Truth Counts

Journalism Question: "Who Benefits" President Trump has stated many times that "We're"  going to make "a lot of money"! https://www.facebook.com/NEWSMAX/videos/president-trump-were-going-to-be-making-a-lot-of-money-reducing-taxes/1398855408234675/ Oopsie!  He wasn't referring to all Americans, but only a select few.   And with Iran insisting they will control the maritime commerce moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a "peace deal" is just another phrase for cluster f-ck. Yes. I understand trickle down economics and the velocity of a dollar. Unfortunately, my velocity is being taken out each week at the grocery store as Trump's drone fires into my fuselage. Mayday!  Mayday!  Swofford down!  Swofford down! Just flip the 2.4%. interest coin.  4.2 percent is the new inflation rate since starting an unwinnable cage fight with Iran. (Copied from wfaa.com. The original link requires a subscription) Author: Bill Hethcock (Dallas Business Jo...

Part III: Touching Stephen Ogilvie's Face: Touching the Face of Islam يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًۭا ١٧١ O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes regarding your faith; say nothing about Allah except the truth. 1 The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah and the fulfilment of His Word through Mary and a spirit ˹created by a command˺ from Him. 2 So believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say, “Trinity.” Stop!—for your own good. Allah is only One God. Glory be to Him! He is far above having a son! To Hi...

Part II: Touching Stephen Ogilvie's Face: Touching the Face of Islam Any who have truly been touched by the grace of Jesus Christ will find themselves incapable of harming their neighbor.  His teachings guide our actions.  But it is also understood by this journalist that the torching of a bus and cars, and vandalism or arson of homes in Ireland is a response offered by citizens who know they are powerless against the whims of their government.  And being frightened, releases the fight response.  They cannot flee the unhealthy policy initiatives hoisted upon them. So... they fight. We can't get to you, our bastard leadership.  But we can get to them.  Take that!  Serves ya' right!    So to re-calibrate this conversation prior to having the "tough talks"  allow me to share a few of my poignant  and happy memories within the Muslim community. The image above is of Madad.  We attended a musical event together at our local art cent...

Part I:  Touching Stephen Ogilvie's Face. Touching the Face of Islam There will be no "Angel's Glow" for Stephen Ogilvie.  There is no happy ending. If his medical team is able to extubate him and remove ventilatory support, it is possible he sustained anoxic encephalopathy due to the severity of his injures; and it will make no real difference whether he is "tubed" or free of mechanical support.  I have cared for individuals capable of breathing without assistance but their eyes did not track, and movements consisted of either decorticate or decerebrate posturing.  And these families were ecstatic when their relative could grasp their hand. "He gripped my hand! He must be getting better!" But it is just a primitive reflex based on a feedback loop. If Stephen Ogilvie actually awakens to a state of consciousness, he will awaken to blackness.  One eye and a socket were carved out by his assailant.  The other eye received a blinding injury.  Already h...

Targeting Map: Last 24 Hours Images with narrative of U.S. radar site strike in Bahrain. A claim that we hit a water storage structure:  Iran claims they targeted five sites last night.  But from launch to actual target acquisition, results can be distorted by either side. Five military sites were targeted in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain Muwaqqaf Al-Sultani Air Base (Jordan) Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base (Kuwait) Ali Al Salem Air Base (Kuwait) Headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet (Bahrain) Sheikh Isa Air Base (Bahrain) Narrative or correct report? I dunno. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced: In two operational waves, we targeted and destroyed 18 important targets belonging to the US Army at the Ali Al-Salem and Ahmed Al-Jaber air bases, as well as at the Sheikh Isa air base. * As always - seated at my desk I am unable to properly vet any information. But everything is "out there" on X.

Preface to a Series of Future Posts I am capable of writing about Islam in cogent manner. Having networked within the community and communicated within the edges of operational and political support groups for terror, my depth of understanding regarding challenges for the West is robust. Mentorship and a close and loving friendship with a legal Mufti and his family brought tremendous benefit to my life.  I remain indebted to this remarkable man.  Copious correspondence with a man who met with Osama bin Laden a few weeks prior to 9/11 remind me of the dangers faced by the West with migration of Islam to our shores; and introduced me to the terrain of the mind.  Movement into the Shi'a house with a tutorial offered regarding the House of Ali and the Grand Ayatollah chain of command allow me to reflect regarding why our engagement with Iran is not going as planned. Muslims have prayed in my home.  Visited for a Christmas Eve come-and-go party. Reciprocated with invitati...