I can tell they're happy by just looking at them. Look at those precious smiles!
Posted on 09/29/2005 5:55:51 PM PDT by blam
Arab women shun Bush confidante
By Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 30/09/2005)
A confidante and former chief image-maker to President George W Bush has discovered the limits of the spin doctor's art on her first tour of the Islamic world.
Karen Hughes, the new US under-secretary for public diplomacy, was told by professional women in Saudi Arabia and Turkey that she and America failed to understand them. Her tour had been designed to underline the Bush administration's new commitment to improving its image in Muslim countries.
Speaking to women in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the former television reporter who is a long-standing member of Mr Bush's inner circle, introduced herself as a "Mom" and said the right to drive a car was "an important part of my freedom". Saudi women are forbidden to drive.
The Texan was soon on the defensive. A reporter present said a member of the audience said: "The general image of the Arab woman is that she isn't happy. Well we're all pretty happy."
The audience applauded loudly. Many said they resented the idea they would adopt US lifestyles given the chance. "There is more male chauvinism in my profession in Europe and America than in my country," Dr Siddiqa Kamal, a female obstetrician, told the New York Times. "I don't want to drive a car.
"I worked hard for my medical degree. Why do I need a driver's licence?"
Others agreed that the absence of women's rights did not trouble them. American reporters said that Ms Hughes appeared to be taken aback by the response.
The difficulties continued in Turkey where another meeting with professional women was dominated by Iraq. "You cannot bring in war for the sake of peace," said Feray Sazman.
A human rights worker, Hidayet Sefkatli Tuksal, told Ms Hughes she felt "wounded and insulted" by the images of fear in the eyes of Iraqi women and children.
Arab newspapers such as Al-Hayat said her mission was a fraud because she was "carrying a fake message".
But leaders in several Arab countries said she was at least listening.
A US State Department report yesterday stated that after the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and the controversy over detainees at Guantanamo Bay, America was seen less as "a beacon of hope than a dangerous force to be countered".
It added: "This assertion, repeated in newspaper columns, on radio and television broadcasts, and via the internet, diminishes our ability to champion freedom, democracy and individual dignity."
Pearls before swine.
Some of those "mommies" of suicide bombers are bizarre...
I will never forget seeing an interview with the mother of a suicide bomber in Israel...of course she was Palestinian...
She pointed at three little boys at her feet and said that she would be "proud" for them to also be bombers and that Palestinian women "have" babies in order to add to the supply of suicide bombers...and she is SO PROUD!!!
That one in the middle's a floozy...look at that gold thing on her...er...head. She's simply a slut.
Oh, now that makes total sense. It must be that Muslim logic.
That picture looks like something out of an alien (space) movie.
That picture is horrible in the 21st century, and this article is unbelievable. These are highly educated women who don't even want to drive. It's really disturbing to read this.
I just have to say this, even though it isn't the subject of the article or thread...
The best place for Karen Hughes is back in Washington, running interference for President Bush as his PERSONAL public relations person...
His public relations people have NOT served him well...and I thing Karen Hughes could do that...
Stockholm Syndrome?
Ah heck. We don't understand them. Gee whiz, I wonder if they understand us?
A US State Department report yesterday stated that after the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and the controversy over detainees at Guantanamo Bay, America was seen less as "a beacon of hope than a dangerous force to be countered".
Yeah, but we know how to have fun with underware.
Oh leave them alone! It's just their "culture"
In a society where a woman is stoned to death for allowing herself to be raped I believe I'd wear the damn thing too. I say they deserve everything they get at this point....lead a horse to water and all that.
Exactly,
If you talk to an Arabic woman, they count their blessings in that Nursing Homes don't exist over there...because the extended family lives together and the elderly are cared for until death. Nothing appalls them more than the Western practice of sending our old away to die.
The 'harem' (not the Hollywood sleaze version, but the true functioning sanctuary) is the heart where all the women, children, servants etc hang out together...work, play, tell stories, play cards, musical instruments,dance and support one another.
If a woman has a baby, gets ill or simply has a bought of
sorrow (which actually has a name), she will be cared for
and pampered by others in that side of the house. I've never had sisters, but the coolest experiences of my life were being around a group of Morrocan woman....eating off the same plate and just chatting up a storm.
They were extremely affectionate and complementary to one another and me. Not in a sexual way, just very, very loving and demonstrative. It was a very compelling experience because it was so different from what I've experienced even with the kindest western females....I almost felt like a Christmas puppy must feel around them.
I agree, I love my freedom, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. And I think Sharia law is something out of a Gor novel. I also know there are bad households and unhappy/bored to tears women. Yet I can also understand why these women see aspects of their lives good and want them to be preserved.
===Who has the picture of the 60 or so wrecked cars entitled, "Woman-only parking lot"?----
Hmm....you're looking for the "smaller" lot?
Another propaganda ploy by Muslim women who don't want to be understood. Thats the main reason we alledgedly do not understand them.
Women who allow multiple wives, limited travel ( no drivers licenses), the law of purdah ( do not create any desire in a male),are basically females who have been systematically disempowered to the point where they do not want any freedom. A bird kept in a cage it's whole life will not fly out of it when the door is opened. It's world is the cage.
Now, Karen Hughes, a women of success, eloquence and freedom visits and they say," You do not understand us?"
We already do.And for Saudi Women, that is the defining problem. Now they want to make us think we do not understand them.
Hey, bring them to Las Vegas, put them in mini skirts and push up bras, and turn 'em loose!
Do not take them seriously, at all!
Another propaganda ploy by Muslim women who don't want to be understood. Thats the main reason we alledgedly do not understand them.
Women who allow multiple wives, limited travel ( no drivers licenses), the law of purdah ( do not create any desire in a male),are basically females who have been systematically disempowered to the point where they do not want any freedom. A bird kept in a cage it's whole life will not fly out of it when the door is opened. It's world is the cage.
Now, Karen Hughes, a women of success, eloquence and freedom visits and they say," You do not understand us?"
We already do.And for Saudi Women, that is the defining problem. Now they want to make us think we do not understand them.
Hey, bring them to Las Vegas, put them in mini skirts and push up bras, and turn 'em loose!
Do not take them seriously, at all!
It is so surprising that muslim women would treat an infidel like this. NOT!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.