(1) Iraqi women were intelligent

(2) They all had numerous questions about democracy and how it worked.

(3) They were stunned about how two members of opposited parties could work so well together to reach a common goal.

(4) They were interested in full participation in their government….they saw it as their children’s future.

NO, I repeat NO, opposite point of view was espoused in this report. Both Congresswomen were amazed by the Iraqi women and very hopeful for women being strong voices in Iraq.

It was an amazing interview…sorry I was so intent on the content that I forgot their names.

At one point in the ceremony, the priest makes mention of how the woman shall “fear” her husband. Traditionally, about half the time, the woman discretely (but still, noticeably) digs her heel into the man’s foot at that point, to remind him that, well, they’re just words, you know. That portion of the ceremony always draws a laugh as a result—whether or not the woman does it. (In this case, she did not.)

While I don’t wish to minimize the genuine horror of regimes like the Taliban or the genuine abuse that happens within many homes with a tradition of male dominance, I have to agree with a previous poster when he says that, as long as women’s suffrage is assured, they’ll make out OK in the end. Perhaps not immediately—we can’t reasonably expect that—but eventually.

I know. Now you know that I know and I know that you know that I know. We’re very knowlegable…and immensely amused.

Best.

Bangladesh isn’t the source of my immense amusement. The fact that it took so long for someone to finally climb the Alps and tug on the Swiss’s coats to let them know the 20th century was movin’ right along and they might wanna think about getting on board with the whole women’s sufferage thing is what I find amusing. I can’t fathom how it took Heidi so long to get Marti to cough up the vote – I woulda thought “Well then milk your own freakin’ goats!” would carried a lotta weight there in Bern.

In its defense, Bangladesh didn’t become a sovereign nation-state until late in 1971. Women got the vote in Pakistan with partition and independence. It took a few years for India to get with the program.

You’re welcome, as always.

That said,the time(if ever there was such a time)when anyone but Iraqis can decide these issues has long passed.Even if we could force a structure on the Iraqis,if they did not accept it as valid,it would eventually self-destruct.Iraq,outside of Baghdad and the Kurdish areas,appears to be a conservative country.Many people believe in very conservative(reactionary)value systems,and we cannot change these attitudes by fiat.Family and tribe are important in Iraq,and will be for the foreseeable future.Institutional systems must take this factor into account.

Education,education,education,will allow Iraq to reach its full potential,and with the advent of a ‘federal’internal structure in Iraq,even if some areas remain ‘backward’,those who want something different can always move to Baghdad if they find Najaf too confining.What we need to keep pressing is respect for diversity and tolerance for others.After Saddam those are relatively easy sales to make to a motivated populace.If a culture of mutual respect arises,we will not have to worry about ‘women’s rights’,as they will be merely a part of the ‘human rights’Iraqis will both demand and respect.

Iraq will NEVER be NYC or LA,and to be frank — GOOD.

We can’t reasonably expect the Iraqis to share our views on women’s liberation right away. The average Iraqis is probaly incredibly conservative and, frankly, sexist by our standards. It will take a while for them to get used to the idea of the modern age.

This undoubtedly also includes many Iraqi women. While they presumably don’t want to be second-class citizens, I bet a lot of them also regard Western women as “pushy” and “unfeminine.” They want their daughters to dress and behave modestly, and are disgusted the decadence of Western popular culture. Heck, I have only boys and I too am disgusted by this. I wouldn’t want my boys to date some of the teenage hootchies I see at the mall.

These Iraqi women are devoutly religious and would never dream of running for office. Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, and Condi Rice might seem like nice people, but they would never in a million years consider following in their footsteps. Their primary interest is their family.

In this environment, it is not surprising to see Iraqi politicans making statementst that we Americans regard as sexist and even reactionary.

But it’s not a problem. Why?

Because if Iraqis hold regular elections, women’s rights will be protected. Regular elections are the key to everything.

We will insist on universal women’s sufferage. And while a little Islamic inheritance law is fine, we won’t permit Iraq to become too theorcatic.

And if the women can vote, they can protect themselves from oppression.

But there is a huge difference between a paternalistic society that allows women the right to political representation and the Taliban which denies them any rights at all.