According to a letter writer, Stars and Stripes "hit an all-time low" with a May 22 story about a military spouse who posed for a sexy calendar. The model and spouse is Alessandra Bosco, who is married to an Army sergeant based in Katterbach, Germany. She says the calendar idea emerged when downrange soldiers, fans of her Web site, asked her to send photos of herself in military gear. That’s what she has on in the calendar shots, as well as lingerie.
"If they (the troops) have good taste, they will definitely enjoy the calendar," Bosco told reporter Seth Robson. She did say the item was intended for "the military public, mostly male soldiers, rather than families." She’s certainly right about that, judging from a letter, written by Jodi Ventimiglia, from Stuttgart, Germany. She wrote, "I am appalled that Stars and Stripes would even consider this to be something that families of deployed soldiers would want to see." She said she was offended as "a woman, a parent and a proud defender of our troops."
She was backed up by another letter writer. "I am shocked that she (Bosco) is going to be allowed to wear military gear and parts of the uniform in her calendar," wrote Lauren Ross of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. "I really hope this calendar doesn’t make it into Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores in Europe." (The answer to that is inconclusive. An AAFES spokesman told Stripes the organization deals only with distributors, not individuals, and the matter apparently hasn’t come up yet.)
It’s not my place, or anybody’s, to tell these letter writers they are wrong. Obviously the opinions are honestly held. There is room for an explanation, however, and Stripes editors offered one. Doug Clawson, the managing editor, said there was a "lively discussion" among editors about running the calendar story. But he and Robb Grindstaff, the executive editor, pointed to newsworthy elements: Bosco is a military spouse, living in the paper’s circulation area, is a professional model, and had her calendar photos taken by a well-known photographer (Italian Alberto Magliozzi). "Sounds to me like a story that would have some local interest," Grindstaff said.
That’s true, I believe, even though some would find it appealing while others would find it objectionable.
There was an earlier story about Bosco, in a "Spotlight" feature that ran last Sept. 10, that to my knowledge didn’t bring complaints. The angle for that story was that Bosco was the spouse of a local soldier and was also a professional model. Being both, she said then, "can be a problem when you have to deal with other wives in the military who don’t like the idea of you doing pictures." Pretty prescient comment, I’d say.
Speaking of pictures, those accompanying both articles were more provocative than anything Stripes usually runs — just a shade this side of the Playboy variety.
There are those who would not have objected, however. On Bosco’s Web site there’s a submitted photo from downrange showing three U.S. Army majors, a lieutenant colonel and one Iraqi major general. The accompanying message says:
"I will send you pictures of your new fan club as a way of connecting with the men that find you sooo (sic) amazing and are thankful for what you do to get our minds off missing our families, friends and the ugliness of war."
Old Enough to Serve--Old Enough to Make Moral Decisions
To those who are "appalled that Stars and Stripes would even consider [the Bosco "sexy calendar"] to be something that families of deployed soldiers would want to see," I would just offer the following advice--with respect and thanks for their sacrifices: Please treat the calendar as any other adult reading material that you consider offensive and that are freely available at AAFES and elsewhere: Don't buy it. Don't even look at it.
.
To those who are worried that their husbands, sons, or brothers who are "downrange" may see and actually enjoy the calendar, I would just say, if our brave troops are old enough to risk their lives for our country, they are certainly old and mature enough to make their own moral decisions as to what to read, or look at.
Maj. Dorian de Wind (Ret.)
Army Calendar Sexy Spouse
I know that many soldiers will enjoy looking at this model and it will help take their mind off of war. I just hope no one goes so far as pursuing her when they return to their home station. Lusting after someone can lead to compromising situations. The men should put themselves in their wives' shoes. What if a male model spouse decided to pose in a seductive manner with some combat gear and distribute that picture to the wives left behind? To make it worse, let that male model be available in the same neighborhood your wife is in!
Lusting may not seem bad, in fact it might appear innocent, but be honest with yourself. Would you want your wife lusting after someone who lives nearby?
On "Lusting"
Jimmy Carter in a Novemebr 1976 PLAYBOY interview:
" I try not to commit a deliberate sin. I recognize that I'm going to do it anyhow, because I'm human and I'm tempted. And Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. Christ said, 'I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.'
"I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do--and I have done it--and God forgives me for it."
Perhaps God will also forgive those troops in the battlefields who may look at the calendar model with lust, and even those wives back home who may look at that male model "available in the same neighborhood" with lust.
Lusting?
Please, give us credit where credit is due. If servicemembers went around "lusting" over every woman we've seen in a magazine or calandar, every girl who appeared in Maxim would have scores of soldiers knocking on their doors. I can't stand people who try to force their own version of morality on others. Live and let live. Is that so hard for people to understand?
Relationships are based on trust. I'm not married, but if I were, i'd think that I could trust her not to go around searching for every single guy on base looking for a good time. Likewise, i'd like to think that she would trust me to look at a scantily clad model on a calandar without stalking her.
On Lusting--Explained
My apologies to wtrwlkr for not making it clear (as clear as my previous post) that I have no problem with the controversial calendar. I was trying to use a little sarcasm (and common sense--but apparently not sufficiently) to, again, make the point that "if our brave troops are old enough to risk their lives for our country, they are certainly old and mature enough to make their own moral decisions as to what to read, or look at."
As Jimmy Carter found out, perhaps it is not such a good idea to talk about lusting, let alone be honest and admit it.
And I'll be here.
There, round
a river falling again
near the twisted
road, your delicate
footprint portrays
a profile, and also
a new atmosphere,
backwards, like the
sound of a dreamland
in the feast of a
beautiful sky.
Francesco Sinibaldi
BIASED
Thinking it's only a risk to expose your spouse to adult content material containing only strangers is a very naive thought. If your spouse is volunerable enough to lust after a total stranger, he or she will soon enough lust after someone closer, maybe even your neighbor. So make up your mind.
Is it the thought of your husband maybe cheating on you that makes you feel unconfortable, or is it your self esteem that doesn't allow you to view these pictures neutrally?
I personally don't see anything wrong with the calendars pictures. If you are used to german TV, you will find much more exposure in a skin care product advertisemend. I personally find these pictures very professional and would like to congratulate Ms. Alessandra Bosco and wish her success in her modeling carrer.
Calendar
I myself am a military spouse. I looked at Mrs Bosco's website and saw nothing wrong with it. It is very tasteful and my husband even agreed. I would much rather my husband look at something in a magazine than to go out and cheat. These ladies that provide entertainment for the most part are not interested in "going home" with our spouses. These ladies are out there making a living just like teachers, nurses, etc. As long as they are comfortable with their bodies and want to show them off, who cares. I am not worried about my spouse cheating on me because they look at some picture on the internet or in a magazine. I have enough self-confidence in myself and secure enough in my marriage to know that I am the one he is coming home to, not this girl!!!!!! Also, if my spouse is stupid enough to go out and "chase down" some model in a magazine then he is not worthy of being my husband. People need to grow up and join the real world.
THANK YOU....
"Doofysmama" for your practical and common sense comments. (I love your call sign!)....
and THANK YOU Mrs. Bosco, for doing your part in helping boost the morale of our warrriors. Going back to when I served, pin-up calendars have always decorated barracks, the inside of tanks and on our patrol boats. Stars and Stripes had some pretty nice photos of Joey Heatherton ,Ann Margaret, Diane McBain and many other entertainers to help boost our morale. Although almost every GI, sailor and Marine KNEW that any one of these ladies would go out to dinner with them that night, we were pretty much mush in their presence when it came to conversation!
We knew who our sweethearts were and our visitors were there to bring a 'touch of home' if even just for a few minutes.
So everyone get over yourselves...life's too short. I expect that USAG Ansbach's CID is aggressively investigating the threats to Mrs. Bosco and vandalism to their property. In closing, SFC McCoy, THANK YOU for a career of service in defense of our country. You don't deserve the crap coming from insecure superiors!
If my 75 years of age and 20 years of service
give me insight to this incident, the folks in command will take the fast way to solve the issue by shipping the Sgt and wife out of the command,so as not to attract unwanted attention from higher command.........That, instead of seeking those that keyed the car and insulted the lady for prosecution..........mlm
Calendar
SFC McCoy and Alessandra-
Just read an article in Army.Com about you and your wife.
Maybe you can spin this publicity into a good and profitable thing.
I'm sorry some simple minded, insecure, jealous and petty people have targeted both of you with threats and vandalism. I'm hopeful the "leadership" focuses as much or even more attention to the CRIMINAL activity you have both been the victim of, as has apparently been given to the "concerned" community who are trying to force there own morals on everyone. Last time I checked, everyone in the Army was an adult old enough to make there own decisions. It drives me crazy at times that although it is the military that defends others freedom, OURs are sometimes taken away. If a spouse is uncomfortable with her husband purchasing the calendar, that is between the two of them to work out...and if something so trivial is such a huge issue, then there are problems with those individuals and that marriage anyway. I haven't seen the calendar, but based on your website and photos I am sure it is very professional, very nice and tasteful (unlike some of the garbage and porn you find everywhere, to include the PX).
I wish both you and your wife continued success in your careers. Though I am not in either of your shoes and certainly have no influence on potential outcomes, I encourage you to stand up for what is right. SFC McCoy thank you for your service and Alessandra thank you as well for supporting your husband and the sacrifices you make as an Army spouse! Both of you continue to stand tall and be proud.
Best of luck,
MSG Brian Allen
Calendar
All I have to say about this calander is AAFES make sure you put this calender in every PX/BX.
If the wives are so upset about calender then don't look at it in the stores or don't read Stars an Stripes. If you don't trust your husband, maybe you should think whats going through his head while deployed on what you are doing back where ever.
I would say...
..it's about time a good-looking spouse appeared on the scene instead of the plethora of commissary queens that frequent too many military bases. With the nice fitness centers families have available to them, the ladies should spend more pushing away the Twinkies and finding them. When I served, I never was fan of decent-looking women who married their officer hubbies (trophies?) and then let themselves completely go to the point of nonrecognition.
At least pedal a stationary bike at home if the soaps are a must.
sexy calander
I have plenty of sexy pictures on my live space and if someone wanted a calander-I'd BE HAPPY TO DO IT. Grow up people!
a.castanares
BOYS WILL BE BOYS!!!
Boys will be boys, but getting the soldiers minds off missing their families and friends by way of looking at some pin up girl who is half dressed is a little to much for me. I want my soldier to miss me, the way I miss him. I want to be on his mind when he wakes up and before he goes to bed.
I am a very sexy woman who makes sure my soldier is a very happy man even with him being so far away. And it has nothing to do with buying a pin up girl calendar of another woman whom is either married to another soldier or one who could careless whether he even makes it home. Anyone married to any miitary man can take "sexy photos" and send them to him. Make him happy by giving them YOUR own sexy photos. There is nothing wrong a woman making a calendar of herself for her soldier.
Look, war is passionate. Loving these men is passionate. They are putting their life on the line for their country and making a big sacrifice by being away from the ones they love. Sending them a sexy photo or two of you should make them very happy. And we all want our soldiers to be happy, right ladies???
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