanding of her responsibility to reside comfortably in society.

In the last twenty-four hours I have had conversations with Jewish, Christian and also Muslim friends. I have had friendships with atheists in the past. My criteria for inclusion of such people within my circle of friends is because of their own maturity and intellect. It is because of the immense enjoyment of their companionship in my life.

Jessica Ahlquist claims she feels excluded and ostracized because of a mural on the high school wall. It is written in the format of a prayer. Yet it encourages basic universal values which bring cohesion to society. Ms. Ahlquist would be happy for a society which disintegrates around her own clay feet. Her own belief system is rooted in a theology of denial. That denial extends to her common neighbor. And her denial brings destruction to a high school tradition.

We all have feet of clay. And that innate understanding that we are finite and infinitely flawed is why honesty, kindness, friendship, and sportsmanship are mentioned as character traits to be valued by all citizens.

Here is the challenge for Ms. Ahlquist. What will she blame for her sense of societal isolation when she is out of the guppy tank of high school and swimming in an ocean of sharks with the rest of us? She lacks maturity. She has found an object to blame for her personal hang-ups.

Link to article

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

What Happens in Somalia...

2012-01-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is the latest from Daily Times. I remain grateful for the freedom of expression afforded me by the editors of this newspaper.

What Happens in Somalia...

Tammy

U.S. Marine Corps Probes Images of Marines Desecrating Dead Taliban

2012-01-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

As the news breaks of an image of U.S. Marines urinating on corpses I took a moment to head over to one of the sites run by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. As of yet, no news flash regarding this incident is up for view. The site has archives and active up-to-date news releases.

How many remember when the Boston Globe ran fake photos of our soldiers in Iraq raping women? That was back in May of 1994. Dummies. I received the same (and possibly expanded) packet of disinformation earlier. And it tracked back to a website in Tunisia to free Saddam Hussein. An editor at Dallas Morning News took it in hand to do the tracking for me. In my packet, were pictures of Iraqi women being sodomized, an image of a woman kneeling in front of a man with an open military trench style coat and a leashed German shepherd at his side, etc. I also received the image of our Navy sailors standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier in their white uniforms. From the sky, the formation spelled "F-ck Iraq". Uh huh. We don't pull off crap like that.

Another nice little packet of disinformation sent my way showed "buried U.S. soldiers" to hide the true number of our casualties. One partially excavated "casualty" looked perfectly posed with his hand conveniently clutching an empty bottle of booze. We also don't pull that kind of crap. At some point in time, Aunt Susie is going to figure out that her favorite nephew never came home from the war.

If the images prove to be true they do not reflect our training nor our military culture and leanings. The truth is out there. And actions will follow an investigation which seeks out the truth of the matter. That being said, it is hoped that the scene is one of staged propaganda and not a lapse of judgment. If it is the latter, we discipline our own.

Tammy Swofford

Accountability within our Ranks

2012-01-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

We are accountable for the misconduct of our own. For that breach of trust within our ranks, we rely on the UCMJ and the court martial process.

Article link

I also consider torture of combatants in our custody an abuse of authority which is worthy of a court martial proceeding. I believe water boarding is torture. The ends do not justify the means. We are Americans.

When we erase a moral code or our military traditions, good order and discipline will cease to exist.

*Should I run for President? wink

Tammy Swofford

This is a National Security Issue

2012-01-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Link to article here

Questions which must be asked:

* Do we recognize a national security issue when we see it?

* Is military training inadequate and lacking strategic depth to purposefully train our ranks to reject indoctrination? I believe it is lacking.

* How many days does it take for an American soldier who converts to Islam to move toward acts of terror when managed by the right set of hands? The mind can flip more easily when one has been within a chain of command structure and encountering what appears a more powerful chain of command structure.

* Can hard hitting teaching be offered without apology when it comes to guarding our ranks against ideological encroachment which seeks the destruction of the Republic and the death of our citizens?

I love my nation enough to speak the truth. The truth is that when our ranks are compromised our national security is compromised. The mind is the easiest thing to turn. The oath is not sufficient for some. Luckily for me, the oath is sufficient as is my gravitation toward fidelity.

LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC

There Are Reasons

2012-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

There are valid reasons for security surveillance. Individuals seeking explosives, weapons, and ammunition to use against civilian populations in which they reside - require surveillance.

The demographic of wannabees presents as Muslim males. Some of them are native born in the U.S. and some are immigrants. We cannot change the demographic of the wannabees. The demographic must change their view of the Western world and their place in society.

Until that happens, surveillance remains a necessary safety mechanism. The innocent may feel swept into the net with the guilty. But only the guilty, need fear being pulled out of the net and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

If tomorrow, Baptist grandmothers begin to light up the landscape with explosives hidden in their famous mile-high meringue pies, they will join the wannabe demographic. But again and again, the identifying factors remain the same. Until the root is dealt with the fruit will be pruned off the vine. For all of us. For our children. For the sake of America.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

The Hamas Covenant: Part II

2012-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is my commentary on the document known as the Hamas Covenant. Analysis of political documents must be done in apolitical manner. smile

Article link

Tammy

UNTITLED

2012-01-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

From a rape which produced a pregnancy; to a baby given up for adoption; to a grandchild who is an astronaut....

Our minds are finite. And yet - God cares for our generations. The post is not titled. I am at a loss for words.

Link to article

The abortion industry aggressively advises us in different and unwise manner regarding our children.

My sons are adopted. I assisted in the delivery of our firstborn.

What hath God wrought? smile

Tammy Swofford

Freedom of Expression: A Liberty Worth Defending

2012-01-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

There should be little surprise that the first post of the New Year is to remind readers that freedom of expression must be carefully guarded in 2012.

If it is "hate crime" legislation which essentially performs a legal masquerade to place Shari'ah anti-blasphemy laws on our books we must oppose it. Americans must retain the right to speak for or against any issue, policy, or event within the public square. Punishing citizen's thoughts is draconian totalitarianism.

"Hate crime" legislation creates a caste system of untouchables, with regard to free discourse whether it be gays, Muslims, or a Christian man named Tebow. Let's be rational. All crime has a basis in some level of emotion. The emotion is not on trial. The action is placed on trial. Crime must continue to be punished based on irrefutable physical evidence and believable eye-witness accounts. If thoughts are hate crimes, then I should have been in jail long before now for the murder of my own progeny. Luckily, they have survived my darkest thoughts within the moments of uncovering the darkest of their own deeds. smile

There should be no self-censorship of our own thoughts or the comments to our sites. We must hold the line firm regarding this tremendous liberty. If we engage self-censorship for fear of being misunderstood, fear of being threatened, or fear of being labeled, we have not stood firm regarding our Constitutional right. We must begin to legally challenge those who would threaten our Constitutional liberty. They are the enemy of the Republic.

My comment section once received a post from a man who believes abortion clinic bombers receive a wink and a nod from the Almighty. He was part of the leadership of the (now legally castrated) "Army of God". His comment was allowed to remain on my site because I believe in freedom of expression. It was not allowed to remain because I agreed with the merit of his argument. And it certainly wasn't allowed to remain because he titled himself as "Reverend".

Let me now flip the coin and mention why I really, really embrace freedom of expression. This liberty allows the earth to give up her fools for public view. Without this liberty, in 2011 we would have not enjoyed the usual parade of jesters:

* Rep. Anthony Weiner dressed up in his Capitol Hill towel at the Congressional gym.

* Twitter outrages by the dozens. Can we just change the whole microblogging thing to read "twitter boredom"? I have never noted a larger demographic of fools than those inhabiting Twitterdom.

*Kim Kardashian looking sad over her multi-million dollar wedding bonanza.... er, failed marriage.

* Dennis Rodman announcing a return to basketball to coach a topless women's basketball team. The bleachers will give up the identities of those fools too.

So for the good, the bad, and the ugly; and for the ability of the majority of us to play decently and within the bounds of the game - let freedom of expression remain the dearest of our defended liberties.

Tammy Swofford

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T18:03:00.000-08:00

To the friends who supported me and the foes who criticized my writing, the message is the same:

May the year 2012 be one of tremendous joy.

The face that greets you in the mirror each morning should sport a big smile!

Let a "shot" of happiness accompany every cup of coffee with a friend!

Freely dispense hugs to friends. Not those inhibited little "side hugs" but the "holdin' on to you like my life depends on it" kind of affection.

Kiss more babies this year and buy more bouquets of flowers!

Catch happiness by the wings every single day!

Laugh out loud.

Love life!

Have a wonderful 2012!

Tammy Swofford

Abortion: Such a Gentle Word if Preceded by the word "Therapeutic"

2011-12-31T05:01:00.000-08:00

When issues of conscience begin to bother us we use adjectives to modify nouns. And we use adverbs to modify verbs.

Abortion transforms into "therapeutic abortion". The violent action taking place within the womb is therapeutic for the woman. Go figure.

A wife-beating becomes domestic violence. That black eye and choke marks on the throat are "domestic", hence, the location softens the blows. If the woman is beaten on the sidewalk the world is aware. But if she is beaten in the home only the children are the witnesses. Go figure.

Would you kill another human? Would you kill a twenty pound toddler? Would you kill a seven pound neonate? Would you kill a two pound neonate in the NICU?

My older brother made his startling appearance quite early. He dropped down to two pounds and eleven ounces after birth. We nearly lost the little guy from our family tree.

Would you kill another human being and stuff their remains in a freezer?

What do you call medical doctors who abort babies who are perfectly formed, cognizant within their environment and full of human potential?

Butchers.

I believe abortion is murder. I believe we need to continue to mount legal challenges against the abortion industry. Blood cries out. Even from the womb. Those of us who are sane must stand against insanity. And then we must provide avenues for vulnerable women to find the support they need to bring their generations to light.

Are babies punishment for mistakes? If so, what is the punishment for the sperm donor?

Link here

If a father takes his daughter for an abortion is he aborting a punishment? Or is he allowing the abortion of his grandchild?

We are Americans. What are our values? Without core values such as sanctity of life, a nation is weakened.

Link to article

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

The Hamas Covenant: Part I

2011-12-29T15:42:00.001-08:00

Readers,

Here is the latest for Daily Times.

Hamas Covenant: Part I

Please take the time to read the Hamas Covenant. There are various translations available.

Next week my commentary provides a basic document analysis. Things are skeletal with a thousand word column. But you will catch the drift. smile

Tammy Swofford

New York Times: Telling a Lie for an Administrative Error

2011-12-29T03:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the link:

New York Times

Yesterday I received both e mails. The first one puzzled me and I ignored it. We enjoy reading the New York Times.

The second e mail explained the first.

The Tweet sent out was deliberately dishonesty.

Can I trust what they put on the page?

Tammy Swofford

Anjem Choudary's Christmas Message: Lacking the Element of Surprise

2011-12-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

Anjem Choudary's message that Jesus is a Muslim and will bring Shari'ah law is predictable enough. I have references in my library. So here we go!

First the Qur'anic ayat:

And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him (Jesus, son of Mary, as only a Messenger of Allah, and a human being), before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he (Jesus) will be a witness against them. An-Nisa 159

The Hadith link is this:

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Messenger said, 'By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely (Jesus), the sone of Mary, will shortly descend amongst you (Muslims) and will judge mankind justly, by the law of the Qur'an (as a just ruler); he will break the cross and kill the pigs and there will be no Jizya.....' "

Additional Hadith add the phrase "and slay Dajjal" after "kill the pigs".

I don't like spoon-fed research blogs, so will leave you with two links.

I wrote about Anjem Choudary on the link below:

Daily Times commentary

Here is the link to Choudary's Christmas message:

Link to article

To which I MUST respond....

And a Merry Christmas to YOU, Anjem Choudary!

Smiling

Tammy Swofford

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2011-12-25T04:25:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the link!

Merry Christmas!

Link

Tammy

CHRISTMAS 2011: Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

2011-12-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

"It is time." She said it simply enough but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes.

"It is too soon!" The voice of the man bounced off the walls of the animal stall.

Carefully standing up the woman moved her garments aside. The proof was there: water mixed with blood. A new life was emerging from unknown darkness.

The man quickly gathered hay from all of the stalls and built up a rectangular area the size of a small sacrificial altar. Gently assisting his wife into a seated position he instructed her to lie back and grasp the iron rings used to tether the animals.

When her breathing began to come in jagged bursts he cried out, "I do not know what to do!" Through clenched teeth she hissed back at him, "You have delivered lambs in the field. This is no different! Think like a shepherd!"

Searching about in the stall he found two skin flasks. Opening the one, he poured wine vinegar on a piece of cloth. "Bite down on this! Let your lips be moistened with the liquid!"

From the second flask he poured a bit of oil on another rag. He sat it aside and returned his hand to the belly of his wife.

When she screamed the final time it was accompanied by piercing words, "It feels like thorns! I have the feel of thorns within my frame!"

Watching the crown of the head appear with a dark tangle of hair the man quickly grabbed the rag with oil. As the baby emerged he wiped the small face and watched as a slightly blue complexion turned flush with life. Turning the baby over he simply said to his wife, "It is as was spoken. It is a man child. His name shall be called Jesus."

Years later, Mary stood on the hill and watched as Jesus was crucified.

When he cried out, "I thirst!" she ran her tongue across her lips. Suddenly, she felt a bit weak. She watched as a sponge soaked with sour wine was raised to his lips.

She stood silently when He cried out, "It is finished." There was nothing more she could do for her son. She had given him birth. She could not give him new life.

But then a Roman soldier pierced his side. Water and blood came out and flowed into the dirt. Mary crumpled to the ground. The woman beside her exclaimed, "Mary, Mary! What is it?"

Trying to stand up and moving her garment aside she answered, "I have an intense pain inside of me. It feels like the pain of thorns. It feels like the pain felt when I gave birth to my Son."

John 19:28-37

Tammy Swofford

Suffering from Paranoia? The TSA has a job for you!

2011-12-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

This news breaks on Christmas eve.

Cupcake IED

Well, not really. It was just a red velvet cupcake.

But perhaps the TSA bureaucratic midget thought the container looked like a primitive IED. Just stuff a birthday candle in the thing, add your legally purchased in-flight bottle of Scotch, light it up and toss it into the first class cabin. Torch!

My guess is the TSA agent was hungry. That cupcake was down the security hatch two minutes after the Christmas terrorist wannabe safely boarded the flight. I bet it was delicious too! Another sacrifice, on behalf of our nation.

If boarding a flight with a cupcake looks like terrorism in progress we should also ban my grandmother's banana pudding from airports. There are more than a few who would kill for this recipe which requires a double boiler and plenty of stirring.

We should ban all food service on flights. If a cupcake is dangerous, I hate to consider the danger which might be lurking within my fruit cup which is sweetly handed to me by the flight attendant.

Big Brother should completely ban alcohol.

Flaming distilled beverages

Hmmm. Maybe I should not have mentioned the aforementioned.

As for me, Christmas at home is the better choice. No removal of shoes, wands flourished across my bags for explosives, confiscation of my manicure scissors and heightened awareness looks from people wearing ugly blue gloves.

The Israeli's have a better system. They perform pre-flight ThreatCon on humans. They are not worried about flour, eggs and oil.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Isn't he.....Beautiful!

2011-12-21T06:51:00.001-08:00

Christmas is drawing near. In the Dallas area the sky is clear and without clouds. It will be sweater weather today. No real need for a jacket. As typical for most years, we will not receive a blanket of snow.

The message we celebrate is simple enough. We are Christians. We believe Jesus is who He proclaimed Himself to be: Son of God.

Faith is a beautiful gift.

Enjoy the link!

Christian Worship

Smiling,

Tammy

Walkouts by Nurses: A Crisis in Confidence

2011-12-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

There is currently an artificial bubble regarding nursing shortages due to the recession. Registered nurses who had planned to retire now work a bit longer if their spouse is unemployed. Other nurses have returned to the marketplace for the same reason(s).

Much of what is written in the article link below rings true. My hospital also hired highly paid consultants to move into our work spaces and observe us. Staff nurses were also required to keep time logs of their activities. Did they note three minutes to have a bowel movement, wash their hands and return to work? We were then given scripted responses to improve patient satisfaction survey scores. Should this present as an ethical dilemma for a profession which attempts to maintain high ethical behavior? I duly noted that we were not allowed to follow administration around, require them to hand us a time log, and then suggest better ways they could extend the "servant leadership" back to the peasants outside the moat.

My facility does give a Christmas meal and a gift card to employees. It is a fifteen dollar Target card. I say "my facility" in past tense at this point. But for any nurses feeling the burn of skeletal staffing patterns which throw units into a crisis when one R.N. calls in sick; for any R.N. wishing to share with the public the wonderful Christmas gifts offered up by her smiling leadership, this is the place to vent.

The end of the road came for me when attending an Employee forum where we faced the cheering squad a.k.a administration. Our hard work was rewarded of course. Dietary provided boxes of animal crackers and cartons of milk for our refreshment. I determined on that day, to walk away and never look back.

Is it time for Texas nurses to change the way hospitals conduct their business with regard to the talent pool known as registered nurses? Unfortunately, we are not allowed to unionize in Texas. The law needs to be changed. A mighty sea wave of change is needed in workplace conditions. It can only be accomplished when nurses are truly given a voice - not the falsetto of corporate hospital groups. We need hospitals to make the hard decisions now. Less and less women are choosing nursing as a profession. There are valid reasons for my concerns.

I am an R.N. with highly valued critical care skills. My fifteen dollar Target card was handed off to a homeless man last year.

New York Times article

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford.blogspot.com

Friday Daily Times Article

2011-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

Daily Times Article

Joseph's Lullaby

Tammy Swofford

Republican Bill Johnson: A Family Man goes Rambo

2011-12-14T03:47:00.000-08:00

Being a gentle southern lady it is not within my nature to cut loose with public cursing. But after catching this bit of news, I did have to let lose with a surprised "What the firetruck!"

Let me get this straight.

* A fifty-two year old man is secretly donating his sperm for lesbian couples?

* A fifty-two year old married man is secretly donating sperm whilst living on a different continent than his wife?

* A fifty-two year old married man with three children wants to produce babies without his family's knowledge?

* A fifty-two year old married man with three children tells a reporter his wife had a hysterectomy ten years ago and would like nothing better in the world than giving him children?

Since Mr. Johnson has traveled extensively, is it possible that he has provided sperm donation across the world?

Note that I did not use the word "fathered" when referring to Mr. Johnson's activities.

Any man can make the donation. But a sperm donor is not a father. He is part of a business transaction. A father is the man who is present in the child's life and not merely present as a sample in a plastic cup.

Hug your children today if you are their father. You deserve a reward. As for Mr. Johnson, he deserves worse than a kick in the seat of the pants.

Article link

Bill Johnson website

Tammy Swofford

Senator Ted Lieu: Because One Bigot Always Recognizes Another

2011-12-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

"All-American Muslim" lost retail giant Lowe's advertising dollar. Investment in advertising dollars is meant to attract business. Perhaps Lowe's determined that their investment in a program which evoked the specter of an agenda and worked to polarize communities was not a good deal.

What would be funny were it not so tragic is the manner in which Senator Ted Lieu, D-Torrance used his own decloaking device against himself when identifying Lowe's as a master villain. He railed against "naked religious bigotry". He then stepped into his own mud fight with this statement:

"We want to raise awareness so that consumers will know during this holiday shopping season that Lowe's is engaging in religious discrimination," Lieu said.

The season is Christmas. The shopping is for Christmas presents. They land under a Christmas Tree to await the day we call Christmas in our denominational communities of faith.

The pot clangs against the kettle. Do you note the distinct sound of tin clashing with iron?

My next article for Daily Times addresses in flanking manner, the political pox which has infected our own Christian holiday.

As for Lowe's, the decision was driven by an understanding that what divides us communally does not draw us financially. Advertising is meant to draw us to a product or corporation with our buying power. A majority demographic won this one with a little spitfire sent out from Florida. In the end, the decision came down to capitalism and statistics. The one percent Muslim population could not make up for the economic boycott threatened by a demographically larger population group. In time, these things always sort themselves out.

Ask me about this again in ten years.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Tim Tebow: The Gift of the "Mile High Messiah"

2011-12-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal ran an article in the weekend edition titled, "God's Quarterback: The Tim Tebow Phenomenon.

The article claims "deep-seated anxieties in American society about the intertwining of religion and sports". I disagree with the assessment. Perhaps it is better stated that American media has deep-seated anxieties about expressions of Christianity when in tandem with success and celebrity.

Nobody minds the homeless drunk singing "Amazing Grace" on YouTube. In fact, we applaud like chimpanzees. Who can feel threatened by a socioeconomically impoverished Christian? But when an increasingly popular and successful NFL quarterback proclaims his faith, we go ape sh-t over the whole thing. Read my lips. If there is anything the liberal left hates, it is a successful and popular Christian.

Football is a team sport. It seems to me that perhaps the Broncos are successful with Tebow as quarterback because he exhibits the gift of encouragement. His enthusiasm is caught by the team. He believes in the team and they believe in him. The fact that he also believes in Jesus Christ is merely part of his identity. May he continue to thrill us with the freshness of his vision. Our young people need role models like Tim Tebow. Those who are anxiety-ridden can continue to bow before the altar of the Kardashian family.

Link to Tebow

Tammy Swofford

Guidelines for Journalists

2011-12-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

Latest from Daily Times

Link to commentary

Tammy

Journalistic Standards and Blogging

2011-12-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Not all journalists blog. But all bloggers are not journalists.

I do both.

The blogging community needs to be aware of the pitfalls of online blogging journals. We cannot hide behind the profession of journalism and use it as our legal shield if we fail to uphold the standards for ethical journalism.

I have been threatened with a lawsuit in the past for a post on this blog. I received a demand letter from a lawyer and threatening letters into my email account. A lawsuit would have been thrown out. The blog contained verifiable facts which were checked and double-checked for accuracy. The supporting documents were available for the public. But lacking financial resources to mount a defense, this particular blog which received tremendous traffic and reader comments was returned to the drafts folder.

Bloggers cannot engage libel and slander and hide behind "anonymous sources". With just the skeletal details in the second link, my guess is I would have also sided with the jurors of this particular case.

But let's kick back for a moment and review the ethics of professional journalism. As stated previously, not all bloggers can rightfully claim to be journalists. The title is earned by consistent use of high professional and ethical standards. Those who use the digital age to produce disinformation and defraud the public need to feel the eyes on their backs.

April 7, 2008 blog

Link to article

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Women and the Taliban

2011-12-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is the current commentary:

Daily Times of Pakistan

Tammy Swofford

Youth In Government: The Sullivan Tweet Torpedo

2011-11-28T03:53:00.000-08:00

Fully armed but only dangerous to herself....

That was my first thought when reading about a mouthy and ill-manned Youth in Government representative - Emma Sullivan.

It is interesting that Ms. Sullivan was busy tweeting disparaging remarks about Governor Sam Brownback as he was delivering his greeting to the assembled crowd. In her tweet, Ms. Sullivan stated she was "listening to Brownback's greeting". Listening requires attentiveness and a minimal attempt at eye contact. And to disconnect from discourse at the beginning point shows a Youth in Government participant who lacks interest in due process and policy issues.

From what the tweet reads, is appears Ms. Sullivan is merely fully of herself. It is good to ponder that underachievers are the best at delivering up scorn to those who have worked diligently to attain status and position within society. Does the scorn-heaper pay her own bills yet? Doubtful. She has yet to taste the slice of life which dishes out hearty helpings of hardship as youth transition to adulthood and productivity.

The Youth in Government leadership undoubtedly feels a bit humbled that one of the public faces of their organization has chosen to sling mud in the face of opportunity. But Ms. Sullivan's torpedo tweet will merely send a ping off the Brownback political submarine. Will we recognize her name in ten years? Let me know.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Ten Million Reasons

2011-11-24T15:34:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is the Friday commentary for Daily Times.

Link here

Tammy Swofford

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a day to recount with gratitude the blessings of the year. Here is my short list.

* I am grateful for my husband and sons.

* I am filled with love and gratitude for my dear friends.

* I am very glad for the 330 volunteer hours I invested in the Genghis Khan Exhibition. I am a better person for having served at the Irving Arts Center with so many wonderful volunteers. Our tour of duty was from June 1 through October 2. The time went by so quickly.

* I am grateful to be an American citizen.

* I remain grateful that I am able to contribute my weekly thoughts to the Daily Times of Pakistan.

* I am extremely grateful for each and every military family and the sacrifices made on behalf of our nation.

*I am extremely grateful for every military veteran and the service rendered in the past.

Feel free to add any thoughts of gratitude to the comments section.

May each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Be Blessed!

Tammy

Sunday Praise: Here I am to Worship

2011-11-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Here is the Sunday Praise selection.

Click on link

Love,
Tammy

A Cannibal's Tale

2011-11-17T15:14:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Link to article

Dr. Mohamed Boodhun

Tammy Swofford

Time for Raid and Removal of Occupy Movement Vagrants

2011-11-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

It is a political experiment which does not serve our nation well.

We require open access to physical lanes of commerce to conduct our daily business.

Vagrancy laws should be applied.

Americans have a tradition of "let them march, let them pass".

We do not support squatters' rights.

Any economy, even the poorest village in Afghanistan has a "top one percent".

The math logic evades me.

Yesterday I glanced over an application my youngest son had filled out for what will undoubtedly be a minimum wage job.

One question and answer stood out:

Q. "Why do you want to work for this company."

A. "It is an honest way to make money."

No coaching from his mother on the answer.

I feel like I deserve a trophy for doing something right in my life! smile

We need to swing our support strongly toward governance and against anarchy.

Let your city leadership know that they have your support.

Support the removal of vagrancy-based politics from the sidewalks of your lanes of commerce
and city parks.

God Bless America.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Sunday Praise: Thy Word

2011-11-13T04:24:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!

Here is the Sunday morning praise.

Coffee perking. Life is good!

Thy Word

Tammy

Veteran's Day: National Treasure

2011-11-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Let me extend my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to American veterans today.

For some reason, words do not match the depth of emotion I am feeling.

Words, are never enough, when considering the sacrifice.

The lump is in my throat.

God Bless America!

LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC

Editor Mahmood Shaam

2011-11-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

Readers,

Writing within the market of international journalism is a distinct joy. The cross-pollination of ideas and a vibrant intellectual battlespace brings a smile with my first cup of coffee. Here is one response to the Friday Daily Times article. Please take a look at the editor's website, listed at the bottom of his correspondence. Naturally, I am on top of all of the Urdu articles. I speak fluent Urdu. wink

"Read your piece in daily times of pakistan. Really impressed by the writers insight focus and depth that is a concern for tackling this terrorism in the name of jihad

I have been writing discussing this very issue from other side which is being faced by us liberals commoners law abiding muslims in pakistan central theatre of jihad and truly the nursery of suicide bombers and fields of extremism

The world including america west and pakistan are trying to fight this wave of violence brutality insanity with force and weapons only while it is being produced formed grown in minds and heart

Regular jihadi literature in shape of daily weekly newspapers fortnighly monthly periodicals books c d s being circulated throughout pakistan in urdu language and also exported to pakistanis abroad

No counter and so convincing literature is being presented distributed by america west or by pakistan

America during cold war used to bring out magazines in local languages by embassies books were translated in to local languages distributed on subsidised prices

Now no such efforts are there result continued growth of extremism as it looks the way to paradise and salvation among insecurity unemployment depressions corruption all around

Pls have a focus on this also to fight terrorism at its very roots"

Mahmood shaam

Journalist author poet editor
www.mahmoodshaam.com

Tackling Jihadi Literature

2011-11-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

Daily Times Link

Tammy Swofford

Latest Sexual Harassment Claim against Cain: A Lucrative Trade

2011-11-09T04:17:00.000-08:00

The long march of unsubstantiated claims continues. And with sexual harassment accusations against presidential contender Herman Cain, the media falls into the Napoleonic penal code: guilty until proven innocent.

It is now revealed that one of the accusations of sexual harassment came from a woman who used a "sexually charged email" to demand a pay raise, reinstatement of back pay and a one year fellowship to Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. And to think.... there could have been an easier way for me to pay back my college loans.

As a working woman, I have several "tales from the crypt" when it comes to sexual harassment. There was the time I was cornered on an elevator and kissed. Then there was the time when a man ran his hand across the side of my breast as he said a cheery "Hello!" Then there was the man who told me, "I never turn it down." I never reported any such incidents. I merely used good relational skills to turn the impromptu offers down and make it clear that my real estate was not up for rent.

Sure, true sexual harassment exists. But the term can be used against men with the mildest of offenses. But some individuals use sexual harassment claims for blackmail and advancement, financial enrichment, and just for reasons of envy.

There is a saying. Women slam the door to temptation. Men crawl away slowly, looking hopefully over their shoulders.

When women and men work together temptation is the third party. We are human. But it works both ways. Men make passes at women. And women, certainly try their best with the men.

So I feel it is good to add myself to the parade of accusers trying to destroy the campaign of Herman Cain. Here is my public statement:

I believe that in the last century.... errr.... fifteen years ago.... Mr. Cain harassed me. Of course I do not have any evidence, other than what shows in my bank account. Also, no need to worry that I was fired from my job. But as I recall, he told me my hair looked nice. Twice.

Link to article

Tammy Swofford

Jerry "Pedophile" Sandusky: Because Penn State didn't give a Damn about Little Boys

2011-11-07T04:17:00.001-08:00

Let me get this straight. The accusation is witnessed sexual assault of little boys dating back to 2000.

I guess winning is everything.

What about the little guy pushed up against a wall whilst the defensive coordinator had oral sex with him? Who demanded prosecution of a criminal act?

Does the victim struggle today with a heterosexual masculine image because of sexual assault by a homosexual male wearing a pedophile pair of boxers?

Let's ask the hard questions. No need to mince words.

I guess winning is everything for Penn State. They give a damn about the big guys. Forget the little ones who need to grow up without the rape of their innocence.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Global National Trauma II

2011-11-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Readers,

The Daily Times server was down for a couple days. Here is the Friday piece.

Global National Trauma II

Tammy

Hairstyle Trends for Women in Grozny

2011-11-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

Latest popular internet joke:

Did you hear about the woman in Grozny who entered a hair salon and asked to see some pictures of hairstyle options?

Article Link

Add your own punchline....

Tammy

Friday Thoughts

2011-11-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

I can always tell when it is time for the Hajj. There is a noticeable uptick in looks at this blog:

Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik

Sixteen views this morning.

The page for Daily Times Pakistan will not load. When it comes online, I will post my follow-up to the article on global national trauma.

I had promised something from my files regarding geopolitical Islam.

I believe I will expand on the thoughts of the prior post and submit a piece to Daily Times for next week. You will then see expanded thoughts here when I add the article as a link.

We must be unafraid to address tough issues and assess what our president determines the right course of action. His right course, may look like a disastrous course to me. smile

I am a bit unusual in that I remain solo flight in my research.

I am not a part of the lucrative anti-jihad blogging industry.

At what point do regurgitated factoids diminish in value?

I do not know the answer to that question.

For private corridor reading, I write regarding the intellectual battlespace and geopolitical Islam. These writings go to people I respect and trust to be rational. I also trust them to deconstruct everything I write. The best news an analyst or researcher can receive is their particular theory base or hypothesis is wrong. It means the next wave of research is in, and the community remains vibrantly engaged.

But I also walk across the street to shake hands for interfaith (I call it clashing faith) dialogue. The satisfaction of learning over a cup of coffee is the most fulfilling of rewards.

So essentially, I don't fit the expectations of either side. That keeps things simple. smile

Have a good day!

Tammy Swofford

President Obama Authorizes his own Munich Agreement

2011-11-03T05:41:00.000-07:00

PM Neville Chamberlain is remembered for his appeasement policy toward Germany.

President Obama will be remembered for his domestic policy appeasement.

Islam remains a gateway religion for terrorists abroad and also those living right next door to us.

Steroid abuse can be a gateway drug to morphine addiction.

Substantial chunks of primary source Islamic text on jihad make it a gateway religion to terror activities for those who seek the alkaloid transformation in their brain which gives them a dangerous buzz.

So President Obama will have all training materials which show empirical evidence and statistical analysis regarding Islam as a gateway religion to terror removed from critical national security spaces. And we will pay the officers tasked with our national safety to think like dullards.

America is on the auction block.

Not on my watch, damn it.

Link to article

The Commander-in-Chief wears English schoolboy pants.

Tammy Swofford

Herman Cain sings at the National Press Club

2011-10-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

When Herman Cain began to sing I recognized the song:

"I will forever lift my eyes to Calvary. To view the cross, where Jesus died for me. How marvelous, the Grace that caught my falling soul. He looked beyond my faults and saw my need."

The songs of Dottie Rambo filled my childhood home.

I sang along.... tears filled my eyes. I know the words. I believe them to be true.

Darius McCrary also sings Dottie's song

Tammy Swofford

Global National Trauma

2011-10-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Global National Trauma

Tammy

Bibi Jones and Rob Gronkowski

2011-10-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

Oh the marvels of social networking sites!

Who had even heard of Bibi Jones before she sent a couple of pictures from her Twitter account?

Rob Gronkowski put her on the stage. No one to blame but himself.

Typing Bibi Jones into a search engine and then looking for images, it seems her "acting career" is narrowly focused on two regions of her body. Please note, the girl does not seem to be a bibliophile. Probably not an oenophile either. I bet she likes fermentation in a brown long neck bottle.

Tickets to NFL games seem a bit steep.

But at least Rob didn't have to spring for season tickets to the opera or symphony.

Bibi isn't picky. But Rob doesn't seem that particularly bright either.

Tammy Swofford

Intellectual Battlespace

2011-10-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me today that possibly months have passed without a blog with an "Intellectual Battlespace" meta tag.

Back in May of 2010 I wrote the six part blog "Assassin's Creed" which addressed jihad sites and their impact.

In digging through files I found a document which I reviewed within a private corridor of writing. But I think pulling it out and reading it again may put smoke in the muzzle for a future blog.

Currently, I need to write the second commentary for Daily Times with a bit of predictive analysis for the coming decade. The first piece is in the queue and is a bit of a recap of the years 2001-2011. It will be on the page on Friday. But once I am done with the second piece, I intend pull something out of the rabbit's hat for this audience.

Best Regards,

Tammy Swofford

Facebook Friends and Brain Size

2011-10-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

I will never know for sure. Do I possess a high EQ? My friends tell me my emotional quotient is off the scale.

Since I don't use Facebook or other social networking sites, there is little reason to MRI my brain.

See link here

Does Facebook enhance our status as a social creature in a burgeoning sea of humanity? Are we better for the experience or perhaps just a bit more arrogant?

Yes, it is a tool used to establish vibrant communities of thought. But it can also be a tool for passive aggressive malice. I can accept your request. But then I can "unfriend" you.

Am I your friend because I look at your profile and note you have a few friends I would really like to meet? Would I be your friend based on your merits alone?

What do you think? Is social networking friend or foe? Is it a neutral value? The whole thing reminds me of looking at a high school yearbook to note "most popular" and "most likely to succeed". The verdict is not in yet. smile

But my experience tells me that most of us have a few friends, and a greater number of acquaintances. My friends know me well.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

FRIENDS

2011-10-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

For my baby brother. smile

Friends by Michael W. Smith

Tammy

Strategic Targeting

2011-10-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Those who know me well are aware that compassion is one of the gifts of humanity I bring to the table. Tonight as I left the area shopping mall a homeless man was somewhat sprawled by the exit. He is a quiet little black gentleman who is probably in his mid-fifties and he never approaches people for handouts. A couple weeks ago I stopped at the Starbucks counter and grabbed a cookie for him. Tonight, I asked him how he was doing. Naturally, I called him "Sir". Even homeless people deserve dignity. His one word answer sounded like two syllables:

"Hawn Gree".

I fished around for the little cash on hand, a mere four dollars. Admonishing him to "spend it on food" he immediately scrambled to his feet and headed back into the mall. Maybe he will sleep a bit better tonight with a few more calories in his body.

But my compassion, does not extend to those who engage in acts of proxy violence. Here is the latest commentary for Daily Times.

Article link here

Tammy Swofford

Natural Woman

2011-10-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Omar Garcia is a friend of mine who writes a blog. When I pulled up this:

The X Factor

I just had to look for:

Stacy Francis

What a voice! What a gift! There is nothing better than an individual who can stand up and deliver a song with a fabulous voice and heartfelt emotion. Move over, Lady Gaga. Ms. Francis wears a simple black outfit and does not need any props. It is not showmanship. It is a life lived in the real space which delivers the song.

Smiling,

Tammy

October Joys

2011-10-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

October is a wonderful month for taking little road trips. The weather is beautiful and the long summer is now a thing of the past. A friend and I took off for Gainesville this week for a very important reason. We wanted to purchase some fried pies. smile This little restaurant on the city square has a great menu with affordable prices. But it is the fried pie display which brings the city folks to the countryside.

We sped on to Muenster, Texas to purchase cheese, bread and smoked sausage at a little grocery store loaded with food items from Germany.

Next week - the State Fair of Texas awaits me and a few friends. Foot-long corny dogs, fried salsa, fried bubble gum and funnel cakes topped with whipped cream will call out to our fat cells. I can hardly wait!

Smiling,

Tammy Swofford
tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Protecting a Woman

2011-10-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Readers,

Here is the latest for Daily Times - including an updated photo. The previous photo used for my column was the blog photo. For the blog, I will remain eternally young. smile

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Stalking for Dollars

2011-10-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel stalked this month?

My grocery store has pink ribbons on price tags everywhere. I am asked if I want to give a dollar to "cure breast cancer". I find the script degrading. If I say "no", then the implication is that I don't give a damn about curing breast cancer. I am an insensitive soul. Who can't afford to give a dollar?

The last time I went through the line, the cashier glared at me when I declined the script. Maybe she has survived breast cancer. I have a brother in a wheelchair with a brain tumor. He needs my dollar. His tumor does not warrant the funding which breast cancer receives.

On Tuesday of next week a large box will await the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In the box, some of the most expensive and gently worn clothing in my closet. There is the suit that I wore twice. I purchased it to speak at an event at the Park Cities Club in Dallas. I then wore it to a general meeting, when serving as the 2nd vice president of my local MOAA chapter. Expensive shoes with nice heels have made their way into the box. The LLS always calls with a supplication for any clothing or household items for pick up. Susan G. Komen has the feel of arm-twisting.

I see pink ribbons everywhere. I am tired of the media and market saturation.

I believe in direct hand-off charity. There are no administrative or advertisement costs attached to what I give to those in need.

Breast cancer has sufficient funding. What about childhood asthma? What about little kids with eye tumors? What about funding for strokes, spinal cord injury research or traumatic brain research?

I did give a dollar the other day. My favorite cashier informed me that she receives gift cards if she secures the top donations for her store. I love my cashier. So I gave a dollar. But I am going to add to the script next time I shop. I will loudly proclaim: "My brother is a brain cancer survivor. Would you like to give a dollar to help him?" I await the stunned silence.

Tammy Swofford

James Oppenheim: Buy U.S.A.

2011-10-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

Jim is a great friend, and it has been quite awhile since I have linked to his site. But this latest post caught my eye tonight.

Buy U.S.A.

Tammy

Daily Times Article: October 7, 2011

2011-10-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Here is my latest contribution to freedom of expression. smile

Article Link

Tammy

Smear Campaign Against Governor Rick Perry

2011-10-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

The headline on the front of the New York Times today is, "Snag for Perry: Offensive Name at Texas Camp".

So it seems good to take a moment to remind the readership of yearly honesty and ethics polls. Nurses and military officers are at the top. As a nurse and an officer I now direct your attention to the link on the page to see the ethics-n-honesty rating for news reporters.

Lemme get this straight.

Governor Rick Perry hunts at a West Texas ranch. His father leased the land and hunted at the ranch thirty years ago. This is a family tradition. In Texas, deer leases last longer than the average marriage.

On Sunday the Washington Post was all over the page with their (ahem) research. Apparently, there was a rock near the entrance to the ranch with the word "Niggerhead". As recently as three years ago, or maybe it was in the "1990's", or on the other hand, maybe it was in the "1980's", the specter of offense was displayed on a rock. The statistical sampling was "at least seven people".

Slap yo' Mama! I am impressed! Thirty years ago, twenty years ago, or three years ago "at least seven people" have a shared memory of paint on a rock. The whole thing reads like a bungled smear campaign.

This "revelation" is now a "challenge" to Governor Perry. Zzzzz

Please, dear minions of the media. Let me know if Governor Perry:

*Has sexual relations with a child

*Smokes dope in the choir loft every Sunday

*Takes pictures of himself a la Anthony Weiner

*Pockets money meant for a women's shelter

*Has tertiary syphilis which has moved to his spinal column.

Otherwise, take a hike. Americans are able to sniff out smear campaigns.

Link to article

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Egypt and the "Arab Spring"

2011-10-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

Interesting link sent to my email today.

Click on link here

Tammy

HEALER

2011-10-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

Good Morning and welcome to Sunday Worship!

Link here

Tammy

Morning has Broken

2011-10-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

Morning has broken - cool and beautiful in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The Rangers play today. Go Rangers!! Arkansas & Texas A & M also have a game in Arlington, so the traffic will be congested for all fans working their way to the games. But the weather will be perfect for these sporting events.

I am grateful to God for this gift of mercy. We have come through a season of hardship with the heat. We still need rain. Desperately. But the change of a season is upon us.

As a child, I loved the song "Morning has Broken" by Cat Stevens. Yes, there is much for which to be thankful today.

Cat Stevens link

Tammy

Where the Wild Rice Grows

2011-09-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Here is the latest for Daily Times.

Click on Link

Tammy

Crescent of Embrace: The Flight 93 Memorial Americans Do not Want

2011-09-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

It is the memorial which Americans do not want and it is the symbolic memory they do not care to embrace.

It is a travesty really. The Americans who died taking the fight all the way to the cockpit of Flight 93 are deserving of a memorial. Due to the "award winning" design, it will end up being the least visited memorial in American history.

Whilst the architects state the design "coincidental", the truth is that terrorists who worship under the symbol of a crescent turned our commercial flights into missiles with human components. The truth is that there were no hugs-all-around as the missiles sped to their targets. It was sheer terror for the passengers.

Lemme see: If 19 Christians commandeer flights and pilot them straight into Mecca and Madinah, the award winning and coincidental design will be a "Cross of Reconciliation".

It seems that former President Bill Clinton (seated atop his billion dollar empire) could cough up the remaining millions required to spiff up the memorial. Instead, he asks Americans to lend their support to one of the most damning examples of political correctness in the 21st century. Former President Bush and Speaker of the House John Boehner also make a plea. May their request not fall on deaf ears. May it fall on the ears of those who still remember what would have been the screams of terrified Americans as men shouting to their god accomplished their operational goal.

Do you hear the sound? The memorial should have been titled, "Fist of Defiance". Flight 93 went down with knuckles bared. A cadre of American men chose the face of evil as their last glimpse of earthly life. Raise your fist with me today. We are Americans. There is no national "embrace" for those who would still seek to kill us on sovereign soil.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

Military Healthcare System

2011-09-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the Daily Times commentary for Friday.

Article Link

Tammy

Shaken Baby Syndrome

2011-09-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

During the final weeks of the Genghis Khan Exhibition the cadre of volunteers are working very hard. This week and the next a total of 7,000 children will come to see us and receive a glimpse of the intersection of history and artifacts.

On Tuesday I was holding a replica of a bow, such as the one used by Mongol warriors. The small children were lined up to give a try at pulling the bowstring and testing their little muscles. One little girl grabbed the bow with her right hand but her left hand was limp and curled in unusual manner. After assisting her I asked the educator the nature of injury.

"Shaken baby".

O.K. So a little girl suffers a stroke injury because an adult had a bad temper and could not control anger responses.

Put a ripe tomato in a Mason jar and screw on the lid. Shake the jar hard a few times. That is what happens inside the skull of a baby.

Think about it.

Tammy Swofford

Pakistan Floods September 2011

2011-09-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Pakistan is enduring a new season of flooding. Take a moment and pray for those who are impacted by this latest natural disaster.

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Sunday Morning Praise

2011-09-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a song by Chris Tomlin.

Enjoy!

Click on link

Enjoy!

Tammy

Vulnerability of Another Woman

2011-09-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Here is the Daily Times article

Click here

Tammy

White Castle Lawsuit

2011-09-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Martin Kessman is mad at his local White Castle restaurant. He believes they are in violation of the American with Disabilities Act. To put it bluntly, Mr. Kessman is morbidly obese. He is upset that the seating does not fit his fat-laden frame.

Perhaps the American taxpayer should sue individuals like Mr. Kessman. Whilst his arse is putting quite the strain on the seat at White Castle, his obesity will eventually place a tremendous strain on our healthcare system.

Speaking of strain.... An area hospital has a neat little plaque behind the wall-mounted toilets in patient rooms. It advises those who weigh greater than 300 pounds to drag their bulk down to the lobby. The common area bathrooms have floor-mounted toilets. I once worked in a hospital where a female client pulled a toilet off the wall and created a flooding incident. True story.

Mr. Kessman does not need a lawyer. He needs a doctor. His weight requires a physical exam and an aggressive diet and exercise program.

White Castle Lawsuit

The Gadenken Files

2011-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

As stated in the article, we will meet again on the other side of 9/11/2011.

God Bless America.

Daily Times Article

Tammy Swofford

Military Sock Puppet Program

2011-09-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Here is the latest for Daily Times.

Article link

Tammy Swofford

Sunday Praise: Above All Powers

2011-09-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the link.

Above all Powers

Smiling,

Tammy Swofford

Labor Day Locusts

2011-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

It is that time again....

It is time to open the pantry on Labor Day and allow a plague of locusts to wipe out every food morsel in the house. Our son is bringing a few hungry guys over for meat on the grill and home-cooked goodies. I have informed him that he can invite the residents on his floor, but not the whole dorm building.

This morning one of his roommates chirped happily into the phone, "Hi, Mom!" After telling him about the amber waves of grain that await him I began to hear the sound of beating wings and the drone of the locusts. The guys burst into cheers and one of them exclaimed, "She is beautiful!" What he really meant, is that I look like a casserole and a homemade piece of pie. Food looks like love to teenage boys.

My son piped off to the caged chimps otherwise known as college boys, "Respect my Mom!" As I hung up the phone the hoots, grunts and additional guttural sounds of bonding were still in play.

I trekked to the grocery store and loaded the cart. After looking at the food supply I turned around and trundled back to the grocery store for a few more snacks. By Tuesday, my husband and I will be fighting over the one remaining can of beans left in the pantry.

Happy Holiday!

Tammy Swofford

Amusement Park Ban Sparks Riot

2011-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest for the Daily Times.

Article Link

Tammy Swofford

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan releases "Badr Operation"

2011-08-25T03:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-15T04:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-11T03:28:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-07T04:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

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

Naser Abdo: Violating his Oath of Office to Mount an Attack

2011-07-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Let me be brief:

If the highest oath is to Allah

If the highest goal is an act of fratricide

Do not join our ranks.

Article Link

LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC

A Nation Like No Other

2011-07-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Link to video

Tammy

Prayer for the Citizens of Norway

2011-07-23T04:44:00.001-07:00

My first thoughts when seeing the government buildings in Oslo was to note it looked like the Marine barracks in Beirut. The second thought was that it reminded me of Oklahoma City. There was little doubt it was a terror attack instead of a gas line explosion.

Many of us immediately made the leap to an attack mounted by Al-Qaedah or one of its affiliates. We were wrong. I was wrong. The answer to the question was much less complex and may not involve a web but only a solitary spider.

The label applied to the suspect is "right wing Christian extremist".

It is the acts against humanity which count. What happened yesterday causes what occurred in Arizona to pale by comparison. I just cannot get my head around a man who targets a gathering of young adults and fires at will and in remorseless manner.

The emotion for such acts are unforgiving and unrelenting rage against society.

No words of comfort are sufficient for the deep national grief lapping across Norway today. It is in such times, that we offer our prayers

Tammy Swofford

tammyswofford@yahoo.com

Jihad Cartoon Film Trailer

2011-07-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

Readers,

The file sharing site which hosted the jihad film trailer is no longer available. I should have saved the thumbnails!

If I can locate it in a different format or on a different forum I will post it again.

Tammy

Oslo Bomb Blast: The Images

2011-07-22T11:33:00.001-07:00

These are images coming across the jihad media flank. There are graphic photos of dead and injured. I will not post the images. Neither will I post the criminally insane statements which are contained within the threads which discuss this event.

A solitary image of a man has made an appearance. No real sense as to the significance of the photo. His face is unfamiliar. But almost as soon as these things pop, the banners are churned out glorifying the deed. Norway intelligence will sort it out in the aftermath of the attack.

Prayers are extended to the citizens of Norway.

Tammy Swofford

Anwaar Hussain: Latest Post

2011-07-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Here is the latest post from Anwaar Hussain.

Link here

Tammy

MercyMe: All of Creation

2011-07-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Link to Sunday Praise

Smiling,

Tammy Swofford

Killing Americans: How Terrorists Teach Their Students

2011-07-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

It is easy really. Two dozens images and step by step instructions on how to pull the powdered sugar out of the pantry and work with a bit of acetone peroxide, ethyl alcohol, nitro, etc. A few grams of this and a few grams of that will work. Use your candy thermometer to get things to just the right temperature as you mix up the recipe for death. Learn how to attach the detonating wires and pick the phones. Attach the "motherfucking detonator" (their words) and apply a good adhesive to attach it to the vehicle.

Killing Americans.

Made simple.

Offered up by an internet jihad recruiter.

The readers know my stance on this issue.

Policy. Policy does not equal the asymmetrical threat.

I support a new suite of laws strategically directed against jihad webmasters.

Tammy Swofford

News of the World: A Scandal Tabloid Collapses when the Trap Snaps Shut

2011-07-08T04:21:00.000-07:00

The News of the World set their traplines with increasingly sophisticated construction over the years. But their own journalistic foot is now snapped in the snare which they used to court their readership.

Scandal. It can be the result of patient and painstaking journalistic investigation. Or it can be mere journalistic incantation. The staff of the tabloid chose black ops, the use of detectives and phone hacking to create their Sunday page. They crossed a line when it was found that the voice mails of a murdered girl had been hacked in pursuit of their seedy journalistic craft.

Sure, Prince William also suffered his own hacking episode. But what can be said of ripping apart the privacy of the family of a murdered child? Why are journalists happily agreeable to reading intercepted e mails passed on to them? What sick mind enjoys reading in anonymous manner the final thoughts of a dead child whom they did not love? Is there a name for this sickness? Probably not. But there are legal terms which address the behavior.

So now the U.K.'s best-selling Sunday paper is going to shutter their operations. The News Corp. will stump away with their mutilated foot. The Murdoch family of newspapers has a huge crisis of confidence. The stench goes all the way to the top. The buck stops with the CEO.

Scandals make for fun reading - except when the scandal is your own.

Tammy Swofford