State Department gaffe in Baghdad – Gay Pride theme party at pub

General Order 1 – as associated to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan – is designed to ensure the locals are not offended by the actions of visiting troops. Former General Norman Schwarzkopf initiated General Order 1 during Desert Shield in late 1990. It begins

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.

The rule remains today, and BlackFive picked up a story in the Washington Post.

Apparently they have different rules at the State Department.  This isn’t pointed at the lads and lassies on the ePRTs who are doing good work, running the hazards and sharing the suffering with the rest of us.  I’ve yet to meet a one of them I didn’t like, while I’ve met a few I genuinely admire.  But what should I read in the paper?

From Al Kamen at the Washington Post

For One Night, Baghdad Gets a Pink Zone
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.”

I guess Hillary did not get the memo about insulting the host country.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

1 Comment

  1. Dimsdale on May 30, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Man, we have come a long way from "don't ask, don't tell!

    Political correctness comes to Baghdad, courtesy of "the One."  Great.  That'll make them love us!  And they talk about Gitmo being a recruiting tool for AlQ?

    Obamateurs.



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