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Culturally Insensitive Warriors

The California National Guard (search) is catching all kinds of hell for a couple of fliers hanging in some office worker's cubicle that Islamic leaders and "peace groups" say are culturally insensitive and offensive, according to The Associated Press.

Of particular concern was a note about World War I Gen. John J. Pershing's talk about dipping bullets in pig's blood to deny Muslims entry to heaven. "Maybe it is time for this segment of history to repeat itself, maybe in Iraq?" the flier stated.

The flier and two others — one showing the wings and tail of a bomber forming a peace sign with the slogan, "Peace the old fashioned way" and another with a Red Crescent ambulance stuffed with weapons and a caricature of Yasser Arafat unloading the weapons — was hanging outside a cubicle in the Guard's Civil Support Division in Sacramento.

The peace groups touring the complex were so flabbergasted they filmed the fliers and then took the evidence to the San Jose Mercury News.

"Muslims are not our enemies,'' said Ruth Robertson, a member of Raging Grannies who saw the flyer. "It's troubling to see a governmental organization dedicated to the security of our country promoting culturally and religiously insensitive ideas," said William Youmans, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Santa Clara.
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Parade Problems

A man who marched in a Fourth of July parade dressed to look like Usama bin Laden in a turban and tan robe and with his hands tethered together with a dog leash prompted screeches of racism from some in the crowd, according to the Post-Tribune.

The character was part of the Supporters of the Military's float at the parade in Chesterton, Ind., last week. Since the character was not labeled, opponents of the display said they feared it could have been interpreted as an unfair stereotype of an Arab man.

"Maybe they didn't mean anything racist, but if I saw that coming down the street, I would have been offended," said one onlooker
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Flip-Flop Flap Fuels Fundraiser

CHICAGO (AP) — The latest White House flip-flop controversy has nothing to do with John Kerry (search).

After Northwestern University's national championship women's lacrosse team visited the White House last Tuesday, a group photo showed several players wearing flip-flop sandals along with their dresses and skirts.

A controversy quickly followed, with the Chicago Tribune's front-page headline on Friday quoting an e-mail player Kate Darmody's older brother sent her: "YOU WORE FLIP-FLOPS TO THE WHITE HOUSE?!"

Family members of other players were also dismayed, saying the footwear was too casual for a visit with the president.

"Don't even ask me about the flip-flops," said the mother of player Aly Josephs. "It mortified me."

The players have defended their attire, arguing they wore a dressier version of the casual sandal.

"Nobody was wearing old beach flip-flops," said Josephs, who wore a $16 brown pair with rhinestones.

Darmody, 22, added: "I tried to think of something that would go well with my outfit and at the same time not be that uncomfortable. But at the same time not disrespect the White House."

The young women are trying to turn the controversy around. They plan to auction off their White House flip-flops — and give the proceeds to a 10-year-old girl with a brain tumor.

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI