Rumsfeld cautions Iraqis on women's rights

[sonicx]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraqis would make "a terrible mistake" in adopting any constitution that sharply curbs women's rights in that country, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Wednesday.

"I personally believe that any country that does not include half of their population in a reasonable way is making a terrible mistake in terms of the future of that country and the prospects for that country and the opportunities for that country," Rumsfeld told a Pentagon news briefing.

Rumsfeld was responding to questions about the possibility a constitution being drafted in Baghdad might lean so heavily on Islamic law it could erode equality for women.

"The subject you raise is a matter (that) the U.S. Department of State and the White House are worrying through with the Iraqi people," he said. "Of course I'm aware of it -- it's not something that falls within the Department of Defense responsibility."

The New York Times reported from Baghdad on Wednesday that a working draft of Iraq's new constitution would cede a strong role to Islamic law and could sharply curb women's rights, particularly in personal matters like divorce and family inheritance.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-07-20T203409Z_01_N20280296_RTRIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-IRAQ-USA-WOMEN-DC.XML

[Lorien]

1. I think I just saw a few demons having a snowball fight

a statement from Rummy that I agree with (the first sentence, at least); will wonders never cease?!

Sadly, I think the future looks pretty grim for the women of Iraq (as does the present).

[David Zephyr]

2. Memo to Rummy: U.S. Supreme Court does not "half of their population"

What fucking hypocrisy in light of Bush's SCOTUS nomination.

[housewolf]

4. Neither does the Senate...

nor the House of Representatives...

then we could take a look at the make-up of state and local governments

[David Zephyr]

7. 1 of the 2 U.S. Senators per state should be female.

It should be the law.

[jimshoes]

3. If they don't come up with a

constitution that you like you could always invade them.... oh wait you've already done that. Hmmm. What to do?

[ck4829]

5. Hey Iraq, Freedom's on the March!

Bush: "We better invade Iraq if the Iraqi Constitution cuts women's rights."

[Patty Diana]

6. Is this a joke? Shouldn't he be warning shrub on the rights of

American Women. Oh my God, how i hate these fuckers

[Judi Lynn]

8. Always joking! What a cut-up.

He has nearly destroyed their country: killed off so many of their friends, neighbors, relatives.

He claims to be concerned about them. Goodlordalmighty.

[dArKeR]

10. Can you post the direct link to this pic?

Thanks!

[Judi Lynn]

16. I just looked for it under "Donald Rumsfeld" and "Rumsfeld" and

"Secretary Rumsfeld" in google images: it's not there. I believe that would have been the source. All I've got is the URL of the photo itself.

The only thing similar was this:

http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2003_antiquities.html

Wish I could remember how I got it, but I'm in the dark. Sorry.

[lumpy]

9. Rummy passing the buck:

"The subject you raise is a matter (that) the U.S. Department of State and the White House are worrying through with the Iraqi people," he said. "Of course I'm aware of it -- it's not something that falls within the Department of Defense responsibility". quote Mr.Rumsfeld

Not his responsibility? Rumsfeld is part of the coalition. If the screw-ups want to succeed in bringing 'democracy and freedom'to Iraq they had better get their act together and take responsiblity.

[MichiganVote]

11. Oh yeah this administration is just great w/women---Not!

[SlavesandBulldozers]

12. "not something that falls within the Department of Defense responsibility"

no, but somehow "liberating" countries is. . . hmmmm.

[leesa]

13. What about a woman's right to choose? Huh, Rummy...and don't give me

the crocodile tears about all life being sacred, you murderer.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. He said , "in a reasonable way".

That means they should be able to vote, as long as they vote as their husbands or fathers would. Forget this unreasonable crap about equality and pro-choice. :eyes:

[Erika]

14. Eight men on the USSC, one woman

And Rummy is lecturing the Iraqis on treatment and representation of women? O'Connor was a moderate for women's rights and upheld Roe v Wade. Her replacement is a male who has said Roe v Wade is bad law.

[susanna]

15. Be careful what you wish for.

You just might get it.

What did they think? Going into an unstable situation (with arguably the only remotely secular nation in Islam) would yield them a true, gender-neutral democracy?

These people astound me with their total misreading of everything that is put in front of them. If the long-reaching consequences weren't so positively dire, this could have been a revival of the Keystone Cops.

[Erika]

17. W's administration choice on the SC is a replay of Keystone Cops

and they were all male also.

[susanna]

20. Agreed. n/t

[burrowowl]

19. I am at a loss for words

Actually, I'm not but many are unprintable. How do the people of this maladministration look themselves in the mirror? They are all sociopaths, including former member Bowel.