MTP: Discussing Women's Rights In Iraq

[me b zola]

In this excerpt, David Gregory is talking to former Middle East specialist for the CIA, Reuel Marc Gerecht, and former adviser for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, Larry Diamond. Pay particular to the bottom half of Mr. Gerecht's response.


~snip~

MR. GREGORY: Fast forward to this morning. Gentlemen, we put this on the screen from The New York Times. " Khalilzad had backed language that would have given clerics sole authority in settling marriage and family disputes. That gave rise to concerns that women's rights, as they are annunciated in Iraq's existing laws, could be curtailed. ... that the Americans were helping in the formation of an Islamic state."

~snip~

MR. GREGORY: Mr. Gerecht, the consequences of this?

MR. GERECHT: Actually, I'm not terribly worried about this. I mean, one hopes that the Iraqis protect women's social rights as much as possible. It certainly seems clear that in protecting the political rights, there's no discussion of women not having the right to vote. I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled. I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy.We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8926876/


There you go, ladies & gents. We should all be thrilled if half of Iraqis are not treated as full citizens.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. and if half of Awmricans were not treated

as full citizens. How many of these people do you think woudl love it if woemn and blacks did not vote?

[me b zola]

5. Exactly.

Here it was well over half of the population that were not full citizens. White men were the only ones afforded their Constitutional rights. Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans & women were less than citizens. GLBTs still are not full citizens.

That is what slays me. To say that democracy is a long slow process for everyone to enjoy their rights is a bunch of BS. In our "evolution", democracy has been stopped dead in its tracks by the over-throw of the electoral process all before all of our citizens have been allowed full citizenship under the law.

[smoogatz]

2. Who the hell is "we," white man?

I'm sure Bushco would be thrilled if Iraq developed into a "democracy" that resembled Gilded Age America, in which women couldn't vote, workers did as they were told and corporations were all-powerful. Hell, that's what they wish America was like.

[me b zola]

7. I think so too

I think that is what they are patterning their new Amerika on. We are losing so much of the social progress that has been made, and the rethugs are trying to take us back further.

It's a crying shame. You know, the women in Afghanistan had equal rights before the US began exerting their influence (the making of the Taliban). They want to point out how we liberated them from their burkas after we invaded, but they never had to live like that before the US became involved there to begin with. Now the Taliban & Islamic law are becoming increasingly influential there again.

I really do think that the BFEE benefits from the lack of civil rights in many of these countries. They most certainly benefit from us handing over ours.

[acmavm]

3. Does he include the women in his family in this flawed and corrupt ideal?

<snip>
I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy.
<snip>

This son of a bitch needs to be kicked physically out of any political organization, no matter what. He shouldn't be allowed to give any opinions publically. We have enough lying stupid idiot racist misogynistic bastards spouting off hateful rhetoric already.

mi·sog·y·nist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (m-sj-nst)
n.One who hates women.

adj. Of or characterized by a hatred of women.

[WiseButAngrySara]

4. I heard that, and CHOKED with fury! So glad you posted it. I logged on

to DU when I heard the statement, looking for a post on the subject since I can't yet post? (I think), and got distracted as usual, with so many other topics I forgot about it! Let's keep this Kicked! To get more attention, maybe you should edit your title to : 'Women's social rights not nmecessary for democracy' or something.

"I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy."

[me b zola]

9. That is what prompted me to log on as well

I usually wait a little while before making a post because there are others here that are so much better posters. I don't have the ability to write in bold or shadow box which highlights a post's important info. I am glad that you have done that in your response. I have seen people with a lower post count than you begin a thread, you should try it next time you have something to share :)


You have highlighted the critical statement. My head nearly exploded when I heard that said.

WTF are we doing there????????? :grr:

[WiseButAngrySara]

11. I've read several of your posts...remember your name, and they are

great! I just saw another thread on this topic started on the front page. I didn't know the guy (non-human creep) was a PNAC/neo-con, but hey I certainly should have guessed it!

[pop goes the weasel]

6. wonder what he would think

if it were the men who were going to be locked up and have acid thrown on them for not obeying the dictates of extremist women? And does he also think Jim Crow laws and lynching are nothing to be concerned about, as long as the men in the dominate group get to vote?

The Republican leadership isn't even pretending anymore to give a rat's ass about equality and justice.

[me b zola]

8. The thin veil is being lifted

It is always easy for these guys to discount the civil & human rights of others. :grr:

[acmavm]

10. Posted this in another thread, but it goes equally (better?) in this one: