"surrender early and often" ... we should worry about Iraqi women.

[madfloridian]

I did not realize that some of our Democrats criticized Dean's statements on FTN about his fears for the women of Iraq. It never occurred to me they would do that. He had stated that there was a possibility that women would have less rights under the new constitution there. He was right.

http://www.alternet.org/story/24351/

"If General Eisenhower had the kind of troops on D-Day Howard Dean is stuck with today we'd all be wearing lederhosen. Every time Dean says anything even remotely true about the mess Republicans have made -- domestically, fiscally or internationally -- his own party leaders feel compelled to rush out and apologize. They remind me of an abused spouse who, after every beating from her abuser, refuses to press charges blaming herself for saying the wrong thing.

Dean sent Democratic Party mice running for cover again last weekend when he (correctly) stated that if Iraqis adopt a constitution based on traditional Islam's rules for (mis)treating women, Iraqi women would be worse off than they were under Saddam.

Now, that statement is demonstrably true. A high school freshman on her first day in debating class could win that side of the debate without cracking a book. Just look at Iran, Saudi Arabia or even "liberated" Afghanistan, where traditional Islamic law (sharia) calls the tune. In those countries women are treated in ways that would send Sen. Barbara Boxer into orbit if it were happening anywhere in the US. And rightfully so.

Iraqi Shiites are demanding just those kinds of laws in the newly liberated Iraq. Nevertheless, top Dems elbowed their weaselly way to the nearest CNN microphone to denounce Dean's (completely correct and defensible) observation. Leading the Democrat damage control squad was the dapper senator from Delaware, Joe Biden, who wants to run for President in '08. He was the first to find an open mic and once again denounced Dean's statement."

"It was the second time Biden cut the ground out from under Dean. The first was last June when Dean described Republicans as "evil," and that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay "belongs in jail." (Which in fact may come to pass since he is under criminal investigation in Texas.) Biden was sent right out to hoist a white flag before GOP snipers took offense:

"He doesn't speak for me with that kind of rhetoric and I don't think he speaks for the majority of Democrats," Biden told ABC News, flashing his overly-whitened teeth, used car salesman grin. People are starting to take note of this Dem strategy of "surrender early and often."

I did not realize they had done that. Was it just Biden, who else? How can anyone deny that is true? It boggles my mind. I see an atmosphere in our own country now which permits ideas to flourish that woman's rights need to be regulated, especially during childbearing years. But oh, hell, at least we are still permitted to drive and go out in public alone.

[wli]

1. who's apologizing? The DLC? n/t

[madfloridian]

2. Often it is, but I did not know anyone would question the truth on this.

It is so obviously painfully true that they might have less rights. Some are already being forced into burqas....I don't think Iraqi women had to wear those before.

I forget that women did not get the right to vote even in our country until 1920, so we are still on some fragile ground in thinking of women as equals to men. I never really realized that before.

I don't know which Democrats, but the author made it sound plural.

[wli]

3. I was most concerned about Dems "surrender early and often"

Granted, Iraqi women's freedoms are important, but none of that will get anywhere if Dean's so badly marginalized.

[madfloridian]

4. Yes, we need to back him up.

Only a few are learning that fighting back might make the other side mad. Gotta quit worrying about that.