A little bit ago, I signed on with Twitter, a mini-blogging site.  And with your phone, you can connect to your Twitter account to receive updates via Short Message Service(SMS) or text messaging.  The reason why you would want to do something like this, is to be instantly updated or update your friends with news that is important to you.  It is a simple concept, but extremely powerful.  So I wanted to expand on this topic of text messaging, and try and tie this into how this could apply to counterinsurgency. From recruiting and propaganda, to putting out an alert to protect the citizenry from attack, text messaging is becoming a widely used tool of the populations of the world.  And in my view, if text messaging is used correctly, we can certainly enhance our counterinsurgency efforts in this war. 

Surprisingly, cellphones and the companies that sell the devices and plans are in wide use in such places like Iraq or Afghanistan.  These local populations with phones are making calls and they are text messaging one another, and this is what makes the cell phone an excellent tool to use in order to connect with these populations.

 And believe me, I have seen Iraqis text message one another with the same excitement and enthusiasm as anyone here in the US or world.  SMS is easy to use, and the technology is built into most phones that are used out there-and people like using it.  I think it’s that ‘passing notes’ in class feeling, when you text someone, and it can be fun.  It is also a universal feeling, and if you can read and push buttons on a phone, then you get to play.  But how do you get people involved and interested in text messages?  

My answer to that is entertainment.  You take the most popular past time of that country, and you find ways to take advantage of this interest with text messaging.  Much like American Idol here in the US, where viewers could text message votes and get involved with the process, you could apply something similar to Iraq or Afghanistan.  It does not have to be some American Idol thing-maybe soccer or something that the local population is excited about.  The point is to get the population to use that phone as a tool to connect, and then start expanding on this connection with other means that could be valuable to a SMS Counterinsurgency(COIN) plan.

I say SMS COIN plan, because anyone serious enough about connecting with a population and wanting to protect it, should exploit all and any methods to connect with that population.

  The technologies are there, the populations know how to use it(or could easily learn), and war planners and commanders on the front lines should not be afraid to take advantage of this.  But it must be done right, and there has to be a plan.

Now how could a planner use text messaging to their advantage.  Well, the first step is to ‘learn’ from others throughout the world, and see what works. Build that snowmobile, and find the experts to make it happen. I like the warning system that the Israelis are using for oncoming missiles-protecting the local population.  I like the Crime Stoppers use of text messaging as a tip line for criminals-population turning in the enemy.  I like the use of text messaging to send recruitment notices-reaching out to the population for manpower.  The only limit is your imagination as to the ways you could connect with the local population and find ways to protect them as well as entertain them.  The goal should be to empower that population, and make them feel a part of the process.  Use the local radio stations, and get people to vote in polls via text message about important issues. Or they could vote for their favorite soccer team, or send a text about the Taliban who are currently ravaging their village.  

The other angle with text messaging/cellphones is when people fall in love with that technology, they tend to protect it.  So once folks really enjoy the power of connecting, and someone threatens to take it away or destroys it, then the people will rise up.

One story in particular that demonstrated this, was what Dennis O’Brien, the CEO of cellphone company Digicel, talked about in Haiti. He describes how the people of Haiti were rioting against the government, and spared all the Digicel cellphone stores and towers.  The reason why, was because the cellphone was a major part of their lives.  From business deals, to affairs of the heart, to discussing politics with others, and so on-the cellphone was a prized and extremely useful tool for daily life in Haiti.  That is why they protected it, because they feared losing that vital tool of life and freedom.  I can only imagine how I would react if someone destroyed my cellphone service, or even my internet service-I would not be happy.

These are just a few ideas, but you get the basic idea.  And just last night, I was using text messaging to send in a vote in a poll about the US Vice Presidential debates.  I did it because I wanted to show a reaction to events, and voice an opinion. I wanted to connect and feel a part of the process. Like I said, if you are a war planner on the ground, and you do not have a SMS COIN plan, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with the local population.

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Sometimes you just need small amount of funds for little expenses. Why apply for big credit amounts when you have so many convenient options. You do not have to go visiting different lending institutes standing in long queues for approval of text loans.

All you need to do is sit wherever you are and just send a message when you need funds. These finances are short term in nature and can be availed within few minutes. Text loans have flexible long term the amount is £100 and the repayment period is of 1 to 30 days. They do not involve any credit check.

Text loans carry high rate of interest.

You can also extend the period but with prior notice to the lender. On the due date the lender will debit your account to recover the funds you have borrowed. This finance can be used for all your little expense like paying off electricity bill, educational expenses and so on.

The application procedure is very simple. Firstly you need to register your mobile number with the lending institute. You have to then fill the application form giving all the correct information. The lending institute will then send you a confirmation email which will include your PIN number and the terms and conditions of the deal. However next time you need a loan you just have to send a text to the lending institute. This message must include the amount and the repayment period.

The conditions to be fulfilled for approval of this credit scheme are:

•   You should be a citizen of U.K

•   You should be above 18 years of age

•   Your monthly income should be at least £1000 per month

•   You should have a bank account

•   You should have an email id

•   You should have a cell phone of your own

Sometimes you just need small amount of funds for little expenses. Why apply for big credit amounts when you have so many convenient options. You do not have to go visiting different lending institutes standing in long queues for approval of text loans.

All you need to do is sit wherever you are and just send a message when you need funds. These finances are short term in nature and can be availed within few minutes. Text loans have flexible long term the amount is 100 and the repayment period is of 1 to 30 days. They do not involve any credit check.

Text loans carry high rate of interest. You can also extend the period but with prior notice to the lender. On the due date the lender will debit your account to recover the funds you have borrowed. This finance can be used for all your little expense like paying off electricity bill, educational expenses and so on.

The application procedure is very simple. Firstly you need to register your mobile number with the lending institute. You have to then fill the application form giving all the correct information. The lending institute will then send you a confirmation email which will include your PIN number and the terms and conditions of the deal. However next time you need a loan you just have to send a text to the lending institute. This message must include the amount and the repayment period.

The conditions to be fulfilled for approval of this credit scheme are:

You should be a citizen of U.K
You should be above 18 years of age
Your monthly income should be at least 1000 per month
You should have a bank account
You should have an email id
You should have a cell phone of your own

Credit card debt law, including the new credit card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, gives you significant rights. The new Act which became effective in February of 2010 requires companies to actually mail bills at least 21 days prior to the due date of the bill.

Unless you are 60 days late in payments, the lender cannot raise the interest rate on existing balances on your card. Notice must be provided at least 90 days prior to a rate hike. Payments must also be applied to the highest rate balances first, not the lowest interest rate.

What about collectors?

You have the right and obligation to dispute a debt if it is invalid or that has been incorrectly calculated. The dispute must be done in writing and in a manner that allows you to prove receipt. Many times the amount of a debt is not clear. Interest rate changes are made unannounced, penalties assessed, etc. to the point that you cannot tell what the actual principal amount is that was owed and how much of the claim is interest. If the amount is not clear, it should be disputed. The collector then must obtain written confirmation.

A debt that is more than four years old since the last payment was made is probably time-barred in most jurisdictions. In other words, the statute of limitations has expired on that debt. You should check the time limit in the state where you live.

When you talk to a creditor on the phone, keep a log of who was on the line, when the conversation took place, and the substance of the discussion and any promises made. Follow the conversation with a letter summarizing what was discussed with a request that the letter be placed in your file.

If a creditor is abusive on the phone, politely end the call. Unless they are the original creditor, you have the right to notify the collector in writing to cease all communication with you at home, at work, on your cell phone, or at any other location.

Know your rights under credit card debt law.