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Archive for the ‘Media’ Category

Military Wives of San Diego? Really?

30 Sep

Get ready, folks, because coming soon to your televisions is… Military Wives of San Diego! Pardon me while I go hurl into my trash can.

You fell in love with a man in uniform, in fact, you’re married to the military. Behind every man stands a great woman, none more so than the man in service to his country. Military wives will celebrate these unsung heroes that are also making the sacrifice, spending their nights alone, holding down the fort on home soil.

Doron Ofir Casting is recruiting a group of extraordinary women who share the joys and burdens that come along with choosing a relationship with the enlisted. If your life as a military wife is worthy of being shared with millions you should apply.

This brand new DocuSeries offers the unprecedented opportunity to document your lifestyle as you navigate the complicated journey of being in a relationship with or married to the military. From deployments to homecomings, enlisted men to officers, the newly engaged to recently divorced, Military Wives aims to celebrate the true story behind love and life with the military.

What kind of women are they looking for, exactly?

“…a group of extraordinary women who share the joys and burdens that come along with choosing a relationship with the enlisted. Whether you’re up all night worrying or out all night partying, we want to hear your stories. We’re looking for six brazen stars for our long form docu-soap about your lives on and off the base.”

I’m curious why there seems to be such an emphasis on enlisted wives. Do they think we’re trashier or something and would make for better television? I only ask because clearly, they’re going for the sleaze. And I guess to them, that means enlisted wives. Nice.

So they want six “brazen” stars to be featured in a “docu-soap”? Oh, I can just imagine the people who will be featured on this show now. There’s the alcoholic wife who hits up all the bars. The rank-wearing bitch will be there, as will be the OPSEC violator who can’t keep her mouth shut and gets her husband in trouble. There will be the skanky wife who cheats on her husband (because it is just so hard with him being gone all the time), and the wife whose husband has PTSD. And then, of course, there will be the catty wife who talks about all the other wives behind their backs.

This show is such a horrible idea that its making my head spin. The fact that the title was made to sound similar to “The Real Housewives” shows was, I’m sure, on purpose and I’m also sure is indicative of the kind of show they’re going to be airing. This is also the same casting company that brought us “Jersey Shore”. Awesome.

The sad thing is, they will undoubtedly have no problem finding their six women looking to cash in on their husbands’ military service to get fame. And I haven’t seen that be brought up yet — that’s what these wives will be doing. They’re using their husbands’ service to their country and exploiting it to get fame. Whoever does end up on this show should be ashamed of themselves. And they’re representing all of us, every single military wife out there. The difference is that most of us don’t go bar-hopping every night while our husbands are deployed, or keep a Jody on standby, or whatever dramatic, sleaze-filled scenarios this show will present. But that’s how America is going to see us now. They’re looking for, in their own words, brazen women who party all night. Its going to be a train wreck, and what’s worse, all of us military wives will be painted by their brush. Its despicable.

This show will be looking for drama, and let’s face it, us hard-working wives who keep our heads down, hold down the home fort, and love and support our husbands with every fiber of our beings just don’t make good television.

 
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Posted in Media

 

Marine Corps Times: We’re Gay, Get Over It?

14 Sep

When DADT was repealed, I took a lot of heat — and I mean a lot — for writing that, although I didn’t agree with the repeal, I thought we should have faith in our military that it would be handled in the best way possible. I do not agree with repealing DADT. I am hopeful that once we get a competent Commander-In-Chief, that it could be reinstated. And it’s issues like this arising that are the very reasons that I was against DADT being repealed. I have no problem with gays serving in the military — I don’t think anyone cares if they serve. No one doubts that a gay Marine can serve just as honorably as a straight Marine can. Honorable service was never the issue. The issue was exactly what we’re seeing now: gay rights being shoved down the throats of service members. The beauty of DADT was that it allowed the military to remain neutral on gay rights. Gay marriage, for example, is an issue that the military will be forced to take a stance on now. And no matter what they choose, people will be angry. If a gay soldier is married, will their marriage be recognized? Will they get benefits? What about straight Marines and gay Marines showering and sleeping together? These are situations that don’t have easy solutions. But the repeal is over, it’s been done, and all that can be done now is wait and see how this will affect the military. I still feel that way. But my mind may be starting to change… especially after seeing this on the cover of the Marine Corps Times.

Speechless. When I saw that, I was absolutely speechless.

This month, on the 20th, the repeal officially goes into effect. And this is how the Marine Corps Times is choosing to showcase that. My husband came home last night and told me about seeing this cover, and I am fuming. My blood is literally boiling.

It is one thing to repeal DADT and to let gays to serve openly. It is quite another to flaunt it, to shove it down our throats like this. Why is it, I wonder, that we need to know who is gay and who isn’t? Why do our faces have to be rubbed in it? I really don’t need to know who in my husband’s unit is straight or gay, but for some reason, I guess we simply HAVE to know. We not only must know, but we are apparently required to approve of it.

And I’m curious: why are we the ones being told to get over it? It seems to me that the exact opposite needs to happen. Why is such a big deal being made out of the fact that there are some — gasp!! — gay service members? It has absolutely nothing to do with the job they have to do, so why is it being made into such a big issue?

On that note, one of the most offensive things about this headline is the implication that the military is inherently homophobic. Apparently, being gay is something that makes all of us in the military community terrified and/or angry. It’s infuriating, and that a newspaper that is supposed to be dedicated to the Marine Corps would take such a stance is outrageous. It’s a disgrace to the Corps and everything it stands for. Have they forgotten the Corps values? Honor, courage, commitment. What is presented on this cover is not honorable in the least. It’s a cheap, divisive, and disgraceful ploy to get attention.

One of the most divisive parts about this is that it separates Marines into two groups: gay Marines vs. straight Marines. Aren’t they all just Marines? Everyone goes through boot camp and are made into Marines. There’s not a separate process for gay recruits and straight recruits. We don’t differentiate between black, white, Asian, or Hispanic Marines — yet here we have the Marine Corps Times pitting gay and straight Marines against each other. They should be ashamed.

I haven’t read the issue yet. But on their website, the Marine Corps Times states they they have interviewed gay Marines about the repeal. I’m curious: will they be interviewing straight Marines to find out what their opinions are, too? Or are they solely promoting the viewpoints of gay Marines with an agenda to push?

I will say right now that if I had a subscription to the Marine Corps Times, I would be cancelling it. As it is, I will never purchase another issue unless and until an apology is issued. If you agree, then feel free to contact their staff.

Gannett Government Media
6883 Commercial Dr.
Springfield, Va. 22159-0500 USA

1-800-368-5718
1-703-750-7400

Andrew DeGrandpre, Managing Editor:
adegrandpre@militarytimes.com

Tony Lombardo, News Editor:
tlombardo@militarytimes.com

Gidget Fuentes, Bureau Chief:
gfuentes@militarytimes.com

The Marine Corps is owed more respect than was just showed to it by the Marine Corps Times. They should be ashamed, and an apology should be issued and the story retracted. This is a disgrace.

 
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Posted in DADT, Marine Corps News, Media

 

Military Track At Blog World Expo, This Year Featuring Me

24 Aug

The annual Blog World and New Media Expo is gearing up to take place this October in Las Vegas, and if you aren’t planning on coming, you should. This year, a free pass to the military track is being offered to all active duty military and veterans. Not a member of the military? Well, you should still consider coming, because it is going to be a great time. The amazing Greyhawk from the Mudville Gazette is the host/MC for this year’s military track.

And, OK, the entire military track doesn’t feature me. But I am going to be moderator for one of the panels. Here’s a little sneak peek of what we have planned for you:

Panel 1: Surprise for now
Panel 2: Social Media: Force Multiplier for Spouses?
Panel 3: Media and the Military: Myth versus Reality
Panel 4: Ideal versus Field: Social and New Media In Less Than The Best Circumstances

I was very kindly asked to be the moderator for the Panel 2, and I of course agreed. I’m really looking forward to being there. We also have two very exciting special guests on the panel with me!

Social Media: Force Multiplier for Spouses?
New and Social media have changed how spouses communicate with each other and share information within their companies and with other groups. It also is changing how spouses cope with the stresses of being separated and with having their other halves in harm’s way. Join spouse blogger and journalist Cassy Fiano, journalist and commentator Melissa Clouthier, and spouse blogger Cassandra of Villanous Company as they explore how changes in media and technology are changing the world of spouse blogging.

While Panel 2 will be amazing, of course, there’s even more excitement in store. A very interesting science fiction writer has agreed to be on Panel 3, and a surprise participant for Panel 4. It’s going to be a great time, you’ll get to meet a lot of new people, and learn a lot of interesting things about the military and new media. And hey, you get to meet me!

Hope to see a lot of you there!

 
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Posted in Media

 

NY times leaks classified military information from Gen. Petraeus

25 May

You would think that the constant publishing of sensitive military intelligence that our enemies would exploit would be considered treason. Certainly, it’s anti-American and helps our jihadist enemies in the Middle East. The New York Times has been the frontrunner in this, and they’ve done it again. Someone leaked a classified order from Gen. Petraeus to the NY Times, and they ran with it.

The top American commander in the Middle East has ordered a broad expansion of clandestine military activity in an effort to disrupt militant groups or counter threats in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and other countries in the region, according to defense officials and military documents.

The secret directive, signed in September by Gen. David H. Petraeus, authorizes the sending of American Special Operations troops to both friendly and hostile nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa to gather intelligence and build ties with local forces. Officials said the order also permits reconnaissance that could pave the way for possible military strikes in Iran if tensions over its nuclear ambitions escalate.

While the Bush administration had approved some clandestine military activities far from designated war zones, the new order is intended to make such efforts more systematic and long term, officials said. Its goals are to build networks that could “penetrate, disrupt, defeat or destroy” Al Qaeda and other militant groups, as well as to “prepare the environment” for future attacks by American or local military forces, the document said. The order, however, does not appear to authorize offensive strikes in any specific countries.

… Several government officials who described the impetus for the order would speak only on condition of anonymity because the document is classified.

Makes you think of this: if the NY Times was around in 1776. Pretty accurate.

Here’s a question: why does the NY Times get away with this time and time again? It happens over and over again and they’re never held accountable. Will the Obama White House investigate and punish those responsible for this story? Fat chance. Now that this has been leaked, liberals are wailing and gnashing their teeth at the horror of it all. What an outrage! We’ll know who our enemies are, what they’re doing, and we’ll be better prepared to deal with them.

Gee, you’d think they didn’t want us to win this war or something.

The worst part of this is that now, Iran will be emboldened to further avoid sanctions and go further towards becoming the most dangerous regime on the planet. Plans like this only weaken our efforts in the Middle East while strengthening the intelligence of our enemies. This is treasonous behavior. That’s why this information needed to remain secret. This being published could very easily lead to deaths of our soldiers.

But of course, the NY Times doesn’t care about that, do they?

Whoever leaked this knew it was classified, as did the New York Times. Both should be prosecuted.

 
2 Comments

Posted in Media

 

Family Guy mocks Vietnam Vets

17 May

I used to find Family Guy mildly funny. I never went out of my way to watch it, but I could get a few chuckles out of it here and there. The show has become increasingly liberal, though, and I ultimately stopped watching it. They take cheap shots at Republicans, conservatives, the Palin family, and anyone else they apparently feel isn’t appropriately toeing the liberal line. I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with that — if they want to mock politicians and notable Republicans then be my guest — but some lines shouldn’t be crossed. Like mocking Trig Palin, for example. And mocking our men and women in uniform? Not funny.

No, I found nothing about this to be funny or entertaining at all.

Here’s what happens: On a search to find the source of all dirty jokes (which eventually leads them to Virginia) Peter, Quagmire, and Joe pass through Washington, DC where they see the Washington Monument, the Obama Monument (it’s black) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This is the part that is going to ruffle some feathers. Standing in front of the Memorial are two Vietnam Vets and a Vietnamese man who calls the Memorial a “scoreboard” and says “aw, what happened to your friends? Hey I know that guy, I killed him, he cried like a bitch. Vietnam! Undefeated!”

Here’s the video.

Real classy. Let’s make fun of Vietnam vets who gave their lives in service to their country. That’s pretty sickening, and not even remotely funny.

Seth McFarlane should apologize. He won’t, but he should. The man is completely ungrateful for the sacrifices of men and women who ensure that he has the freedom to make fun of them. Maybe he should go spend some time in Cuba, China, or Venezuela. Maybe then he’ll be more appreciative of the freedoms kept safe for him and all Americans by our heroic men and women in the military.

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Posted in Media