Sons of Katie Elder 


Well - not really.  

But it is the sons of the Grand Ayatollah awaiting the "pure remains" of whatever is really in that box.  Mostafa al Khamenei with two of the sons of the grand old man of Najf - Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.  Years ago, I accessed information and a health update from one of his offices in the West.  Even then, most things were done "by direction" and he did not see many visitors.  

I remain fond Grand Ayatollah al Sistani because he is such a spitfire.  And I still find it regrettable that we did not properly approach him during Gulf I.  It was to our detriment.



The one who has the ring possesses immense power. We forget that Grand Ayatollah Khamenei  wrote fatawa to be released in the event of his death.  His writings, are the secondary device.  smile  They will still be in force until a new leader is chosen and carves out his own place in history.




My guess - is that our military colleges lack strategic depth regarding Islam because concepts are being taught by individuals who scarcely grasp Islam.   Years ago - I wrote an article for the Marine Corps Gazette.  I had been granted several opportunities to place commentary or book reviews on the page.  Something which was written with a grasp of the truth was shunted over to the War College for review.  It was sent back with a somewhat insulting tone - character defamation - and also referred to me as a "he".  The article had been submitted as LCDR Swofford, USNR NC.  The individual who torched my reputation was not smart enough to do a basic name search to determine it was a female officer who had penned the commentary.  Naturally, my accuser offered to write something appropriate. Pompous ass.

Our problem is not solitary "Islam".  Our problem is multi-faceted, deeply layered, poorly understood Islam.  I have mentored under a legal Mufti.  Try me.  Ask me anything.  smile

Tammy Swofford

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