American Drag Party in Iraq

For One Night, Baghdad Gets A Pink Zone
by: Al Kamen
Friday, May 22, 2009 (The Washington post)

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052104048.html)

Change has certainly come to Baghdad. And it appears that includes the U.S. Embassy, where they are holding what the invitation says is the first-ever U.S. Embassy Gay Pride Theme Party next Friday at Baghdaddy's, which is the embassy employee association's pub.

"Come celebrate the start of Summer with color . . . and in costume!" the May 10 invitation says. "Dress in drag or as a gay icon. All are welcome." The invitation was attached to what was called an "All Hands Alerts" e-mail.

An embassy spokesman said by way of explanation: "This is an event organized and sponsored by a group of employees. Given the lack of places to meet in Baghdad, the embassy allows groups to use its social facilities for events on a first-come, first-served basis."

The invitation says, "Prizes will be awarded for two contests: Best Dressed Gay Icon and Best Lip Synch Performance." Unclear what the prizes are, but don't forget to "order costume supplies now in time for May 29th," we're told. "For more info and costume ideas, check out the next edition of The Tigris Times."

Baghdad, and they're encouraging men to dress up as women (and vice-versa I suppose) for a night of partying down. How does Islamic law allow actual women to dress? Anyone…?

And the Islamic world is sooo agreeable to drinking and carousing in the first place (especially when females are included), and it is sooo laid back about how foreigners (especially Americans) dress and act while in their countries, that it just seemed like a real no-brainer to the State Department to not only have a party that celebrates a type of social group that is literally outlawed in Islam to begin with, BUT, to also encourage them to dress up in "drag" outfits?

People are killed there merely for being homosexual, women are beaten and abused for not being wrapped up like a mummy at all times, women who are thought to be of 'loose' morals or to have committed adultery can be (and are) publicly stoned to death! And the geniuses working in our embassy think it is a good idea to have men dress up as slutty/trashy looking women (ala Cher) and get liquored up in our embassy?

General Order 1, which was initiated by retired General (Stormin') Norman Schwarzkopf 19 years ago, BEGINS with this statement:

"Operation Desert Shield places United States Armed Forces into USCENTCOM AOR countries where Islamic law and Arabic customs prohibit or restrict certain activities which are generally permissible in western societies. Restrictions upon these activities are essential to preserving U.S. host nation relations and the combined operations of U.S. and friendly forces."

"Islamic law and Arabic customs prohibit or restrict certain activities which are generally permissible in western societies." They 'prohibit' or 'restrict' activities that are 'generally permissible' ; considering these restrictions begin with things like not praying toward Mecca 5 times a day, is there any doubt that they will more than just frown on something like a drag queen drinking fest?

The restriction of these activities "are essential to preserving U.S. host nation relations" is what the Order states at the very beginning. This is what caused our troops to have to wear black armbands over the flags sewn on their uniforms. This Order which is considered 'essential for the success' of U.S. and friendly forces operations in the area is at the root of Army Chaplains recently being told to burn Bibles on one of our military bases!

So why do the morons at the State Department, at our embassy – our DIPLOMATIC ENVOYS – think this doesn't or shouldn't apply to them? The entire thing is just ludicrous! Exactly what part of this stupidity will do anything whatsoever to improve our standing and our relations with the Iraqi government and people?

Our President is sooo concerned about our image there and around the world, and this baloney is acceptable behavior by our representatives in Iraq? Then again, let's not forget, just the other day president Obama declared June as being LGBT month, and in another showing of his humility – he applauded himself for being the first president "to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an administration."

You can almost see the mortar that binds the foundation of our republic being purposely chiseled and drilled into to create holes to place the explosives in…