Truth Counts

The Potency of Qur'anic Linguistics After spending a few minutes leap-frogging across sites to look at images of missiles and a mobile electromagnetic catapult, my thoughts took me elsewhere.   Years ago, I managed a volunteer tree for a Genghis Khan exhibit at our city's art center.  This required me to also function as a docent, knowing all aspects of the exhibit in case one of my volunteers did not arrive for their assignment. I gained a measure of respect for the warriors; albeit would not want to be on the receiving end of their wrath.   With the simple mastery of catapults and perfecting the dynamic of releasing an arrow from the bow while traveling at swift speed on their horses, and their ability to stand upright in the stirrups, the Mongolians proved a force with which to be reckoned.   When I traveled to the steppes of Mongolia with a medical mission, I retain a most vivid image of a young boy,  perhaps no older than 5-6 years of age who...

Stats for December Stats look good, because Singapore and Mexico sent in a bot-fest on 27 December.  That was an irritant, to say the least.  Otherwise, the stats are fairly descriptive of blog traffic.  

The "Friendly Brethren" Assist a Darwinian Some people are just oxygen thieves.  Or if nothing else, worthy of The Darwin award . https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/texas-man-charged-after-alleged-attempt-to-help-isis-build-bomb/ All that is really needed is a simple list to satiate a budding fascination with carnage.  But unfortunately, if "moi" makes an average grocery list and texts it to my husband, the nearest regional police fusion center might take an interest.  "Baby.  I need hydrogen peroxide, powdered sugar, cumin, ascorbic acid, a can of motor oil, and a jar of vaseline... and by the way, a bag of charcoal for the grill.  And come to think of it, we are out of aspirin and powdered coffee creamer." That evening, whilst  I am funneling the oil into my vehicle with the sound of rib-eye fat popping on the grill; as my powdered sugar icing is ready to top off the freshly baked cake; the home-made hot sauce with cumin is still in the Ninja blender; a...

Syria's Dumpster Fire Let's just be done with the bullshit.  The only people who think Al Julani is doing a great job are the people who do not have to live in Syria.  I refuse to call him President al Sharaa.  He is still a terrorist. Nothing can wipe away the consistent record of terror activities meted out by this man and his bigoted comrades.   Now - al Julani has  just unveiled new Syrian currency which was printed in Russia.  But he really has no real currency in a modern world. There is widespread unrest across Syria. The nation is a powder keg.  And if it is not the Alawites being chased about with shovels and pick axes along the coastline of Latakia, it is Christmas trees being torched in Damascus and a suicide bomber blowing his head off inside a mosque in Homs just a couple of days ago. On the streets, Sunni thugs are roughing up little Alawite boys who are selling bread for their mothers and forcing them to recite the shahada.  Young g...

Or Eitan I missed this news yesterday -   The Iron Beam Laser System delivered to the IDF by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.    Reminds me of something from Star Wars .  

2025:  A Year of Gaslighting Writing "A Journalist Enters a Pub" (at my prior blog site) provided me with much enjoyment. The stories about my experiences as a journalist were written as a small reminder as to why journalism is my passion. It serves as a diary of how friendships within this field have strengthened both my life and  Christian faith.    But the post written in April provided the beginning point for what has been a year of gaslighting. The actual event (I refer to it as a "single imprint trauma")  was on February 27th.  And as 2025 winds down and we come to the end of the Gregorian calendar year, I revisit it once again. https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2025/04/13/status-unknown/ https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2025/04/27/two-months-status-unknown/ https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/status-unknown-eight-months/ A year of gaslighting consisted of fake texts and e mails,  dubious and side-winding conv...

Israel Grasps the Heel In actuality, the sons of Jacob didn't grasp the heel, but they have taken hold of the horn.  In what is an act of diplomatic genius,  Israel is the first U.N. member to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign region; albeit there has been  de facto autonomy for greater than three decades. The citizens of Somaliland have taken to the streets in anticipation of improved infrastructure which will be provided by Israel.  Part of that improvement - discreet cough - involves a state of the art military intelligence campus which places Israel nose-to-nose with Yemen, and more importantly, the gain of greater control over the vital Bab al Mandab strait.  It is a choke point which thirty percent of global maritime trade is dependent upon.  Somaliland also offers succinct military advantages against Tehran, when (and not if) the need arises.  Israel just gained strategic depth.  On smaller scale, Israel just offered hot chocolate and a p...

Paper Dolls for Adults My mother is an artist.  Not on scale of Georgia O'Keefe, and she is definitely incapable of a Monet. But she definitely comes from the Picasso gene pool.  Or maybe her art is similar to "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvadore Dali.  I definitely do not share her taste with regard to art.     One year, she took pictures of all of the female members of the family and carefully snipped out the eyes, made a kitchen magnet with it and displayed it on her refrigerator.  "Guess whose eyes...." was the prompt.   My brain said, "Late blooming schizophrenia."  But my concern is misplaced, in this age of ChatGPT. My brother - a normally logical person - sent me images of he and his wife in evening apparel. I took note that while his tuxedo was the same,  but the bow ties were of different colors.  "You are in shorts."  He confirmed it.  Our temperature in the DFW metroplex was in the mid-80's for Christm...

Blog Stats for the Prior Two Hours  The nurse in me, sees a classic case of Ventricular Fibrillation. File under:  Humor

Russia's Ascendancy Russia's ascendancy may have had it's initial movements harnessed to the aspirations of Peter the Great, but I am unsure which adjective would be bested suited for a discussion of the Russian Federation under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin.  Perhaps, Vladimir the Formidable, works best. We have been brought to this collective moment in history because of our diddling around and dithering about with NATO - which at this point, should be called "Not so fast".  Our fascination with growth from an original twelve members to an addition of nineteen members have allowed this "Partnership for Peace" to create a pincer grasp on the map around the large land mass known as Russia. Russia - because that bear is a Grizzly - has responded with the Shanghai Five - which became the Shanghai Cooperation Organization when Uzbekistan joined in 2001. There is also BRICS - which is a growing powerhouse of intrigue and financials.   And there ...

Russia's Waltz with the West I remain unconvinced regarding the narrative that President Trump admires the British Monarchy. Not in the sense of it being an institution; albeit, our President has admiration for some of the traditions of grandeur which surround the Royal family.   King Charles should really be called King Chuck.   He is a weak-willed, myopic leader regarding the future of his nation. He has spent years worrying about the climate - which is always changing... and a bit tautological in nature - no pun intended.  But he has neglected focus on the domestic climate within his nation which has been buffeted by excessive migration and policies which burden the English with the never-ending subsidy of the Muslim population.    I do believe that our POTUS is most interested in a ruthless efficiency which turbo charges our economy and firmly anchors his place in history as one guiding the most powerful administration of this century. The Kremlin ...

Graham Walker:  American Spirit While Secretary Scott Bessent tells Americans they are going to receive "very large refunds" in the first quarter of 2026, the use of the word "large" is laughable.  That money will be gone in less time than the life span of a gnat.  Mr. Bessent seems to be fond of an economic model based on the work of Andrew Mellon. The needle is moving wildly for large tax breaks for the wealthy; to stimulate investment in new ventures; which then broadens the working class base which is represented by a word in the English language which I have come to detest: taxpayers.  Yep. The paltry one-time offering of a $1,000-$2,000 tax refund for "We Poor Sods" - otherwise known as "We the People" - is just a sleight of hand magic show.  Bessent is pure Mellonism. Of that, I am sure. But let's consider what Graham Walker just did for his employees. His actions do not just pay a month's mortgage or allow a working family to take...

  K-328 Leopard in Sea Trials: Update with Video The nuclear-powered Russian K-328 Leopard (of the Akula class) is now undergoing sea trials.  It is a mighty beast.  I love the book of Job.  Chapter 41 describes the Leviathan.  The Russians now have one. https://www.biblestudytools.com/job/41.html There is tremendous interest in this post.  Because one of my principles of journalism involves a generosity of heart, and not the hoarding of information - let me include the video. Enlarge it!  Enjoy the marvelous sea-faring beast! https://x.com/mog_Russ/status/2004274023384207737

Iskender Ertus Apparently - if reports are believed, Iskender Ertus shot his son over a fight regarding inheritance.  https://www.haberler.com/haber/iskender-ertus-kimdir-van-in-asiret-lideri-19382302-haberi/ He should have offered him a book instead of a bullet. "Islamic Inheritance Law" written by my mentor, Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, is a good option.  I have read the selection. It involves a lot of mathematical equations, heavily dependent on gender.   My book has since been passed on to another.  But this is just a reminder that Islam is government. To define it as anything else, is a degradation of purpose and design of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Dr. Kavakci is a legal Mufti, and he can issue fatawa.  To him, a debt of gratitude for his patient training and open heart. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/roportaj/prof-dr-yusuf-ziya-kavakci-dunyanin-osmanli-turk-ve-islam-ilim-irfanina-ihtiyaci-var/1889411 swoffordwrites@gmail.com

Toyota Jihad  I coined the phrase "Toyota Jihad" when we entered Afghanistan under President George W Bush. https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/toyota-jihad-4/ Watch the video.  What is surreal - the camels running alongside the vehicles. Especially fun to watch when enlarging the screen. So much - the West does not understand.  The law of unintended consequences will smack the Trump administration... soon enough. Want a serving of Ahadith to go with the camels?  On a personal note, I love camels.  https://preciousgemsfromthequranandsunnah.wordpress.com/2021/01/21/the-fire-in-hijaaz-illuminated-the-necks-of-the-camels-in-busra-authentic-stories/ Your analytical task today:  Based on the video, write a short policy brief.  Two pages will suffice. But make it bullet point.  Succinct.  Readable. As an aside - "where" do these guys obtain their trucks?   Hmmm  Time to buy Toyota stock. Smiling, Tammy

Administrative Note One of my best friends is in ICU and on a ventilator.   My thoughts are focused on her. I will return to blogging when her condition improves. Tammy 

Trump If asked their willingness to abandon the family dog on the side of the road in exchange for judging a teen modeling contest, more than a few men would answer "Yes!".   Probably a few would also be willing to slash the tires on their wife's vehicle for the same privilege.  But when you are the man about town, and a wealthy billionaire - there is no need to abandon the family pet. Opportunities abound to make an ass of yourself. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/14/teen-models-powerful-men-when-donald-trump-hosted-look-of-the-year I have viewed worse things than the  redacted file of Donald J Trump and Melania Trump with Epstein and Maxwell.   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15404691/DOJ-Epstein-Trump-photo-Pam-Bondi-charges-contempt.html Trust me.  Russian troll farms on X have complete videos of a younger Mr. Trump acting like a jerk around women, and definitely getting "handsy" with some willing participants.  They seem...

The File that Vanished  This would be the missing bread crumb. Beyond my pay grade.  And certainly my level of expertise. But I am not sure an image of a known playboy surrounded by women counts for anything other than the usual follies of men.  There have been no images released of our POTUS with minors based on the legal definition of the word.

  Where are the Algorithms? If two men can steal $7,000,000 in SNAP benefits what is the true nature of fraud against the taxpayers? How many more zeros need to be added for a correct report out of the massive corruption within our state programs?  Nobody noticed?  How can it even be possible.  The math never lies. It always tells a story. And why are there no existing algorithms which by-pass the individual states and flag the anomalous statistics straight into the Federal Branch and the DOJ?   https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2002242562673791463

Kim Jong Un Welcomes Soldiers Back from Russia But first, a still image from a military recruitment video with soldiers training in the snow.  Seems a bit contrived and as silly as the yearly American firefighter fundraising calendars with bare-chested firemen.    Why are the wounded in 1950's era wheelchairs?  Will they receive sports wheelchairs which improve their mobility and quality of life?  Probably not.  My guess is North Korea lacks this niche industry within their basic infrastructure.  How well do they care for their wounded?

The Coming European Winter In 2008, I sent correspondence to Sayyed Grand Ayatollah Muhammed Hussein Fadlallah.  I received a gracious (and the) expected measured reply of a jurist.  My initial correspondence was regarding the disposition of the Palestinian people.   The translation of his letter from the Arabic was provided by Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, a legal Mufti who patiently mentored me for a decade - a man considered both a professional colleague and friend.    https://www.bayynat.org.lb/ There are times when the terrain of the mind is not fully understood until touched by the heart of the other.  The words of the Grand Ayatollah have stayed with me.  And as a professional journalist, I have carefully sifted the words of all Muslims who have given me the gift of time.  It is the least I can do, when an open hand is extended with regard to my questions.   Do not call them Palestinians.  Call them Muslims.   These ...

DHS Purchases a New Hatchery I doubt it is eggs that are going to be hatched on the land. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/real-estate/article-15395659/Alex-Karp-Monastery-Aspen-Colorado-palantir.html File under:  Humor https://www.cacklehatchery.com/

Anti-Semitism "Teach your children that justice does not lapse with the passage of time, and that Jews are cursed in the Qur'an, and that God has described them as covenant breakers and plotting schemes.  Teach them that they killed a great number of the prophets, and that their descendants are nothing but an extension of their forefathers, but they have gone even further by occupying the third holiest site.  Do not let the passage of time twist your resolve - either victory or martyrdom." As our best (sigh) Western think tanks continue to relegate Jihad to a side-show, and anti-semitism to a by-product status due to the creation of the State of Israel - we continue to hamstring our ability to build conceptual arches which will quarantine certain beliefs to a Middle Earth status.  Islam is not a substrate.  It is a sub-created world which does not reflect the values of Enlightenment.  The linguistics, culture, and beliefs are anchored in seventh century kalam an...

Drone Use by Jalisco New Generation Cartel I read the news in Spanish first. The link states there was an aggression against the security community ten days ago.  The payload came from a long distance; this was a drone attack.  It is the new asymmetrical warfare - and we do not want it used against our oath keepers on U.S. soil. https://oaxaca.quadratin.com.mx/explosion-de-camioneta-en-coahuayana-con-dron-identifican-operadores/ Searching for an English report, I located this: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/7/deadly-car-bomb-outside-police-station-in-mexicos-michoacan Al Jazeera reported this as a car bombing ten days ago.   But today, the news outlet from Oaxaca is stating that this was actually an attack which targeted the security community in Coahuayana  with the use of a drone presumed to be operated by Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion.  The authorities are seeking facial recognition of the perpetrators. They are out there.  And they still ...

Pentagon Shake-up 9/11 re-aligned our military priorities in a manner which, while robust, were neither needed nor judicious with assets deployed appropriately.  Iraq? A campaign based on disinformation and with scarce strategic necessity was mounted as a vanity project of President George W. Bush.  This proved costly for both sides.  The later large movement of troops into Afghanistan with hungry flanks of private contractors and corporations was a colossal mistake. The fraud and profiteering was stratospheric in nature. Special Forces and our highly trained hunt-and-kill military specialists should have been deployed to clean up around the edges.   Instead, we chose to submerge two large (national) basements to drown a few rats.  Practically everybody but Grandma went to war.  And after two decades of war-explore we are left with an Achilles heel.  We are weakened, not because of our strength. But we are weakened by dissipation. Pentagon budgeta...

Mental Illness, Fractured Families "If I can stop one heart from breaking...."  The profound simplicity of what was written by Emily Dickinson  continues to float through my mind as I pray for the surviving members of the Rob and Michele Reiner family.   Perhaps it is because I am a registered nurse and because I spent time working in locked psychiatric facilities in two different cities.  But more likely my current sentiment is due to the fact that I am lending support to a dear friend and her husband.  Their son - has been shipped off to another state for treatment.  He returns home on 27 December.  They should not open their door. And they should change the locks. The Reiner's told their friends that individuals with diplomas on their walls had lied to them and told them their son was manipulative.  The professionals got it right.  There is no greater manipulation than that accomplished by drug addiction which leads to mental illness....

Hiroshima in a Box It is time to look at the elephant, the bird, and the rock.  The cockroach?  It is just in the box because cockroaches survived the radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. https://opinionbytammy.blogspot.com/2025/12/schrodingers-cat-ii-this-time-there-is.html Years ago - I sat across from a Palestinian man who lived in Israel as a child.  His ancestral home was part of the land which is now occupied by the Knesset.  His later childhood was spent in Jordan after his family was expelled from the land.  He still had his UNRWA  card neatly folded in his wallet; and it was my privilege to hold it in my hand.  But what was more important - was what was within his very fine skull.  Trained as an attorney in Damascus, I remain indebted to him for his generosity of thought.  And  I am most grateful to him for walking me through the story of a nuclear attack which is laid out in the Surah titled,  "The Elephant". ...