Yes, George W. Bush and others trotted out the “we need to help the women” argument to justify the invasion of foreign lands. But did anyone really take that seriously? Prior to the attacks of 9/11, we heard nary a peep from our government about human-rights abuses against women in Afghanistan.She goes after President Obama as well:
And when has the United States ever engaged in military action with even the subsidiary purpose of freeing women under misogynist oppression? Let’s not forget that Saudi Arabia—a country where women are segregated from men, cannot vote or travel without the explicit approval of a male guardian, and are often harassed by baton-wielding religious police who ensure they are covered—is a key ally of the U.S.
The Obama administration has hardly been a profile in courage on the international women-rights front. Shockingly, the issue that has animated Obama is the important “right” of women to cover themselves. In his Cairo speech, Obama bragged that the “U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.”I hate piling on, but if we value intellectual honesty, we must admit she’s got a point.
The women of the world thank you.
Yes, our forces created space for girls to go to school and women to work and express themselves where the opportunity presented itself. But we must also admit that upending societal and tribal norms (even misogynist 7th century ones) is detrimental to “winning hearts and minds.”
7 comments:
These primitive peoples who live in that region of the world (I will not call them 'Afghanis,' since they do not call themselves that, either) are not interested in becoming civilized and joining the 21st century.
Leave them to their savagery, and when they resume harboring terrorists, dispatch a few squadrons of B-52's now and then to nip those activities in the bud.
I agree Fredd. You can't want something for someone more than they want it for themselves.
My heart goes out to most of these women. I say, "most" because some actually embrace their slavery and take pride it in it. They are so brainwashed that they cannot see that they are oppressed.
What angers me is seeing American women converting and giving up their right of freedom.
It all comes down to the old saying: "The Lord helps those who help themselves," or to put it another way, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."
As for Obama, well what did you expect from a Muslim?
By the way, the tribute to my mom is finally posted
I appreciate Ms. Powers’ honesty; it doesn’t happen very often. All politicians use appeals to emotionalism to garner support for their too-often poorly considered plans. While it is true women in all Islamic countries are little more than sex slaves, we Americans should get our own house in order before we begin condemning others. United States reaction to Islamic misogyny is limited; at best, we only postpone what Moslem men see as their god-given right. We should wonder, though … where is the UN on the issue of FGM? It is silent, which is one reason the UN has no credibility with me. Where is the outrage from the National Organization of Women, Human Rights Watch, or the so-called world court?
The war is not, and should never be, about the manner in which the Afghans (or anyone else) treat their women. It must have to do with (1) Defending America, and (2) a compelling interest in the region that we decide to invade. If there is no compelling national interest in Afghanistan, then why in hell are we there? If there is a compelling national interest in Afghanistan, then why are we pussyfooting around? Let’s just win the damn war and bring our troops home.
Thanks Mustang. Funny, we just don't fit the profile of rightwingwarmonger.
People who have see it up close are the ones who hate it the most...
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