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Muslim Prom Comes To Town

5/8/2012

How do you feel about a Michigan High School allowing a separate all-girl prom for Muslim students?
---Take the poll below---

(Photo: Tharima Ahmed)

The New York Times was the first national outlet to cover the story, then the blogsite Creeping Sharia posted the video on Youtube and it broke from there. Here is an interesting link (Tips for Muslim Teens Sweating About Prom) to another website designed for Muslim teens who are torn between their religion and the desire to be an regular American kid. Which many would argue, they just aren't when they are females living under the thumb of Islam in a free western democracy.
The high school girl Tharima Ahmed organized the event, raising funds, and says its because she didn't want to miss out. Some worry this may be the start of a new prom trend Muslims will demand in high schools across the country, but on the other hand it could be the start of a young second generation Muslim female getting her first taste of all the opportunities women have in this country. And that, like many other children of first generation immigrants would be the start of real assimilation into the American culture. Only time will tell. - LC

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ARE THE U.S. MARINES THE NEW COKE?

3/25/2012

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In the age of visual marketing, million dollar Super Bowl ads and the much anticipated new season of Mad Men, the advertising and rebranding of products, ideas and celebrities have reached a fever pitch in our society. But like Coca Cola’s infamous marketing fiasco of 1985…some people likened the change in Coke to trampling the American flag … some brands just shouldn’t be changed.

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE WHO?

The mission of the United States Military according to our Department of Defense has not changed since our country’s armed forces were established in 1775 at the time of the American Revolution:

“The mission of the Department of Defense is “to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country.”

In accordance, the mission as stated on the U.S. Navy’s website: “to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.”

And the U.S. Army mission: “to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.”

In fact, the Departments headquarters was named “The War Department “ in 1789, until it eventually morphed into the DOD with direct control of the three military branches, Army, Navy, and Air Force in 1949.

I know, I know you get it. The American military’s mission is to fight wars and protect the freedoms of the United States. The age old image of a soldier; a tough, salty young buck always ready and eager to lay his life on the line for the values we as a country stand for, for the values our Forefathers documented in the Constitution. I repeat American values, not the values of the rest of the world. Which is why I, among many, am appalled at the new ad recruitment campaign released a few weeks ago by the Marine Corp, known as the toughest force we have in the military.

The ads dubbed “Toward the Sounds of Chaos” are described as seeing “how Marines react at a moment’s notice to resolve tyranny, oppression, and despair around the world.” Among other schlocky examples used, the ads primarily show Marines restoring order in impoverished areas and passing out humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the natural disasters, i.e. Earthquakes in Haiti and Japan. Humanitarian relief efforts are even listed before combat operations under Our Purpose on the Marine website which was retooled for the new ‘feel good’ campaign. Let me repeat: humanitarian relief efforts BEFORE combat operations.

WHY SO SOFT?

Somehow in the age of liberalism, Obamacare, and media bias, the JWT Communications firm shockingly discovered that only 42% of young adults felt favorably toward the Marine Corps. On the flip side their research also showed 70% of young adults felt strongly that being a good citizen meant “helping people in need, where ever they live.” Thus a new campaign was born aimed at attracting soldier recruits worried not about protecting American interests, but the interests of the new kumbaya world population. Sounds more like the Peace Corp with guns to me. Oh wait they addressed that issue too.

The firm’s CEO stated about the new ad push…"We're not recasting the Marine Corp into some kind of peace-keeping force.... the campaign enables us to tell a longer story that being a Marine requires not only the right hand on the weapon, but also another hand to extend support." Yes, that’s exactly the two fold mission the Marines have been pushing as clearly shown throughout history by their actions in battlegrounds like Iwo Jima in World War II, Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, Vietnam’s Khe Sanh and most recently in Fallujah during operation Iraqi Freedom. Now the new Marine ads promoting global good will is nothing new for the military…..back in 2009 the Navy released a similar series of recruitment ads promoting a “Global Force for Good.”

While the Navy’s slogan could be taken two ways: the U.S. Navy securing American and Western interests worldwide, in turn, is in the best interest of global stability, many critics believed the campaign covertly sends a message that the American military is changing into a military belonging to all nations. And with this new series of Marine ads, it seems the critics are quite adept at reading between the lines.

Thank goodness to our Veterans and history lessons, most young recruits joining the Marines, have no misconceptions of what they are getting into. They know the job of the Marine is first in to fight, kill or be killed. They welcome the challenge and honor to fight alongside the heroes who came before them in defending America’s freedoms. Does this mean our soldiers are not compassionate human beings? Well, they are Americans first aren’t they? They know right from wrong and the value of human life, which is why being part of a combat unit puts so much stress on a soldier to begin with. This is something we should be thanking our soldiers for, not try to wash away in shame.

I will say there are a few ad campaigns that got it right and truly shine light on what the soldier is all about and their dedication to United States. Unfortunately they got very little airplay on the national stage. The difference in the message is astonishing.

MAD MEN & FALSE ADVERTISING

In the end, the U.S. is just creating a disillusioned soldier, one who more likely thinks he is joining ‘President Obama’s military’ for humanitarian reasons. The Military is trying to sell soft, and without anticipating how the psyche of these bright eyed sensitive soldiers will handle it on the battlefield. We can’t have it both ways.

Is it because we as a nation have grown so soft that we just can’t stomach the real mission of the military? The big brass must know this, but maybe they just don’t care. To them it could be just a numbers game. Get more fresh boots on the ground. After over 10 years of multiple deployments in countries that do not play by conventional warfare, the military of today is tired, weary and worn down. As a wife of a combat soldier I’d like to think that numbers do not play such a big role, that my husband’s life is not so expendable, but the amount of soldiers being sent back in country harboring traumatic brain injuries and other forms of post traumatic stress disorder is potentially in the thousands. If they recruit soldiers who are sold an ad campaign that pulls the wool over their eyes, is it not inevitable these soldiers will become the same recruits who’ll crack under the pressure because they will not be prepared for the death and destruction that inescapably comes along with their jobs?

So who is it the military wants? Or better yet who is it the American people want today’s soldier to be? The choice is becoming quite clear: An apologetic, always understanding and willing to negotiate ‘softy’ who really should be in the Peace Corp or a ‘lean mean killing machine’ determined to get the job done at all costs. I certainly know the type of soldier I want protecting me from the bad guys determined to take down our great democracy. How about you? - LC

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Big Losses Buried In The News

10/28/2011

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The first female casualty of a new program embedding women soldiers with Spec Ops to bridge the gap between U.S. military and Afghan women.

Her friends say "U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ashley White died in Afghanistan last week working on a mission that she believed in".

The 24 year old was from Ohio, married, and served on the National Guard in North Carolina. She was killed Saturday near Kandahar Province when the assault force she was with triggered an improvised explosive device, the Army said in a statement. Two other soldiers, Kristoffer Domeij, 29, and Christopher Horns, 20, also were killed. read full article on White

If you have read my previous articles, you may recall that I am not necessarily in full support of women serving in a combat forces. But these teams of brave women have proven to serve a huge function in the special forces mission to win the hearts and minds of the local population. Again, we must remember that all our military members volunteer to put themselves in harms way for the better of humanity. Something I bet the "Occupy Wall Streeters" couldn't even wrap their heads around.

Also tragic, one of the dead, 29 year old Army Ranger Kristoffer Domeij, was on his 14th deployment when he was killed in action.

U.S. Forces Command announced Tuesday Army Rangers Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij and Pfc. Christopher A. Horns, were both killed in a roadside bomb also Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Imagine 14 deployments in less than 10 years. Such a great loss, its unfathomable. read full article on Domeij

This past September just a few days after 9/11, I headed down to the Outerbanks in North Carolina to see my own husband for the first time since he had left for the Special Forces Sniper Course the beginning of July. As I was reading the local Sunday newspaper (the Raleigh News & Observer), which many consider to be liberally slanted, I came across an "In Rememberence" section listing those soldiers killed in the line of duty that week. Sadly enough there were almost a dozen.

It struck me as so odd, that I had never seen a section like that before in any of my hometown newspapers; Daily News, NY Times, NY Post, Wall Street Journal. A section every week dedicated to the heroes lost in the war on terror. So simple yet so profoundly respectful of the ultimate sacrifice these young men and women have made for our country.
I did not single out these two deaths as more important than any others, but because of their remarkable stories I thought I should share. Just wish my local news media would have done it for me. But I guess for us here in liberal New York it's just wishful thinking. ####
-LC

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Lately

8/1/2011

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Ok I've been seriously MIA this summer. I figured whom ever is actually checking in on my site, which I am extrememly grateful for, deserves an explanation. Here goes:

In complete harmony with my Lipstick moniker, I have been immersed for the past few months rehearsing for the musical theatre show "A Chorus Line." For those familiar with the show, I am playing the role of Sheila. For those who are not: "A Chorus Line" hit the broadway stage in 1975, revival in 2006. It is about a group of dancers auditioning for a Broadway show, each one has a story to tell about their lives and upbringing. That being said, I will start writing again in the fall and hopefully the Clyde Fitch will be back up and running by then. Until then, have a great summer!

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Saudi Women Drive In Protest

6/17/2011

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"Saudi woman defiantly drove through the nation's capital Friday while others brazenly cruised by police patrols in the first forays of a campaign that hopes to ignite a road rebellion against the male-only driving rules in the ultraconservative kingdom....."(read AP article)

Watch Video Below

Amazing story...We here in America can not forget how oppressed women are in counties governed by Islamic rule. Even though it seems ironic that they are protesting while still being covered up head to toe...it just shows you the seeds of revolution are starting to spring.

So how is the conservative block of men against the movement responding to the wishes of the Saudi women?They have created a Facebook page urging anyone who sees a woman driving to beat her up. Nice. And the last time the driving ban was protested...48 women were "harshly punished, banned from international travel and suspended from their jobs"...AND, let's not forget..."Mosque preachers labeled them 'whores.'"

Fast forward 2011, although they're were no arrests today...last month a 24 year old Saudi woman posted a youtube video of herself driving..she was jailed for 9 days.

Again thank god you live in America, don't take it for granted, and most importantly remember freedom is not free.

To support these women and the campaign...Tweet about it using #Women2Drive
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I wrote an article last year (Stoning, Honor Kiliings and Lady Gaga) about female oppression in the muslim world right after I had gone to see Lady Gaga on July forth in Atlantic City. (she was amazing btw) It still dumbfounds me when liberal women especially, want to tout the "stay out of their culture and way of life, they're happy the way they are" party line. It's complete B.S. If we, the freest of women on the planet, will not stand up and shout for them, then who will?

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Delta Airlines Baggage Flap

6/9/2011

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A $200 extra baggage fee was charged to a number of soldiers in uniform, literally on their way home from a combat deployment in Afghanistan. After an 18 hour layover no less. All together, 34 soldiers had to pony up $2800 out if their own pockets for their entire Unit, who were on official orders. One of the extra bags in question...a weapons case holding the soldier's M-4 rifle. You have to check out the video they made on the plane that morning. Classic.

Now I know we all hate extra baggage fees, but really? Sad that it took 10 years and a viral video posted on Youtube by the two soldiers themselves for Delta to finally change their policy. (read full article)
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I will say that not all airlines are doing this. Terry has traveled on US Airways and has never had that problem. In fact, as long as he shows them his military ID they waive the fees for extra bags, even if he is not on orders. They also allow family members with military ID to wait inside the terminal at the gate with their military spouses before a flight, which I appreciate. This dates back at least 5 years ago since I knew about the US Airways policy. And thats the way it should be!
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Usama is Dead: The Hangover

5/16/2011

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It’s been two weeks since the world’s number one terrorist has been eradicated from earth by - I hate to admit it -by the Navy SEALs, and I only say that begrudgingly because my husband, although part of the same Special Operations family, is a Green Beret, and like any sibling rivalry it always burns just a little when your oh-so-popular brother not only gets to do the job and get the glory, but does it so well it will most certainly be remembered in the history books as a ‘perfect mission.’ But alas, the rosy glow is starting to leave our cheeks, and as we wake up to the world post Usama bin Laden, the hangover is starting to sink in.

We can all think back to our twenties...you know you had the most amazing time, out until dawn, singing “Oh What A Night” in unison with your best buddies in some local hangout. Until you wake up and realize you still have no job, your boyfriend broke up with you, you lost your favorite purse in the cab (with your credit cards), you broke your diet by eating an entire pizza by yourself...and you then threw it up, you broke the heel on your favorite Jimmy Choos, and your head aches so bad that you can’t move for fear of it actually exploding. And of course, as you lie in bed writhing in pain, that’s when it hits you - your parents are coming over for brunch in a half hour. Or something like that. Here’s my Top 10 bin Laden hangover realities.

S Army flight medic SGT Jaime Adame, left, and an unidentified United States Marine help Marine LCPL Chris Propst of South Carolina, who was wounded in an insurgent attack to a waiting medevac helicopter from the US Army's Task Force Lift

Reality #1 - Fears of retaliation. Since the night of bin Laden’s death and al-Qaida’s eventual public acceptance of it, Americans here and abroad have been warned to be on high alert for a terrorist fueled backlash.

And it’s working…folks have been jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo. (Always wanted to fit that in somewhere.) Between hearing about people trying to open cockpit doors mid-flight and out-of-control commuter trains crashing in Hoboken, one wonders if paranoia isn’t starting to settle in. It doesn’t help that after sifting through Usama’s private journals collected in the raid, U.S. officials now say “bin Laden remained the driving force behind every recent al-Qaida terror plot,” and let’s not forget the recent surge in porn industry profits.

Reality #2 – Our soldiers are still over in Iraq and Afghanistan living, breathing, fighting and dying. Four while I wrote this article. Bin Laden being killed doesn’t change their day to day existence, nor their family’s waiting back home. In fact if anything it has made it more dangerous. Bin Laden’s death most likely has galvanized those “take-it-or-leave-it” radicals to step up the attacks against our GI’s.

Which is really part of Reality #3 - They still hate us. Protests against the U.S. have been popping up across the globe since we whacked the primo extremist leader. This as the so called peaceful block of Muslims, especially in our own country, were such a small collective voice, no one quite remembers hearing them react at all. No loud chants of, “We can finally move on!” or “Good riddance!”

So it should come as no surprise to most that Pakistan was the epicenter of protests. Even more ironic was that many of the protests were to “demand the Pakistani government withdraw its support of the militant U.S.”

Anti-U.S. Protests in Pakistan Last Week

Wait a minute; the haze is starting to set in again. Let me work through this in my post hangover state:

...Bin Laden lived in Abottobad for years just 60 miles from their nation’s capital...

...The Pakistani government says they had no idea?! Ok- cut to image of “no guards” on the roof of his compound. Hard to believe the top wanted man in the world would only have one guard protecting him unless he felt safe from capture...

...Then, picture 1.3 billion dollars of our hard earned taxpayer dollars being sent each year since we arrived in Afghanistan to the duplicitously denying Pakistani government...

...Then cut to an image of Congress JUST THIS WEEK voting YES again to continue the Pakistani’s billion dollar slush fund for yet another year...

...Wait I’m starting to come around…Oh yes, and the Pakistani people want their government to stop supporting the U.S military? Hey Dumbasses! (Ok, now pretend you’re calling to them from far away) Your government doesn’t support us! It’s pretend! You know like the movies! You ever see Peter Pan? Oh forget it...

Reality #4 and #5 - Pakistan is about a ten on the ‘Bullshit Meter’ and we pay for them to be that way.

Which slides us right into our next reality fueled reminder - Even after President Obama finally shows the world he has some cojones to order the raid and execute bin Laden the double tap way…..he then kowtows to the radicals by making sure they know we buried his scrawny body according to Islamic Law. I don’t remember the victims on 9/11 getting that same courtesy. Really? That’s what you think is important Mr. President? To show the world that even after we blow your head off, we can still dress you up and take you to the opera. Secondly, let’s not offend anyone by releasing a snapshot of our handiwork while our enemies keep the sole market on documenting every death they've ever caused. Keep the only picture in existence (at least since you’ve been elected to the White House), proving that our country will always reign supreme, hidden from our enemies so as not to upset them. Remind that fact to the families of those four U.S. contractors ambushed, killed, burned and then strung from the Euphrates Bridge outside of Fallujah back in 2004. Oh yeah, is that nausea starting to wash over you again? Reality #6 and #7 – Photo flap and funeral faux pas. Our country stays weak in the eyes of our enemies.

Photograph of 10-year-old Paige Pagan of the Bronx by Frank Franklin II/AP

Speaking of weak, let’s not leave out the CIA and the fact that the current administration has practically stripped our interrogators of doing their job without fear of being persecuted as a war criminal. It’s fact that harsh interrogation techniques led to the information that eventually led us to bin Laden, yet the president and his Left Wing minions led by our Attorney General-Lite Eric Holder are still trying to cling to the notion that giving McDonalds Happy Meals to hardened terrorists will be just as effective as drowning the shit out of them. Reality #8 – The Left will never budge on waterboarding, and I’m going to throw in Guantanamo just for G.P.

And now for our families and friends of 9/11 victims, we must know that the death of bin Laden has only brought to the forefront the pain that they have been living with for almost 10 years now – pain, unlike for most of us, never really goes away. And only now, after the haze of celebratory dancing in the streets, long winded champagne toasts and patriotic slaps on the back are over, do our countrymen begin to realize the stone cold sober reality that never left our 9/11 kindred: Reality #9 - The dead are still dead and they are not coming back.

So what about that dancing in the street you say? It was mostly college age kids, you know, the ones in the most impressionable age group on that September 11th - not quite teenagers, but done with little kid stuff.

I mean, my generation didn’t grow up with 24/7 never ending news coverage about the horrific attacks and subsequent wars. We didn’t grow up with images burned into our brains of people jumping 102 stories from burning buildings, of watching our parents cry silently, watching year after year, the endless stream of families holding up pictures of their lost loved ones at Ground Zero. We didn’t grow up with the collective anger and American pride that enveloped the country after the attacks. But these kids-turned-young adults did, and they did it helplessly; like kids who watch their parents fight and ultimately can’t understand it, so they blame themselves. The death of Usama bin Laden to them is probably one of the first concrete things their generation can claim as their own. And like a kid who hopes winning the championship baseball game or getting the lead in the school play will distract his parents enough to keep them together and make everything good again… they cling to the news of bin Laden’s death, in some childlike way, hoping that it will finally wipe away the emotional turmoil they’ve been watching unfold around them for the past decade. But like those of us adults who’ve nursed many a hangover since turning 21: Reality #10 - They’ll eventually sober up in the end.
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©LC

If your over 21 and decide to postpone that hangover, please check out these bin Laden themed drinks gathered by riverfront times.com.

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POLL: Should the government release pictures of UBL dead?

5/4/2011

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2/2/2011

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Thanks for coming to my site.

Leave a comment or suggestion and let me know what you think! - LC

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Forward>>

lipstick‍conservative

Muslim Prom Comes To Town

ARE THE U.S. MARINES THE NEW COKE?

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE WHO?

Big Losses Buried In The News

Lately

Saudi Women Drive In Protest

Delta Airlines Baggage Flap

Usama is Dead: The Hangover

POLL: Should the government release pictures of UBL dead?

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THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE WHO?

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