The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

First of all, I need to say that I don’t write the Stormwarning’s Counterterrorism to please anyone but myself (and I’m not sure that everyone reading this “interview” will be pleased with it for that reason).  But writing the blog helps me formulate my own opinions on a range of issues.  But there are a number of people who don’t agree with what I write.  I believe that is because I tend to “think out of the box” and I have the ability to see dots that others do not.  I also hate labels and generalizations.

 

I didn’t “just discover” issues relating to National Security or counterterrorism the morning of September 11^th, nor did I begin my commentary and analysis then.  I was involved in history and current events, and in technology long before that morning.  On September 11, 2001, I watched the smoke rising on the all too near horizon.  Trying to understand the many challenges confronting the U.S. after those attacks made analysis of issues and policy work my passion and my future.  I’ve also done quite a bit of public speaking on the subjects I write about.

 

Like some others who write on the subjects of counterterrorism and World issues, I also have business and lifetime experience in areas that are impacted by terrorism.  Therefore, my posts concentrate mostly on observations and analysis of related situations.  While I have never served in the military and I’ve never actually worked for a government agency, I am involved in those circles because of my business.  As a result, I am also somewhat of a policy geek and often serve as a technical advisor on projects other than my own.

 

Finally, I do not “suffer fools lightly.”

 

The object behind every blog is the attainment of a state of being. Do you agree with this statement?

I can’t agree with something that I don’t understand.  My “state of being” is that which “is,” and it “is” unalterable.

 

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Even though I tend to write in different styles depending on my venue, I have been writing for “fun and profit” (and business) for well over 35 years.  I tend to write the Storm blog in a more informal stream of consciousness style than I do for business, or for my other web site.  There is a big difference between blogging and journalism.  I’m hoping to hone my journalistic skills over time to lay a foundation for an after retirement career.

 

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I don’t remember.  Actually though, I suppose the most flattering moment was when I was asked to join the panel of writers for the other website for which I write.

 

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

When I have time, I try to leave comments on a limited number of other blogs.  Not everyone agrees with my views, especially when I’m not in lock-step with certain narrow perspectives.  I don’t do much to promote the blog.  That probably explains why I have such a small, but dedicated circle of readers.

 

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

I am waiting for politicians to be able to interact in real-time with voters.  However, we are already seeing a revolution in being able to reach the electorate and raise election funds through the Internet.  I did see some commentary the other day about one of the candidates asking voters to go to the candidate’s website at www.etc.  The commentary was that asking anyone to go to www.anything was so “2000!”

 

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Actually, I think that a lot of the new technology is driving people apart.  How?  First of all, we have lost the art of conversation.  I also think that communication on the Internet has (d)evolved in ways that people in real life would never consider.  People used to say that you didn’t discuss politics, religion or sex in “polite company.”  Those “prohibitions” don’t exist on the Internet, and Internet practice is quickly leaking into everyday, off-computer life.  I also see the Internet equivalent of “flaming” bleeding into everyday life.  That is not a good thing.

 

What do you think sets your site apart from others?

Well, now this is one of the questions that I hesitate to answer.  Why?  I guess some people may read it and say, “Who the heck does he think he is?”  To answer the question though, I’m not an “expert” but I am far from being an amateur, especially on subjects in which I am directly involved.  Additionally, there is my incessant honesty.  Yet, there is one particular blogger who has accused me of being intellectually dishonest.  I found that accusation laughable, but frankly, I think that’s partially because of my wry sense of humor and also because of a complex misunderstanding and clash of personalities.

 

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Persistence, persistence, persistence, along with a healthy dose of honesty and the ability to see down the road (long range vision).

 

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

Undoubtedly, the moments of my children’s births rank highest of all of the happy moments of my life.  But happiness is an interesting concept.  For a long time, I searched for the meaning of happiness.  I finally figured out that happiness was a state of being in which you weren’t unhappy.  I try to surround myself with “happy” and reject negative thinking.  The gloomiest moment was unquestionably those moments immediately after 8:46am on September 11^th and then when it got worse when the buildings crumbled, and when I saw local fire trucks lining up on the side street near my office before they left to go into New York City.

 

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?

I have no idea what Twitter is.  As for social networking, I suspect that the evolution of new media is accelerating.  Why should politicians not be included in the revolution?

 

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

Israel, Hawaii and Australia (although China and Japan aren’t too far behind – and I’d like to return to the UK too).  But actually, I like traveling for pleasure and therefore would go almost anywhere.

 

Please see into your crystal ball and tell us who would be the next President of US?

Well, my own preference of those running is John McCain.  I’m not so sure, but many people I know believe that the Democratic candidate will win.  I also think that some of the best candidates aren’t running.

 

What is your favorite book and why?

I don’t really have a “favorite” book.  However, books that have influenced my thinking include The Third Wave (Alvin Toffler) as a follow-up to Future Shock, and Beyond Spinoff by John Alic etal.  Even though these books are old, they predicted huge changes in the ways in which we live, and in some of the ways that are still evolving.

 

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Honesty.  Does a person look you in the eye when you’re speaking to them?  Honesty is the one character trait that means the most to me.  If I trust someone and they betray that trust, I don’t take too kindly to that.  I have to admit that I live by the code of “don’t get angry – get even.”

 

Why US is still unable to find Osama after all these years?

Simply, I think that it is a lack of resolve, along with distraction.  I think it’s a serious flaw in our War on Terrorism that we didn’t make bin Laden’s capture or elimination a priority.  Yes, I know that the jihad would continue without bin Laden and even if he were killed, someone would come to replace him.  I ascribe to the belief of the evolving jihad (that there is an al Qaeda 1.0 and a 2.0, just as there will be a 3.0), and that the spread of terrorism is viral.  That’s why this is a “Long War” and will last a lot longer than many people would like to think.  In fact, its been going on for a lot longer than most people realize.  I’ve written about that concept on my blog.

 

Is there anyone from your past that once told you that you couldn’t write?

My first writing experiences included short and long poetry (in high school) and then a series of children’s’ books.  I worked with an illustrator, and should have had a book published, but bad judgment prevented that from happening.  No one ever told me that I couldn’t write, or even shouldn’t write.  My father, however, didn’t believe that I could support myself by my writing.  He was probably right.

 

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I suppose if they work really hard at it, they can get support through advertising, or form some sort of organization and get donations.  But if you do that, it becomes a job, and you might also lose your objectivity.

 

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

Communication.  But it has to be honest and it has to be constant.

 

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

I don’t really play favorites.  I do think that the smartest writer out there is Ortho from Baudillard’s Bastard.

 

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Time?  Time is a limited commodity in my life.  I have none.  Don’t you know that there are only 168 hours in a week?  If you sleep six hours a night, that leaves 126.

 

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are? 

No thoughts, except I do know that if done right, a corporate blog can be an effective marketing and communications tool and a way to reach a company’s customers.

 

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

Not one in particular.  Frankly, I’m not all that sure what people think about my writings on Storm Blog.

 

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Now, I knew that you’d ask that question.  I am sorry to say that my opinion of the country of Pakistan has never been very high.  That is not to say that the people of Pakistan aren’t simply victims of their own environment and innocent bystanders in a drama of terrorism as it unfolds.  But the government, especially that of Musharraf, has always been suspect in my mind.  Certainly since September 11^th, I have had very little confidence that the Pakistani government was really on our side of the War on Terrorism.  I know that the public position is that Pakistan and Musharraf are our allies, but the inability to pursue bin Laden, the government’s unwillingness to allow U.S. special forces to go in to pursue bin Laden, the willingness to negotiate with the Taliban in the NW Frontier areas, the fact that Pakistan maintains an active nuclear program, the on-going and continuing conflicts with India in Kashmir and elsewhere…I just don’t trust.

 

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

The only thing that has stunned me is how utterly closed minded some people are and how unwilling some people are to grow and understand other points of view.  In many ways, the Internet and especially the blogosphere is like Speakers’ Corner in London.  The difference is that the Internet somehow gives credibility to things that are written.  I often wonder if peoples’ parents told them what mine did, “don’t always believe what you read.”  A lot of people simply don’t question the sources, especially if they read something that validates their own opinion (but it doesn’t make that opinion correct).

 

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

Freedom, boundless opportunity and standard of living.

 

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

My wife hates it when I write that “d@mn blog.”  However, she doesn’t realize that I am constantly writing something whether it’s for one of my articles, a paper for work, or simply a bit of creative writing.  Storm Blog has nothing to do with my professional life.  The other website for which I write is laying the foundation for a future.

 

What is the future of blogging?

As with everything that is new, blogging will evolve.  The Internet itself is still in its infancy, so who knows how blogging will change?  In truth, only 3 or 4 years ago, I felt that bloggers were a waste of time because they were largely opinionated, but not always factual.  In some ways, they still are.

 

What are your future plans?

To see my grandchildren live in a World free of al Qaeda and terrorism.

 

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

I appreciate the opportunity to write this interview.  I’m not too sure that everything that I’ve written is what the “interviewer” expected.  I do hope that the readers of the Pakistani Spectator will come to my blog.  Frankly, if my view of Pakistan needs to be adjusted, I’d welcome constructive input and discussion.

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