Mrs. Bush's People Lied (Laura Bush dons Muslim headscarf)

Debbie Schlussel ^ | 10/25/2007 | Debbie Schlussel

[WWTD]

When I first wrote about First Lady Laura Bush's latest Breast Cancer Awareness Tour of the Extremist Islamic World (redundant), I noted that Mrs. Bush's PR team told the press that she would not, under any circumstances, don an Islamic headscarf or anything of the sort:

"They do not expect nor encourage it," of Western visitors at official meetings, said Bush's spokeswoman, Sally McDonough. "As members of the official traveling party, we will not need to wear any head scarves or abayas at any point."

I didn't buy it. And, as usual, my instincts were correct. This is Sheikha Laura, yesterday, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (thanks to reader "greatcometof1577").

[Caramelgal]

Respecting the local custom or religion does not mean one is submitting to it. It is the respectful and diplomatic thing to do.

My parents were both very devout and traditional Catholics. While I myself was not Catholic anymore, at their funerals, I respected their and the Catholic faith by covering my head in a veil. That didn’t mean I converted (or converted back), it was just a sign of respect.

Likewise when my husband and I attended the Bar Mitzvah of the child of a good friend and co-worker and the funeral services of the mother of one of my other Jewish friends, my husband wore a yarmulke while inside the synagogue. That didn’t mean we became Jewish.

I was interested in planning a trip to Italy and took an Italian language and tourism class at my local community college. The teacher was a native born Italian who had come to the US as a young man after WWII. He became a US citizen and was and engineer for the DOD for many years. He told us how offensive and disrespectful it was to tour the Vatican wearing shorts, crop tops, halter tops, offensive tee shirts and such and I agreed.

[farmer18th]

When in Rome..

In Rome, you remember that you're in a Christian--read civilized--country. You can't say that about Saudi Arabia or Pakistan or Iraq or Syria or Lybia. Why? Because they have cultural traditions that are worthy of rebuke, not emulation.

[johnny7]

Whats the pink crap Laura has around her wrist?

[GovernmentShrinker]

Actually, if you read the article with the real quote from Mrs. Bush’s PR rep, it doesn’t say that she WON’T wear a headscarf or abaya, it says she won’t NEED to. The photo of Mrs. Bush with the king shows her with a completely uncovered head. The other picture looks like it’s probably in a private home, and I wouldn’t fault Mrs. Bush for CHOOSING to don a headscarf (albeit with a lot more of her stylish hair exposed than the local women would even show) when in a private home with children present, where the lack of headscarf might make the host family uncomfortable and be seen as challenging their religious beliefs in front of their children.

[angcat]

Breast Cancer ribbon.

[ari-freedom]

Uh...next time the Catholics or the Amish fly jumbo-jets into the World Trade Center, we can talk. Until then, you should go back to your “making distinctions” textbook.
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I quote on top and put my own comments below. like this :)

[Neverforget01]

Bush draped it over her hair briefly as the women beamed and moved in closer for photos."

What part of briefly don't you understand? This has to be one of the silliest things I've read about in a long time. I guess you would have been happier if she'd insulted breast cancer survivors? What the Heck?

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

There is a very famous picture of Calvin Coolidge accepting and wearing a war bonnet presented by a tribe of plains indians.

Was the President indicating that he was inclined to convert to shamanism? Was Silent Cal endorsing the murderous slaughter only decades before of the white settlers of the Great Plains by accepting and wearing this gift? Of course not! He was graciously accepting a gift from a group of fellow citizens.

Commentators appear to have too much time on their hands or are desperate to find things to comment upon if someone has to stoop to this. Meanwhile, our modern sensibilities on the left and right are oh so easily offended.

What a waste.

[thackney]

Respecting the local custom or religion does not mean one is submitting to it.

Agreed, which is why I used the word "deference" instead of "submission". The definition of deference includes "respectful or courteous regard".

[johnny7]

Thanks...

[ari-freedom]

what part of “and moved in closer for photos” don’t you understand? This sends a message about accepting islam, not about ladies sharing fashion accessories.

[dforest]

I totally agree with you on this one.

[thackney]

Whats the pink crap Laura has around her wrist?

It is part of the headscarf. Look at the one the other woman is wearing.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

No, we don’t want her to be a jerk.

But the Islamofascists push their religion on others every opportunity they get.

Should she have given them copies of the New Testament “as a gift?” How about some books by Gloria Steinem? Or how about giving some of their women “a gift” of bikinis or miniskirts?

They were the jerks by offering a gift that symbolized (partially) the oppressiveness of their religion. Mrs. Bush could have accepted the gift and not put it on. Every act of submission becomes propaganda for them and encourages their sense of victory.

[ZULU]

I think she looks hot in it.

[angcat]

I hope she trashes it when she gets home.

[farmer18th]

There is a very famous picture of Calvin Coolidge accepting and wearing a war bonnet presented by a tribe of plains indians.

That was a gesture of a thoroughly defeated culture some decades after the end of their most brutal savagery. It was not the proselytizing of an Islamo-fascist maiden, living in a country that helps supplies IEDs to blow up our soldiers. You need to go back to distinction class. Laura could have been gracious without being pandering. I would like the Bush family to remind the world that there is nothing peaceful about Islam--and thousands of our boys are being killed to help install an Islamic republic.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

GPM, I think folks need to take a giant chill pill on this one. The KKK carries crosses in their parades as a symbol of intimidation. Does that mean that one should shun the gift of a crucifix from a nun? Of course not. The misuse or abuse of a symbol by one group does not per se taint the use of that symbol by another group.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

I don’t want to hear about or see her or her husband.

[listenhillary]

Interesting