December 12, 2011
In the News: Obama Calls Final End to Iraq War; Celebs Protest Lowe’s Ad Pullout and More
Obama Calls Final End to Iraq War
In a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Barack Obama announced the end of the nine-year war in Iraq.
The head of state warned Iraq’s neighbors that the United States would remain a major player in the region — even after all troops are brought home.
“Our strong presence in the Middle East endures,” Obama said. “And the United States will never waver in the defense of our allies, our partners and our interests.”
Al-Maliki’s trip to Washington came as the last American troops were preparing to leave Iraq ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. Just 6,000 U.S. forces remain — that’s down from the 170,000 present at the war’s peak in 2007.
Celebrities Protest Lowe’s Ad Pullout From TLC’s ‘All-American Muslim’
Celebrities and bloggers, among others took to the Internet to show their disdain for Lowe’s decision to pull their ads from TLC’s new show, All-American Muslim.
The Florida Family Association, a conservative group, organized an email campaign to get the home improvement store and other advertisers to pull their ads from the show calling it “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.”
Russell Simmons, the chairman for the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, wrote in one tweet, “U endorse hate. U may be held accountable we will promote a boycott if they don’t reinstate campaign and apologise #allamericanmuslim.”
In response to actions from the Florida Family Association and Lowe’s, Moveon.org is circulating a petition to “fight back against bigotry and fear-mongering by publicly repudiating calls to stop advertising during TLC’s ‘All-American Muslim’.â€
As of Monday morning, the petition had 7,700 signatures.
OWN Network to Shift Demographic Focus
Despite Oprah’s iconic brand name and heavy marketing strategy, OWN network ratings aren’t living up to expectations, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Executives at the network are thinking about tweaking their target demographic and catering to African American audiences. President of the network Erik Logan assures that OWN will not be exclusive, but instead more inclusive.
The OWN original docuseries, Welcome to Sweetie Pies, has been a network standout and is popular among African Americans.