plus 3, Military yields on pregnancy penalty - Houston Chronicle

Military yields on pregnancy penalty - Houston Chronicle
U.S. military dropping controversial pregnancy policy - Toronto Sun
U.S. military: no change to Iraq pregnancy policy - YAHOO!
Jennifer Hudson Denies Second Pregnancy - Limelife

Military yields on pregnancy penalty - Houston Chronicle

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 11:03 AM PST

WASHINGTON — A controversial policy that put pregnant soldiers in war zones at risk of discipline will be rescinded under an order from the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

Gen. Raymond Odierno has drafted a broad new policy for the U.S. forces in Iraq that will take effect Jan. 1, and that order will not include a pregnancy provision that one of his subordinate commanders enacted last month, according to the U.S. military command in Iraq.

Odierno's order comes about a week after the pregnancy policy issued by Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo triggered a storm of criticism. Cucolo had issued a policy that would permit the punishment of soldiers who become pregnant and their sexual partners.

The order listed a variety of offenses, and the punishments for them could range from minor discipline to a court-martial. But in a conference call with reporters earlier this week, Cucolo said he would never actually seek to jail someone over the pregnancy provision.

And he said the policy was intended to emphasize the problems created when pregnant soldiers go home and leave behind a weaker unit.

U.S. military leaders in Iraq conducted a full review of all existing orders as part of the ongoing transition in Iraq, and a new general order has been drafted. The order would consolidate several general orders from the U.S. commanders across Iraq. That policy, the military said Thursday, will not include the pregnancy provision.

Previously, the commanders have had the authority to draft their own restrictions.

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U.S. military dropping controversial pregnancy policy - Toronto Sun

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 06:03 AM PST

WASHINGTON — A controversial policy that put pregnant soldiers in war zones at risk of discipline will be rescinded under an order from the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

The order listed a variety of offences, and the punishments for them could range from minor discipline to a court-martial. But in a conference call with reporters earlier this week, Cucolo said he would never actually seek to jail someone over the pregnancy provision.

And he said the policy was intended to emphasize the problems created when pregnant soldiers go home and leave behind a weaker unit.

Previously, the commanders have had the authority to draft their own restrictions.

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U.S. military: no change to Iraq pregnancy policy - YAHOO!

Posted: 23 Dec 2009 03:28 AM PST

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A U.S. commander in northern Iraq does not expect to order a court martial for soldiers who become pregnant, but has not rolled back a controversial new policy on pregnancy, a military spokesman said on Wednesday.

A new directive from Major General Tony Cucolo, who commands U.S. soldiers in northern Iraq, sets out possible punishments from reprimand to court martial for prohibited behavior, including drinking alcohol, taking drugs or becoming pregnant.

The policy has been criticized by some women's advocates and on Tuesday four U.S. senators wrote to the secretary of the U.S. Army on Tuesday asking that it be rescinded.

"We can think of no greater deterrent to women contemplating a military career than the image of a pregnant woman being severely punished simply for conceiving a child," Senator Barbara Boxer and others wrote.

Cucolo defended the rules, which took effect for his 22,000 soldiers when he took over in northern Iraq in November, as necessary to retain combat power as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Cucolo's command includes some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq, where ethnic and sectarian rivalries have fueled an ongoing insurgency.

Military spokesman Major Jeff Allen said Cucolo, who personally decides what punishment soldiers violating rules will receive, had clarified that he did not intend to court martial any of his soldiers who became pregnant.

"I have not ever considered court-martial for this. I do not ever see myself putting a soldier in jail for this," Cucolo said in a conference call on Tuesday with reporters.

Yet Allen said that Cucolo, contrary to what some media reports had implied, had not changed his stance. Becoming pregnant remains on the list of prohibited behavior that could result in a variety of punishments including criminal charges.

Four of Cucolo's soldiers who were found to be pregnant since the November 4 order took effect had received letters of reprimand, Allen said. Three male soldiers involved were also reprimanded, and one of them received a more serious reprimand because he had committed adultery.

"The fact that the soldiers received letters of reprimand does not represent a change in policy, and no changes have been made to the directive," he said.

The policy applies only to soldiers under Cucolo's command. U.S. Central Command rules do not prohibit "sexual contact between consenting, single servicemembers," but individual commanders can issue rules that are stricter than that.

"That is what Major General Cucolo had done in this case; he has taken a policy and made it stricter to meet his desire to send a message to our soldiers on this issue," Allen said.

(Reporting by Missy Ryan; editing by Myra MacDonald)

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Jennifer Hudson Denies Second Pregnancy - Limelife

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 07:51 AM PST

Jennifer Hudson's too busy for a second baby...isn't she?

Just four months after the birth of her son David Jr. to fiance David Otunga, rumors are buzzing that Jennifer Hudson is pregnant again. Some sites suggest that this is a cruel poke at what may be stubborn baby fat from baby David, as Hudson's rep insists she's too focused on work for bambino number two.

"Contrary to what has been falsely reported, Jennifer Hudson is not pregnant," says her spokesperson Lisa Kasteler. "Jennifer leaves in April for South Africa where she will portray Winnie Mandela in the feature film, Winnie."

Kasteler adds, "It is a commitment she is excited about and takes very seriously. Jennifer is currently in the studio recording her second album and this is the only delivery she is looking forward to in 2010."

However Star Magazine reported this week that, "'Jennifer was in total shock when she found out she was having another baby,' says her close friend, who adds that the couple learned they were expecting on Dec. 10. 'She had wanted some space between the kids' ages.'"

In fact we reported just last month that Jennifer Hudson wants another baby, but it sounds like work, David and David will have all of Hudson's attention next year. In other pop star love and sex news, Kevin Jonas is on his honeymoon...click here for a juicy TMI update.

It is a dam shame how offer the media are when it comes to people lives. However, this time it was not the media are some friend. This was some crazy attemp by some other artists running scared trying to throw salt in Jennifer's game. Honestly, she is at the top of it all right now. Now, as for the baby weight that is off, and Jennifer is smaller than before. Girlfriend is looking as beautiful as ever. Although, she have always been on point even when she was bigger. Jennifer has big plans for 2010, and they should be scared. This gorgeous sister have a very handsome husband and a gorgeous son. Yes, I said husband they are married, and have been for sometime now. They were married even before their son was born. However, a very big wedding is being planned for family and close friends. The wonderful couple is very much in love with each other. Jennifer only works in hollywood, but she is not of hollywood. This young multi-talented super star keeps to herself, and minds her own business. So no its not the stubborness from the baby weight. This was an attemp to try an throw salt in her game. How low an unclass of some big name artist can be when it comes to fame. The industry is big enough for all. There is no need to throw rocks and hide your hands be a real lady. See, we all know what Jennifer have been through and is copeing with in her life. I don't care for cowarts and liars, and neither does she.

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