Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15052030)
QuoteWomen in Saudi Arabia are to be given the right to vote and run in future municipal elections, King Abdullah has announced.
He said they would also have the right to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.
The move was welcomed by activists who have called for greater rights for women in the kingdom, which enforces a strict version of Sunni Islamic law.
The changes will occur after municipal polls on Thursday, the king said.
King Abdullah announced the move in a speech at the opening of the new term of the Shura Council - the formal body advising the king, whose members are all appointed.
"Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term," he said.
"Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote."...
A bit of good news.
Pardon my French, but fuck yeah. Religious powers of control so very often incite and reinforce ancient, nonsensical bigotries like sexism. It's wonderful to see their influence wane and to see equality spread like wildfire throughout the world. Women and men are of equal value and no prophet or ancient scripture can do anything to change that.
It's a start, or I hope it is.
Some woman can be part of the problem, older woman are very much involved in perpetuating the female genital mutilation horror.
Anyway good luck to them, I hope they can achieve change without too many martyrs.
call me cautiously optimistic
When will they be allowed to drive cars, or go away from home without a letter of permission from their male owner?
Quote from: Stevil on September 26, 2011, 07:07:00 AM
When will they be allowed to drive cars, or go away from home without a letter of permission from their male owner?
I think on their 75th birthday would be appropriate.
But then its hard to generalise, depends on their ability to elicit evil thoughts in men folk.
The release date should not be made without considering a wide range of factors, such as possession of own teeth, whether lack of own teeth is likely to elicit sinful faults, it's all so very complicated. Women are so lucky they don't have to worry their little heads about this complicated stuff.
'bout damned time.
Next step is getting them to vote for what they want, not what husbands, brothers, fathers and others with a penis and a beard say. 8)
Quote from: Asmodean on September 26, 2011, 10:56:20 AM
'bout damned time.
Next step is getting them to vote for what they want, not what husbands, brothers, fathers and others with a penis and a beard say. 8)
Yep. You can definitly see some women as simply being an extension vote of the alpha male. He just tells his sons, daughters and wives who to vote for. Oh well, it seemed like a good idea :(
Do most women even watch the news without husband-censorship over there, mewonder..? ???
One day, maybe they will even be allowed in schools to get educated, hopefully topics other than cooking and sewing.
Quote from: Stevil on September 26, 2011, 11:19:56 AM
One day, maybe they will even be allowed in schools to get educated, hopefully topics other than cooking and sewing.
...Then they'll be able to vote based on other things than a politician's kitchen-political view too.
Imagine a Saudi plumber having to cook dinner for like 12 attorney-wives. ;D
Quote from: Stevil on September 26, 2011, 11:19:56 AM
One day, maybe they will even be allowed in schools to get educated, hopefully topics other than cooking and sewing.
In Iran more women go onto higher education than men.
Education in Iran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Iran)
QuoteWomen make up more than 60 percent of Iranian university students with some fields in science and engineering having more than 70 percent of their alumni be women.[11] The opportunities for women education and their involvement in higher education has grown exponentially after the Iranian Revolution.[11] According to UNESCO world survey, Iran has the highest female to male ratio at primary level of enrollment in the world among sovereign nations, with a girl to boy ratio of 1.22 : 1.00.[12]
It's a pity Saudi Arabia falls so far behind Iran in this respect.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on September 26, 2011, 07:36:53 AM
Quote from: Stevil on September 26, 2011, 07:07:00 AM
When will they be allowed to drive cars, or go away from home without a letter of permission from their male owner?
I think on their 75th birthday would be appropriate.
But then its hard to generalise, depends on their ability to elicit evil thoughts in men folk.
The release date should not be made without considering a wide range of factors, such as possession of own teeth, whether lack of own teeth is likely to elicit sinful faults, it's all so very complicated. Women are so lucky they don't have to worry their little heads about this complicated stuff.
I rest at ease knowing the men-folk are protecting me from myself. The absence of individual will is calming, ahhhhhh 8)
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on September 26, 2011, 11:55:09 AM
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on September 26, 2011, 07:36:53 AM
Quote from: Stevil on September 26, 2011, 07:07:00 AM
When will they be allowed to drive cars, or go away from home without a letter of permission from their male owner?
I think on their 75th birthday would be appropriate.
But then its hard to generalise, depends on their ability to elicit evil thoughts in men folk.
The release date should not be made without considering a wide range of factors, such as possession of own teeth, whether lack of own teeth is likely to elicit sinful faults, it's all so very complicated. Women are so lucky they don't have to worry their little heads about this complicated stuff.
I rest at ease knowing the men-folk are protecting me from myself. The absence of individual will is calming, ahhhhhh 8)
We are like your knowledgable protectors and all we ask in return is for you to cook and clean some and and to fulfill our sexual desires. You are lucky indeed.
That's good news... I guess.
Still, depressing how slow moving that country is. :(
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 27, 2011, 10:46:14 PM
Still, depressing how slow moving that country is. :(
Oh, they are not alone about that. :-\
So everyone in Saudia Arabia gets a raise and women get to vote. Do you think they may be trying to prevent Arab Spring from arriving on their corner of the sand lot?
I don't quite get it... Down with the dictators and then..?
Are people in Egypt, for instance, that much better off now than they were under Mubarak (Or however you spell that name)? Is unemployment reduced in Libya..? (Those can't even do their revolution right...)
Quote from: Asmodean on September 28, 2011, 06:59:44 AM
I don't quite get it... Down with the dictators and then..?
Are people in Egypt, for instance, that much better off now than they were under Mubarak (Or however you spell that name)? Is unemployment reduced in Libya..? (Those can't even do their revolution right...)
This is my issue; people who think democracy fixes or changes anything...
These countries are messed up from deep down, and need a lot more than a gov change of rule.
As Churchill observed "Democracy is the worst form of government, until you consider the alternatives."
Quote from: Tank on September 28, 2011, 09:10:03 AM
As Churchill observed "Democracy is the worst form of government, until you consider the alternatives."
Me, I think people quote him too much on that. There is such a thing as a competent monarch or dictator, for instance and as long as it works well enough, leave it the f**k alone. There is, after all, absolutely no guarantee that people in the country in question would be better off with democracy. As House said repeatedly, "People are idiots" and idiots, they sometimes elect a guy like GWB... Twice.
People depend and trust their gov too much anyway. There's no such thing as a non greed filled or corrupt gov really... And no quick fix.
And maybe we should handle our own damn issues first; seeing as poverty is UP in america. I dunno what's going on in UK.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 28, 2011, 04:41:08 PM
People depend and trust their gov too much anyway. There's no such thing as a non greed filled or corrupt gov really... And no quick fix.
Well, MY government is not filled with opportunistic assholes. However, democracy in Norway - a tiny country where everyone pretty much sees everything - can not be compared to democracy in Russia, where it doesn't work at all, or the US, where it works badly.
Are you from Norway, grumpy? :)
Yup.
Lovely! I have a great desire to live there in the future.
Is cold-ish and the speed limits are snail-like, but it's a nice place to live.
Quote from: Asmodean on September 30, 2011, 10:52:06 AM
Is cold-ish and the speed limits are snail-like, but it's a nice place to live.
I hate the cold and driving slow, but honestly they would be quite welcome in exchange for a competent government.
Quote from: KingPhilip on September 30, 2011, 11:55:35 AM
I hate the cold and driving slow, but honestly they would be quite welcome in exchange for a competent government.
That there is not too far from my sentiment. 8)
I dont mind slow speed limits at all, but i'll have to adjust to cold. What are your summers like?
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 30, 2011, 02:44:18 PM
I dont mind slow speed limits at all, but i'll have to adjust to cold. What are your summers like?
Short.
Quote from: Tank on September 30, 2011, 05:17:34 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 30, 2011, 02:44:18 PM
I dont mind slow speed limits at all, but i'll have to adjust to cold. What are your summers like?
Short.
That's fine xP
Quote from: Asmodean on September 30, 2011, 06:51:54 AM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 28, 2011, 04:41:08 PM
People depend and trust their gov too much anyway. There's no such thing as a non greed filled or corrupt gov really... And no quick fix.
Well, MY government is not filled with opportunistic assholes. However, democracy in Norway - a tiny country where everyone pretty much sees everything - can not be compared to democracy in Russia, where it doesn't work at all, or the US, where it works badly.
I always say that Canada is way too big to be one country. What does Vancouver, BC have to do with St.John's, NL? Not much. I always thought the east coast of Canada and New England would make a lovely country. I'd be happy to to be rid of Alberta :P
^ What about the French bits?
I really love your Tim hortons, Canada! There are a few here in NYC now.<3
Quote from: Sweetdeath on October 01, 2011, 11:00:38 AM
I really love your Tim hortons, Canada! There are a few here in NYC now.<3
YES!! We have one here. I have to stop there at least once a week.
Quote from: OldGit on October 01, 2011, 10:17:51 AM
^ What about the French bits?
A lot of people in Quebec have wanted to separate for years, they had a referendum a few years ago that was very close. I'd say they become their own country. There are a few other smaller french speaking parts of Canada (New Brunswick, parts of Nova Scotia, etc). I'd say that they keep their same official language rights, but either join Quebec (willingly, of course) or stay where they are with protected rights.
I have this allll figured out :P
And Tim Horton's is okay, but I swear they put something in their coffee. People get crazy addicted to it. I worked there once and people go nuts for their Timmies.
Quote from: Tank on September 30, 2011, 05:17:34 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on September 30, 2011, 02:44:18 PM
I dont mind slow speed limits at all, but i'll have to adjust to cold. What are your summers like?
Short.
Ah, but we still
have them. 8)
/End optimism